Those Who Gather (1)

“It really feels like it’s been so long since I’ve come back.”

As soon as we entered the Vanhart territory, Maria, who had been quietly looking out the window, spoke.

‘Well, we really have been moving non-stop.’

I felt the same way.

I had spent just over a month in Eintban, but subjectively, it felt like I was returning after several months away.

“I’d like to get a real rest, even if it’s just for a while…”

With the war against the Kainzel Kingdom, the Empire’s Founding Festival, and so many other affairs, I hadn’t had a proper rest in ages.

But rest was difficult this time as well.

Not only did I have piled-up domain work to deal with, there was also a huge problem looming ahead.

‘Is there just over a month now until the resurrection of Lugal Necris?’

When I thought there were six months left, it had felt so far away, but time had flashed by like an arrow loosed from a bow.

[Still, you can use up to the 5th technique now, can’t you?]

‘It really is a relief. I was lucky.’

[Yes, you’d better know how lucky you are! Without my help, it wouldn’t have been possible.]

At the confident words of Grancesia, I nodded unconsciously.

Just as she said, if I’d tried to learn up to the 5th technique on my own, honestly, it would have been tough.

“Clay… oh, I mean, I should call you Count now, shouldn’t I?”

“Just call me whatever’s comfortable. Honestly, the title ‘Count’ still feels a bit burdensome.”

Being a young count was fine, but there was definitely some pressure that came with the title.

Besides, I always preferred those I was close to calling me by my name.

“Are you really alright with it?”

“Of course, it’s better to avoid it in formal settings.”

“Then I understand.”

Maria nodded, a faint smile on her lips.

Thinking of how expressionless Maria’s face usually was, that smile was as bright as she could manage.

“But, why did you call me?”

“Oh, nothing. It just seemed like you were having a conversation with Grancesia.”

“How did you know?”

Right now, only Maria and I were riding in the carriage.

Rutia, with her free-spirited nature, seemed to find the carriage stifling, so she was riding beside us on her own horse.

“It’s actually kind of obvious.”

“Is it?”

“How should I put it… Your expression is much more relaxed than usual.”

I couldn’t deny it.

Truthfully, I was at my most comfortable when conversing with Grancesia.

She was the only one who shared all my secrets.

With her, I didn’t need to go through the pain of hiding anything, and I could just be honest, which meant fewer unnecessary worries.

‘I guess I ought to be more mindful, usually.’

Come to think of it, even Riya had noticed something was off previously; evidently, it showed more than I thought.

It wasn’t a problem per se, but I’d prefer not to be looked at oddly by others.

‘Still…’

The closer the carriage got to the Vanhart manor, the more I found myself hesitating about one thing.

‘Should I just let Maria go?’

When we arrived, Maria would be heading straight back to the Timmons merchant guild.

After that, it was clear I wouldn’t easily get to see her. She was the type to throw herself into her work.

‘It’s a shame to let her go like this.’

[Why? Isn’t it a good thing if the merchant guild grows?]

Of course, since the Timmons merchant guild was for all intents and purposes mine, her growing it would be good for me.

But…

‘I won’t be able to train in my dreams.’

[… What? No, for a human, that’s normal!]

I certainly had a special ability that could easily be described as miasmatic.

But Fabian was a genius with overwhelming natural talent, far surpassing even that.

To catch up, I had to struggle and use every means at my disposal.

Training even while sleeping, and being able to be guided directly by Grancesia through Maria’s ability, was an invaluable strength for me.

‘… Regrettable, but it can’t be helped. I can’t just arbitrarily bring Maria to the manor.’

[Right, don’t go blocking a girl’s chances to marry, just leave her be.]

‘Grrr.’

*clatter*

The carriage stopped, the door opened, and we arrived at the manor. Forcing down my reluctance, I stepped outside.

“Young master, I’m so relieved to see you return in good health.”

First to greet me, as always, was Dorian. Dressed in a spotless butler’s outfit, he gave me a deep bow.

“And the young lady of the Timmons merchant guild is here too. Have you been well?”

“Yes, nothing out of the ordinary. What about Monet?”

“Monet is inside preparing lunch right now.”

Dorian ordered the servants to unload the luggage from the carriage.

“Count, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave now…”

Maria, after glancing at Dorian, gracefully bowed.

“Lunch? Would it be okay if we joined you for a meal?”

“Mother!”

But at that moment, Rutia leapt from her horse and shouted energetically.

Maria, startled, tried to stop her, but it was too late.

Dorian turned to me and signaled for permission with his eyes. I had no reason to refuse, so I nodded.

When my approval was given, Dorian chuckled and continued.

“Of course. Monet always makes plenty.”

“Th-thank you… I’ll accept your hospitality.”

Realizing she had no choice, Maria again bowed deeply to me.

