Chapter 2 – Silvfrau

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When the gray walls surrounding the governmental residence came into sight, it triggered a warm feeling of nostalgia to well up within Tigre’s chest. At an age of fourteen he had spent one year in that mansion.

As the faces of those he got to closely know flashed past in his mind, the streets of the castle town revived in his head. Tigre wondered whether they were still doing fine, and whether that store, which had frequented on many occasion, had remained the same.

“Tigre, don’t neglect your reins, okay?”

He was suddenly pulled back to reality by Mila addressing him with a wry smile. He was supposed to ride next to her, but without him realizing, his horse had veered off, about to leave the road. The attendants following the two in the back roared in laughter. Tigre scratched his head as if to divert their attention and corrected the horse’s path.

†

Tigre’s party arrived in Olmutz’s capital city seven days after the meeting with Leszek. The one greeting them in the courtyard of the governmental residence was Mila’s mother, Svetlana. She had been managing the governmental duties as governor during Mila’s absence. Mila had sent forth a preliminary notice about their approximate time of arrival several days ago, and she had also informed Lana about Tigre being with them.

Lana was a beauty with long, black hair. Just her standing there with a bewitching smile on her lips made one feel her grace, but everyone working at the residence knew that you never knew what she’d do next, each time something got into her head.

“It is a great pleasure to see you having returned safe and sound, Lady Vanadis,” Lana respectfully lowered her head, not as Mila’s mother but as retainer of the Vanadis.

Mila replied to her, not as daughter but as Vanadis, “Thank you for your work as governor during my absence. Did anything happen while I was out?”

“Yes,” Lana answered with a cheerful grin, “a guest has arrived. Leitmeritz’s Vanadis Eleonora, the one carrying the alias 『Wind Princess of the Silver FlashSilvfrau』, and her attendants. They have been relaxing at our guest chambers since today morning.”

Mila’s eyes widened due to the unexpected visitor. And while at it, she also produced a sullen expression. Just when she rejoiced over having finally come back home, she was now faced with such ill-omened piece of news. However, given the way how the talks with Leszek had ended, this actually fit perfectly.

“I understand. I shall visit Lady Eleonora later on.”

Her body and clothes were dirty from the long journey. She felt like at least cleaning her body before receiving her guest.

At that point, Tigre and Raphinaque stepped in front of Lana.

“It has been a long time, Lady Svetlana. It is wonderful to see you in good health.”

Tigre felt a bit nervous until right before doing the greeting, but seeing Lana’s face overflowing with joy and surprise, Tigre naturally broke into a smile.

“It has really been a long time. You have grown quite big, Lord Tigrevurmud.”

Lana extended her right hand, clasping Tigre’s. Without concern, Tigre also grabbed her left hand. He knew that Lana couldn’t move her left arm for the most part due to disability.

For him Lana was a dear woman, but in a different sense than Mila. Not because she was Mila’s mother, but because Tigre wouldn’t have been able to meet Mila, if Lana hadn’t visited Alsace and taken notice of his archery skills three years ago. And even if he had met Mila under some different circumstances, he was sure their relationship wouldn’t have taken this form. Thinking of it like that, Tigre’s heart was filled with nothing but gratitude towards Lana.

Moreover, Tigre sometimes saw traces of his own mother, whom he had lost to illness at the tender age of nine, in Lana whenever Mila and Lana had a mother-daughter talk. Completely different from Lana who troubled her subordinates by freely walking around all over the place and giving her daughter headaches, Tigre’s mother Diana had a weak body and was a quiet person. She was someone who would read books in bed for the young Tigre or talk to him about flowers and gardening.

Next Raphinaque also finished his greeting. Seeing his face and body stiff like a plank, Lana said with a smile, “Oh my, this sure reminds me of the time when Lord Tigrevurmud came to this land for the first time.”

The six attendants behind Mila broke out in laughter due to those words. While feeling thankful for Lana’s consideration, Tigre put on a conflicted smile as he called himself from back then.

“Well then, I shall guide Sir Raphinaque to the guest room,” Galyinin offered as soon as the laughter died down.

Raphinaque expressed his thanks.

“Everyone, you did well. Take a good rest for the rest of the day. Lord Tigrevurmud, follow me,” Mila told her attendants to take a break and left the front yard with Tigre and Lana.

Once it was just those three, Lana hugged Tigre.

“You’ve grown into a man, Tigre. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Thank you very much, Lady Lana.”

Tigre’s cheeks flushed out of embarrassment over being hugged, but since it made Lana happy, he entrusted his body to her. A sweet scent, which carried traces of perfume, tickled his nose.

Soon Lana released him out of her embrace and peered into his face, curiosity twinkling in her blue eyes.

“By the way, how far did you go with my daughter?”

Tigre was at a loss for words due to the overly blunt question.

“Mother!” Mila thundered, her face bright red.

Lana took on her daughter’s angry scowl, throwing out her abundant chest without any shyness in her demanor.

