Chapter 70: Discovery
by AfuhfuihgsDiscovery
Just like when I visited a few months ago, the northern region where the Wentos County is located was still covered in white snow despite it being summer.
At least now that summer had arrived, the biting cold that felt like it was cutting into flesh was gone, but the chilly air still required everyone to wear extra layers.
“Guests! Arianrod Fortress is in sight!”
At the coachman’s voice, I stuck my head out of the carriage to look, and there it was—Arianrod Fortress, a sturdy stronghold standing firmly on the white snowfield.
It still boasted a solid and majestic appearance, worthy of being called the northern bulwark.
“Oh, so that’s the famous Arianrod Fortress I’ve heard so much about.”
Senior Iris exclaimed with admiration.
Indeed, people who visit Arianrod Fortress for the first time often have such reactions.
Territory in the northern part of the kingdom, said to have been ruled by the Demon King in the past.
To block the periodically descending ferocious and powerful magical beasts from that place, Arianrod Fortress is larger and more magnificent than any other fortress in the kingdom.
From another perspective, this fortress also serves as a tourist attraction for the Wentos County.
…Though people who come to sightsee can be counted on one hand due to the harsh environment.
“Hmm…?”
“Lilu, what’s wrong?”
Emilia gave Lilu a questioning look as she groaned while looking at the fortress.
“No, I was just thinking it’s much larger than the fortress I knew.”
“Ah, I’ve heard that Arianrod Fortress has undergone repeated expansions and reinforcements over hundreds of years. Maybe that’s why?”
“Is that so? I’m glad my memory isn’t wrong then.”
While it’s true that Arianrod Fortress has undergone repeated expansions and reinforcements, I believe its size hasn’t changed significantly for about 200 years.
Then Lilu’s age would be… hmm…
Let’s forget about it, as I might get beaten if I accidentally mention it out loud.
Emilia parted ways with us midway to head to her hometown.
After saying goodbye, promising to come to Arianrod Fortress later to meet Riel, she fearlessly entered the forest—truly befitting a demi-human.
After parting with Emilia and passing through the checkpoint into the fortress, there was someone welcoming us.
“It’s been a while, my blood!!”
A girl with slightly longer, mint-green-tinted silver hair fluttering in the wind, my younger sister Kino Wentos, appeared striking a mysterious pose.
Unlike before, a clean, blood-red cloak fluttered in the wind, oddly creating an atmosphere.
“…Yes. It’s been a while, Kino. …Did you change your cloak?”
“Kukuk! Mother bestowed this anew upon me!”
…Even though nobles occasionally wear red cloaks, they don’t wear red cloaks that look as though they’ve been smeared with blood like that.
Of course, it was partly due to a somewhat superstitious reason that such a color was considered ominous, but well, that’s the nature of superstitions.
Despite that, she chose such a color.
I can imagine what mother’s expression must have been like.
“Welcome, brother.”
“…I feel relieved seeing you, at least, Asta.”
Unlike before, my younger brother Asta Wentos had also come out to greet us.
Like Kino, a new white cloak seemed to flutter.
Though there wasn’t much wind, Kino was probably creating a wind effect with magic.
And Asta was just caught up in it.
“Did you change your cloak too?”
“Yes. We’ll be going to the academy next year too, so she said we should prepare various things, including casual clothes in advance.”
Come to think of it, these twin siblings who are a year younger than me will attend the academy next year.
About half a year before I started attending the academy, I was also dragged around by mother, getting fitted for various clothes.
Even the green cloak I’m wearing now was fitted at that time.
“Yes, in half a year, you’ll become my juniors.”
“Yes! Please take care of us then, brother.”
“Kukuk! What supreme achievements will the sacred grounds of learning reveal to me…”
…
That kid Kino, is it really okay to let her go to the academy like that?
Before, I was complacent since there was still about a year left, but as it’s shrinking to about half a year, I’m starting to get a bit nervous.
“Kino! Hello!”
“Eek! Crimson girl…!”
Perhaps happy to see her after a long time, Riel appeared before Kino with a bright smile and firmly clasped her hands.
But Kino still seemed to find Riel overwhelming, turning pale as soon as she saw her.
“Hey, you should be comfortable enough to call me sister by now…”
“Com…comfortable, you say…?!”
“But if things go well, I could really become your sister, you know?”
When such words came out of Riel’s mouth, Kino made a dumbfounded expression.
“Huh…? What does that mean?”
“Heehee~ I wonder what it means?”
Riel said teasingly, and there was someone who understood the situation before Kino did.
None other than my younger brother, Asta.
“Brother…? Could it be…”
“…Well, that’s how it is. …I’m planning to formally speak to our parents too.”