Behind her, Rutia licked her lips and winked one eye.

‘This makes me anxious.’

Whether it was her race’s nature or not, Rutia was impossible to predict.

She clearly had foreseen events in her dreams and even considered sacrificing herself, so she couldn’t be thoughtless, yet…

“Welcome home, Clay. I’ve been waiting for you… Hm?”

Entering the manor, we were greeted by Riya, dressed in a light gown.

She smiled brightly at me, but when she saw Maria and Rutia following, her eyes narrowed slightly.

“Isn’t that Maria from the Timmons merchant guild? And beside her is…”

Though smiling cheerfully, her eyes turned cold.

It was certainly not a good sign.

“Princess Riya, you mustn’t!”

At that moment, Monet came running up from somewhere and whispered something in Riya’s ear.

Whatever she said, Riya’s expression tightened, and she sighed quietly, nodding.

“Yes, you’re right. Anyway, Clay, it seems there is someone I don’t know here—would you introduce us?”

With the rapid change in atmosphere, I breathed a sigh of relief. Of everyone, Riya was the hardest for me to manage.

[When did Monet get so close to that lizard girl?]

‘I don’t know either.’

Monet had not only fortune but also a remarkable ability to get along with people.

She was, in a word, a lucky capybara.

Seizing the moment provided by Monet’s intervention, I quickly moved to introduce our group.

“This is Miss Rutia, Maria’s mother.”

“Oh, hello. I’m Riya Asktalin. Pleased to meet you.”

At Riya’s delicate, lovely words and beaming smile, the once lively expression on Rutia’s face froze solid.

She edged over to me and whispered in a small voice.

“Wait, why is the Empire’s princess here?”

“It just kind of happened.”

“Is that really something you can explain away like that?”

Rutia leaned close and whispered, while Riya’s eyes, still smiling, grew cold once more.

Noticing the threat in Riya’s gaze, Rutia looked toward her.

“Hm? Don’t tell me…”

Picking up on something from Riya’s look, Rutia made a strange expression.

She then quickly shifted and whispered something to the now irritated-looking Riya.

At first, Riya was guarded with Rutia, who had approached so suddenly, but she soon became engrossed in what Rutia was saying and at last spoke seriously.

“… Is that true?”

“Of course, I’m a succubus. A professional when it comes to love.”

Whatever trust that inspired, Riya nodded thoughtfully.

Judging from her earnest repeating of Rutia’s words, it left me with a strange feeling.

‘What were they talking about…’

Watching both Monet and now Rutia whisper suspiciously to Riya, I couldn’t help but wonder what they’d been saying.

* * *

Right after more or less finishing lunch, as Maria was preparing to leave again, Rutia offered a remark with feigned nonchalance.

“By the way, I heard that the Count hasn’t been sleeping well lately…”

“Yes?”

At Rutia’s sudden words, Maria turned to me as if to ask if it was true.

Naturally, I hadn’t had a single sleepless night recently. If anything, I had slept more soundly than ever…

“Oh, yes, that’s true. What with everything going on, I haven’t been able to sleep lately. Maybe I’ve got insomnia or something.”

But I immediately played along, realizing what Rutia was attempting.

“So, Maria.”

“Yes, mother?”

“The Timmons merchant guild has sworn allegiance to House Vanhart, so shouldn’t at least one person stay here at the House of the Count, for smooth communication?”

“Huh? What’s all this, all of a sudden…?”

“Yes, I can help Ravin with things, so it would be better for Maria to remain here to assist the Count.”

At Rutia’s words, Maria blinked, unable to reply. It must have been a bewildering situation from her perspective.

[Weren’t you going to give up?]

‘I just couldn’t force her without a reason.’

But with Rutia’s support, there was no reason to refuse.

[You do know what she’s up to, right? She’s trying to set you and Maria up together!]

‘That might be part of it… but that’s not all.’

When I had been alone with Rutia, she had told me this:

She wanted Maria to live more in accordance with her age.

But, if she stayed at the Timmons merchant guild, Maria would undoubtedly keep taking on any work she could find.

‘Maria took Rutia’s place, handling everything from a young age.’

She had learned about the world too early.

It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but for Rutia, who had left Maria behind as a child, it must always have weighed on her.

So Rutia wanted Maria to spend time somewhere removed from work as much as possible.

Of course, how long depended on Maria’s wishes, but at least, that was what Rutia wanted.

‘As long as their feelings match during that time, it’ll just work out, I guess.’

[This is why succubi are…!]

For someone who didn’t care for the demonkin, Grancesia spoke in quite a gentle tone.

“What do you think, Maria? If you stay by such an excellent Count, you’ll have much to learn.”

“I…”

Maria glanced at me, hesitated for a moment, and then fell into thought.

A moment later, Maria finally spoke.

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