“Ram, I’m sorry for putting everything on your shoulders. I will make it up to you very s—”
“No need, Lady Emilia. More importantly, you have guests.”
Ram shook her head, interrupting Emilia as she moved aside, clearing a path to the door. “Huh?” said Emilia as her eyes grew wide when figures came over the threshold.
“Lady Emilia, please forgive our sudden visit.”
It was a well-aged man with a sturdy physique who addressed Emilia with a bow. Emilia squinted slightly, recalling that she had seen his tall frame somewhere before; the memory came to her right after.
“You were…the gentleman who came with Ferris once, right?”
“Yes. I am called Wilhelm Trias, humble retainer of the House of Karsten. I have come today representing my liege.”
The old man introduced himself in a dignified voice before dropping to one knee in a display of the utmost respect. Emilia, blushing at the sight, rushed down the remaining stairs that separated them to bid Wilhelm to rise. However, she immediately realized that something about him was bizarre.
Smeared in blood and grime, the old man did not have the appearance she would associate with an official messenger.
“Those clothes… What happened?”
“I apologize for the unsightly display. With some luck, I was fortunate enough to encounter a trifling demon beast while traveling to the Mathers domain. My atrocious appearance is the result.”
“I don’t mind, but your wounds……seem to have already been treated.”
“There is no need for concern. More importantly, I must properly communicate my master’s will.”
When Wilhelm suggested shifting the focus from himself to the topic at hand, Emilia acceded. The old man calling himself Crusch’s representative reminded Emilia of the letter that had arrived the night before.
“Actually, last night, I received what was apparently a letter of goodwill from Lady Crusch. However, the letter was blank…… I was concerned, wondering if there was some kind of mistake.”
“Blank, you say— I see, so it truly was blank.”
“What do you mean…?”
Wilhelm’s blue eyes narrowed at his learning the contents of the letter. Sensing something strange in his demeanor, Emilia remained concerned as she instinctively echoed his words. But he immediately shook his head.
“No, this is highly embarrassing, but that contradicts the letter my master originally sent. I know her thoughts well, and I assure you, there is no need for concern.”
“The original… I see, it actually was a mistake? I’m so glad that she…doesn’t hate me.”
Emilia put a hand on her chest, relieved to hear someone close to Crusch firmly deny any ill will.
The letter had arrived directly after the residents of the village had rejected her. On the one hand, she hadn’t thought it was like Crusch; on the other, there had been some part of her that worried the head of the House of Karsten was acting out of contempt for half-elves.
An anxious heart indulged in unnecessary doubts, which invited vulnerability. That was the state Emilia was in.
“I sincerely apologize for the confusion. My master, Lady Crusch, is not the sort of person to engage in such rash acts, nor would she ever deem Lady Emilia worthless or someone to be ridiculed. Try as I might, I can say without reservation that I cannot conceive of such a notion.”
“Th-thank you very much… Then, um, what was the letter actually about?”
The great amount of praise left Emilia surprised, but also a little happy. Her spirits rose slightly. As they did, Wilhelm retained his exceedingly polite posture as he answered.
“Lady Emilia and Miss Ram…it is Lady Crusch’s opinion that those present in this mansion as well as the residents of the village should be temporarily evacuated from the area.”
The announcement made Emilia’s small smile freeze on her lips.
6
Once Emilia recovered from the initial shock, Wilhelm continued his explanation.
“Of late, we have received information that a criminal group known to the kingdom has infiltrated the Mathers domain. I have come representing a unit formed for the purpose of hunting down this group.”
“And those people are hiding in the forest around us… Is that what this is about?”
Emilia blinked in surprise as the truth about the unrest even Ram’s Clairvoyance could not discern was revealed.
As Wilhelm gravely nodded, Ram, standing beside him, nodded readily as well. Then Ram gave her own pink hair a gentle stroke as she spoke.
“The envoy has already been taken into the expeditionary force’s custody and has deployed in the village to prepare against enemy forces. But the enemy is the notorious Bandit King, so if fierce combat breaks out, damage to the surrounding area is unavoidable.”
“Bandit King…! We’re supposed to evacuate, then? That’s why even dragon carriages were arranged for us?”
According to Wilhelm, enough dragon carriages to carry Emilia, Ram, and every single villager had already entered the village to ready for their escape. Ram, having confirmed this with her own eyes, gave her seal of approval.
“When everyone has been evacuated, our expeditionary force shall immediately exterminate them. Should the danger be swept away, you have my promise you may return to your peaceful lives.”
The rest of Wilhelm’s explanation contained the details of the evacuation plan arranged for Emilia and the others.
Emilia admired the unblemished goodwill, but she could not bring herself to politely leave everything to them. Of course, the proposal made perfect sense, and she had no intention of doubting them. But she also had some misgivings.
“But why would Lady Crusch do so much for the sake of this domain?”
This land was squarely within the Mathers fiefdom, plus Emilia and Crusch were political rivals for the throne. The goodness of her heart was probably not Crusch’s reason for acting. Emilia suspected there was something else.
Wilhelm slightly lowered his voice as he responded to Emilia’s doubts.
