Eliza had been in high spirits lately. It was because her master had disappeared as suddenly as they had arrived, which gave her much more time to spend with her beloved older brother.
Of course, not being able to see Master, or the other older brothers and the new older sister, or the “friends” from her previous home, made her feel lonely.
But as long as Erich-niisama was with her, Eliza could endure. Whenever he would stroke her head with his firm yet warm and gentle hand, it felt just like taking a nap under the sun.
Since the master’s disappearance, her beloved brother had been paying her extra attention. When she tried on the semi-transparent, unsettlingly scary lady’s clothes, he applauded so enthusiastically that it seemed his hands might tear apart, praising her extravagantly. He took her outside, calling it an outing because she had dressed up so beautifully, and they had so much fun.
He even taught her lessons. When reading the history books that the master would usually assign, her brother would instead read her stories that were even more interesting and emotional. When she managed to read well during their turns, he would lavish her with plenty of praise.
For every single thing she accomplished, he would smile; for two accomplishments, he would pet her head; for three, he would hug her. Eliza started thinking that it might be a good thing to be able to do more. The thought that if she could achieve four or five or even six things made her small chest thump wildly with excitement.
If only days like these could continue, she thought. She even entertained the idea that Master might not return, although if she were ever asked directly, she would surely smile with her usual cheerfulness.
Today was another peaceful day without Master. After finishing her morning self-study, her brother took her for a short ride on a horse named Polyduukes. The black stallion was much larger than Horter back home, but just as kind and gentle as her brother, walking slowly, making the ride enjoyable. Just being able to see further made her feel as if the world had completely changed; everything was fresh and vividly sparkling before her very eyes.
When lunchtime came, her brother had to attend to his duties but promised he would return in the evening. Eliza waited eagerly for him.
She waited and waited…
But even as the sun began to set, and then as the dusk deepened, her brother did not come. Eliza felt a profound sadness…
So Eliza decided to go and fetch him herself. After all, her brother often got himself into dangerous situations, carrying dangerous things, learning dangerous magic, and enjoying dangerous pursuits. It was necessary for Eliza to go fetch him.
She knew where her brother was staying. Having been invited several times, she had grown close with the gray-clad sister who took care of him. The gray sister often spoke fondly of him, so Eliza had grown to like her, which was quite different from the boastful black-and-white insect with a nasty disposition who always flitted away after a visit.
What an impossible brother. Eliza decided to dress up in the outfit that garnered his most favorable reaction – a pristine white blouse and a black corset skirt, the outfit from the day she first came to the Imperial Capital – and went to fetch him.
She also prepared plenty of gifts: jars of tea and small bags of baked goods that her scatterbrained teacher had hoarded in her messy room. She stretched a bit to include some cheese with a sharp smell and a bottle of red wine, thinking no one would notice if she took one or two jars from the back of the shelves. Although the wine had an unreadable name, it was beautifully red, and her brother was sure to like it. When diluted with plenty of honey and water, even Eliza could enjoy it, and she was certain her brother would share with her.
With floating friends helping to braid her hair, she carried a basket and went searching. But her brother was not there, despite dodging through the bustling crowd and enduring the deafening sounds all around.
Eliza felt so disappointed she was on the verge of tears. Though comforted by her friends who had followed her and by the gray sister who had rushed out of her house upon seeing her pouting, she truly was upset.
What would happen if her brother didn’t come back? She wasn’t yet the kind of child who could protect her brother as Master had instructed.
Feeling completely anxious, just as the tears she’d been holding back were about to flow, her brother finally came. He popped up as if emerging from beneath the street where he had pushed aside a cover and was looking at Eliza with a curious expression.
“You came by yourself!?”
Her brother climbed hurriedly out of the hole and picked her up with a worried look. Just this action alone held back her almost-spilling tears, and she felt as if she had bathed in the sunlight even though it was night. It was a warm and kind feeling, surely what “happiness” should feel like, perhaps even the same color as her brother’s hair. And if “joy” had a color, it would match her brother’s eyes.
Then surely, “happiness” was the essence of her beloved brother.
“May we exit?”
A voice echoed as someone peered from the opened hole. Dressed in white, their garb was typical of those who prayed to the gods in temples. Their pendant resting on the chest struck Eliza as quite unpleasant.
Ah, this woman was golden too. But it was different from the golden color that made her brother’s presence “happy.”
