Chapter 9: The Attacked Village
The harsh winter came to an end.
For Ren, the eleventh spring of his life was about to begin. Meanwhile, far away in Clausel, the lord, Baron Clausel, was astonished.
He sat in his study at the manor, gazing at a letter that had just arrived, muttering to himself.
"To think that such a high-ranking noble would... This isn’t a mistake, is it?"
The knight who had delivered the letter was also wearing a look of disbelief.
"Of course not. The materials from the Sheefulfen are rare and valuable ingredients for medicine. Perhaps the sender is seeking that particular medicine."
"Ah, yes... recently, the Sheefulfen hasn’t been appearing on the market."
"So, what shall we do?"
"We can’t ignore this. We must respond quickly... No, wait, could this be an opportunity?"
Suddenly, Baron Clausel had an idea.
He quickly moved to his desk to convey his thoughts to the sender of the letter.
Just as he reached for his pen, a voice stopped his hand.
"Father."
It was Lishia, who had entered the study.
Upon being invited in, she bowed and spoke.
"I’ve come to bid you farewell before my departure."
"Lishia. You understand, don’t you...?"
"Yes. I know that this is part of my duties. As before, I will patrol the territory and serve the as Clausel family."
"Please do. Remember, your duels with Ren Ashton are not to be seen as personal challenges, but as rewards for fulfilling your responsibilities as a member of the Clausel family. Keep this firmly in mind. And, of course, you must also show proper respect to Ren Ashton."
"Of course. I swear it on my late mother’s memory."
After this exchange, Lishia curtsied gracefully and left the study.
She exited the manor and made her way to where Weiss had been waiting by the gates.
"Well then, let’s do our best once again."
"Lady Lishia has grown even more over this winter. I’m sure she will be able to show her skill even against the boy."
"That’s right. I’ve been working hard for this moment."
She approached the female knight who would be accompanying her and swiftly mounted her horse.
"Let’s go. It’s a long way to that village…"
Suddenly, Lishia felt an odd sensation in her vision.
The world around her seemed to tilt slightly, and her body felt numb. For a brief moment, she felt as though all her strength had drained away. She couldn’t tell if the air was hot or cold, and everything felt vague.
"My lady, is something wrong?"
A voice from behind her—one of the female knights—brought her back to her senses.
Still feeling a bit odd, Lishia paused for a moment before responding.
"...It’s nothing. I just think I’m a bit nervous."
"Don’t worry. We’ve all seen you put in so much effort. You’ll surely be able to have a good match."
"...Yeah, thank you."
By the time Lishia spoke, the strange feeling had dissipated, and she wondered if it had been nothing more than a misunderstanding.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The day after Lishia left the manor,
Roy, who lived in Ren’s village, had recently returned to hunting.
(I knew it… the medicine in this world is completely different from the one in my past life.)
Ren could tell just by seeing Roy smile as he walked beside him.
Despite having suffered severe internal injuries, Roy had managed to fully recover and was able to fight again in less than a year. This remarkable recovery, achieved without surgery but with the help of medicinal herbs, was nothing short of amazing.
That evening, as they walked back from the forest, side by side on the field road, Ren couldn’t stop thinking about it.
"Huh? What’s up?"
"It’s just... I can’t believe how well I’ve recovered."
"Of course you’ve recovered! After all the Rondo grass and healing medicines you got, it’s surprising it took you this long to bounce back."
Roy sighed as he spoke.
From the tone of his voice, Ren could tell what the topic of conversation would be.
"Recently, there’s something off about the forest. There’s been an unusual increase in the number of little boars."
"I’ve noticed it too, ever since winter. The knights were also saying the same thing."
"Yeah... little boars usually breed between spring and summer. So they tend to be more aggressive during that time and show themselves more often. But this many is unusual."
"It’s good because it means we can hunt more, so our income’s gone up, but... there’s something unsettling about it."
Ren nodded in agreement to Roy’s words.
"For now, we’ll just have to keep hunting carefully and watch for any further changes."
Roy’s face, beaming with a smile, was full of youthful energy.
Ren, in response, gave a short nod and looked up at the sky, which was slowly turning crimson.
(The days are getting longer...)
With winter over and spring upon them, the signs of summer were beginning to show.
Just as Ren was enjoying the change of seasons,
he heard shouting from a distance.
"────!!"
"!!────"
Looking over, Ren saw Roy also notice the commotion. The two quickly dropped the little boars they were carrying and rushed toward the source of the voices.
The shouting was coming from the direction of the Ashton family manor.
They arrived within minutes, and there, they saw not only the knights of the Clausel family but also knights who served Viscount Given.
"What’s going on? Why all the noise?"
"I'm terribly sorry! Actually, these people are—"
"Oh, I've been waiting for you! We've brought you a letter!"
"H-Hey!"
One of Viscount Given's knights leaned forward and interjected.
This knight was the same one who had previously met Ren in the forest and asked for directions to the mansion.