“Really…? I had somewhat expected it when I saw you before… Congratulations.”
While the confession method was a bit too much to be congratulated on, it’s not a bad feeling.
Looking at Kino, who was still confused and didn’t understand the meaning, Asta approached and whispered something in her ear.
At that moment, Kino’s face turned redder than Riel’s hair color.
“Wh…wh…wha…whaaat?!”
“Kino?!”
“B-Brother?! Really?! Really, you and brother…!”
“Calm down, Kino.”
And Alukinon of the Blood Wind has run away again.
“Since that’s how it is, you can comfortably call Riel ‘sister’ now!”
“Eeeeek! Don’t cling to meeeee!!”
Riel triumphantly laughed as she hugged Kino tightly.
…If we leave Riel with Kino, could we cure Kino’s chuunibyou?
“By the way, brother, who are the people behind you?”
“Ah, right.”
While Riel and Kino were squabbling, I introduced Senior Iris and Lilu to Asta.
“Iris Likenair, second year at Gransen Academy.”
“…I’m Lilu. Nice to meet you.”
Senior Iris greeted energetically, and Lilu, with her long ears twitching, greeted quietly.
After entering Arianrod Fortress, Lilu had completely removed her hood.
She had decided that since elves live in the north as well, though they rarely come out, no major problems would occur.
“Ah…I am Asta Wentos, second son of the Wentos Count family! Nice to meet you!”
Asta’s face turned bright red as he bowed in greeting.
I was wondering why he was acting like that, but thinking about it, both Senior Iris and Lilu are quite beautiful.
Well, given the high variance in appearance standards in this world, I’m not sure about the criteria for beauty…
…Asta has always been weak to beautiful women, and if he’s showing such a reaction, they must be beautiful by this world’s standards.
“Young Master, preparations for departure are ready.”
While we were greeting each other, the mansion servants who had been preparing the carriage called out.
I turned around.
Two men in knight armor were standing and waiting.
“Are you really sure you don’t need to come with us?”
“Yes, we’ve prepared separate accommodations.”
They were none other than escorts provided by the royal family in preparation for any incidents that might occur on the way to the Count’s territory.
Having been attacked once in the royal capital and again in the Ignis Duchy, the royal family had assigned them as a precaution.
“If you need to go outside the fortress, please contact us in advance. We’ll rush over immediately.”
“I feel a bit sorry, you must be very busy.”
“Not at all, this is our duty. Have a pleasant vacation…”
Saying this, the two knights walked in a different direction.
As I saw them off, I called Riel, who was still squabbling with Kino, and we boarded the carriage heading to the mansion.
For Kino, who hadn’t been introduced to Senior Iris and Lilu, we somehow managed with a simple introduction inside the carriage.
The carriage raced through the fortress, arriving at the Count’s mansion.
The Count’s mansion, which I had thought was large since childhood.
However, having just visited the larger Duke’s mansion recently, I realized that our house is relatively small.
…Well, in exchange, the grounds themselves are quite vast due to the botanical garden made for mother.
“Welcome home.”
In front of the mansion, mother was waiting.
Several servants were waiting behind her, and father was not present.
“I’m back.”
“I heard you were injured, but I’m glad to see you look healthy. It’s good to see you too, Lady Riel… and the other guests.”
“Yes. It’s been a while, Mother.”
Riel greeted first, and Senior Iris and Lilu also greeted mother.
After the initial greetings, the waiting servants, who seemed to have already heard about Senior Iris and Lilu, offered to take their luggage and guide them to their rooms.
After they moved to their rooms, mother made a gesture to the remaining servants.
Suddenly, the servants approached Kino and Asta.
“Young Master Asta, Miss Kino. Madam has prepared new clothes.”
“What…? Again?”
“M-Mom!! This cloak is enough for me…!”
“Now, now, go ahead. I’ll be there soon.”
At mother’s words, my siblings obediently followed the servants somewhere.
Observing this, and guessing that mother had deliberately sent them away, I looked at her.
“Mother, where is father?”
“…He’s in the guesthouse now.”
“The guesthouse? But that place is rarely used…?”
Within the mansion grounds, next to the botanical garden, there was a small guesthouse.
Originally it was built for the caretaker of the botanical garden, but since mother managed the botanical garden herself, it had been left unused.
Not understanding why father would be there, I looked directly at mother.
“Mother, what exactly is father doing in the guesthouse?”
“……”
Mother didn’t answer, but instead directed her gaze toward Riel.
After a moment of silence, mother exhaled and looked directly at Riel as she spoke.
“Lady Riel, I’ve found your father… that is, Duke Ignis.”
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