106. clue (6)

The royal road to the dark after the moonset. In the time right before the sky faded from black and regained its blue color, a stray cat was wandering in a back alley. A cul-de-sac became the home of the stray cat without realizing it, thanks to the regular food given by the tavern or small restaurant in the back alley. After the cat stretched out in boredom, it approached its nest.

There was a wall to block the wind, and there was a human who periodically brought food. There could be no better environment for stray cats than that. The cat roamed the alley with a confident step. A fishy, musty smell was coming up from the nearby sewers. It was the moment the cat’s foot passed over the drain, holding a mouse he had hunted today in its mouth.

rattle!

The cat was startled by the strong vibration felt under its feet and fluffed up its fur. Once more, when the vibration was felt along with a rattling sound, the cat immediately let out a high-pitched cry and ran to another alley to get out of its tail.

thud!

A quiet alley where the cat has disappeared. The rattling soon turned into a crash, and one of the sidewalks that made up the sewer shook. As the stones rocked, the sound of someone whispering leaked through them.

“This, the gap is too narrow, so I don’t think I can get my body out. I guess I will have to cut down the road to make a gap.”

“… Just be careful not to make too much noise.”

The first voice was a man’s, the second a woman’s. After the disquieting conversation was over, something suddenly appeared through the sidewalk block. It was someone’s blade that was smeared with something resembling blood.

The slash was quiet, but the result was different from the sound. The sidewalk block collapsed in the shape of the sword that cut through the sidewalk block at a speed that was invisible to the naked eye. Beyond that, someone’s pale hand made its way through the early morning air of the royal capital. My hands groped the ground here and there, and made a support in a position that was good for supporting my body and climbing up. Then the conversation is heard again.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I got out. I think I can go right up.”

The conversation between the two continued, and eventually, hair similar to the color of the dawn sky popped up through the cracks in the sidewalk block. It was Adeline who had escaped the warlock’s dungeon by following the underground sewer.

“Whoa… .”

A breath leaked out of Adeline’s mouth, like someone who has been sniffing the fresh air for a long time. In the cold air of the royal road in early winter, white smoke sticks to the exhalation. Adeline moved her arms for a while to get her posture and talked to Arsene, who was waiting for her below.

“I will go up.”

Her upper body came up completely, and then, with ease, Adeline pulled herself completely off the sidewalk block. There were black stains all over Adeline’s white skin, and the clean coat was stained with various filth, giving off a frowning stench. Before Adeline could enjoy the air of the royal capital, she pressed herself close to the gap in the sidewalk.

“I will go up now.”

Then came Arsene’s voice. Eventually, a hand on the road. Adeline timidly stretched out her hand to Arsene, who appeared. I couldn’t see Adeline, but Arsene, I mean, Maxim looked at the hand she held out to him and put on a dumbfounded expression for a moment.

“… thanks.”

Then, he grabbed Adeline’s hand without rejecting it. Relying on Adeline’s pulling power, Maxim also got out of the sewer completely. His nose shouldn’t have a stench anymore, but he didn’t even think about the smell of the dungeons still clinging to his nasal passages. Maxim frowned and looked down at every part of his body. Passing through dungeons and sewers, his body was stained with a lot of filth.

Can I use this hood again?

Maxim tugged at the hem of his hood and complained inwardly.

“Where is this?”

Adeline’s voice brought Maxim to his senses. Maxim was looking around and trying to figure out where he was. Narrow alleys, low buildings close to each other. Maxim noticed that this was the alley where the king and himself met for the second time, a bar called ‘Lily’.

“It is the back alley of the royal capital. It’s like a labyrinth of buildings. Maybe you don’t know because you don’t have time to visit. It hasn’t been long since you came to the capital, right?”

Adeline nodded. Maxim immediately thought of going back to the lodgings where Dennis and Charlotte were waiting, but going back to the lodgings like this was a bad idea. Perhaps having the same thoughts as Maxim, Adeline opened her mouth cautiously.

“I guess it would be too conspicuous to go back to being like this.”

“I don’t think it would be too strange if it smelled like filth.”