As a matter of courtesy, Roy accepted the letter, though he couldn't help but wonder what to do with it as he stared at it.
"I'll check it inside the house. But what brings you to this village?"
"Naturally, it's an invitation to the Ashton family."
Again?
Ren let out a sigh, hiding his face.
"His Lordship continues to hold you in high regard. And that goes for your son as well."
"Ren? Ah, right, he mentioned that before."
"Indeed. That's why we've brought a new proposal this time."
In situations like these, so-called new proposals were rarely good news for the person involved.
No matter how exceptional the offer might seem from an outsider's perspective, if the recipient didn't want it, it could be nothing more than a nuisance.
"His Lordship has declared that he will support Ren Ashton’s admission into the prestigious Imperial Officer Academy's special scholarship class."
Ren’s premonition proved accurate, sending a shock through his heart.
Expressing the surprise on his behalf, Roy stepped forward and pressed the knight for answers.
"Wha—!? Even regular admission is extremely difficult, and you're saying my Ren would qualify for the special scholarship class!?"
"Indeed, the special scholarship class of the Imperial Officer Academy is in a league of its own. Only the heirs of the Seven Great Noble Families, the descendants of generals, and a select few prodigies raised in the imperial capital since childhood are accepted."
The knight spoke with pride and confidence, but to Ren, he was nothing short of irritating.
(No way I'm going.)
The Imperial Officer Academy was the main stage of the legend of the Seven Heroes.
On top of that, the special scholarship class was where the protagonists of the game were destined to be.
Enrolling there would inevitably push the story toward the game’s original course.
"His Lordship once served as Deputy Minister of Justice. He has the authority to send a letter of recommendation to the academy."
"That’s… not entirely impossible, but recommending Ren would still be difficult!"
"Perhaps so. However, His Lordship sees potential in Ren Ashton."
"Potential…?"
Roy's reaction must have been exactly as expected.
The knight from Viscount Given’s household continued, seemingly entertained.
"There’s speculation that the Ashton family might carry a faint trace of Hero Ruin’s blood."
"Huh—!? That’s absurd!"
"Dismissing it outright would be foolish. Consider the near-simultaneous birth of heirs within the Seven Great Noble Families. With Ren Ashton also being born around the same time and displaying remarkable talent, it would be more surprising if no one saw promise in him."
"That’s impossible! My family has lived in this village for generations—!"
"Perhaps. But no one knows the full truth. It’s entirely possible that the Ashton family branched off from a collateral line long ago. But don’t worry. Even if it turns out otherwise, Ren Ashton’s bravery remains unchanged."
As he listened, Ren came to a realization.
Viscount Given likely wanted him as nothing more than a decorative pawn in noble factional disputes.
Whether the viscount truly believed in his lineage or not didn’t matter.
As the knight himself had implied, it was fine if it turned out to be false.
(If I perform well, they'll raise me up. If I slip up, they'll accuse me of being a fraud who pretended to be a hero.)
It was clear they saw him as a convenient piece on their board.
That’s why even Roy looked like he wanted to dismiss the notion as nonsense.
But in this situation, what mattered wasn’t the truth—it was the momentum of the Hero Faction.
(What do I do? Should I just point them toward the protagonist's village or something?)
But even if he did, what good would it do?
Would they even believe him?
Honestly, if he were in their position, he wouldn’t.
A boy who had never left his village suddenly claiming, “The hero’s descendant is over there!” wasn’t exactly convincing.
They probably wouldn’t even bother investigating.
"For now, let's set aside the details. Graduating from that academy practically guarantees a high-ranking position. As the head of the Ashton family, that alone should be enough to consider."
"Yeah… I know that, but…"
"Then this discussion should be simple. As his father, you must see this as a good opportunity."
However, Roy remained silent.
Noticing this, the knight turned his attention to Ren.
"Boy, don’t you want to go to the imperial capital and unlock your potential?"
But even before he asked, Ren’s answer was set in stone.
"────No."
"I knew you'd say— Wait, what did you just say?"
The knight's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I have no intention of leaving this village."
"Wh-Why!?"
"My apologies, but I find fulfillment in hunting in the forest and protecting the village."
"Do you not wish to become a noble!? Upon graduation, you could be granted the title of baron!"
"I'm sorry, but that would be far too much responsibility for me."
The knight faltered.
Up until now, he had spoken with unwavering confidence, but this unexpected rejection left him at a loss for words.
Still, he quickly turned back to Roy.
"…And what about you?"
If Roy agreed, that would settle the matter.
However, just like Ren, Roy answered in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
"I'm honored that Viscount Given has extended such an offer not once, but twice. However, I must decline once again. I take pride in serving the Clausel family, as my ancestors have done for generations."
"But don’t you want to see your son become a noble!?"
"Of course I do. If possible, I'd love for him to study in the imperial capital and learn things I can’t teach him in this village. But in the end, his wishes matter the most."
