"I wonder too... See you later"
I haven't been to the shelter since the day Liam's appendix burst... Which caused the peritonitis that eventually killed him... I wonder if I could have- 'No, that line of thought will get me down again, even now... But I'll let it go.'
"Wait a bit, please. Even though they took everything of value, I managed to hide some things in time"
He stands up carefully, making slight movements and then feeling his body.
"Your head wasn't very good, even if I healed you, you should stay in bed for a while"
"I'll just be a moment"
His nose begins to bleed as he stands up... That doesn't look good, but he doesn't seem to be in any danger. He pinches his nose and tilts his head back, the maid rushes over with a towel.
"Lean forward, not back"
"What? That will make it bleed more”
“The blood is already out of the place where it belongs anyway, just pinch your nose lightly with the towel for a good while. If you lean back, it will go down your throat, or at worst, further into your head"
"But-"
"Doctor's orders!"
... Huh, that cut off any argument on his part. Feels good, no wonder they like to say that so much all the time.
Once the bleeding has stopped, he moves to a wooden desk in front of his bed. There are two large vases with several branches full of pretty apple blossoms on either side of the wall, he turns one of them over to reveal a small hidden drawer. Oh... Interesting.
He pulls out a box, about the size of... A medium-sized pot? I can't think of anything to compare it to.
While he rummages around in it for a while, I take a second look at his room... It has what you'd expect from a nobleman's bedroom. A big bed, big long windows with fancy curtains, a lot of space, a luxurious looking carpet, a chandelier on the ceiling... Mostly wood and some expensive looking unknown stone.
It is very eye-catching to have a wall completely covered with books... I love it. I will definitely build one like that on some wall of my future house, I like to read books, especially in the past, as they were a very good distraction. But they are expensive... I have some, but mostly I borrow them from the academy or the library.
Anyway, they are mostly thick, leather-bound books that make me sleepy just looking at the names on the pages, like 'Elementary Number Theory', 'Was James S.'s wife's body there from the beginning?', 'Advantages of the Free Trade Agreement Between the Port of Isaac and the Port of Anvil', 'Records of the War Between the Dark Elves and the Nephilim'.
But there are also some that sound less boring, like 'Sightings of Legendary Creatures', 'Introduction to Runic Magic', 'Types of Dragons', 'Legends of Void Magic', 'The Death of Seir and the Consequences of Killing a God', 'Differences between Dark Magic and Darkness Magic'.
Some titles make me... Tickles, but I don't think I need to worry.
I usually only read novels, but there are many that sound interesting and I'd like to read, not that I should judge just by the title and how old the book looks, of course... Buuut, a nice thick white book catches my eye, it's also made of thinner leather than most, new and clean looking, with the simple title 'Magical animals'.
... I want to see it; would it be something like making an inexhaustible ghost horse appear whenever you need it? I'd prefer a different kind of animal, but it sounds useful. I'll see if I can get that book somewhere later, or could I just take it? Maybe, but the owner is still Lance for now, could I borrow it from him?
Oh well, I'll think about it later.
I look around the room. It's not only pompous, it's also full of plants, mostly branches with apple blossoms, they seem to be his favorites. There are vases, on his bedside table, some loose flowers on the window frames...
There are not only flowers, but also many different plants, most of which I do not recognize, but as I pay more attention, I remember the strong smell of areca and laurel... They make the place feel alive. If it weren't so unnecessarily large and ostentatious, I would like this room.
"You like plants, huh? I didn't expect it." I notice that I'm a little more relaxed talking to him, maybe because we've already broken many, uh, social formalities. With me raiding his house and all.
"I took a liking to them, I guess, at first they were an excuse to get out of the house. Here it is"
He hands me a small bag full of gold coins. This is familiar...
"Please give them to the sisters, with all that has happened I have lost the chance to repair the material damage, but at least I have some money left"
"Hmm, do you think they will accept this?"
"If not, you can keep it or donate it somewhere, it's my family's money, so I don't want it"
"Huh, well, it will be good for them, I'll try to convince them to take it"
"That's all I'm asking"
I don't think it's necessary, but one of the books from earlier gave me an idea.
"You know, even though I want to help you for some reason, wouldn't it be wise to have at least some insurance in case I'm wrong?"
"... Insurance?"
