Chapter 36
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 36: The Unfinished Story (2)
Early afternoon after forced march, Erwin and I arriving at Capital Helon headed straight to the mansion, and dense steam filled the mansion bathroom.
Hot water flowed down neck and shoulders washing away dried dust and blood smell.
Muscles stiffened by march and battle loosened slowly underwater.
Dry wind of Saloon Central Plains and afterglow of air mixed with metal smell seemed to still remain at the tip of the nose, but as water flowed down the back several times, it finally felt like returning to daily life.
Closing eyes and catching breath for a while, I thought.
I acquired everything I wanted to obtain through this battle.
Large-scale battle experience, how to utilize Summoning Arts on the battlefield, and even the Berserker named Galliard.
The first step to keep the promise with the Northern Grand Duke was successful, therefore I wanted to lie on the bed as if collapsing and rest tonight.
However, I can't miss this grand banquet hosted directly by the Northern Grand Duke.
Galliard also said he wanted to talk more deeply about Summoning Arts.
Especially since Galliard said 'Father will be very pleased to hear your performance', how can the protagonist of that performance be absent.
Exhaling a short sigh, I raised my body from the bathtub.
Wiping off moisture, I wore banquet attire instead of dress uniform.
Black background coat subtly embroidered with silver thread, neatly ironed shirt worn, and decorative sword at waist.
"Huu—."
Inhaled deeply and exhaled.
There is no forced march like this forced march.
If not a noble, by now I would be taking a honey-like rest laying my exhausted body somewhere.
Noble's life, seems not easy.
Dragging heavy legs as if stuck in a swamp, I opened the door and stepped outside the mansion straight away.
We decided to meet in the garden when preparations are finished and ride the prepared carriage together.
Today Erwin was also invited by Galliard as 'Erwin Vermir, Count Family Young Lady', not one attendant.
As courtesy for running together on the battlefield.
Erwin, excited for some reason asking if she could receive a maid's help, bathed and decorated first, and I could meet her waiting in the garden.
"Erwin?"
She, standing holding a parasol, turned her body.
Simultaneously, I had no choice but to admire.
Hair pressed by military cap was nowhere to be seen, instead exquisitely trimmed golden curves sparkled receiving light.
Small but delicate jewel earrings shook at ears, and thin but noticeable necklace harmonized with the deep color of the dress on her neck.
The basic color of the dress was deep red resembling her pupils and gold resembling her hair.
Tightening the waist slenderly, elegantly revealing shoulder line and chest volume, and skirt hem slit on one side splits emphasizing her leg line.
Erwin, whose figure is hard to believe is the same person as the one riding a horse in uniform wet with sweat and dust just a few hours ago.
I lost words for a moment, and she raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Wh, why look like that. Today I also dressed up a little because I was invited as 'Young Lady'."
It was a voice seeming slightly wary.
"...Strange?"
Subtle tension was carried at the end of those words.
It must be an unfamiliar attire to herself too.
It would be attire tried after a truly long time too.
As one noble young lady, not Engineering Captain and attendant.
I shook my head.
"No. It really suits you."
It was a short sentence, but there was no lie.
Erwin looked at me for a few seconds then avoided gaze.
Organizing the dress hem once, she fiddled with the necklace for no reason.
"Th, then it's fine."
She spoke as if tossing, but ear tips were very slightly red.
It was a different texture from the gaze glaring at me on the battlefield.
At that time, the coachman getting off the carriage opened the door, and as usual, I tried to board the carriage first.
However.
"Ahem."
Sound of clearing throat was heard from behind my back, so turning my head, Erwin's coy gaze was reaching me.
"?"
What does it mean.
Erwin's fingertips stretching towards me pondering for a moment.
Only then could I fully recognize that she is 'Young Lady'.
"Ah, excuse me."
Escort.
Not because she is a Count family young lady, but holding fingertips wishing for natural escort performed as one man to one woman, I kissed the back of her hand lightly.
And spoke playfully.
"Shall we go?"
As if satisfied, Erwin's lips draw a beautiful arc.
**
After the previous banquet hall building suffered an explosion accident, this victory commemoration party was held in the grand banquet hall located deep inside the Main Castle.
Stone walls were thick, ceiling was high, and entrance was only one. Even windows were structured with distance from outer walls.
Appearance was flashy, but structure was arrangement considering defense.
Arriving at the banquet hall entrance, I was stopped immediately.
"Sorry but it is Young Lord Galliard's order to let in only those who underwent body search."
Polite but firm voice.
Knights engraved with white crest surrounded both sides.
I nodded and spread both arms obediently.
Belongings check, decorative sword seal status, even mana reaction detection.
It was a procedure felt excessive if it were a normal banquet.
Although officially concluded as 'accident', meaning Wintel family doesn't trust that conclusion is engraved again.
Security was added not only with visible knights, but also secretly placed mana sensory devices and fixed defensive circles.
"Thank you for cooperation. You may enter."
Finishing search safely, I entered the banquet hall.
Chandeliers scattered golden light, and scent of high-class wine and spices filled the air.
Banquet table placed long in the center, nobles stood gathered in threes and fives on both sides.
Music was flowing softly, and unlike last time, wariness and contemptuous gazes were laid thinly on the floor.
