Volume 3 Chapter 16 Owl’s Tale II
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Crossing through the west wing’s corridor led out to an observation deck built of marble and cement.
It was a spacious area beneath a red, spindle-shaped roof, and from there, one could look down on the windbreak forest and the carriage road that encircled the estate.
The view wasn’t what you’d call impressive, but it was a place where you could at least enjoy a sense of openness.
Maribel frequently used this spot for quick audiences.
Today, in anticipation of her encounter with Kian, several noble ladies and guards lined the salon.
Before, Maribel could only afford to have a handful of people attend her, but in a month since McCutchen’s downfall, the number had swelled to over a dozen.
At Kian’s arrival, ladies with fans, the new witch, and guards she had previously saved all turned to face him.
In their midst was a young girl with blonde hair, dressed in a pale pink gown.
”Your Excellency Maribel”
Kian descended the steps at the end of the Western wing and walked towards the center of the salon.
As the eyes of the noble ladies and guards fell upon him, he swiftly dropped to his knees.
”Look up, Kian”
”Uh…”
”There’s no need for such formalities between us. Now, please stand”
”────”
He stood silently.
Looking straight ahead again, he saw Maribel, with a faint smile on her face, against the backdrop of the scenery beyond the observation deck.
Her cheeks seemed a little thinner and unhealthy, but she was neatly made up, and her golden bangs were neatly parted and swept to the side.
It must have been during her morning work hours, but she had obviously changed clothes and taken care of her appearance especially for Kian.
It was exceptional treatment for a lower-rank adventurer, but both Maribel and those present seemed to accept it as a matter of course.
”It’s good to see you again, Your Excellency. You look even more beautiful than before”
”Oh, you’re saying I look like my grandfather or grandmother”
As she said that, placing her hand on her mouth, she seemed even more fragile than before.
A scarf wrapped around her left shoulder, like a decorative element, stood out.
Maribel, her jawline more pronounced than before, looked up and stared intently at Kian.
”I’ve checked the letter. I’ve already told Christy and sent a reply to Friedrich. How did Natasha behave?”
”How did she behave?”
”I mean, did she seem to be plotting anything? A month ago, had Oswald won, her position would have been secure. But now? She’s a wanted fugitive, running for her life across the country. I imagine her hatred for you and me runs deep.”
”She definitely harbored a strong resentment toward me. But rather than scheming to take revenge on us, it seemed more like she was being used by her new employer—Yelmar of the Storm Herd.”
”I see~”
Saying that, Maribel turned her back to Kian and clacked back and forth across the marble floor.
Kian narrowed his eyes as he watched the pink dress enveloping her body.
(Her waist seems smaller than before. I can’t tell about her hips… but she appears to have lost a lot of weight. Is this also the shadow of Owl’s curse?)
According to ‘glasses’, Owl’s curse is the type that erodes Maribel’s mind.
If she continues to weaken and die, Kian intends to repair the Windsong Blade and fight Owl to destruction.
There’s no hesitation about that.
For now, they’re just maintaining a friendly facade because it’s not time to be hostile.
”Kian”
”Yes”
”Thank you for the information. Friedrich and I will handle the rest. You can return to your adventures without any worries.”
”Yes”
”Do you have enough supplies? The wounds you suffered fighting for me must not have healed yet.”
Here, ‘wounds’ didn’t mean Kian had any injuries, but referred to the depletion of arms and financial resources.
Maribel still regretted that Kian’s magic sword became unusable and the top-tier ‘Nightshade’ series armor, made from Remi Cain leather, was reduced to rags.
She tried to make amends by sending him potions, weapons, and armor, but frankly, no matter how many surplus items she sent, they couldn’t replace the arms that were the cornerstone of Kian’s offense and defense.
However, he couldn’t just blurt that out bluntly.
”No problem. Thanks to Your Excellency’s generous gifts, my adventuring life is only getting better. I have no complaints about the current situation. In fact, I feel like I’m receiving too much.”
”I see. If that’s the case, then it’s fine…”
”I appreciate your kindness.”
”It wouldn’t be right to let you leave like this. You’re a hero, after all. Please stay here tonight and share the tales of your adventures over the past 3 weeks during dinner. I’m eager to hear them~.”
”Thank you. I’ll take you up on that offer.”
”Renaud is here today. Have you seen him yet?”
”Yes, I just saw him at the training ground.”
”I see. Were you able to ask him to repair the magic sword?”
”Sir Renaud declined, but Sir Guy agreed to take on the task.”
”I’ll pay for it. ────Lucretia”
Maribel, standing beside a glasses-wearing witch, raised her hand, but Kian stopped her.
”No, the payment will be made through a Quest.”
”Oh, through a Quest?”
Maribel sighed, realizing she couldn’t cover the cost.
The young captain of the Bodyguard team standing beside her spoke up.
”What kind of Quest was it?”
”I can’t say. I doubt the client, Sir Guy, would want me blabbing about the details of the Quest.”
”Oh, I see. Yeah, that makes sense. …Sorry, Mr. Kian.”
”It’s fine.”
”If you need any permits for the Quest, please let me know. I’ll do my utmost to assist you as part of our contract to save your life.”
”Thank you, Your Excellency.”
Kian bowed slightly, and Maribel smiled at him.
”Tomorrow, several guests are scheduled to arrive at the salon. Kian, would you mind staying here and listening to the conversation? It would be beneficial for you to learn about politics, especially if you plan on becoming a member of the local lord’s court in the future.”
”Your Excellency, that is…”
The witch with glasses, who had been listening nearby, leaned forward.
She must have thought it was unthinkable for Maribel to allow a low-level adventurer like Kian into the salon.
The witch with glasses, without saying a word, expressed her disapproval with a look on her face.
Maribel turned to her, her soft lips parting slightly──.
”……”
Immediately after, her body swayed slightly, and she collapsed onto her knees, powerless.
”────!? Your Excellency!”
”Your Excellency!”
”Your Excellency Maribel!”
The witch with glasses gasped and crouched, while the Bodyguard Captain quickly knelt down to support her.
The noblewomen who had been standing around let out small screams, and the salon began to stir with commotion.
”U… , ku… , “
”Your Excellency, excuse me!”
The witch with glasses, her expression stern, said this and tore off the thin white scarf wrapped around her shoulders.
Underneath, a black Owl’s curse mark was visible.
”Lady Lucretia, what’s wrong?”
”I… I don’t know. The curse mark doesn’t seem to be active, but…”
”…ahh…, haa… , haa… , “
”Kuh, Your Excellency, hold on! Someone get a healer here quickly! And please recall Lady Christy from the East End immediately!”
”But, Lady Christy was entrusted by Your Excellency with a message for Sir Friedrich…”
”Does it matter! Your Excellency’s life is the most important thing!”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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