The Heart of the North
The knight who had been staring at the children with an icy, expressionless gaze slowly turned his eyes toward me.
—Huuuuaaaang...!
—Mommy... Daddy...
—Big brotherrrrr...
The sudden threat of the knight had left the children collapsed on the floor, sobbing. The sight pierced my eyes.
Crack.
"...Kids!"
I gritted my teeth, lowered my body as much as possible in anticipation of the incoming attack, and dashed past the knight to reach the children.
".........."
Contrary to my expectation that he would draw his sword and swing it, the knight simply remained silent, watching me.
...Is he sparing me? Damn it.
"Big brother..."
"Hic... hic...!"
While shielding the children—who were clutching my collar with trembling hands—from the knight, I glared at him fiercely.
"What exactly are you doing?! What could these children possibly have done wrong...!"
".........."
Even though I shouted in a fit of rage, the knight maintained his blank expression as if my words didn't reach him at all.
Grind.
'...The moment he makes even the slightest move, I'll pierce his heart.'
The children's wails as they clung to my clothes echoed through the old orphanage, and the emotionless giant stared down at me. Out of his sight, I finished preparing to summon a Dark Spear at any moment.
"Black hair. Red eyes....."
"....Are you. Venice?"
"....Excuse me?"
His tightly shut mouth finally opened, and the words that spilled out left me no choice but to ask again.
"I asked if you are Venice."
"...Yes, I am."
"Mm. Good."
What was good about it? And more importantly... was he not going to attack? Then why had he threatened the children...
....No. I couldn't trust him. I had to stay on guard.
Since I still couldn't fully grasp his intentions or actions, I continued glaring at the knight with open hostility. Behind my back, my hidden hand gripped the summoned Dark Spear tightly.
"What do you mean, 'good'? You suddenly appear... threaten the children like this!"
"....Threaten? I didn't..."
"....You're not seriously about to say you didn't, are you? Anyone would see that as threatening! The kids are terrified...!"
As I held the children close while speaking, they either felt relieved or were still scared, because they burst into even louder sobs.
"Ah.... No. That wasn't my intention..."
"....Hah."
Yet even on that still-expressionless face, visible confusion flickered. Did he truly have no intention of threatening them? That expression couldn't possibly be fake...
"Then. You said you were looking for me. Why are you looking for me?"
"I am a knight of the Frost family. The great Heart of the North, the Empire's Shield, seeks you."
"....Pardon? Me? All of a sudden...?"
"Yes. The esteemed one said they were searching for someone with black hair, red eyes, and the name Venice... It seems you are the one."
....What the hell was he talking about? What 'Heart'? Why would someone that great be looking for me? Had I done something wrong? I couldn't think of anything...
Ah, maybe it was something the original owner of this body did before I arrived?
"Alright... let's say that's me. Then... what am I supposed to do?"
"You will follow me. We head to the castle in the Frost Territory. Right now."
The Frost Territory? Was he talking about that huge territory I visited yesterday? Right now...?
"...Right now? That... doesn't seem possible."
"Why?"
"There are these children. I'm the only one who takes care of them."
Learning he was a knight from the Frost family gave me some trust... but I couldn't leave the children behind and go alone.
"Mm. I see. Wait a moment."
With those words, the knight suddenly walked out of the orphanage.
....Just what kind of person was he?
"Sniff.... Big brother. Did that mean old man leave...?"
"Yes. It seems... so. And he doesn't seem like a bad person after all."
"But... he looked at us so scary..."
"...It's not good to judge people just by their appearance."
I said that to comfort the children... but honestly, the moment I saw that terrifying face, even I had assumed he was threatening them. ....No, with looks like that and zero emotion showing, it was inevitable. If even someone like me—who rarely judges by appearance—felt threatened, it must have been even worse for innocent children.
Creak—
A short while later, after I had finally calmed the children, the knight opened the door and stepped back inside.
"Tomorrow morning. I have found people to care for the children. After that, we will go to the territory together."
"Can we really trust those people?"
"Of course. I can guarantee they are trustworthy, on the honor of the Frost family."
Hmm... if he was that confident, even invoking the family name... It seemed he really had found reliable people. Mentioning a family's honor was basically staking their lives on it, wasn't it? One wrong word could tarnish the entire family's reputation.
"Yes. If you're willing to say that much... I have no choice."
"Mm. I will return tomorrow. Until then."
With that, the knight left without looking back. He was still... an incomprehensible and peculiar person.
For the rest of today, I would spend every moment with the children.
The next day. The day the knight had promised arrived.
Although he had spoken with such confidence, even mentioning his family... I couldn't help worrying that some strange person who might harm the children would show up.
"...Oh my, are these the little ones? Aww! They're so cute!!"
"Good thing we came. After seeing nothing but those gloomy knights all day, these kids are a breath of fresh air!"
Contrary to my worries, two women with incredibly bright personalities entered the orphanage.
"Kane, you jerk, you made the kids cry? Ugh... tsk tsk."
"How could you do that to children? Sigh..."
"....No. It wasn't like I wanted to."
From what the women said, the knight's name seemed to be Kane. They must have been very close, because they kept exchanging jokes.
....Was it one-sided scolding? Anyway. Seeing them laugh while talking, they definitely seemed close.
