Chapter 50: Change (5)

Cecilia felt uncomfortable.

…No, was it really correct to call this discomfort?

After pondering for a moment, she soon thought that rather than discomfort, the more accurate expression was awkwardness.

Yes, she felt awkward now.

The reason was none other than the name Lian had mentioned.

“……”

Allen Amiel.

To tell the truth, it was a name she had known even before Lian mentioned it.

The illegitimate child who could be called the only stain on Count Amiel, who was otherwise famous for his noble character.

Along with that, it was quite well-known that this illegitimate child had even more vivid red hair than the official heir of the family.

So much so that the story had reached her ears even out in the remote frontier where she lived.

More than anything, there was the fact that he had been in the same team as Lian during the Dungeon Field Class.

And also Lian’s closest friend at the Academy…

‘No, that’s not right.’

If she were to choose only among ‘male friends,’ then Allen Amiel could be counted as his closest one.

‘Of course, his real closest friend is me.’

Cecilia let out a small huff through her nose.

However, no matter how true that might have been, it did not change the fact that she felt awkward about what happened today.

— If it’s okay, let’s go out together, the three of us, and take a look around.

Recalling those words, Cecilia unconsciously pouted her lips.

It was true that she herself had immediately nodded with joy when she heard the invitation to go out together, but no matter how she thought about it afterward, she could not hide her sense of unfairness.

She rummaged around and picked up a letter that had been lying on her desk.

It was from her elder sister, Selendis Everglenn, who was also the Vice-Commander of the Dragon Knights that guarded the capital.

And in such situations, she was nearly the only person Cecilia could rely on.

The reason Cecilia had written to ask for her advice was simple.

Unlike herself, Selendis had lived from a young age surrounded by people in the order of knights.

And since she was also a person who led and managed the order, Cecilia had thought she would surely be much more insightful about such things.

Indeed, her sister had given her useful advice and answers.

Cecilia slowly read through the letter once more.

[To my beloved younger sister, Cecilia.]

[Seisil, it has been such a long time. I too heard that there was some turmoil at the Academy. I was terribly shocked when I heard you had been caught up in that commotion, but I could only breathe a sigh of relief once I heard that you were safe. Your studies are important, but above all else, I hope you will consider your safety from now on.]

[First of all, I was truly surprised reading your letter. That you had gained such a trustworthy friend.

And that you sought advice from none other than your elder sister makes me truly happy. If I could follow my heart, I would much prefer to sit face-to-face and talk with you, but it seems utterly impossible to make the time. Please forgive me for that. Still, once this mission is over, I’ll be able to take leave, so let us then spend some time together as sisters. Of course, when that time comes, I’ll seat you on the back of my ‘Silver Surfer’ and bring you home…]

“……”

Cecilia briskly flipped through the letter.

Because the beginning did not contain what she was looking for.

“…Here it is.”

[Enough with the idle chatter. You said you wanted to become closer with that friend, right? First, find the things you two have in common, and approach each other with respect and consideration. Build memories together so that you can rely on and trust each other. Of course, in most cases, when two people spend time together, before you know it, they naturally become friends…]

Flip.

Cecilia turned the page.

And at the very top of the next page was a line that seemed to pierce straight through to her true feelings.

[But Cecilia. What you want is not just an ordinary friendship, is it?]

[If possible, you want to be for that friend the closest one of all, and likewise, you want both of you to be the closest to each other. I do not doubt that the friend you’ve chosen is an excellent and good person. But naturally, the better a person is, the more people will gather around them. That friend will already have companions who met them long before you did and built bonds, or friends with whom they are closer than you.]

[But that doesn’t mean you should lose confidence. Sometimes, a little intention, planning, and even staging can strengthen the bond between two people. Yes, to be specific, for example…]

“I definitely did what she wrote.”

The part that had caught Cecilia’s eye first was the phrase: ‘Find commonalities between the two of you and build memories.’

It was a phrase that appeared countless times in the books she had borrowed from the Library.

That was why she had chosen to make contracts with natural spirits—specifically, the three spirits she and Lian had encountered together in the Library.

There had been no special meaning or thought behind it.

It was simply because the first thing that came to mind then was the experience she had shared with Lian in the Library.

A bird made of steam.

A serpent made of embers.

Something dark and murky, forming into the shape of a spider.

When I made contracts with these three spirits, Lian had worn an expression that seemed full of many thoughts.

At that time, I had done it without much consideration…

“…Did I commit something far too strange?”

Looking back on it now, it felt like I had done something unsettling.

On second thought, it seemed only natural that Lian might have felt uncomfortable about it…

When her thoughts reached that point, Cecilia unconsciously sighed once more.

