Chapter 159: Before the Action
I was prancing around with an umbrella, tiptoeing through the gloriously muddy lawn, and finally made it back to Mansion #3. As soon as I stepped inside, I darted straight up to the bedroom on the second floor.
I flung the door open and spotted Goat Cheese, the rain-dodging cheese, perched precariously on the window sill.
It looked like it was dozing off, but my door-swinging entrance jolted it awake. It immediately spread its wings, cocked its head, and fixed me with those scarlet eyes, beak slightly open, letting out a raspy screech: “Pepé—!”
“Fool—!”
…Thanks, Mom.
Returning home only to be insulted by a dumb bird is truly a new low. I felt my temper rise: “You’re the real fool!”
After saying that, I couldn’t help but stifle a giggle.
It’s just a bird; why am I even bothering to bicker with it… Maybe I’m the idiot here.
I strode over and cracked the window open a tiny bit—immediately, rain rushed in, splattering my face and clothes. I quickly closed my eyes and clamped my mouth shut, waiting a few seconds until it seemed Goat Cheese had fully committed to the wet chaos before I slammed the window shut.
Just as I opened my eyes, I was rewarded with a face full of water launched by Goat Cheese.
I smacked its head playfully, pouting as I shouted, “So dirty!”
“Caw—”
Goat Cheese retaliated immediately, pouncing on my shoulder and pecking my forehead with all the force of a tiny feathered fury.
“Ah!”
I let out a short yelp and squirmed, trying to shake it off, but the more I struggled, the tighter it gripped my shoulder with those sharp little claws. Ouch!
“Quit it… You’re ruining my clothes… Seriously, I’m getting mad!”
After my final shout, Goat Cheese suddenly settled down… Can it actually understand me?
I curiously eyed the little troublemaker.
Its damp feathers gleamed brighter than ever before, and those unnaturally bl**d-red eyes, which made them look bizarrely vivid, were locked onto mine.
Are you really just a raven…?
“What a magical little creature.”
Shaking my head, I pulled out a chair by the bed and plopped down. Leaning over the desk, I grabbed a piece of letter paper from the shelf above, laid it flat on the table, and took a quill feather from the right, dipping it in ink before beginning to write a letter.
“To my esteemed Father and Mother…”
“I’m in Royal City… Everything is well…”
What should I write?
I definitely can’t mention The Gate of Truth; I don’t want to make them worry for no reason. I should start with some cheerful stuff.
“This place… is very beautiful… The academy is interesting… and there are tons of delicious things…”
“Goat legs—tasty… waffles—tasty… sausages—also tasty… and what I made, Captain Gray—also tasty… Everything is delicious.”
…Wow, it feels like I’m just talking about myself. Not great, not great. I should ask how they are.
“Do you want to eat anything… in a few days… I’ll find a cart… something that doesn’t spoil… to send to the castle…”
Winter City… I really wonder how things are there now.
When I left, Father and Lafael were preparing to buy a ton of iron and leather. It was pretty clear what they had in mind… It’s worrying… Guess I’ll jot down and ask.
“… Father, Mother… Older Brother… stay safe… If anything happens, let me know promptly…”
Oh right, and about the Iron Guard.
I can’t help but feel concerned about Victoria facing those alone… I should lend her a hand.
Hmm… but that’s quite the contract for central defense… How do I bring that up with Father… Maybe I’ll just whine that they’re bullying me…
The shy sunlight on a rainy day hid behind the clouds.
In the eerily quiet bedroom, the freshly spruced-up young woman gripped her feather quill tightly, scribbling and doodling on the yellowed letter paper, her cherry-red lips murmuring and muttering as she concentrated. The enormous raven perched on her shoulder, twisting its head this way and that, not the slightest bit still.
After quite some time, the girl finally paused in her writing.
She held up the densely written paper, inspected it closely, and nodded in satisfaction, a charming smile breaking across her face.
“Heehee.”
“Perfect!”
She slid the paper into an envelope, sealed it with wax, then placed it into the wooden letter tube she bought earlier, tying it to Goat Cheese’s right claw with a red ribbon. Gently patting its head, I pointed to the window and exclaimed, “Go on, Goat Cheese!”
Goat Cheese just stared at me, dumbfounded.
After a long moment, it emitted a high-pitched, bizarre laugh from its dark beak: “Heeha! Heeheeha!”
I widened my eyes.
…Is this bird mocking me!?
“Stop laughing, you ridiculous bird.”
“Pepé the fool—!”
“You’re the fool… You won’t get lost, will you? Head back to the castle and deliver the letter to Father and Mother.”
“Caw—”
“Once the rain stops, you can go.”
After that, I ignored it.
Contemplating with my head tilted, I walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a black knee-length battle skirt custom-made for me by Father’s workshop. I held it up to my body, tossed it on the bed, then squatted down to rummage through the drawer for those chain gloves embedded with Moon Crystals, some thigh-high stockings, and a pair of pure black boots… My night gear was all set!
Dressed in all this gothic black, I’d be tough to spot at night… The Pope Knight cloak was a definite no-go; it’s white and shiny—just screaming “Look at me!”
Oh right, do I need my heart guard…?
But it’s so hard and uncomfortable… Never mind, no need for it.
After gathering all this, I walked over to the corner of the bedroom, opened the leather trunk that hadn’t been touched since I arrived here, reached inside, and gently stroked the chilling blade of the weapon resting there.
Captain Gray… I feel like you’re a bit lonely.
Do you want to join me tonight?
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A thunderous knocking echoed from downstairs.
…………
The sky was getting darker.
In a half-dream, half-awake state, I suddenly heard a violent banging on the door below, jolting me upright from the edge of the bed. I froze for a couple of seconds before sprinting down the stairs.
I flung the door open to find Rect standing there… He had switched into a set of dark leather armor, but was still sopping wet. Who knows where he had scampered off to at noon, and he didn’t bring an umbrella… Oh right, holding an umbrella would limit his movement.
“Forgiveness Head, who are you scaring with all that racket?”
Rect ignored my mildly displeased stare, glancing at my all-black outfit with a nod: “Looks like you’re ready.”
“Are we leaving now?”
“The sooner, the better. More time for observation.”
“Oh, then let’s go.”
Stepping outside, I realized the rain had mysteriously stopped.
That’s great news, I might even say I let out a sigh of relief… Thank goodness! Otherwise, I would have been stuck in the rain, and I’m not brave enough to face that again—I can’t get sick again or I might end up like last night… Ugh, I don’t want that!
Not thinking it means nothing.
“What’s that on your back? It looks heavy?”
“Weapons.”
“Weapons?”
“Yeah.”
“What kind of weapon is so big… Can I see it?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
Of course, what I was carrying was Captain Gray. I finally took it out of the trunk, but it was still covered in a black cloth, folded into three parts, so Rect couldn’t see what it was.
I know he’s curious, but I didn’t want him touching it.
If he figures out how heavy this weapon is… I’ll be embarrassed.
“You’re stingy…”
As we passed through the grand iron gate at the front of the yard, I spotted three other members of the Sword of Kanli waiting there, one familiar face among them… the beaky-nosed fellow.
He smiled at me, saying: “I’m counting on you tonight, Miss Silvya.”
