Chapter 5. Tanya Ansberg (9)
Last night, I couldn’t sleep because I was excited with anticipation. It was the first strange thing he experienced after becoming ‘Ludwig’.
There were a few times when I suffered from insomnia at night, but it was usually because I couldn’t sleep because of anxiety.
I can meet Emilia tomorrow. Like a child with a swollen dream, he repeated only those words in his head, and eventually had to greet the morning with wide eyes.
“Your eyes are puffy. Did something happen?”
During breakfast, Diana’s eyes caught a ray of shadow that had passed under Ludwig’s eyes.
He is a wonderful son who grew up in good health without any major illness. Maybe that’s why, on days when my body wasn’t the same as usual, it would show through quickly.
“Oh, no. mother. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
Ludwig hurriedly waved his hand and denied it, but even that was not a very welcome attitude as a mother.
As if causing worry to your parents is a sin. At times like these, her honest feelings were that she wanted to be thanked rather than apologized.
“It’s hard… It is always the case that children worry their parents. Please don’t say such things.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
It was nice to see him listen carefully to what he said about his son.
As an intelligent child, he should be able to notice that he did not listen to what he said earlier as a beating or admonishment, but expressed his regret as a mother in a roundabout way.
Meanwhile, Tanya, who was eavesdropping on the warm conversation between the hat and the hat in the seat next to her, was struggling to hold back the laughter that leaked out.
I felt like I knew why his eyes were puffy, and why he hadn’t straightened his long hair when he showed up at the restaurant for breakfast.
‘Pit, cute. Was that what you expected?’
I thought I couldn’t sleep properly when he said that he would contact Emilia. I was a little jealous, but I felt good because I was able to see an unexpected side of me, so I decided to skip this time.
‘It would be fun to reveal now, but… I’ll have to tease her later when it’s just the two of us.’
Now that all the children of the Ipretz family were seated, it might create a very pleasant situation if Ludwig were to reveal this fact as if stabbing him.
However, I was cautious because I realized through what happened last night that he wasn’t always generous.
I don’t think it’s possible, but what if the boss gets upset over this and forbids all conversation until the day he returns to Brimmerhapon? I didn’t even want to imagine it.
Tanya hurriedly consumed all of the remaining bread, carefully wiped her mouth with a napkin, and then spoke to Carol, who was sitting in the seat of honor.
“Sir Carol, if you don’t mind, can I borrow your library for a while today?”
“library? Write whatever you like. If there is a book worth looking at, you may bring it.”
Carol accepted her request lightly and took a sip of the water from the glass.
Although it varies from person to person, usually the head of aristocratic families considers the study to be the most private space and often does not show it to others. In that respect, he could be said to be very peculiar.
“Oh, I have something to do with Ludwig rather than a book.”
“A thing to do? I’m curious about that. Is it a secret that is hard to tell even to me?”
What the hell does that secret thing mean?
As he opened his eyes wide as he stroked his chin, he asked as if he were trying to open his eyes, and the person in question, not Tanya, jumped out of his seat.
“Ah, Father! what to say… … !”
“Well? What do you mean? Literally only.”
“Yes, Ludwig. What the hell did you imagine?”
“… … .”
It was a thought that popped into Ludwig’s head as he jumped out of his seat. ‘Ah, I got hit.’
Today, without fail, the father gently waved the bait and caught himself. It must have been for this that he spoke in a subtle tone.
Even Tanya, who gave an extra blow as if she didn’t know anything, as if she was thinking of taking another bite.
At least I will hide the corner of my mouth that has risen and say it. I was worried that the heat would stretch out at the grinning appearance and I would squeeze one, but I was able to endure it with superhuman endurance.
“I guess what happened to my head for a while. I’m sorry, father.”
“I’m fine too, but it’s a big deal.”
“that’s right. Aren’t you feeling unwell?”
It’s very well put together. Only then can it be said that it is impossible to distinguish who is the son and who is the daughter of this family.
I knew long ago that she communicated well with her mother, Diana, but I never thought she would communicate this well with her father.
Originally, as her friend and father’s son, he should have been happy.
However, to him now, he thought it was only sad news that the number of perpetrators had increased by two.
“Well, what about the two of you? I heard that Tanya will contact Emilia today… Would you like to join us?”
“Oh, how did you say that?”
He stuttered to the end and tried to change the topic blatantly, but fortunately it seemed to work well.
Carol asked back while looking at Ludwig and Tanya alternately with her eyes wide open. His question was legitimate.
It was clear that a high degree of magic or a considerable level of magic tools would be needed to establish contact with an opponent at that distance.
Ludwig hadn’t heard the details, so he gave her a look asking for an explanation.
“Among the items I brought, there is a magical tool called Longurmo, so I plan to use it.”
“Longurmo… I remember hearing that.”
