episode_0080

1.

Count Sukeros.

A great warrior family located in a strategic location in the Tachikan Duchy.

As a great warrior family, the residence of the Counts of Shukeros had an old-fashioned yet grand appearance.

A long, gray wall contrasts with the fluttering curtain of a fox painting in harmonious shades of turquoise and orange.

“How many years has it been?”

“Not that long ago. Half a year? I came last winter.”

I entered the count’s garden with Yuli.

Of course, we are guests and outsiders, so we can’t just walk in.

“Is it okay if I ask what your business is?”

But we are not intruders.

Two men who looked like security guards were following the butler with slicked-back hair and glasses.

Plus, the threatening attitude of having your weapon drawn.

It doesn’t look like a friendly sight to anyone.

I guess the word hostile would be more appropriate.

“Altina… I came to see you.”

I said I came to see Altina out of ignorance.

“We hope that travelers who admire and respect Altina will step into the mansion of the Shukeros family, the family of great warriors, as guests.”

Yuli asked to be served, without any of her usual playful energy.

“…I’m sorry. The Sukeros family has been quite chaotic lately, so I couldn’t let my guard down. ”

“I see. I understand.”

The slicked-back haired butler softened his expression after hearing our polite greeting.

And he raised his hand and repelled the men.

“These people are guests who have been granted entry by Lady Altina. Be polite.”

“Yes.”

At those words, the men lowered their weapons and bowed their heads.

According to Altina, guests should be treated with the utmost courtesy and respect.

As a guest who came to see Altina, regardless of gender, age, or status.

There must be something going on if they are being so vigilant.

“Okay, let me take you this way.”

“Thank you.”

I walked around the garden under the butler’s guidance.

It may be a bit sparse compared to the Academy’s splendid gardens.

No, to begin with, the situation where the imperial educational institutions are compared to a single count’s household is quite serious.

The free atmosphere of the vacant lot and the weapons scattered here and there reveal the character of a warrior family.

Normally, it wouldn’t be strange at all to see red fox cubs running around.

“…”

Looking at the very quiet garden, the atmosphere inside the house felt unusual.

But Yuli and I just quietly followed the butler.

“I’ll make you a cup of tea. Would you like to chat in the living room until I’m ready?”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

A cup is filled with some unknown traditional tea.

And then I take a sip of tea and ask the question I’ve been wondering about.

“Can I ask you what happened to the Shukeros family?”

“…I’m sorry, but it’s a family matter.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I guess I’ll have to leave questions about family matters alone.

Many families, including the Shukeros family, reject others, especially humans.

It’s also nepotism, and as a member of the Suin tribe, I don’t really want to be associated with them.

Because there is a perception that humans are inferior.

“It will be ready in about 12 hours.”

“Yes, it’s okay to prepare slowly.”

The persecution of the water people that is dealt with in other fantasy and comic books is common sense that does not apply in this world.

Rather, it would be more appropriate to be looked upon with envy simply because one has noble bloodline.

Or maybe it’s a look of jealousy.

The noble families of these water people also have an impression of superiority and do not try to have deep relationships with inferior humans.

‘Altina is a special beggar.’

Sukeros is the most Sukeros-like person among people.

And yet the strongest warrior.

The remaining hero as a member of the warrior party.

I sat in the reception room, sipping tea like that, and waited for a short time.

2.

“Ready to go.”

It happened with a short word from the butler.

Altina’s room is located on the second floor.

The road is familiar enough that you can find it without the butler’s guidance.

“This way.”

So as not to be looked down on by the family.

Or, to monitor the actions, a butler would stand in front and guide the way.

You walk down a long hallway covered in orange and purple carpets, the signature colors of Shukeros.

Since the Suin tribe tends to have many children, their mansions are also huge.

As I walked down the long hallway, I couldn’t help but come across the people in this house.

“Huh? Mr. Butler!”

“Miss Tina? Why aren’t you going to the hunting party…?”

Then, I happened to meet a young lady from the Suin tribe.

The name is Tina.

“All canceled. My father stopped me from going to the mountains! Oh my, I’m only 20 years old, but I still worry a lot. Oh, what about you?”

