Disappearance (2)
The maids' disappearance was something Isaac knew nothing about. In his old age, Yonas had only shared the big events and family stories, never details about the entire household staff. He probably hadn't had the time to pay attention to such things. Around that period, Isaac himself had been drowning in self-loathing and despair from his mana rampages. His mind hadn't been strong back then, lost in pity for himself, with no attention left for others.
Of course, that didn't mean there were no clues at all.
"Why don't you tell me more about it, Bill?"
The kitchen atmosphere turned icy in an instant. The maids paled, and the servant caught among them went white as a sheet.
"Ah. Uncomfortable talking with so many people around? Then let's have a private chat, just you and me. Bill?"
"W-Well, you see. What I said was just some lowbrow joke, the kind us underlings toss around."
"Got it. So come with me. I just want to hear more because it's interesting."
The servant shot a pleading look at the maids, his face twisted in misery. But none of them stepped in to help or showed him pity. His usual behavior must have been pretty loathsome.
Isaac headed to an empty drawing room and took a seat.
"Sit."
"No, how could someone like me sit with the young master…"
"Sit. Unless you want to see a noble's true nature."
Isaac's tone turned deadly serious. The servant squeezed his eyes shut. That meant Isaac had heard everything.
The servant plopped awkwardly into the chair opposite Isaac. The finely carved wooden seat had a soft cushion, but he fidgeted like he'd been stuck with needles.
"Bill. That's your name, right?"
"Y-Yes, it is."
"Three maids went missing?"
"Y-Yes."
"Their names?"
"Hilde, Clara, and Enet."
"When did they vanish?"
"Well… not exactly sure."
"Roughly."
"Two months ago, Hilde disappeared. A few weeks later, Clara. And this weekend, Enet went to church for service and hasn't been seen since."
Bill couldn't meet Isaac's eyes, staring down at the floor. How can a kid's gaze be this sharp? He'd seen plenty from Bernsi's underbelly—madmen, killers, junkies. But this young master's eyes chilled him for a different reason. There was elegance, but something unnatural lurked beneath. Madness, if he had to name it. And the thought that this kid might explode at any moment sent shivers down his spine.
"Any idea why? Reason for leaving, running away, or getting kidnapped?"
"…"
Bill glanced at Isaac and shook his head.
"You can be honest. I promise no punishment or firing."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Isaac nodded. Bill continued, "Hilde was snooty, thought she was nobility. Clara was flighty. Enet, uh, just a normal girl. Clara could've stolen valuables and bolted anytime, no surprise. But the others? Doesn't fit."
"So?"
"The only… common thread."
Bill peeked at Isaac, then ducked his head again.
"Me?"
"Yeah. Look at Hans's face—always bruised or scratched. That guy's always whining, and he ain't dying pretty…"
Bill clamped his mouth shut. Idiot. He wanted to slap himself. The one not dying pretty was him. Goosebumps prickled his forearms.
The young master's unique constitution, mana rampages—those words were taboo among the servants. They gossiped freely among themselves, their only outlet. But getting caught by the head butler meant two lashes that day. And here he was, saying it to the boy's face. Might as well beg for death.
"Bill."
"…"
"Bill."
"Y-Yes! Spare me! I haven't married, no kids, but the priest says life is God's gift…"
"Don't want to die?"
Isaac stared blankly at Bill. Bill trembled under the gaze. No time for pride now.
"Then. I'll spare your life if you do some work for me."
"Yes. Huh?"
Right. That was her name.
Isaac recalled the two maids who'd been close to him. One was Roza, the red-haired girl from the kitchen who'd always taken his side. The other was Enet, one of the missing ones.
A blue fireball sliced through the air, circling the room. Create, condense, condense, phase change. With a new circulation path added recently, it burned hotter than the red version and could even shift phase.
Blue fireballs weren't in standard grimoires, so its class was unknown. Given red was 2nd class, this was at least 3rd. The physician's panisia sped up his mana circuits' expansion. Soon, he'd have five paths.
Enet was close with Clara.
Enet wasn't talkative. After Hans and the nanny died to mana rampage, no one volunteered to serve Isaac despite warnings. Only Roza and Enet did.
Roza always comforted him warmly. Enet said little but stayed by his side, praying silently.
One day, Isaac had sunk into utter despair over his unsolvable condition and the deaths it caused. Roza's kind words fell flat; Enet's presence annoyed him.
—You think you get it? How it feels to kill someone I cared about with my own hands!
Something like that, he'd snapped at her. Surprisingly, quiet Enet spoke up.
—I know. I killed Clara with my own hands too.
—Who…?
—Clara. My closest friend.
She didn't explain details, just that Clara died because of her.
—If I'd just looked back once. Reached out a hand. Maybe I could've saved her.
Your situation's special, young master. But even without that, anyone can cause unwanted tragedy.
Enet didn't console him. Didn't say it was okay. Just stated the fact: people regret and do irreparable things, rampage or not.
