episode_0036

Crowfield.

In reality, Crowfield Barony was not a place where crows were abundant, despite its name. At least, it was not a place where the name “Crowfield” was fitting simply because there were many crows.

There was a vast meadow. Until the arrival of autumn, it was a beautiful place with a blue hue. And if you were to ask whether it turned desolate in autumn, that was not the case. It simply transitioned from green to golden, never becoming a desolate ruin.

Compared to other territories, the city had undergone some modernization. There were no towering columns of smoke obscuring the sky from factories, but there were areas with chimneys emitting dark smoke in the distance.

Since the territory itself was not that large, even with the presence of industrial areas, it was not a place with poor security.

Those who initially felt a sense of unease from the name of the territory would often ask after visiting the place.

In such a beautiful place, why was it given the ominous name of “Crowfield”?

Crowfield was originally part of the Belvoir Kingdom. More precisely, it was a border area between the Belvoir Kingdom and the Azeran Empire.

In the past, it was the site of the largest battle during the war between the Empire and the Belvoir Kingdom. Countless lives were lost as the area changed hands multiple times. Soldiers from the Empire, soldiers from the Kingdom, civilians massacred by the Empire for being Kingdom sympathizers, those who died while colluding with the Empire during occupation… The place was littered with countless corpses.

Unclaimed bodies were scattered across the meadow, and corpses were left to rot in the forest.

And many crows flocked to those bodies. Feeding on the untouched corpses, they continued to breed, filling the sky with flocks of crows and the echoing cries of their caws.

And before anyone knew it, people began referring to the area as “Crowfield.” The old name was almost forgotten, as those who lived there and called it home had almost all disappeared.

Despite the many deaths, the Empire did not cease its expansion, ultimately solidifying the current borders. Crowfield was no longer even a border area. There was another small territory nestled between Crowfield and the Belvoir Kingdom.

It was thought that there would no longer be piles of bodies in Crowfield. It was believed that it would continue to prosper and thrive forever.

Until the death of the Baron in a single explosion.

“…Mia.”

After the funeral of her father, the Baroness called for Mia.

Wiping the tears from Mia’s face with her fingers, the Baroness held Mia quietly and patted her back, saying, “This incident was orchestrated by the Emperor.”

“…What?”

The official announcement stated that the explosion of a gas tank passing under the carriage caused the Baron and his entourage, who were in a carriage filled with gas, to be engulfed in flames. Since gas tank explosions were not uncommon, Mia simply thought of her father’s death as a tragic accident until she heard her mother’s words.

“The Emperor… it’s the Emperor’s doing. Perhaps it was the deeds of those children.”

It wasn’t certain. But her mother seemed to think so. For some reason, unknown to Mia.

“Mother?”

“Mia, my daughter.”

Holding Mia tightly, her mother whispered into Mia’s ear.

“Never forget that truth. There may be nothing we can do right now, but…”

In a hushed tone, meant only for her daughter’s ears, her mother spoke, making sure no one else could hear.

“Someday, until the imperial palace becomes ‘Crowfield.’”

After the death of Viscount Crowfield, Lady Logue steadily gathered information. Some of the information was accurate, while some were uncertain, but she didn’t care much. After all, the targets for revenge against Crowfield were already listed.

Collecting information was simply to not forget the hatred. And perhaps to use it to draw in others.

At least, in order to seek revenge, Crowfield needed to fight in a more advantageous situation.

Mia also remembered that hatred. Constantly learning and memorizing to never forget.

Among the rumors, there was one.

‘On the day a prominent figure of the empire dies, one of the children around the emperor disappears.’

It was just that rumor, but the noble families seemed to believe it was true. Among the circulating information among the high-ranking nobles was a list of ‘children who disappeared on the day a prominent figure of the empire died.’ Although they only looked at the circumstances and harbored suspicions, at least the skills of the court physician and the disappeared child overlapped.

And the emperor didn’t even bother to investigate such rumors. If the list was true, the emperor would have known that the list was circulating.

That’s why Mia Crowfield despised the emperor.

As if the emperor, sitting in his high position, was just waiting for something to happen. The emperor who killed his own father so carelessly.

The existence that disappeared on the day Viscount Crowfield died was Silvia Pange Griffin, who was the same age as Mia at the time, just twelve years old.

In fact, that was why some nobles didn’t believe the list. The fact that a twelve-year-old child could penetrate the strict security, go to the viscount’s mansion, and plant a bomb in the carriage to assassinate the viscount was unbelievable. Perhaps it was just a conspiracy theory that happened to match the truth.

Even though the information was obtained from the maids and servants in the palace, that didn’t mean the information was accurate. Dates could be mistaken, and maybe the princess simply didn’t come out of her room or was visiting somewhere else.

Even among the nobles listed in that way, there were nobles who had simply died.

But…

On the first day of class, Silvia Pange Griffin used an explosive device. From the perspective of someone using firearms, even in an extremely disadvantageous close combat situation, the emperor’s daughter calmly avoided all attacks and subdued the opponent.

It wasn’t in the textbook.

Already knowing the opponent’s next move.

Is it really difficult for someone with such abilities to infiltrate the viscount’s mansion?