"Yeah, it's nothing to worry about, really, just stand there for a moment, please"
I conjure my magic in my hands, I could concentrate and then cast the spell, but feeling the magic in my palms has always helped me concentrate better, even if a little bit of magic is wasted.
The simplest thing first, the punishment... It doesn't have to be something particularly cruel, there are very simple things that can completely incapacitate even the strongest, for example, cramps.
If activated, it contracts his muscles, causing random and constant cramps in each of his limbs, intensifying until he can't move...
I can feel my magic filling with my intent, forging itself according to my instructions. Actually, it didn't used to be up to this point, but I was always good at it, even before I awakened my darkness. Although I only used it for small incantations, like 'When the earth reaches a certain moisture level, use the magic stored in this crystal to conjure water to irrigate it.'
Now the hardest part, the trigger... If I get it wrong, I might even be imprisoned, because depending on the type of punishment, a misconfigured trigger in this type of magic is considered a form of torture... So, let's be careful.
It has to be able to sense the intent... That's one of the trickier ones, but I don't think there's any problem. Let's see... Anger, indignation, revenge, helplessness... Basically, you have to give instructions on what the wearer is feeling in order to know whether or not to activate the magic.
After a few minutes of effort, where Lance just stands there obediently, he is ready.
A curse. It sounds scary, but this kind is actually quite common, it's basically a contract where the judge of breaking it is the magic itself, of course it's not used for important things, but it's allowed in some jobs to prevent someone from stealing, loitering and the like.
Normally, an average mage can use it for ten hours, then the magic is over. It is forbidden to make it feed on the wearer's magic for any reason. But I don't have to do that, I found out that I can make it feed on non-magical darkness.
In this case, in short, Lance will get unbearable cramps if he ever hurts someone who doesn't deserve it. Who is to judge whether they deserve it or not? Magic itself, with its limited but incorruptible judgment.
At first, I thought about making it so he couldn't hurt anyone, but I also don't want him to be defenseless against criminals, and more and more I feel like I shouldn't worry about him, so something vague like this should be more than enough.
... Again, I feel like I'm ignoring some rules... But it shouldn't be a big deal.
"Please don't move, as long as you're a good guy, you shouldn't have to worry about it"
"... Are you sure? I've never seen a contract like this before"
"Eh, neither have I, but yes, I'm sure"
The magic in my hands changed from a completely black intangible mass to a kind of purple stone with some red sparks... Unusual, but I remember seeing something like this... Sometime, somewhere, so it might be okay.
"Here"
"... Do I have to?"
"No, not really. But it would put my mind at ease a bit. I think it will also help to get you excluded from the punishment towards your family”
"... I understand, I'll trust you"
He stretches out his hand to pick up the stone, perhaps the only reason this isn't illegal is because the cursed person has to accept it willingly. There are wizards who can do it by force, but that is a very different situation, usually involving guards, knights, paladins and others, from royalty, nobility and almost any church. And lots of sharp weapons.
When he takes it, the stone disappears into his hand and an... Unexpected pretty flower-shaped pattern forms on the back of his hand.
"..."
"... Something doesn't add up"
"I was thinking the same thing," he replies.
A big, muscular guy with what appears to be a tattoo of a cute little flower on his hand...
It looks good on him, in a contradictory way.
"It's not too bad, like I said, it's just insurance, well, not really, it's, um... To convince Ilona easier, I guess”
"Ilona?"
"Oh, you don't know her? She was the one who commissioned me to do this job, she works at the castle”
"I see, well, it's okay, I'm afraid to ask what this does, but I promise this will never be activated"
"I hope so"
“Well, don't let me stop you, I'll take you at your word and rest... I guess some people will be coming for me soon, huh?"
"Maybe. Um, I'll be off then, I never thought I'd say this to the one I saw as a spoiled playboy nobleman, but I hope you will be okay"
"... Thank you. Oh sure, if I remember correctly, they usually auction off anything that remains in government property, so feel free to take anything you want from the house”
"... Even if you give me permission, I think that's stealing, so no thanks. My mother would tear my ears off if she found out. Oh, but can I take this book?"
I take the book from the full wall shelf.
"Sure." He says as he grabs some clothes without even looking at the book.
"Thanks, well then, goodbye"
"No, thanks to you"
I follow the maid. When we are far enough away from Lance's room, I swallow my nervousness and ask her.