It must resemble the moon in the night sky – the incomplete moon. It was similar but different.
An uncomfortable golden color, entirely different from happiness, joy, or any form of contentment.
It was a ghastly color. The tightening in Eliza’s small, pulsating chest resembled the night when she sensed that soon she would be isolated from everyone, as though someone was squeezing her chest to crush every heartbeat.
All she could do was cling tightly to her brother and stare hard at the moonlit and eerie someone.
—
“Should I…go outside?”
A white-robed figure peeked cautiously out from the hole, their garments reminiscent of temple worshippers. The ornament dangling from the figure’s neckline made Eliza uneasy—it seemed ominous.
Ah, this woman also had gold in her appearance, but it wasn’t the same golden hue that Eliza associated with her brother’s radiant and comforting presence.
No, this was the sort of gold akin to the crescent moon hanging in the night sky—similar yet alien. It didn’t evoke the warmth or joy Eliza felt with her brother.
It was a frightening shade, a color that made her small chest tighten as though predicting separation. As if her heart would be crushed by some external force grasping at her core.
Eliza clutched her brother tightly and could do nothing but stare fixedly at the pale, unsettling someone before her.
—
To be honest, I realized I’m actually more of a single-task kind of guy.
It might sound trivial now to say I struggle with multitasking. But there’s a difference between handling multiple spells simultaneously and solving problems. Managing both Eliza, my sister, and the mysterious young lady I’d rescued isn’t exactly smooth sailing. GM, cut me a break and let this play out in different sessions; don’t cram it all into one episode just for convenience.
Here’s the contrast: my sister clinging to my neck—ah, there she goes floating again, something she had almost outgrown. Meanwhile, the young girl I’ve just met wears an inscrutable expression, like a Noh mask, leaving me utterly perplexed and flustered. What exactly am I supposed to do here?
At the perfect moment, the soft clinking of fine porcelain is heard. The gray-clad young woman has deftly placed a freshly brewed teapot in an ideal position, one that catches everyone off guard. A brilliant assist indeed.
“Ah, let’s have some tea, shall we?”
“Ah, yes, thank you.”
Serving the tea and sipping from it calms me a bit—until I realize this isn’t regular black tea. The fragrant aroma that dances on my tongue and escapes through my nose is far superior to the cheap bags I usually purchase for less than ten as at the market. Where did she get this from?
“Mm… delicious.”
“Yes, it’s quite good. Here, Eliza, try it. It has an incredible aroma.”
I guide the teacup gently to her glossy lips, which initially quiver against the rim but eventually settle into a determined pout, as though biting down on it.
Yes, she’s adorable. My little one really is an angel.
“Fufu… what a charming younger sister you have.”
“Indeed, she’s my pride and joy.”
Though I may humble myself endlessly when it comes to my own merits, on the topic of Eliza’s cuteness, I refuse to back down an inch. Even if someone mocks me for being proud, I puff out my chest without hesitation, delighting in their compliments while covering my own smile with a subtle gesture.
At that moment, her hood shifts, preparing to unveil her face.
“Well, it wouldn’t do to conceal myself from you, who’ve guided me here with such care, nor from your cherished sister.”
The moment her hood was removed, it was as if a veil had been lifted from the moon, revealing its radiant face so brilliantly… It was beautiful.
Her skin was a luminous white, a pale perfection that almost obscured the porcelain around her, and her lips were reminiscent of rose petals, standing out vividly against such an inhuman hue. Her crescent eyes bore the rich, deep hue of pigeon blood, contrasting magnificently with her straight black hair and accenting her regal nose.
Her features were both beautiful and childlike, yet the radiance of her determined gaze erased any sense of youthfulness, instead radiating an eerie, refined beauty. One could hardly doubt her status as a naturally blessed creation, possessing an impeccable beauty honed to a sacred degree.
Ah, how bewitching and terrifying it was. The budding lips exuded the essence of a predator.
“My name is Tsetsilia. Those close to me call me Cecilia.”
She was Tsetsilia, a vampire, a descendant of humans from the Age of Gods who had deceived the “God of the Sun” to secure immortality. As penance, they endured burning pain in sunlight and could only sustain themselves on the blood of warm-blooded humans while being forever bound to protect the believers of their God.
Another supernatural being? Is my dice roll broken or something?!
“I’m now a follower of the God of Night Shadows, the deity who guards us. Please be kind to me.”
