You, be my colleague (9)
About thirty minutes later, Beorn and the knights arrived at the villa.
In response to Rahon's question of how on earth he came here, Beorn explanation was simple.
"I received help from the Golden Tree and the people of the lad."
The people of Eldern cleared the snow from the castle to the forest and the path from the forest to the villa was made by spreading snow-melting substances?
It was difficult to even estimate how many people had been mobilized.
Kalit asked with a bewildered look.
"So you guys are the only ones who arrived first? What about the others?"
"The merchants and the people have finished their work and returned home."
"The people of the Eldern Territory... they don't like to show off."
"That's the kind of thing it is."
We set off for the castle.
Kalit and Ian rode on the horses brought by the Knights, and Rahon and I rode on the carriage.
Rahon decided to stay at the castle to treat the injuries caused by the cracks in Orquidwood.
The problem was that there were two assassins trapped in the warehouse.
Beorn, who heard the whole story, mercilessly stunned the assassins and ordered the knights to escort them away.
Rahon let out a sigh in the slowly moving carriage.
"It's really amazing. All the snow has melted."
As Beorn had said, the snow had melted and the dirt road was exposed here and there.
The Golden Tree used materials imported from the Grand Duchy of Rome.
As far as I know, this substance is sold as a deicer sometime next year, but I had no idea it would be used like this here.
Rahin, who was looking out the window, glanced at me.
"I', sorry I got angry earlier."
"No. I crossed the line earlier."
I felt a sense of kinship and closeness with Rahon. He was a fellow Guardian and a respectable person.
It seemed like I was being too casual with him because I wanted to become closer to him. I didn't even realize that he was uncomfortable.
Rahon was silent for a moment and then changed the subject.
"But can we go first? We didn't even tell Baba."
Baba hasn't come back yet.
I wonder where he is and what he is doing, I don't know if he properly conveyed the message of Duke Eldern.
I should say something when I meet you.
"He'll find out on his own. He's an assassin."
"Weren't you sparing him?"
"Me?"
"You saved him from Kalit and even treated him."
"Because I need him."
Rahon's expression became strange.
"Usually you seem like a soft-hearted person, but sometimes you're surprisingly immersive. It confuses people."
Even though we joined hands with Baba for a while for our own benefit, it doesn't erase what he did to us.
It's not like Baba is the one I need to atone for.
He is just a collaborator. He would betray me as soon as the fun was over.
I changed the subject.
"Rahon, can you please make a potion to restore my memories?"
"...Why is that?"
"I really need to remember my childhood."
"There is no such medicine."
"Yes..."
I expected it, but it didn't happen as expected.
Perhaps because he was showing too much disappointment, Rahon let out a deep sigh. His once stern expression softened a little.
"Do you really need that? What if it brings back bad memories?"
"Still, it's important enough to warrant the risk."
"... I'll give it a try. I can't guarantee that it will succeed."
"Really? Thank you. I'll pay as much as you want."
"....Or so it is."
If I remember from my childhood, I'll be sure whether or not Kalit was my benefactor.
Then, Ian's voice was heard.
"We have arrived."
It is Eldern Castle.
***
Vivian ran frantically. The cafe they had promised to meet at was visible in the distance.
'What time is it now? I told you not to be late...'
I took a moment to catch my breath and then started running again.
The entire city was deserted because all the residents had gone there to shovel the snow.
In a few hours, Millenia will arrive at the castle. It was difficult to go out in this situation, but there was no other way.
Inside the elegantly decorated store, there were only a couple, a middle-aged gentleman wearing a fedora, and a young man.
"Haa, haa."
As I was catching my breath, a middle-aged gentleman who was drinking tea and reading a newspaper glanced at me. But he soon withdrew his attention and turned his gaze back to the newspaper.
Behind the middle-aged man, in a corner, sat a young man.
Vivian approached him with calm steps.
A man in his early 20s who had been reading a book looked at her, smiled brightly, and stood up.
"Come on in, Vivian."
He titled his head as he whispered softly while kissing Vivian's cheek.
"What's with your expression? Did something bad happen?"
"No, no. Sorry, I'm late."
