Heroes and Machine Girls Looking at Profiles

20 – The Mansion of the Royal Road

The day after rescuing Rothbaise, who had been sealed in the Goddess’s ruins in Niburs Swamp, Ortlinde, Rothbaise, and I returned to the Royal Road Shailarke.

The reason for coming to Shailarke was simple.

One was to get a status card to prove Rothbaise’s identity.

And the other was to get information about the location of the next relic.

“Then let’s split up here. Ortlinde, you take Rothbaise and make her status card.”

“…Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own? Shouldn’t either I or Rothbaise go with you…”

“It’s a covert operation, so it’s better if I move alone.”

Ortlinde expressed a worried look, but it was correct to move alone for this task.

“Master, you really need to be careful.”

Rothbaise’s words were filled with genuine concern for me.

Now dressed in a simple gown, Luciana had the appearance of a noble lady.

At a glance, they looked like a noble lady and her escort.

“Then, let’s meet up at the tea shop over there later.”

Ortlinde and Rothbaise were both unsuited for covert activities, so it was best for me to go alone.

My task this time involved infiltration.

To go back to the details, we regrouped immediately after Rothbaise.

First, we escaped from the ruins and fearing that the church remnants might reappear, we quickly left Nibus swamp.

After we left the swamp and arrived at Aden forest, we stopped there.

Even though the hour was late, the forest was shrouded in darkness making it difficult for Luciana to continue.

We prepared to camp there, and after a simple meal, we planned to move again when the day dawned.

I suggested to Luciena, who was visibly fatigued due to her lack of stamina unlike us, to rest first, but she simply shook her head and leaned against a tree near the campsite.

Looking at her, I can see she was still grappling with the fact that her path to revenge was blocked.

In the end, I revealed everything to her.

I don’t really know why.

After the betrayal, I, who had become unable to trust people, especially women, thought it might be better not to tell her everything until the end.

But somehow, I felt compelled to reveal everything to her.

Because she harbored vengeance, like a kin of sorts?

No, if I had to specify the reason, it might be the guilt that lingers within me.

The day I realized I was going to be betrayed.

I made up my mind to take revenge on the women who betrayed me, the kingdom that betrayed me, and the crown prince who made this betrayal possible.

For that revenge, I sat back and let their plan progress.

Because I wanted to turn everything upside down when things seemed to be going well and let them taste the utmost despair.

However, one could argue that my acquiescence led to Luciena’s misfortune.

If I had not allowed their schemes to continue unchecked…

If I had denounced their treachery and stepped forward to handle them…

Then maybe Luciena wouldn’t have had to lose her family, her clan, her precious ones.

I do know how pointless it is to bring up “if” at this point.

But it’s undeniable that my contribution to her loss of her loved ones and her immersion in the thirst for revenge is substantial.

And so, I felt I had no choice but to reveal my secret to her.

“…Luciena, please hear me out.”

In the end, I told Luciena everything.

The truth about the relationship between the three members of the Hero Party and the Crown Prince.

The story of their betrayal.

How I came to know of their betrayal, my thoughts, and plans.

The truth about conquering the Demon King, and that they will return in a few months.

…and also, my inability to prevent the tragedy that befell Luciena.

“…Hero.”

I had expected to be criticized.

I thought she might draw the dagger from her waist at any moment.

Direct her unused vengeance at me.

If she desired it, I was ready to die at her hands.

My revenge would still be realized, even if I were gone, with the movement of the Demon King’s forces.

I thought that dying at her hands might bring some comfort to her heart, fallen to the depths of misery because of me.

That was my hope.

However, she didn’t do that.

She just hugged me while sobbing as I confessed the truth and bowed my head.

“Thank you.”

And she said that.

Thanked me, expressed her gratitude.

I had no idea what she was thanking me for.

I did not do anything to receive her thanks.

On the contrary, didn’t I refrain from doing anything that would warrant blame or hatred?

“And I’m sorry.”