“E-excuse me... So, there are several who support him? Hasn't he always been... a brat? Excuse the word..."
What? I was speaking fluently a while ago, but suddenly I'm nervous again... I guess it's because of the situation and who the other party is.
"The young master has always been a wonderful person, unfortunately, he always sought the master's approval, and gets carried away too easily..."
"Huh, I see, I guess I understand..."
"You do?"
Huh? Did I speak out loud!? What should I say now? Is it okay to talk about this with a stranger? I subconsciously hoped she would nod and the conversation would end! Ehh... I guess I'll answer honestly, it's not like I'm going to see her again after today.
"My lady?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, uh, yeah, I think I understand. It doesn't seem to be the same situation though... I'm sure my dad loves me, but I don't think he's proud of me at all..." I feel my tail and ears drooping dejectedly. "He's always been a bit... how should I say it? Emotionally reserved, I guess..."
"A man of few words?"
Huh, she's interested, I'm glad, it would be sad if she ignored me after I decided to tell her that. When I look at her more closely, she's a dog-kin woman, old enough to be my grandmother, but still looking healthy and with few wrinkles. Her hair is almost completely white, with some blonde highlights. I can't tell what family of dogs she is, her ears are particularly elongated, and her tail is short, fluffy and a bit crooked
"That too, I want to get along better with him, but I don't know how... Besides, I haven't seen him in person for a long time"
"Well, with that kind of person, I dare say, you, my lady, are the one who should make the first move"
"... I suppose so, but I'm also a little afraid to approach him"
"That's ridiculous, then he's not doing a very good job. Why should you be afraid of your own father?"
"It's an irrational thing I've had since I was a child, it's not a real fear. It's just... He's huge! Taller and more muscular than Lance! He doesn't talk much, but his voice is also very deep, so it was always hard to get close to him"
"Mhm, what about his attitude?"
"Well... Like I said, he doesn't talk much, but he always listens to you if you approach him, he's actually very kind, my mom married him for a reason"
"If you don't want to talk to him, how about doing something together, can you think of something he likes?"
"Mm... He likes camping"
"Fall is a very good season for camping, you could go together, if you sleep in the same tent with him, you will have an excuse to be close to him, so you can get used to his presence"
"O-oh... What a good idea"
"Right?"
"Thanks for the idea, but why are you so interested? If I may ask"
"It's just a hunch, I think the young master's life might be in your hands, my lady." oh, she spoke formally, but in a much more relaxed manner... Wait, me too, was it because of her? The experience of someone older can be scary.
"But I'm just a commoner?"
"And the founder of the kingdom was just a slave... No matter, it was just a passing thought in my old mind. I just want to get to know the woman who healed my child"
"Your child?"
“I was his wet nurse since his mother passed away twenty-one years ago”
"Oh... I see, I'll do my best"
"I leave it in your hands, good luck with your father too, my lady. Try to talk to him as well, once you get used to his presence"
"I'll try... I don't know if he wants to get along better with me though”
"Nonsense, a man who raised such a lovely daughter can't not want something like that"
"... But what if he's busy? Sometimes he works all day"
"Surely he can make time. No father who deserves the title would turn down such a sweet request from his cute daughter"
"T-thanks, um, sorry for being so hesitant, but how can you be so sure?"
“I have four children and many lovely grandchildren, my lady”
"... It felt nice for a while, but it gives me the shivers that you call me that, now that I know you. Seina is fine"
Lance said her name earlier, but I wasn't paying much attention to it, I forgot! Should I ask? Yes! Now was a really good time! I blew it! Damn it... When thoughts like this pop up in my head, it means my social anxiety is coming back, I hope it doesn't show...
"You don't seem to be used to talking to people, am I right, Seina?" Ugh...
"N-not so much, though I'm getting better"
"By the way, my name is Kari"
"..."
We continued the small talk as we walked... It was unexpectedly pleasant, although I know I will repeat this conversation many times in my mind, analyzing what we both said and thinking of possible answers that would have sounded better... Odd habits of shy people.
A few minutes later, we are in a much smaller hallway, with many doors on either side, more normal looking.
"Come in, please." Kari says, I stop looking around to follow her. Inside, she is trying to move a rather large wooden dresser, with many drawers and a large mirror.
