Episode 12: Each of Their (Incorrect) Feelings
—Felsen Lord’s Estate, Office—
The heavy doors closed, and Bartos and Elishua knelt in the center of the office.
Lord Gustav von Felsen stared at them across his desk, tapping a document with one finger.
“…Well? How did it go?”
His voice was low and weighty.
Bartos straightened his posture and began his report.
“We met the one believed to be the master of the manor.
He appeared to be an ordinary young man, and we sensed no hostility.”
“The mana flow around the manor is stable as well.
There were no signs of danger to the territory.”
At Elishua’s words, Gustav frowned.
“No *signs*, hm…
That is only within the limits of what you two could observe.”
The two fell silent.
Gustav leaned back in his chair and exhaled deeply.
“That manor itself is an unknown magical structure.
It alters the surrounding mana, even affecting the forest’s ecosystem.
Something that ‘rewrites the territory’s mana map simply by existing’—
normally, that would be classified as a disaster.”
His voice carried not just caution, but the fear that the land itself might be transformed.
“And such a place is inhabited by an ‘ordinary young man’?
You expect me to believe that?”
The tapping of his finger echoed through the quiet room.
“So? What did he claim to be?”
“He said… ‘I am nothing.’”
“He also said he could not explain further.”
Elishua added, and Gustav let out a short, cold laugh.
“Could not?
Or would not?”
Bartos spoke quickly.
“My lord, the Master clearly stated he bears no hostility.
We were instructed to avoid any disrespect and proceed with—”
“Proceed with caution?”
Gustav’s voice rumbled, and both of them straightened instinctively.
“You were sent to *verify*.
To investigate.
Yet you simply accepted his words and returned?”
Bartos faltered.
Gustav stood and looked out the window toward the forest where the manor lay.
“…That manor alters the territory’s mana flow.
If its master were to lose control, the forest—and even the city—could be engulfed.
A being like that cannot possibly be ‘nothing.’”
Then, in a quiet but decisive tone, he said:
“Bring that man here.”
Bartos and Elishua both snapped their heads up.
Gustav turned, eyes sharp.
“There are things you two cannot discern.
Whether he is a blessing or a calamity—I must judge with my own eyes.”
Elishua asked in a trembling voice:
“Wh‑when…?”
“Tomorrow.”
—Kazuya’s House, Living Room—
After Bartos and Elishua left, the living room fell silent.
The tension from earlier felt like a lie.
(…Whew. They said some heavy stuff, but…)
I flopped onto the sofa and stared at the ceiling.
(I told them I’m harmless.
I told them I’m nobody.
That should be enough.)
I also told them I couldn’t explain the details.
(I mean… even if I tried, they wouldn’t believe me.
And I don’t even understand why this house exists here myself.
Explaining would just confuse everyone.)
Tama hopped down from the back of the sofa and placed a paw on my shoulder.
“Meow. (You really think that’s the end of it?)”
I couldn’t help but grin.
(They said the house can stay.
No taxes.
And they’re treating me like some kind of blessing…)
I counted on my fingers.
(No property tax.
No resident tax.
No land fees.
And they’re literally thanking me for living here…)
A laugh bubbled up.
(This… is totally a win, right?)
I always imagined otherworld life would be harder.
But this was nothing like I expected.
(They’re not kicking me out.
They’re welcoming me…)
Tama flicked her tail.
“Meow. (Get cocky and you’ll regret it.)”
I lay down on the sofa, using my arm as a pillow.
(The lord knows about me, sure…
But they already confirmed I’m harmless.)
And the other directive—
(‘Find out who the master is.’
Well, I told them I’m nobody.
So that’s done too.)
Even as I thought it, I wondered if I was being too optimistic.
But I decided not to worry about it.
(Alright… for today, I win.
Complete victory.)
Tama curled up on my stomach.
“Meow. (Honestly… this man is hopelessly optimistic.)”
I closed my eyes.
(As for tomorrow…
Well, I’ll deal with it when it comes.)
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