“I mean, it’s about the progress of my beloved, beloved daughter in her romantic relationship. It’s only natural for me to be curious as your parent, right? You two certainly have gone beyond just holding hands, haven’t you? Even little children can do this much, after all.”

“Umm…”

Tigre tried to reply that they had even kissed, but Mila stepped on his foot.

“We don’t have any obligation to report back to you about every single thing happening between us.”

Unable to just let Mila’s brusque attitude pass unchecked, Tigre offered Lana a tame response, “I think you have already heard from Mila, but since I couldn’t secure any deeds of arms worthy of mention during the last war, I haven’t been able to close the distance between us. Unfortunately. But, I’d like to fix that a bit until the summer ends…”

“That’s the sort of answer I want to hear. Totally different from my own daughter. Now then, Tigre, what are you going to do from now on? Are you going to celebrate your reunion for the present and start visiting the castle town? If Theodor were to see your face――”

“Mother, please come with me. I can listen to what you have to say while wiping my body and changing my clothes,” Mila quickly interrupted her mother.

If left to her own devices, it was quite possible that Lana would truly take Tigre along to go outside. Mila was sure that her father Theodor would happily welcome Tigre, if he saw him.

Lana shrugged her shoulders exaggeratedly, “Yeah, yeah, you completely and utterly lack any sort of charm. Anyway, Tigre, I’m sorry, but could you kill some time for the moment? It’d also be a nice idea to make the rounds and surprise everyone. Or you could leave for the castle town.”

“Lady Lana, you haven’t changed in the slightest,” Tigre commented while actually being happy about it. “But, so be it. I shall take you up on your word and walk around the residence for a bit.”

†

After seeing off Mila and Lana, Tigre started to wander through the mansion’s hallways. High ceilings, decorated pillars, walls made out of blue stones everywhere you looked…seeing all of these, Tigre remembered the days he had spent here in the past. At times he had scribbled on the walls with Lana, just for both of them to get scolded by Mila afterwards. Other times he’d run through the hallways with Mila deep in the night, sneaking around the backs of the patrolling soldiers. There were also times when he’d had drinking bouts with the soldiers close to him on the courtyard.

He passed maids who were carrying baskets filled with laundry. They were personnel he didn’t remember having seen three years ago. He guessed they started to work here after he’d returned to Alsace.

Next he passed some soldiers and civil officials. This time he knew their faces. He called out to them, exchanged some greetings, and rejoiced over both parties being healthy. Then again, they couldn’t talk for long with him as they were doing their professional duties right now. He separated from them while waving a hand. As his chest grew warm, his step became light and bouncy.

He stepped into one of the gardens. Flowers of various colors such as veronicas, licorices, or myrtles were blooming profusely. Tigre gazed at those flowers with a smile on his lips, but as soon as he spotted a certain type of leaves, it triggered his memory of a past event.

――Right, the leaves back then had the same shape.

Tigre had used these leaves to teach Mila about reed pipes. Mila was quite impressed by it, making Tigre proud. The two had torn off close to ten leaves, just to earn themselves a thorough scolding by the old gardener who had shown up at some point.

However, afterwards that old gardener had used those very leaves to make a reed pipe and blow it much more skillfully than Tigre and Mila, causing both youths to become astonished.

After muttering an apology, Tigre tore off a single leaf, pressed it against his lips, and blew.

“――Hmm, a reed pipe, huh?”

Hearing a voice full of admiration in his back, Tigre turned around. A single girl, with her long, silver hair swaying gently, stood there. He guessed her to be around his age. She wore military clothes which combined white and grape-lila. A longsword was visible at her waist. The personality of one standing atop others coexisted with a sweetness befitting her age inside her good-looking face without causing any discrepancies. Her ruby eyes were twinkling cheerfully as she stared at Tigre.

Tigre was unable to produce any words right off the bat. He had been charmed by her beauty. She walked up to him and extended her right hand.

“Won’t you allow me to do it as well?”

Tigre passed her the leaf in his hand. Usually, he’d have probably torn off another leaf and handed that one to her. But, her smile had so much of attractiveness to it that he felt like doing as told.

As if having just waited for it, she pressed the leaf against her lips. But, all she managed to produce was the sound of a rougher exhalation. Tigre politely taught her, who was tilting her head in confusion, the way how to blow the leaf. She immediately got the knack of it and used the leaf to imitate the cry of a swallow.

“You’re quite skilled,” Tigre honestly praised her.

In his mind he could see a swallow gliding through the air. While feeling bad about it, he tore off another leaf. He blew on it, imitating a swallow’s cry just like she had done.

Both exchanged a look, and she giggled lightly. While it was still the twittering of a swallow, she answered him with a slight modification. For a while Tigre and her exchanged reed pipe sounds. If you only heard the sounds, you’d think that two swallows might be chattering with each other.

After amusing themselves like this for a while, both almost simultaneously removed the leaf from their lips.

“This was fun. Thanks. ――Ah, come to think of it, you still haven’t heard my name, have you?”

She laughed as if having finally realized this. That openhearted attitude was very likable in Tigre’s eyes. She pressed a hand against her waist and introduced herself with a bright tone.