Adeline shook her head, saying that the smell of sewers and monster carcasses was coming too strongly.

“The smell of filth and the smell of dead bodies are distinctly different. At least, I think it would be better to leave without smelling everything.”

Adeline grabbed the hem of her own clothes, which had become crumpled, and lifted it up.

“It would be nice if there was a place nearby where you could wash your body or clothes… .”

The inn cannot stop by. It was because their pockets were full of confidential documents without a penny. Maxim remembered that when he got out of the alley, there was a well not far away.

“By the well… .”

Adeline murmured. Perhaps knowing that it was for the best, Adeline nodded while showing a shy expression.

“Yeah. It would be better to first fix it at the well and then think about what to do next.”

“It’s been decided, then we’ll move to the well.”

Maxim and Adeline came out of a dead end. Adeline was silent as she walked towards the well. Maxim walked along, only looking back at Adeline from time to time. She closed her mouth as if lost in some thought and followed Maxim at a certain distance. When that subtle silence transformed into an atmosphere both of them could perceive, the well appeared.

“Arrived.”

Breaking the silence, Maxim announced his arrival. In addition to the bucket, there were more buckets in the well that looked like someone had left them behind. Maxim lowered the bucket to make sure that the well was not dry, then scooped up water and put it in a bucket. The water was a bit cold, but both of them knew they were in no position to cover it up.

“then… .”

Yes, all that remains is that the two men and women must undress and wash themselves in the middle of the night. Maksim walked casually, but when the situation came, he was unable to speak or act. Adeline also stood still at a distance from Maxim. It was a quiet dawn with no wind, only the rattling of buckets.

“Wash first.”

As if she had read Maxim’s hesitation right away, Adeline said so abruptly. Maxim could not hide his awkward voice and answered stiffly.

“Yep… .”

“I can’t see anyway, so I don’t know anything about whether you’re undressed or dressed.”

Adeline’s additional words made Maxim’s behavior embarrassing. Maxim hesitated for a while, then let out a deep sigh and then took off the hood that covered his coat. When I took off the hood that was clinging to all kinds of smells, the awkwardness went away.

“… .”

Maxim pulled up his jacket halfway and glanced at Adeline. As if patronizing, Adeline was kindly turning her back. Maxim felt an unknown sense of relief and took off his clothes. The cold night air brushed his skin. There were filth in places on the jacket he had taken off. Of course, compared to the hood that covered all of that jacket, it was no different from a new suit.

Maxim splashed the water from the bucket on his body. He pulled up the bucket several times, first washing off the filth from his hands and feet, then scrubbing his face. After Maxim scrubbed his entire body like that, he splashed water over his head. Sure enough, the hair seemed to have quite a bit of filth stuck to it. Maxim washed his hair, rubbing it as if washing a cloth. Then, the dirty body changed into a human-like appearance. Maxim brushed off the water from his hands.

“Whoa.”

As I moved my body while breathing differently, my body, which had been cold from touching the cold water, became hot. Maxim spread out the jacket he had wiped off the filth and spread it out, then looked at the black hoodie as if in trouble. After washing, I could see how badly the smell was coming up from those clothes.

“I think it would be best to throw away the hoodie you were wearing.”

Water was dripping from his damp hair. The outerwear was tolerable, but the hood was not to the extent that it could wash off the smell or filth just by washing it right away.

“… Yes. I think that would be good.”

Somehow, the reply came a beat late. Maxim glanced at Adeline, who took off her hood at the same time. As the hood slid down her legs, Adeline’s hair fluttered in unison. Then, seeing the fingers approaching the hem of his coat, Maxim turned his head hurriedly. As Maxim’s back turns, the sound is heard again one beat slower.

Sarak.

There was the sound of skin and clothes rubbing against each other. Maxim frowned at the rustling sound of undressing, the sound of strings unraveling, and the intermittent sound of Adeline breathing. Then comes the sound of tidying up, the rattling of buckets and buckets. And with the sound of cold well water pouring coolly,

“Ha ha… .”