With a faint curve at the corners of her lips, she offered the grace of an aristocratic smile and bowed slightly.
Phew, stay calm, self. Statistically, magic-based races are fewer, but vampires are exceedingly rare since only a small fraction can reproduce by exchanging blood. So, while encounters are indeed rare, they are not impossible. It’s just a biased roll. Even if it’s a bias that scales to life-altering levels, I need to keep my composure.
A quick cough settled my nerves, and I returned the courtesy by introducing myself. Despite interacting with incredibly beautiful beings daily—though my humanity might rank below the sewer—I have developed a certain level of tolerance. Besides, what are the odds that someone who knows me isn’t peculiar in their own right? Recalling that elementary school move, I find some relief and calm.
“I am Erich, and this is Eliza, my pride and joy. She’s a disciple at the Magic Academy, and I assist her as an apprentice researcher.”
“Ah! The Magic Academy! I wasn’t particularly familiar with them, given the limited interaction between the clerical order and the academy, but I’ve always been curious. There are so many marvelous things they know!”
Her eyes lit up, and her hands lightly came together at her chest. I knew that due to their differing roles—those akin to administrators and hackers—the relationship between the clerical order and the Magic Academy was less than harmonious. However, her positive reaction likely stemmed from genuine curiosity.
Despite her dignified appearance, she truly was like a schoolgirl inside, judging by how her behavior resembled Eliza puffing her cheeks when I interacted with her. Quite amusing.
If I let her curiosity run wild, it could end up like last time, where endless questions about the sewers dominated the conversation. It’s best to change the topic before that happens. I’ll need to make sure Eliza doesn’t erupt, perhaps gently pricking her cheeks to deflate her. And above all, our mysterious guest is likely capable, so let’s hurry this along.
Given that her trackers are likely already combing through the area, it’s safe to assume their search scope has extended across the entire city by now.
“The Magic Academy’s story can wait until later. Perhaps I can arrange an invitation through my employer. But for now, let’s focus on what’s next.”
The key is taking swift action. In a chase like this, time favors the pursuer more than the pursued.
Our guest hails from nobility. Considering the luxurious dresses she provides her subordinates and their fine weaponry, they’re certainly not just street thugs or water carriers. They may well muster a large-scale force in the hundreds, even calling upon city guards in the worst-case scenario.
Damn aristocrats!
Suppressing the inexplicable urge for a crimson flag, I observe her response.
After all, we cannot flee effectively without knowing the “destination.”
“Seems you’re entangled in complicated circumstances. I won’t pry too deeply, but at least we need to decide where we’re headed.”
Though my persuasive skills are somewhat refined, I must clarify that I don’t engage in brainwashing—yet. With a gentle nudge, she hesitated for a moment before answering.
“An… unwanted… marriage, yes, I am being forced into marriage.”
She sighed, eyes cast downward, her hands crossed at her chest in a gesture fitting the tragic heroine archetype. What could be more tailor-made for such a situation? A maiden being chased, facing an unwelcome marriage, and undoubtedly involving some greasy older man. This wasn’t just contrived—it was outright scripted.
“Ah, that is truly…”
“They seek to remove me from my religious office and force me into an unwanted marriage. None other than… my very father has orchestrated this plan. None other than MY very father.”
Her fragile tear gently fell, only to be wiped away with a delicate finger. Reasserting herself, she put her hood back on and gripped her fists firmly.
“However, I am not entirely without allies. I have an extremely supportive… uhh… aunt. She would certainly intervene and stop my father.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Indeed, it seems she has a strong ally. As ancient traditions dictate, younger siblings typically submit to their elders, something also documented in ancient tales. Reflecting on my own sister from a past life… ugh, my head.
“So, let’s seek out your aunt. Where does she reside?”
Knowing the goal gives us plenty of options. For a nearby destination, we could leave the capital and head straight there. If distant, we could send a message and await her assistance. In the worst case, we could keep moving within the capital while awaiting rescue.
She hesitated, glancing down uncomfortably for a moment, fidgeting with her fingers, before revealing an alarming location.
“It’s… Liepzitz…”
“Huh?”
Liepzitz, located in the eastern region of the Empire within the Liepzitz Administrative Zone, serves as the capital and stronghold of the Erlstraich family—one of the three Royal Houses.
That’s a staggering “140 km” away from the capital as the crow flies…