Even before she had firmly built her friendship with Lian, an overwhelming rival named Allen had appeared.

And yet here she was, having committed such a grave mistake.

It was while she was berating herself over this mistake.

Flap flap flap!

“Ah.”

The sound of struggling wings.

At that sound, Cecilia immediately opened the window.

Soon after, a blue bird clutching a letter in its beak staggered and collapsed straight into her arms.

“Did you do as I asked?”

At her question, the spirit of the blue bird lifted the letter it had been gripping tightly, as if in reply.

Cecilia stroked the spirit’s head several times in thanks before taking the letter.

Inside was an answer to the advice she had sought regarding today’s events.

“Let’s see.”

As though she had been waiting for it, Cecilia began reading it carefully.

Her sister’s reply contained not just theoretical methods one could find in books, but very specific and experience-based approaches and countermeasures, described in detail.

“I see.”

Thinking once again that it had been good to ask her sister, Cecilia continued reading on.

Especially since she needed to prepare herself thoroughly for her appointment with Lian tomorrow.

‘Good…’

Sitting upright as she read through the letter, occasionally cross-referencing books borrowed from the Library, Cecilia’s expression was nothing short of serious.

‘This is maddening.’

No wonder today had seemed like a lucky day.

Letting out a small sigh, I suddenly recalled the events of the day.

Waking up to find my body strangely light.

Then discovering that breakfast was full of all my favorite dishes.

Even the fried egg on my plate had been a double yolk.

On top of that, I managed to eat one of the desserts limited to only 100 servings per day.

I even saw the Blue Golden Butterfly, said to bring luck to those who witness it.

And lastly, I had picked up some money dropped in the hallway.

Yes, no wonder everything seemed to flow smoothly today.

I pressed against the corners of my eyes as if massaging them.

“……”

“……”

Something about the atmosphere felt off.

That was the first thought in my head when I saw Cecilia and Allen facing each other.

‘Were those two always like this?’

Honestly, I hadn’t expected today’s meeting to go smoothly.

After all, in both their past lives and now, neither of them had been particularly sociable.

But I certainly hadn’t thought the atmosphere would be this uncomfortable.

“Well then.”

Masking my thoughts, I spoke with as gentle a smile as I could manage.

“Why don’t we start with introducing ourselves?”

At that, Allen was the first to extend his hand.

“My name is Allen Amiel. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Cecilia Everglenn. Pleased to meet you.”

Cecilia lightly grasped Allen’s outstretched hand and added.

“I’m Lian’s closest friend. Nice to meet you.”

“Uh…”

Allen wore a troubled expression, uncertain how to respond.

Then, nodding slowly, he replied.

“Lian is a good person.”

“Yes.”

“To be the closest friend of someone like that… I’m envious.”

“Yes.”

“……”

“……”

Watching them, I felt my own breath catch.

My lips had dried without me realizing, and I licked them once before letting out a quiet sigh.

“Well, I think that’s enough introductions.”

As I spoke, both of them turned their eyes on me.

“So, what should we do first? It’s not fully ready yet, but I heard most things can already be seen.”

The most talked-about attractions were the circus, fortune-telling, and performances using unusual instruments, as well as plays.

Beyond that, there were food and drink stalls selling things I’d never seen before, and peddlers wandering the streets selling trinkets and accessories.

On the weekend, it would surely be packed shoulder-to-shoulder.

As I thought that, Cecilia was the first to speak.

“I’ll just follow wherever Lian wants to go.”

She stared straight at me as she said it.

“I’m not used to these kinds of things, so I don’t really know.”

“Embarrassing as it is, I’m the same.”

Allen gave a small, sheepish laugh as he spoke.

“If I were to be greedy, it’d be nice if we could later go take a look at some swords.”

“Then let’s start by grabbing a quick bite.”

Taking the two with me, I headed toward the first food stall I saw.

There, on a wooden stand, stood a small old man stirring something without pause.

“Oh, customers.”

The old man, his whole body covered in curly brown fur, muttered cheerfully when he saw us.

His face was flat, and his nostrils were so tiny they looked as though they had been pricked open with a needle.

At a glance, it was clear he was not human, and upon seeing him, Cecilia murmured quietly.

“Brownie?”

“Oh-ho, oh-ho. The human young lady knows well about us, I see.”

Brownies were one of the earth fairies, known for their docile temperament.

I had only ever heard of them, and this was my first time meeting one and actually speaking with it.

‘Well, I suppose a merchant group run by demons wouldn’t only be demons.’

Just like other merchant groups called trading caravans, they were little different from moving villages.

Besides them, there were also many other peddlers and travelers tagging along, and the fairy before us seemed to be one of those.

