〈 Episode 43 〉Breathless in the West 7

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Elisha's hand was warm. Warmer than I'd ever felt from anyone before. It had the angry, firm grip of someone who trusted me, and the confidence of someone who said, "Trust me.

"Hmm, I thought you were in a bad way yesterday, so I sent you home early, but today you're going to work with the lady you're dating..."

Sergen didn't look too pleased.

"I suppose it's like you have some explaining to do, because showing up with someone else is not my favorite memory."

She looked at Elisa, and then at her own cottage room.

"I hope you're not asking for a leisurely tea, and I hope it's not what I think it is."

"What do you mean, what you think?"

Elisa asked, and slowly, Sergen sipped his tea before speaking.

"Even without the current wartime situation, I think Tir is quite a talented man. With his potential for improvement...and the skills he currently possesses. I assume you're not here to talk about rescinding his contract?"

"I don't think that's what we're talking about, thankfully."

Serghen glanced at her, curious to see if she, too, sensed Elisa's current upset.

"What's going on?"

"Tir will explain that, I'm just a companion, here to keep her from getting into trouble for her outbursts and to help her keep her emotions in check."

"That's not a very good explanation to give with such momentum..."

I don't know about you, but Elisa was currently exuding an aura strong enough for Sergen to feel.

"Then I'll ask you, since I'm curious as to what's going on. What's going on?"

She gave me a nuance that told me she wouldn't leave me alone if it wasn't a big deal. I look at Elisa, and she nods as if it's okay.

"It's when I was living in Deckard."

I have to change the story a bit when I come to Elisa and Count Sirtus.

"So...you've been hunted by the Earl of Deckard ever since you ran away?"

"Yes. Count Sirtus is currently at odds with Count Deckard, so I thought that if I came here, I would have a chance for revenge."

"Hmm, so it was me who was being taken advantage of..."

Sergen sips his tea.

"Well, I suppose you could call it a mutually beneficial relationship, and I suppose I should retract my apologies for thinking that I was forcing you to do hard work."

"...That's a pity."

"So, the men who sold you to the earl turned out to be his butler's men?"

I nod slowly.

"Mr. Millerson...he was chamberlain to the first Earl of Deckard, Northwell Deckard."

Her eyes narrowed.

"He is said to have been a chamberlain who practiced the dark arts like you."

"...."

"Well, your swordsmanship was not necessarily learned from his visions. The point is, if what you say is true, then I have no choice but to use you."

"What?"

"I'm going to have to change my plans for the future. You intend to negotiate with those who betrayed you?"

"Yes."

"Why do you so readily divulge this to me, when I might think you were in league with the Earl of Deckard for some unknown reason?"

I felt like I was walking a dangerous tightrope. The kind of uneasiness that could send you tumbling to your death.

"Because it might be a story that would help Count Sirtus."

"Say it right. It's not a story that will help us, it's a story that will persuade those who will help you in your revenge."

Sergen's words were arrogant. Her words, each and every one of them, were as sharp as if she were pointing her middle sword at your throat. It was like a sharp blade in her free-spirited aura and feeling.

"I think..."

She trailed off with as much emotion as she could muster. If it hadn't been for Elisa, the plan would never have been made. Time passes.

"Most aspects of this plan would be acceptable if your story were true."

"...Yes."

"You sowed doubt in my mind. You've convinced me to trust you, to invest our power in you. Is that a bargain?"

"Yes."

"Yes?"

Sergen's head twitches slightly.

"Confidence without reason breeds arrogance. What you need is evidence, not assurances."

"If we pull off this plan..."

Now it was time for me to sharpen my blade against Deckard. I pull the knife from my holster as if it were a sword, every word counting.

"To Miller.

It's time to plunge the knife into his back. A plan that would allow Sophia to trick me and already tell Millerison who I really am. I had to conceive it and pull it out.

"Sirtus will be able to beat Deckard."

"That's odd, because your assurance implies that Sirtus will lose to Deckard without your help."

"Yes."

Sergen looked at me again.

"I don't know who you're cursing, and I know you're not sane over the death of a former friend you betrayed. But this is far beyond what I can tolerate."

