Chapter 428: Proof of Existence (16)
Chapter 428: Proof of Existence (16)
The Masked Assailant.
The first time I became aware of his existence was in the Percus Territory. The intruder, who had broken into the mansion out of nowhere, knocked Sir Irene unconscious and drove Ria into a state of berserk, rendering me unable to fight.
The ambush had been perfectly timed. It was only rational to assume he had prior knowledge of the Dark Cult's plans.
In other words, the Masked Assailant was in some form of cooperative relationship with the Dark Cult.
That alone was reason enough for him to die. Thus, I listened intently to the Saintess’s story.
“It happened last night. The Masked Assailant was caught trying to infiltrate the orphanage.”
“He was caught?”
A man whose tracks were so elusive that tracking him was deemed impossible?
The circumstances seemed somewhat suspicious, but the Saintess appeared to have a different take on it.
“Yes. There happened to be someone passing by at the time.”
Only then did I nod as if I understood. Most problems could be explained away once the word ‘coincidence’ was involved.
Because it was, quite literally, a coincidence.
Unless one were a god, who could possibly foresee and manipulate every situation? The reality was that even the most perfect plan could fall apart if luck wasn't on your side.
It made sense if the Masked Assailant’s luck had simply run out that day.
After all, a similar stroke of luck had occurred in the Yurdina Territory.
Thanks to the Princess witnessing the Masked Assailant, we were able to learn of Marquis Yurdina’s betrayal in advance. That was also why Senior Delphine had met with the Marquis alone on the day of the decisive battle.
However, a question still remained.
“Even so, isn't that a bit too careless? Didn't the Head Nun sound so confident last time? She said such a thing would never happen within the confines of this orphanage… and yet, on the very day security was breached, he was caught by a random passerby.”
“There are complicated circumstances regarding that.”
The Saintess spoke with a sorrowful sigh.
Her face was etched with bitterness. I could sense a faint trace of fatigue in her eyes.
“Let’s talk about that later. I need to look into it more myself… I’d like you to help me out as well.”
“How so?”
“Please interview the witness.”
It was exactly what I wanted. I needed information too.
My only complaint was that I had to start the investigation without even a moment’s rest. To think I couldn't even take a break after coming back from a battle.
Seeing my bitter smile, the Saintess seemed to realize her oversight and gave me a worried look.
Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, the woman’s hand gently stroked the back of mine. It seemed she wanted to comfort me while others weren't looking.
“I’m sorry, Ian… It was a long trip, wasn't it? So, were there any results?”
“Yes, fortunately. Let’s talk about that later as well.”
Despite my answer, the Saintess seemed restless when my complexion didn't improve. Her head snapped back and forth again as she scanned the surroundings. After a few moments of this...
The Saintess stood on her tiptoes and whispered into my ear.
“Shall I give you a reward?”
It was a sweet voice I hadn't heard in a while. Combined with the Saintess’s characteristic suggestive tone, its power felt doubled.
Unable to hide my temptation, I let out a dry cough.
A reward from the Saintess.
My eyes drifted diagonally downward. Because the Saintess had moved so close to me, the source of the voluminous sensation pressing against my arm was right there. It was a reaction that truly fit the phrase ‘unintentional.’
Wouldn't anyone react that way?
Since so much had happened between me and the Saintess, certain memories surfaced like a spinal reflex. I was merely being faithful to the voice of my unconscious.
Though the price for that was meeting the Saintess’s cold, icy gaze.
“……Where are you looking?”
“The reward pouches?”
Smack! The Saintess’s palm slammed against my back. Since my skills had improved significantly, it didn't particularly hurt, but I grimaced slightly for the sake of politeness.
The Saintess huffed and grumbled as if she found me absurd.
“Good grief, I shouldn't have bothered comforting you… Don't you know you could be hauled before a religious trial for this?”
“I’ve already been hauled before one.”
“For your information, if you’re hauled in twice for the same charge, the punishment is doubled.”
That was very comforting to hear.
After exchanging such banter, the Saintess suddenly remembered something and asked me.
“By the way, why did you come back alone? What about the others?”
Hearing that, I glanced behind me.
There, only a single Holy Knight who had been driving the carriage was exchanging greetings with the Head Nun. The rest of the Holy Knights who had been escorting the carriage, as well as Ria and Mr. Reynold, were nowhere to be seen.
Our paths had split on the way to the orphanage.
“Ria went to find a way to transport the demonic beast corpses. There’s also coordination with various merchant guilds left to do… To be honest, I’m not sure about Mr. Reynold. He said he had something to take care of.”
The Saintess nodded quietly at my words. It seemed she didn't have much interest in those two anyway.
Then, after glancing around once more, her whisper reached my ear again.
“Come to my bedroom alone later.”
“To give me my reward?”
No answer came. Even so, I felt like I knew what the Saintess was thinking.
After a moment’s hesitation, a clear voice leaked from her lips.
“Also, once in a while is fine.”
I turned a puzzled gaze toward her.
Just a moment ago, I thought I understood her hidden meaning, but now I felt confused again. Then, the Saintess cleared her throat with a hem hem and subtly used her arms to bolster her breasts.
