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The towering Castle of the Duke stands in the center of Roelgreen Castle. During the ‘Autumn Tragedy,’ it was burned and partially collapsed, making entry difficult, but now that it’s been cleared, we can finally enter.

What I’m after is the famous sword ‘Prandecker’ located there. It’s the sword the Duke used during his lifetime and will later become the protagonist’s weapon.

From my perspective, it’s not an absolutely necessary weapon, but having it wouldn’t hurt. It’s one of the existing famous swords, with the added merit of being the protagonist’s weapon. Even if I can’t wield it, I can just give it to Bella. Above all, having come all this way, it would be a waste to just pass by Prandecker without a second thought.

‘But…’

Time-wise, I’m retrieving Prandecker several months earlier than in the original story. So, there’s no telling what variables might arise during the retrieval process.

No, actually, variables are already happening.

“…Won’t you let go soon?”

The girl clutching my sleeve shook her head.

“I… I want to go with you too…”

“Wendy…”

“But, ever since we came here… I haven’t been able to help the Count at all…”

Wendy’s big eyes looked up at me.

Her desperate desire to stay with me was evident in her gaze.

Indeed, since coming to the Northern Region, Wendy has been quietly staying in the wagon as per my instructions. Of course, even if she wanted to do something else, Myohail’s surveillance would have made it difficult… Still, she’s always been the one to stay in the wagon, worrying about me and anxiously waiting. This time, she must really want to accompany me.

“S-so… just this once, please take me with you… I-I won’t get in the way…!”

“Now, now. Miss Wendy. That won’t do.”

Helga intervened between me and Wendy.

“Miss Wendy is the Count’s exclusive maid. Your job is to assist the Count without hindering his life and take care of household chores. Stop being stubborn and stay put.”

“N-no… I don’t want to…”

“Huh?”

Wendy clung tightly to me and hesitantly opened her mouth.

“Today… I-I have a bad feeling…”

“A feeling? So, it’s just your mood, right?”

“N-no, really…! Today, I just can’t let the Count go…”

For Wendy to say such a thing…

I was curious.

“Alright… Let’s hear your reason.”

“Eek…?!”

I grabbed Wendy’s waist and sat her on my lap. Helga looked displeased at the sight, but I ignored her.

“Why did you think that? Tell me.”

“W-well…”

I thought Wendy just wanted to be with me, but it seems there was another reason.

After glancing at me and Helga, Wendy finally opened her mouth.

“Actually, this morning alone, I broke 8 dishes…”

“……”

“……”

A heavy silence fell between us.

Helga was the one who couldn’t bear the silence.

“Huh…? But what does that have to do with…? Oh, no. How many do you usually break?”

“5… Oh! Recently, it’s been 3 or 4!”

“What the…”

For me, it wasn’t that surprising.

Due to the influence of ‘Misfortune,’ the number of dishes Wendy breaks or spills tea is not small.

The only surprising thing is how many dishes she brought to this battlefield to still have some left after breaking so many.

No matter how high-quality the dishes are, in front of Wendy, they’re just disposable.

Anyway, Wendy grabbed my hand tightly again, as if telling me not to leave her behind.

“I-I broke more dishes than usual… and it feels like a bad omen… So, Count… please take me with you… okay?”

“……”

Wendy might not realize it, but if she comes along, something bad might really happen due to the influence of ‘Misfortune.’ That’s why I couldn’t easily agree to take her.

“Do you think I’d allow Miss Wendy to accompany us for such a ridiculous reason? Get up. The Count and I need to go.”

“No.”

“…What did you say?”

Wendy clung to me and glared at Helga.

“I’m going with the Count…”

“…Miss Wendy. You don’t seem to know me well, but I don’t go easy on anyone, not even a newborn baby.”

“I’m not a baby…”

Though she said that, she was clinging to me like a baby.

Wendy and Helga were glaring at each other. Come to think of it, have these two ever confronted each other like this before?

“…Get up while I’m being nice. You smelly little baby.”

“N-no… And I told you, I’m not a baby…”

“Huh? What did you say? Goo-goo ga-ga? Can you speak like an adult?”