“I’m Eleonora Viltaria. And you?”

“…Tigrevurmud Vorn.”

Tigre’s response came with a slight delay because he couldn’t resist getting surprised when he heard her name.

――Eleonora. Don’t tell me…the one from Leitmeritz…?

She was a Vanadis known for her nickname 『Wind Princess of Silver FlashSilvfrau』 and her very bad relationship with Mila.

――Didn’t Lana mention that she’s come to visit? Besides, thinking about it calmly, there’s something else off here. Eleonora is carrying a sword. Usually, every visitor has to give their weapons into the custody of the guards here upon entering the residence. But then again, it’s not that weird for a Vanadis. I mean, everyone knows about the intimate relationship between Vanadis and her viralt.

On the other hand, Eleonora was pressing a finger against her lips, apparently brooding about something.

“Going by your accent…are you a Brunian?”

As soon as Tigre nodded, Eleonora clapped her hands as if having reached some sort of conclusion. Surprise and curiosity burst forth from deep in her eyes and her smile became even more brilliant. She leaned herself forward.

“I see, so you’re that 『300 alsin guy』, eh!?”

“…What do you mean?” Tigre answered with a question while faltering from Eleonora having brought her face close enough to his that he could taste her breath.

She drew back and replied with a smile, “I’ve heard about you from that Ludmila, you see. So I tried to ask around a bit. I was told about a guy capable of some unbelievable stuff like being good at archery while being a Brunian and being able to take down prey 300 alsin away. That’s about you, right? Umm, Tigre…”

Maybe it was hard for her to say or she wasn’t able to remember it, but either way, Eleonora fumbled her words.

“Tigre will do. I’m used to being called like that.”

“In that case, you may call me Elen.”

Eleonora, now Elen, laughed without a care.

“Now then, I know it’s sudden, but Tigre, show me your arch――”

Elen’s words were cut off by a biting word coming from the side, “Hey! What are you doing over there!?”

Once Tigre and Elen looked in the direction of the voice’s owner, they found Mila standing at the garden’s entrance while holding her viralt. Behind her were Lana and a tall woman who appeared to be around twenty. That woman’s dull blond hair was tied into a braid on the left side of her head and she wore a uniform that closely resembled Elen’s.

“What, Ludmila, eh? I was having such a fun time here at long last, so I’d prefer you to not get in my way by screaming around like a brute.”

Elen revealed a cynical smile by pulling up the corners of her mouth, her red eyes glowing provocatively. Mila walked over with long strides, planted herself in front of Tigre as if wedging herself between the two, and glared at Elen.

“I feel so sorry about that, Eleonora, but knowing your usual behavior, it’s only natural for me to become worried about you making some careless mistakes when dealing with my other guests.”

“That’s clearly what you call needless worry. After all, it’s a well-established rumor that anyone associating with you for a longer period of time will become tolerant towards almost everything done to them.”

“It’s truly saddening to see that you completely lack any self-awareness about your own conduct. Should I introduce a well-trained dog to you? I think it’d be best for you to work your way up from there.”

“Right back at you. How about you beg the stray cats in back alleys to teach you? Any stray cat, no matter how dirty it might be, is excelling you in dignity at any given moment in time.”

Each time their exchange entered a new iteration, the faces of the two girls twisted slowly, their voices became lower, and their gazes started to teem with a conspicuous hostility.

As of yet neither has readied her weapon, but at this rate, it was just a matter of time.

Lavias was releasing a faint glow as the atmosphere around Mila cooled down visibly. At the same time, the air around Elen started to swirl around unnaturally, probably inconveniencing the flowers getting dragged into this wind flow.

As for Tigre, he was watching the glaring contest, which had suddenly begun in front of him, with a dumbfounded expression. He had known about their bad blood, but it was his first time to actually witness it.

“Hey, Mila…”

There was no way that he could simply look on, and thus he called out to his lover.

Mila answered without bothering to look back at him, “Move back, Tigre. It’s fine, I’ll make sure that nothing happens to you.”

That was a line as if they were facing an atrocious monster. Helplessly Tigre looked in Elen’s direction and addressed her, believing that he’d get her to withdraw for the time being.

“Umm, Elen…”

Without sparing him a look, she kept glaring at Mila while saying, “Get away, Tigre. I don’t want to get you involved in this.”

Just what is she planning to do, that silver-haired Vanadis?

“…Why do you address him as Tigre?”

Mila’s voice had gone beyond hostility, now teeming with poison. Frost started to cover the grass at her feet.

“Because he told me that I can call him that. It’s not your place to complain about this.”

The wind swirling around Elen gradually won in intensity, stirring the grass around her.

“You don’t know anything about Tigre, do you?”

“And that’s why I shouldn’t call him by his nickname? I’m appalled to see that your narrow-mindedness has reached such a low.”

Tigre was deeply troubled by their exchange and looked at Lana in hope to find help. However, she only shrugged her shoulders in silence. Tigre was about to think that she was telling him to just leave the two alone, but seeing her eyes gleam, he denied his own guess. Those were the eyes of someone thirsting to watch a brawl. And thinking back, Tigre remembered that Lana would always jeer and throw plates to agitate people, whenever they encountered a fight in a bar or such.