Unexpectedly, I heard Adeline’s pleasant voice. The end was hurriedly cut off, probably realizing that he had spit it out without even realizing it. Maxim stopped by forcibly grabbing his upper body, which was about to turn. Occasionally, the sound of splashing water and the sound of Adeline rubbing her body continued to be heard, and Maxim looked up at the dawn sky with a dazed expression.

“… Arsene.”

Adeline’s cautious voice was heard in Maxim’s ears, who had been resting his mind so that no further sound could be heard. Maxim almost turned his head back for a moment, then barely stopped and answered Adeline’s call.

“what’s going on?”

A voice that seemed to have hesitated several times followed.

“Could you please check to see if there is still any filth on my body?”

What the hell is this person talking about now?

“I can’t confirm it myself… ”

Maxim was unable to answer, but when Adeline said he couldn’t confirm it, he sighed deeply and replied that he knew. Should I be indifferent as usual, or am I simply following the situation?

An unavoidable situation, an unavoidable situation.

Maxim repeated the words until his head hurt.

“I’m wearing underwear, so just turn your head.”

Maxim said that it was not important, and wanted to bet on it, but he slowly turned his head away without arguing further. It sounded like an old door opening creaking at the joints in its turning neck.

Adeline, wearing a corset, was standing. No matter how dark the dawn was, there was no shortage of light sources in the royal capital. Thanks to this, Maxim could see the obvious curves of the body, the white skin that was wet and shiny like the pale moon, and the scars unique to knights that sparsely crossed over that skin. When Maxim didn’t say anything, Adeline gave a worried voice.

“… Are they still buried?”

Even after telling her to look back, Adeline couldn’t seem to hide her restlessness. Maxim shook his head vigorously and looked at her. It seemed that the body had been completely washed off, but there was still something like a stain on the bottom of Adeline’s left cheek.

“It is still buried. under the left cheek.”

Adeline rubbed the area there, then turned her head to where Maxim was. Maxim had the feeling that her gaze, which was not supposed to exist, seemed to be staring at him for some reason.

“yet?”

“It hasn’t been erased.”

Adeline put down her hand that was rubbing her cheek. Again, Adeline said.

“… Could you help me a little?”

what is this again

—

Ever since Adeline left the dungeon, she couldn’t stop thinking about the current situation. The Count’s orders were obeyed without a chance for his body to disobey, but the fragments of memories that floated in the dungeon were slowly breeding certain doubts about the Count. And with thoughts about that surveillance target who would have protected him through the crisis.

If the count cut off his head, he would draw his sword and carry out the order without a moment’s hesitation, but the memory that Arsene left for Adeline for a short time was deep. For some reason, the words that seemed to know her pain, the breathing that matched her heartbeat, and the touch that reminded me of memories that would not exist.

“… Could you help me a little?”

If I could get out of the situation just once and feel the touch, would my shaking heart calm down right away? Will his loyalty to the Count awaken again? Will this uneasy feeling pierce the heart, realize that memories are lies?

Adeline could feel Arsene showing a look of bewilderment after hearing her words. Of course, he would be embarrassed, but for now, he just desperately wanted Arsene to listen to him.

Shuk.

I can feel the presence of Arsene standing up. Adeline also felt that the footsteps were getting closer to her. The footsteps approached, approached again, and stopped at a distance of only one step from him.

Arsene was close. Adeline realized that she was facing Arsene at the closest distance while she was awake. Adeline lifted her head and put it where his face would be. My mouth unknowingly spat out the words on its own.

“Could you please erase it?”

short sigh. Its breath touches my face very faintly. As if a sigh took the place of an answer, Adeline sensed Arsene’s hand reaching out to her.

oh

The texture was surprisingly the same, and strangely unchanged. Adeline felt Arsene’s hand caressing her cheek more clearly than ever. His fingers became rough as he swung the sword, but the feeling of wiping off the stain was not rough. Adeline’s heart slightly changed its beat.

If this hand falls off.

Adeline thought to herself.

They would grab each other’s swords again, point the blades at each other’s throats, and brandish their swords, calling them enemies.

Adeline’s arm trembled and moved. Adeline didn’t hold the arm this time.

If this hand falls off.