The strange thing was not just that.

When Silvia Pange Griffin received an invitation to the student council and went to the student council room, she met Mia’s gaze filled with life, yet not a single eyebrow moved. Perhaps it was because Mia’s life force as a magician was too weak, but even so, Alice Pange Griffin and Princess Charlotte de Belvoir sitting next to her showed a slightly flustered expression.

It was the presence shown in front of the imperial princess. It was strange that she didn’t flinch…

Silvia Pange Griffin was nonchalant.

As if it were natural.

Returning to the room, she looked at the desk.

There was a small frame there. Inside was a black and white photo of three people.

It was the appearance of Mia and her parents.

Nobles usually prefer portraits over photographs. It’s more ‘sophisticated’ and ‘noble-like.’ It’s what those who don’t have time to wait for a portrait or money to hire a painter do.

And, in general, one’s face in a portrait is more embellished than in a photograph.

Unlike photos that depict reality as it is, portraits involve the interpretation of the artist. And this interpretation is mostly tailored to the tastes of the nobles who pay for it.

That’s why Mia didn’t hang family portraits in her room.

In her childhood, Mia remembered her father.

He would sometimes not be home at night, always running around for the kingdom. He had a somewhat stern look, but Mia remembered that it was the look of a father who always tried his best.

Mia couldn’t help but think of the face of Silvia Pangriffon, who looked straight at her without avoiding her gaze. There seemed to be no trace of guilt in her expression.

Silvia Pangriffon, calmly drinking tea with blood-stained hands.

“…I can’t forgive.”

Mia muttered under her breath.

She engraved hatred deep in her heart once again.

Silvia Pangriffon will die. She will pay for her sins with her death.

Even if Mia has to sacrifice her own life for that.

*

Perhaps it’s because they’re both Pangriffons. Alice Pangriffon treated Silvia Pangriffon in a friendly manner.

Of course, there was never a change in Silvia Pangriffon’s expression during their conversations. Even if Alice Pangriffon’s words were long, Silvia Pangriffon’s responses were usually brief.

But still, there was an inexplicable closeness between the two. Both princesses rarely smiled, both always had a stern expression.

Why could they be so indifferent to each other?

Maybe it was because Mia Crowfield seemed like an innocent girl who didn’t know how to seek revenge in Silvia Pangriffon’s eyes?

“…Ah.”

But today was different.

Alice Pangriffon’s face looking at Mia was slightly blurred. It was a different expression from yesterday. Yesterday, she was just embarrassed by Mia’s gaze towards Silvia Pangriffon.

No, perhaps that’s why today’s expression seemed blurred.

Without her staff, Mia could only be overwhelmed by Alice Pangriffon. The princess was a skilled swordsman.

So, in fact, there was no reason to be afraid because of her gaze.

Could it be a sense of guilt?

“…Mia Crowfield.”

“…Your Highness.”

At least for today, she decided to hide her hatred a little. If she always exuded that atmosphere, she would fail rather than succeed.

Still, could she succeed?

“…”

Silvia Pangriffon’s face looking at Mia was visible.

There was nothing to feel in that expressionless face. As if the existence of Mia Crowfield in front of her was worthless and she couldn’t feel anything, just cold—

“Are you hungry?”

Suddenly, Alice Pangriffon asked Silvia Pangriffon.

The cold gaze that was on Mia turned to Alice Pangriffon.

“…”

Silvia Pangriffon said nothing.

“Then let’s go quickly. You have to eat breakfast. You usually eat a lot for breakfast, don’t you?”

“…”

Silvia Pangriffon still didn’t respond.

Was Alice deliberately diverting Silvia Pangriffon’s gaze?

Why?

“Then, let’s go first. You need to eat all three meals to move properly.”

“Ah, yes…”

At Alice Pangriffon’s words, Mia’s expression also faltered a bit.

But soon, the fire in her heart reignited.

“…”

Is she really that indifferent?

If so, she will show that this righteous anger can become a terrifying blade that can cut through anything.

Watching the backs of the two people moving away, Mia Crowfield stood still and stared at them.

*

“No, how did you know?”

Did she hear a noise from my stomach on the boat? Alice had no basis for making such a judgment.

“It was written all over your face, why?”

On my face?

“…No, even if you look at it that way…”

When I stared at Alice, she turned her gaze somewhat embarrassed.

Did she notice the subtle tremor of the muscles on my face that others couldn’t catch because her eyesight was microscope-level? It must have been such a subtle movement that even I couldn’t realize it.

“…And, just because someone shows disgust doesn’t mean you have to accept it.”

“I have no intention of accepting it unconditionally.”

When Alice advised me, I replied in the same manner.

“However, I just thought it was natural for them to be angry.”

Because they are the one who killed her father.

Moreover, they might not even know the truth. Thinking about what happened yesterday, they might not even accept it even if I tell them directly.

It might be better to give them hints so they can figure it out themselves.

“….”

Alice stared at me as I had those thoughts to myself.

She wasn’t expressionless. But it wasn’t a face that I could understand. It was a face that looked jumbled up with various emotions.

…It felt a bit unfair that Alice could read my expression, but I couldn’t read hers.