"Why are you apologizing? You must have been busy. Did you come running? Your hair is disheveled."
"Ugh, I'm afraid I'll be late..."
The man stroked Vivian's hair with a fond smile.
"Come and sit down. Would you like something warm to drink?"
"Yes..."
The man left the table to order something. In the meantime, Vivian wiped her damp palms on the hem of her skirt.
"Here, I ordered Earl Grey. You like that."
"...Thank you."
His hands were trembling as he picked up the teacup. The man stared blankly at the teacup that was shaking as if it would spill at any moment.
Vivian put down her teacup without taking a sip.
"It's been a long time since we've seen each other. Ten years? How have you been? How's Luther doing?"
The moment her brother's name came out of the man's mouth. Vivian bit the tip of her tongue. Other wise, she felt like she would scream.
"Yes, take care."
"I heard you had the plague. Are you cured now?"
"Yes..."
"Ha, thank goodness. I was really worried/"
"..."
"But for the time being, it's better to be careful. You never know when or how someone might turn out. If you let your guard down, something might suddenly go wrong."
The man suddenly let out a sigh.
"My friend lost his younger brother like that, He had a cough for a long time and luckily got better, but he got run over by a carriage and died."
The man drank his tea, shaking his head.
Vivian lowered her hand from around the teacup down to the table and grabbed the hem of her skirt tightly.
Tears welled up in her downcast eyes.
The man clicked his tongue softly and wiped her cheek.
"What should I do with all these tears? That's what they say, Luther will be okay. He'll live a long life. Right?"
"Yes..."
"Oh, right. I have something to give you."
The man smiled and held out a tin case. Vivian's eyes were drawn to the pink ribbon on the lid.
"It's tea leaves. I guarantee you the taste. It's quite expensive."
"..."
"Oh, right, you said you were inviting someone special, right? Treat him. He'll love iy."
Vivian couldn't even blink. She felt like she was sinking into a swamp. She felt dizzy.
"Vivian, if you serve the Guardians well, good things will happen to Luther as well."
"..."
"Oh, it's already this late. Sorry, but I'll have to go first today. How about meeting Luther tomorrow at this time?"
"Tommorow?"
"There's no need to waste time."
Her throat was so clogged up that she couldn't speak. Vivian just nodded.
"I'll be waiting for good news."
The man tapped her shoulder and stood up.
Vivian just stared at the tin case until the sound of footsteps disappeared. tears fell down her cheeks.
Vivian's only brother was Luther. The only reason she warned money to provide for her younger brother.
It's been four day since Luther, who was more precious than her own life, was kidnapped by that man.
During this time, the kidnapper did not demand anything.
All he did was give instructions not to report him to the Knight Templar along with Luther's hair.
If she didn't comply, he would send Luther's finger one by one.
For four days, her inside was burning back. Vivian was going crazy because she didn't now what he want.
Then today, she got a second call. They said if she did as the said, they would release Luther.
So, she had all the money she could spare, but what they wanted was something else.
Vivin grabbed the tin case with trembling hands.
"Vivian, if you serve the Guardians well, good things will happen tu Luther as well."
How could anyone not know what that means, unless they are stupid?
'They want me to poison the young lady.'
If Millenia isn't killed by tomorrow, Luther will die.
Vivian bit her lip to keep herself from sobbing. She wished she were dead instead.
How long had she been there blankly? Suddenly the grandfather clock rang. Two hours had already passed.
'This is not the time.'
Vivian had to get back to the castle before Millenia arrived.
She quickly wiped away her tears and trie to get up, but then she felt a strong impact on her shoulder.
"Oh, my, are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?"
He was a middle-aged gentleman wearing fedora. His neatly trimmed mustache caught Vivian's eyes.
"Oh, it's okay. I guess I didn't see you coming because I was thinking about something else. sorry."
"No. It seems like you have something urgent to do. Please go quickly."
"Thank you."
Vivian nodded and left the cafe.
The expression on the face of the middle-aged man who had been watching her with concern gradually disappeared.
"Hmm."
He leisurely left the cafe, snorting strangely.
A neatly trimmed mustache fell where he had been standing.
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