Chapter 75……………………….
“…You’re saying you’ll stay the night?”
“Yes.”
“In my palace?”
“Yes!”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m not feeling well. I don’t think I can make it back home.”
How much time had passed?
I knew it hadn’t even been 30 minutes, but not being able to check the time was making me anxious.
Why on earth is there no clock in this library?!
I let go of Leonhart’s arm and staggered as if I were about to collapse.
“Duke!”
“Ah, I feel dizzy…”
“Are you very unwell?”
“I think I’m going to faint. Please lend me a bedroom.”
Leonhart suddenly lifted me up, carrying me like a princess.
“Just hold on a little longer. I’ll summon a palace physician.”
I thought he’d at most support me, not actually carry me.
Frozen for a moment, I finally managed to respond.
“N-no! I’ll be fine if I just rest a little.”
“Are you sure? Should I at least call a maid?”
“Please don’t. I just want to rest alone.”
“Understood.”
Leonhart carried me out of the library. The attendants stepped aside with shocked faces.
Even the chief attendant’s eyes almost popped out before he quickly lowered his head as if he hadn’t seen anything.
Step, step.
Heavy footsteps echoed in the 3rd Prince’s palace lobby.
The air grew awkward again.
Leonhart’s arm was wrapped under my back and around my shoulder. For some reason, I couldn’t stop being hyper-aware of it.
His warmth seeped through the thin lace fabric.
It felt as though his heartbeat was echoing through my entire body.
My ears grew hot.
“…Are you all right?”
“Huh?”
“You suddenly feel feverish.”
“…”
Of course a Sword Master would be sensitive to such things.
I turned my face toward Leonhart’s shoulder so he couldn’t see me.
“I’m fine.”
“We’ve arrived.”
“Thank you for accommodating me.”
“Not at all.”
“Um… you can put me down now, Your Highness.”
“…Very well.”
Leonhart gently set me down and opened the bedroom door.
It was the guest room I had once stayed in before.
Pretending to be weak, I staggered inside.
Click.
The door closed, and his footsteps grew faint.
“Guys, come out! What’s going on? Did you catch the assassin?”
The spirits appeared all at once.
— Nope! If we had, we would’ve told you.
— No humans with killing intent have entered this place.
— Nobody climbed the walls or tunneled in, right, Gnome?
— (Nod.)
Then what happened?
“Did they give up the assassination? Because the Imperial Palace is too risky?”
— Hmm, would an assassin really be scared of danger? You said this one’s never failed before.
— I don’t think that’s it. Originally, they were supposed to attack Lord Leonhart in the plaza, but because of you, Lian, the location shifted to the palace. Maybe they’re just running late because they’re revising the plan.
— Damn it, the bastard assassin is really dragging it out. If they come after midnight, aren’t we all screwed?
If midnight passed and I had already turned into a crow, things would be dire.
At that point, I wouldn’t be able to protect Leonhart—or even myself.
I’d just be a noisy black bird, nothing more.
“You guys, go stay with Leona! Hurry!”
— And leave you alone to turn into a crow? Who’s going to protect you then? No way!
— Sorry, Lian. That’s impossible.
— How many times do we have to tell you? You’re the most important to us. Even if every other human dies, as long as you live, it’s fine. Right, Gnome?
— (Nod!)
“But if I turn into a crow, you guys are useless too!”
— Still, we feel better staying with you, can’t help it.
— Lord Leonhart can handle himself just fine.
— Yeah, he’s a Sword Master. Stop being so overprotective.
“Salamander! Weren’t you the one who said Sword Masters sleep with their eyes closed? Why are you changing your tune now?”
— Did I ever say such crap? Gnome, did you hear me say that?
— …
I was about to snap in exasperation when—
Thump!
My heart pounded violently.
At the same time, strength drained from my legs and I collapsed.
Thud!
My knee hit the carpeted floor.
— Oh no! Lian!
— Lian! Are you all right?
— Ouch, your knee must be busted. Contract holder, try this—show me your knee. Huh?
The spirits’ worried chatter barely reached me.
My heartbeat was so loud my ears rang.
