88 – County of Eschik (2)
In terms of timing, it was yesterday morning.
Heir to the Count Eschik family. A letter arrived from Dercian Eshk.
It was a kind of invitation.
An invitation that you can’t help but attend.
[Obituary of Count Reman Eschik]
– A shield that has protected the capital of the empire throughout its life. We would like to inform you that the pillar of the Count Eschik family has passed away after a long illness.
– Although he was unable to overcome his illness and had to say goodbye, he met the end peacefully.
– As a child, I want to decorate the end with a bright heart.
……
-It would be a great joy for the family if the Saint of Hybras were to attend and guide my late father to his rest.
– From Count Dershian Eshik.
Count Eschik has died.
In other words, it was Dercian’s father’s statue.
* * *
Count Eschik died of illness.
It may have been sudden, but it was something I had vaguely guessed.
Even in the original work, Dersian was shown to have inherited the family early on, and there probably aren’t many important things that would require him to cross the Northern Mountains.
Of course, not everyone was like that.
The Count Eschik family was considered one of the most prestigious families in the empire.
Due to its location adjacent to Edelmarion, it is known in the public as the last shield of the empire.
It was a nickname that continued from the past when the empire lacked power. It is said that there is a history of protecting the capital after a desperate battle.
A prestigious family with a long history and influence.
Naturally, not only the central political world but also nobles from all over the empire are flocking to the County of Eschik.
“Razen seems to know Isha well.”
“You look after the sword whenever you have time.”
“Hmm. I should have learned more about swords, too. “I regret it a little.”
“Why? “If you can use your sword well, there’s nothing I can do.”
Sirien narrowed her eyes.
It seemed like he had a lot to say, but he soon smiled and relaxed his expression.
“How does Isha look? “Do you think things are going well with her and Der Cian?”
“Well. “At least she doesn’t seem to hate it, but I don’t know if that will carry over to a romantic relationship.”
“Are you still feeling relaxed?”
“Maybe so. Right now, my skills are in a transitional stage, so the only thing I can think of is the sword. It will get better once it enters a stable period. “If you see that they followed us, it must be because they are worried.”
The gap between Isha and Dersian continued to narrow.
To be precise, Dersian was approaching, and Isha was not pushing him away.
If Sirien was a kind dog only to me, Isha was like a cat that was grumpy to everyone.
It would be nice to say that she is pessimistic for her age. At first glance, she seemed to have no interest in others and seemed to live in her own world.
As it is, Dersian’s efforts were not in vain.
A time when enlightenment rushes in like a tide. It must have taken a lot of determination just to follow us so readily at such an important time.
Sirien sighed.
“Razen, there was a time when you were like that too. “You don’t know how upset I was at that time.”
“Huh? Is that so? “I don’t think there was any transition period.”
“No. There was. I don’t know what he was thinking about every day, but even when I told him, he didn’t seem to listen, and when he didn’t want to be seen, he went to the training center. “It was the first time I couldn’t stand it because it was so cold while waiting for you.”
Sirien’s eyes stung.
“Well…… “Now that I think about it, I think that’s happened before.”
“It’s not ‘same.’ Looking back, I find it shameful. I cried alone that day. “I felt like it would be a disturbance if I cried next to her, and I didn’t want to show it, so I cried into her pillow.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that was the case. Really.”
“You probably didn’t know that. Because I pretended like nothing happened in front of you. “Stupid, I’m going to get angry, so pat me quickly.”
Sirien patted her back as she was told.
Sirien must have swallowed his sadness alone in a place I don’t know.
I’m saying this now, but I haven’t always shown that I’m having a hard time.
Although she said that the feel of her clothes was bothersome in her cabin, she did not complain much.
The saying that everyone tolerated it because we were together and that it was fun to play together came to mind.
She doesn’t need much to give her strength.
Just patting her on the back and giving her affection, even if only for a moment, made Sirien very happy.
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I guess I was indifferent all this time.
She pulled Sirien close and kissed her cheek.
“Huh? Suddenly?”
“I just wanted you to cheer up.”
“Uh, huh…… hehehehe. Okay. “I will continue to do my best.”
The smiling face was pretty.
With Sirien cheering her up, she quickly arrived at the County of Eshik.
At her gate, the guard asked her purpose, and when she showed her where she was, the guard directed her to another path.