"Let me help you." I take her place and walk around it, being careful not to scratch the floor.
"Thanks, that's enough"
I let go and... there's a staircase underneath! Wow! I've never seen a hidden passage before... Oh, no, actually, I used one in the castle, but even though you get to it through a small passage hidden in a thick wall behind a door, it's just a normal hallway and lots of people use it all the time, so it doesn't feel special.
Kari takes a gas lamp from somewhere, turns it on, and we go down the spiral staircase. I cover my nose with my dress and try to breathe with my mouth to avoid the dust. I also hold my tail in front of me. Even if I can easily wipe it off, I don't want to have my fur full of dust, how awful.
Her tail is shorter and thinner than mine, but Kari, in front of me, seems to share my opinion.
Mmm... This is annoying, can I- Yes, yes, I can, if I can breathe underground, I'll be able to do it in the middle of some dust. I conjure a mask of darkness, covering only my mouth and nose, and sticking to my face somehow. Maybe it's not necessary, but I imagine that it prevents the passage of everything except various gases like oxygen, nitrogen, neon- uh, what the hell is neon...? Anyway, no problem breathing some of it, apparently.
I offer one to Kari, who looks hesitant, but thanks me and accepts it when she sees that I'm wearing it and not suffocating.
I wouldn't call it a maze, but a... maintenance path? Something like that. A few minutes of stairs and several hallways later, we arrive at... A surprisingly clean room, What? If they took the time to clean this place, why didn't they clean the path as well? Whatever.
I take off my mask... It's great not smelling dust, but smelling almost nothing is annoying in its own way. I don't smell much dust, but I do smell dampness, mold, and a slightly sour smell, like old books.
It's dark, but I have good night vision, too bad the light from a small lamp can't compare to moonlight.
It is a small room, a long corner table with many benches, almost like a bar, spanning two of the four walls of the room, many chests underneath and many slightly smaller ones in a recess in the wall the same size as the table. What a peculiar room... They also have many thin pipes coming out of the ceiling, into the wall... Maybe water, gas or something?
My mother talked painfully about the time when there was no sewage, like it was hell. It was one of those things they tried to spread as far and as fast as they could. But I never really paid attention, so I'm not sure what these pipes are for, I can't smell the inside either, I just smell rust and damp.
"This is all, Seina, I should have brought a bag, sorry"
"Mh?"
... Mountains and mountains of papers. In many shapes and sizes, also a bunch of jewels, I have no idea what they're called. When did she put all that in there? I know I was distracted, but maids can be scary too...
I think as I fiddle with a small piece of jewelry that looks like a clear black crystal.
"This kind of jewelry is supposed to be hard to value, so it's a good way to do money laundering. We assumed they would make good evidence"
"Y-yeah, I guess, I really have no idea..."
Well, how am I supposed to take all this? I could use a cloud of darkness, but that doesn't sound very practical, plus I'd have to stretch it out somehow to get back through the narrow corridors.... Could I just walk through the darkness of the earth with them behind me? Maybe, but I don't want to mess everything up in case it goes wrong. The thought of going through it myself and searching for the most important thing didn't even cross my mind.
'Let's just take everything.'
It's happening again... I don't know if it's because I'm getting used to it or just because I've been in some unusual situations lately. But anyway, I just let my body move, almost with pure muscle memory, or... Spiritual memory or whatever. Mmm, no, muscular sounds better.
'Holding, hiding, storing, cataloging, organizing, protecting...'
I feel and see the shadows rise from the floor and... Swallowing the whole room... Almost literally. Also gone were the chests and furniture.
"..."
"..."
At least the pipes are still in place.
"You did this, didn't you? Or did we... Did we just lose everything we collected over the years?"
"I did, don't worry, look"
I think of the little jewel-crystal-black-glass whatever it's called, and oddly enough, out of my own darkness and not the non-magical darkness underground, it appears in my hand.
"I'm glad then... Didn't you say you were a normal commoner?"
"I am"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
"... Oh well, we'll trust you Seina, I hope we'll meet again"
Huh... It was unexpectedly nice to talk to her... Is it because she's older than my mom...? Maybe the grizzled but still adorable dog tail helped.
"Yeah... Me too, Kari"
We say goodbye and I leave... Why do I have the feeling that I'll see her again?