“This is just between us, but…we have a history with this criminal organization and cannot pretend the Bandit King is someone else’s concern.”
“History…with you, Sir Wilhelm?”
“Not just me. There are some youngsters who are champing at the bit to get at them as well. Besides—” Wilhelm’s lips had slackened slightly into a smile, but it vanished as he continued his explanation. “My master has been recognized by the marquis as an ally for the duration this royal selection. The terms are the handing over of magic crystal mining rights for the Great Elior Forest… Does this clarify matters for you?”
“—! …I see, the rights to the forest. So that’s…how it is.”
Even as Emilia accepted the words that followed, they shook her a little. While Emilia had been worrying about things all by herself, Roswaal had already worked in the darkness to prepare the best possible response. It was not that she didn’t trust him, but it was something of a shock nonetheless.
“…But evacuating is easier said than done. Where will we go?”
“We have thought about this as well. This is connected to the earlier matter, but we would like you to head for the royal capital, Lady Emilia. Lady Crusch is in the capital and desires a conference at which to seal the alliance.”
“That is…yes, that’s all right. But is it possible to bring everyone to the capital?”
The capital was about half a day’s journey by dragon carriage. It would prove a difficult journey for the elderly and the very young villagers. It was also unclear how long it would take to eliminate the criminal organization, which raised her concerns about who would be able to accommodate them all.
If this issue was dire enough to justify their leaving the area surrounding the manor, then—
“Perhaps it would be best if I assisted to drive the Bandit King away sooner?”
“…Lady Emilia, I am grateful that you would offer.
However, that would be…”
“I may not look like much, but I’m confident in my modicum of skill. I have a really strong spirit with me, so I won’t slow you down.”
Emilia was referring to Puck, who wasn’t present at the moment, as she offered her cooperation in the coming battle. Her words made Ram close her eyes as Wilhelm fell into thought for a time.
She had attempted to propose something helpful, but for some reason, Emilia wasn’t getting a very good reaction.
“Is there a…problem with that?”
“As a matter of…… Yes. Actually, the marquis strictly demanded that I ensure Lady Emilia confers with Lady Crusch as soon as possible. If I fail in this duty, I shall be fired.”
“Roswaal said that?!”
Hearing that truly horrified Emilia. When Emilia stared toward Ram, questioning if it was true, Ram’s light-red eyes bore into the side of Wilhelm’s face, staring, staring, staring—
“………………………………Yes, that is indeed what Master Roswaal said.”
“Roswaal, what were you thinking…?!”
Ram had sworn fealty to Roswaal; she surely would not lie where her master was concerned. Apparently, he had earnestly worked to check any possible action, knowing that she could not defy him. The evacuation, the alliance—Roswaal probably had everything dancing atop the palm of his hand.
Seeing Emilia clenching her fists in frustration, Wilhelm breathed a sigh. The old man kept his eyes lowered as he spoke.
“Certainly, Lady Emilia, as you stated earlier, evacuating everyone to the royal capital is a difficult undertaking. Given the current situation, let us evacuate half to the capital for the time being.”
“What about the other half, then?”
“Per my proposal, the other half shall evacuate to the Sanctuary. Master Roswaal is already headed there, after all, and that place has sufficient space to shelter them and should be quite safe.”
“I…I see. You already have it all worked out, then…”
They had already thoroughly examined every concern and misgiving Emilia might have. They persevered, slapping down one doubt after another, until Emilia had no room left to lodge any objections.
This should have been a good thing, but the current Emilia could not help but feel tortured by an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. They had prepared answers to any question she might have, thought through whatever worries she might have, and if she did as she was told, everything would be taken care of through the goodwill of others—
“Hey, doesn’t this come off as a little strange? Isn’t it too good to be true…?”
“—I beg your pardon!!”
Emilia’s voice, seemingly bearing the weight of her doubts, was interrupted by the sound of the door violently opening. When she looked over in surprise, a young man had staggered into the entry hall, looking like he’d just kicked the door in.
The figure was wearing a white robe with a hood that covered him up to the top of the head. He cut in front of the wide-eyed Emilia and vigorously saluted Wilhelm.
“There are signs of strange movements from the group lurking in the forest! We no longer have a moment to lose! If they move with the intent to slaughter, this entire area will become a hellish scene, a sea of blood—!”
“Mm-hmm, is that so… They seem to be moving quicker than we expected. With this many people entering the village, it was only a matter of time until they noticed, I suppose…”
“What shall we do, Captain…er, Sir Wilhelm, the Sword Devil…?!”
“Lady Emilia.”
Once Wilhelm received the young man’s reports, punctuated with unnecessarily grandiose gestures, he stared sharply at Emilia. Emilia understood from his razor-like gaze that time was short.
Events were already in motion. Things had become urgent enough to make her think that time spent arguing was time wasted.
It wasn’t as though she suddenly had no doubts about various parts of the conversation so far. But it was a fact that Ram had sensed an ominous presence in the forest, and Wilhelm had given his word as a man under Crusch’s banner concerning the incident involving the letter.
