Chapter 53 : Chapter 53
Chapter 053
Morning came.
But this was a secret hideout. There was no chance for sunlight to reach it. I woke when I heard one of my subordinates knocking outside.
“Captain. Breakfast is ready. Please come out and eat with us.”
“Shall I?”
I had planned to return before noon, but sharing breakfast with them did not sound bad at all. More than anything, I was curious whether Eluna had slept well.
There was something else that had worried me too. No matter what, she was staying among men from the underworld, so there was always the possibility that something terrible might have happened to her during the night.
Of course, the odds were slim.
After throwing on my clothes, I stepped outside and found a round table set there. I asked one of the men walking past,
“When did you bring in the table?”
“Lady Eluna said it would be nice to have one, so I picked one up early this morning.”
“Well done.”
I smiled in satisfaction.
Partly because I liked the table itself, and partly because he had naturally called her Lady Eluna.
Kalmond was going to find a new hideout for us anyway, but even so, the fact that we could all gather around and share even one meal like this this morning made me happy.
Somehow, it felt as though I were playing Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Since I was practically using cheat codes, the early-stage excitement and immersion were tremendous. I really wanted this organization to grow quickly.
For that to happen, I needed more capable officers. I needed more soldiers too. The thought came to me again that I ought to pour money into it without holding back.
Just then, Eluna came out of the room.
She had discarded the shabby clothes she wore yesterday and was now dressed in a simple black dress. Even the heels of her black shoes were fairly high.
In short, it was an excellent outfit for an underworld strategist. All she needed was a fan, and she would look the part perfectly. I ought to get her one later.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Thanks to you. I like the clothes. Where did you find them so quickly?”
“Sir Kalmond brought them for me.”
“Where is Kalmond?”
“He is out scouting for a moment. But are you really wearing that mask even in the morning? Surely you did not sleep in it?”
She asked cautiously. But from the sharpness hidden in her words, it seemed that once she truly found her footing in the organization, she might grow into a cold-blooded strategist.
That was often how those from the bottom were. They carried bitterness within them, and when opportunity came, they displayed their abilities beyond their limits, like a fish finally returned to water.
That was exactly what I wanted from Eluna.
“I will take it off later once it gets too hot. Do not concern yourself.”
“All right, Master.”
Eluna did not call me Captain. She called me Master. A small curiosity stirred in me, so I walked up to her and brushed her hair aside.
○ Eluna
Rank: ★★★★★
Level: 4
Traits: Archery S, Instrument Performance A, Agility A, Wisdom A, Affinity with Nature A, Magical Power B, Blessing of the World Tree C, Magic Resistance C, ???
Status: Favorability
[Not Unlocked]
[Not Unlocked]
......
Everything else remained the same, but her status had changed to Favorability. Compared to yesterday, when it had been Resignation, that was tremendous progress.
Still, the lack of any grand modifier suggested that her trust or faith in me was not yet especially great. But that was a matter time would solve, so there was no reason to worry about it.
Perhaps because I had touched her hair so suddenly, Eluna stepped back slightly, flustered.
“What is the matter?”
“Nothing. It simply looked as though your hair had a nice texture. How do you take care of it?”
“......”
Eluna looked at me oddly. Next time, I would have to think of a more natural way to initiate physical contact.
“Come now. Let us all eat first.”
“Please enjoy!”
Once I sat down, Eluna and the others gathered around the table. Kalmond, who had come in late, set his weapon aside and joined the meal. Calling it a meal was a stretch, really. There was only a drink to moisten the throat and some bread.
It would have been nice if there were even a little soup.
Once again, I was reminded just how excellent the meals at House Adeline were.
“How is the mood outside?”
I asked, and Kalmond set down the bread he had been eating before answering.
“It is quiet. Like the feeling just before a storm passes over.”
“You mean word has spread that the Black Pig bastards got smashed?”
“It surely has. This part of the world is so small that rumors like that spread immediately. Many organizations were probably already watching us closely even before the raid.”
As I chewed on a chunk of bread, I nodded. They must all have been shocked. A large organization had been smashed by a group of only five men.
“That is good. The others will not be able to meddle with us so easily now.”
“And with the rumor spreading that Blackship himself has been captured, they will be even less willing to move rashly. If they do, they risk becoming enemies of the Black Pig Gang as well.”
“So we are safe for a week.”
“That is right.”
I smiled in satisfaction. Things were progressing more smoothly than I had expected. Now it seemed all I had to do was return to the mansion and handle the follow-up work properly.
Looking toward Eluna, I asked,
“You explained the current situation to Eluna as well, yes?”
“I explained everything yesterday.”
“Good. From now on, discuss every matter in the organization with Eluna.”
“Yes.”
Kalmond still looked unconvinced. Then again, if I were in his position, I probably would have too. But I had seen the Status Window, and I knew she possessed an exceptional bloodline. Right now, the important thing was to place complete trust in her and make her one of my people.
Kalmond asked cautiously,
“When will you be returning?”
“I will go back right after breakfast.”
“Is it impossible for you to tell us where you are going?”
“I am not going far. I will stay in this city. If danger comes, I will come running, so there is no need to be too afraid.”
“It is not so much fear. It is simply frustrating that we have no ordinary way to contact you. This place has more variables than one might think. And on top of that, we are keeping several prisoners.”
“Hm.”
He had a point. But it was not as though I could come out here every single time. After thinking for a moment, I had an idea.
“Do you have any shop or restaurant under your control?”
