Shadow
Shadow
Hmm. What is this now?
What kind of situation is this?
I rolled my eyes and scanned the surroundings.
Sonia and Louise were arguing, and then the talk turned to Silberg.
I don't know why they were suddenly badmouthing someone else's family in the middle of a conversation, but with all the weird talk about whether Lugner was ruined or not, or whether Silberg was protecting them or not, it was hard to follow the flow.
But then, didn't Louise suddenly jump up and scream?
"Kyaaaah!"
"Help me!"
At the same time, the young ladies nearby screamed, and the standing butlers tried to run away, leaving their own masters behind.
The heat I felt at that moment.
The moment flames bloomed from Louise's hand.
Sonia stood in front of me, and at the same time, people clad in black from head to toe appeared.
And now, the current situation.
"Ugh... Ugh!"
It happened in the blink of an eye.
Like the expression 'sprung from the ground,' people in black clothes suddenly appeared and held blades to Louise's body.
Louise's outstretched arm.
Blades were touching the top and bottom of her wrists, and her neck was also surrounded by three blades.
A situation where she would be cut by the blades if she moved even an inch.
Unable to budge, Louise was trembling with her eyes wide open.
"Call off the magic. Louise."
Sonia commanded Louise.
Then, the flames that had been shining in front of Louise's hand scattered into the air.
From that sight, I could understand the current situation.
Aren't these people who sprang from the ground like Count Lugner's bodyguards?
Like a scene from a cartoon I saw in the past, they were clearly people protecting Sonia, hiding in shadows or appearing via magic.
Come to think of it, since she had this, that's why Brother Lugner sent his daughter to me with peace of mind.
I nodded my head instinctively.
"What shall we do?"
Sonia asked me then.
She was probably asking for the disposition regarding Louise.
Anyway, it was clear that Louise had done something dangerous.
Sonia had subdued it, and given the atmosphere, it must have been a situation where everyone here, including me, was almost in danger.
Since the place was full of only young ladies and butlers, wasn't Sonia asking for my opinion because I hold a title?
But it wasn't a situation for me to step in.
Strictly speaking, those people were Sonia's limbs, and since I didn't have control over them, there was no reason for me to offer an opinion.
And above all.
The very picture of me offering an opinion and Sonia listening to it would reveal that I am someone with a title, so I was really reluctant.
A commotion happened inside a Count's estate, and a noble with a title was at the scene?
In a situation where the person at fault is the daughter of that house, it's inevitable that the responsibility will shift to that noble.
Well, someone who likes to step into these things might think differently, but at least I wasn't that kind of person.
So I said.
"Do as you please, Young Lady. Butler Resh, I will follow your words."
"Yes? Ah... Yeah. Yeah... Okay."
Sonia, who quickly understood that I didn't want to get involved.
As expected, she's quite quick-witted when it comes to things like this.
"Then... I'll handle it. Intelligence Bureau people... that's fine with you, right?"
The people in black nodded at Sonia's question.
The Intelligence Bureau, huh....
I heard our Viscount family had an Intelligence Bureau too, so it seems the Lugner family also operates one.
Plus, it even has a bit of an assassin vibe.
Should I try raising our Intelligence Bureau guys like that too?
"Then I'll take care of things here. Resh, you go back to the carriage. I'll finish up and go soon."
"Yes, Young Lady. I have plenty of time. Take your time and finish your business."
"Ah... Yeah. Okay. Don't worry. I'll handle it well and come."
Sonia, who noticed that I didn't want to get involved in the affairs between Count families, sent me back to the carriage.
Thus, my short butler cosplay came to an end.
Now, let's see.
Since she told me to go to the carriage, should I just head back along that path in the garden?
"Family Head-nim, I have come to escort you."
"Oh? Sicarian. How did you know to come?"
"Seeing the shadows move, I felt I should come and escort you."
Shadows?
I looked at the sky.
Warm sun.
Shadows cast longer than when I arrived at the mansion.
I thought the tea party itself ended quickly, but maybe because I walked to the garden, time had flown by.
