Chapter 428
Chapter 428
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: My Friend Asel (4)
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Entry into the Acalusia territory proceeded smoothly. There was a minor incident with the guards right after the mist dissipated, but once I clearly stated I wasn't an intruder, the misunderstanding cleared up quickly.
The guard captain, clad in splendid armor, bowed politely and apologized.
"Sorry about earlier. I thought for sure war had broken out in the Empire or that those Grancia country bumpkins had launched a night raid. Who would've thought it was challengers?"
"Hey, I'd have been startled too in your shoes."
I waved it off like it was no big deal. About thirty guards had surrounded us the moment we stepped off the raft. They'd been stunned once by the unprecedented sight of the mist vanishing in an instant, and twice more upon realizing we were the cause—they were practically frozen in place.
The guard captain was the only one capable of normal conversation.
"That said, your encirclement formation was impressive. I've been to Grancia before, and it seemed much sharper than theirs."
"Heh, naturally. But don't overhype us—we're just doing our jobs. Lucky no blood was spilled. Thanks to you shouting the challenger's proof so quickly."
Instead of replying, I grinned.
The challenger's proof was a single phrase that declared a prospective member entering the territory harbored no ill intent—a proof of invitation from a member of House Acalusia.
It was kept as a strict secret to begin with, and the phrasing changed irregularly, making it nearly impossible to fake.
'Brings back memories. It was engraved on the back of the brooch.'
Nostalgia welled up. It had been a long time, but I remembered it clearly. After taking down all the seniors in the entrance exam, I'd caught Erzsebet's eye and received an invitation from House Acalusia.
On the back of the black crystal brooch was the emblem of a lion roaring at the moon, along with the phrase for the challenger's proof.
"The already radiant full moon must not yearn for the sun."
The guard captain said,
"That was the phrase on the invitations issued about three years ago. I think it was one Lady Erzsebet herself chose. Haven't heard it in ages."
"Heh, she wrote that?"
"...Yes. She used to compose them often back then."
"Hm?"
For a split second, the guard captain's face darkened. It returned to normal quickly, but the shadow that fell when he mentioned Erzsebet's name had been quite heavy.
Had something happened to Eri?
The guard captain glanced between me and Asel before turning away.
"Follow me, then. By the rules, you'd need the physical invitation, but since the family head has excused the loss, we have no grounds to restrain you further."
"Ah, thanks. More flexible than I expected."
"C-come on, Ronan!"
Asel came scurrying up, grabbing my sleeve. As I followed the guard captain, I took in the Acalusia territory. Serene moonlight bathed the gardens in green.
'As expected of a great house—everything's on another level. The gardens might suit my taste more than Grancia's.'
Looking back, while I'd visited Grancia multiple times, I'd never set foot in Acalusia in the original world. Grancia favored flashy, refined traditional noble aesthetics, but Acalusia cultivated a calm, elegant atmosphere that felt almost somber.
The neatly trimmed shrubs and lawns were beautiful. The tributary of the Taimen River we'd ridden in crossed the vast territory, flowing off into the unseen distance.
"...Pretty."
"Yeah."
Asel murmured a shy compliment.
I nodded lightly in agreement. Thanks to the meticulous care, there was no fishy river smell even standing by the bank. Instead, the fresh scents of wildflowers and damp grass cleared the mind.
The Acalusia mansion stood atop a massive cylindrical cliff. Precisely, half was a sheer cliff face, the other half a gentler hill, so reaching the mansion inevitably meant ascending the slope. A wide road—broad enough for five carriages abreast—connected to the main gate.
As I walked, eyes fixed on the approaching mansion, I let out a hollow chuckle.
"Damn, how many windows does that thing have?"
It had looked huge from afar, but up close, its grandeur was overwhelming. The mansion alone seemed larger than Grancia's grand estate. Perhaps it was due to their family tradition of flexibly accepting talented individuals—they'd need space for more people.
We soon arrived at the main gate amid our brisk pace.
"Here we are."
It was the first time the guard captain had spoken since starting the escort. From the gate's elevated position, surrounded by the perimeter fence, one could overlook half the Acalusia territory and the distant main flow of the Taimen River.
"Eek."
Suddenly, Asel flinched while eyeing the gate.
Wondering what was up, I looked over. A massive lion's head sculpture, lifelike as if alive, loomed there. Positioned right above the gate, the open-mouthed lion was the emblem of House Acalusia.
Its fangs gleamed in the moonlight, as if ready to tear into any intruder's throat at any moment.