“There is a small tavern that also serves as an inn.”
“Then put Eluna there. I will come by every two days or so to eat. If anything happens, deliver word to me then.”
“Understood.”
After the meal, I left the hideout. Kalmond and Eluna came out to see me off.
“Do not forget what I told you. Train the men hard, recruit plenty of capable people, and do not spare the money. And let us wait to put the artisans to work until after we have dealt with the Black Pig bastards.”
“Yes.”
“Eluna. You have heard the story already, but from now on, make sure you learn archery well. I need someone who can support me solidly from the rear. You understand what I mean, do you not?”
I meant that she should make good use of her racial traits. Eluna obediently answered that she understood.
From there, I headed back toward the mansion.
Before I entered the main road, I removed the mask and returned to being a Butler Apprentice of House Adeline. I tucked the iron mask into my bag and walked on at ease.
***
Once I arrived at the mansion, I put my things in order and headed straight for the Training Officer’s Office. Vesper was still seated there, sternly reviewing documents.
“Good morning, Training Officer.”
“Did you spend your leave well?”
“Thanks to you, I did.”
After nodding, he began checking the duty log. For the time being, I was attached to Young Master Hamel, so orders would come directly from that side.
But the document he found was empty.
Usually, that meant there was no special assignment. It was not leave, but one had to handle matters improvisationally.
“For the moment, go and pay your respects to Young Master Hamel. It seems there is nothing special today.”
“Understood, Training Officer. Then I will be on my way.”
I headed at once toward Young Master Hamel’s residence. Today as well, Sir Paramela was standing guard at the entrance. I greeted him warmly.
“Sir Paramela, good morning. I look forward to your guidance today as well.”
He gave me a bitter smile and answered,
“It may be a good morning for you. But it is not one for me. Thanks to you, the morale of the Knight Order has completely collapsed.”
“Oh dear. I should have held back a little.”
“The Knight Order’s doors are always open. Should you ever change your mind, come at once.”
“I understand.”
But he did not step aside.
Normally, I ought to have gone in, paid my respects, and attended him. Soon enough, he explained why.
“The Young Master drank far too much last night. He likely will not wake until late in the afternoon. So go back to your quarters and wait there for now. There is nothing for you to do here.”
“I see. Then would it be all right if I spent the time in the library?”
“Why should it not be? If something comes up, I will send someone for you there.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Sir Paramela.”
Thanks to that, I was able to hole myself up in the library. If the Third Young Master’s Guard Knight had been Sir Lorenz instead of Sir Paramela, he probably would have put me to work cleaning.
The library, when I arrived again after so long, was exactly as before.
The only difference was that today the desk was not being watched by another butler, but by Stewart himself.
“Well now, if it is not Sir Dilen! Welcome. Are you looking for a particular book?”
“Sir Dilen? Someone might get the wrong idea.”
“Hahaha! You have become extraordinarily popular these days, have you not? I saw the spar with the Apprentice Knight myself. It was quite thrilling.”
“I was merely fortunate.”
“Luck is also a kind of ability. And these days, are you not attending Young Master Hamel?”
“That is right.”
Letting out a sound of admiration, he patted my shoulder.
“You are walking a path quite unlike that of any ordinary apprentice. It was startling enough when you were assigned solely to Young Lady Sapiela, and now you are attending Young Master Hamel as well. At this rate, you may end up entering official office.”
“That is not going to happen, so do not worry.”
“One never knows what may happen in life. Now then, what brings you here today?”
“I wanted to read for a while. My duties are empty until the afternoon.”
“Is that so? Then go on in.”
Stewart readily gave me permission to enter. He was a man who loved books. And because of that, he also tended to love people who loved books.
After greeting the senior butlers respectfully as well, I stepped into the library.
The very first book I looked for was a scholarly work on the different races.
“I know the basics about elves, but this world may be different. I need to study their culture and traits.”
This too was all for the sake of our organization. If I used Eluna well, we could achieve something significant.
Perhaps because I had once worked in the library for a short time, I found the relevant book quickly. The title was On Elves and the World Tree, and Their Origins.
As with any field of learning, the easiest way to approach it was to read a book that arranged the concept or phenomenon in chronological order. So I took that one in hand.
Elves are the race chosen by Ishilua, the Goddess of Wisdom. Ishilua commanded them to manage and preserve the world, and they faithfully carried out that charge. Ishilua planted the World Tree in this world, which generates the energy required to sustain it.
A familiar sort of story.
In myths and novels alike, the World Tree was always the source of mana and the pillar of the world.
That was why so many tales spoke of chaos arising when the World Tree sickened or encountered some problem.
The place where the elves live is called Elvenheim. It is said that only the chosen may set foot in that unknown land.
They enjoy eternal life, are peaceful, and live in harmony with nature. But as many historical events have proven, when crisis comes upon them, they transform into great hunters. They are deeply versed in archery and make use of every weapon fashioned from wood.
Nothing seemed especially unusual.
Still, just in case, I decided to read the book all the way through. As I continued, one sentence suddenly caught my eye.
Elves place great importance on chastity. Any elf who loses chastity takes his or her own life. This does not differ greatly between men and women, and is a distinctive cultural phenomenon of the elven race.
That passage was interesting. The fact that Eluna had not killed herself meant that she had not yet been subjected to anything vile. Was that something to be relieved about?
As I began concentrating on the book, I did not even notice that someone had approached quite close to me.
“Huh?”