"...Hello."
"Oh my..."
"Oho..."
When I greeted them, they let out sounds of admiration as if they had seen something fascinating. Was something wrong?
"Nice to meet you! I'm Leni, and I'll be taking care of the children starting today!"
"I'm Berry. Please take care of us."
After introducing themselves, the women turned their attention to the children, who were watching the sudden visitors with nervous eyes from behind me.
"Hello~ kids. I'm Leni, and we'll be living together from now on! Nice to meet you!"
"I'm Berry. Take care of me, okay? And forget about that scary uncle over there!"
They approached the children with such kindness that one could believe they were kindergarten teachers. The children, finding their warm and familiar demeanor reassuring, gradually began showing interest.
At first the kids were scared, but they slowly approached the friendly women and started talking to them.
Thank goodness.
I had worried they might be frightened or reject them, but thankfully, the children opened their hearts.
"Then. I can go now, right?"
"Yes... I'll be going. After you've done all this for us..."
"Leave the kids to us!"
".....Thank you."
"Follow me. The esteemed ones are waiting, so let's go quickly."
After expressing my gratitude to Leni and Berry, I followed Kane out of the orphanage.
"Get on."
"Uh.... Yes."
Outside the orphanage, a sparkling carriage waited for us on the road. I had expected it, but the Frost family seemed far more prestigious than I had imagined.
I climbed into the carriage and sat on the hard seat, gazing out the window. Directly across from me, the stoic Kane sat rigidly upright, which somehow made me feel more at ease.
The carriage sped along and soon arrived in front of the castle in the Frost Territory.
During the entire ride, we didn't exchange a single sentence. ....Well. There wasn't really anything to say, and seeing that blank face made any words die in my throat before they could come out. I should have gotten used to it by now, but he was still someone I couldn't get accustomed to.
"Get off."
"Yes."
Following Kane, who led the way, I stepped inside the enormously grand and magnificent castle.
This is insane.
Its exterior had been dazzling enough, but the interior was even more so. The castle was so vast that it contained a massive training ground where people who appeared to be knights were sparring. As I walked down the long corridor lined with red carpet, my eyes were drawn to the paintings embroidered on the walls and the chandeliers decorating the ceiling. Every inch of the interior was beautifully adorned without a single empty space—it could easily be called a work of art in itself.
"This is the place. Enter."
Anyway. After walking quite a distance even within the enormous castle, Kane finally stopped in front of a massive door.
The Heart of the North... that person must be inside, right?
I felt a bit nervous and a bit excited, but there was no point in delaying, so I immediately grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.
".......You've come."
""...........""
Inside, at the enormous dining table revealed when I opened the door, five people were seated. Each one emanated incredibly restrained mana and overwhelming charisma.
They all had pure white hair like snow and beautiful amethyst-purple eyes.
Ah. That person...?
And among them, the woman I had encountered in the dark mage's cave was staring directly at me. Her name was... Erielle, wasn't it?
"....Ah."
"I am Erielle. Erielle Frost."
She had definitely said that before. Erielle Frost. And the castle I was standing in belonged to the 'Frost' family.
....Why hadn't I realized that sooner?
"Greetings, young Venice. So you are the one... who saved our precious Erielle here. Is that correct?"
A middle-aged man with an overwhelming amount of mana and a charisma that reminded me of a white tiger spoke to me. He was probably the Heart of the North.
....His strength was so absurdly immense that I could feel it just by looking at him. If I fought him now, I would die in less than a second.
I tried to answer his question, but the words wouldn't come out, as if my throat had suddenly closed up. As I stood there fidgeting without responding, not only the Heart of the North but everyone seated beside him began to frown.
"...Yes. That's right."
Thankfully, when I couldn't even speak and kept hesitating, Erielle answered in my place. At her confirmation, the furrowed expressions relaxed once more.
Whew. That was a relief. The atmosphere alone had nearly suffocated me to death.
"I'm sorry. I was suddenly too flustered..."
"Mm. That's understandable. We... are not ordinary people, after all."
The Heart of the North nodded as if he understood. Just as he said, they all looked as solid and powerful as massive giants. Their cold yet resolute eyes and overflowing magical power proved it all.
"Thank you for saving our Erielle, Venice."
"Haha... I only did what anyone should have done."
When the woman who had been quietly listening asked, I smiled and replied. Just as I said, I had simply done what any decent person would do. That was all.
"Oho... What an interesting person. To stand before us and not feel intimidated..."
"Indeed, my lady. Saving Erielle and this composure—he cannot be an ordinary man."
"Haha..."
Being praised so openly made me feel a little embarrassed. By the way... wasn't I supposed to be ordinary? I had been a bit flustered at first, but I hadn't felt particularly intimidated.
'Is this also the influence of dark mana?'
It was possible. The power that rejected the world was not something to be taken lightly.
Whisper whisper—
They suddenly began speaking among themselves in voices too quiet for me to hear. Feeling awkward, I simply stood there and waited.
"I'll ask you directly, Venice."
"....Yes?"
"Become the exclusive butler of the Frost family. Become Erielle Frost's personal attendant."
.....Pardon? What was that all of a sudden? Her personal attendant? Out of nowhere?? Had I heard correctly?
At the completely unexpected proposal, I froze on the spot.