Chapter 79
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Violet's First Words - Episode 79
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Rota had told Violet to think it over for a few days and return for another visit. That had been a week ago, and today marked my second visit to the Shatra Holy Knight Order.
"You're late, Violet."
As I stepped outside, I spotted a familiar carriage. Ash had lowered the window and was watching me with his arm propped against the frame.
"Ash? Did you come to pick me up?"
"What else would I be doing here, admiring the streets?"
"You must be heading to the Shatra Holy Knight Order as well. But I could easily go alone, you know."
"Remember, you asked me to treat you as a regular knight. But you're not even a member of the Shatra Holy Knight Order yet, are you?"
Ash had a point.
"Then just give me the special treatment today, Ash. After that, no more."
Still, I was grateful he'd come to pick me up. I nodded to the coachman and climbed into the carriage.
"What's that?"
"Your clothes. Marin asked me to give them to you."
"I'll take them when I return."
Cyril was at home. He disliked seeing me get along well with Ash, so if he saw the clothes, he'd realize Ash had picked me up.
"Understood. On your way back."
Ash smiled. In any case, Ash's carriage was spacious, and I found myself sitting beside him almost without thinking. The carriage was wide enough that we weren't pressed against each other. 'Come to think of it, Ash was connected to the Heresy Inquisitors.' I glanced at Ash.
"Ash, aren't you busy? I heard you're also serving as the head of the Inquisitor General Office."
"Kaizeria has loyal subordinates who handle work for me, so it's manageable. And I've stepped down from that position to become an advisor instead."
That was when it happened. Clop-clop, clop. Screech. A familiar sound reached my ears.
【I don't regret killing those Shatra Holy Knight Order bastards. A significant number of those lunatics had fallen into demon worship and corruption. To put it simply, they were complete trash. And...】 Future Violet spoke to the Veiled Girl. 【Cyril Uncle went mad because of what those bastards did.】
'The Shatra Holy Knight Order members practice demon worship?' My eyes widened. Dizziness washed over me again.
"Violet?"
Ash leaned forward to look at my face.
"It's just dizziness again."
"I think we should call a physician."
Ash was watching me with a serious expression.
"It happens sometimes. It's nothing serious."
"Dizziness can develop into a serious condition. Do you understand?"
"...I'm really fine."
"This is already the second time. Promise me you'll see a physician."
"...I promise."
"Today, right after this schedule ends."
"Understood. I'll do it right away."
I yielded to his insistence and agreed. Ash tapped the front of the carriage. Only then did it slowly begin to move. Violet hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"If I'm doing something that's just and also quite beneficial to you, would you help me?"
Ash fell silent for a moment. He gazed at me intently.
"Even if you're on the wrong side, I would help you."
Ash was different today. I stared ahead at the front of the carriage.
"That's fortunate. Thank you...."
My fingertips tingled again.
"Ash, but you don't look well today. Are you sick somewhere?"
"A bit drowsy."
Ash spoke languidly. I had learned about Ash's situation from Marin over the past few days. The Imperial Palace refused to acknowledge Ash's illegitimate status and was unwilling to hand over Rivan Fatherfall's inheritance. Ash spent each day facing them alone, securing one thing, then another.... That was the kind of day he was living. 'And he has to manage all those positions on top of it.' I worried whether Ash had any time to breathe.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
After all, once I enter the Shatra Holy Knight Order, I'll become Ash's colleague. As a colleague, it was only right to extend this level of goodwill. Besides, if I wanted to investigate Uncle's case, maintaining a good relationship with Ash would be beneficial.
"There is something I want, Violet."
Ash lifted his eyes to look at me.
"Tell me."
"I want to see your mana circle."
"...Will that do?"
"Yes."
"I'm not sure if it'll work here...."
I closed my eyes, then opened them. A transparent mana circle—now nearly three layers thick—swirled around Ash and me. The mana, devoid of any hostile intent, caused no harm, merely passing through Ash's body as if he were transparent. Ash reached out his hand as if to caress the shimmering light that rippled with an ethereal glow.
