NOVEL NEXT Chapter 163
163. We Need To Acknowledge Acts of God, Isn’t It?
I connect the magical communication tool to Persia again to have her bring clothes for Myrna.
“Persia, sorry to bother you so often…”
[What’s wrong!? Did something happen to Myrna-sama!?]
Before I even finish, the mental link establishes instantly, sharing both sight and sound. As expected of the top guard for Kyle and Myrna. No hesitation. Persia’s vision vaguely fills my mind, but huh. It’s oddly misty?
“Well, if you ask if something happened, something did.”
Myrna, being a novice runaway, made the typical mistake of only bringing nightwear as a change of clothes.
[What did you say!?]
Huh? Is the shared vision not working well? The view is strangely white. Or rather… is this steam? Though Persia’s voice drowned it out, I hear soft splashes of water. Occasionally, her arm comes into view, but she’s not in her usual uniform. In fact, she doesn’t seem to be wearing anything, and her wet, pale skin is exposed.
(This… might be bad)
I finally understand what Persia was doing. There’s no doubt. She’s in the bath!
[Hey! Craft! What happened to Myrna-sama!?]
The sound of water splashing loudly fills my ears, and in my vision, a seductive bare leg rises out of the bath!
“Emergency!”
[What!? Should I head over right now!? Clarify! Craft!]
No! The emergency is you! Calm down! No, I need to calm down!
Eva notices my panicked state and approaches me.
“Is something wrong?”
Seeing her face, inspiration strikes. I’ll let Eva handle this!
“A goddess appears!”
“What!?”
For some reason, Eva flusters. No, calm down, you!
“I need your help!”
“What!? With what!?”
Crap! I might see something I shouldn’t! In a hurry, I pull off the communication ring. Just in time, the mental link cuts, and Persia’s sight and hearing vanish.
“Put this on your finger!”
“Eh… What!?”
Persia must be panicking now that the communication has suddenly cut off. I have to contact her again fast, or who knows what she’ll do!
“Just hurry!”
Ignoring protests, I take Eva’s left hand, but being a mage, she wears various magical rings. Ugh! Not now! I slide the tool onto her free ring finger.
“Ah!? Wh-What!? I’ve told you countless times about Raidoc-sama!”
What is she saying? Suddenly, she flushes red and becomes enraged. Everyone knows she’s into Raidoc!
“Remove the other rings! It won’t work with both on!”
“…What?”
Eva stops moving.
“Channel mana into the tool, then picture Persia clearly. Use your magic visualization technique as precisely as you can!”
“……”
Eva’s expression grows cold. At least she’s calm!
“Once she permits it, the senses link. After that, it works like the other ring. Hurry!”
“……”
Eva stares at me, silently. Why does her look feel less calm and more… unforgiving?
“…… So, it’s a tool that can transmit, not just receive…?”
“Exactly! You’re a Wiseman Emblem holder for a reason!”
“……”
A third silent glare. Huh? What’s wrong?
Something feels off, but if I don’t hurry, Persia might storm out and hijack a steamship.
“Uh, Eva? I really need you to hurry…”
Under the mysterious pressure, I find myself using formal speech.
“…Understood.”
With a heavy sigh of exasperation, Eva activates the tool. Phew. Crisis averted. I move away to quench my thirst, and Ryuko offers me water.
“Thanks.”
“Would you like me to prepare tea?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Such a thoughtful maid. I sigh in relief and sit down. For some reason, I feel drained. Soon, Eva returns, but her eyes are cold, sharp enough to kill with a glance.
“Myrna-sama’s change of clothes and supplies are ready for transport.”
“I… I see. That’s good.”
Why is she looking at me like I’m trash?
“Persia left a message for you.”
“For me?”
“Craft, she said: ‘I will definitely kill you, so prepare yourself.'”
“W-What!?”
“Peeking is the lowest act for a man.”
Finally, I understand Eva’s glare.
“No, it’s not what you think! I didn’t see anything! I took off the ring just in time—”
“I’ve delivered your message.”
Eva interrupts, turning her back and walking off to join the women’s cart. Oh no! This is a huge misunderstanding! I collapse to my knees in despair.
It was just bad timing, right!?
◆
Two nights later, Persia rejoined us.
“Myrna-sama!”
Persia arrived at the campsite, jumped off her two-legged bird Tebasaki-go, and quickly strode over to Myrna. Myrna averted her gaze slightly, perhaps feeling a bit guilty. Maybe she expected to be scolded. However, Persia embraced Myrna tightly.
“I’m so relieved you are safe. I was worried.”
“Uh…”
“When things are tough, it’s natural to want to run away. But please… trust me and let me stay by your side.”
“Persia… I’m sorry…”
Myrna hugged Persia back. Their embrace was not that of a mistress and her guard, but more like sisters. I hear Persia has been guarding Kyle and Myrna since their recovery in the countryside, and it was a heartwarming sight.
“It’s fine. As long as you’re safe.”
“Mm.”
Myrna responded shyly, and Persia smiled at her.
“I brought the clothes and brush you asked for, as well as your assignments from the academy.”
“…Huh?”
Persia was all smiles, but Myrna looked up at her, stunned.
“The Kyle Academy is a duty for all vassals. Even for relatives of the lord, there is no exemption for skipping.”
“Uh… Huh?”
Persia smiled even more sweetly.
“I heard from Eva. If you fall behind on your studies, you’ll be sent back immediately.”
With that, she began stacking up piles of assignments in front of Myrna.
“If you can’t complete your daily tasks, I’ll personally escort you back to Golden Dawn.”
Myrna finally understood and wore an expression of utter despair. She stood frozen as Persia rose gracefully.
“Now then…”
She turned her gaze toward me, who had been observing from a distance. Her eyes were those of a predator.
“I have… quite a few things I wish to discuss with you.”
Um, why is she approaching with a hand on her sword? I instinctively stepped back but didn’t dare run. The moment I turned my back, I feared being sliced clean in half.
“About that, the other day… it was a misunderstanding, or rather, just bad timing…”
“So those are your final words?”
“No, they’re not!”
“Don’t worry; I’ll have them engraved word-for-word on your gravestone!”
“Aaaaagh! Nooo!”
What happened afterward, I’d rather not detail. I’ll just note that the stock of healing potions took a hit.
I can’t accept thissssss!