Chapter 26

“I sincerely apologize for my repeated rudeness!”

After dinner at the margrave’s residence, Princess Kana had accepted an invitation from old Clarence to stroll through the garden when the white-cloaked magician appeared before her, accompanied by Henry.

“You are… the child from earlier.”

Her hood was now lowered behind her head, making her face clearly visible. She had silver hair, green eyes, and rather pretty features, with a scattering of freckles around her nose that stood out against her fair complexion.

(I thought her voice sounded somewhat high. So she was a girl.)

“My name is Eliana Rathbone. I deeply regret how thoughtless and disrespectful my behavior was, and I have come to apologize!”

The girl who introduced herself as Eliana bowed her head again. Her remarks had certainly been unpleasant, but the princess saw little point in remaining angry with someone who had come to apologize.

“Enough. However, I do not like having the same offense repeated. Henry, see that you supervise her properly.”

“As you command.”

With that, Princess Kana placed her hand atop the one the old man offered her and allowed him to escort her toward the garden.

“Did Eliana do something?”

Although what had happened shortly before their arrival should already have been reported, the old man deliberately asked anyway. Trying to discern his true intent, the princess answered cautiously but frankly.

“It was nothing serious. I merely admonished her somewhat for her conduct. And I have accepted her apology, so the matter is already settled.”

Princess Kana could not tell what Clarence made of her answer, but the old man smiled faintly.

“There is a rare flower that blooms only on moonlit nights. I would very much like Saintess-sama to see it.”

As he spoke, he guided the princess toward one corner of the garden.

Watching the Saintess depart for the garden on Clarence’s arm, Henry addressed his beloved apprentice.

“Eliana. Once matters here have settled down, return to the royal capital at once. It seems you still have a great deal left to learn.”

“Yes…”

He lightly patted the back of his apprentice as she repeatedly nodded with her head lowered. Earlier, Eliana had come to his room saying that she intended to apologize alone, but Henry had insisted on accompanying her because, as her master, he bore responsibility for his apprentice’s misconduct as well. Now, however, he realized his concern had been unnecessary.

(I truly am far too overprotective…)

Even so, Henry never wanted to see Eliana hurt the way she had been two years earlier again.

(I should have trusted Saintess-sama a little more myself.)

Although he had not known her for very long, he had already seen enough to understand that the Saintess had never behaved unreasonably. Yet he had still braced himself for the possibility that she might once again speak harshly to Eliana, and he smiled ruefully at himself for it.

(There are some differences in how she thinks because she was born and raised in another world, but she has always acted according to what she believes is right. And yet, when it comes to this apprentice, my judgment seems to deteriorate… Lamia will probably scold me again.)

To Henry and his wife Lamia, who had no children of their own, Eliana—who had become Henry’s apprentice at the age of ten—was like a daughter. The couple had actually been discussing adopting her when the magical beast crisis erupted, and the matter had remained stalled ever since.

However, considering her future, they had concluded that becoming the adopted daughter of a count’s family—even one without a territory—would likely be more advantageous than remaining merely the third child of a viscount’s family. Henry was therefore considering reopening the discussion.

(Eventually, high society will resume its gatherings. She may even have to face that idiot again. In that case, perhaps we should hurry…)

Completely unaware that her normally gentle master was contemplating such things with a slightly wicked expression, Eliana firmly resolved never to make the same mistake again.

The next morning, Princess Kana and the others purified one mana pool near the border at the margrave’s request before preparing to depart. At Clarence’s own earnest insistence, however, the old man ended up accompanying them all the way to the royal capital.

““Father, that’s unfair…””

The margrave and the commander of the border forces spoke at exactly the same time, but old Clarence ignored them and continued with his explanation.

“At my age, traveling for long hours by carriage is difficult. When I consulted Captain Burley, he asked whether I would like to accompany them.”

They explained that they had promised to perform purification in House Owsley’s territory along the way, but Clarence said that he and the count were old acquaintances and that getting the chance to see him again after so long was perfect. Thus, it was decided there would be no problem.

Even so, they departed amid muttered complaints such as, “We want to go too,” and, “Why does only Father get to?”

“Suō-dono, I place myself in your care.”

“Certainly!”

Apparently pleased by the old man’s courteous manner, Suō was in especially high spirits and bounded lightly into the sky. Sitting on his back, Clarence murmured with tremendous satisfaction.

