Chapter 45

But no better solution came to mind.

My head has been hurting from all the thinking I've been doing. This is probably the best I can do given the short notice, isn't it?

A mere maid can't just say, "Sure, okay." And it's a fact that the Weatherwuds are short on staff.

Well, I did my best. I've done all I can... I consoled myself today as well.

In the midst of the silence, Rua, the only one with a long, upward curl of a smile, gently stroked my chin and praised me.

"Oh, really? Well, as a knight, you must have good stamina, right? Ooh, you're so smart, Daisy."

Indeed, Rua is the only one on my side. Woohoo!

"The answer is clear. Given the current situation, where I can't immediately confront my husband, I will accept the Duke's request. However, depending on the circumstances, I may have to send her back immediately. I hope you understand."

Sword's expression was inscrutable as he looked at me. His eyes were those of a Sword Master who had been through war, skilled at hiding his true thoughts.

"Of course."

Could he have figured out that I'm the Baron Weatherwud?

Logically, the probability is very low.

They say a thief's heart beats faster. It perfectly describes my situation.

"Furthermore, regarding the conversation you had just now. All matters related to the Imperial Southern Army have long been entrusted to Duke Raphael by His Majesty the Emperor. As it involves state secrets, insubordination can result in a death sentence for violating the National Security Act and treason."

He pretended not to hear, but he was actually listening to everything.

After all, even four years ago, he was quite smooth when it came to matters unrelated to swords.

'Even so, treason... '

I risked my life to defeat the Great Mage Mephisto and his army, and now I'm facing treason.

While it's something I brought upon myself, I felt a bit disheartened.

Seeing my face, Rua shook his head and let out a laugh that bordered on mockery.

"The laws of the Pen Rota Empire are truly aggressive... Hmm. Well, fine. Duke Zenaile? I will accept the Duke's request. However, I have one condition. Instead of Daisy, let my husband handle the investigation."

What?

'Is that okay?'

As Raphael's eyes narrowed, Rua, uncharacteristically, added a long explanation.

"Don't misunderstand. I'm asking for my husband to act as Daisy's proxy. Daisy knows all the secrets of our family, and I'm afraid she might slip up. So, I'll have my husband investigate her first and then send her to the Duke. If you find that investigating my husband is insufficient, you can take Daisy then. Do you agree?"

It was a pretty good stalling tactic.

On the surface, Rua wasn't being insubordinate.

By offering to hand me over if needed, it was essentially just a delay, nothing more, nothing less.

The question was whether Raphael would accept the proposal.

"That's not a problem."

"At least we've found common ground, which is fortunate."

"I'm glad you see it that way. However."

Raphael, shifting his gaze to me, continued with a warning tone.

"I hope this common ground is maintained until the end."

Then he turned away without hesitation.

After receiving a brief report from the white-uniformed knights, Raphael disappeared to the back of the mansion.

'Hmm. I didn't expect him to accept so easily.'

He might have been showing favor to the Weatherwuds, who had attended the noble council for the first time in years.

'He's still as unaffectionate as ever.'

Sword, who had been silently observing, smiled gently at us.

"There shouldn't be any major issues, Mrs. Weatherwud. Duke Raphael isn't as difficult as he seems. The investigation will surely be over quickly. If you don't mind, I'll escort you, Mr. Jager, and Mr. Volkwin to the shelter."

Sword led the way, guiding Rua. From the conversation, it seemed they were discussing Gray's whereabouts and various details about him.

Soon, the nobles gathered in front of the villa began to move to the annex under the guidance of the attendants.

"Mrs. Weatherwud seems to care a lot for the young lady."

Jager, approaching me, whispered softly.

"I was surprised. I never thought she would so actively block Duke Zenaile."

Volkwin also smiled at me.

"Spouses are a pair, after all. I could feel the reason why Mrs. Weatherwud came all the way from her hometown to Pen Rota and chose Gray."

Their attitude remained gentlemanly even in front of me, a maid.

They didn't treat me rudely and showed a gentle demeanor, so I didn't feel the need to ignore them.

"It was luck."

"Haha, it wasn't luck. Since Weatherwud is a member of the noble council, it was a natural outcome."

Though brief, his words carried much meaning.

If Weatherwud wasn't a member of the noble council, we wouldn't have been able to get Raphael's approval to send a proxy.

"You might not know, but the reason so many people gather like this is to gain the privileges and connections of the noble council. The nobles of the council exchange various favors within the bounds of the imperial law. At least in public, that is."

That's why Rua's proposal was accepted.

We moved to the basement of the annex. There, a large iron door was open, waiting for us. It was a temporary shelter.

"It's bigger than I thought."

The shelter was a tightly sealed underground space with no sunlight.

However, it was well-decorated and bright and comfortable, more like a hall than a shelter.

"Please go inside and rest. There are plenty of chairs."

"Thank you. Daisy? Come here."

Is this what it feels like to be a lady's small dog?

I sat next to Rua, leaned my head on his shoulder, and closed my eyes.

It's over, and I just want to go home.

A short while later.

The iron door of the shelter closed with a loud noise.

Thanks to the lanterns powered by spirit stones, the interior was as bright as daytime.

Knights in black and white uniforms stood guard in front of the door, and Sword ascended to the highest platform in the shelter.

Sword's calm voice, though not particularly loud, resonated clearly in our ears.

"Esteemed guests. First, I apologize. Early this morning, twelve unidentified mages infiltrated the Irgel villa. They set up a large mental magic trap, causing chaos within the villa, and it is believed they prepared for at least a day in advance."

"Oh my. Who could it be...?"

Perhaps due to the underground setting, the murmurs of the crowd echoed throughout the room.

After letting the people talk for a while, Sword spoke again.

"I know you must be shocked, but please rest assured. We have successfully captured all the intruders. We are currently checking for additional traps within the villa and will escort you to your rooms shortly."

"Does that mean the rest of the schedule isn't canceled?"

"No, it is canceled. Support troops will arrive from Lagal within 7 hours, and we expect to leave Irgel around 8 PM. Treatment for the effects of the mental magic trap will be carried out in sequence. Any other questions?"

The room was silent.

No one in the underground shelter was causing a commotion or expressing dissatisfaction with Sword.

Instead, there was a sense of great relief that Sword was protecting them.

It was clear how much trust the imperial citizens had in him.

'When a Duke himself steps in to reassure people... it's hard not to believe him.'

After a while, the internal noise subsided.

People were exhausted.

They had been tormented by the mental magic trap all night, trembling with fear and anxiety. The peace that came after half a day made them gradually relax and start dozing off.

Boom.

That's when it happened.

The tightly closed iron door opened slightly. A man emerged and bowed to Sword.

"Sir. For a moment..."

What news could it be? I perked up my ears.

Others also looked curiously, stretching their necks to see what new information had arrived.

However, only I could hear the two men's whispers. Envious?

"A strange airship has requested to dock. We couldn't confirm the owner or any markings, so we refused the docking request."

"A strange airship? Is it not Duke Raphael's airship?"

"No, I asked, and he said he doesn't recognize it."

Just as Sword and the man were about to leave the shelter, Rua, standing up from his seat, led me out confidently.

A surprised man blocked our way.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Weatherwud. You cannot leave the shelter until safety is confirmed. If you need anything, please let us know..."

"I don't need anything."

Forgetting her role as the loving Morian, Rua, with a completely indifferent face, nodded towards the door.

"My airship seems to have arrived. I want to go home now. Do I need permission for that?"