"But why this?"
It was strange for someone to touch mana, even though his hand would simply pass through without making contact. It felt like someone was caressing the depths of my heart itself—how else could I describe it? 'No, thinking about it that way makes it even stranger.' Ash's touch passed beyond my mana and stopped just before my skin. As if reluctant to pull away, he pressed his hand against the carriage wall where my mana's light reflected. His fingertips slowly caressed the wood grain of the carriage with a tender touch.
"It always feels good, Violet. Your mana, I mean."
Ash whispered and laughed softly. Suddenly, the carriage lurched to a stop.
"Ah!"
I nearly tumbled toward Ash. He caught my wavering shoulders. 'W-what?' Ash's lips drew gradually closer. I felt as though I were under some spell. Just as my eyes began to flutter shut without my realizing it, Ash whispered near my ear.
"We've arrived. Let's get out."
I startled and nodded hastily. That had been truly dangerous. I had nearly fallen. 'Maintain distance! Don't forget! The hypnotic effect of a beautiful man!' I reminded myself of my resolve inwardly. For some reason, Ash looked quite disappointed. As we descended from the carriage, Jule, the coachman, apologized with a stoic expression.
"There was a stone in the road. The carriage shook quite violently, and I apologize for that."
The carriage had been parked behind the building, so the ground was uneven.
"It's fine, Jule."
Jule seemed surprised that I remembered his name. As we entered the building, the plump Rota approached us with a gentle smile.
"Welcome. The Knight Commander has been waiting for you."
Rota continued respectfully with a bow.
"Since this is the first time our special advisor Ash will be meeting the Knight Commander, I shall escort you both if that suits you."
It seemed this meeting with the Knight Commander had been planned for both Ash and me from the start. Though our ranks differed vastly, we shared the common ground of being new members of the Knight Order. As Violet walked down the corridor, her mind drifted back to what had transpired inside the carriage earlier. 'I'm here on a pleasure visit, after all. And let's not forget—Ash has a prophesied bride. The lady who served as the model for Lady Rosenis.' In the novel, Lady Rosenis had been flawless. A first-rate Holy Knight and a free knight besides. She was described as possessing long crimson hair, an extraordinarily beautiful face that radiated both warmth and unwavering resolve. 'But could such a perfect person actually exist in this world?' I had subtly inquired about this when Marin visited a few days ago. I asked how much the prophesied bride that Ash's Mother had foreseen in her vision had in common with Lady Rosenis. [Well, Lady Rosenis in the novel is merely a model, after all. Ah! But His Majesty the Emperor once mentioned it. He said he named Lady Rosenis after the young lady he saw in the prophecy. And her crimson hair, her Kaizerian nationality, her manner of speech, her beauty, her intellect—even her little habits—he drew all of that from the prophecy!] I considered the Lady Rosenis from the novel. An exceptional swordswoman with a seemingly delicate frame, beautiful crimson hair, and the luminous beauty of someone with a pure spirit. 'Could such a person truly exist in this world?' A brilliant swordswoman with long crimson hair? If such a person existed, she would surely have already made a name for herself.
"Come now, both of you, this way."
Rota guided them deeper into the residence. She stopped before a door, knocked, and spoke.
"Knight Commander, I have brought your guests."
She opened the door, offered a greeting, and did not enter herself. Violet stepped into the room. An old phonograph within was playing music. A woman seated in a chair rose to her feet as they entered, regarding them both. She approached with a radiant smile.
"Good day. It is an honor to meet you, Grand Duke Raven."
Her voice emerged clear and melodious. She wore an immaculate white Knight Order uniform, her beautiful sunset-hued hair gathered and bound up. Though not particularly tall, her small, slender frame bore the unmistakable marks of rigorous training. Her eyes held the deep blue-black of a midnight ocean. 'Such a person can exist in this world.' Violet thought that anyone who had read the novel would cry out the same thing. Lady Rosenis is here, they would say.
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