Chapter – 40…..
Feria sat on a garden bench, holding Ai, with Resracan seated beside her. On a small stone table, Lyra had tea brought over.
A refreshing breeze blew through the garden, filled with the scent of flowers and oblivious to the commotion of the humans. It was as if they were in another world, three people spending a leisurely time there.
“So, you were called by Zarel and now you can’t go home?”
“That’s right! The mage, my big brother Leary of Lilis, went somewhere, and Father and Mother are too busy to come home. The servants are at the house, but Father says it’s no good for me to be home alone. How stingy!”
Resra snorted and laughed.
Behind the word “stingy” was the certainty that this girl would undoubtedly run away from home to chase after Lilis. Zarel’s judgment was probably correct.
“I’m the same. There are plenty of servants at the mansion, but my father seems to worry unless I’m within his sight.”
“Really?! We’re the same! The same situation!”
“That’s rude to the Prime Minister’s son, you know!”
Resra waved a hand at Lyra, who was glaring daggers.
“It’s fine. It seems Feria and I can become good friends.
Lord Zarel is fortunate to have such an amusing daughter.”
At Resra’s words, Feria suddenly deflated.
She hung her head, swinging her dangling legs.
“Is Father really happy to have me?
Because I’m half-elf, is he only half happy?
Father treasures Leary. But he’s always angry with me. He must dislike me.”
At the girl’s suddenly withered voice, Resra smiled softly and gently reached out a hand.
Feria took that hand and pressed it to her cheek.
“It’s warm. And bigger, smoother, and prettier than Leary’s hands.”
“Although I cannot see, my ears are good.
I think the sound of Zarel calling your name is the same as my father’s voice.
It’s precisely because you are precious that he worries and gets angry.
He worries because he doesn’t need to.”
The warm words gently illuminated the lonely heart.
Feria’s face suddenly shone, and she hugged Resra tightly.
“Ah! Y-y-y-you…!”
While Lyra turned bright red and shook a clenched fist, Resra gently stroked Feria’s head.
“I may be powerless, but perhaps I can be of some help to you, Feria.
If you have any worries, will you tell me?”
Be… of help to me?
A human who isn’t Leary, being a help… to me?
Should I try telling him?
But will he believe me?
Resracan’s closed eyes slowly opened.
They were a very clear water color, an gentle blue-grey that was hard to believe couldn’t see.
His gaze, unfocused and unclear where it was looking, nevertheless watched over Faria surely.
“I… my mother is an elf.”
“Ah, so I’ve heard.”
“So, I sort of understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Earlier, inside the castle, a human died.
It was a huge commotion, a terrible thing.
But, I knew… that it was the work of someone inside the castle.”
No way…!
Lyra tensely touched Resra’s shoulder.
“Lord Resracan, it would be better not to hear any more of this.”
Lyra’s intuition sensed danger.
Resra, however, stopped Lyra with a hand and turned to Feria.
“Why? Why is that? The reason? The basis?”
“The smell. Each spirit has a scent that spirits can recognize.
Around Leary and Mother, there was always the gentle smell of the wind.
But, this was different… an indescribable smell.
It wasn’t wind, water, or earth—a smell I’ve never encountered before.
But it was a smell I faintly remember from within the castle grounds. So the culprit is inside the castle.
Mages use spirits, and by guiding them, they amplify that power to use magic. When a spirit’s power is amplified by magic, its smell becomes stronger.
But, for some reason, I’ve never seen the spirit of that smell. It’s not earth or water. But the spellcaster should have the smell.
Even if they cast the spell from afar, the caster must surely be emitting that smell.
I’m going to catch the culprit and be praised by Father!”
“I see… Because you are a spirit, you can tell that.”
Nodding firmly, Feria clenched her hand into a fist and shook it in the air.
“I too will do something to help Father and Mother! I’ll catch the culprit and show them!
Leary will surely be happy too.
Everyone will be smiling and we can go home!”
As she breathed heavily with determination, Resra suddenly thought.
“Feria.”
He squeezed her hand tightly.
“What is it? You’re hurting my hand.”
“Feria, you said you are half-elf, correct?
I’ve heard that spirits, on their own, have no power at all. Can you protect yourself?”
“Eh? …Umm… I could amplify Leary’s power. I’m sure I could do other things too… Umm…”
“The spellcaster, Lilis, isn’t here, correct?
Feria, that is far too dangerous.”
“But I’m going to catch them!”
“The other day, I was likely targeted by that very mage.
They seize any opportunity to attack. Considering that, it’s better to assume we are being watched wherever we are.
Feria, you must not search aimlessly.
That would surely create an opening.
I have a good idea. It will take time, but we eliminate the possibilities one by one.
If we rush, the enemy will also become aware of your existence. Slowly, slowly now.”
Resra whispered softly into Feria’s small ear.
Her face lit up brightly as she raised her head.
“Oh! That’s good! Then it’s complete domination over the lower ranks!”
“I will arrange things, so you must never act alone. Understood?”
“Un! I understand! Pinky promise!”
In front of Ai’s watchful eyes, Feria linked pinkies with Resra.
“Meow.”
Ai let out a cry, and Resra also smiled happily and nodded firmly.