I guess I have no choice but to do something about it myself.

Just when he thought that, he realized that the blond girl standing next to Lana had disappeared without him noticing.

――Maybe she went to call Lord Galyinin or someone else? If she did, it’d be reassuring. I can restrain Mila in one way or another.

Tigre immediately learned just how wrong that thinking had been. Without the time to even finish counting to three, the blond girl appeared at the entrance, carrying wooden buckets in both hands.

“――Both of you, please forgive me!”

She madly rushed over, energetically raising the wooden bucket over her head. As soon as she splashed the water inside the bucket at Elen and Mila, a transparent rainbow formed as the water droplets glittered in the light.

In the next instant, a wave of cold air blew up towards the sky while a gust of wind blew up from below. The water, which should have poured down on both, turned into countless beads of ice or got scattered after being torn apart into tiny droplets. Not even a small drop of water managed to reach either Vanadis.

It was then that Tigre made his move. He hugged Mila from behind, and pulled her away.

“Wait a sec, let go of me, Tigre!” Mila protested while fiercely struggling, but Tigre didn’t listen.

As for Elen, she was venting her complaints and anger on the blond girl.

“Don’t get in the way, Lim. It’s such a great opportunity to teach that lass a lesson so that she learns the difference in power between us.”

“Do you plan to bother His Majesty and become a laughing stock for the neighboring lords once again?” Lim responded with a chilly expression that had not a shred of sociability.

After Elen put on a dejected expression, as if Lim had hit her where it hurt, she pouted in obvious discontent.

“You saw who started this, didn’t you?”

“Eleonora-sama, would you be so kind as to invest more effort into finishing things in a more peaceful manner?”

Lim showed no mercy, whatsoever. Elen dropped her shoulder and cast her face down, before quietly apologizing. After making sure of that, Lim walked up to Tigre and Mila.

She straightened herself and bowed towards Mila, “Lady Ludmila, my lady is reflecting on her misconduct, so please overlook this matter…”

“I don’t think it’s necessary for you to feel that sorry.”

The one saying that was Tigre who was still hugging Mila. While Lim was looking at him suspiciously with her blue eyes, he continued, “You cannot say that Mila isn’t at fault here. This is Mila’s governmental residence, but not only is Elen her guest, but politeness is demanded from Mila as lord. Elen has reflected on her behavior, and I’ll make Mila reflect on it as well. Isn’t it fine with this? ――What do you think, Lady Lana?”

Once Tigre asked for her opinion, Lana walked up to them with a happy smile on her lips.

“What would you do if I said that both should beat each other up until one gives up? I think that method would allow both to clear their heads quite a bit.”

Things like this show that she’s Mila’s mother, thought Tigre.

“Even if it might have such an effect temporarily, it’ll just accumulate resentment in the long term. It seems like they had such fights many times over up until now as well. If you insist on watching a fight, I will gladly serve as Mila’s opponent, Lady Lana.”

“Because it’s a reply that goes along with my preferences, I think I will give you additional points for it.”

Lana stepped up to Tigre and gently caressed his head.

Then she shifted her eyes to her beloved daughter, “I think you should settle down anytime soon now. It’s time for you to behave like the lord of this land.”

Mila nodded curtly with an awkward expression.

“I’m alright now,” she said with an embarrassed look at Tigre.

He let go of her. She fixed her clothes and straightened her back. Elen had apparently been admonished by Lim as well and was now smoothing down her disheveled hair in a simple manner.

Both parties closed the distance and faced each other with cramped smiles clinging to their faces.

“I welcome your visit as ruler of Olmutz, Eleonora.”

“I thank you for your hospitality as ruler of Leitmeritz, Ludmila.”

The faint sound of teeth gritting could be heard from either. Both glared at each other once more, but as they didn’t let their emotions free reign anymore, Tigre and Lim could finally breathe out in relief.

†

Mila led the others into a luxurious parlor. A Muozinel-made carpet covered the floor and sofas, made out of plenty of silk, had been installed in the center of the room with a small table between them. A brick fireplace was installed in one section of the wall, but since it was summer right now, no fire was burning inside. Several small porcelain figures were lined up on top of the fireplace.

A glass chandelier was suspended from the ceiling, and if you were to lit up all its candles, it’d be able to illuminate the room like it was daytime, even at night.

Lavias and the longsword were leaned against the wall while Mila and Elen were sitting opposite of each other. Lana was seated next to Mila. On the other side, Lim had sat down next to Elen. The appropriate amount of silver cups, a bottle of wine, and a plate with cheese had been provided on the table.

Tigre wasn’t present here because he was an outsider. He was close to Mila, but there was no way for someone, who didn’t bring any important information or reliable advice with them, to be present during a talk between fellow Vanadis. Around now he should be touring the castle and castle town together with Raphinaque and Galyinin to make his courtesy calls.

To start things off, Elen plainly explained why she had appeared in the garden.