“Ahh, at last the dream I have had since childhood has come true.”

“A dream?”

Burley, seated beside him, asked.

“Indeed. When I was young, I dreamed of mastering a Pegasus and becoming a knight who rode across the heavens.”

“What is this ‘Pegasus’?”

“It is a horse with wings, Saintess-sama.”

Clarence answered the princess, who had been listening nearby.

“Oh! You mean a heavenly horse! There are heavenly horses in this world? Then I should very much like to see one myself.”

“They are said to be the favored steeds of the goddess Drāra and rarely appear where humans can see them. I myself saw one only once, when I was eight years old. How desperately I wished and dreamed that one day I might ride upon its back through the heavens…”

The old man smiled nostalgically.

“Suō is a fox, though. Does that still count?”

“More than enough! This old body is overflowing with the joy of a child! What an exhilarating feeling, racing through the open sky!”

With both arms spread wide to catch the wind, the old man’s face truly did bear the smile of a young child.

“Princess…”

Suō looked toward Princess Kana as if he wanted to ask something.

“Do as you please.”

“My thanks!”

After completing the requested purification, the princess and the others turned toward Owsley territory. However, they decided not to push themselves too hard and to make camp early, since Clarence might be tired from traveling in such an unfamiliar way.

They descended beside a river running along the highway. Since their group was small and they needed only a few tents, preparations were completed quickly. The weather was pleasant, so they decided to eat dinner outside.

As they watched the sunset, the table was laid with wheat buns, a hearty soup packed with ingredients, and fruit. Everyone listened as the old man, loosened up by some alcohol, regaled them with tales of his exploits. The atmosphere was strangely nostalgic.

Since they would be traveling again early the next morning, the gathering eventually broke up at a reasonable hour. But perhaps the old man still had more he wished to say, because he brought a stool over beside the princess and sat down. After waiting until no one else remained nearby, he slowly began to speak.

“In the letter from my daughter Shaila, she told me not to question you about anything that happened in the royal capital. Well, I had no intention of asking regardless. But I do want you to understand that we feel a debt to you that we could never possibly repay. Truly…”

The old man paused, closed his eyes for a time, and then began again.

“So if a life as insignificant as this old man’s would ever be of use, you may have it freely. Please ask anything of me.”

He laughed heartily as he said it. Princess Kana already understood that despite all the reasons Clarence had given for accompanying them, his true purpose was to make it known that House Caradine stood behind the Saintess. She therefore chose to accept his words sincerely.

“That is a welcome offer. Then I shall take you up on it immediately. Suō appears to wish to take you for an evening stroll. Would you accompany him?”

“Why, of course. Suō-dono, if an old man like me will suffice, I shall accompany you for as long as you wish.”

Watching the two figures walk away together, Princess Kana gazed with Kaō at the moon, which was larger and slightly more distorted than the one in her homeland.

“Kaō, I still think the moon looks better when it is round.”

“Indeed.”

The shape of the moon was different, and none of the stars were familiar, making even the season difficult to judge in this world. Yet just as she thought that the stillness of the night remained unchanged, laughter rang out and a winged horse crossed in front of the moon. The old man riding upon its back was presumably the source.

“Oh? So he can transform into a horse as well.”

She murmured and smiled softly.

“But Princess, that heavenly horse’s wings are not moving at all.”

“Hehe. That too has its charm.”

(More importantly, the old man looks delighted, so there is no harm in it.)

“Now then, let those night owls amuse themselves. We shall retire.”

The winged horse, whose wings remained perfectly still as it raced through the air more like a dog than a horse, did not seem likely to descend anytime soon. Princess Kana therefore entered her tent with Kaō. As she settled into bed, she watched Kaō take advantage of Suō’s absence by lying atop a stack of several cushions, and sleep soon claimed her.

The next morning, Burley brewed strong tea for Clarence, who looked somewhat sleepy after apparently becoming too excited the night before. Princess Kana, however, thought the usual tea tasted better.

“It has been a long time, Callahan!”

Clarence’s cheerful voice rang out. Princess Kana and the others had reached House Owsley’s estate after roughly one ittoki, and were being welcomed in a room overlooking the garden by Callahan, the head of the family, along with the siblings Ashton and Audra.

The Countess, apparently feeling unwell, had remained in her room.