“Haa… haa…”
My arm gave out, and I nearly face-planted.
Just before my face hit the floor, Salamander shoved its tail under my cheek.
Warm and soft… but I had no time to feel comforted.
My body shrank, and black feathers sprouted everywhere.
— Oh! He transformed!
— Lian, do you feel better now?
As Sylph said, the strange symptoms tormenting me had vanished.
I hopped off Salamander’s tail and scampered toward the terrace.
— Lian! Where are you going?
— Looks like he’s going to Lord Leonhart.
— Why not just stay in the room? Hey! Wait for us!
Ignoring them, I leapt off the terrace railing.
My wings spread instinctively—flying felt as natural as walking.
Riding the wind, I turned direction and landed at Leonhart’s bedroom window.
He should be asleep by now… huh? He’s not here? Showering maybe?
I checked the bathroom window, but it was empty.
The bedroom was tidy too, like no one had been inside at all.
Guys! Find Leonhart!
“Caw, caw-caw, caw-caw!”
— …What’s he saying?
— Feels urgent, but ugh… it’s frustrating not being able to understand.
— Maybe he’s just hungry? Gnome, find him a worm to eat.
— …
Spirits are sensitive to their contractor’s emotions.
But sometimes, like a broken radio, they miss the signal—and this was one of those times.
Fine, I’ll find him myself.
I searched all around the 3rd Prince’s palace.
Peered into windows, checked the courtyard—no sign of Leonhart anywhere.
Should I try the plaza again?
Just then, my crow’s sharp vision caught a flash of light.
Huh? What’s that?
A gleaming streak moved at incredible speed, like a tail.
A sword?
The location: the lake in the palace’s back garden.
I swooped down at once, spirits grumbling as they followed.
The closer I got, the clearer Leonhart’s figure became.
He was alone, swinging his sword.
It was moving so fast it looked like there were two blades.
Seriously? I thought he was fighting an assassin! Almost gave me a heart attack.
Relieved, yet also dumbfounded.
What is he even doing at this hour? Doesn’t he ever run out of energy?
The Sword Master’s sword dance shimmered under the moonlight—dreamlike, beautiful.
But I had no room to admire it.
Couldn’t you at least practice inside? The palace grounds are too dangerous!
Granted, no smart assassin would strike while he was actively swinging his sword.
Then Leonhart suddenly stopped, taking off his vest.
Huh?! Why’s he undressing?
He tossed the vest to the ground and unbuttoned his shirt one by one.
Then set his sword down on top of the vest… and started walking toward the lake.
Bathing outside? Do it indoors, idiot!
Without his weapon, he couldn’t fight back easily. Naked, he couldn’t even flee properly.
And in the water, dodging would be even harder.
If I were the assassin, this would be the perfect chance.
No way!
I shot toward Leonhart like an arrow.
“Caw!”
“Hm?”
He reflexively raised his hand, then widened his eyes in surprise.
He had recognized me in the moonlight.
“Della!”
Leonhart reached out.
I landed on his palm, and he cupped me carefully—firm enough that I couldn’t escape, but gentle.
“Where have you been! Do you know how much I searched for you?”
“Caw-caw!”
“If you disappear again, I’ll really scold you. Got it?”
But instead of scolding, his fingers stroked the top of my head softly.
“Caw! Caw-caw!”
Fine, fine, just go back inside the palace, please?
“What is it? Hungry? Want something tasty?”
What? No, I—… wait! Yes! Hungry! Feed me!
I opened my beak wide like a baby bird begging for food.
Leonhart’s eyes softened, and he gently stroked my face.
“Oh, poor thing. Why did you run off and starve yourself? Come, let’s go eat.”
Perfect!
Just then, Undine’s voice echoed in my head.
[Huh? I sense a human presence.]
[The wind doesn’t catch anything though. Where are they?]
[I can’t see anyone either. What the hell… Gnome, what? There’s a human underground?]
Underground?
I quickly looked down at the ground.
Where? Where are they hiding…?
A normal human wouldn’t see it, but with my crow’s eyes, it was clear.
The earth behind Leonhart was shifting ever so slightly.
There!
