Chapter 13

I'm a bit busy and updating irregularly. (I'll try to update daily)

"Sorry, I didn't expect to get lost here..."

While sitting with everyone for dinner, Mordred bowed his head and said this. Not only as a school doctor but also as a researcher, he had chased a stray dog that seemed to be affected by the 'Hindrance' and ended up getting lost, only to be caught by Oscar's knights.

(Come to think of it, Mr. Mordred was supposed to have an extreme sense of direction... )

Cecilia, hiding her face behind a fan, let her thoughts drift to her past life, not touching her food. According to the setting, he could not walk without a guide anywhere outside the school grounds and the places he usually visited. It was actually his poor sense of direction that led to his meeting with Lean. Before entering the school, while shopping, Lean found a man looking flustered in the middle of the street. Upon asking, she learned that he was having trouble finding the store he wanted to go to. Out of kindness, Lean guided him to his destination and, on the way back, they had a sort of date as a thank you. They met again at the school, and despite their positions as teacher and student, they gradually deepened their feelings for each other.

(Though, I only know up to a certain point. If I had known about the third candidate for the goddess, I would have prioritized her over anyone else...)

Cecilia let out a small sigh. It was too late to regret now, on a life scale.

While she was sighing, Mordred was passionately talking about the 'Hindrance.' Those who didn't know he was a researcher were listening carefully.

"The 'Hindrance' is still full of unknowns. Where it comes from, what its purpose is, whether it's a living thing, or a curse. Even I, who have been researching it, saw the 'Hindrance' for the first time in the auditorium. That's why I wanted to investigate its ecology..."

"But even so, it's dangerous to chase it alone," Jade said, frowning. That's true. Mordred's Noble Phantasm isn't particularly good for fighting. While his healing power can weaken the 'Hindrance,' it's not enough to deal with a pack of affected stray dogs.

"What happened to the stray dog?"

"Unfortunately, I lost it."

"In other words, it could still be lurking around here, right?"

Gilbert lowered his tone. He seemed to be signaling something to a servant, probably to increase the security. Mordred looked apologetic.

"I'm really sorry. As a teacher, I'm causing you, my students, a lot of trouble. I'll leave tomorrow morning..."

"What will you do then?"

Huey asked, not showing much interest but apparently concerned about Mordred.

"I plan to search the area for a few days. I really want to find the den of that stray dog."

"The den?"

"Yes. During the field trip, we fought a pack of stray dogs affected by the 'Hindrance,' right?"

Mordred was referring to the event where Jade was supposed to get injured.

"When I saw the stray dogs acting in a pack, I thought maybe the 'Hindrance' is contagious. Or perhaps those affected by the 'Hindrance' can communicate with each other. Otherwise, it's hard to imagine them attacking all at once. At least, when humans are affected by the 'Hindrance,' they can't communicate with normal humans. If we find the den, we can get closer to answering these questions!"

"So, you want to confirm whether they act in a pack or alone?"

Lean's words made Mordred nod deeply.

"Yes, that's right. I would like to ask the Lord of the Sylphie family for permission to investigate this area..."

"Will you search alone? Where will you stay?"

Oscar looked skeptical.

"I have camping experience."

"Even so, isn't that a bit too dangerous?"

Dante also chimed in after Oscar.

"I'll be fine. If necessary, I can use my Noble Phantasm to weaken the 'Hindrance' and escape."

"Can I go with you? You seem to have a poor sense of direction. At the very least, I can prevent you from getting lost. Besides, if the stray dogs come in a pack, I can use my Noble Phantasm to hide us!"

Jade raised his hand, looking eager. Mordred shook his head.

"That would be too much trouble, so I'll decline."

"But..."

(Well, there's no helping it...)

Cecilia sighed deeply and looked at Mordred.

"Mr. Mordred, if it's not too much trouble, would you consider using this mansion as a base?"

"..."

"If you can go deep into the forest, I can lend you some of our soldiers. With your power to weaken the 'Hindrance,' our soldiers should be able to handle it."

In that case, the stray dogs would likely be killed, but it couldn't be helped. Life was more important.

"That would be a wonderful offer..."

Mordred seemed confused by the unexpected suggestion.

Cecilia smiled even more.

"Research on the 'Hindrance' is necessary for the country. It could benefit the nation. If that's the case, please let our Sylphie family assist you."

"Thank you..."

Mordred bowed deeply.

Indeed, in such situations, it's smoother to mention the family name. In other words, 'Let our family be involved in your research' and 'When the research is successful, include our family's name.' For Cecilia, it didn't matter whether she mentioned the family name or not, but clearly stating the benefit to her side would prevent the other party from having unnecessary doubts.

"Is it okay?"

Gilbert asked in a whisper. Cecilia responded in a whisper only he could hear.

"Can I just leave someone in trouble?"

"You, the good person."

"It's fine! At this point, whether one more or two more people join doesn't make much difference!"

Cecilia raised her fan even higher to hide her face.

"Besides, if I think of it as gathering information on the third candidate for the goddess, it won't be a burden!"

"Well, if you're okay with it, I'm fine with it too."

In the end, he shrugged and let her do as she pleased. That was her beloved stepbrother, Gilbert.

Oscar watched the secret exchange between Gilbert and Cecilia with a suspicious eye.