Literally translated, it means to talk at a distance (longus) and to talk (sermo). Literally, a magic tool that allows you to make contact with someone at a distance.
The biggest reason why this is a high-level magic tool is that it can briefly see not only the voice, but also the other person’s face and surroundings. The downside is that it is rarely used.
“It’s a valuable item, but you brought it well. Wasn’t Lord Ansberg angry?”
“It’s my thing, after all. There was no reason to ask your father for permission.”
“Good.”
Tanya, who usually looks lively, but in reality proves that she is the second daughter of the prestigious Ansberg family, confidently reveals that Tanya is her property.
Carol smiled and nodded, and was able to understand why she wanted to use the library.
‘I can’t be bothered.’
It is desirable to want to live young, but I did not intend to be among young people without notice.
If they show their faces, it will only make them feel awkward. If that’s the case, it would be better to ask about his well-being through his son, and he and his wife should step back for a while and spend a good time together.
“Diana, since it’s been a long time coming, how about leaving the young children to play and going out alone?”
“It’s good. Let’s try to create an atmosphere like the young people.”
Although it had been twenty years since they had been engaged, Carol and Diana were still a happy married couple with the thrill of being newlyweds.
A smile formed on the lips of Ludwig and Tanya as they watched the sight of a middle-aged couple exchanging sweet glances.
* * * * * * *
After the meal, the Aypretz couple went to town in a carriage as planned.
The two of them, accompanied by their maids, went to the study, but among them, Paula wondered why she was in the middle.
“what’s the matter? stand blankly Are you not feeling well?”
“Oh, no. just… I wonder if I can be there to contact Lady Emilia.”
“I’m sure Emilia will like it too. You even said thank you before you left.”
“Then I’d be happy… … .”
Apparently there is a time limit in Longurmo. It’s not a very leisurely time to barely drink a cup of tea.
In that short time, could Emilia, who would be busy talking with her two friends, show her face as a servant? It was a legitimate question for her.
Meanwhile, Tanya, who was sitting on the sofa and smiling with satisfaction, suddenly asked Ludwig, who was having a conversation with Paula.
“hit. I forgot and didn’t ask. Ludwig, do you have any important plans in the future?”
“What schedule?”
“Even if you are busy with official duties or have work to do… … .”
“Isn’t there anything else?”
I’m not sure, but I assumed it probably wouldn’t be. Tanya nodded her head with a satisfied smile.
Ludwig wanted to ask her intentions, but it seemed difficult.
As if to indicate that she had no intention of telling me, she turned her head away and kept her mouth shut.
In the end, he had to throw a piece of doubt over the horizon in his head for a while.
“Lel, could you put that down here?”
“All right.”
As Rell placed the Longurmo in her hand on the table, Tanya began to unfold it with a skillful hand.
“Hmm. It looks pretty normal, doesn’t it?”
“right? At first I thought, ‘What kind of magic tool is this?’ Because I wanted to.”
When the wooden box was opened, a small sculpture was revealed.
Somehow, the shape resembled a music box, so I couldn’t trust it based on its appearance alone. If you use it right away, you will know its true value.
“How does it work?”
Ludwig looked around the open box to see if there was a device, but nothing caught his eye. In the first place, the sight of a human face itself was not drawn here.
“There are ways. Mmm!”
Tanya spread her chest triumphantly and reached out to satisfy his question.
I tried to wiggle my fingernails through the small cracks in the box, but soon a storage space appeared with a clicking sound.
Inside it was a small marble that emitted a yellow color. Ludwig tilted his head, wondering what that was.
“What is that?”
“This is the medium to use Longurmo. Longurmo is a unique magical tool that does not consume mana.”
“Is that possible?”
Tanya picked up a marble and dropped it into the hole next to the sculpture, as if she wanted to show it instead of explaining it in words.
Soon, golden light began to emanate faintly from the hole, and soon it spread out through a small gap in the box, shining brightly on the sculpture in the center.
“The one I just put in isn’t just a ball, it’s a sensor made with Emilia’s hair and mana.”
“A sensor?”
“yes. The necklace on Emilia’s neck also has the same beads embedded in it, so Longurmo only functions properly when it responds to it.”
After hearing her explanation, Ludwig and Paula nodded their heads at the same time.
I hope it was like that. It was a very peculiar way.
I finally understood why he said he didn’t need mana. It must be because the marbles replace mana anyway. The usage time also means the time when all of this mana is consumed.
“Ah, he reacted. Everyone, gather here.”
As the light emitted by the sculpture shimmered, Tanya opened her eyes and beckoned the three to come towards her.
– Gee-ing…
As the four of them huddled together, each taking their place, as if taking a family portrait, white light radiated from the sculpture and spread out into the air.
