Chapter 36
“It exploded?”
“Yes. The man I was chasing didn’t leave behind even a single strand of hair—he was completely vaporized.”
“My goodness… No, more importantly—are you all right?”
“That was nothing.”
When they met again in the main building, Count Gavin turned pale at Ailesia’s story. Lady Herman, who had been listening beside them, gasped and grabbed Ailesia’s arm, anxiously checking her from head to toe.
“T-Teacher! Are you hurt anywhere? Are you really all right?”
It seemed she had worried them quite a bit. Ailesia deliberately rolled up her sleeve to show her bare arm and replied casually.
“Look. I’m totally fine.”
“Thank heavens… whew.”
She had already been uneasy after hearing a tremendous noise from beyond the garden. Lady Herman let out a deep sigh of relief.
“What about the knights’ order?”
“We caught him. After hearing your words, I had other knights secretly keep an eye on the suspects.”
“What’s his name? I need to report it to Thermion.”
“Noid Warren. He’s been in the order a little over two years.”
“That short? You could call him a rookie, then.”
“If you include his probation period, it’s closer to five years.”
Judging by tenure alone, it was hard to infer a connection between Noid and the assassins. They needed more solid information.
“Do you know anything about his background? Like where he’s from?”
“Sir Dayfold probably remembers most of it. His Grace the Grand Duke as well.”
“They memorize all that? There must be dozens of knights.”
“Sir Dayfold just has an exceptional memory. As for His Grace—he found checking documents tedious, so he memorized everything instead.”
…What kind of logic is that? Improving work efficiency in the strangest way imaginable.
Seeing Ailesia’s baffled expression, Count Gavin could only laugh awkwardly.
“Then I’ll just ask directly. No need to bother with paperwork.”
“As you wish. Are you leaving right away?”
“Yes. I might stop by with Thermion briefly in the morning. Before that, may I take a quick look at the underground prison?”
“I don’t mind, but it’s not exactly a pleasant sight.”
“That’s fine. It’ll make things easier.”
Count Gavin personally guided Ailesia to the prison. After surveying the rooms and corridors where Noid and the assassin were being held, she turned to Lady Herman, who was waiting outside.
“I’ll be off now, Head Maid. I didn’t mess up the rooms too badly this time.”
“Please don’t worry about that—just travel safely.”
“You must be tired, so please get some rest. Chairman, you worked hard too!”
With that, Ailesia spun her staff once and waved. Wrapped in golden light, she vanished in an instant.
“Hah… I still can’t believe it, even after seeing it.”
“I know. The first time, I doubted my own eyes.”
“By the way, where is the young lady? I heard she didn’t return to the estate tonight.”
“Who knows? According to the teacher, she’s staying in the safest place in the world.”
Lady Herman only offered a faint smile at Count Gavin’s puzzled look.
* * *
Late at night, when Ailesia returned to the Chernil Forest, the familiar sight made her smile unconsciously.
Polaris was sprawled out in the middle of the yard, sleeping soundly with limbs stretched wide. Whitey and Blanky were curled up in their usual spots by the front door and windows.
“Oh? You two were awake?”
“Kihihihi…”
“Kiiing.”
Shaila sat behind the house with her ears perked up, while Yormu peeked out from the lakeside, both greeting her with gentle smiles.
Seeing her friends guarding Eleonora like an iron fortress, Ailesia chuckled softly. She lay down quietly on the bed—and before she knew how much time had passed…
“Teacher!”
“Mm…?”
Did I only just fall asleep? Is it already morning?
Using the clear, bright voice at her ear as an alarm, Ailesia groggily opened her eyes.
“Teacher’s awake!”
“My baby, you got up early.”
“Yes!”
It must have only been around seven, but Eleonora didn’t look sleepy at all. Her eyes sparkled as she rested her chin on Ailesia’s chest and stared up at her.
“Did you have fun seeing your friends again?”
“So much! Polly put me on the roof so I could look at the stars!”
“What? I told him that was dangerous—honestly, that bear.”
