How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

19 – 19. Morrison Detective Agency (2)

19.

“…This is the last one.”

Meia looked at twenty-seven pages shaped like a book, stitched with a leather strap.

The images were very similar to the actions Meia demonstrated in front of her young lord, as though Allen had ordered her to draw while observing.

The details of the pictures clearly showed the magnitude of effort which far exceeded mere imagination from reading a novel.

The flowing hair of Meia, moving her steps, swayed like a waterfall.

She stopped at the door of the accommodations where Allen stayed and knocked.

“Master, it’s Meia. May I enter?”

“Come in.”

“Pardon me.”

As she opened the door and entered, Allen, as always, was seen half-lying on the couch.

“You’re sprawled out again, Master.”

“I was only taking a bit of a break from writing the manuscript. Your reproach is too harsh.”

“I have gathered all the pictures you asked for, sir.”

“Took longer than expected, didn’t it?”

“…It appears the pictures have not solely spread through the Chivalry.”

Alan furrowed his brows at Meia’s words.

“Not just through the Chivalry?”

“It seems there are also students in the Magic Department, which rivals the Chivalry, collecting these pictures for research purpose. We have resolved the ones in the Chivalry with the help of the elder son…”

Of course, there were students who ignored Albert’s words, thus Meia had to intervene.

“Were you betting or something? You look off, Meia.”

“It turns out to be more exhausting than I thought.”

“Come sit down. I’ll massage your shoulders.”

“I’m fine.”

“It’s an order.”

Alan plainly gave the command.

While being her master, he barely orders her, but whenever Meia hesitates to follow, he uses the word order.

It means she has no right to refuse.

Exhaling shortly, Meia stepped forward to him.

“I will leave the book here.”

Meia pl

“Your shoulders are quite weak, I’m concerned.”

“It’s fine.”

Meia couldn’t bring herself to say ‘That’s because you’re a noble.’

As Allen picked up a book from the table, a knock sounded.

Just as he was about to open the door with the book still in hand, the door swung open as if about to break.

“What audacious things have you been doing, Allen Muller?!”

“Ah?!”

Suddenly, Allen stumbled backward as his nose hit the door that was swung open.

“Master!”

“Ah, my nose.”

Half leaned onto Meia, Allen rubbed his nose.

Luckily the mana reacted instantly, otherwise, his nose might have been squashed.

As he raised his head, he saw Stella, her face flushed red.

“Stella Von Evans?”

“I came to deliver Princess’s message, and what audacious…! What have you been doing in your quarters with a maid?!”

“Did you eavesdrop again like a thief?!”

“I am not a thief! Even knights should have the skill to eavesdrop..!”

‘Ah, my head..’

At Stella’s reaction, Allen rubs his forehead.

This candidate knight probably doesn’t even know what she’s talking about.

“Sickening, really.”

The Princess’s knight was still looking at Meia with a red face.

“Ms. Meia, what audacious things did this guy do…”

“It’s fine. He was just massaging my shoulder.”

“This audacity…! Even if she is a maid, casually touching a woman’s shoulder…!”

“Did I not tell you it’s fine, Lady Evans?”

Meia still helping up Allen said.

“He was merely trying to help me relieve fatigue.”

“Then, why was that noise?”

“I’m a bit sensitive.”

Stella looked at Allan as if she couldn’t believe him.

Catching her gaze, Allan rubbed his forehead.

“What are you looking at? Didn’t you say I’m an shameless guy?”

“Allan Mueller, is what Miss Meia said really true?”

“So Meia gets the honorific while I’m just Allan Mueller? I’d appreciate it if you stopped the discrimination.”

“Hmph, call me whatever you want! Just answer my question!”

“Why should I answer your question? Can’t you see my nose?”

Allan pointed at his nose that was on the verge of crumpling.

Though Mayna had hurriedly protected it, there was still a shock, so his nose had swelled up red.

“My nose looks like this because of you!”

“That, that is …”

“You should learn how to apologize properly, Miss Evans.”

Meia, who had pulled Allan up, dusted off his clothes.

The superhuman maid, with her hands clasped behind her back, quietly looked at Stella with a cold eye.

“It would be nice if you apologized to the young master.”

“The, the …”

Stella, with her eyes tightly closed, bowed her head deeply.

“I’m sorry, Allan Mueller. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I just heard a strange sound from inside …”

“I just meant to loosen your tight shoulders, but it’s always difficult for me too.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“It’s okay. There’s no need for Meia to apologize.”

Allen, letting out a deep sigh, looked at Stella.

“So, what do you need?”

“Princess is looking for you, Allan Mueller.”

“Me? Why?”

“She said she’d be waiting at the café. You aren’t going to stand the princess up, are you?”

“…Is there a chance I’ll be beheaded?”

Regardless of his high-ranking family, the power of the royal family is unimaginable.

It’s only natural for the royal family of the Tiranto Empire, which rules the entire continent of Roselia.