My pupils were drawn in as if possessed.
“……Once or twice might be a bit ambiguous to haul someone to a religious trial over, don't you think?”
Muttering to herself, the Saintess walked away. I stood there blankly for a long time afterward.
While firmly resolving that I must visit the Saintess’s bedroom at least once.
Though I had to hurriedly follow after her because I hadn't actually heard who the witness of the Masked Assailant was.
I headed toward the clearing behind the orphanage to find the ‘witness.’ The overgrown weeds showed that the area was neglected, but thanks to that, it served as a suitable sanctuary for someone seeking a secluded spot.
A girl was standing there.
Her yellowish-brown eyes, staring blankly at something, looked as if she were wandering through a dream. Her black hair, neatly tied back, flowed down her back.
Celine Haster, my childhood friend.
A bitter smile played on my lips. When I heard the identity of the ‘witness,’ I wondered how such a coincidence could even exist. To think that the one who witnessed the Masked Assailant that day was Celine.
Lately, I hadn't even had the chance to talk to Celine one-on-one.
Let’s take this opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with her.
It was just as I made up my mind and took a step forward.
I suddenly realized that Celine’s appearance was strange.
Her eyes, staring blankly into space, were focused. This meant she wasn't just taking in the scenery, but was staring at a specific point.
I decided to follow Celine’s gaze.
But no matter how hard I looked, there was nothing in the clearing. Only the knee-high weeds added a lush green hue to the scene.
I tilted my head. The solution when faced with such an unsolvable mystery was simple.
Just ask the person involved.
As I walked over, my hand landed on Celine’s shoulder.
“Celine?”
“Hyaaaak!”
With a bizarre shriek, Celine’s body bounced up like a spring.
She was so startled that it looked as if every hair on her body had stood on end. Crouching low, Celine looked at me with wide eyes, her face filled with shock and terror.
Though that expression faded significantly once she realized it was me.
Soon, Celine’s palm struck my back with a heavy thud. A cry of pain escaped my lips involuntarily.
It was a strength far beyond what I had imagined. It was a magnificent blow that showed the results of Celine’s recent efforts.
“Ack! Celine, you’ve gotten stronger than I thought….”
“Are—are—are you crazy?!”
Of course, my praise didn't reach Celine. It was because a waterfall of rebukes poured down before I could finish.
“Why—why—why do you have to just pop up like that?! You scared the life out of me… I thought I was going to miscarry.”
“You don't even have a baby.”
When I asked back in disbelief, Celine snorted and puffed out her chest. Judging by the way she even placed her hand there, she seemed to want to show an uninhibited attitude.
Unfortunately, I had just come from seeing the Saintess.
A strange sense of disappointment flickered through my mind, but I tried my best not to let it show.
“I might have one someday! So you should be careful!”
“Of what?”
Celine’s index finger poked at me. A meaningful smile played on her lips as she beamed.
“Children are precious, aren't they?”
“Well, that’s true, but….”
I replied while imagining Celine’s child.
Would they like playing pranks, taking after their mother? No, Celine was actually quite well-behaved when she was little. It was more like she had awakened a new nature after learning the sword.
If a daughter is born, I shouldn't let her hold a sword. She’d become impossible to handle.
After being lost in idle delusions for a moment, I quickly snapped back to my senses. Come to think of it, I had an unresolved question.
“More importantly, Celine, what were you looking at?”
“Huh? Where? Naturally, the woman who was standing over there… Huh?”
Celine, who had turned her gaze with a puzzled look, jumped again.
She looked genuinely surprised. My brow furrowed even deeper.
“Wh—where did she go? She was definitely right there… Ian, did you really not see her?”
“What are you talking about? It’s been just you here for a while now. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Despite my worried question, Celine only tilted her head.
“No, she was definitely there… a woman.”
I shifted my gaze back to the spot Celine had been staring at. There wasn't a single trace left there.
If a woman had been standing there, the grass should at least be flattened.
But since there was no such sign, the most logical conclusion was that Celine had seen a hallucination.
“Celine, you must be really exhausted lately….”
“No, I’m telling you! No, wait… was I? Did I see wrong…?”
Now even Celine seemed confused. I thought I should talk to her about this later.
Hallucinations were a serious problem. Also, the word ‘woman’ bothered me for some reason.
Why would she hallucinate a woman, of all things?
Anyway, there would be plenty of opportunities later. For now, I decided to ask about the most pressing matter.
“Anyway, let’s talk about that later… Celine, I heard you saw the Masked Assailant.”
“Huh? Oh, right! Yeah, I saw him.”
However, Celine’s attitude in answering my question was subtle.
She had been as lively as usual until just a moment ago, but now she was suddenly avoiding my gaze and acting hesitant.
As my gaze turned suspicious, Celine hurriedly scrambled for an explanation.
“I did see him, really! But the thing is….”
Scratching her cheek, Celine let out a sheepish laugh.
“Aha, ahaha… There was a flash before my eyes! And then I was knocked out.”
What kind of bullshit is this? Goddammit.
I had to swallow the curse that rose to the tip of my tongue.