I approached Northern Grand Duke Eldmonde sitting at the head table of the banquet hall straight away and offered courtesy.
"Your Highness."
Eldmonde nodded shortly and examined me.
"Ah, you came. Performance in Saloon Central Plains, I heard from Galliard. Heard it was amazing."
His eyes were tinged with praise and simultaneously testing sign.
I answered humbly.
"It was just Young Lord Galliard's command was excellent."
Following that, I joined Galliard.
Unlike the battlefield, he was in refined attire, but was still a man with warlike energy of battlefield remaining.
As if he waited, he threw questions mixed with admiration about Summoning Arts.
"That giant lancer. How did you extend maintenance time to that extent?"
"Up to how many can be summoned maximum?"
"Is bigger one summonable too?"
"Dragon too? Or Basilisk too?"
Whether summoned beasts active in battle were quite impressive, Galliard, slightly intoxicated, continued question offensive like a child whose curiosity exploded.
I explained simply about stabilization of summoning circle and mana dispersion structure.
The Summoning Arts book compiled by Grand Duke Eldmonde was a big help.
Galliard listened interestingly and threw a few more questions.
"Interesting, really. I hope I can see a Dragon summoned by you flapping wings on the battlefield someday."
"I will devote myself more."
Banquet hall was filled with joy of victory, and perhaps because Northern Grand Duke was present directly, blatant contemptuous gazes decreased noticeably compared to before.
Of course, nobles regarding Summoning Arts unfavorably still existed, but at least no one sneered openly.
Drinking a sip of wine, I looked around the banquet hall slowly with Erwin.
It was then.
"...."
Something kept catching the edge of vision.
Something revealing its color in a position likely to pass by if not conscious.
Beyond people's shoulders, between decorative pillars and curtains, inside gaps of movement and movement.
Slide.
Fixing head, moving only pupils minutely, I focused on the periphery of vision.
And red again, it was clear.
Vivid red light repeatedly catching the edge of my vision.
Not wine color.
Not carpet either.
It was a moving red light.
Putting down the glass, I continued conversation with a nonchalant expression.
But consciousness was becoming fixed to that red dot more and more.
Brushes past again.
Red color.
As if someone is intentionally hovering in the blind spot of vision.
Red light repeatedly caught in vision subtly then disappearing.
But the more I watched, the movement was somewhat clumsy and hostility wasn't felt.
To the extent it was laughable to think it was a watcher attached by opposing forces regarding blocking previous banquet explosion.
"......."
While red light disappeared for a moment, I moved seats quickly.
**
One corner of the banquet hall, behind thick pillar shadow, Vivienne was moving gaze carefully.
Although she let down red hair loosely today, traces braided long in twin tails like during alchemy experiment still remained.
Tightly woven hair came down to waist, and blue pupils twinkled clearly like glass beads receiving chandelier light.
However, that gaze wasn't calm like glass.
Iden Summonfield.
His appearance chatting with Galliard in the center of the banquet hall kept stepping on eyes.
Even though not long since returning from battlefield, he wearing neat formal dress was melted among nobles naturally enough to be strange.
Name was heard every other day, but real thing was practically seeing close for the first time.
Of course, encountered once before, but at that time there was no gap to observe like now so seeing properly is first time now.
Vivienne, holding wine glass, chased him only with gaze.
Tried not to care, but consciousness kept tilting towards him.
No.
It was inevitable.
Since she made time to come here to do so in the first place.
Since she walked to check 'straight scar under ear', physical characteristic of Edom Rivan remembered with difficulty in the first place.
Vivienne, observing from a distance seemingly close yet not like that, tilted her head continuously.
Physique, atmosphere, gestures were different from Edom Rivan.
Nevertheless, that boundary seeming familiar yet not was scratching heart like uncomfortable itch.
"Uh, Lady Vivienne! Meeting here of all places?"
While doing so, one noble young lady spoke to her and after sharing formal conversation.
"...?"
Iden who was in front of eyes just a moment ago wasn't seen.
Where did he go?
Vivienne, as if possessed, moved steps looking around the banquet hall naturally.
Not to show sign of looking for him for no reason, pretending to appreciate decorations, sometimes greeting acquaintances, moved slowly.
Passed under chandelier, and entered banquet hall side passage.
Density of people became thinner gradually.
Corridor with curtains draped long, section where lighting became a little dark.
Around here, noise of banquet hall also lowered a beat.
It seemed he definitely escaped in this direction.
Why me...?
Asking herself, but strangely steps didn't stop.
Feeling like something pulling.
Is it fault of stubbornness to scratch out itchiness just for today.
Vivienne moved steps there as if possessed.
Just need to check.
Whether he is really a person with no relation.
Or whether he is really Edom Rivan who turned over a new leaf.
Whether passing by pretending not to know even seeing herself is false or truth.
Like that, when reached the end of corridor, secluded corner.
"...Do you perhaps have business with me?"
From behind back, low and clear voice was heard.
Vivienne's heart beat greatly momentarily.
Breath clogged tight, she turned around reflexively.
Distance of merely a few steps.
Iden was standing in that spot.
Light shining obliquely on black formal dress, and his pupils were staring at her calmly.
"Ah......."