Still, it hadn't taken long enough to warrant coming to pick me up like this, but perhaps since the other young ladies' carriages weren't visible, and considering the time it would take to return later, they came to pick me up early?
"It's fine, but anyway, thank you."
"I'm glad it's fine. Then please head back first. I will move with Young Lady Sonia."
"Got it. Ah, then I'll send the carriage back after going to the lodging. Ride with me when you come later."
"Ride with you when I come... ah, yes, understood. I will proceed as such."
Like that, I rode the carriage back to the lodging.
Even though it was a shame that the tea party I had looked forward to ended in a fizzle, it didn't matter.
"Swords... magic. As expected, fantasy is fantasy."
It felt like I had seen quite a spectacle.
On top of that, having witnessed firsthand a scene of a foul-tempered young lady screaming and screeching getting a proper lesson, it was a satisfying day as a possessor.
Especially the people using swords.
The way they suddenly appeared and subdued the opponent was truly cool itself.
Is this why possessors in novels learn magic and master swords?
I felt a bit greedy for it.
"I should look into it more later."
Thus, I found a new source of entertainment.
If I study, I'll be able to blow away the boredom even faster.
Once I return to the territory.
I should start right away.
Hehe.
Count Zahel's mansion.
The hallway was noisy.
"Do not come any closer!"
A knight warned the intruder, sword in hand.
But the intruder was unhesitating.
"If you've drawn your sword, you must be prepared to risk your life. Are you confident?"
"Ugh...! But I am Count Zahel's...!"
"Do you not see the Young Lady here? If you don't lower your sword, I will cut the Young Lady's throat right now."
"Ah, Young Lady...! Ugh...!"
━ Clang.
The falling weapon.
Kicking it away, the intruder, no, Sicarian, headed forward without hesitation.
And behind him, Sonia, the Intelligence Bureau people, and the escort knights belonging to Silberg followed.
The number was at most a little over ten.
But there was no one who could stop them.
It wasn't just because Louise was being held hostage.
━ Slash!
"Gyaaaaaah!!"
"I intentionally didn't cut your throat. Treat it yourself."
"Huck! The Vice-Captain... in one strike...! Mo, monsters!"
Knights who were recognized in their own right, mages, etc.
The family's total military strength was mobilized to stop them, but they were all subdued by Sicarian alone.
"As expected, your skills are worthy of the former Lance Master. I couldn't even follow you with my eyes."
"Haha. Sonia. You shouldn't be surprised by this much. And what 'Master,' I'm just a has-been who shined for a year at most and handed the title right over to a 16-year-old girl."
"...I heard you were the person who destroyed a city with a single spear."
"That's what Director Cecil said, right? He's the one who destroyed an entire island nation himself... Anyway, after losing 10 times in a row to the Director, I put down the spear. So, try not to call me by that title if you can. Got it?"
"Whew~ Yes. Sicarian-nim."
It couldn't be helped.
The person they had to stand against was someone who had once, albeit temporarily, listed his name among the strongest on the continent.
And those who followed him as well.
Those who had once even reached the candidate rankings.
It wasn't a level that mere Count family knights could stop.
Of course, those they were facing were knights of a Viscount family with a lower title, but no one thought of it that way.
"Where are you from?"
"We are from the Silberg Viscount family."
The reason was simple.
Because they weren't just a Viscount family, they were 'Silberg'.
"The Count is waiting. I would like you to... come with me."
"Sure. There's no need to shed unnecessary blood."
Thus, they headed to Count Zahel.
The office door opened in time with their steps.
Inside, Count Zahel was sitting in his seat, clutching his head.
"...Dad!"
Louise, who discovered Count Zahel, called out to him.
But he didn't even budge.
As if just denying reality.
Count Gunter Zahel, who barely stood up while tearing at his hair.
With his lips bitten tight.
He stood before Sicarian.
"Just... why is Silberg attacking us?"
A choked-up voice.
Sonia was the one who answered the question mixed with feelings of fear and confusion.
"Louise insulted Silberg."
"Sonia Lugner? Why are you... anyway, an insult...? My daughter?"
"Yes, that is correct."
As if he couldn't understand.
Gunter slowly shook his head.
