In the carriage of Odette Surrey


I underestimated Yuki-Grossaria.

　In the Surrey family carriage, Odette-Surrey said.

'He's the bastard son of a baronet,' she said, 'and if we offer him an alliance, he'll be happy to jump on it. But it was rude to someone as good as him. I was too soft on him, too.
That fighting ability and his grasp of the situation. He is also a very powerful magician. He's a first-rate warrior and sorcerer.
Until we defeat the other two, he will be a powerful ally.
Well ...
'He will be a most formidable rival. We must know more about him before then.

　Odette drew a crest in the air with her fingers.
　One with the fingers of her right hand and one with her left. Finally, she adds it with the fingers of her right hand.
　She looks at her tutor, chanting in a whisper. The petite tutor nods, 'Correct.

''........Come. The messenger of my 'earth attribute'. The 'shadow snake'...

　A magic circle was created on the floor of the carriage, and from it, a pitch-black snake appeared.
　It was a snake, but it moved unusually fast.
　It disappeared behind the luggage in an instant while Odette watched.

''I'll have this sneak into Yuki-Grossaria's carriage. The magic link can be maintained at this distance. We should be able to pick up their voices, at least.
...Your 'ancient magic', my lord.
I'm not done yet.

　Odette brushed back her golden hair.

'I will be the knight escort standing next to Princess Iris. It's only natural for me to do this.



　A few minutes later, in Yuki's carriage.



"Well there's an errand boy in the carriage. Whose is it?
........
Remy, you seem to have noticed.
Maybe it's the Duchess Odette's. I'm going out for a while.
Yes, sir. Have a good day.
"Watch out, Mr. Yuji.

　I waved to Martha and Remy and got out of the carriage.




　I'm back in Odette Slay's carriage.



Oh, yes. I've come for you!　The messenger!　For that!
Really?
''It's amazing how you can detect the messenger before he calls out to you....
It's a hunch.

　That's a lie.
　There's a little bit of my blood smeared on the four corners of the carriage.
　The blood is a part of my limbs. I can feel it on my skin when someone walks by.
　I gave Remy some of my Myster Blood when he was bitten. When he was bitten. It seems the boy's senses are heightened too.

"I wondered if the duke family's Odette-sama or something like that would call people by using an 'ancient magic' user. Or so I thought.
You know what?　Exactly!　It is!
If you shout, the soldiers outside will hear you.
Nuh-uh-uh.

　Duchess Odette's cheeks are puffed up and she's gazing at me.
　Why?

"I called you here, of all people, to see how much you wanted. "We just wanted to see how much you wanted it.
You want?
''You know that when you become a trainee in the 'Magic Guild', the guild's magicians become teachers, right?''
That's what my brother told me.
What about becoming an official guild member and having the right to explore the City of Ancient Magical Civilization (Elysium), and finding new 'ancient artifacts' there will raise your family's rank or give you a new title?
I didn't know that.

　A title, huh?
　If I find the ancient artifacts, the Glossaria barons will be made barons.
　Or, I can set up a new nobleman's house.

A new noble family is a lifetime?
That's true. Upon his death, his title and estate will cease to exist.
What if he doesn't die?
Who's going to assume that?

　That's right.
　I thought about getting a knighthood and relaxing in the territory the state gave me, but I guess it's impossible.
　In my case, there's a chance that I won't die.
　If I thought it was a lifetime title, and that nobleman didn't die.......
　Probably, it would be a problem.

This is a strange question, but...
Come in.
Isn't there an 'ancient artifact' somewhere that won't kill you if you have it?
How greedy are you?
'No, you don't have to actually become immortal. It's not that, as long as it's an item that makes the people around you think, 'If you've got it, you don't have to die.'
...it could be. As long as it's an 'ancient artifact'.
I'd love to get my hands on one.
Totally ... how big a hope do you have?

　Odette-Sulay said.

　What I want....
　Of course I want it. "To know the human.

　And to confirm whether Princess Iris-Lestia is descended from Alice.
　Now I just need to find out what happened to Fira's village.
　So, in summary.

I want to be the knight in shining armor for Her Highness.
Is it for a baronet's sake?
'That's part of it. But I really want to see the results of what I've done. I want to see what happened as a result of my decision to live my life in a certain way. I want to know if it was a good thing or a bad thing. That's all.
'I understand. You've worked hard to master the Ancient Magic. As a result of your efforts, you were appointed as a knight in shining armor soon. If that's the case, I'd like to see where he ends up, wouldn't I? How far can I go?
What?
What?
'Oh, yes. 'Yes. I just want to know how far my magic will take me.
You're quite a man. You are.

　Odette-Sleigh laughed with her cheekbones.

'You have no desire for advancement, do you? I have found you to be a worthy competitor.
How did Lady Odette become Her Highness' knight?

　It might be rude, but I asked.
　I was curious as to what reason an ordinary high ranking nobleman would want to become a knight of the princess's highness.

''The reason I want to become a knight is to protect His Highness Iris-Liestier. I'm prepared to drop everything to protect Iris (...). That's all I want!
Iris?
!

　Odette-Sleigh's face turned bright red.
　Then she sighed, huffing and puffing.

His Highness Iris-Liestier is also my childhood friend. We studied magic together when we were little. I can't tell you all the details, but I can tell you that His Highness Iris has his own reasons for being a student of magic. It's a good idea to be a protector and supporter by his side. That's all I want to do.
Lady Odette Slay.
You're the first person I've talked to about this.

　Odette-Slay looked away from me.
　Then she sighed and said, "Huh.


The only reason I'm telling you this is because I lied to you.
Lie?
In fact, I've sent a demon in my carriage to find out what kind of person you are. But you're even more special than I thought and the demon has been found.
'What?　I was thinking of using bats to get people to come over next time, too.
You'll be in trouble.
You lied to me.
My apologies, my dear sir. I desperately wish to be His Highness Iris's escort knight.
I understand. I'm done with that.

　I'm a human being who hides who I am.
　And I know what it's like to be willing to do anything to protect something that you want to protect.

"I trust you, Lady Odette Slay.
.........Yuki-Grossaria.
Next time you send me a messenger, please send it to me so I can understand.
Are we supposed to contact them through an errand boy?

　Odette-Slay then laughed.

'Truly ... you're no match for me.

　As she sat in the carriage seat, Odette clasped her hands together as if in prayer.

'Please, may it be me or you, Your Highness Iris's knight,'
"──Sama Odette. Mr. Yuki-Grossalia. King's Landing is in sight!

　Suddenly, I heard a soldier's voice outside the carriage.
　Me and Odette opened the window and looked out.

　A huge wall loomed up ahead on the street.

'That's the royal capital, Milgaria.

　Odette-Sley said.

'And it's also where the entrance to the "City of Ancient Magical Civilization (Elysian)" is located.

　........The capital of ancient magical civilization (Elysian)?
It's been 200 years since the Sanctuary Church found that place.......but I wonder what it is now.



　While looking at the towering walls of the city, I was thinking about this.