Chapter 106

But even so, I didn’t give up on taking the side path walk.

The feeling of my shoes stepping on the dirt, the sound of thick trees brushing their leaves against each other in the wind, and the birds flying around and chirping—it was all really nice to see.

Well… in the hut, I couldn’t even see birds.

That was probably because of the magic barrier.

The hut had been silent in a lonely way.
Here, even though it was also quiet, it still felt like a place where people lived, so it wasn’t unpleasant.

I listened to the sounds carefully and walked along the path.

—Chirp chirp!

A bird was crying loudly.

—Piru-ru, pirururu!

Some other unknown birdcall mixed in.

“Stay still… how did I do this again…”

And then—I heard a human voice.

Huh? A person’s voice?

“What the…?”

“W-who’s there!”

“It’s me, Rita.”

The angry shout gave me a good guess at who it was.

A very awkward meeting. Judging by his face, he felt the same. A head with messy pink curls popped out from the bushes, looking annoyed.

“Hello, Lord Geron.”

“Why are you here?”

“Can’t I take a walk on my own two feet?”

“Are you trying to pick a fight?”

“You’re the one who started yelling first…”

My words came out sharp. I still had bad feelings toward him. But I noticed I wasn’t as angry as before—maybe I was getting used to him.

Still, what I really wanted to know was what he was doing out here.

“What are you doing right now?”

I asked directly. At once, Geron’s face turned bright red. What was that reaction?

“Can I watch for just a little bit?”

“W-what? No! I said no! …Haah.”

I leaned forward toward where he was hiding. Geron sighed loudly.

“Wow. A workshop?”

“It’s a simple workshop. Just a hobby I made.”

“That doesn’t look like ‘just a hobby.’”

Geron scratched at his messy curly hair and went over to the workbench.

On the desk were scattered papers, minerals, and other materials. He clearly wasn’t the tidy type.

But I could guess what he was making. I could feel a bit of ether tangled there…

Wait a second.

“C-could it be… Did you make the invitations?”

“Invitations? What are—ah, those.”

Geron nodded vaguely and waved his hand as if to say, Now leave me alone.

I had wanted to meet the creator of those invitations, but I didn’t expect it would be him.

So the person who made such a beautiful invitation… had this kind of terrible personality? I couldn’t believe it.

But Geron no longer cared whether I stayed or left. He was completely focused on his work.

His hand moved smoothly. Every time he moved, little lights sparkled and gathered around his hand. That was magic.

At the same time, he controlled ether with his other hand. His ether control was rough, but also very creative. It was impressive.

Not as good as me, of course. But among the people I had seen, he was the most talented.

Should I learn magic too?

It looked cooler with magic added in. Somehow, I felt like I was losing. Well, my energy control was still better!

I crept closer to the desk, curious about what he was making.

“What? You’re not leaving?”

“Let me watch. What is it? A present for your sister? But… wait.”

I glanced at the desk and noticed something strange.

“Isn’t this alcohol? You’re drinking while working? Are you really an alcoholic, my lord?”

“Alcoholic?”

“Can’t live without alcohol, is that it?”

Geron gave a small laugh. But it was a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

“Maybe so. It’s been like that for a long time.”

“That sounds serious, actually.”

“Ha…”

He suddenly sighed and picked up his glass. Right in front of me, he gulped it all down in one go.

His Adam’s apple moved up and down as his brows drew together tighter and tighter.

Something about this was strange.

And then—

“My lord, my lord!”

“What is it?”

“The young lady—!”

“Lead me. Right now.”

The glass in his hand rolled across the floor. Without even glancing at me, Geron grabbed the whole liquor bottle and ran out.

I squatted down and looked at the spilled liquid.

“This really is alcohol. Alcohol, but… hm?”

I noticed something odd and decided to keep the glass. I wanted to check it more closely later.

But how urgent must it have been, for him to throw down the glass and run while still holding the whole bottle?

Wait.

“Did he just run off carrying the alcohol bottle?”

Was that really okay?

I thought for a moment, then answered myself.

Of course not.

I had to follow him.

Actually, I had already been worrying about Viola.

During the meal, Viola hadn’t been able to focus on eating at all. It wasn’t just simple pickiness, nor did it look like a bad mood.

Her body looked thin and weak. Her face always seemed gloomy. She looked like someone who had no strength at all.

That kind of appearance was common in old people, sick people, or those under heavy stress.

If I hadn’t seen Geron’s behavior, I would have suspected the Duke was abusing her.

But Geron—though he acted like a troublemaker—was very protective of his sister. And his relationship with the Duke didn’t seem that bad either.

So abuse was unlikely.

No, she really looks sick. And her status window showed symptoms, too.

When I had checked her status, I had seen conditions that gave me déjà vu. It reminded me a little of Cedric’s case… and also of another illness I had encountered in the past.

Either way, Viola shouldn’t be left untreated.

So this was a good chance for me to check. I hurried after him.

—

The side path ended at the back gate of the Duke’s castle. Geron ran straight inside, too anxious to even notice I was following him.

I grabbed the door before it closed and slipped in after him. Familiar hallways of the castle stretched out before me.

“…Where did he go?”

The carpets and decorations were familiar, but the structure was confusing.

At a fork in the corridor, I stopped. I couldn’t just wander randomly. It looked urgent.

I need to find where the noise is.

I remembered Geron’s pale face, full of fear and despair. Something serious must have happened. Probably something about Viola’s health.

I stood still and listened carefully—for hurried voices, rushing footsteps.

“…Quickly! Hurry!”

“This time too…?”

Over there.

The voices came from the far end of the right hallway. I ran that way.

While running, thoughts raced through my mind.

Was Viola really sick? Could I treat her? What if the Duke’s family rejected my help?

Even though I was a doctor, I couldn’t treat someone against their will.

And I didn’t even know exactly what was going on yet.

This was their private matter. Even if she was sick, they clearly wanted to hide it. They probably didn’t want me to see.

So yes, technically, this was me overstepping and meddling.

But… if I’m right, I can’t just leave her.

The Duke had already lost one child. If nothing was done, the youngest, Viola, might die before reaching adulthood.

So I only needed to confirm it quickly.

I’d check if the illness was the one I suspected. If I was wrong, I’d leave immediately and pretend I saw nothing. If it was a normal sickness, other doctors could handle it.

“Huff, haah… so far.”

I wasn’t used to running. Even after just a short distance, I was out of breath.

But the voices grew louder. I could also hear the sound of people rushing around, some running quickly outside.