Chapter 38
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 38: The Unfinished Story (4)
Vivienne, who almost ran out of the banquet hall corridor and boarded the carriage, finally inhaled properly when the mansion's main gate came into view.
Cold night air seeped deep into her lungs, but the heartbeat pounding her chest didn't subside easily.
As soon as she entered the room, unable to even take off her gloves, she picked up cold water in a silver cup.
Gulp, gulp.
The cold sensation flowing down her throat cooled the heated interior a little.
Sweeping back her somewhat disheveled reddish hair once, she exhaled slowly.
"......Let's calm down."
Calm down, Vivienne.
Nothing happened yet, you fool.
Muttered low like a command to herself.
From the moment the certainty that Iden Summonfield might be Edom Rivan flashed by, emotions were drawing an uncontrollable curve.
The moment the outline of blurry memories she thought she forgot overlapped, her heart started beating off-beat.
It was strange.
She was someone who only had doubts like 'Is he alive' occasionally for 3 years, and didn't hold a particular grudge against the existence called Edom Rivan.
Of course, it was painful at the time.
Following persistently yet naturally, gnawing at nerves by obsessing secretly, then disappearing like a ghost when someone's presence was felt nearby.
Fortunately Cale helped whenever the situation worsened, otherwise Edom Rivan was a catalyst seemingly about to do anything, so every day was a continuation of anxiety.
But after he disappeared suddenly, she erased past days quickly with refreshment and liberation like drinking water in a desert.
Because there were many things to do, and she thought it efficient to pass bad memories easily.
However, perhaps memories she thought swallowed easily weren't fully digested yet.
Why did she run away from that spot.
Why did the words 'I'm sorry' pop out first.
Didn't do anything wrong, why?
Vivienne sat on the chair with a thud.
Fingertips were still trembling minutely.
Delicate hands that must detect even minute mana fluctuations during alchemy research, but now even holding a pen was cautious.
She opened the desk drawer and took out a thick notebook.
Alchemist's habit.
Record and organize anything, whether emotion or phenomenon.
The moment vague sensation is transferred to sentences, it transforms into an analyzable object.
Especially when circuits in the head were tangled like now, there was nothing like this.
The sound of pen nib scratching paper filled the room.
While writing sentences, breathing was organized evenly gradually.
Trembling fingertips also stabilized gradually.
Emotion becomes formula, and formula is substituted with logic.
She wrote honestly.
Edom Rivan was the existence making her Academy days most uncomfortable.
Although that time wasn't long, he was an existence following like an appendix when recalling Academy days.
Simultaneously, an unknown variable never understood until the end.
Because the appearance of a Count family young master begging for love was an area impossible to understand at all.
Of course, the current him was also an area impossible to understand.
Until now.
Vivienne stopped the pen.
There was a subtle sensation rising from a little deeper place.
Something not explained by simple fear, anxiety alone.
Still too early to define that sensation.
It was merely an emotion at the hypothesis stage before experiment.
"Phew......."
Surging heart gradually flattens, and handwriting wiggling like earthworms also straightens.
Like that, wrote the last letters clearly.
― Conclusion 1: Maintain existing life.
― Conclusion 2: Research priority.
― Conclusion 3: Minimize external contact for the time being.
― Conclusion 4: Do not act hastily.
If focusing on alchemy research, surfaced emotions will settle.
Important experiment is waiting now.
Research to report to the Northern Grand Duke was top priority, and for now, planning new hypothesis after finishing it successfully would be fine.
At least the current Edom Rivan didn't show 'manic' appearance like past days.
No.
As the head cooled calmly, judgment that she overreacted also arose.
Even though he neither chased her like before, nor ran his mouth committing rudeness carelessly.
Just as the inherent nature of alchemy ingredients doesn't change, believing human nature doesn't change either, but as there is a way even 100% certain experiment fails, she decided to refrain from speculation for the time being.
At least here, there was no forced binding due to the shackle called Academy.
Vivienne covering the notebook inhaled deeply once again.
Heart returned to normal beat now.
Iden Summonfield.
Repeated that name once more inwardly, but the chest didn't fluctuate anymore.
