News of the young lady’s recovery ca from the carriage.
Risir, naturally, had no idea who this young lady was, but he could tell she held great importance to the man before him.
As soon as he heard it, the man’s previously sharp deanor softened. He shot a quick glance at Risir’s group before hastily returning to the carriage.
“Phew...”
Left standing with his companions, Risir exhaled deeply, realizing he had been holding his breath without even knowing it. The pressure emanating from the man had been overwhelming.
His mind and body were still tense, as if he had just faced an enraged wild beast.
Fienne nudged Risir’s arm from the side. Wearing a serious look, she urged for them to leave quickly.
“Let’s go.”
She, too, had felt the pressure from the man just now. But as soone at a higher level than Risir, she had sensed it even more keenly.
He’s of the 5th Rank. At the least.
A person so powerful yet ntally unstable...That was the worst possible combination for a travel companion.
“Wait...huff...It seems sothing good happened...huff...Why don’t we wait a bit and ask again...”
At that mont, Rona chid in, her tone sowhat peculiar. She sounded like a woman awkwardly imitating a man’s voice.
Her behavior matched her tone. She abruptly rolled up her sleeves to show off her wrists, walked with exaggerated strides, and theatrically brushed back her sweat-drenched bangs.
Since becoming a slave, Rona had been trying hard to act like a man, as if refusing to accept the change in gender.
Of course, it didn’t work out as well as she hoped.
“Huff...huff...”
“You okay, Rona? I told you, just give it here if it’s that hard.”
Though Fienne and Risir had declined, Rona stubbornly insisted on carrying their luggage. She even proclaid that she could keep up without issue, so there was no need for them to adjust their pace.
The result was sweat pouring off her like rain and her breath coming in ragged, deathly gasps. Her exposed wrists, thin and frail, trembled like aspen leaves.
“I’m-I’m not tired...! Huff—”
Anyone could see that Rona was acting tough.
“Not tired? Then why’d you mutter ‘I’m saved...’ when we spotted the carriage? And why’d you look on the verge of tears when Fienne said we should just go?”
“I, I did no such thing!”
“Oh really? Was it my imagination? Well, since Fienne says we should just go, and you seem to agree, maybe we really should just go. Oh, but hang on. Is it really okay to equate a slave’s vote to Fienne’s?”
“...Y-yeah! If you, my master, insist that we absolutely must ride in that carriage, then as a slave, I’ve got no choice but to follow!!!”
Listening to their conversation from the side, Fienne sighed in exasperation.
“How did I end up with these buffoons? Risir, I suggest you postpone playing with your slave. Let’s leave right now. That man we just saw, I have a bad feeling about him.”
“See here, Fienne. I’ve recently gained a small enlightennt. Know what it is? It’s that people shouldn’t be judged based on first impressions. Like this one innocent young maiden I t...And that charming young man...”
“...”
“...”
The two attempted mind-control offenders sullenly pouted but ultimately couldn’t argue back.
“Then what. Those two gave good first impressions but turned out to be trash, so that man just now will surely turn out to be a good person. Is that your logic?”
“All I’m saying is, let’s not overreact. Why would soone riding in such a fancy carriage bother to harm random passersby? As Rona said, let’s just ask if they can give us a ride when they co out again. And Fienne, why are you trash? That’s Rona. Right, Rona?”
“...Do I need to answer that?”
“Whatever anyone else says, I think Fienne is a good person. So don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s enough that Rona blas herself. Right, Rona?”
“...Y-yeah.”
“All right I get it, you can stop.”
Fienne was annoyed that she felt pleased by Risir’s nonsense.
A long ti passed after their conversation.
The man ca out of the carriage again, and unlike before, he approached Risir’s group with calm steps.
“Pardon my late introduction. I am Dares of House Durayeg.”
Durayeg...Risir mulled over the na.
For nobles, morizing the nas of noble families was a fundantal part of their education. It was a way to grovel before those of higher rank and look down on those of lower rank—a matter of utmost importance in their world.
And for Risir, who was equally despised by all nobles, this tradition belonged to a world far removed from his own. Regardless, he still carried a ntal list of various noble family nas.
On that list, Durayeg stood out in bold, ranking relatively high. It likely held the sa position on most nobles’ lists, as Durayeg was one of the highest-ranking noble families, with only a handful standing above them.
“I apologize for earlier. My fiancée’s condition suddenly worsened in the middle of the night, causing to react sensitively.”
“Oh dear, I’m most sorry to hear that. Is your fiancée well now?”
Fienne and Rona’s faces twisted the mont Risir opened his mouth.