—Everyone does, at least once in life. Even saints. Otherwise, no need to believe in God so desperately.
Her pessimism oddly comforted Isaac. Whether intentional or frustration with his self-pity, he didn't know.
Should've asked more back then.
Isaac moved the blue fireball, recalling her words. Curves, right angles, S-shapes, circles, U-turns, spirals.
Over 90% of combat spells relied on projectiles. Miss, and they're useless. So the key—and hardest part—was phase change.
Master it, and you could snipe behind obstacles or shields. Fail, and even great spells were worthless against people or small beasts—unless you didn't mind friendly fire.
Practice on phase change was never excessive.
"Whew."
Isaac wiped sweat from his brow. Headache and dizziness crept in. Brain overload from calculations.
Footsteps approached outside. The blue fireball fizzled into mist.
Knock knock.
"Young master, it's me. May I come in?"
It was the nanny.
"Yeah. Come in."
Isaac grabbed a random book from the desk and opened it.
"What's up? This late. Told you to head home before sunset."
"My quarters are right next door."
"Spend more time with Hinder."
"He's grown now. Doesn't like Mom hovering. Got a girl in the village, looks like. Anyway… how's your health? Took the physician's potion?"
"Yeah."
The nanny checked him over as usual. Isaac knew her worry wouldn't help, but answered fully. Someone caring felt good. He'd realized it too late last life, but not this time.
"Anything you want for tomorrow?"
"Apple pie."
"Again?"
"It's good. All your baking is."
"Hehe, alright. Time to show off my skills again."
The nanny beamed at the praise.
"And this."
"Hm?"
She pulled her hand from behind her back, holding a wooden doll.
"What's this?"
Not great craftsmanship. Barely humanoid, lumpy and vague.
"A knight, apparently."
"Knight? From Hinder?"
"No. He's hopeless with his hands."
"You carve it?"
Isaac tilted his head.
"Me? No way. From Yonas's nanny. For you."
"Yonas…?"
"Yes. Said not to enter his room? You've been avoiding him for half a month. He misses you, wants to play like before. I know the explosions are dangerous, but a quick visit and chat should be fine, right?"
The nanny asked carefully.
"…"
Isaac stared blankly at the doll. Come to think of it, child Isaac had been handy. He'd carved knights, horses, dragons from wood for Yonas, who made up knight tales from cheap novels and played with them.
Nostalgic times. He wanted to run to Yonas now, but couldn't move easily.
The risk of random vessel rupture and mana explosion was low now. Past four paths, he felt confident. The once-overwhelming mana flow stabilized with web-like circuits.
Still, facing Yonas was hard—because of memories.
"…"
Gray rubble, fallen servants. Rain like blood through broken windows. metallic tang of blood in his mouth. Yonas's disbelieving eyes. Blood pouring from his wrist. Delayed screams. Endless falling sensation.
First meeting after regression was pure joy. But each encounter sharpened the memory.
Not yet…
Isaac stared into space, then spoke.
"Nanny."
"Yes."
"Can you fetch a chisel and some carving wood? Too late now?"
"No. Yonas loves carving, so wood blocks are always in the shed behind the annex. Shall I?"
She brightened.
"Yeah. Thanks."
Isaac nodded. The desk by the bedroom window was a mess. Wood shavings, sawdust everywhere. Half-finished failures scattered—over a dozen. One finished knight doll stood in the corner, armored, sword raised. Same pose as Yonas's clumsy one.
"Young master? Young master?"
Hans knocked long with no answer, then peeked in cautiously.
"What the hell is all this."
He gaped at the cleanup ahead. Isaac slept slumped over the desk.
"Mm."
Isaac stirred at the noise, opening his eyes. Back ached. Lucky he was young; older, he'd be bedridden days.
Isaac yawned hugely, stretching.
"What? When'd you get here?"
"Just now. Knocked forever, no answer."
"Ugh. Fine."
Isaac rubbed bleary eyes.
"Didn't sleep?"
"Think I nodded off at dawn."
Overslept, skipped training. Isaac tousled his messy hair. His eye caught the desk-corner doll.
"Hans. Take that to Yonas."
"You carved it?"
"Yeah. And tell him to wait a bit more."
"Wait for what?"
"Meeting me. Brother's busy now, hard to meet."
"…Understood."
Hans stared blankly, then nodded.
"Uh, should I come back later?"
A voice from the door. Bill.
"Ah, this guy's got urgent business with you. Says you gave him an errand. True? He's a big bragger."
"Not bragging! Important, man."
Bill bristled.
"I did give him something."
"Really?"
"Step out."
Isaac sent Hans away for a private word with Bill. Perched on the bed, he yawned nonstop. Even a twelve-year-old body got tired.
Overdid it.
Isaac splashed his dry face.
"So, found it?"
"…Yes. Didn't take long. One southern territory offered her free citizen status."
Bill lowered his voice. Isaac nodded silently.
This was it. Enet killing her friend. His guess hit the mark.