Chapter 34
“On the way here, I was worried because the knights seemed so tense. But… Alberto, was it? He seems really kind and nice!”
Early evening.
During dinner, Eric had requested from Alberto a place suitable for training. Following the guidance of the Winterrose family steward, he arrived at a clearing a short distance from the wheat fields. Before warming up, he nodded at Lillian, who was happily humming to herself.
“He was kind. And it’s been a while since I had a proper meal.”
After traveling by carriage for the past few days without a proper meal, Eric had enjoyed the sumptuous feast laid before him. Watching Lillian chatter about each dish’s taste with delight, he quietly smiled.
<Alberto Winterrose>
Level: 4
Strength [8]
Agility [11]
Stamina [10]
Magic [6]
Trait: X
Alberto Winterrose.
He seemed a little younger than Eric remembered, given that this was in the past. Unlike Ophelia, who had been utterly pathetic in her stats, Alberto’s refined appearance and gentle expression were just as Eric remembered.
‘Still, he wasn’t usually that polite,’ Eric thought.
The difference this time seemed to be his attitude.
The Alberto Eric knew wasn’t unconditionally kind. Even as a merchant visiting the estate, he had openly shown disappointment at the early condition of the territory.
Even when Eric had encountered him in Allen’s body, who had already become the heir of the Duke’s family, Alberto had acted the same. How much worse would it be now, in the body of this incompetent brute?
Of course, even if Alberto tried to hide it, his occasional disapproving looks were unavoidable. But Eric was still surprised that he hadn’t outright ignored him.
‘Probably… it was because of the woman following him,’ Eric mused.
He recalled the woman standing quietly behind Alberto.
She had been a fortune-teller on the streets, hadn’t she? Her mysterious purple robe adorned with intricate symbols, and the fact that she kept her eyes covered throughout the meal—it all gave off a strong diviner’s vibe.
“Suspicious, isn’t it?”
As if reading Eric’s thoughts, Malefica, quietly observing him, spoke softly.
“…It would be a lie to say otherwise.”
Eric glanced at her with serious eyes and nodded.
As expected of someone with the <Paranoia> trait. Even the priest in front of him seemed to sense something from the fortune-teller.
“Suspicious? What do you mean? You mean the young lord? But he seemed really nice to me.”
“Lady Lillian, don’t meddle in their conversation. Focus on your training instead.”
“Huh? Why only me… Ah, fine! Just put down the wooden sword already! Sheesh…”
Lillian tilted her head in confusion at the suddenly tense atmosphere. Seeing this, Leona, who had been surveying the clearing, gave Eric a glance and then led Lillian away.
“There are nobles who employ fortune-tellers, but noticing how much attention was paid to her during the meal, it seemed more than a simple diviner. From the start, having such a figure accompany the heir of a count’s family during guest receptions was already unusual.”
Hearing this, Eric whispered in admiration. Even if he was paranoid, he had a reason for suspecting the fortune-teller.
If he were only suspicious for no reason, he wouldn’t have risen to Isabella’s favor in the Order.
“One thing is certain—she’s no ordinary fortune-teller.”
Later, Alberto would push Ophelia aside and become the head of the family. Yet, even after several visits from merchants to the estate, he never had a fortune-teller like her nearby.
‘Even during the chaos after the Count’s death, he trusted a subordinate enough to always keep her by his side—but once he became head, he discarded her? That’s impossible.’
Alberto, unlike Eric’s memories, was acting quite competently. And alongside him was a mysterious fortune-teller who never withheld advice. Coupled with the anomalies in Moonrise Forest, and the subsequent demotion of the Winterrose family from counts to viscounts…
Eric had no doubt this was not mere coincidence.
“So, what will you do now, young lord?”
Watching Eric deep in thought, Malefica asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
“Well…”
In truth, Eric had already decided from the beginning. The official reason was to investigate the anomalies in Moonrise Forest, but that was just a pretense. His true goal was to help Ophelia become the family head and accrue a debt of gratitude from the count’s family.