Who are you?
Risir had adopted the utmost formality, treating Dares with the respect befitting his status. His tone and deanor shifted so dramatically that an unaffected, natural dignity seed to emanate from him.
“...If I may ask, which family do you hail from?”
Equally surprised, Dares belatedly inquired about Risir’s background.
“My apologies for the slow introduction. I am Risir, an illegitimate child of my house. So please feel free to speak comfortably.”
“...”
Dares went wide-eyed in surprise. He had thought Risir might be from a prestigious family, but an illegitimate child?
Dares continued the conversation with a visibly surprised expression.
“Let’s get to the point. Risir. Should you have any business, I ask that you state it.”
“If there’s room in your carriage, I was hoping to request to travel together...”
Risir let his words trail off. He carefully watched Dares’ reaction, mindful of his earlier ntion of his ailing fiancée. Most likely, his next words would be a refusal.
Though his expression remained neutral, Risir felt a deep pang of disappointnt.
If we miss out on another ride, ugh...I wonder how much longer it’ll take to Bondalles.
The elixir remained neglected in his pocket, while his magic training had co to a standstill just as it was gaining montum. Risir grew anxious at the thought that he might be wasting ti aninglessly.
Dares humd thoughtfully at that mont, letting out a sigh.
“Regarding that...As it happens, my fiancée says that if you need help, she’d like to offer it.”
Three options crossed Risir’s mind: to openly express delight, to inquire about the reason, or—
“...Your fiancée is so kind.”
—to offer praise for the fiancée, who clearly held great significance to Dares.
It seed to be the right choice, as Dares’ previously displeased expression softened slightly.
“Precisely said. She’s a woman with too much kindness. So, what say you? Would you humor my fiancée’s whim?”
“We’re grateful to your goodwill.”
It was both the fiancée’s whim and Dares’ own.
Though he originally intended to turn them away, Dares led Risir’s group to the carriage. As they walked, Risir introduced his companions to him.
“This is my companion, Fienne. And this is my...slave, Rona.”
“...”
The mont Dares turned to Rona, his expression contorted.
“She seems rather unsuitable for nial tasks.”
This was because Rona, who was clearly an ordinary and frail woman, was struggling under the weight of luggage ant for two people, sweat pouring off her.
“If you don’t mind, may I ask how you ca to task such labor to this slave?”
A look of disappointnt gradually crept onto Dares’ face.
“She had attempted to...drug and harm and my companions. She intended to violate .”
“...?”
“As punishnt for her cris, she offered to serve as a slave to pay for her actions. As for that luggage, she insisted on carrying it despite my repeated objections.”
Dares cast a dumbfounded look at Rona.
“...”
Rona could only hang her head, trembling with sha.
“Ahem. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that. Everyone, follow .”
Dares led them into the roofed carriage. It was more spacious than it appeared from the outside, likely due to so magical device. It was already carrying four people, but there was still plenty of room even after adding four more.
In the innermost seat of the carriage sat a woman with a blanket draped over her shoulders.
“Let introduce you to my fiancée, Todina.”
Todina’s skin and hair appeared dry and lifeless, with dark circles shadowing her eyes. Even so, she greeted Risir’s group with a radiant smile.
“Hello, everyone. I’m sure you must have been quite startled by dear Dares. I was so worried when he rushed out of the carriage, looking so fierce. I should have stopped him...but I couldn’t stop coughing at that mont.”
Dares groaned from the side, but he didn’t make any move to silence her.
“Lady Todina, we heard from Sir Dares. We sincerely thank you for your kindness.”
“Hehe. Please thank Dares, not . I’m just being stubborn, and it’s always Dares who indulges . Oh right, I’m so forgetful. This is Damin. She’s a dear girl who’s always by my side taking care of .”
The brown-haired maid sitting beside Todina gave a friendly nod.
“And here...we have Sir Topin, who ca a long way at Dares’ request to help .”
An elderly man with streaks of white in his hair gave a slight nod.
“I’m Topin, and I research healing within the Bloom school of magic. This is my assistant, Eltni...”
“I’m Risir.”
Risir once again introduced himself and his companions to them.
Suddenly, Todina covered her mouth with her fist. Her body shook as she let out a series of broken coughs.
“My lady.”
“...Thank you.”
The maid Damin handed Todina so warm water. But when she took a drink, her coughing worsened.
After nearly ten rasping coughs, she struggled to steady herself, taking shallow, wheezing breaths. The sound resembled the final gasps of an elderly person—harsh and far from anything one could politely describe as pleasant.
