(EP-61) Mansion #1

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061 – Haunted Mansion #1

According to the rules, Ark cadets were not allowed to wilfully leave the campus.

However, if there was a time when access to the outside city of Gracia was free, it would be the weekend.

On days such as Saturdays and Sundays, students could go out to the city and buy necessary items, take a break or work short-term part-time jobs.

At times, some might even take up a quest or two.

Because of this, the church's city of Gracia would be bustling with Ark cadets every weekend.

I was also thinking of leaving school grounds for the first time today.

Not to mention, I also had an appointment with the older sister of the Draco Family Twins, Mirna Draco.

As I was preparing to go out, someone knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

Without waiting for a reply, the dormitory door had already been opened. A woman with blue eyes, whose look resembled that of a superstar with voluminous blonde ponytail, soon appeared.

"Hey, I was bored, so I came to play."

Elga Von Lioness, who was wearing sweatpants, entered the dormitory. Upon seeing the bandages and cast wrapped around my arm, she frowned.

"What did you do to get this hurt?"

"Ah, this is…."

When I tried to explain, Elga clicked her tongue.

"Is your opponent's injuries more serious?"

"I think so…"

Condes' ribs were probably fractured.

He vomited a lot of blood so his internal organs must have been grievously wounded. It didn't look like that punk was dead, but he should suffer for a few days up to a month.

Elga said as she sat down on my bed.

"I've heard about it. You were up against the SILVERS or something? I thought you'd lose badly, but you seem to be faring better than expected."

"… Right. So, what brings you to my humble abode?"

"… Oh, it's nothing. It's the weekend, so I wanted us to visit the town together. I have to buy some things I need."

'I see.'

It looked like Elga wanted to spend the weekend with me.

Well, I hadn't paid much attention to how Elga was doing lately… And unfortunately, I also had a meeting with Mirna Draco today.

"I'm sorry, but I'm busy today."

"… What? Are you rejecting my offer now!?"

Elga roared like an angry lioness. My roommates, who were sitting quietly in the dormitory, trembled at the sight.

"Fine, I don't need you anyways!"

Whack.

With that said, Elga turned her head and walked out of the room.

That girl was clearly sulking. This made me quite nervous, since the possibility of an impending accident committed by Elga worried me.

Benjamin, who was holding his breath, finally said.

"Was that Lady Lioness? Oh my gosh, I've only heard of her, but I've never actually seen her in the flesh! She's truly 'amazing' in many ways!"

*Translation: her chest was huge.

Then Hans spoke to me with a serious face.

"My friend, how can you refuse to escort such a noble lady? I can't quite understand it."

They seemed regretful that I turned down Elga's offer. But then again, Elga was a figure admired by many so it was understandable.

Alas, it couldn't be helped.

Suddenly…

The door opened, revealing Elga's face. She then stretched her hand into the room and pointed.

"Hey, you two, follow me. Fatty and stick, I have something for you to do."

Benjamin's face brightened at her call.

"Lady Lioness, it is an honor to meet you-."

"Right, you have to carry my luggage today, so be prepared."

"Luggage…?"

Today, instead of me, these guys would bear Elga's torment.

I secretly paid them my condolences in my heart.

* * *

"There has been a large number of undead on the outskirts of the city recently. You have to be careful."

I listened to the warnings of the Ark staff, got a travel pass, and went out into the city.

I didn't know how long it'd been since I got to travel alone like this. It felt a little liberating…

The time was currently around 10 o'clock in the morning.

First of all, I walked along the road leading to the jewelry store.

"A Blue Eagle feather? Where did you get such quality material? Blue Eagles are rare to see."

When I got asked by the young hostess at the store, my answer was simply, "I picked it up by accident."

Not asking any further, she proceeded with the requested order.

After taking care of that, I headed to the address that Mirna gave. It was said that the Draco Family's villa was located somewhere in Gracia.

"Is it here?"

On the outskirts of the city, I found a cemetery full of old tombstones and gloomy dried up trees. In the middle of it, there was a mansion full of crows.

It was still early in the morning, when lunchtime would be faraway, yet the area I saw was covered in darkness. That place looked like a haunted house on a midwinter night, giving off an eerie feeling.

It seemed like a ghost infested abandoned building…

… Was this really the right place?

I felt a little terrified of entering the Draco Family villa. After all, they were the main culprit behind the Angmar Family's downfall.

Wouldn't entering the mansion be similar to walking into the lion's den?

… But, I mustn't be scared away.

Steeling my resolve, I stood in front of the huge iron gate leading to the garden and knocked.

"...."

Just as I was wondering if anyone would come out, the skeletons which I thought were simple decorations moved and the gate opened.

"Eu."

Naturally, I got startled and even almost screamed.

Nevertheless, I had to pretend that everything was okay. Moving through the gate, I made my way towards the garden entrance. All the while, there was this creepy feeling that someone was watching me…

━Jeujeujeujeujeu.

