“Hmm, everyone. Don’t forget that we’re on the same side.”
At that moment when they were facing off tensely with each other, the door of the golden carriage opened. A young attendant came out first in a rush and quickly supported someone. Glossy white fur shoes protruded pointedly. The feet were very small, but the calves visible above them were plump like sausages, and the abdomen wearing quilted clothes because of the cold was like a round belly. A man whose age couldn’t be gauged walked out of the carriage being supported by the attendant.
“This is quite an unfamiliar land.”
Despite Tildyen’s harsh wind, sweat beaded on the man’s smooth forehead. The attendant offered a handkerchief from the side. The man dabbed at his forehead and laughed ho ho. For a man, it was a very coquettish laugh.
“Sir Raniel. Order the knights to lower their spears.”
The sound of grinding teeth leaked from inside Raniel’s mouth. But he soon raised his hand and commanded.
“To your positions.”
The Golden Knights lowered their spears all at once and inserted them behind their backs.
“How about Tildyen’s black crows also sheath their swords?”
The man pointed at Sisou, Karen, and Lorea in turn with his plump fingers. He referred to the black cloaks they wore as black crows. When Sisou got angry and tried to rush at him, Evernight blocked him.
“Go inside.”
A good decision, Duke of the North. The man clapped his hands and waddled as he moved his steps. Each time he walked, a thick rose scent scattered in the air.
“Then shall we go see how our 12th Prince is managing the household? How about it?”
The young attendant clasped the man’s chubby hands and answered with downcast eyes.
“Yes, Master Mibar.”
“I’ll escort you inside.”
Raniel placed his hand on his left chest and walked matching the somewhat sluggish pace of Mibar’s steps.
“Lord of Tildyen. I hope you will provide a comfortable resting place for those who have rushed such a long way.”
Mibar faced Evernight and grinned. Gold teeth sparkled between his parted teeth. Evernight’s fine facial muscles showed no movement at all despite the thick perfume smell wafting over. He just sent a glance toward Gregos. Mibar let out a nasal snort as if the attitude of the Tildyen lord treating him like he didn’t exist was amusing, then soon moved his difficult steps to Tildyen Rock’s main hall.
“Who is that rude fatso?”
Karen, who rarely put harsh words in his mouth, whispered quietly to Evernight. The Golden Knights were still standing like statues behind them.
“The master of Tildyen is brazenly right here, yet he dares to enter first!”
Lorea, who valued etiquette and propriety more than anyone, shouted. They could feel the Golden Knights who were moving while being guided to the annex looking this way. Riario pressed his forehead and whispered quietly.
“Everyone lower your voices. Sir Mibar is Emperor Luksus’s eyes and ears. Even that Golden Crow commander who’s like a lion trembles before that master.”
In short, if they made an enemy of that person, they could be placed in the middle of a bloody political storm. Tildyen was still a duchy in name only with no real standing. Their military strength was endlessly meager, and compared to Runfield in the venerable South, Rivercastle in the East, and Forerium in the West, which were also duchies, there existed no resources worth boasting about.
“Your Grace. They say the banquet is all prepared.”
Gregos quietly approached and reported to Evernight.
“Call Anya.”
Yes, I understand. When Gregos quickly withdrew after receiving Evernight’s order, Evernight soon entered the main hall with Tildyen’s knights. Before they knew it, a black bird tapestry with two heads at the window was draped like a giant curtain, welcoming them.
* * *
Anya, who had been absorbed in reading in Sabelli’s dim underground research lab, lifted his gaze from the training manual at the sound of someone’s footsteps echoing on the stone stairs. He had a useless ability to easily detect sounds even when concentrating on something, because of habits ingrained during his days as a prince.
“Wh-who’s coming?”
There were hardly any who came here. The servants of Tildyen Rock didn’t particularly welcome coming to the underground research lab where creepy things were gathered. Sabelli’s two eyes, which had been closed while sitting in a rocking chair savoring tobacco puffs, snapped open.
“Master.”
The one who had come to the basement was Gregos. He didn’t bat an eyelash at the acrid smoke and waved his bony hand several times to disperse the smoke. Soon he discovered Anya sitting at the desk beyond the hazy view.
“…Master Mibar and Sir Raniel, the commander of the Maneregia Guard, have visited Tildyen.”
