Chapter 23
A rather roughly built brown carriage sped along a well-kept forest path.
A cool breeze blew between the trees, carrying with it the fishy scent of the river running alongside.
Red and yellow leaves drifted gently down onto the carriage roof.
Several men rode horses ahead of and behind the carriage, escorting it.
With a sharp “Hyah!” from the coachman, the horses picked up speed again.
The carriage itself wasn’t particularly beautiful, but it was sturdy—sturdy enough that even on rough roads, it barely shook. It was perfect for travel.
Inside the carriage were two people.
On the seat facing the driver’s bench sat a man in a rolled-up shirt, vest, and trousers fastened with a cord.
Across from him sat a woman wearing a yellow dress that fell below her knees.
The man looked out the carriage window and let out a cheer.
“The scenery’s amazing!”
“It really is.”
“The river looks so cool… Wouldn’t it be great if we could just jump in and play?”
His light, pleasant voice was full of excitement.
The woman, who had been watching him fondly, replied.
“Then should we ask to stop and rest there for a bit?”
“Should we? We have plenty of time anyway.”
Following her instruction, the carriage stopped just off the forest path.
Leaving the soldiers in plain clothes behind, the two of them headed toward the river just ahead.
Through the clear, trickling water, pebbles and water plants could be seen.
A fish swimming near the shore startled when it saw the man’s shadow, flicking its tail and darting away in a panic.
The man rolled up his pants to his knees, secured them, took off his shoes, and stepped into the water with a splash, shivering from the refreshing chill.
“Come here, Noah!”
“I told you not to call my name out loud!”
While the woman looked flustered, the man only grinned and splashed her.
Cordelia burst into laughter as she watched her startled companion back away, then glanced down when something brushed her leg—a fish wriggled away again.
“You little—!”
Noah, who had only taken off his shoes and was now sitting quietly on a rock shaded by tree branches with his feet in the water, watched as Cordelia bent down, trying hard to catch the fish.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Cordelia and Noah were on their way to the Ritte Territory in the kingdom’s south.
Ritte was one of the lands governed by House Weitzen, a large city ranked among the top three in size in the southern region.
Its most notable feature was the temple overseeing that area.
Cordelia, failing to catch the fish, plopped down beside Noah.
Adjusting her hat so it wouldn’t slip off, she looked up—the dull red leaves overhead let patches of bright blue sky peek through.
Closing her eyes to enjoy the cool breeze, Cordelia asked,
“How much farther to Ritte?”
“We’ve been riding hard for over two days, so… half a day at most. I think we’ll arrive before nightfall.”
“It’s almost October, so they’ve probably finished the harvest by now. The freshly brewed grain liquor there is delicious. I’ll get to taste it again after so long. Of course, the west is more famous for wine… That’s why my father always had an eye on that territory. If he hadn’t been on good terms with the previous duke, there might’ve been a war over alcohol.”
Cordelia’s father, the late Duke Isaac, was a certified heavy drinker recognized throughout the kingdom—a man who couldn’t resist alcohol.
Though known for his integrity, there was a joke that if someone tried to bribe him with alcohol, he would think for exactly three seconds before refusing.
Noah listened with gentle eyes, nodding.
“I just hope we don’t miss Rines.”
They were currently chasing after Rines, heading to join the royal inspection team sent out by the Great Temple.
This had been Jerania’s idea.
He had brought out a map of the kingdom, pointed at it, and planned out the route.
“The inspection team will probably start in the west, then head south, then east. They don’t have a good relationship with the Gracia family that rules the west, so they won’t stay long. They should be heading south soon. So you two should go to the Ritte Territory in the southeast first and meet the priest there. If you want to force your bodies back to normal, it seems you’ll need his power.”
“Eh, we have to go all the way to Ritte? Wouldn’t it be easier to just ask another priest to cut the thread?”
“The fewer people who know, the better. Neither of you are busy right now, right? I’ll send some people with you—just treat it like a trip.”
“Question! Even so, why Ritte specifically? If we hurry, couldn’t we meet in Debron instead?”
“Ritte is close to the border with the Yurit-Sanskriya Principality, so a variety of people gather there—including those not bound by the kingdom’s laws.”
At that point, both of them understood what Jerania was implying.
He was suggesting they also look for foreign mages while they were there.
“You know the Great Temple and the royal family don’t get along. His Majesty the King himself avoids any entanglement with religion.”
Jerania hadn’t wanted to bring up politics, but knowing his younger sister wouldn’t back down without a reason, he had to explain.
“What do you think will happen if word gets out that your bodies were magically altered?”