In fact, on the streets, one could easily find people of different races and minorities rarely seen, and even shady figures who looked like gypsies or witches.

‘Surprising that they allowed them to enter the capital.’

Glancing around, I shifted my eyes toward the barrel he was stirring.

From within the wooden barrel wafted a very sweet smell.

“What is that, sir?”

“A confection piled high with honey from anemones and wild chrysanthemums. Sweet and moist, not sticky, and melts smoothly in the mouth.”

Honey, huh.

Now that I thought about it, I recalled hearing that Brownies could converse with honeybees.

“Could you give me three?”

“Oh-ho, oh-ho. Thank you kindly.”

The Brownie skillfully wrapped three confections into a pouch and handed it over.

Then he stared at Cecilia and me for a moment before nodding.

“Looks like you friends came out together to play.”

“Yes.”

“O-ho-ho-ho. Then this old man should meddle a little.”

He stretched out his finger and pointed to one side of the street.

“If you go that way, you’ll find many things to see. They’re doing plays and musical performances over there. The demons haven’t fully set up their stalls yet, so you won’t find much on that side.”

At those words, Allen looked slightly disheartened.

It seemed his goal had been the weapons forged by demons, so hearing they weren’t yet ready drained his spirits.

“But be sure to keep a tight hold on your purses. That side isn’t run by regular merchant groups, but by tagalongs like me… in other words, all sorts of riffraff gather there. You’ll find gypsies and witches, and surely some pickpockets too.”

“Thank you for the warning.”

With our thanks, we turned toward the street he had indicated.

The confection wasn’t moist or melting smoothly in the mouth like he claimed.

But if there was one truth to his words, it was that it was incredibly sweet.

So sweet it made my tongue ache.

In the end, I couldn’t finish and had to leave half uneaten.

“Mm.”

Allen wore a faintly troubled expression, but ate without showing it.

Come to think of it, I remembered he had once offhandedly said he didn’t like sweet things.

Even I, who wasn’t picky, found it difficult to eat, so it must have been sheer torment for him.

“Mmm…!”

On the other hand, Cecilia’s eyes sparkled as she nibbled happily at the confection.

Like a squirrel gnawing on an acorn.

I was watching her when it happened.

“Yaaah!! Yaaah!! You there! Out of the way, you lot! Oi, oi! Oi-ho-ho!!!”

From somewhere, loud music and a booming voice rang out.

Looking toward the sound, I saw a crowd had already gathered.

At the center of the gathering were people in flamboyant costumes and comical masks, making exaggerated gestures.

“Oh.”

A play?

Thinking it was just right, I led the two of them there.

Cecilia blinked her eyes at the noise in surprise, while Allen seemed wary of his surroundings, perhaps remembering the warning just given.

Scanning quickly left and right, I smiled slightly and spoke to them.

“Perfect timing. Something fun to watch. See? Even our fellow Academy students are already watching.”

Indeed, there were many in Academy uniforms among the gathered spectators.

Some of the sharper ones seemed to have recognized Cecilia and Allen, whispering among themselves while stealing glances this way.

‘Good.’

All we had to do was keep showing our faces like this.

As I thought that, I noticed Cecilia fidgeting with her neck.

Allen too seemed parched, swallowing dryly again and again.

“I’ll go buy us something to drink. Must be that confection making me thirsty.”

At my words, Cecilia and Allen replied in turn.

“Huh? Then let’s go together.”

“Yes, Lian. Let’s just go together. Who knows what could happen.”

“It’s fine. It’s just right in front.”

Leaving them with those reassuring words, I slipped out through the crowd.

I was sure I had seen drinks being sold along the way here, I thought as I walked.

“Hey, handsome blond oppa.”

A languid voice, as if intoxicated, suddenly reached my ears.

Even amidst the noisy bustle, the voice lingered unnaturally clear.

“Yes, you there. I’m talking to you, oppa.”

When I stopped, the voice eagerly added.

Turning my head, I saw a shabby, narrow tent with a woman sitting inside.

Wearing a fox mask with only the mouth exposed, she gave me a sly smile.

“Won’t you come and have your fortune read? I’ll give you a discount.”

“Sorry, but I’m not interested in that sort of thing.”

She let out a small laugh.

“Mm, but oppa, once you see this, I bet you’ll be interested.”

“What do you…”

“Beeeh.”

Whispering playfully, she suddenly stuck out her tongue at me.

And just as she had said, I could do nothing but stop in my tracks, dazed.

“How is it?”

She giggled and whispered.

“Now are you a little interested?”

On her tongue was a brand.

A brand almost identical to the one carved into me.

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