“Ah, Clarence-dono. It has indeed been a long time. You look enviably healthy.”

“What is this? Are you still unwell?”

“It varies from day to day. Lately, I have repeatedly found myself bedridden, then well enough to rise again. Fortunately, I have felt well since this morning, so there is no need to worry.”

He smiled as he said it, but his complexion did not look particularly good. Just as Princess Kana was thinking that, Suō tugged at her sleeve.

“Princess. That man has a faint smell like arsenic ore about him. And so do those two.”

Suō added that they had not carried such a scent the previous time. Princess Kana frowned and immediately questioned Ashton.

“Let me ask you something. Are there any silver or copper mines nearby?”

“No. There is nothing of that sort in our territory…”

At his answer, the furrow between the princess’s brows deepened. She had heard that near silver and copper mines, components from arsenic-bearing ore could sometimes seep into well water. But if there were no such mines, then someone was deliberately making them ingest it.

She let out a sigh.

“May I?”

With that, she placed her hand against the head of House Owsley’s body and chanted the mantra of Bhaiṣajyaguru.

“On korokoro sendarimatōgi sowaka, on korokoro sendarimatōgi sowaka, on korokoro sendarimatōgi sowaka.”

A soft light gently enveloped Callahan’s body as his eyes widened in surprise. At once, he could feel the weariness that had constantly clung to him for nearly two years vanish completely.

“This is…”

After confirming that the lord’s condition had improved, the princess spoke again.

“Here. You two as well, while I am at it.”

As she said that, she placed her hands on Ashton and Audra as well and repeated the mantra. Their bodies were similarly wrapped in light.

“There. That should take care of it.”

Beside her, as she spoke with a hint of annoyance, old Clarence wore a grave expression.

“Saintess-sama. Would you please explain what this means?”

“There is little to explain. All I know is that these people had been ingesting something similar to what my world calls ‘silver poison.’ Beyond that, I know nothing. However, the son and daughter appear to have been exposed only recently.”

Everyone present was stunned speechless.

“Saintess-sama and her party have arrived. Until they leave, meals will be brought to your room, so under no circumstances are you to come out!”

Bryne reluctantly nodded when his elder brother Ashton gave him the order, but inside, his anger toward the Saintess was so intense that he felt ready to scream.

(It is all because of that woman…!!)

Even so, the Saintess’s foxes were so appealing that he still desperately wanted to obtain one. Yet he had naturally been unable to come up with any particularly clever plan in only three days. In the end, Bryne had simply bribed a gardener into setting several fox traps in a corner of the garden.

He believed a greedy beast would quickly fall into one.

Sneaking out of his room, Bryne headed into the garden and hid somewhere from which he could observe the drawing room. However, the foxes showed no sign whatsoever of coming outside. On the contrary, they remained indoors, wandering around the Saintess and showing no inclination to leave her side.

(Tch.)

Bryne clicked his tongue and was about to return to his room when at last he saw one of the two foxes heading toward the garden. Thinking, Perfect, he followed after it. Only one person accompanied the fox. And moreover—

(An old man? Maybe he’s the fox’s caretaker? Hah, perfect. An old geezer like that will be easy enough to intimidate. Hmph. Saves me the trouble of taking it from that woman myself.)

With that thought, Bryne quietly followed them, waiting for the right moment to step out in front of the man and the fox…

Bernetta had learned that Bryne had bribed the gardener to set traps for the foxes, and decided to take advantage of her twin brother’s scheme to place the Saintess in her debt.

When she consulted her nursemaid, the woman said she had just the thing and handed her a small bottle. Its contents, she explained, were a powerful sleeping drug.

(Once Bryne gets the fox, I can use this to put both of them to sleep. Of course, I won’t just hand it back to that woman. First I’ll make her apologize for humiliating me and acting so high and mighty. Then… yes, I’ll make her sign a Magical Oath Document so she can never defy me again! After that, I’ll have an audience with His Majesty as the brave, kindhearted young lady who rescued the Saintess’s fox from her brother when he tried to steal it!)

Imagining herself in that role made her smirk. She felt slightly guilty about casting her brother as the villain, but since he really was trying to steal the fox, he could hardly complain. Besides, she decided that once she became close to His Majesty, she would be able to intercede for Bryne as much as she liked. With that conviction, she followed after her twin.