It was an open road, as if it had been cleared in advance.
The guards handled their work smoothly and skillfully.
It seemed that there were quite a few mourners who came before us.
Well, even nobles with heavy hips would move quickly if they were like Count Eschik.
The streets of the County passed by, and the castle, with traces of time gone by, got closer and closer.
Sirien rested her chin and looked down her street.
“Good. It looks old, but it doesn’t look old. The streets also feel well organized. “I think this is what Baron Isquente will feel like if he decorates his territory well in the future.”
“The Baron would have been happy to hear those words.”
“I won’t say it to your face. “If that guy is so arrogant, it’s an eyesore.”
As if the news had just arrived, Dersian came out to meet us in front of the castle.
When he recognized us, a smile appeared on his face.
It is difficult for a lord located close to the capital to greatly increase its power.
This was because the imperial family should not feel threatened in any way.
So, there were no people who viewed Count Eschik as a ‘great nobleman’ like the Grand Duke of Ilencia.
However, with its long history, the influence at the center was something more than tangible power.
At least none of the nobles involved in central politics look down on the Count Eschik family.
The successor to that prestigious family was Dersian.
And now. Dersian bowed politely towards Sirien.
“Thank you for coming. “I was waiting.”
“First of all, I would like to express my condolences to the deceased. I didn’t know you would come out to meet us. “He must have had many other guests.”
“It’s because I have a sinful heart. “I heard that something big happened a while ago, but you couldn’t attend due to family issues.”
I still felt very awkward about that appearance.
Obviously, in the original work, the scene where he raises his head stiffly was called cider.
Dersian stood against Sirien without paying attention to the surroundings.
Sirien pressured the Count Eschik family in many ways as if he would make them pay, and the incident aroused the interest of the Golden Duke.
Come to think of it, Dersian was a character who quickly antagonized Sirien among the characters in the original work.
It wouldn’t have been the female protagonist’s influence. I certainly didn’t think of Ellis as being that special at the time.
What on earth was the problem?
“You must have had the duty of a successor. “I am not so narrow-minded that I cannot understand such circumstances.”
“I feel a little relieved to hear you say that. I’m grateful you came here, but I also feel guilty. “Is Baron Isquente okay?”
“I heard that I need to recuperate for a few weeks. Even so, he asked me to say hello.”
“Yes. Please tell me I’m fine. “I will also visit the patient as soon as I finish work.”
“The Baron will be happy.”
Ritual words are exchanged.
The conversation continued while strictly observing etiquette as there were other people’s eyes.
Meanwhile, I did not miss Dersian’s gaze.
At first she saw Isha following us, and immediately her eyes opened wide.
It seemed like it wasn’t just an illusion that I felt that her expression had brightened.
Dersian’s love seemed to still be burning well.
Of course, apart from that, there was a solemn and solemn atmosphere inside the funeral hall.
Nobles wearing black mourning clothes paid attention to us.
A familiar gaze.
It was an eye that was trying to judge and measure us.
It is a foregone conclusion that Dersian will succeed to the count and become a lord.
A successor like that must be curious about who he willingly bowed his head to.
Even the name Hybras would be considered an unfamiliar religion.
“Then…… Wow. “What about the Guardian of Hybras?”
This time, Dersian’s attention turned to me.
He didn’t show it, but there was suspicion in his eyes.
Sirien and I both had our faces covered.
Sirien almost completely hid her appearance with cotton and a veil, and I wore a mask that covered my entire face.
It would not have been difficult to recognize him due to his clothing and the sign of Hybras.
Still, you may be wondering why they are hiding something that was clearly public until not long ago.
Well, it was quite common for a church saint to cover her face.
However, even the guardians do not necessarily wear masks. You might as well wear armor and a helmet, because this is a funeral home.
It was natural for Dersian to have doubts.
“I wore a mask for some reason. “Is it rude?”
“Oh, it’s okay. I heard you were injured. “I won’t think it’s rude if you keep covering it.”
Dersian naturally lied.
Of course, I was not injured, so it was probably just an act of consideration for me.
Since Dersian said that, no one would doubt anything else.
I bowed my head as a sign of gratitude.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“It’s no big deal. Preparations for the ceremony are almost complete. “Please follow me.”