CH 66.2

“More than that, thanks to you, I couldn’t even eat breakfast properly. Now please, I wish to get some rest. May I ask for Your Grace’s understanding?”

In other words, Zen was saying that their business here was over, so he’s kicking Theodore out. Theodore, who had done something wrong, couldn’t even point out Zen’s sharp, improper tone, so he just nodded in silence.

So the situation was settled.

Even though it wasn’t completely over, and Theodore’s suspicions on Zen weren’t all gone.

* * *

“As expected.”

Zen said after slightly pulling back the curtains of the carriage and peeking outside. Borrowing the power of Ventus, which increases the speed of horses and wagons, they arrived at the Hermann Canal faster than expected, but the party ran into another crisis.

Theodore and his knights were now conducting inspections on people boarding the ships.

“I hate to say this, but Duke Valentino is very tenacious. It’s terrifying.”

Zen seemed to have developed a bit of a Theodore-phobia after Theodore caused such mayhem. Strangely, I sympathized and nodded my head quietly. I was also afraid of Theodore, so it was a bit of sympathy for someone who felt the same. Of course, the reason I was afraid of him was different from Zen’s.

A few hours ago. When Zen had picked up me and Charlotte as we were hiding in the basement, he literally looked like he was dying.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him for suffering because of Theodore that much. However, the story Zen told me was beyond my imagination.

‘Theodore… attacked you? To the extent that he used his elemental power?’

…I couldn’t believe it. The Theodore Valentino I knew was a man who strictly valued principles. He wasn’t crazy enough to recklessly wield his elemental spirit to attack someone. Maybe against a villain like Lennon Chester, but…

‘I never dreamed that Duke Valentino would go that far. I was surprised too. But it’s okay! I persuaded him well and sent him back!’

…I had a rough idea of what Zen might have said to persuade Theodore. If I were Zen, I would have used the same method. The most precious thing to Theodore was his family and domain.

…And I put a dent on that precious family’s honor. It seemed that Theodore was determined to never forgive me. I don’t think he’d be angry enough to attack Zen with his elemental… I didn’t even think of it.

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‘Anyway, now we have to prepare for departure! I will help you on your way to the Hermann Canal. With the power of my elemental, Ventus, I can increase the speed of the carriage and horse. Hmm, maybe it’s the same logic as when a sailing ship meets a fair wind…? Anyway, you two, take this first.’

What Zen gave to me and Charlotte was an unexpectedly new transformation magic tool. However, the downside was that it was disposable. Once it’s used, it would last only about a week. It had quite a long duration compared to most, but compared to the magic tools Owen gave me, it couldn’t measure up. Owen had given me a very valuable magic tool.

Owen handed it over to me as if it was no big deal… Did he really think I’d do a good job as a spy, or…

I don’t know if he was expecting interesting things to happen because of that magic tool. Now that I think about it, perhaps he might.

‘…You lent us a carriage, and even magic tools like this… Besides, thank you so much for helping me with your own elemental power, Young Duke Delacroix.’

‘Oh no! It’s all because I want to help! Rather… I think it’s a great honor to be able to help you, Lily…’

It bothered me that Charlotte kept glaring at Zen as he spoke while blushing, but in any case, our preparations had proceeded.

First of all, Charlotte and I transformed into Zen’s maids. The two maids we transformed into were working at the mountain cabin, so it was easy to grasp their detailed characteristics.

After completing all the preparations, my group and I departed from the cabin and moved smoothly to the Hermann Canal without any incidents.

However, a problem arose when we arrived at the time when we had to board the ship.

‘It wouldn’t be caught if it was a normal inspection, but…’

I thought about it, then looked back at Zen and asked probingly.

“Young Duke, is the magic tool that you gave Charlotte and me the kind that is easily caught by magic detectors?”