More than anything, with Roswaal currently absent, the right to make decisions for the well-being of the mansion and the village fell to Emilia. The outcome would alter numerous human fates, and because of that, she had to see it through herself.
That role was Emilia’s to play at the moment. Duty had to come first.
“Understood. I gratefully accept your kindness. As for explaining to the villagers…”
As soon as she said that, Ram revealed that the most urgent matter had already been resolved.
“Lady Emilia, this has already been taken care of without much issue.”
Emilia, surprised at this fact, shifted her thoughts to the household. The existence of the final resident of the mansion, Beatrice, tugged at her mind. She had thought that if they were evacuating, then naturally they had to take Beatrice with them.
“—Beatrice said she was staying behind, and would use the Passage to isolate the archive of forbidden books, so you can evacuate or do whatever else you like on your own.”
“Puck?!”
Upon his sudden return, Puck explained the plans of his protégé, with whom he had already spoken. However, when the kitty landed on her shoulder, Emilia stared at him, shaking her head in disbelief.
“How can you just accept that? They said this place is dangerous…”
“In Betty’s case, she’s much safer inside the Archive. Besides, there’s the issue of her pact preventing her from leaving the mansion. You understand, don’t you?”
“…It’s really unfair to use that as a reason.”
Puck groomed his whiskers as he responded to Emilia’s dissatisfaction. To Emilia, to Puck, and to Beatrice as well, the word pact bore a great deal of meaning…to the point that it left Emilia unable to find the words for a comeback.
“So that’s why the girl who’s like a cute little sister to me will stay behind at the mansion. It’s best if you don’t do anything to the mansion, either. Betty may be a sweet, gentle child…but she won’t show any mercy.”
“I shall take your words to heart, Great Spirit.”
Wilhelm solemnly bowed in response to Puck’s warning. Watching this with satisfaction, Puck buried himself in Emilia’s hair. Then his voice became a whisper only Emilia could hear.
“Do whatever you want to. I’m your ally, and yours alone.”
“—We will evacuate. I do not want to subject the villagers to any danger.”
At her command, Ram grasped the hem of her skirt and politely curtsied, whereas Wilhelm strongly nodded.
Then Emilia turned her back only upon the youth who had brought in the report—
“That’s just the way you are.”
Emilia did not notice the youth’s tiny murmur.
7
By the time Emilia & Co. met up at the village, the residents had already begun preparing to evacuate.
The villagers seemed to be politely obeying the expeditionary force, with nary a look of worry or concern on their faces, quite methodically proceeding with the work of loading up the dragon carriages.
“Wilhelm and the others are amazing, aren’t they?”
Emilia was surprised at how, in contrast to her, they had deftly gained the trust of villagers they had never before met.
But what surprised her the most came when she heard how the dragon carriages had been allotted. When she was guided to a dragon carriage for evacuation and was directed to climb aboard—
“—Please give us your best regards, miss.”
With a conflicted look on her face, Emilia stood opposite a girl with reddish-brown hair who was bowing her head.
She’d seen the face of the girl countless times in the village. The children were friendly with Subaru, but she’d seemed particularly fond of him; Emilia believed her name was Petra.
Besides Petra, Emilia was surrounded by other ch
ildren with faces familiar to her. Every last one introduced themselves to Emilia, who was to ride in the dragon carriage with them.
“Err, this is strange. Is there some kind of mistake?”
As worry crossed Emilia’s mind, Ram, standing right beside her, firmly declared, “No, this is the result of an exacting discussion. It cannot be helped. The balance of dragon carriages and numbers of people makes your riding with these children an unavoidable necessity, Lady Emilia.”
But her reply was so contrary to Emilia’s assumptions that it only served to fan her worries further.
She would be spending numerous hours with the children in the closed quarters of a dragon carriage. It was less that this worried Emilia than that she thought it lacked consideration for the families of the children riding with her. She wondered if it would simply be hard on both sides.
“You can’t assign me a different dragon carriage to ride? I mean, the children would be better off that…”
“You assume anyone would be disgusted at having to ride with you, I take it?”
“—”
Emilia’s breath caught at having her inner thoughts read. It was the young man in the robe, the same one who’d escorted Emilia and Ram all the way to the village, who had made the borderline offensive remark.
Emilia, surprised, drew close to the youth, whose voice sounded faintly nervous and worked up.
“Have you checked with these children to know? Or did you decide you were hated and detested all on your own?”
“I…know that without having to ask. This is for everyone’s sake.”
“One dragon carriage, six children…how will your desires come true if you cannot even handle that?”
“How can you possibly—”
When she began to speak harshly in a plaintive-sounding voice, the youth shifted his gaze away from Emilia to Petra. He got down on one knee before her, met her eyes, and quietly asked her, “How about it, Petra? Is the thought of riding the same dragon carriage as the miss hateful to you?”
“—!”
Emilia’s cheeks stiffened, her heart pained as the cruel question fell upon her ears. It was a question with a readily apparent answer; his asking it could only be to hurt her. And even if you knew something would hurt, that didn’t mean you got used to the pain.
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Vol. 9 Page 4