“Until a little while ago I had stayed in the guest room you had prepared for me, but I couldn’t bear the boredom. I walked around the governmental residence as a means of recreation. I had planned to go back soon, but I heard the sound of a reed pipe being played, and so I couldn’t resist checking it out.”

“Please forgive her. I believed I should also accompany Eleonora-sama, but it would have been impossible for us to leave the guest room completely deserted.”

Lim bowed at Mila and Lana, looking very apologetic. Lim was just her pet name. Her full name was Limalisha. She was a twenty-years old woman serving Elen as her adjutant. A lack of sociability was one of her defining traits, but her attitude and language were much politer than Elen’s. Mila didn’t dislike her.

“Lady Eleonora, you met Lord Tigrevurmud for the first time, didn’t you? It seemed like you have become quite close, so what did you two talk about for it to become like that?” Lana asked as light chat before the main topic.

Elen broke into a broad grin, “We just played reed pipes together. But, because of that, I was able to feel nostalgic.”

“That sounds great,” Lana replied, but Mila didn’t feel happy about this at all.

That garden held a place in her heart since Tigre had taught her how to play a reed pipe over there.

――It’s good she didn’t ask when we were still in the garden…

If she had heard this while her emotions were still high-strung, she suspected she wouldn’t have been able to stay calm. She hadn’t been able to immediately shake the feeling that this nostalgic place of her memories had been tainted in some ways.

“Eleonora, would you be so kind as to tell me why you deliberately came all the way here,” Mila asked after finishing to pour wine into everyone’s cup.

“Can’t you take a guess what I might want to ask you?” After taking a sip of the wine, Elen continued, “It’s about the forest neighboring my Leitmeritz, the royal territory, and Olmutz. Various reports about the forest having grown since spring and people going missing in there have reached me. How about your side?”

Mila widened her eyes. Not only did it align with the reports in Olmutz, but Mila was also surprised that Elen would talk so honestly about the circumstances on Leitmeritz’s side.

“It’s the same here. A few days ago I had a meeting with the governor of the royal territory, Leszek, about this as well.”

Elen revealed an evil smile at Mila’s words. Apparently she had already talked with him as well.

“How did it go?”

“Our talks didn’t go anywhere,” Mila shook her head. “That forest belongs to us, the people of Olmutz are to stay away, and the ones, who went missing in there, are of no concern of ours…that was the gist of it from the beginning to the end. Though it also didn’t help that our position is weak when it comes to the ownership of that forest.”

“I also tried to talk with that man, but the results were the same. It felt like he didn’t want us to meddle with the forest no matter what. What are your plans from now on?”

Being asked so straightforwardly, Mila furrowed her eyebrows.

“I plan to watch how things develop for a while. That forest is too big. I think it will become unable for Leszek to handle it all by himself in the near future. ――What about you?”

“I plan to enter the forest from Leitmeritz’s side,” replied Elen without a sliver of hesitation.

It caused Mila to feel flabbergasted.

“You personally? That’s too hasty. What will you do if you get lost in there?”

“I have Arifar.”

Elen looked over to the longsword leaning next to Lavias. This sword was her viralt. It was Arifar’s wind power that scattered the water in the garden.

“Even if I get lost, I can immediately fly out above the trees. If it’s just me and a few men, I’m confident I’ll be able to escape if we’re found by a group of monsters, let alone the governor’s subordinates.”

Elen glanced at Lim while reclining against the sofa’s backrest. She was donning a sullen face

So that’s how it is, Mila realized. Eleonora must have come here after being told to do so by Lim.

The Vanadis, the lord of the principality, had said that she’d enter the forest that’s shrouded by strange rumors. After opposing that, Lim had offered a compromise, telling her lord to gather as much information as possible.

“Sorry for not being of much help. But, right… I could send soldiers towards the forest on my side when you enter the forest to draw the attention of Leszek to myself, I guess.”

Mila shared the wish of wanting to know what was going on inside the forest. If Elen said she’d go in there for them, this level of support wasn’t much of a problem for Mila.

“What’s the price?”

“Tell me what you’ve seen inside that forest.”

“Deal,” Elen smiled daringly.

Both decided on when Elen would enter the forest. And once they finished that, Elen drank from her wine again and changed the topic.

“By the way, did you recently meet Sofy?”

Sofy referred to Sofya Obertas, the Vanadis with the alias 『Brilliant Princess of Light FlowerPresuvet』. She was a friend of Mila and Elen. Though Mila found it extremely strange how Sofy could be on good terms with Elen. And of course, Elen thought the same vice versa.

“The last time I met Sofy was before the war against Muozinel,” Mila replied.

Elen groaned, folding her arms.

“As a matter of fact, it seems like it’s set that I will fight against Sofy.”

No nervousness or sorrow could be felt from Elen’s expression. Only annoyance. Because of that, Mila could immediately guess the reason.

“Does that possibly mean you got dragged into a dispute between landed nobles?”

“That’s how it is,” Elen sighed.

According to her, the two nobles were having an argument and while one of them requested Sofy’s help, the other one came to Elen.