Still...
I chuckled and patted Asel's back.
"Come on, man, what kind of guy gets spooked by a statue? Think it's gonna eat you?"
"I'm not spooked! I-I just looked 'cause it's so realistic...!"
"Sure you weren't, Asel. Here, take your dropped balls."
"D-don't!"
I picked up a pebble and handed it over; Asel's face flushed beet red. He seemed aware of how embarrassing he looked.
The guard captain, watching us, chuckled softly.
"That's enough. Your skills are one thing, but I've never seen challengers this cheerful. Aren't you afraid of the family head's test?"
"Eh, it'll work out somehow. What else can you do but give it your all?"
"I like that attitude. Reminds me of my younger self. Normally I wouldn't, but here's a special tip."
The guard captain lowered his voice. His suddenly serious expression drew the eyes naturally.
Glancing around, he whispered,
"Beware Lady Erzsebet."
"Pardon? What do you mean..."
I was about to ask what that cryptic warning meant when a chilling sense of danger made my scalp prickle. Before thought could catch up, my hand shot out, yanking Asel by the scruff and pulling us back.
KABOOM!!
The lion statue atop the gate crashed to the ground with a thunderous roar.
"Gaaah!! Kyaaah! Eeeeek!!"
A girlish scream burst from Asel.
His legs gave out, collapsing in a heap. The lion's maw had smashed exactly where we'd stood. A split-second delay, and we'd have been pulverized into something between strawberry and strawberry jam.
"What the fuck."
"M-my god! You alright?!"
The guard captain cried out in shock, rushing over to check on us. Fortunately, aside from Asel being a bit rattled, we were fine.
"We're good. Just bring him a fresh pair of pants later."
"Hic... sob, hic...! I-I almost died, Ronan...! Almost died!"
Asel sobbed raggedly, gasping for breath.
I didn't like this guy burying his face in my chest and crying, but I let it slide. He'd have to attend Professor Baren's classes at Phileon whether he liked it or not—I just hoped this wouldn't traumatize him.
The statue's severed neck and hanging point showed signs of corrosion.
The guard captain clutched his forehead.
"Even if it's old, why now...! The family emblem breaking—such an ill omen."
"...Too perfect to be coincidence."
The fall's position was too deliberate for mere accident. I sharpened my gaze like a bird of prey.
Moonlit gardens, lake, and forests swaying in the night breeze flashed in and out of view. As I scanned the mansion last,
'That.'
My eyes locked on one spot. A lit window. The moment my gaze reached it, a dark shadow vanished behind the curtain. Too far to make out the face.
"Hm."
"Sob... uuh...! Hic, sob."
Asel and the guard captain hadn't noticed. With the shadow gone, I mentally noted the floor by counting. Guards were rushing up from the hill base after the captain's alert.
I was about to call the captain to enter the mansion when,
"Quite the commotion. What happened?"
"...!"
A woman's voice echoed from behind.
The extraordinary pressure made me turn. The mansion door stood open. A woman in a purple dress stood there, mouth veiled by a fan.
'Beautiful. Who is she?'
Any man would steal a glance. The elegant dress perfectly outlined her model-slim figure. Her upturned cat-like eyes and the beauty mark beneath were eerily identical to Erzsebet's.
Did Eri have a sister? I didn't recall hearing about one.
Just as I pegged her as Erzsebet's sibling,
The guard captain whirled around, eyes bulging.
"L-Lady Family Head!"
"What?"
My brow furrowed involuntarily. Had I heard right? The captain snapped to perfect attention without a tremor.
'This stunning woman is the family head? That means...'
A shiver ran down my spine. Unbelievable, but with that appearance as head, there was only one answer. Swallowing hard, I cautiously spoke.
"...Are you Eri's mother, by chance?"
"Pardon? How do you know her nickname..."
The woman called family head widened her eyes. Asel, hearing "daughter," stopped crying and gasped.
"M-Mother?!"
"...Could you two be the challengers who cleaved the mist?"
She was shocked too. She knew the mist was gone but not that we were responsible. The flustered captain explained the situation to her. Seizing the moment, I knelt on one knee in greeting.
"I'm Ronan. I've come to join House Acalusia."
"A-And I'm Asel!"
"Impressive... I didn't expect challengers so young."
The family head admired, fanning her mouth. Learning we were challengers, her eyes curved ever so slightly. Glancing between the captain, the shattered lion, and us, she spoke.
"I am Adrian de Acalusia, head of House Acalusia. We have much to discuss, so come inside for now."