The atmosphere in the carriage grew tense.
Just as the silence threatened to take hold, Topin broke it.
“Todina.”
“Yes, Mr. Topin.”
“As your physician for the ti being, I must say this. Dragging yourself out to greet in that condition was absolutely not a wise decision. Don’t you think you’re being too careless?”
“...”
Todina’s expression twisted bitterly.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been cooped up inside for so long, I was desperate to see the outside world.”
“It was my fault for forcing her out with . Please don’t scold Todina.”
“No, Dares. You were just granting my request. I should have listened to you. If I had known I’d cause such worry...”
As the conversation progressed to this point, Topin turned his gaze to Risir.
“Risir, was it?”
He had openly shown discomfort when Risir revealed himself to be a bastard who couldn’t even ntion his family na. How could a bastard fit in this company?
Topin continued in an authoritative tone.
“As you can see, my patient requires absolute rest. The people in this carriage currently do not have the capacity to worry for others. I trust you understand what I’m saying?”
He gestured towards the carriage door with his eyes.
“Mr. Topin...!”
“Todina, I am your attending physician. I’d like your full support on my opinion here.”
“...”
Todina squeezed her eyes shut.
“I’m sorry...Mr. Risir...Because of , you’re in such an awkward situation...”
Topin jerked his chin towards the door again, more irritably this ti.
“Perhaps...”
Risir spoke up after careful consideration.
“I may be able to help Lady Todina.”
Topin clicked his tongue.
“Risir. I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from making irresponsible statents in front of my patient.”
“...”
“Or what, shall we hear you out? How exactly do you intend to help? With what knowledge? What have you figured out in this short ti?
“For the past few months, countless healers have used all their knowledge trying to find a way to help Todina—to pinpoint the very source of her illness.
“They were all renowned healers, but none of them could figure it out. But surely, you must be different? Who are you?”
Topin took a breath before continuing in a colder tone.
“I got too excited, shaful of . Risir. If only for the sake of my patient, I want to maintain the best possible conditions. Both for myself and the surrounding environnt. It’s ti for you to leave.”
Risir didn’t reproach Topin for his rudeness, as he was simply doing his best from his own perspective.
As for looking down on a bastard, well, that could be considered a nobleman doing his best.
From the very beginning, Risir’s attention had been drawn elsewhere. Sothing about Todina felt off, and his intuition—sharpened by past experiences—urged him to scrutinize this peculiar sensation more closely.
If I could just get one chance...
His original intention was to claim he had a hunch and examine Todina’s physical condition, using the pretext of giving a diagnosis. But apparently, that was absolutely unacceptable from the professional healer’s point of view.
So what could he do? What way was there to approach Todina? Reveal his Intrinsic Color?
No. How could he confidently reveal sothing he didn’t fully understand himself? Besides, bringing up a specialized topic like Intrinsic Color in this situation would likely provoke Topin’s resistance once more, as though his authority were being challenged.
“...”
After much deliberation, Risir pulled out a coin from his pocket. It was an entirely ordinary piece.
“Miss Todina, this is my lucky charm.”
“Lucky...charm?”
“Yes. Thanks to the special power contained within this charm, I’ve managed to overco nurous perils. If it’s alright with you, Miss Todina, would you accept this charm?”
Even as he spoke, Risir inwardly cursed at himself.
This was really your best idea huh?
It was a flimsy setup and plan, hastily thought up on the spot.
“A lucky charm...?”
Fortunately, while Todina found it sudden, she didn’t find it strange. She glanced at Topin, who reluctantly nodded.
“Wouldn’t this an I’m stealing your luck, Mr. Risir?”
“I have too much of it, so it’s fine to lose a little.”
“...You’re so kind, Mr. Risir. You’ve been put in such an awkward situation because of ...I should probably refuse, but...”
Todina gently took hold of Risir’s hand holding the coin.
“I’m...tempted...Really...How wonderful it would be if that luck could co to too...”
At that very mont, Risir focused his entire mind on Todina’s hand—on the peculiarity he sensed from her.
“Urghhhh!”
Damin, the maid sitting beside Todina, suddenly began to writhe in agony. Everyone’s attention snapped to her—and in place of the friendly maid who had greeted them earlier, they found an old man clad in a maid’s uniform.
It was the mont when a black mage’s months-long plan unraveled in pathetic defeat.
“How!!!”
The black mage was unable to comprehend the inexplicable turn of events that had overtaken him.
“...”
“...”
Fienne and Rona were disturbed by the sense of connection they felt toward that revolting geezer.
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