Chapter 106: The Impoverished Viscount’s Second Son Follows Her Eyes 7
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To Shara Lansra’s eyes, Erica Longdagger appeared perfectly sane.
It was the morning of the fourth day since Shin had left her side.
Having finished her self-imposed morning prayers, Shara had come to check on Erica out of lingering concern.
The scent of toasted bread, likely from breakfast, still hung in the air.
“Is something wrong?”
Perhaps because Shara had been staring too intently.
Erica, sitting across the table, posed the question.
Strange… She’s acting far too normal.
It was hard to believe this was the same person who had been spewing affectionate ramblings like curses, her face looking as if she wanted to burn the entire world down with the fires of hell.
No, don’t remember it, don’t remember it, me.
Shara shuddered at the sensation of something viscous crawling up her spine.
She never wanted to experience again the fear of checking if her own sweat had turned sweet.
“No, I was just thinking that today… you seem to be doing alright.”
She almost blurted out “sane.”
If, by some chance, Erica retorted with “What makes you think that?” and flipped a switch, Shara knew it would be the end for her.
Experiencing nightmares fueled by someone else’s doting was something she only needed to go through once.
“Ah yes, that’s right. I showed you a rather embarrassing side of myself yesterday, didn’t I?”
That was—
“Just a little?”
Shara trembled.
No, I mustn’t be overwhelmed here. Shara Lansra, consider this a place of certain death.
My God, grant me mercy and protection.
And grant my friend mercy and peace as well.
“By the way, what were you doing yesterday?”
Currently, a mysterious box existed in the garden of the Longdagger Residence.
Crafted by Erica’s magic, it possessed a texture like marble or ceramic, despite originating from mere garden soil. Even its color had changed to white, making no sense at all.
When Shara had glanced at it this morning, materials like lumber, which hadn’t been there yesterday, were piled up.
It was clear Erica was trying to build something, but Shara had absolutely no idea what it could be.
“Ah.”
Erica smiled and answered.
“I’m building a Bath.”
“A Bath?”
A Bath, does she mean that?
That form of leisure where you submerge your body in hot water?
She possessed the knowledge, but she couldn’t comprehend the idea of installing one in a private home.
Wasn’t that the kind of facility nobles installed as a hobby?
Although Erica was the daughter of a former great noble, it was surprising that she would indulge in such a hobby.
Well, considering this couple’s earning power, it was probably a trivial expense.
I see, so that box is for holding hot water.
“We stayed at several inns with Baths on our way to this town,”
Erica wore a nostalgic expression.
Was it really long enough ago to be nostalgic about? Shara swallowed the words she was about to say.
“He said that once you get used to it, a Bath feels quite pleasant.”
Wisely, Shara did not ask who “he” was.
“Shin did.”
Even though she hadn’t asked, she was answered anyway.
Damn it, this woman shoves sugar into people’s mouths without hesitation.
“I see. So that’s why you’re in a good mood.”
Setting aside whether a wife personally building a Bath for her husband was normal.
Shara could understand the sentiment behind it, even if her mouth felt cloyingly sweet.
Keeping busy probably helps distract her from the loneliness, too.
“Ah, no.”
Shara tilted her head at Erica’s unexpected denial.
“Certainly, yes, I am in a good mood today, but the reason is different.”
Instinct screamed a warning faster than the blink of an eye.
I have plans later today—
“Actually,”
Her body wasn’t quite as fast as her instincts.
“I had a dream about Shin.”
“A dream?”
A dreadful premonition crept in.
When a newlywed wife says she dreamed of her spouse, what are the chances it isn’t about her doting on him?
“It was a dream where Shin was happily fighting a Dragon.”
This, Shara thought, might be one of the more tolerable types of doting.
“His lungs were crushed and his spine was broken, but he looked like he was having fun.”
“What did you say?”
Her expression turned serious without thinking.
“Yes. So, his lungs were crushed and his spine was broken, and he looked happy.”
Oh, and it looked like his ribs were broken and piercing his internal organs, too.
What is the definition of ‘having fun’? She felt herself being drawn into philosophical contemplation by this new concept, presented as if it were a universal truth.
Well, maybe for Shin-san, something like that falls within the range of ‘fun’?
Still, that’s an awfully specific dream.
Ignoring Shara, who had unintentionally gone serious, Erica continued recounting the contents of her dream.
Apparently, she didn’t remember the sounds, but the details she described were minute and precise.
It sounded exactly like the events down south in Noel Jeun.
The fact that Shin is adventuring with someone other than myself is somewhat irritating, however—
Watching Erica speak those words, Shara trembled from the very bottom of her heart, truly and utterly.
No, it can’t be, surely not.
She stumbled upon a possibility.
Even as she thought, No way, Shara couldn’t completely deny it.
Skills are miracles bestowed by God.
Since only church personnel manifest the Skill to appraise Skills, this was common sense among them.
Like everyone else, Shara believed this too.
But still, could such a miracle exist?
Erica’s… this… isn’t it just like the Clairvoyance Skill?
A Skill the Church hadn’t confirmed in any user for the past several hundred years.
No, no, surely not.
Yet, Shara couldn’t help but think it.
The sheer detail being recounted.
It was too specific to be just a dream.
Besides,
Shara thought, half-accepting that it was the Clairvoyance Skill.
If you’re going to fight a Dragon, take Erica with you!
Seriously, what are you doing, Shin-san?
Getting your lungs crushed and spine snapped like that, are you an idiot?
“Well, at the end, I thought I saw the shadow of some ill-intentioned woman, though.”
The temperature of the voice that casually dropped that remark was terrifying.
Shara wanted to praise herself for not screaming at that voice.
At the very least, she would commend herself internally.
Still, Erica’s face was too frightening to look at.
“I wonder who it could be?”
Who is that question directed at?
“I wonder who it could be?”
Shara was so scared she felt like crying.
She thought she heard a familiar voice somewhere far off say, I intended to grant peace, but…
Shara decided she hadn’t heard anything.
——-Author’s Note——-
As some of you may have noticed.
A death march has arrived for the author before the stockpile runs out.
The death march starting tomorrow is rather serious.
Updates will likely stop for a while.
Even calling it a stockpile, there were only a few chapters left.
Replies to comments may also tend to be delayed, but I read all comments.
I am always encouraged by the likes, comments, etc.
So, I’m off to defeat the death march.