“Hello, Miss. I am a traveler who came to see Altina.”

“Nice to meet you. Please be careful with your behavior as my father’s mood has been unusual lately.”

Yuli greeted Tina on my behalf.

Tina is the youngest daughter of the Shukeros family.

I was three years old when I first heard it.

“Butler, do you think my hair looks good?”

“Any hair style suits Miss Tina.”

“Ah, right! I know that too, but you know how important this hair is!”

“Miss Tina is good with her hands, so her hair was braided well.”

“This way, there’s no such thing as an objective evaluation… The butler always says she’s pretty.”

She is now a full-fledged 20-year-old woman.

“Hey, gentleman! How about this haircut? You can tell if he likes it by looking at it with his eyes…”

Besides, Tina’s hair was braided.

That too, hair with a purple ribbon hanging from the end.

Now that we know it carries the meaning of an engagement, Tina must be on the verge of marriage.

“What do you think?”

“…Oh, me?”

“You’re the only man here. Oh, and the butler is considered family.”

Tina spun around and showed me her head.

The neatly braided hair was very pretty, just as the butler had said.

I thought I had some talent for braiding hair.

Anyone would be impressed by the even texture of the hair, which is like a freshly pulled thread, and is tied up neatly without a single stray hair.

“It suits you well. I’m sure your husband will like it too.”

“Hehehe! Is that so? Thank you. Your head is pretty good too.”

Tina smiled at my compliment and returned it with a polite compliment.

Tina ran off somewhere and then turned her head as if remembering something.

“That’s right, butler. When will Taina come? Isn’t the graduation ceremony over by now?”

“I think it will arrive in two days.”

“I need to see our youngest’s face… It’s been half a year since I’ve seen him. Ah, goodbye, travelers.”

“Thank you for your words.”

Tina doesn’t know.

As a guest visiting Altina, this is already the 17th time I’ve encountered her.

But it’s only natural that my status doesn’t give me a chance to remain in her memory.

There is no feeling of loneliness or sadness.

I only felt the passage of time by looking at her, who had grown up over the past 17 years through only 17 encounters.

“…Let’s go.”

“Yes, I will guide you.”

17 years.

Enough time for a new life to be born and enter the Academy.

The time when a child who used to wring her hands with bracken grows into a respectable lady and can walk down the aisle holding the hand of the man she loves.

The time I spent living a peaceful life after completing my difficult journey.

“Arrived. As Altina said, we took some time to prepare, so please understand that there was a long delay. ”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Actually, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to call it a hardship, as the number of people visiting Altina has decreased.”

The butler added a private comment, as if he was finally at ease with me.

Although I’ve met many faces over the past 17 years, this butler also doesn’t remember me.

Hair that has grown gray, wrinkles have increased, and footsteps have slowed.

I remember his every appearance, but the butler has forgotten me.

“Please…”

“Let’s go in.”

“Yeah.”

“…over there.”

The butler called us over.

“By any chance… How many times have you come here as a guest?”

He squinted his eyes as if trying to recall a vague memory.

“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere… Maybe it’s because I’m old, but I can’t remember very well.”

“This is my first time.”

I had no choice but to leave a firm reply to those words.

I guess that’s not wrong, since I’m the first person he remembers.

“Then, excuse me.”

The butler turned his back without a second thought and disappeared.

But in the end, it seems to mean that you can have a comfortable time as a guest.

-Squeak…

As I open the door, I hear the sound of wood twisting from the old door.

Altina’s room was unusually narrow for a countess’s daughter, and was far from the center of the mansion.

“Altina, I’m here.”

When you enter the room, what you see is a bed, a wardrobe, and a window arranged side by side, as if in a studio apartment.

The bed was convex, as if a small person were inside it.

And fox ears are poking out from under the blanket.

“It’s your birthday, but no one is coming anymore.”

Outside the window, the sun had set and the spiderwebs had settled.

“Hoo.”

I sat on the bed facing the window.

To face Altina.

“Hello, Altina.”

He said, looking out the window at the lonely grave.