Chapter 432
Chapter 432
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 432
Chapter Title: 2-102. Acalusia (4)
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"Yes. We've arrived."
With the maid Liz's words, the door opened. A spacious guest room came into view. The bed, large enough for five people, and the other furniture all looked extravagantly crafted by master artisans of the era.
A low murmur of admiration slipped from Asel's lips.
"...Wow."
"You two will stay in this room. If you need anything else, please press the button under the lamp. The nearest maid will come right away."
Having finished the tour, Liz bowed politely.
The room was spotless, not a speck of dust in sight—likely because she'd cleaned it herself. Outside the window, where morning sunlight streamed in, the beautiful Acalusia gardens were visible at a glance.
"Thanks. But damn, this mansion is ridiculously huge."
I let out a hollow chuckle, hands shoved in my pockets.
It wasn't just the unexpectedly luxurious accommodations. It had taken nearly fifteen minutes to get here. We hadn't changed buildings or gone in circles—it was just that impressive.
"There are so many private rooms, so it feels even larger. Rooms provided to those once adopted into the family are kept for them until they pass away or renounce the Acalusia name."
"Whoa, the perks are killer. No wonder it's a great house."
"I take great pride in serving House Acalusia. Oh, and is Asel doing alright? Shall I bring fresh clothes?"
"N-No need!"
Asel's face flushed at the aggressive kindness. I might've wanted to rip my stomach open too if I'd been through that. Seeing his passionate reaction, Liz covered her mouth and smiled.
"Hee hee, I see. Glad you're comfortable."
"Well, look at that. You can smile."
Her usual expressionless face made the smile all the more surprising. Hell, when she'd stripped Asel of his underwear, I'd thought she was some magic engineering doll.
Shivers even thinking about it now. Ugh, horrifying.
"Then I'll just stock the amenities and go. Will you be using the safe?"
"Nah, don't really have anything valuable."
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
Liz began filling the room with pre-prepared toiletries and drinks.
As I watched her from behind, I poked Asel's side.
"Hey. Looks like that girl's got a thing for you."
"W-What? No way, Ronan."
"You don't get women's hearts, man. Maternal instinct or whatever? An ugly shorty acting pitiful is just an annoying asshole, but a decent-looking shorty like you? Triggers that urge to take care of 'em. Piss yourself once and capture her heart—nice one, Asel."
"U-Ugh! Stop it!"
Asel's face was now as red as his hair.
As I glanced between him and Liz, a good idea struck me.
"Alright, ask her about it."
"A-Ask her what?"
"What else? Isn't it suspicious she specifically warned against the basement? Looks like she's been here a while, so she might know something. Bonus if you ask about her husband too..."
"Amenities are all stocked. Please rest well."
I was whispering when Liz finished and approached with a farewell.
Asel shook his head like he absolutely couldn't, but one fist-clench later, he fell in line.
Taking a deep breath, he called out.
"U-Um... Liz!"
"Yes?"
"I-It’s nothing big, just curiosity... Why did the patriarch forbid the basement?"
"The basement?"
Liz blinked her large eyes. I crossed my arms, waiting for her answer.
Adrian's grave face warning us off still lingered in my mind.
After hearing Asel's explanation, Liz nodded as if understanding.
"I see, that happened. No wonder you're curious."
"Y-Yeah... He wouldn't say why. Is there some important facility there?"
"I'm not entirely sure. The basement is excluded from my cleaning route, so I go maybe once a year. But the young lady's been going in and out a lot lately, so maybe it's just grandmotherly worry."
"Young lady—Erzsebet?"
"Yes. It's common knowledge among the maids. It's not just occasional; she's practically living down there."
Liz stared at Asel's face the whole time.
The sweet scent wafting from her eyes confirmed she fancied the little guy.
Asel raised an eyebrow.
"W-What's in that basement?"
"As just a maid, I don't know details. Managing my assigned areas takes all day. But rumors abound: prison for Acalusia rebels, man-eating monster... The most popular one's an entrance to the treasure vault."
"Treasure vault entrance...? But Erzsebet can go anywhere, right?"
"No. Only the patriarch has access to the Acalusia vault. So maids who love gossip tie it to the young lady's behavior. Like, secretly searching for a treasure to revive the late Miss Adeshan."