"Phew...."
A big commotion was passing once.
**
Escaping the banquet hall corridor and mixing into people again, my head couldn't return to place yet.
Music still flowing, chandelier scattering platinum light, sound of glasses clinking continued like festival rhythm, but all those were distant like ringing beyond a glass wall.
Only the red-haired woman standing in front of me until just now, and the short apology she left and hurriedly fleeing footsteps were strangely vivid.
Therefore Vivienne.
Her name remained in my head.
It was reminded after a truly long time that this world is rooted in the original work called Romance Fantasy, and reminded that I was the original villain supplying nutrients to that root.
But I escaped from that root.
Abandoned the name Edom Rivan, abandoned the shell called noble too, and jumped off even on the road called original flow.
Walked silently the distant distance taking a month to the North, survived piercing through blizzard, and broke stems and branches of war with my hands remembering them.
Not following the story someone wrote, but changed the path determinedly saying I will decide the direction of my story.
Nevertheless, encountered her tonight, same time, same place.
In this vast North, in the middle of complex noble society of Capital Helon. Reunion seemingly leaping over all distance and time taking a month by carriage from Rivan Count territory.
Too accurate to call coincidence, and calling fate, I didn't believe such a childish word.
Problem was her reaction rather than that fact itself.
Expression and legs stiffened not knowing what to do.
Eyes unable to say anything while flustered.
And face becoming pale clearly recognizing traces of Edom Rivan.
I swallowed a sip of wine.
Bitter taste remained at the tip of the tongue.
There was absolutely nothing wrong I did, and the great escape from the original work was rather a thing for her too.
At least me as 'Iden'.
Nevertheless, her appearance leaving the seat as if running away kept touching my heart.
Words 'I'm sorry'.
Why did she run away after apologizing.
Don't tell me this accidental reunion is an intended scheme, and she recognized me not as Iden Summonfield but as obsession man Edom Rivan evolved more cunningly and shrewdly.
Thought it could be appearance of a lunatic crazy about obsession and possessiveness appearing again to her who doesn't know the inside story.
Because even if appearance changed, Edom Rivan trapped in her memory wouldn't have changed.
"Hmm...."
Should I explain it's a misunderstanding.
Should I clarify everything is coincidence and nothing intended.
Or just should be silent letting pass each other as is.
While the banquet continued, I conversed with Galliard as usual, and exchanged short gazes with Eldmonde.
Nobles' gazes were also not as blatant as before, and after the great victory of Saloon Central Plains Battle, the alias 'Summoner of the Dark Night' was arousing more wariness and interest than sneer.
But one side of my consciousness kept hovering at the end of the corridor.
Banquet continued like that entered a lull late at night.
Only those heavily drunk remained, and started returning to their nests one by one.
I also headed to the mansion with Erwin.
Path leaving the Main Castle after banquet ended, North's cold air cooled lungs.
Snow-covered roofs flashed silver receiving moonlight.
Boarding the carriage, catching breath slowly, I organized thoughts.
Conclusion was simple.
If the original work tries to pull me again, this time I decide the direction.
Even if something called fate obsesses over Edom Rivan's end, I cut it off as Iden Summonfield.
Even if reunited with original heroine, nothing changed.
I, as always, just move forward.
**
For a few days the mansion was quiet, and the sudden wave of reunion also calmed down.
Visits and greetings poured right after returning from battlefield, afterglow of victory also subsided gradually, and I enjoyed deep sleep and leisurely morning after a long time.
Sipping black tea leaning by the window, Northern wind knocked on the window, and snow settled on the roof sparkled in sunlight.
Fortunately, there was no interaction with Vivienne.
Judged it right to bury reunion as a mere happening, and didn't think of visiting.
She also had no message.
That silence seemed to keep balance rather.
Collecting mind like that, drinking tea, I recalled the conclusion made in Saloon Central Plains Battle again.
Galliard's death in the original work looked like an external scheme using Northern Alliance Tribes, but retracing the aspect of this battlefield, possibility of insider involvement was thicker.
External sword is visible, but internal hand hides in shadow.
