Volume 2 Chapter 66 Missing Information
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Maribel averted her eyes from Owl that turned around.
”I’m sorry. I’m causing trouble.”
”Don’t worry about it. This is also a knight’s duty.”
Owl smiled softly and opened the door to the coliseum, disappearing inside.
Surely, it intends to patrol the underground.
After waiting for the door to close, Maribel turned back to the others.
”Let’s hurry. We must strike while the iron is hot.”
* * *
After about 15 minutes in the carriage,
they came across Aisha, returning with several squire knights on the winding road in front of his house.
The dark elf lieutenant was fully armed, with a knight’s sword at her waist and a silver bow on her back.
The surrounding knights were also fully armed.
Aisha knelt at the side of the road, perhaps checking the family crest on the carriage.
Maribel stopped the carriage and got down to the road.
”Aisha, is Oswald at home?”
”Yes. However, he says he doesn’t want to see anyone right now.”
”Could you please tell him that Maribel has come? I would appreciate it.”
”────”
Aisha exchanged glances with the other knights.
”First, let’s ask the gatekeeper to let us through. This way.”
Escorted by Aisha and the others, they reached the front of the main gate.
Oswald’s mansion was still large and beautiful.
After waiting for a while, Aisha and the gatekeeper they had seen before came from the garden and let them through the gate.
”I will take my leave now.”
”Thank you, Aisha.”
”No problem.”
Ignoring Aisha and the others as they left for the road, Maribel stepped into the mansion.
She passed through the courtyard planted with tropical plants and entered the overly decorated reception room.
It was the luxurious room where Kian and Christy had been shown before.
Maribel sat on the plush sofa in the center of the room, while Kian and the other guards lined up against the wall behind her.
After a while, Oswald, changed into formal attire, entered quickly.
Steam was rising from his body.
It seemed he had been bathing.
”Your Excellency!”
Oswald noticed Kian among the guards and relaxed his expression somewhat.
”Welcome to such a messy place. I can’t offer much hospitality, but please relax.”
”No, Oswald. I’m the one who should apologize for the sudden visit.”
Maribel stood up and walked up to Oswald.
When she tried to take his hand, Oswald bent slightly backward and knelt.
”I’m sorry… the smell hasn’t completely gone yet.”
”Such a thing… Oswald, are you alright?”
”No weapon or poison can touch me at noon. I’m fine.”
”Lord Guillaume did something terrible. What grudge does he have against you?”
”I provoked him, Your Excellency. I was also immature… Now, let’s not stand in the doorway, please have a seat.”
”Thank you.”
The two of them sat facing each other on the sofa.
The maid served tea to Oswald and refilled Maribel’s cup.
Oswald let out a small sigh and started the conversation.
”I apologize for earlier. The situation was so sudden that I left in a hurry──”
”Was it mixed with ghoul fat or something? Anyone would’ve done the same if it were true.”
”Your kind words are appreciated.”
Oswald maintained his polite demeanor.
Maribel smiled, but internally, she seemed troubled that this wouldn’t suffice.
’If something happens, she must take the lead in resolving it.
It’s the lord’s duty to show her vassals that she has the ability to resolve matters.
That blonde with the shaved head is probably laughing at her.’
(────)
After hesitating a bit, Kian finally spoke out.
”Sir Oswald. Your Excellency Maribel is addressing the situation by her own will. She intends to speak with Lord Guillaume afterward.”
”With all due respect, isn’t it the Sir Steward who is working to resolve things?”
Oswald said as he brought the teacup to his lips.
”No. ──It is I.”
”Oh?”
Oswald’s golden eyes captured the blonde princess.
He set the cup down and bit his fingers on his lap.
”So, you came here to hear the details from me? Kian, is that true? You all weren’t told by Lord McCutchen to ‘go appease Oswald,’ were you?”
”That’s not the case.”
Maribel said, but Oswald was only looking at Kian.
Fringilla muttered “rude” in a very small voice.
”It’s the will of Your Excellency Maribel. Sir McCutchen has nothing to do with this.”
”──I see.”
Oswald nodded easily and relaxed his posture.
The sofa creaked as he continued.
”I’ve had a few disputes with Lord Guillaume since we practiced at the ‘Knights of the Sun’ fortress. At first, he threw sand at me. My subordinates, as well as Lord Owl and Lord Tiberius, should have seen this.”
”Did you retaliate?”
”Yes, I burned his bangs. I was supposed to settle it with a duel. After that, he threw horse manure at me, and I burned his hair──there was a bit of an argument before today’s match.”
”Horse manure!?”
Maribel’s eyes widened.
”Yes. And today, it was oil with a foul smell. ──But I don’t want to escalate things too much. If the ceremony is ruined, it would be like throwing mud on my own face.”
Oswald took a deep breath and turned his golden eyes to Kian.
”Honestly, I think I showed a disgraceful side. I was supposed to display my swordsmanship, but all I showed was clumsiness. I still need more training. Though it was oil that was thrown at me, it felt like cold water was splashed on me. ──I want to apologize to Lord Guillaume.”
”I don’t think Sir Oswald did anything disgraceful. If I were you, I would have felt murderous intent towards Lord Guillaume. It was such an unacceptable act in a rehearsal.”
”Hearing that from Kian puts me at ease. ──I was worried I might have disappointed you.”
”No…”
”What about the security for the ceremony? Did the enemy attack?”
”Ah… so you’ve already heard?”
”I didn’t react during the rehearsal, but there’s no way I could miss that. Right after, I was doused in oil and my mind went blank.”
”Right now, Lord Waterman and Lord Owl are in charge of security.”
”I’ll go right away.”
Oswald rose, signaling the maid with his hand.
”Your Excellency will remain in this mansion for a while. In addition to Aisha’s barrier, I have 20 of my elite subordinates guarding the area, so this place is safer than any fortress.”
”No, I must go speak with Lord Guillaume afterward. After hearing his side, I will deliver the appropriate punishment.”
”……”
Oswald looked down at Maribel with eyes that seemed troubled.
He must be thinking about how to keep this princess safe.
After hesitating, he turned to Kian.
”Kian, what happened during the security? That strong wind magic must have been your magic sword.”
”────”
”Huh, Kian’s magic sword?”
”Wait? Wasn’t the destruction of that windbreak caused by Azrael’s apostle?”
He received a bewildered look from the guard.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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