His voice was soft, but the meaning was serious.
“In principle, the temple oversees and is responsible for all magic in this country—except in the autonomous territories of Tritan and Cladan. Especially you, Cordelia—as a Weitzen by blood, your family has every right to lodge a formal protest with the temple. If I were the temple, I’d claim mages from the autonomous territories were involved, to avoid taking the blame. They’d retaliate, and it would turn into an all-out brawl.”
Jerania’s expression darkened slightly for a moment, but it passed too quickly for anyone to notice.
“So my point is, we want to avoid any chance of conflict if we can. You understand?”
Both of them nodded at his calm explanation.
Jerania smiled faintly at Noah, who was currently in Cordelia’s body.
“I’m glad you’re looking well, Your Highness.”
“Please drop the formalities. I’m no longer royalty.”
“Then I’ll do that. May I call you Noah?”
“Eh? Ah… yes, please call me Noah.”
Cordelia silently clicked her tongue at how smoothly her sister adjusted to the new form of address.
Wow, my sister’s something else too.
“Then, Noah, please take care of my reckless little sister.”
“Who are you calling reckless?!”
Cordelia shot her a look of complaint, but Jerania only looked more at ease, as if she had finally restored order.
Only Cordelia didn’t notice that her sister was reassured by how little she had changed.
“Don’t worry. Even after we arrive, it’ll probably be three to five days before they get there. In the meantime, we can look for another way to solve this.”
Cordelia suddenly started laughing, making Noah look puzzled.
“Why are you laughing?”
“I just imagined him in priest’s robes, pretending to be all solemn in front of people.”
“…Wouldn’t he probably think the same if he saw you elegantly smiling at a banquet?”
“Maybe. Wait—what do you mean by that, Noah? I always smile elegantly.”
Avoiding her bright, beaming gaze, Noah quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, how did you end up knowing the priest?”
“I helped Rines once—about nine years ago, I think? He had a terrible temper even back then.”
Cordelia could see right through Noah’s thoughts, but since it was rather cute, she let it slide.
Her wet hand left a dark mark on the rock.
“He’s the type to calculate gains and losses precisely, but once he considers someone his own, he’d risk his life for them. Being close to him is only a good thing.”
“But that just means I’d be the only one benefiting. The priest would only lose out.”
“What are you talking about? Relationships aren’t so neatly split into profit and loss.”
“Cordelia… do I make you uncomfortable?”
“If your face were just a little less handsome, maybe?”
She was joking lightly, but when she saw Noah’s eyes cloud over, she quickly added,
“I don’t judge people over things like that. I only believe what I see myself.”
Even so, the worry didn’t leave Noah’s face.
He seemed to make up his mind and began to speak.
“Um… if I ever—”
“My lady!”
Before he could finish, a voice called to them, making both turn toward it.
Long, elegant fingers tapped the desk in a steady rhythm.
After some thought, Franz pulled out the magic mirror he kept in his pocket.
Instead of his own reflection, the face of a black-haired man appeared.
The man spoke respectfully.
“Your Majesty, I’ve just about finished the inspection in Cladan. No unusual incidents so far. I can take a break now, right—”
“You have work.”
“Pardon? I must have misheard. Surely His Benevolent Majesty wouldn’t send a minister who’s been working himself to the bone for a month straight straight back out without letting him go home first? …Right?”
Franz ignored the man’s look, which all but asked, Are you even human?
“It’s about Ian.”
“…Ian? Did something happen to him?”
“Yes. He’s with Cordelia Weitzen right now.”
“What?! Why bring up that name all of a sudden? Don’t tell me that cheerful young lady’s completely ensnared him—”
“Cut the chatter and head to Ritte to join them. By the way, is his fringe like that on purpose?”
“Ah, that… yes. They look quite alike, after all.”
Both knew exactly who the “they” referred to, without saying it.
The man smiled faintly, a little bitterly.
“It was his decision. He said he didn’t want to stand out. Well… it’s not like that kind of face is common.”
“He’s making things difficult for himself over nothing. Tell him to just cut it—it’s frustrating to look at.”
“Oh? Are you worried about him?”
Franz didn’t answer the teasing question, instead giving a few more instructions.
“I’ll fill you in on the rest when we meet in Ritte. Make sure you move without drawing the temple’s attention.”
“Yes, yes. Honestly, Your Majesty is always so—”
Before he could finish, the impatient king flipped the mirror over, cutting the connection.
Left staring at his own reflection, the man stowed the mirror and stretched, his well-toned arms moving lazily, like a leopard.
“Well then.”
Let’s go.