“I exchanged several letters with Sofy about this matter, but she seemed to be surprised, or rather, appalled by this as well. Accordingly, it was decided that Sofy and I would have direct talks next. Before it’s being misunderstood as a battle between fellow Vanadis.”

“If Sofy and you fight, I will support Sofy,” Mila laughed teasingly.

Then again, half of it was her true feelings. Elen also lifted an eyebrow, smiling in a dangerous way.

“There’s something I’d like to request from you for the sake of suppressing folks who come up with such dumb ideas.”

Elen and Sofy had no intention to fight each other. Elen wanted Mila to tell this to the neighboring nobles who were close to her.

“Sofy and I will of course explain the situation to the nobles close to us. After all, we’d be troubled, if they started to maneuver in some way after getting the wrong impression. Just in case, I’d like you to help out with this as well.”

“I don’t mind doing that, but please don’t think I’ll do it for free.”

“You charge money from your friends?”

Mila’s expression immediately turned grim when Elen acted surprised in an exaggerated manner. But, immediately perceiving that Elen was referring to Sofy here, Mila grimaced.

“…No choice then. I will lend you my help for Sofy’s sake.”

Mila wanted to avoid getting dragged into an unnecessary uproar. Besides, leaving Elen aside, Mila didn’t want to give Sofy any trouble.

“Is that all you wanted from me?”

“Yes…ah, wait. There’s one more thing.”

Expectation filled Elen’s ruby eyes as she placed the empty cup on the table.

“Please call Tigre. I’d love to see his archery skills.”

Mila had to do her utmost to resist the urge of wanting to pour the content of her own cup on Elen’s head.

†

When he saw the blanket of white steam after passing through the bathroom’s door, Tigre’s expression became slovenly thanks to the luxury of being allowed to soak in a bath while he felt nostalgic at the same time.

――Usually I only get the chance to wash myself at a river or wipe my body with a wet cloth.

This wasn’t limited to the road either. Even his life in Alsace was basically just like that. On special days or fairly cold winter days, he’d warm the core of his body by filling a bathtub with hot water and soaking in it, but there were few such days. Previously, when he had Mila take him to a spa, he got moved to tears.

Plenty of hot water was filling the huge bathtub. Tigre leaned over its edge, scooped up water with a hand, and applied it to his body. After pouring hot water on his body with the bucket placed on the side next, he rubbed himself with a cloth, getting rid of dirt and filth. Once he poured the hot water over his head, blackish water blended with grit streamed down on the floor.

And then, after finishing washing his body, Tigre entered the bath itself. At once, he sighed in relief and relaxation.

“It’s great that everyone seemed to be doing fine.”

He had safely finished making the round with Galyinin and Raphinaque. Just as some had retired and left the residence, others had passed away, but he was able to rejoice over the reunion with those who stayed behind.

――Still, for me to show off my archery skills on the day of my arrival here…

His face blushed out of embarrassment. Tigre had exhibited his archery skills while going around. At first, he was persistently pestered about it by Elen, but when Lana also started to talk about wanting to see it, they all headed over to the training ground.

It’s impossible to not stand out, if you walk around with seven people in tow. Moreover, if two of them are Vanadis.

It drew the interest of the soldiers and civil officials they passed on the way, and they all followed in groups. Very likely, some of them also assumed that following the Vanadis would be a great way to skip on their work.

When they arrived at the training ground, close to forty people were actually tagging along as 「Spectators」. Under their scrutinizing eyes, Tigre exhibited his skill with the heirloom of his family, the black bow. Starting from easily hitting targets at a distance of 300 alsin, he focused his shooting on one specific point, shot his arrows above the wall, and even released his arrows at his targets while running around.

Loud cheers filled the training ground each time Tigre’s arrows hit something. Mila and Lana pushed out their chests in pride as if it was their accomplishment while Elen watched the whole performance with sparkling eyes. Only Lim stood stock still, too stunned and dumbfounded to say anything. When it came to Raphinaque, he was moved to tears as he applauded so hard that his hands also swelled.

“I have heard from Lord Galyinin and Lady Vanadis that my young lord’s archery skills had been highly evaluated over here, but…I didn’t expect it to be such a raving reception. I would love to have Lord Urs and Elder Bertrand watch this spectacle.”

Afterwards Tigre took a break in his guest room, but then he was informed about the bath having been prepared, and taken to this bathhouse.

――Eleonora…Elen, huh?

Suddenly the face of the silver-haired Vanadis popped up in his head. She had been one of those praising Tigre’s archery skills without any reservations.Her wanting to touch his arms, hands, and bow bewildered him though.

――I wanted to talk with her a bit more.

Elen and Lim would stay in the governmental residence upon Mila’s offer. Around the time when Tigre finished demonstrating his archery skills, the sun was already starting to sink and it was unthinkable that Elen’s party hadn’t accumulated some fatigue after coming all the way here.

Putting aside her personal feelings about Elen, Mila acted like a proper ruler. And Elen also accepted that offer with thanks. It seemed to be her consideration towards Lim. And even Lim appeared to feel relieved since it led to Elen resting her body.