"......Adeshan."
I gritted my teeth unwittingly. Absurd, but recalling Eri's state in the drawing room made it hard to dismiss outright.
Liz's expression darkened suddenly.
"If I may overstep, that lion statue crash at dawn... might've been caused by the young lady."
"Huh?! What do you mean?"
"As you saw, she's not herself. Hard to imagine right after that mess, but she was famed for perfect poise and etiquette in noble circles."
"Mm. I know that well."
I nodded in agreement. The Erzsebet I knew wasn't some slob. She'd fuss over looks as the root of grace.
"Etiquette queen. Basically a great girl."
"Yes. But after Miss Adeshan passed, the young lady broke completely. No matter how upset, she wouldn't have used such foul magic on the patriarch's guests."
"True. Didn't expect it'd drop right in front. Does she throw tantrums at you or other maids like that?"
"No. But unconsciously leaking murderous intent with physical force is the real issue. It's affecting the whole mansion. Three days ago, the central lobby chandelier fell and needed replacing—probably the lion too..."
Liz trailed off. Asel's eyes widened.
Suddenly, Adrian's mutter flashed in my mind.
- Still, I didn't think she'd break even that...
Casual, but etched clearly. The accident was unnatural. And Liz's 'unconscious' claim hinted it might've been deliberate.
'Shadow.'
Another factor: the shadow watching us from a mansion window after the lion fell. Distant, but now it seemed Erzsebet-sized. My unease deepened.
"...Sorry. I overstepped with baseless speculation. I'll do my utmost, so please don't hate the young lady. She's just going through a rough patch."
"I get it. You were warning us in your own way. Won't hate Erzsebet, and we'll be careful, so don't worry."
"Thank you. I'll take my leave then. Asel, call if you need new clothes."
"I-I'm fine!"
Asel waved frantically. Liz giggled behind her hand and left.
The door closed, footsteps faded.
Asel sighed in relief.
"Haa... Finally can rest. First time talking to a girl that long."
"You got roasted."
I lay on the bed, pipe in mouth. The ceiling chandelier was a miniature of the lobby's, dazzling.
Damn, hearing it fell makes it feel ominous.
Asel hesitated while hanging his coat, then spoke.
"...Really her doing?"
"What."
"Dropping the lion... Scary, but she didn't seem the type."
"Prime suspect for now. How's tomorrow's test, Asel."
"...What do you mean? Thought you'd help, Ronan."
Asel's eyes bulged. Figures he'd been compliant expecting my aid.
I flipped him off, chuckling.
"Your test, why help? If Erzsebet's guilty, curious what'll drop next. Maybe the roof caves in and shreds you."
"Eek!"
"It'll be fine, rest up. Adrian's no fool to just say kill each other. Task-based, you're favored. Don't sweat."
"R-Right? Won't go straight to deathmatch, right?"
I didn't answer. Not teasing—just too many complications. This Acalusia territory was off.
Sudden lion drop and shadow.
Patriarch hiding something.
Adeshan's fall.
Wrecked Erzsebet.
Basement.
Sucking unlit pipe, I spoke.
"Asel. Going out briefly."
"W-Where? Not tired, Ronan?"
"Smoke break. Gonna sprawl long, recharge first. Back soon, sleep tight, no panic."
I waggled the pipe in my mouth.
Hearing 'soon,' Asel relaxed and hit the bed.
"O-Okay... Don't ruin condition, hurry back."
"Scared? Coming."
Last words, I left. Damp morning air rushed in. Needed to see with my own eyes.
Needless worry—snoring echoed from behind the door before five steps.
"Ah."
No sense of time passed.
Asel woke with slight fatigue.
"...Ronan?"
No reply to his call. Voice echoed like a bathhouse.
Frantically looking around, Asel gasped.
"W-What the!"
Not just Ronan gone. Plush bed, garden-view window—vanished. He lay on cold, hard stone reeking of mold. Pitch darkness surrounded him.
"Haa... haa...!"
Couldn't comprehend. White breath puffed with ragged gasps. Unbelievable chill for early summer.
"C-Cold."
Asel clutched his collar. Sitting up revealed an endless corridor. No windows in the stretching gloom.
Unfamiliar, yet he knew.
Staggering up, Asel muttered shakily.
"......The basement."