Putting on a stern expression, Ailesia scolded her, but Eleonora just tilted her head and beamed.
“Since Ellie begged him, can you let it slide just this once? Please?”
She really knows how to make that face at the right moment. She knows me too well.
Letting out a small laugh, Ailesia sat up.
After being spoiled with that adorable act, it was time to get moving again.
“You already changed your clothes?”
“Ellie can do it all by herself!”
“Good girl, my baby.”
“Hehehe.”
As a reward, Ailesia kissed her cheek with a loud smack and hurried to get ready.
They planned to take a gate later in the morning, so there was some leeway—but there was still plenty to do. She had to tell Thermion about last night, and she needed to secretly visit the capital estate as well.
“Whitey, Blanky—rest comfortably until lunchtime. And Polaris, you!”
“Gwoong?”
“I’ll leave plenty of meat, so stop stealing the others’ food! You’ve got your own share—why do you always do that?”
“Gwoooong.”
Honestly, is that really something a bear should say? That stealing tastes better? Where did you even learn that?
…Though, he’s not wrong.
There’s a reason people say someone else’s rice cake always looks bigger. Still, maybe spare a thought for the wolf couple who always get robbed.
After piling up a mountain of meat taken from subspace, Ailesia picked Eleonora up with one arm and grasped her staff.
“Close your eyes for a moment.”
“Yes.”
Flash!
When the light faded, the two of them were back in the inn room they’d stayed in the previous night. At first glance it looked fine—but the pillows on the bed were a mess.
So someone came here too.
Faint bloodstains lingered on the walls and floor. Just as expected, it had been a decoy operation.
“Teacher, where’s Uncle?”
“He should be in the next room?”
The room across the hall belonged to Kubera, and the room to the right was Thermion’s. Ailesia let out a small flow of mana to check for presence.
“Looks like Uncle’s awake. Should Ellie knock?”
“Yes!”
With an enthusiastic reply, Eleonora immediately yanked the door open. Seeing that, Ailesia let out a dry laugh.
“Sweetie, you’re supposed to knock.”
“Uncle!”
“Ellie? You’re already here?”
Eleonora ran straight to Thermion and hugged his leg. As he greeted his niece, he noticed Ailesia standing in the hallway and shouted in shock.
“W-Wait!”
“Oh my…”
Covering her mouth with her hand, Ailesia narrowed her eyes.
He must have been changing clothes. Thermion froze with his shirt only half on.
Eye candy? No—this is paradise.
What was she supposed to do with that breathtaking silhouette lit by the morning sun through the window? He looked like a living statue.
“Wow! Uncle, your muscles are super huge! They look like they’ll burst!”
“You little—!”
* * *
By the time they came down to the dining room, Thermion’s ears were still bright red.
He would’ve liked to keep looking, but after that commotion, there was no helping it—he had to wait outside like a proper adult.
“…Are you having fun?”
“Isn’t Uncle having fun?”
“Haa…”
Cradled in Thermion’s arms, Eleonora poked at his upper body here and there with her finger.
That physique must have been forged through grueling training—yet watching it be treated like a toy made him laugh helplessly.
“Sweetie, that’s enough. Come over to Teacher.”
“Why?”
“If you keep poking him like that, Uncle will go ‘owie.’ We should be gentle with precious things.”
“Okaaay.”
Without protest, Eleonora moved straight into Ailesia’s arms. Only then did Thermion finally relax, pouring himself a full glass of cold water and drinking it down.
“Teacher saw it too! Uncle’s all buff!”
“Pfft—!”
At his niece’s innocent voice as she clung tightly to Ailesia’s waist, Thermion spat out the water he’d been drinking.
Embarrassment forgotten, he roughly wiped his mouth and shouted,
“Ellie, you—!”
“Why are you getting so worked up? She’s still young—it happens.”
Meanwhile, Ailesia stroked Eleonora’s head, gazing at her with unabashed affection, as if it were nothing at all.
At five years old, curiosity was at its peak. What was wrong with a child acting like a child?