Having said that, Elen announced that she only planned to wait until dawn to depart the mansion, so Tigre assumed she had gone to bed early tonight. He didn’t know what she did about dinner, but it didn’t look like he’d get a chance to have an extensive talk with her.

At that moment he heard the door being opened. Someone had apparently entered the bathhouse.

――Raphinaque, eh? He probably got Lord Galyinin to guide him here.

Tigre stood up as he saw a figure beyond the steam. Just when he left the bathtub and tried to call out to the person, his eyes flew wide open and he choked on his words.

The one standing over there was Elen. Stark naked. Her hand was carrying the longsword, sheathed in its scabbard, but otherwise she had absolutely nothing on her. Her supple arms and legs, her bountiful and well-shaped breasts, and the enchanting body line from her slender waist to her roundish butt immediately entered Tigre’s visual field.

Elen also noticed Tigre, raising an eyebrow. She looked closely at his face and then moved her eyes to his waist, lightly glaring.

Without her face blushing furiously out of shame, nor her charging at him like a fury with sword in hand, she calmly said, “If you don’t want to show him off, wouldn’t it be better to hide him?”

Noticing where her eyes rested, Tigre turned his back on her in a hurry. One part of his body had shown a very distinct reaction without Tigre himself willing it.

Not minding Tigre’s presence any further, Elen knelt down at the bathtub’s edge and started to rinse her body with warm water.

“Umm, sorry. I’ll leave right away…”

“If you plan to leave out of consideration for me, don’t bother.”

Tigre needed some time to understand the words Elen had hurled at him. He tilted his head in confusion with his eyes fixed on the wall. Why was she this calm about it? Why didn’t she get upset over him seeing her nude body? Why didn’t she tell him to get out?

After a short pause of around five breaths, Tigre timidly asked, “…You’re not angry?”

“Of course, I was surprised. But, I was the one entering a place with you inside. It’d be illogical to get angry at you for it. Rather, I should be the one to apologize. Forgive me.”

Water continued to splash as she spoke. Tigre breathed out in relief. At the same time, a question welled up in him.

“Why did you come here…?”

“I apparently mistook the bathhouses,” answered Elen bitterly and then sighed. “Ludmila prepared a bath for Lim and me. Before I opened the door, I noticed the presence of someone being inside, but I thought it was Lim.”

At last Tigre understood what had happened.

So that’s what occurred. But in that case, why hasn’t she left right away?

But, before he could voice that question, Elen said, “As long as it’s fine with you, I’d like to talk. Can I have you humor me on that?”

Ah, now I see.

Tigre also wanted to talk with her a bit longer. This was a weird encounter, but it didn’t change the fact of it being a good opportunity.

“Would it be okay for me to ask you one thing before that?”

He received silence in response. Deciding to take that as a yes, Tigre continued, “Aren’t you…err, embarrassed?”

Believing a completely nude Elen to be in his back, his face got all hot and his heartbeat soared out of nervousness and excitement. Even though he tried to not think of it, he couldn’t get her white skin out of his head.

After some time, a reply came back that sounded more like a girl of her age, different from until now.

“Of course I’m embarrassed. For my skin to be seen by a man from such a close proximity…,” while the water sounds continued intermittently, Elen added with a renewed firmness in her voice, “But, I strive to act boldly and imposingly as a Vanadis. While it’s true that you’ve seen my skin, I cannot afford to curl myself up like some little girl who knows nothing. Then again, if you’d lost your reason and assaulted me, it might have cost you at least one arm, though.”

With the longsword reflected at the edge of his visual field, Tigre reflexively stroked his own arm. Elen’s body was beautiful and it was without a doubt alluring. His own body had reacted very strongly to it and didn’t show any sign of calming down as of yet.

“It’s a rare chance to take a hot bath, so how about you stop standing around there and get into the bath? It won’t be a problem if we turn away from each other, right? At this rate, it’ll be hard to have a decent conversation.”

Tigre hesitated for a bit, but she was right in her argumentation. While making sure to not look at Elen as much as possible, Tigre went inside the hot water. Once he spotted her long, silver hair flowing gently on the water’s surface in a mysterious pattern, he sat down behind her.

For a while, neither of them said anything. As might be expected, it took them some time to get used to this weird situation.

“――Alsace,” muttered Elen all of a sudden.

Tigre almost turned around out of reflex, but held himself back.

“What sort of place is Alsace?”

After calming himself by splashing water on his face several times, Tigre asked curiously, “Something like that interests you?”

“You said you taught those archery skills yourself, didn’t you? I just wondered what den of evil it must be for you to have acquired such a technique.”

“Calling it a den of evil is really terrible of you.”

Since he knew that Elen was joking, Tigre responded while smiling wryly.

“It’s a countryside filled with nothing but mountains and forests. But, although I say it’s got nothing besides those two, the mountains and forests bless us with many things. Great numbers of foxes and boars ravage our fields, and beasts as well bandits come down from the Vosges as well. You’ll find hunters with decent archery skills in any of our villages. They taught me how to handle the bow.”