"The boy is intelligent. He might simply be holding back out of modesty!"
"Nope, that's not the case. Ren is considerate, sure, but he never says things he doesn’t mean."
The knight clenched his fists, his face reddening slightly in frustration.
For a moment, it seemed like he might lash out.
But in the end, he held back.
Though visibly displeased, he maintained a semblance of decorum.
"…What a pity, Ashton."
With that, he bowed his head to Roy.
Then, without hesitation, he turned to his waiting knights and mounted his horse.
"H-Hey! At least wait for me to write a reply!"
"No need. We shall deliver your response to His Lordship ourselves. ────Farewell."
Without waiting for Roy's reply, the knights galloped away.
Watching them go, Roy scratched his head.
"Well, they’re not coming back even if I call them, huh."
"Sigh… I just wanted to write a proper letter to avoid any misunderstandings. If they twist my words into something I never said, it’d be a hassle."
"Don’t worry. After turning them down twice, I doubt it’ll make much difference."
Hearing Ren’s words, Roy shrugged and nodded.
"Yeah, you’re probably right."
The previously silent knights of the Clausel family approached Roy and took his hand, exchanging a firm handshake.
"I will also report to the head of the family! Not only Lord Roy, but even young Lord Ren showed such loyalty just now... I am truly moved!"
Then, another knight praised the two of them.
"They are truly dependable! The future of the Ashton family is secure!"
Praised by the knights who appeared genuinely touched, Ren and Roy both scratched their cheeks in embarrassment.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
On the day Ren was resting from hunting, the warm spring sunlight made for a pleasant afternoon. Ren had forgotten the recent commotion and was busy with his mother Mireille, helping with the big cleaning of the mansion.
By the way, Roy was not present. He had taken a group of knights into the forest to focus on his daily hunting routine.
"We need to replace the winter bedding, so let's work hard together," Mireille said.
Ren went to change the bedding in his room, while Mireille went to change the bedding in the couple's bedroom. Afterward, they both headed to the guest room to change the bedding there as well.
However, the condition of the bed in the guest room was not ideal.
"…Oh dear, it’s covered in mold."
The bed, which was already old, had become moldy, making it unsanitary and unpleasant to look at.
"Well, for now, we’ll just have to open the windows and ventilate it," Ren said, and Mireille nodded in agreement.
The two of them took the winter bedding from the guest room and carried it, along with the bedding from the other rooms, to the back of the mansion. After washing it in the well water, they carried it to the drying rack.
While making several trips back and forth, Ren suddenly stopped and looked off in the distance.
"────Hmm?"
He noticed a group from the Clausel family passing through the forest and approaching the field path. It was probably the first visit since the winter had ended.
"Still moving too fast as usual," Ren muttered.
The knights riding along the field path were a familiar sight. However, as Ren watched them, he tilted his head in confusion.
The expression on Weiss, who was leading the group, looked unusually tense, and the horse he was riding was moving at a faster pace than usual.
Wondering if something had happened, Ren looked to the back of the group.
There, Lisha had her head down, leaning against a female knight.
"That's odd," Ren thought.
It was unusual for Lisha, who typically came to this village with a purpose, to be so quiet. Ren, unable to find an answer to his curiosity, decided he needed to prepare for their arrival and made his way to Mireille to inform her of Lisha's visit.
"I understand. I’ll prepare the welcome, so could you go meet the young ladies?" Mireille said.
"Yes, understood," Ren replied, and he returned to the garden.
While this was happening, Lisha’s group was approaching the mansion and was almost at the gate.
Ren furrowed his brow when he saw Lisha. She looked as if she were sleeping, but seemed to be in some discomfort.
Noticing something was wrong, Ren hurried over to Weiss, who had stopped his horse.
"Lord Weiss, please take the young lady inside first."
"We're sorry. Thank you for understanding."
However, the guest room prepared for Lisha was not ready yet.
Ren suddenly remembered that the bed in the guest room was not in a usable state.
"Please continue bringing her slowly to the room. I’ll go speak to my mother quickly," Ren said and rushed back inside the mansion.
He quickly ran through the house, aiming to find Mireille, and he met her in the corridor on the first floor.
Breathlessly, Ren told Mireille that Lisha was unwell and pointed out that the guest room couldn’t be used, suggesting an alternative.
"Since the smell of medicinal herbs is still lingering in your and father’s room, let's have her use mine. I’ll rest in the guest room once everything is ready."
As Ren made this decision, Weiss and the female knight arrived. The knight was carrying Lisha in his arms, with sweat beading on her forehead.
Ren quickly explained the situation to Weiss, told Lisha that she would use his room, and the group headed upstairs.
"You’ll need to change, right? I’ll assist you," Mireille said.
"…I’m truly sorry. I hate to trouble you, Lady Mireille."
"Don’t worry about it. Now, let’s get to it. Gentlemen, please wait downstairs."