“I’m afraid we can’t simply do as the suspicious person wishes,” Eric said with a faint smile, looking at Malefica’s narrowing eyes.
Upon hearing this, the rigid corners of Malefica’s eyes softened.
“Move quickly! Don’t dawdle!”
“Is this all the arrows? I told you to bring plenty of supplies, as we don’t know how long this will take!”
Early morning.
The knights of the Winterrose family gathered in front of the estate. They checked the supplies and inspected their equipment before heading for Moonrise Forest.
“Lady, we’re ready.”
Seeing the prepared troops, Berle reported to Ophelia.
“The guests… aren’t coming out?”
“…Yes.”
Ophelia glanced at the disciplined soldiers, then looked back at the estate, biting her lip in disappointment.
She had guessed this ever since hearing about the dinner with Alberto, but seeing it in person still stung.
‘I should have treated them better.’
Still, she didn’t resent them. Compared to the past few days of overt hostility, it was natural her favor leaned toward Alberto, who had served her politely.
“Don’t worry. We can retrieve the Count’s belongings ourselves.”
“Exactly! No need for outsiders. Trust us!”
The knights tried to cheer her up, and she finally nodded, slightly uplifted.
“Lady… are we departing?”
“…Alberto.”
Just as they were about to leave for Moonrise Forest, Ophelia paused at a familiar voice.
“Finding your father’s belongings is important, but must you go yourself? The forest is dangerous. Sending only the knights would be safer.”
Alberto approached cautiously, speaking with concern.
“Thanks, but I’ll refuse. If we send only the knights, how can they trust and follow us in the future?”
Frowning, she turned away. Brazenly, he had tried to interfere with the guests she brought.
“Lady…”
Seeing her like that, Alberto bowed his head in despair.
“Try struggling all you want. It won’t change anything.”
“Y-you…”
He whispered quietly into her ear, then stifled a laugh where no one could see.
“Then… please be safe.”
“Huh? Oh, you’re already ready?”
Just as they were about to escort Ophelia and the knights, a sound from the estate made Alberto flinch.
“I came early to help, but someone overslept.”
“Y-young lord! Not overslept—he fainted! I mean… he wasn’t asleep, he just….”
Eric Ather and his subordinates.
“Anyway, let’s depart!”
As they naturally joined Ophelia, Alberto shouted in surprise.
“Wait! Hold on!”
“Ah! Lord Alberto!”
Seeing him wave desperately, Eric waved back with a smile.
“Eric, what is this? This isn’t what we agreed upon!”
“Agreed upon?”
“Yes! Yesterday, we decided this was our family’s matter, and the Duke’s family wouldn’t intervene.”
“Ah, right.”
Eric recalled his promise with Alberto the previous evening and laughed heartily.
“So?”
“…Yes?”
But only for a moment. Instantly serious, Eric said:
“You’re mistaken if you think I came here as Eric Ather. I’m not here to retrieve the Count’s belongings.”
Completely different from the promise the night before.
“Eh? Wh-what do you mean…”
Alberto blinked, dumbfounded.
“Priest.”
Eric smiled quietly, turning his gaze from Alberto to Malefica.
“Yes, Hero.”
Not “Lord,” but “Hero.” Satisfied with the change, he continued:
“You said there’s an anomaly in Moonrise Forest?”
“Yes. That’s what we’ve been informed.”
Their true mission was not to retrieve the Count’s belongings.
They were going to investigate the anomaly in Moonrise Forest—a serious phenomenon that could not be ignored by the Order. Even the Order’s hero, Eric, had to handle it.
“I see… as a hero of the Order, I can’t ignore this!”
Exaggerating his voice, Eric bristled with determination. Malefica smiled faintly, amused at Alberto’s flustered face.
“Of course. The Goddess would be very proud,” Eric added, noting the fortune-teller’s increasingly contorted expression from the day before.
