Estimated reading time: ~7 minutes
Chapter 55
○○○
Under Anon’s guidance, we arrive at the manor of the Holy Knight Ashley.
The sun has already set, and darkness creeps in around us.
「I’m glad we made it just in time before it got dark.」
「Thanks. We really appreciate you going out of your way to bring us all the way here.」
I express my gratitude to Anon, who is stretching his shoulders and neck.
「Hm? Could it be that you’re misunderstanding something?」
「Misunderstanding what?」
「Well, nevermind. Let’s go.」
The manor of Holy Knight Ashley is an impressive Western-style building.
As someone raised in Japan, I find it to be an extremely luxurious residence. However, compared to the homes of the nobles I saw in the royal capital of the Arcana Kingdom, it feels slightly lacking.
I’m very curious about how the scale of the manor reflects her status, but more than that, I feel a tightness in my chest at the realization that Ashley’s home is located in a place with almost no presence.
The entrance to the manor is, of course, tightly shut.
Built into the wall beside the door is a spherical magical device about the size of a palm. Anon holds his hand up to it. Apparently, this is a summoning device.
Eventually, the device emits a buzzing sound.
『……』
I sense a definite presence on the other side of the device. Perhaps due to the late hour, it seems they are observing our appearance. Anon proceeds unfazed.
「Heh heh. I bet it’s Justus on the other side, right? It’s Anon. Hurry up and greet us.」
Not long after Anon’s exchange, the main gate clicks open, and a man in a tailcoat emerges from the manor’s door.
I think to myself that he has a remarkably sharp gaze.
Compared to the attendants I saw at the royal castle, his spine is ramrod straight, so much so that one might think a single wire runs through his back.
「Lord Anon, thank you for coming all this way,」
the man called Justus expresses his gratitude to Anon before immediately turning his gaze to Sensei and me.
「So, Lord Anon. Who might these individuals behind you be?」
「Ah, I should introduce you. They are my friends. I’m certain they will be able to help Ashley.」
Justus narrows his already sharp eyes even further and scrutinizes Sensei and me, looking down on us.
「Mr. Justus, I don’t particularly want to say this, but I am Ashley’s friend, and I have been working tirelessly for her sake as of late. You are aware of this, correct?
Yet, you do not even invite us inside the manor and instead direct a rude gaze at my friends?」
「N-no, that’s not-」
「Then, please let us in promptly.」
Anon’s question is quiet but forceful.
Beads of sweat form on Justus’s forehead.
「My apologies. Lord Anon and esteemed friends, please come this way.」
And so, Justus invites the three of us into the manor.
○○○
We are each assigned a guest room.
After setting down our luggage and taking a short break, we head to the hall where we had agreed to meet. Sensei and Anon are already there.
「Low, you’re here. Well then, shall we go to Ashley?」
Anon mentioned that he has been working for Ashley’s sake. I couldn’t imagine what kind of relationship they have.
However, he seems to be familiar with the interior layout of the manor, perhaps from his frequent visits. Justus and Anon walk side by side, leading the way for Sensei and me.
「This is the room. The young lady is inside, but please be sure to-」
「I know. They’ll understand when they see her, even without you saying that much.」
Anon interjects, seemingly finding Justus’s warning bothersome. Perhaps this is a usual exchange between them.
We open the particularly luxurious door and enter the room. As we open the door to the bedroom at the back, we see a beautiful woman with strawberry blonde hair lying on the bed.
She is none other than the Holy Knight Ashley Noble.
Upon seeing Ashley lying motionless on the bed, Sensei and I are momentarily at a loss for words.
It is clear that this is not ordinary sleep.
Only the sound of her steady breathing echoes through the room.
「Is she…?」
「She───」
Anon begins to answer my question, but Justus takes over.
「The young lady went to the shrine. Her work at the shrine usually takes about half a day, so we were diligently attending to our duties at the manor while praying for her safety.
About an hour earlier than her usual return time, a distress signal was sent from the young lady’s location.」
Justus is trembling slightly.
「We rushed to the shrine cave, and there we found the young lady collapsed. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but she was unconscious.
We approached the young lady and desperately called out to her. Perhaps due to our efforts, the young lady regained consciousness for a brief moment.」
The story Anon told us before coming here must have been based on what he heard from Justus.
「The young lady has a strong sense of responsibility. It was that sense of responsibility that awakened her, even if only for a short while.」
Justus pauses for a moment, then speaks as if pouring out his heart.
「In that brief moment of regained consciousness, the young lady conveyed to us, ‘The Seal Sword was taken, and the seal has been broken. The usurpers are the Hero’s party.’」
○○○
According to Justus, after conveying the necessary information to them, Holy Knight Ashley lost consciousness again.
Although she has no external injuries, the cause of her inability to awaken is unknown.
Having heard the necessary information, we leave Ashley’s room.
We all agree that further discussion can wait until tomorrow, and we each head to the rooms assigned to us upon arrival.
As I walk down the hallway, I notice stars visible through the window.
The outside is already deep into the night.
Suddenly, my thoughts turn to Sena.
The idea of Sena having to spend the night alone makes my chest tighten with a feeling of unease.
After hearing about Ashley, I have many questions. But more than that, my mind is occupied with thoughts of Sena.
Was it okay to leave Sena alone?
Could she be feeling lonely by herself?
What on earth happened to her?
There are countless things I want to ask. I hesitate, unsure if it’s appropriate to inquire about them.
Thoughts and emotions about Sena swirl around in my head.
Thud.
At this hour, the residents of the manor should be either working or resting in their respective rooms.
Then what about the sound of footsteps I hear behind me?
I turn around to find Anon.
He smiles once and says, 「Heh heh.」
「Ah, what the heck, man? You startled me.」
「Did I startle you? I didn’t have the slightest intention of doing so.」
It’s a characteristically roundabout way of speaking for Anon.
「By the way, Anon, what do you need?」
「Well, I just wanted to have a little chat with you.」
Preoccupied with thoughts of Sena, I decline.
「Can’t it wait until tomorrow?」
「No, it can’t. It wouldn’t hurt to have a little conversation today, would it?」
「I mean, it wouldn’t hurt, but…」
「I know, right.
Then it’s fine, isn’t it, Holy Knight Yamada Ichiro?」
If you enjoy it and wish to see more, please consider giving it a 5-star rating for the series on NU. Click Here.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link