Ren exchanged a glance with Weiss, and they watched as Mireille entered his room, leaving the two men behind.
After seeing them off, the two of them soon made their way down the creaking hallway, descending the stairs and heading to the kitchen to exchange words.
"It was about three days ago that the young lady fell ill..." Weiss began.
According to Weiss, the illness that Lisha had contracted was one that commonly affected children with a large amount of magical power in their bodies, and it was not contagious. However, it seemed that not everyone with a high amount of magical power would necessarily fall ill. Moreover, once a person had contracted the illness, it would leave a kind of lifelong immunity, meaning they would not suffer from it again. The illness itself was troublesome because it would strike suddenly, without any noticeable warning signs.
"A few days ago, we were near another village where we had planned to visit, but I prioritized the young lady’s health and hurried here to this village instead," Weiss explained.
Apparently, the presence of the Granny Rigg, had been the deciding factor.
"Under the current circumstances, it’s impossible to return to Clausel now," Weiss continued.
"Indeed... The illness itself isn't life-threatening, but it causes high fever and headaches, weakening the immune system. While it’s not deadly on its own, there’s a risk of complications that could lead to death. The young lady must remain in bed for about two to three weeks to recover," Weiss said.
"In that case, please don’t worry about it. Let the young lady rest here until she recovers," Ren said.
"We're truly sorry for the trouble. Of course, please don’t hesitate to ask if there’s anything we or the knights can assist with—whether it's hunting, carpentry, or anything else we can help with," Weiss offered.
Honestly, Ren could use help with both. He figured that it would be best to ask for help at least a little, so that Weiss and the others wouldn't worry unnecessarily.
"Couldn’t the young lady treat herself, like how she used her holy magic to heal my father?" Ren asked.
"Well... Once she matures, it might be possible, but for now, it seems it’s still too difficult," Weiss replied.
Though Lishia was called a saintess, she was still young. Ren mentally regretted his previous comment.
(Speaking of which...) Ren recalled something from the other day.
"By the way, the knights from Viscount Given came to the village again," Ren said.
"Ugh... Again?" Weiss responded, a little annoyed.
"Yes, and this time, they offered to help me enroll in the Imperial Officer Academy. They said they would speak on my behalf to get me into the special class."
Weiss was surprised to hear this, but after a moment, he nodded and sighed deeply.
"Given how remarkable a talent you are, it’s not out of the question. With Viscount Given’s experience as an assistant to the Minister of Justice, it doesn’t sound like an outright lie. ...I’ll pray for your success."
"Eh?" Ren was surprised.
"Hmm? What’s this ‘eh’ about?"
"It sounds like you’re already agreeing to it, but I turned them down," Ren said.
"Wh—What!? Why?" Weiss exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table in shock.
Ren secretly thought, Please, not the old-fashioned behavior... and repeated the words he had said to the knights from Viscount Given.
Hearing this, Weiss sat back down, stunned.
"…I promise you," Weiss suddenly said, his expression turning solemn.
"After this trip, I will never bring the young lady to this village again."
"Eh?"
"I had hoped that the young lady would receive good influence from you, but it was all indulgence on my part. I took advantage of the kindness of the Ashton family, and I took advantage of you as well. ...This ends here."
"Uh, excuse me, but what’s this all of a sudden?" Ren asked, confused.
"After seeing your loyalty earlier, I can’t continue to be the only one asking for favors."
It seemed that Weiss did not like flaunting his power and preferred to respect the will of others. This was likely why he hadn’t tried to force Ren to go to Clausel. Now, having seen how the Ashton family acted, he had decided that it was time to stop relying on others.
But still...
(...I feel a bit lonely about it.)
Ren thought to himself, though he felt a little guilty for thinking that. He didn’t dislike Lishia, and it wasn’t untrue that he had enjoyed his time with her. Perhaps that was why, now that Weiss had decided this was the last time, he felt a bit reluctant to part ways.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
After confirming Lishia’s condition, Weiss sent several knights to Clausel to inform them that they would be returning later than expected.
Lishia’s condition began to improve three days later.
"Young lady, Lord Ren has arrived," one of the knights reported.
"...Yes, he may come in," Lishia replied, her voice soft.
It was just after sunset when Ren arrived.
When Lishia's condition had improved enough, she called Ren and waited for him while propped up in bed.
When the female knight opened the door, Lishia and Ren's eyes met.
(... Her cheeks are still so red.)
Ren noticed her pale face and the frailty in her appearance.
"I will be outside, so please call me if you need anything."
The daughter of the baron, the saint, and the young knight who served the baron’s house were left alone in the room together.
Ren, considering the norms of the aristocracy, thought that they would be highly cautious of mixed-gender interactions. He had expected to be more conscious of the situation, but he now found himself uncertain of what was appropriate. Still, seeing their ages, it might be unreasonable to think of anything improper.