Then Anya’s face turned as white as a blank sheet of paper.
“Sir Evernight has commanded me to bring my lady.”
“Ah, yes… I, I was in the ba-basement so I didn’t hear any so-sound.”
Anya hurriedly stood up from his seat. He felt Gregos looking down at the title written on the old leather binding.
“Th-this… Si-Sir Evernight also per-permitted it.”
It wasn’t a lie. Anya had really gone to find Evernight yesterday evening. Even though it was late evening, the man seemed very busy, but he didn’t drive Anya away with harsh words like ‘get lost’ as before. But he was still cold and indifferent. Even though they had rolled around together for three days and nights in that lonely cave, there was still a huge wall with Evernight that couldn’t be approached.
He thought they’d become much closer, but was it all just his own delusion?
‘How long are you going to stand there like that?’
When he came to his senses, Evernight was looking at him with his chin propped up.
‘Ah… I’m, I’m sorry.’
‘Instead of that damn apology, just do well on your own.’
Anya opened his mouth hesitantly while looking at the thick jawline of the man drinking wine. Just moments ago when he moved his steps toward the study, a small hope had sprung up, but suddenly a sense of despair arose.
‘I… want to go on a short jo-journey to the fo-forest with Scholar Sa-Sabelli.’
Evernight set down the sturdy crystal glass on the desk with a sound.
‘Are you talking about the forest beyond the ice lake?’
‘Yes….’
Evernight knew that lake too. Then did he also know the identity of Dragcals? Anya’s magic had become a publicly known fact to everyone after the duel with Rips Mohan, but no one knew the fact that he could hear the voice of ancient spirits.
Did Master Sabelli perhaps give him a hint? Evernight seemed to be lost in thought. Anya swallowed dry saliva while watching his reaction.
‘Yeah, go ahead.’
He naturally thought he would refuse. Anya’s eyes, which had been drooping his eyebrows, opened wide in surprise. After returning to Tildyen, their relationship seemed to have returned to how it was before. No, it was much more awkward than before, and even though they stayed in the same main castle, there wasn’t even a chance encounter. It felt as if greeting the dawn together with him in that lonely cave had been some strange dream.
‘But don’t forget to get medicine from Riario.’
‘Yes. I’ll, I’ll do that.’
That much wasn’t difficult. Rather, Anya was deeply moved by Evernight. After coming to Tildyen, Riario prescribed medicine for Anya every night. After taking that medicine, his stomach hurt and he got thirsty even in the middle of the night, making his sleep restless, but he was rather happy that Evernight had given the order directly for his sake.
Yeah, awkward… that’s all just my delusion.
Evernight wasn’t someone whose emotions showed plainly on his face to begin with. More than anything, if it had been before, he would have mercilessly ordered him to just stay locked up in the castle, but seeing how he readily gave permission like this, perhaps their relationship had improved a little.
‘Th-thank you.’
Color immediately returned to Anya’s nearly dying face.
“Yes, my lady. You don’t need to explain to me.”
Anya’s reverie returned to the present at Gregos’s voice. Anya immediately put the training manual back on the shelf. He planned to rest while Riario prepared several days’ worth of medicine and put the training manual contents into his head. And if things went quickly, he planned to depart on a journey to the Nameless Forest with Sabelli within a few days…. More than anything, it was a journey that Evernight, who found him untrustworthy, had trusted and permitted.
“Black Shadow and Golden Crow. An interesting combination.”
Sabelli burst into hearty laughter and rolled up Anya’s drooping shoulders.
‘I’ll be able to meet Dragcals soon…. But Master Mibar….’
Anya clasped his hands anxiously. Mibar Veil. That man’s nickname was Black Shadow. He was one of several masters under Emperor Luksus, a shadow-like man who planted spies throughout the Western Continent and dug up all conspiracies and corruption from the shadows.
He adorned himself with a large, soft body and a sly manner of speech, but Anya knew he was a more tenacious and sharp person than anyone. How vicious and cruel Mibar Veil was in the imperial palace’s underground prison… Anya knew that when he dealt with people, he absolutely never put personal feelings in his hands. Because Anya had met him during his days as a prince.
The black bird on the giant banner hanging on the gray stone wall seemed to glare fiercely at Anya.