No matter how much he thought about it, it didn't make sense.
Just what did his daughter say for Silberg's people to step up like this?
"Louise... just, just what did you say?"
"Dad... I, I just...."
Louise relayed the whole story of what happened in response to the question.
Gunter listened to the story with a serious expression, then opened his mouth as if something was strange.
"Sicarian-nim, and Young Lady Sonia. To be honest, it is true that my daughter insulted Silberg... but is that something to see this much blood over? It's not something to say in front of a Silberg retainer, but... isn't it the truth?"
From Gunter's position, it was something that had to be said.
No matter how much he tried to understand, he couldn't.
Of course, it was true that the words were harsh.
It was also true that she insulted them.
But strictly speaking, Sonia wasn't even a Silberg retainer, and it seemed like Silberg was dealing too harshly with a slip of the tongue that his daughter committed unknowingly.
That was why Gunter protested.
"I will take responsibility for my daughter's mistake and compensate. But I ask that Silberg also express regret for breaking into the family mansion and causing a commotion like this."
Gunter, who couldn't bring himself to ask Silberg for compensation.
But he wanted to finish this situation even if it meant taking his daughter's side.
But he didn't know.
"Count."
"Ah, and Young Lady. I will officially protest this matter to Lugner. The fact that you borrowed Silberg's authority to persecute the Zahel Count family will be made known to the Imperial Court...."
"Louise attacked Leon Silberg-nim."
Sonia, who cut off Gunter's words and completed her own sentence.
At her words, Gunter opened and closed his mouth as if he couldn't understand.
"Who did my daughter... attack?"
"The butler Resh who came with me today was Leon Silberg-nim, who did not want to make this place uncomfortable. He came to accompany me, but Louise used attack magic on him."
Sonia explained the situation in more detail to Gunter, whose thoughts had stopped.
Then Gunter's gaze turned back to his daughter, Louise.
"That can't be.... Louise?"
"Uh...? Uh-uh?"
Gunter, who wanted to confirm the facts, and the broken Louise.
Sicarian spoke to the two, whose mouths were open but couldn't make a sound.
"You insulted Silberg directly in front of the Silberg Family Head and even attacked him, do you have anything more to say?"
"...."
At his words, Gunter's head dropped.
Regardless of the reason.
Whether it was an unfair situation or whatever.
It was the end of a Family Head who admitted that there was no room for excuses.
After a long deliberation, he forced his mouth open with a trembling voice to try and settle the current situation.
"...Would it suffice if I offered my head? No, no. I will offer my head... can I be forgiven with that?"
"Dad!"
It was the worst situation, but Gunter decided to fulfill his role as Family Head.
He decided to do his best to reduce the damage to the family somehow.
The Zahel Count family had no ability to handle Silberg's anger.
The eldest son who was serving in the North, saying he would become a loyal subject of the Empire.
The second son who would be at the Academy without knowing this fact,
The wife who was living in the capital, which didn't suit her personality, to open up a marriage path for her daughter.
And finally, the immature daughter who caused the family to close its doors.
In the face of the crisis where everything he loved would disappear,
he decided to abandon his future with his family, with tears in his eyes.
"I'll die! It's my fault! Sonia. Please! Please, I'm begging you like this. Sicarian-nim, I! I'm the one who did wrong! I'll do anything. Whether I become a slave or die! I'll take responsibility for everything! Please! Please, just let it slide once! Please!!"
At that sight, the daughter knelt down.
Seeing the daughter, who had never tried to take responsibility in her life, finally trying to take responsibility, the Count had to regret his past mistake of not educating her that way.
"Please Sonia. Please... please...! Sob... Huk!"
As if to lick her feet.
Louise, clinging to Sonia's feet and begging.
Because they were the same age, because they were rival families and Academy classmates.
It was the moment Louise, who had burned with a sense of rivalry toward Sonia her whole life, surrendered first.
But Sonia did not accept their proposal.
"I don't need your heads."
Instead, she demanded something else.
Sicarian's nod.
Sonia, who had received permission from him, no, from Silberg.
The condition that came out of her mouth was,
"What Silberg wants is...."
Everything the Zahel family could do.