Adeline’s pale hand rested on the back of Arsene’s, who was rubbing her cheek. Arsene paused for a moment. A moment seemed like an eternity. Adeline remembered the feeling of the palm on her cheek and the feeling of the back of her hand and her fingers.

It was not an illusion. Adeline was able to confirm that fact. All the memories and the emotions he felt. Adeline lowered her hand, not knowing whether to be happy or sad. Before long, Arsene’s hand, which had been scrubbing her cheek, disappeared.

“… I erased everything.”

Adeline nodded slowly. Arsene took two more steps back. I thought silence would fall, but Arsene’s voice didn’t let the atmosphere subside.

“It looks like the clothes are roughly dry, so let’s start. Aren’t you tired?”

Adeline shook her head. I couldn’t feel any sleep or fatigue right now. Adeline found her clothes, put them on, and picked up her sword. The touch of the hilt always brought a sense of security, but it couldn’t fulfill its role until now.

“… Let’s go.”

When Adeline opened her mouth, Arsene’s presence moved. Adeline followed him.

My name was gradually shattering. The light of the sky in the process of transitioning from dawn to dawn split the sky into two. Although they are walking the same path, it seemed as if the path of the two would diverge sooner or later.

—

“… Right.”

The eyes of the king, Georges II, who had heard all the stories, were striking. The escort knight commander, Hugo, also nodded. On the table in front of them were scattered the evidence and materials that Maxim had obtained from the dungeon.

“God thinks this will be enough to justify a massive move.”

At Yuugo’s words, the king also nodded.

“Let Jim do it himself. Hugo, you too should move this time. It’s strange that the Count doesn’t particularly move, but we have to use this as an opportunity to move quickly. Arsene, no, Maxim. You really did a great job.”

“It’s too much praise, Your Majesty.”

The king looked at Maxim, who was reporting to himself and lowered his head. It was really good to hold hands with this knight, the king thought to himself.

“I have identified the base of the warlocks and gathered evidence that they are studying dark magic, and I have also found a clue to save your old colleague.”

A satisfied smile appeared on the king’s lips. His eyes, busy with all sorts of political calculations, were emitting light after a long time.

“If there is a request, I will ask for one load. Say whatever you want.”

Maxim’s shoulders trembled at the king’s words. The King immediately realized that Maxim had something to ask of him.

“I’m sorry, but if that’s the case, there’s one thing God wants to ask you at this point.”

“any amount. Raise your head and ask.”

Maxim raised his head and the king’s eyes met. Those eyes, now dyed black, contained a certain earnest wish.

“What God wants to ask… .”

—

“The king intends to subdue the Magic Tower on a grand scale. A justification will suffice. It’s better.”

A dimly lit room, Count Leon Benning muttered. Adeline was kneeling in front of him. The Count narrowed his eyes and looked at the faithful marionette. The voice of the puppet reporting to him did not change, but a premonition-like thought about Adeline’s change came to a corner of the Count’s head.

“Warlocks are no longer needed in the great world. I wish I had been in the way. Taking this opportunity, we can directly accept the competent mages from the Mage Tower and organize the warlocks.”

Leon Benning was thinking of cutting off his tail. He did not deny his relationship with the Mage Tower, but said that the existence of black magicians had nothing to do with him. Unless very clear evidence is revealed, it was possible to deny the relationship. More than half of the royal family are on their side, so what can they not do?

“That guy named Arsene is really annoying.”

Leon Benning looked down at Adeline again. In order to do that, I’m going to have to organize all these uncomfortable things at once and start.

“Adeline.”

“Yes, lord.”

In silence, the Count just stared at Adeline. Sneaking up, the count raised the corner of his mouth and gave the next order.

“You should add your strength to the Mage Tower subjugation unit that the king will organize. And, even in the middle of the subjugation operation, I clung to Arsene Bern and watched over him.”

The Count spat out his words emotionlessly.

“If he shows any more suspicious behavior, kill him.”

Every word from the count was as heavy as stone and cold.

“However, if you couldn’t kill him because you couldn’t reach that skill… ”

The Count’s inorganic eyes glared piercingly at Adeline.

“You should never come back alive before me.”