Then the place to examine first was Galliard's surroundings, and inside the Main Castle.
It was wise to completely extract opposing forces before large-scale all-out war with Northern Alliance Tribes becomes full-scale.
Only then can crisis of Capital Helon be cut from the source.
Searching for evidence of opposing forces was urgent priority, and persuading Northern Grand Duke based on that was urgent priority.
Two voices engraved in the first banquet hall, temperature of that whisper and habit of speech end, voice, breath interval, had to find when remaining clearly.
Problem was method.
Just nobles attending the banquet at the time exceeded hundred.
Besides, in the victory commemoration banquet looked around until deep night, same voice wasn't heard.
Attempted eavesdropping through summoning circle too, but no suspicious whisper was captured in the second banquet.
As if the opponent chose hiding after one failure.
"...Look having many worries?"
Erwin, watching my appearance wandering same spot repeating worry for days, opened mouth handing teacup.
Her voice was careful but clear worry was contained.
Iden hesitated for a moment.
But judged trustworthy if a person stepping onto battlefield for him crossing life and death together, supporting his choice entirely, dedicating a day for him.
At least now.
And felt from before, restriction followed doing secret investigation accompanying Erwin.
Since she looked for me with eyes lit up saying this is attendant's quality!, losing eyes also had limit.
Broached carefully.
"Actually... being able to block explosion in the first banquet, wasn't coincidence."
Erwin's eyes narrowed.
I revealed I heard explosion warning by chance appreciating masterpiece and sculptures roaming corridor.
Didn't reveal up to installing summoning circle in advance.
Since no need to bother making things causing misunderstanding.
And also talked about trying to find the owner of voice heard that day in victory commemoration banquet but not heard.
"Didn't tell Grand Duke family yet because there is no clear evidence. Since it's an issue that can cause confusion or speculation if wrong. Since Grand Duke family also recognizes as 'incident' already, no need to be impatient. So I was worrying about method to find material evidence."
Brief silence flowed.
And soon, Erwin's expression brightened.
It was a somewhat satisfied smile, and narrowed eyes drew a voluptuous arc.
...Atmosphere seems changing as time passes somehow.
"Hmm~ now we became a relationship sharing secrets? So you kept disappearing like that?"
"...Uh?"
"Well, good. Anyway to summarize, criminal's voice wasn't heard in the second banquet hall, right?"
"Ah... yeah. Greeted all young masters or eavesdropped around but there was no similar voice."
She snapped finger snap.
Snap—
"Then there is a method. Although not perfect."
"Really?"
"You know banquet hall must write guestbook right? Since all entry and exit must be left as record. Then if comparing guestbooks of first banquet and second banquet, can filter list of those who attended first banquet and didn't attend second."
"Oho...."
Simple but powerful idea.
Since it will be big help even if range can be reduced.
Record of entry and exit doesn't lie.
If obtaining intersection and difference between two banquets, name of hiding person will be revealed.
Besides, in noble society, 'especially' absenting from banquet hosted by Northern Grand Duke isn't common thing, so range will surely narrow rapidly.
"Good method."
Admitted that.
However.
"Problem would be justification to check guestbook. Since appropriate reason would be needed to view record."
Erwin fell into thought for a moment.
Then soon, snapped finger snap again.
Clear and cheerful ringing rings the room.
Snap—
"Leave that to me."
Thinking looking at Erwin assuring confidently.
Although she always appreciates considering meeting me as luck, I was also really lucky meeting her.
Lazy afternoon.
Under the sky putting down sunlight and preparing evening.
Small turbulence was rising in the archives located in inner castle of Capital Castle Helon, always peaceful and always boring.
"Sob sob sob... How could he leave me... definitely said he came to do official duty... sob sob. Just need to check two guestbooks... please tell me the truth... sob sob sob."
Banquet guestbook was confidential viewable only if having noble status and appropriate reason, and chicken tear-like tears of a Count family young lady skilfully unraveling that appropriate reason were flowing.
"H, hey there—! Quickly bring guestbook to this beauti, no! Young Lady and help love business—!"
"Sob sob, thank you. Really. Sob sob."
It was capable beauty attendant Erwin.