episode_0159

“Yes?”

You lost contact with Janice?

therefore… … Has it gone missing?

“How did you know that?”

“Well, a letter addressed to my name was sent to the mansion yesterday. It came from Zenith’s brother… … .”

Ioline said that and handed me a letter.

I accepted it and confirmed it.

contents is… … Excluding various greetings and unnecessary rhetoric –

“Maybe I will have to leave for a long time… … ?”

Ioline nodded and said.

‘What’s going on?’

“Something… … As my brother said, it may just be that it takes a few more days, but for some reason I feel very anxious… … He definitely said in a letter that he would return yesterday. And, again, what should I say… … I think the handwriting is slightly different.”

“Handwriting?”

“Yes, here… … .”

Ioline handed me two letters.

One letter said it would be back soon, and the other letter said it would take more time.

To be honest, I couldn’t tell the difference, but seeing my family member, Ioline, speak with such certainty, it seemed like there was something different.

I thought as I looked at her anxious expression.

I don’t know exactly, but I felt like this moment would be a very important turning point.

“Swen… … What should I do?”

‘If Zenith is involved in strange things anyway… … Maybe now is an opportunity to prevent that plan in advance.’

I was planning to investigate what he was doing as soon as Zenith arrived… … It didn’t seem like it would be a bad idea to move with her.

“Who saw this letter?”

“First of all, there is only one person. ”

“You have no idea where Zenith is headed, right?”

Nod.

“Mr. Ioline. First, let’s slowly check what we can, one by one.”

“That means… … ?”

I looked at her and answered in a confident tone.

“I think I can narrow down the scope of where Zenith is.”

“Yes… … ?”

* * *

The place where Ioline and I arrived –

It was a huge bridge that was the only way into Eingart Castle.

Eingart Castle was built on a river between huge rivers. If it were any other territory, if you came and went here, there was bound to be a record of your entry and exit.

So, I was confident that if Zenith left the territory, she would be able to confirm his name.

Coincidentally, I was an officer in the Serpina army. He was a person in a position to at least ask the soldier about his entry and exit records.

Moreover, since Zenith was also an affiliated officer, it was much easier to ask.

And the result.

“Are you saying there is no name?”

“Yes, that’s right. It seems that Zenith has not left the territory.”

‘good.’

If we had left the territory, this would have become the kind of problem I could no longer help with.

If it was within the territory, there was hope that it could somehow be found.

After listening to the soldier explain the entry and exit records, I came out of the watchtower next to the bridge.

Ioline, who was waiting outside, said with a worried expression.

“How do you feel?”

“Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like he left the territory.”

“Is that so? Then, I immediately spoke to Brother Irian and organized a search party and-”

“No. Please wait a moment.”

“Yes… … ?”

If you organize a search party using private soldiers, this will definitely reach Serpina’s ears.

And if she finds out, and if this is true treason – not only will the entire Al Kaski family be wiped out, but many more people involved will lose their lives.

I think it is a deserved punishment for treason, but with blood on my hands, all of my resentment will have no choice but to be focused on Serpina.

She was strangely hated by all beings.

Yuuri and Anima also made wrong choices out of resentment toward her, Rin felt humiliated by holding hands with her, and even Luna-sama hated Serpina-sama for losing her flesh and blood.

It’s as if the entire world is designed to hate her – and there’s only one way to keep her as safe as possible.

The idea was to minimize the risk of her incurring someone’s resentment as much as possible.

lately.

Even when the rebels were identified early thanks to my advice, it was not difficult to read their malice toward her.

If the frequency of rebellions increases the more resentment you buy, it was judged that a way to prevent resentment as much as possible could be a solution.

As long as you’re a monarch, you can’t avoid getting bloodied, but wouldn’t it be best if you could avoid getting killed as much as possible?

It would be nice to be able to stop the rebellion before it happens, but just by not killing the Kaski family, you can avoid the formation of numerous enmity relationships.

So, now was not the time to make things big.

It will not be too late to tell Serpina when treason is confirmed.

Now all that’s left is to explain it to Ioline… …

I can’t say out loud, ‘I suspect that my brother will start a rebellion,’ and how should I explain this?

“Swen… … ?”

“… … .”

First, let me backtrack a bit.

“If the search party moves, there is a possibility that the missing Zenith senior may be in danger. If she is truly missing, the most likely possibility is that she has been kidnapped somewhere, but if they confirm that a search operation has been launched, it could be a provocation to them.”

“Kidnapping… … What do you mean? Are you my brother?”

Just in case, I typed in the question I had just been asked from her: ‘Was Janice R. Kasky kidnapped?’

[I can not know.]

‘I thought it would be like this.’

Of course I couldn’t guess.

Should we take comfort in the fact that even if the results came out anyway, the location would not have been announced?

“It’s still just a possibility.”

“But, other than organizing a search party, there’s nothing much you can do, right? And like you said, if you really were kidnapped-”

“Ioline.”

I put my hand on her trembling shoulder.

“… … !”

Feeling her body gradually calming down, he looked into her eyes and spoke in a calm tone.

“The more urgent you are, the more times you have to go back. I’ll help you, so don’t worry too much.”

“Ah… … Yes, I understand.”

Fortunately, we can communicate.

Well, first of all, we need to find out why Zenith did this.

I wasn’t sure, but I thought maybe I could find out if I talked to the person he was obsessed with.

“Ioline. Please calm down and do as I tell you.”

“Please tell me.”

“How long does it take from here to Al Kaski Mansion?”

“Yes? uh… … It’s not that far from Eingart Castle, but why is it suddenly… … ?”

I said, looking at her confused expression.

“We are going to meet Irian from now on.”

*

I got into the carriage with her and went out of the castle gate towards the outskirts of Eingart’s territory.