Accepting that reasoning, Ren approached Lishia's bed.
"…I'm sorry."
Upon seeing Ren stand by the bed, Lishia immediately apologized.
Her sorrow, frustration, and deep sense of guilt were clear from the tearful expression on her face. She seemed fragile, her voice hoarse and uncertain, a stark contrast to her usual self.
"You don’t need to apologize! Please, stop bowing your head!"
Even as Ren tried to stop her, Lishia continued. So, despite his discomfort, Ren extended his hands and placed them on her shoulders.
(… She's burning up.)
Startled by the heat of her body, Ren felt a slight sense of relief when Lishia finally stopped and he withdrew his hands.
"I…"
"It’s fine. Neither my father nor my mother feel burdened by it."
Ren had already heard from Wiess about Lishia's overwhelming sense of guilt. She had come to the village of her own will, but had ended up in bed with an illness right after arriving, and she blamed herself deeply for it.
Right now, she must have felt helpless and utterly miserable.
"Your condition… still seems bad, but I’m relieved to see that you’re a little better."
Ren spoke to change the topic and sat down in the small chair beside the bed. After a few moments of silence, Lishia started to speak softly.
"... You probably already heard from Wiess, but this trip was also meant for us to show our intentions to Viscount Given."
(No, I haven’t heard that.)
"So, we were supposed to visit more villages than usual, and take a detour back to Clausel. I wanted to show that Clausel was united by touring the territory. By having me, the saint, travel through it, it would make a statement."
In a neutral territory like Clausel, where there were no strong allies, this was about all they could do. Even if their resistance wasn’t very strong, it was necessary to show at least a weak opposition in order to avoid being attacked by other factions, especially the hero faction led by Viscount Given.
"That was the plan, but… I feel so pathetic."
Lishia hugged her knees and started shaking slightly, her voice now mixed with sobs.
"... I never even managed to win against you. I’m just a girl who’s caused nothing but trouble."
"The duels were duels. If we were serious, I might’ve lost instead."
"... You’re trying to comfort me. But right now, I’ll only tarnish my late mother’s reputation."
Ren was hearing for the first time that Lishia’s mother had passed away. He thought it must have happened after Ren had been born.
(Then it wouldn’t be strange if my father had gone to Clausel to offer his condolences, but I don’t remember him leaving the estate…)
Ren couldn’t recall his father leaving the village when he was young. He had been thinking about it quietly when Lishia, sensing his thoughts, spoke.
"When Clausel was in mourning, my father told the knights who were in charge of the village not to visit."
"… How did you know what I was thinking?"
"I just guessed. You’re surprisingly easy to read."
Ren, with a slightly embarrassed look on his face, apologized with a solemn tone, "I’m sorry."
"It’s fine. Don’t worry about it."
Lishia smiled faintly before continuing her story.
"My mother was so happy when she learned that I was a saint. She said I would be an incredible person… That’s what she said even on the day she passed away."
As Lishia spoke about her mother, she seemed proud.
"I’ve only seen her face in portraits, and I don’t know her voice. But every time I wore that outfit and fought, I felt like she was cheering me on."
"Could it be the outfit you wore during our duel?"
"Yes. That was the outfit my mother wore when she was a child. She was born into a family of knights serving the imperial palace, so she often wore clothes like that when she was little."
It was her mother’s keepsake. For Lishia, it was the perfect outfit to wear when gathering her resolve for the duel.
"… But in the end, everything just fell apart."
Ren, listening, felt like he was beginning to understand the girl Lishia a little better. For someone like her, who had been called a saint and had been expected to accomplish great things, her feelings weren’t just about meeting expectations. She had a strong desire to live up to her late mother’s legacy as well.
"But don’t worry. I’ve already talked to Wiess. I’m really sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused your family. I’ll make sure this is the last time."
Once again, Ren was struck by Lishia’s noble spirit. Her desire to grow wasn’t for herself, but for her late mother and the people who had placed their hopes in her. Ren couldn’t help but admire her for that.
However, seeing Lishia like this, so pure and unblemished, made Ren feel a little sad.
"────Next time you come, could you bring the fire-starting magical tool? Of course, only if you have one lying around."
Ren himself thought about what he had just said and felt somewhat embarrassed. He looked up at Lishia, whose tear-streaked eyes were still swollen and red.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I thought it would be convenient to have a magical tool for starting a fire in the hallway."
"Th-therefore! I told you I wouldn't come again because I didn't want to cause trouble!"
Naturally, Lishia was confused. She reflected on the past and recalled the expressions Ren had shown her up until now.
"Besides, you... avoided dueling with me, didn't you?"
"Well, my lady, you should consider this too."
"...What?"
"Normally, if someone suddenly asks you to duel, I think anyone would be confused."
Though this wasn't the main reason, it was still part of the truth. Lishia hadn't expected Ren to say something so logical, and she remained frozen, staring up at him.