“Hoh, you say there are several hunters who possess archery skills at your level?” Elen’s voice was dyed with surprise.

Tigre shook his head, “It might sound like boasting, but I’m the best archer in Alsace.”

“I think you can rightfully be proud about your ability to hit a target 300 alsin away. What was the biggest target you took down so far? The war elephants of Muozinel’s army?”

Elen flooded him with questions, sounding very happy. Tigre pondered for a bit.

“If we limit it to archery, it’d be a war elephant. Otherwise, I also happened to take down a dragon. In the Vosges Mountains.”

A curtain of silence alighted in the bathroom. Tigre could hear Elen sighing faintly.

“Since it’s you, I don’t think you’re telling me a tall story here, but how did you do it?”

Dragons were covered by scales which easily fended off iron blades. And even the parts without scales were so hard that you couldn’t injure them easily. Their eyeballs were protected by strong membranes, making it impossible to injure them. If a human ran into a dragon, they shouldn’t have any means to survive but to run for dear life.

“Simply explained, I dropped it off a cliff. I got the help of various people.”

“Hmm, I see… By the way, what color had the scales of the dragon?”

“Brass. I wouldn’t break the laws of Zhcted,” Tigre answered with a laugh.

In the past Mila had asked him the same question when he told her about his encounter with the dragon.

Zhcted’s laws forbade killing young dragons and black dragons. Tigre suspected it was related to Zhcted’s founding king proclaiming himself to be a descendant of the Black Dragon. Then again, Mila had commented with an appalled voice, “We sure have some weird laws. Yet, most of the people won’t ever see a dragon in their lives.”

“By the way, is it okay for me to ask you something as well?”

“I don’t mind. I’ll answer as much as I can,” replied Elen cheerfully.

Tigre asked with a voice as composed as possible, “Why are you on such bad terms with Mila?”

Previously Tigre had heard about Elen’s personality from Mila. According to her, Elen didn’t know any common sense, only provoked and ridiculed people, acted rudely and like a brute, and immediately got angry. But, after having blown reed pipes with her in the garden, Tigre couldn’t embrace a bad impression of Elen. Even when talking with her like this, he felt the same.

As such Tigre thought that some sort of misunderstanding might exist between the two women, resulting in Mila deliberately insulting Elen like that.

“Why am I on bad terms with that girl…?”

Tigre felt bewildered because her tone was brimming with displeasure.

Maybe this was a bad question?

“That’s obvious. Ludmila is arrogant, haughty, treacherous, an extreme stickler when it comes to manners, and short-tempered to the extent that she’ll fly into a rage as soon as someone talks back to her a bit, especially considering how much she looks down on others. She’s a malicious female fox who only confronts you with sarcasm and insults.”

“…I see.”

Tigre barely managed to squeeze that answer out as he stared in wonder due to the horrible evaluation coming out of Elen’s mouth. And exactly because some parts weren’t wrong either, he had trouble refuting it.

“I met that girl for the first time three years ago when I had become a Vanadis. She had come to pay her respects because a new Vanadis had appeared in her neighboring principality. Her arrogant attitude of trying to teach me things under the assumption that I’m an uneducated lass still pisses me off to this day whenever I remember it.”

Afterwards, Elen asked Tigre, “Don’t you think so as well?”

“…I won’t deny that Mila has such a side to her as well. But, I also know many good things about her.”

Tigre stopped at saying that much. Even if he went into detail here, it’d only bore Elen, he suspected.

“I like Mila and I don’t hate you either. I enjoyed being able to blow a reed pipe with you and I was happy about you praising my archery skills. Because of that, I thought I could get you two to compromise somewhat, but…”

“Humph, you should probably talk to Ludmila instead then.”

“You’re right. Forgive me,” he apologized honestly.

After letting silence reign for a short time, Elen asked, “Would you like to visit Leitmeritz?”

Tigre failed to perceive what sort of intention she had when saying those words.

“Let’s see… I’ll take you up on that offer sooner or later. For Alsace there’s nothing better than getting along with Leitmeritz.”

Those weren’t honeyed words, but his true feelings. On the other hand, Tigre knew that Mila would be disappointed if she heard this. Olmutz had formed a friendship with Alsace to restrain Leitmeritz. But, Tigre believed Alsace could be of use as a point of contact during negotiations, unlike so far.

“You’re right. Putting aside the matter with Olmutz, it’d be great to build such a relationship with Alsace,” Elen answered with a friendly, familiar tone, although Tigre didn’t know what she was actually thinking deep down.

The sound of water followed those words. She had risen out of the bath.

“I’m sorry, but please wait a short while before leaving yourself.”

“Sure. I’m not overly interested in inviting misunderstandings either.”

Tigre shrugged his shoulders. It was easy to imagine how people would interpret a man and a woman taking a bath together. Not to mention Elen’s position. He had to protect this secret for the sake of her honor.

Hearing the door being closed, Tigre took a breath. He thought it was a bit of a waste and then looked down while feeling ashamed of himself.

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