Allan massaged his neck, complaining.

“Although I thought I should meet you for this.”

“What is that?”

Stella belatedly noticed the book in Allen’s hand.

“This is a diagram of swordsmanship moves, drawn after reading volume 1 of Schrengenki.”

“A diagram?”

“A textbook of swordsmanship.”

“…Ah, it’s in Kunlun?”

“Yep.”

Allen said, patting the leather book on the back of his hand.

“There must be someone who spread these. I’m trying to find him.”

“Are you looking for the person who spread the pictures? Why?”

“My peaceful academy life…damn, it’s already been gone since the entrance. Anyway. I heard there’s gambling going on in the Knight’s department because of this.”

“Oh, that one. It’s actually prevalent.”

Stella glanced at Meia.

The white-haired maid sitting behind Allen made a gesture of silence by placing her index finger on her lips.

Allen caught his words.

“It was?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. So, the diagram…all of them were retrieved?”

“It’s Do Hae, not ‘hue’ or ‘hoe’, it’s ‘hae’.”

“You’re surprisingly good at Kunlun language. Is there any extra class?”

“In humanities, foreign languages are a must. I don’t know how I’m learning a foreign language.”

Allen sighed.

This crazy academy also offers second foreign language.

Tyranto Empire’s language is of course the national language, the first foreign language is Dong Empire, Kunlun. He heard that the second foreign language was to learn the languages of various kingdoms like Palos kingdom.

Those aspiring to be diplomats concentrate only on foreign language subjects including Kunlun.

‘I don’t understand why the imperial language isn’t the continental lingua franca.’

Usually, in fantasy novels, everyone communicates well using continental lingua franca, Allen grumbled to himself.

“Hmhm. So, were all those diagrams retrieved?”

“Meia retrieved it, so probably.”

“…During the retrieval, all duplicated items were discarded.”

“You’re so thorough, it’s almost a problem.”

Allan spoke, shrugging his shoulders.

“But anyway, I’m curious about who sprayed this. I’d love to know why, so, perhaps a trip to the Morrison Detective Agency is in order.”

“Does this have something to do with meeting the princess?”

“Well, it’s kind of a two-birds-one-stone situation. It’s a mystery why she would want to see me.”

“Well, true.”

Allan tucked a book under his arm, absentmindedly scratching his nose.

“With my nose in this state, if I go to see the princess she’ll surely question me. I should drop by the temple first.”

“I, I’m sorry. Allan Muller. It wasn’t intentional.”

“We certainly are in a situation prone to misunderstanding, but still, don’t thrust doors open like that.”

Allan pointed to a swinging, broken door handle.

“If you want to show off your strength, go wrestle a bull.”

“Do you think I’m strong enough to wrestle a bull?!”

“No, it’s just a saying.”

“Darn…”

“Young master, if you’re planning to go to the temple, you should leave now.”

“Ah, darn it. Today’s Saturday.”

The Temple of Goddess Themisia, the equivalent of the academy’s infirmary, often wraps up its operation early, given the influx of believers over the weekend.

Recalling this fact belatedly, Allan’s face fell.

“Let’s hurry!”

***

“So…you’re saying your nose is that way because of Stella?”

“Yes.”

Allan, having failed to meet the temple priests in time, had no choice but to visit Felicia with his puffy, reddened nose.

Upon seeing Allan’s swollen nose, Felicia sighed.

“I sent you to pass on a message, not to ruin Allan’s nose, Stella.”

“I, I’m sorry, princess.”

“What were you planning on doing if Lord Albert or Lady Alice saw it?”

Stella remained silent.

She seemed overwhelmed at the mention of two names, Alice Scarlet von Muller, and Albert Elring von Muller.

Felicia flicked her hand lightly.

A pale light seemed to linger at her fingertips, then, in an instant, Ellen’s nose was back to its original state.

Touching his restored nose, Ellen made an amazed expression.

“This is holy magic…?”

Felicia smirked softly.

“I majored in magical studies. Of course, this simple healing technique is included in general magic courses, but advanced healing techniques require a separate high-level holy magic course. It’s a second-year course.”

“It seems that not only magic studies are included in the magical studies faculty.”

“If you’re curious about magic, feel free to ask me. I am more than happy to advise.”

“I see. Thank you for the healing, Princess.”

“You’re welcome.”

Felicia smiled as if pleased.

“I also enjoyed the second volume, Ellen.”

“Ack. You’ve already read it?”

“Stella bought it for me. Of course, I plan to buy a copy myself to read again. It’s such a shame that Shuren seems to close his mind completely to the world.”

Ellen put on an awkward smile.

Felicia glanced at the worn, leather-covered book laying on the table.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a compilation of the swordsmanship movements from the first volume of The Chronicles of Shuren, drawn and put together.”

It was Meia’s answer.

Curiosity flared in Felicia’s eyes.

“May I see it?”