On the other hand, Ren smiled at her, a warm and grown-up smile that made Lishia instinctively want to rely on him.
"Don't you think so, my lady?"
"...I do."
"I'm glad you agree. From now on, if you can, please let me know ahead of time. And just so you know, I have no intention of leaving this village, so don’t forget that. As long as we stay in the village, I’ll be at your service."
With that, Ren stood up from the small chair.
"I think it might be too much for your health, so I'll be taking my leave now."
"Wa-wait! Is what you just said really okay?!"
"Yes. So once you’ve recovered, we can talk more slowly."
As Ren walked toward the door, Lishia reached out her hand toward his back but held herself back, still feeling hesitant.
"I’m sorry to ask this now, but... could I borrow a pen and some ink? I need to write a letter to my father, but I ran out of ink on the way here."
It seemed she had paper and an envelope already.
"There’s a box with my pens on the desk, so feel free to use it anytime."
"...Thank you."
"You're welcome. Well then, this will be my final departure."
Ren, who had once again smiled, bowed toward Lishia before heading for the door.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
After Ren left, Lishia weakly watched him go, but even after he was gone, she found herself still staring at the door.
"...Why was I watching him go?" she muttered, then collapsed back onto the bed.
Her burning fever and splitting headache had eased somewhat, and she realized that the pain had settled a little.
"Someone..."
She called for her personal guard knight, who was probably waiting outside the room. After a short time, the knight appeared and Lishia asked him to bring Wiess. Shortly after, Wiess arrived.
"What is it, my lady?"
"I have a request for Wiess. Actually—"
The request was about monster extermination.
When Lishia's group arrived in the village, they had witnessed the abnormal surge of little boars in the forest. She thought that if Wiess and the knights helped, they could significantly reduce their numbers.
"Are you sure you want me to do this, even though I won’t be able to accompany you on guard duty?"
"That’s nothing new. Even without you, I'll be going on a journey, and when I'm in Clausel, I have my personal guards. It’s the same thing. There are plenty of other knights, so it’s no trouble. Besides, I’ll just be lying in bed. Go ahead and work for the Ashton family."
Of course, Lishia had wanted to be the one to carry out this task. She had never hated being bedridden as much as she did now. Wiess, understanding her feelings, was moved by her growth.
"In place of my lady, I will do everything I can to show our gratitude to the Ashton family."
Wiess finally agreed with a smile, pleased by Lishia's resolve. He then left her room to carry out her request.
Alone in the room, enveloped in silence, Lishia couldn’t shake off the faint sense of loneliness and found herself unable to fall asleep. She propped herself up on the bed and then turned her gaze toward Ren’s desk.
"Should I borrow a pen...?"
Normally, she should have rested, but she just couldn't feel sleepy. So, she thought she might try writing a letter, not pushing herself too hard. She mustered the strength to stand up and, to her surprise, her condition seemed to have improved. She retrieved a piece of parchment from her bag and walked toward the desk.
Approaching Ren's usual desk, she searched for a small container. There were two small containers she found.
One was a decorative container placed in the corner of the desk, intricately carved from wood. The other was a small, flat, plain box sitting on top of the desk.
"...Which one should I choose?"
Ren had only mentioned the box on the desk, but he hadn’t specified which box contained the pen. Torn between the two, Lishia reached for the carved wooden box. Upon opening it, she found there was no pen inside.
Instead—
"...What is this?"
Inside, she found a piece of parchment, roughly folded, and tilted her head in confusion. But then, she immediately hesitated, as she thought... Could it be…? Her fingers trembled, not due to her illness but because of the uncertainty as she slowly reached for the parchment.
She hoped it was a mistake.
Opening it, she—
"~!!?"
She quickly clasped the parchment to her chest, holding it tightly with both hands. The intense feeling of embarrassment made her cheeks and neck turn as red as the fever that had plagued her.
"W-why... is this here in his room!?"
There was no mistake. This was the letter she had thought she had lost. The very same letter Wiess had jokingly called a love letter, and when she re-read it, it was undeniably a love letter. To find it again here, of all places, was beyond her expectations.
"Where did he find this... No, wait! This must have been read!"
With trembling hands, she reluctantly pulled the parchment away from her chest, holding onto a shred of hope as she read through it.
But the content was unchanged, just as she remembered. It was indeed her letter, and the fact that it had been carefully stored in Ren's room—inside his little container—could not be denied.
"You didn’t want me to like you, did you!? Then you should have thrown it away right away! Why would you keep it in this box... Ah, why!? Why is this happening!?"
Confused, Lishia almost forgot about her illness as she writhed in frustration. In her mind, she tried to justify it, repeating to herself, "It’s not a love letter. I was just getting too carried away!" and also thought, "I didn’t like him, it was just that his strength and personality were admirable..."
But then, as she thought about it, Ren’s expression appeared in her mind. The smile he had shown her just moments ago, when he had been so gentle with her.
"...What is wrong with me?"