"Ms. Sergen."

She said the words, but her legs were crossed toward me, as if waiting for my next words. It was a good thing.

"As you may have sensed from this story, the butler's name...that is, Miller, is a hermit he's sent so far into the wilderness that he's so intelligent that he chooses suicide over flight."

He outlined the plan on his fingers.

"So?"

"Strong intelligence breeds arrogance, and you take advantage of their faith."

When it came to pickpocketing, the easiest thing to pick was the pockets in the armor of knights in shining armor. If you could get the buckle made of cowhide right, you could pick their pockets unnoticed, no matter how long it took.

"You haven't yet convinced me of your theory that you're going to do the opposite, that you're going to make me trust you and then beat me for my treachery."

"Well."

I finally threw in the towel.

"Cut me down right here."

At that moment, Serghen, who had been sitting at the table, rose to his feet, drew the middle sword from his belt, and pointed it at my throat.

"Did you feel that your bravado would work?"

Serghen looks at Elisa.

"Do you think I'm bluffing?"

Serghen's eyes widen as if to say, "Are you kidding me?" as Elisa, who loves me, sips her tea. I see the conviction in his eyes.

"Now is the best time, while my identity is still unknown. If I were to die here, the Coven would relay the news to Deckard...and he would probably calculate that it would make it easier for him to eat Sirtus."

"Are you threatening me?"

I stared at Sergen.

"I ask you, Sergen. Is there anyone you can completely trust?"

"...."

"If I die here, it's a loss for me, a loss for Sirtus, and a loss for the Witches' Association and Deckard. I'm only trying to destroy Deckard."

"Your words are strong in intimidation, not persuasion. Is that enough to make you think that Sirtus is weak?"

"No."

I'm calmer than ever, even with the Middle Sword at my throat.

"I'm putting my neck on the line now to ask for help because I'm not so easy. You're putting your head on the line for help from someone you don't trust."

"...You. Just when I thought you were going to be a naive newbie adventurer..."

With a wry sigh, she sheathes her middle sword.

"Looks like you've got a wily wolf in you."

"I apologize for not giving you any reason to trust me."

"Was this your plan all along?"

"...If it had, Elisha wouldn't have been prepared to work magic with his hands."

"Even if she did work magic, she was more than capable of taking your head."

"I knew that."

Elisa remained silent and sipped her tea, but I noticed that she was conjuring mana with her other hand. He could tell she was uneasy, as the strangeness of seeing her magic was becoming more and more apparent.

"Thanks for putting up with me."

"It's a terrible thing to do, Sergen. On behalf of Tyr, I beg your forgiveness for my passionate missteps in my burning vengeance."

"You are so true to your role! Would you ever consider working for me?"

Believing in the object of one's affection, enduring, and staying true to one's role, Sergen's eyes were filled with talent.

"I'm a member of the Coven, so I can request a letter from them separately."

"Can't you get a private deal for a little cheaper and a long-term contract? I'm sure you'd be worth a lot more than some of the witches you're working for."

"Have you been caught?"

Serghen seemed to recognize Elisa's ability to hide her level, not using direct magic even when fighting orcs. He looked at her trusting smile, a joke that lightened the mood.

"Then I guess the persuasion is over."

"Then..."

"Your plan, frankly, is so well organized that I don't see the need for persuasion. Add my subplot to the mix, and you've got a brilliant plan to smash the enemy's spies."

"So you were originally going to help?"

"Of course, you are my personal soldier. If he's betraying me, it's my lack of vessels, isn't it?"

Seeing my disgruntled expression, she bursts out laughing.

"Haha! I'm sorry, your enthusiasm must have overwhelmed me. Chalk it up to a prank by your lowly superior, who wanted to further test your surprising ability to talk schemes while angry."

Smiling, she looked at Elisa.

"I must have been quite the actress, to fool even an emotion witch."

"Well, I've been feeling lately that love is a mist that can deceive any act...I've been vaguely sensing it was an act, but with a knife at my lover's throat, I can't help it."

Elisa slowly sipped her tea again, embarrassed.

"So I'm the only one who was fooled?

I felt like a fool for being so serious and risking my life.

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