Chapter 52

By the time the shelter preparations were complete and my wyvern flying had become quite respectable, the day of the new moon finally arrived.

On this day, which comes several times a year, magical beasts spawn in massive numbers and attack human settlements. There is a specific reason for this.

Mana remains stable during a full moon but becomes increasingly erratic as the new moon approaches. This affects all living creatures, but while humans are barely influenced by the moon’s phases, certain types of magical beasts fall into a state of “mana-drunkenness” because they cannot regulate the mana within their bodies.

When the beasts that prey on humans fall into this stupor, they become uncontrollably ferocious and charge into settlements without rhyme or reason. The lush, beast-heavy territory of Sutrena has been plagued by this problem since ancient times.

Preventing this and protecting the people is Lord Nazel’s job. I understand that in my head. However, worry is worry, and as I had to see him off, I found myself overcome by restlessness at the front entrance.

The members of the household gathered to see Lord Nazel off while it was still bright out in the afternoon.

“Lord Nazel, please stay safe.”

“Yes, I’m heading out. You stay safe too, Agnes.”

“I’ll be fine, but I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t make that face, alright? I promise I’ll come back safely.”

In front of everyone, Lord Nazel wrapped his hand around my back and buried his face in the crook of my neck. Since I happened to be wearing a dress with a wider neckline, his breath brushed against my skin, making me feel ticklish.

“Agnes, I’d like a goodbye kiss from you.”

As he prepared to leave, he whispered that bold request into my ear. I felt like steam was about to erupt from my face.

“A-A kiss? Um, I’m a bit worried about the staff watching…”

“Are you shy? In that case…”

Taking my hand, Lord Nazel led me out of the entrance and into the garden. The household staff, perhaps out of consideration, didn’t follow us outside.

Wait, did he just make a preemptive strike so I wouldn’t have any excuses left?

He stopped in front of a massive tree growing in the garden and gave me a bright smile, as if to say, “Now then, go ahead.” What a dazzling smile!

I’ve been thinking lately that Lord Nazel can be a little bit teasing at times like this.

Still, since he is heading into a dangerous area and this is what he wishes for, I find myself wanting to grant his every request.

“I understand. Please lean down just a little.”

Lord Nazel is so slender and tall that at my height, I can’t reach his face to kiss him even if I try.

“And also, don’t look at me. Close your eyes…”

I was full of specific instructions. Yet, as if even that made him happy, Lord Nazel did exactly as he was told.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, illuminating his beautiful face. His features are so perfectly sculpted; he really is handsome.

Having steeled my resolve, I squeezed my eyes shut and pressed a kiss against his lips.

Hyaaaaaaa!

I’m so embarrassed I feel like my brain is going to boil!

When Lord Nazel slowly opened his eyes, he quickly captured me before I could scurry away. My body was spun around, and before I knew it, I was being pressed back against the trunk of the massive tree.

There stood Lord Nazel, bracing his hands on either side of my body.

“I’m so happy, Agnes. I thought you’d go for the cheek, but I never imagined you’d actually kiss me on the lips.”

Under his intense gaze, the heat in my cheeks flared up even more.

“…I mean, you closed your eyes, so wasn’t that the natural flow of things?”

Trapped between the tree and Lord Nazel, I felt a strange sense of “danger” from the man in front of me. I was supposed to be seeing off my beloved husband—how did it end up like this?

“Agnes, you really are adorable. Don’t worry; I’ll finish the job quickly and come right back to you.”

“Yes… please, stay safe.”

“I have that ‘Material Reinforcement’ charm you gave me before, so I’ll be fine.”

That was just a spell I cast for peace of mind; I don’t think it actually changes the human body.

After that, Lord Nazel kept me pinned there while he kissed my hair, my face, and my lips to his heart’s content, eventually heading off to work in a very good mood.

Left behind, I had to work hard to manage the shelter.

People seeking refuge had begun to line up at the manor gates here and there. There weren’t many yet, but the numbers would surely grow.

“Kelly, let’s open the gates now and have them enter the hall. I think the hall alone will be enough, but if we go over capacity, we’ll use the spare rooms in order as we discussed.”

“Understood, Lady Agnes.”

“Mocca and Lori will be at reception, and Marilyn will handle the guiding. Kelly, please take command of the temporarily hired maids. If there are any troubles like fights or malicious evacuees, Torre is on standby at the entrance, so have him intervene. I’ll move to the hall.”

The evacuees filed into the manor with their minimal belongings. Every citizen who came here looked anxious.

I began encouraging each of them one by one while setting up the partitioning plants and fluffy mat plants that Lord Nazel had prepared. Maiza and the temporary cooks were busy preparing meals for the large crowd.

Being a servant at the Lord’s manor used to be an unpopular job, but its reputation has skyrocketed lately; many people applied for the positions, even if they were only temporary. There’s also the added benefit of spending the new moon in a safe place.

When the time came, we closed the manor gates, and everyone would spend the night here. It wouldn’t be long until nightfall, when the monsters become active.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight…”

Looking toward the fortress, I prayed once again for Lord Nazel’s safety.