For some reason, a sense of calm suddenly washed over her, but once again, Ren’s face appeared in her thoughts. She held the letter—now resembling a love letter—against her chest once more, and without realizing it, her gaze drifted toward the door Ren had just walked out of. It was the same as when she had stared at the door after he left earlier.
"I’m not in love with him...!" she muttered, half-heartedly justifying herself to no one in particular.
But the rest of her excuse didn’t escape her lips, and eventually, she returned the letter to the small container where she had found it. She figured it was already read, so there was no point in retrieving it.
Lishia then fell silent and returned to the bed, collapsing face-first onto the pillow.
"Why would he keep it so carefully? Idiot."
She didn’t plan on asking Ren about his feelings, whether he liked her or not. However, there was one thing she still wanted to know.
──If you read that letter, what would you think?
She imagined asking him, wondering what kind of answer he might give. As she imagined his response, her thoughts began to spiral, and the heat inside her rose once again. Lishia tried to convince herself it was the illness causing it as she buried her face in the pillow.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The following day, after breakfast, Ren stood in the garden, waiting for Roy after finishing his preparations for the hunt.
"Fortunately, Wiess and the others have agreed to help. They’re going to deal with the ridiculous number of little boars that have appeared and, as a bonus, do some carpentry work. So, today’s hunt is canceled."
"Oh, that’s a relief."
"That’s the plan, so I’ll be heading to the storage room with Wiess. You stay behind in the village to help with the carpentry work."
Ren tilted his head slightly at the word "storage shed."
"Didn't I tell you? There's a hut near the suspension bridge where we store lumber.
I've been gradually collecting it since I mentioned that we would repair the mansion."
Roy and Weiss would check the state of the forest while delivering lumber to the knights, creating a flow of action.
"I'll give instructions at the storage shed, then head into the forest with Weiss and a few knights."
After confirming this, Weiss arrived, followed shortly by Mireille, who came out of the mansion.
"Roy. It's about time," Mireille said.
"Yes. I've already spoken to Ren about it," Roy replied.
Then Mireille spoke again.
"I'll be going to Granny Rigg's house. I need to have some medicine made for the young lady, so I'll be back by the afternoon."
"I apologize, Lady Mireille," Weiss said, bowing his head.
Mireille quickly said, "Don't worry about it!"
"The knights must protect the young lady, so leave this task to me."
With that, she headed down the field path ahead of the others.
Not long after, Ren and the others followed, meeting up with the knights who were waiting outside.
"Now, knights," Weiss said, and the knights straightened their posture.
"We must repay our debt of gratitude. Quickly take your positions and make full use of the strength you have trained."
The knights responded energetically.
They began to move with brisk steps, some following Roy and Weiss, while others made their way to their respective places for carpentry work.
(... It's cloudy today.)
Just as everyone began to move, Ren looked up at the sky.
He prayed to the main deity, hoping that rain wouldn't fall from the overcast sky.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
As expected, it wasn't long before the weather worsened.
Within two hours of everyone starting their work, the rain began to fall heavily.
Within mere seconds, a mist began to rise, and the ground just a short distance away became invisible.
"Lord Ren! It would be best to take a break for now!"
"Yes... the weather is worsening. Understood!"
Ren replied to the knight and started running back and forth between the storage area set up between the field path and the mansion.
The repair areas weren't limited to just the mansion; there were also old houses in the village, so it was more convenient to have a middle point to work from.
(The rain's getting really heavy.)
The rain grew stronger, and the ground became muddy.
Let's take a break in the mansion until the weather settles down.
Just as Ren made this decision, he furrowed his brow and suddenly smelled something.
(What is that smell?)
It was a sharp scent mixed with the earthy smell of rain.
It was the smell of something burning.
In the village, several times a year, the villagers would practice slash-and-burn farming.
This smell was exactly like the intense burning scent they would make then.
One of the knights walking nearby noticed the smell as well and furrowed his brow.
(It’s coming from that direction.)
The smell seemed to be coming from the direction of the mansion.
Ren, noticing this, instinctively began to walk forward, pushing his body ahead.
With each step, the sight before Ren became clearer.
It was a fierce blaze.
The Ashton mansion was engulfed in deep crimson flames.
"W-why is the mansion...!?"
It was only natural for him to question this.
But Ren’s concern wasn’t focused on his questions, but on the people left behind in the mansion—especially, not the knights... but Lishia.
"Lord Ren! Please wait!"
Ignoring the knight's call, Ren sprinted ahead.
In just a few minutes, he covered the distance to the mansion.
"Hah... Hah..."
Even though the crimson flames were being doused by the rain, they continued to rage, their presence so strong that it felt like the sun itself.
As Ren got closer to the mansion, a new, piercing scent began to waft through the air.
Mixed with the mist and rain, there was a faint smell of blood.
(More quickly...!)
In the thick fog, an old fence started to appear.