━Seueutsseuseuseut.

Cries of unknown beasts could also be heard from somewhere, motivating me to move faster. Finally, I reached the front of the mansion.

"Is Lady Draco present? This is Theo Gospel."

Upon the first knock, the door suddenly burst open as if it had been waiting for that moment. From beyond, I could see the Draco Family's Young Lady wearing a school uniform, despite it being the weekend.

"You're late, commoner."

Judging by her cold attitude, it seemed to be the older sister, Mirna Draco.

"Did I not arrive right on time? It's about lunchtime."

"The Draco Family has lunch at 10 am. You're an hour late, commoner."

Well, I didn't know that…

I politely bowed before entering the mansion. The inside was like a dark room. Worse still, most of the windows were covered with curtains.

Looking around, I realized that the few candles and chandelier flames were the only things that provided some dim light.

Meanwhile, skeleton fragments and self-portraits of people horrifically screaming were everywhere, enough to make my mind wander…

… Wasn't this practically just a haunted house?

It immediately became apparent why Elga called her 'a shady woman hiding in the dark'.

If you spent every weekend in such a gloomy place, it wouldn't be surprising if your personality got twisted and rough.

However, there was no way I would be overwhelmed with this.

So, I decided to take out the secret weapon I had been carrying.

"Please take this in return for inviting me to the villa of the Great Draco Family. It is small, but my sincerity is true."

Seuk.

It was a fan made of feathers.

Specifically, this fan was made using Blue Eagle feathers, which I obtained while cleaning Professor Belhawk's office yesterday. I thought that Mirna, who always carried a fan, would like this.

"… You have a much better sense than I thought, huh?"

Mirna had a slightly interested look as she received the fan. After giving it a test, she said in surprise.

"Such cool wind… It's made from a Blue Eagle's feathers, right? I heard that they inhabit the southern grasslands and are quite rare…."

"Truly, you have a great eye for beauty."

No one would dislike receiving a gift. Well, unless said gift was useless of course.

I felt like Mirna's evaluation of me had gone up a bit.

"You can sit anywhere, I'll treat you with a special tea."

Seuk.

Having said so, Mirna promptly disappeared into the darkness. It was surprising that this girl understood the concept of a 'give-and-take' relationship.

"Eum."

With Mirna gone, I was left alone in the empty mansion lobby. Looking around, a lot of furniture and sculptures made of skeletons and bones could be seen…

And the other thing I noticed was-.

"...."

This place was completely quiet and barren.

Almost… as if there were only me and Mirna in the villa.

There was simply no movement at all!

Even my sensitive Half-Fairy ears couldn't pick up anything…

Could the rumor be true?

The fact that, in the end, the Draco Family, who betrayed the Angmar Royal Family, was cursed by the Demon King and became short-lived.

However, what could actually make them commit such an act? What was their reason in betraying the Demon King, despite the risk of such a curse?

* * *

I sat in the guest room of the villa and chatted a lot with Mirna.

What were we talking about? Business, of course.

"Commoner, you shall be a warrior who entered Ark for the sake of reviving your family from the distant kingdom you're from. Do you understand?"

"That's the setting? All right."

"Your origin will be that of a fallen royal family."

"… Like the Angmar Family?"

"...."

While talking to Mirna Draco, I peeped at her expression. Despite everything, the Draco Family was a loyal follower of the Angmar Family.

It was for that reason why, even now, Mirna Draco still considered Queen Aira a usurper and did not respect her authority. She simply refused to acknowledge the queen.

Then, on the other end, I thought that Theo Angmar could benefit from that loyalty.

"Can it be established that the reason for the collapse of the royal family is due to betrayal and rebellion within the country, like the Angmar Family?"

"… Sure, let's go with that."

Although she gladly replied, Mirna's mood seemed to be petulant. She didn't seem very happy talking about the Angmar Family.

However, I was not one to waste an opportunity like this.

"Come to think of it now, I have a lot of questions. The Angmar Family possessed powerful means and treasures, so how could it collapse overnight?"

"There was a good reason. Furthermore, the alliance of the four great families was something that even Demon King Solomon could not withstand."

"Right, your family certainly played an important role…. But isn't it strange? The House of Draco was a loyal ally of the Angmar Family. What was the reason for the sudden turnaround…?"

"… Is that story important to our conversation right now? Do not cross the line, commoner."

"...."

As expected, mediocre tactics wouldn't work. After all, this woman was still a villainess like Elga and Aira.

Alas, it was time to put any regrets behind.

"The Draco family did not betray the Angmar Family. You and all the other foolish peons are simply ignorant of it!"

"Truly? Could you please enlighten me, then??"

"That's…."

"That's…?"

As if facing a conundrum, there was a slight hesitation on Mirna's face.

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