What was she sorry about?

What wrong did she think she did to me?

I did not understand at all.

Luciana did not say anything more.

But the warmth inside the arms that encircle me, made it feel like tears I unknowingly held back were flowing.

…I wish my tears would not wet her clothes.

And the following day.

I did not know when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, Ortlinde was sitting beside me with her eyes open.

According to Ortlinde, Luciana was still sleeping in another tent and Rosvais had gone scouting.

After some time, when Rosvais returned and Luciana woke up, I revealed everything to Ortlinde and Rosvais.

To be honest, I had no idea what Ortlinde and Rosvais would think.

These two, they fought against the demonic tribe for the goddess long ago.

Would they be disheartened to find out that I, neglecting the demonic tribe’s war status, let the empire, which occupies nearly half of this continent, be overrun?

I had some fears.

“If that is what you wish, Master.”

“We fought against the demonic tribe in the first place because our creator, Goddess Erda, was their enemy. It’s not like we particularly have any ill-feeling towards the demonic tribe.”

It seemed like my worries were unwarranted.

Anyway, this is how I was able to establish contact with the second Valkyrie.

Despite my expectations, there was no significant lead in the ruins where she was sealed.

But that doesn’t mean we didn’t gain anything.

Because, after hearing my story, Luciana gave me some information.

“…Our Valeri Dukedom might have a clue.”

According to Luciana, there is a possibility that there might be some clues about the other ruins in the library of the Dukedom’s family.

The Valeri Dukedom is a family that has a history longer than the empire.

Therefore, they even keep old books and scriptures that are not in the Imperial Grand Library.

Considering that Goddess’s ruins hold history of almost a thousand years, there was a high likelihood that the Valeri Dukedom, which has a history close to it, has a clue.

However, it wasn’t without problems.

“However… The Duke’s house is currently in ruins and all its property is managed by the crown prince. The crown prince’s soldiers are stationed in the main mansion.”

…That being said.

Now, I was hiding my body in front of the Valeri Duke’s mansion, overlooking it.

Indeed, it was a large mansion of antique style, worthy of such an old family.

The oppressive presence of the mansion, nearly as large as a castle, naturally made me cringe.

The crown prince eyeing the Duke’s property is somewhat understandable.

“So, what are you thinking of doing?”

“I’ll just infiltrate it boldly.”

“It’s the first time I have heard that ‘bold’ and ‘infiltrate’ could coexist in a sentence.”

I looked up at the mansion quietly without responding to Reinfoce’s surprised voice.

“No… to be honest, I didn’t realize it would be this large.

I thought it would be about the size of a regular noble’s mansion. I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal to sneak in and grab some books.

But if it’s that big, I’m going to have a terrible time just finding the library.

If I had known this, would I have brought Luciana, even if it was a bit of a stretch?

「There’s no helping it. Luciana is considered a wanted person in the Empire.」

In the Empire, particularly in the imperial city, Luciana is currently under bounty for ‘insurrection against the state’.

So, I couldn’t bring Luciana all the way here.

For now, Luciana has been taken to the rural village in the duchy where she originally lived.

Promising that we would meet again later.

“…Well, let’s just infiltrate for now. If we look around, we’ll find the library.”

I hid my body against the wall, erased my presence, and approached the front gate.

As I lightly jumped over and landed near the nearly wall-like fence surrounding the mansion, I heard the voices of the guards who were keeping watch near the gate.

“…By the way, have you heard about His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Huh? Did he get into some trouble again?”

…Again, huh.

I wonder how much trouble he has to get into for his own direct subordinates to use that expression.

I shook my head in disbelief, then left the spot and made way to sneak into the mansion.

The chatter of the guards receded in my ears.

“No, it seems he couldn’t control himself and caused a commotion trying to bring in a new woman.”

“Again? Isn’t he still not satisfied even after taking in three world-class beauties?”

“How are we supposed to understand the mind of someone so high up? We just follow orders…”