As he moved forward, the sight of knights lying motionless in the garden came into view.
Approaching to check on them, he found that every one of them had perished, with gruesome bite marks as if their throats had been torn out.
When Ren touched the bodies, he could still feel the warmth of the knights lingering on their forms.
It was proof that they hadn't been dead for long.
(Under the cover of the fog, with the sound masked by the rain...! To think that someone could do something like this in such a short time...!?)
The mansion, a place full of memories, was engulfed in a raging inferno, and from the entrance, it looked almost like a dragon was breathing fire.
Nevertheless, Ren did not hesitate. With courage, he kicked the door open and entered.
In preparation for battle, he summoned his iron magic sword and gripped it tightly.
At this moment, Ren hesitated whether to wait for the knights who were following him.
If someone had set fire to the mansion and attacked the knights, that person might still be inside.
It would certainly be safer to wait for the knights rather than go in alone.
────But what would happen to Lishia in the meantime?
The knights should arrive within a few minutes, but what if Lishia were struck down by a vicious blade in those moments?
The thought of it filled him with terror, but despite the fear, he couldn't stop his feet.
With a sharp breath, Ren slapped his own cheek with a loud "slap!" and stepped inside the mansion.
"Why is this happening...!?"
The inside of the mansion was bathed in a fiery red glow, so bright it was almost blinding.
The scorching heat waves burned his skin, causing intense pain, but even so, Ren stepped into the inferno and ran toward the half-destroyed staircase.
At the corner of his vision, he saw the unmoving bodies of knights who had collapsed in place.
Faced with such an unnatural sight, he steeled his nerves with courage, refusing to be overcome by fear, and headed toward his room.
And finally, he arrived.
Fighting the pain of his burns, Ren violently threw open the door to his room.
"Young lady!"
He shouted toward the bed.
At the same moment, he noticed a man by the bed, along with two magical beasts.
The man was surrounded by a glowing blue veil, protecting him from the effects of the flames.
"────So, you're Ren Ashton."
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The man beside the sleeping Lishia spoke.
His voice was cold, and because he was draped in a gray robe, nothing else could be discerned about him.
When Ren saw the white wooden staff the man held, he instinctively tensed.
(That’s...!)
───A Mana-Eater.
Its appearance resembled a giant black lizard, but its face had no nose, only a large mouth with sharp fangs. Its body, reminiscent of a bat, was as large as an adult.
Ren recalled what he knew about the Mana-Eater.
So tense that he swallowed nervously.
"Did you do this...—Beast Master?"
"Oh? You know?"
"It would be stupid not to know. Those are Mana-Eaters, right? The flames, the protective veil they generate to shield their master from the fire—there’s no other explanation."
Hearing Ren’s words, the man let out a suppressed laugh and moved away from the bed, approaching Ren.
Ren, in turn, readied his iron magic sword, stepping back each time the man advanced by one step.
"Indeed, the Mana-Eaters here are monsters I summoned. I’m surprised you know a bit about the Beast Master’s power."
Ren secretly felt relief that he hadn’t made any mistakes about his knowledge, which he had learned from the legends of the Seven Heroes.
Instead, his anxiety only grew as the tense situation deepened.
(Think. What should I do?)
Mana-Eaters are monsters that can be summoned using the Beast Master’s skill. Their strength would be equivalent to a D-rank monster.
And there were two of them. It was obvious this wasn’t a situation where a fight could be easily won.
(No, my father and Lord Wiess should arrive soon.)
All he needed to do was buy time.
As Ren heightened his guard, trying to prolong the stalemate...
"Eh...?"
The mansion shook violently.
The raging fire inside the already old mansion was trying to burn it down, and despite the rain pouring outside, the fire showed no sign of slowing.
The tremor caused the ceiling in Ren's room to shake violently.
Then, the ceiling above Lishia's bed began to collapse.
"Dammit...!"
Seeing this, Ren summoned a wooden magic sword and tried to stop the collapse by creating roots and vines.
But the Mana-Eater opened its large mouth and unleashed a blast of fire.
The roots and vines were immediately reduced to ash. Yet, the ceiling’s collapse continued unabated.
Ren had no choice but to run desperately.
"Damn it!"
Ren swung his wooden sword with all his strength, cutting through the flames and advancing.
He didn’t stop running. When he reached the bed, he slashed at the falling ceiling to protect Lishia.
But the moment Ren took his eyes off the Beast Master...
"Stay asleep for a while."
The man’s cold voice echoed as a mint-like refreshing scent reached Ren’s nostrils.
Once Ren inhaled that scent, he felt his strength drain away from his entire body.
His eyelids grew heavy, and against his will, they closed.
His body collapsed limply beside Lishia.
"Wh... what...?"
"It’s incense. A scent strong enough to put even a small dragon to sleep for several days."
Hearing those words, Ren reached out to protect Lishia.
But just as he pulled her delicate body close, he lost consciousness.
--