I was a little worried because the sun had already set and it was already evening, but fortunately, as she said, it didn’t take that long to get to the Al Kaski family’s mansion.

“Arrived.”

After getting off the carriage, I looked at the huge mansion spread out in front of me.

Although it is located on the outskirts of the castle, it is safe to say that the Al Kaski family is a fairly influential family, as I expected, as they have a mansion of this size inside the territory.

“I… … Please follow me this way.”

As we followed her, people who appeared to be servants greeted us in a hospitable manner.

“Are you here, Lady Iolina? Excuse me, but the person following me… … ?”

“I am Brother Irian’s guest.”

“Is that so.”

As soon as the old maid heard those words, she spoke in a very polite tone.

“In that case, I will guide you-”

“It’s okay. I’ll do it, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

“Is that so? Then the meal is-”

“I ate. It’s okay.”

“If the lady says so… … .”

In that way, I was able to enter the mansion without much difficulty.

*

The interior was plain.

Of course, the words were ordinary, but the old-fashioned and luxurious feel made it difficult to say that it was the mansion of a fallen nobleman.

Considering that most noble families lost their power after the difficult times, it is safe to say that this is great.

So, I followed her a few steps further and arrived at something similar to a living room.

“I think I can just wait here.”

“Has Mr. Irian come back yet?”

“Yes. Because you are very busy working.”

Anyway, in this world, it’s just agriculture, commerce, training, and things like that, so I felt foolish for wanting to work so hard –

As the territory and the castle itself have developed, there will be many areas where people will be needed.

For your information, I have been called to Serpina continuously for the past few days, so there was no specific mission assigned to me. If I had to be honest, if it were my job to give her advice, it would be my job.

How much time has passed like that?

With the sound of the door opening, a handsome man with black hair walked in from far away.

It was a face I had seen once.

“Brother Irian… … !”

Irian turned his head and looked at Ioline and asked.

“Ioline. What’s going on? I heard that I had a guest.”

“Yes. that is… … .”

Ioline points to me with her eyes.

“… … .”

I stood up and bowed lightly.

Irian also nodded and spoke to me.

“Is it you who came to visit me?”

“Yes.”

“Let me express my sincere apologies for keeping you waiting. Your name was Swen, right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, Swen. What happened so suddenly and without any trouble?”

“Do you mind if I explain it to you slowly?”

“Well, I guess it’ll be okay. Iolina. So that you can leave your seat.”

“Ah, I… … .”

“No. Ioline, it is okay for you to stay here.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s easier to explain if you’re there anyway.”

Irian’s eyebrows moved slightly when he heard what I said, and then he crossed his arms and began to be wary of me.

“Swen. You can’t believe it… … ?”

“… … ?”

and.

He said something I had never thought of before.

“You didn’t come to see me, the head of the family, to propose to Ioline, right?”

“Brother… … !!”

Leaving the embarrassed Ioline behind, I answered in a very polite tone.

“It’s not like that.”

“Really? If so, you’re lucky. I don’t want to take such an important decision lightly either. I’ve heard a few times that you’ve done an outstanding job, but it’s still a bit difficult to make a sudden decision… … I hope you understand…”

“… … .”

Aside from Ioline, who lowered her head with a deep blush… …

I looked closely at Irian’s behavior.

Will he become the head of the family at a young age, play an active role in the battlefield, and become a promising talent within the Serpina army?

Since he wasn’t in my memory, it seemed certain that he would be killed at some point.

“Then, let’s get straight to the point. Ioline, do you mind if I ask you to explain?”

“Ah… … .”

Ioline, who had come to her senses a little, nodded her head…

Ioline briefly explained the situation as I had told her in advance.

“Do you think Zenith’s attitude has become a bit strange?”

“Yes. He keeps getting angry and doesn’t even try to deal with me… … I wonder if Brother Irian knows what happened to Brother Zenith.”

“And the reason you came here is-”

“As a roommate, I’m also worried about Zenith. I’m a bit worried that you keep leaving the accommodation… … I happened to run into Ioline, who was visiting a senior, and we came here together.”

“Really?… … No matter how much I think about it, it’s a bit suspicious.”

“… … !”

Irian looked at Ioline and me several times.

Are you still doubting the relationship between me and Ioline?

I’m really sorry, but I already had someone to disown.

Irian crossed his arms and was lost in thought.

“I don’t have any guesses.”

“Is that so?”

“Okay. Because Zenith wasn’t a very ambitious person.”

“But, I always talked about Irian. He seemed very proud of Irian. When I saw Zenith-senpai looking visibly downcast, I naturally thought that it had something to do with Irian… … .”

“I am grateful that he thinks that way, but in the end, that guy also has to live his own life. Because a man who carries the name of Al Kaski should not be in the habit of admiring others forever.”

“Anyway, do you have any guesses? Anything is fine.”

“The writer is a part… … .”

Irian was lost in thought for a moment, and then slowly released his lips.

“It doesn’t seem to have anything to do with my current job, but… … Not long ago, he raised his voice at me just once, which was rare.”

“What is it?”

“Is that so? If it’s okay, can you let me know?”

“… … .”

Irian said, looking at the cold tea on the table.

“… … Swen. It’s a bit complicated to talk about in front of you, let alone other people.”

“Yes?”

“What do you mean, brother… … ?”

“Hmm… … .”

Irian sighed briefly a few times after that.

“You probably know that a new deputy commander of the occupation forces was appointed not long ago, right?”

‘… … ah.’

As soon as I heard that, I realized why he was reluctant to speak up.

Irene Juliette.

A red-haired female knight who rose to the position of second-in-command of the occupation army, to which Irian was known to have been appointed.

‘I never thought that name would come out of here.’

I thought that maybe coming to Irian was the right answer.