Before long, the remnants of the misty light began to take on color and shape, gradually changing into a familiar human figure to the four eyes.
“uh? done! Emilia! can you hear me!?”
【Ta, Tanya? what the hell is this… … .】
“Did I tell you? If you take it, good things will happen. How are you surprised?”
【That’s right, I can’t help but be surprised. Besides, from Ludwig and Paula to Rell… What happened?]
Tanya, who had been reunited with her childhood friend after a long time, smiled and started explaining about magic tools. The given time was short, so I couldn’t explain in detail, and I was only talking about the main points.
【thanks. Tanya. I never dreamed that I would receive such a gift.]
“What a gift I put so much effort into. Besides, Ludwig has it ready. thank you?”
【Yeah?】
“What?”
Tanya was talking about someone as if it were a bonus on a gift, but the ripple effect that sentence brought was enormous.
At just one word, Ludwig and Emilia swallowed their breaths at the same time and let out a dazed sound.
What did you mean? If no one was watching, they wanted to ask, but the two realized that it could be an act of strangling their heads in this place.
In the end, the small blue came to fade.
【Ah, anyway… Thank you so much Paula and Lell too. How can I say such a greeting… … .]
“no. I’m just glad that you seem to be alright. Lady Emilia.”
“As for me, Miss Tanya misses me a lot, so I want her to come back as soon as possible.”
The answers of the two ladies-in-waiting were very contrasting.
Paula has a polite and businesslike attitude because he has not built a big relationship with her.
Lel is able to tell small jokes thanks to Tanya’s side and meeting and getting to know her childhood friend often.
Emilia, who had no one to lean on except for her teacher, Rebecca, was just happy and grateful to both of them.
“Ludwig, you should also say hello. It’s a long-awaited friend, what are you doing so awkwardly?”
“Yeah, that’s how it should be… … .”
Tanya slapped him on the back as he sat there silently as if he were sitting on a chair.
Only then did he come to his senses at the bitter voice pouring out of her mouth, and he nodded hastily and turned to Emilia.
“Long time no see. Emilia. How have you been?”
【Yeah. Thanks to everyone’s concern, I’m doing well.]
When she smiled, I felt the air around me brighten. Even when we’re not actually seeing each other face to face.
With the foolish thought that he was seriously ill, he made many good comments.
There were a few words prepared in advance, but the main content was to take good care of your body and come back safely.
【I also missed the wall painting that Ludwig gave me a lot. I hope to go back soon and meet everyone.]
It was a journey where most of the unnecessary baggage was removed, but there was only one thing she packed.
That is the Walloohwa that Ludwig handed over.
Because it has magic, so if you don’t lose it, you can always draw his face while keeping it. It was taken with that in mind.
“Ludwig, can you step aside for a moment? I don’t have much time, so I have something to tell Emilia.”
“yes? Then we can just say goodbye and be done.”
Tanya, who had been silently listening to the conversation between the two beside them, apologized to the fading ray of light and joined the conversation. It was also the reason he arranged this meeting today, and he had one more gift left to give to his best friend, Emilia.
“Emilia, can you hear me?”
【I can hear you well. Tanya.]
“Actually, I have something to tell you. I tried not to tell you because Ludwig asked me to hide it… I thought it would be better if you let me know.”
“yes? I?”
Did you ask me to hide it? When did I say that? Suddenly, anxiety began to set in.
Tanya glanced at me, whether or not she knew how I felt, then, after squinting one eye, burst out with a gigantic remark comparable to Meteor.
“Ludwig is going to see you! A detailed schedule has not been set, but he informed me in advance!”
【Yeah? Lou, Ludwig is here… !?]
“What? Now wait!”
Tanya successfully confused them both this time. At this point, it was such an excellent ability that I wondered if one talent had bloomed.
The light faded and Emilia’s figure began to disappear. At this rate, Ludwig, who was going to meet Emilia without moving, tried to deny it, but was stopped by Tanya and ended up in vain.
“Then, how are you Emilia!”
[T-Tanya!? Wait… ! Tanya!]
How did the reunion after a long time, which I only knew would be affectionate, come to this point?
Emilia hurriedly shouted to ask something more, but soon the light disappeared and the magic tool lost its power.
According to Tanya, there is no way to contact her further. However, the stone had already been thrown, and it was clear that Emilia was only thinking that she was coming.
“Bye. Understand?”
“… … .”
Tanya smiles cutely as if asking for praise. Ludwig inadvertently clenched his fist.
She was the second one to create the idea that he wanted to hit a woman as hard as he could. By the way, the first was a girl who was the second daughter of the Countess of Ansberg.
In any case, the important thing was that he had to go see Emilia like this.
‘Should I think positively… … .’
Anyway, as a result, he seemed to have to thank her for pushing his back.
Of course, revenge should be left as revenge.