“I-I’m not a baby…”

“Goo-goo. I baby Wendy. Take me with you.”

“…Uuu.”

At this point, Wendy’s cheeks puffed up, and she trembled. Who knew the usually gentle Wendy could make such an angry face?

In many ways, Helga is truly amazing.

At this rate, Wendy might burst into tears, or Helga might forcibly pull her away.

I decided to quickly conclude before that happened.

“Alright. I’ll allow you to come.”

“Count?!”

It’s not like we’re going into battle; it’s just exploration. In the original story, there weren’t any particularly threatening elements in the Duke’s castle. So, Wendy coming along shouldn’t be a big problem.

Above all…

I looked at Wendy in my arms. Specifically, at the cat-shaped hairpin on her head.

Right. Even if something happens, we have the sage Myohail, so even if the castle collapses, we’ll survive.

“Count…”

Wendy looked up at me with a face as if she had found light in the darkness. Is she really that happy just to come along?

But, in contrast to Wendy, Helga was upset.

“No, no. This isn’t right. Count. You have me, so why this little kid…”

“Helga.”

“Yes?”

It’s not that I’m siding with Wendy.

It’s just that I remembered some of the recent mischief Helga has been up to and decided to punish her.

“If you’re going to whine like a baby, then talk like one from now on.”

“Huh?!”

*

We arrived at the entrance of the Duke’s castle.

The entrance was unrecognizable due to the pile of rocks, but there was a huge arched gate right in front of us. Thanks to the soldiers clearing the entrance and interior, we could enter without much preparation.

“S-something… feels eerie…”

As Wendy said, the Duke’s castle was dark and eerie. The place, long abandoned, looked like the entrance to a dungeon.

Now, all that’s left is to enter that dark castle…

“What kind of… play is this?”

“Goo-goo ga-ga.”

Helga was sucking her thumb while being held by Blanshe. Blanshe, who had ended up holding Helga like a princess, was at a loss.

“Goo-goo. Helga is a baby. Needs care. Goo-goo.”

“…Have you lost your mind?”

“Waaah! Don’t know, don’t know!”

“Ah, so noisy…”

Helga seemed to have fully regressed to infancy.

No… actually, I know. She’s not regressing; she’s just sulking at me. This is her way of protesting by throwing a tantrum and refusing to do anything.

But I didn’t bat an eye at Helga’s protest. Normally, my guardian should accompany me, but today, it didn’t seem necessary.

“I don’t know why the Count’s bodyguard is like this…”

A voice suddenly came from behind. Turning my head, I saw a sharp-featured woman in a fur coat approaching.

“…Right.”

As expected, Ariel Rizeute was the first to volunteer to explore the Duke’s castle.

“A-Ariel Professor…”

“Nice to see you again, Miss Wendy.”

This castle is where the Duke and she lived. Though time has passed, she must still have some memories of this place. That’s why I entrusted her with guiding us, but on the other hand, it complicates my plan to retrieve Prandecker, the sword her husband used.

Prandecker is essentially a keepsake of Ariel’s husband, Kyle. I can’t exactly tell her I came here aiming for it… The best scenario for me is to get Prandecker before she does. That’s why I have to subtly keep her in check.

But regardless of my intentions, Ariel’s goal is clear. She wants to find Kyle’s keepsakes, including Prandecker, and his remains.

Ariel was receiving treatment in the capital during the ‘Autumn Tragedy.’ By the time the tragedy ended, she couldn’t come here.

The imperial decree had sealed off all routes to the Northern Region, including Roelgreen Castle.

So, Ariel’s emotions must be overwhelming.

After all these years, she finally has the chance to retrieve her husband’s remains and keepsakes.

I wanted to refuse her company, but knowing her circumstances, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Well, that was expected.

But why is there an ‘unexpected companion’ here?

“Ariel.”

“Yes?”

“Why is that guy here?”

I pointed behind Ariel. The small-framed magician who had come with her.

“That guy? Hmph…”

The magician, draped in a robe, muttered in a voice only Ariel and I could hear.

“Such a rude fellow, you are.”

 

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