Chapter 8: The Carriage Journey with the Exiled Marquise Continues 1
Killing someone, whether it’s Self-Defense or something else, requires various clean-up procedures afterwards.
But this time, there wasn’t much need to worry about that.
The Horse-Faced Majin had turned to ash, leaving not even bones behind, and the other three Assailants had been pulverized by the magic the Horse-Faced Majin used when he was still human.
The magic I thought was aimed at me right after killing those three was likely intended to destroy evidence, not target me; I was just collateral damage.
According to Merseja, who examined the scene, there were fragments nearby resembling a Magic Tool used on serious criminals that explodes if they try to escape. Combined with the magic’s power, all the Assailants’ bodies were splendidly blown to bits.
In other words, we couldn’t obtain a single piece of evidence that could lead to the Assailants’ identities.
Merseja collected the Swords the Assailants used, saying she’d look into them just in case, but mentioned the chances of finding anything were slim.
All we learned was that our opponent was meticulous, capable of preparing Assailants around Rank 6 in strength, and possessed some unheard-of means to turn humans into Majin—a mysterious adversary.
“I see, I don’t understand,” was my honest thought, but I did understand that staying put here would be a bad move.
And so, we resumed our carriage journey.
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“About that, isn’t it the other way around?”
Inside the carriage, where the door with a hole in it—repaired haphazardly with rope, or rather, just dangling—rattled, Erika Solntsalri said this.
When I asked “What?” with just my expression, she answered.
“Instead of a human transforming into a Majin, wasn’t it a Majin transformed into a human?”
Ah, I see, that’s another way to think about it. Both are absurd stories I’ve never heard of, but psychologically, it’s easier to accept than a human becoming a Majin.
But that’s probably wrong.
I shook my head and said.
“Unfortunately, Erika Solntsalri. I think that’s likely incorrect. The Assailant definitely said, ‘I’ll stop being human,’ and also, ‘Are you going to stop being human over something like this?’. I don’t think a Majin disguised as a human would say that.”
Erika Solntsalri thought for a moment, then discarded her own idea, saying, “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
It seemed less like she had conviction and more like the idea stemmed from finding it hard to believe that a human became a Majin, something she hadn’t witnessed herself.
If I had a bit more credibility, perhaps it would have been different, but for a guy whose face she barely remembered despite being Classmates, well, that was probably asking too much.
“So, Erika Solntsalri, it’s difficult to even guess who attacked you based on the Assailants. Do you yourself have any idea who might be responsible?”
At my words, Erika Solntsalri gave a lonely smile.
The fact that the Erika Solntsalri was showing such a faint smile unsettled me more than I expected.
Perhaps sensing something from my expression, she made a gesture as if to interrupt me.
In reality, I wanted to say something, but nothing came to mind.
“I certainly can’t think of any reason why someone would go so far as Exile and even try to take my life.”
“More importantly,” she said, her expression changing.
“Why do you insist on calling me by my full name?”
Her face looked more curious than accusatory, simply questioning.
Even that expression was cute and beautiful.
As I was captivated by her, she seemed to remember something, and this time her brow furrowed clearly into a displeased expression.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t even asked your name. Isn’t that rather rude towards a lady?”
Her point was perfectly valid, but as someone who was her Classmate for three years, honestly, it stung a little.
Well, the difference in rank between a Marquis House and a Viscount House, whether one is great or poor, is just too vast; this is probably how it is.
Careful not to let it show on my face, I placed a hand on my chest and apologized.
“My apologies for the delay in introducing myself, Milady. I am Shin Longdagger, the second son of a Viscount house, barely clinging to the lowest rung of the kingdom’s nobility.”
Hmm, why can’t I ever be completely serious at times like these?
Glancing up from my lowered head, I saw Erika Solntsalri touching her well-shaped chin with a finger, thinking about something.
It seemed my little jest was being ignored.
“I thought you were an adventurer hired as a guard or something… Longdagger, that name sounds familiar… actually, looking closely, you seem familiar… where was it?”
Isn’t that Soliloquy a bit loud?
As I politely kept that thought to myself, Erika Solntsalri clapped her hands together with a pon.
Hmm, cute.
“You were in my class, weren’t you?”
Thank goodness… I’m really glad.
Erika Solntsalri remembered me. I’m glad I’m alive; my life wasn’t meaningless.
Erika Solntsalri placed her right hand on her temple as if digging deeper into her memory.
“Yes… that’s right. You were among the riffraff who just watched me from afar.”
Instantly, I felt my face turn bright red.
She knew. Erika Solntsalri herself knew.
About my gaze, filled with Unbecoming affection.
It was so embarrassing I wanted to praise myself just for not screaming.
I instinctively averted my gaze.
“Why did you suddenly turn your face away?”
Erika Solntsalri asked, looking puzzled.
Does she even understand what she just said?
Being told “You were ‘watching’ ‘me’,” by the person who was being watched… what kind of expression am I supposed to make?
“What are you so embarrassed about? It’s not like ‘the person himself’ is here.”
My appearance must have been truly pathetic; Erika Solntsalri was trying to be considerate by making a joke.
Kind. I like her.
Perhaps because my affection outweighed my embarrassment, my heart calmed down.
When I turned back to face her, I saw Erika Solntsalri’s exasperated expression.
“So…”
Erika Solntsalri hesitated for just a moment.
“Am I to assume, then, that you are my husband in name only?”
Oh, gods.