kscans

Chapter 12 - Regret (Side: Nanahikari ②)

"Guh... Where am I..."

"Are you awake, Nanahikari-sama?"

When I came to, I was lying in bed. Around me were familiar walls and a familiar ceiling. It was the Felground family residence. And next to me was the maid, Agen. It was dark outside, so it seemed to be nighttime already.

"Tch... What time is it?"

"About two hours have passed since sunset."

It seemed I had slept after passing out. I must have been carried here without realizing. Looking into Agen's emotionless eyes, the events of that day came back to me vividly.

"How dare you karate chop your master! Did you think I wouldn't remember!"

"But if I hadn't, would the situation not have been brought under control?"

"Guh..."

It was true that I had lost my composure after my sword was broken. As I talked with Agen, I also remembered the incident at the training grounds. That Dareth, because of him, I was humiliated. Even for someone as magnanimous as me, I wouldn't be satisfied until I got my revenge.

"Aaaah! That bastard! Don't get so cocky just because you're an old man, you hear me!"

Shouting, I threw things all over the room. Whatever the reason, humiliating me like that deserves ten thousand deaths. Damn it, how should I get my revenge? Right... should I just assassinate him in the dark?

"In that case, I shall take responsibility for harming you, Nanahikari-sama, and will take my leave."

"Yeah, do that! Get out of here! You violent maid! You should be grateful I'm not suing you!"

"As you wish."

At some point, a travel bag had appeared at Agen's feet. Hmph, she must have known she'd be punished. I can at least admire her efficiency. Now get out of here, you disgusting woman.

"Ah, and one more thing..."

Agen stopped just before the door.

"You need not worry, I have already informed the Duke and Duchess that you used the estate's materials without permission, Nanahikari-sama."

"...What?"

You informed Father and Mother... you say?

"I told you not to tell them!"

"Did you? Well then, I shall be on my way."

"Hey! Wait a minute, Agen!"

"Nanahikari! What is this about you using the materials!"

Just as Agen left, Father and Mother came in. They were clutching a letter with terrifying expressions. It must have been the one that woman sent.

"N, no, it's not like that! Please, listen to me!"

"I told you not to touch them under any circumstances, as they were scheduled to be presented to another country!"

"F, first, just let me explain... guaaah!"

I was beaten black and blue, quickly reduced to a mess.

"F, Father... Mother... please help me..."

"You are no longer a member of the Felground family. You are banished. Leave this residence at once."

I begged for forgiveness, barely able to breathe, but it had no effect at all. Not only that, b, banished?

"P, please wait, Father. Please don't make such a cruel joke as banishment."

"This is no joke. ...You there, banish this man to Tamon Forest outside the Royal Capital."

"Wait! Anything but that...! Father!"

With only the clothes on my back, I was shoved into a carriage. After a while, I was unceremoniously abandoned in a forest. This was Tamon Forest. A deep forest spreading to the east of the Royal Capital. It was known for being rare in these parts, swarming with monsters.

'Kye! Kikiki!'

'Haa... Haa...'

'Gwagwagwa!'

From all around, I could hear the sounds of something squirming. A shiver ran down my spine, and my heart began to beat like an alarm bell.

"Wha, what was that? Go away!"

Even when I yelled as loud as I could, the eerie sounds didn't stop. It had been getting warmer lately, but the nights were still cold. I couldn't stop shivering from the cold and the fear of being attacked by monsters. Why... why did it come to this... Memories of everything up to now came flooding back. Among them, the face of one man floated to the surface. The blacksmith of rare talent... Dareth.

I should have just humbly asked for his teachings instead of challenging him to a match...

If I had, I would be sleeping in a warm bed right now... It was a regret that came far, far too late, almost laughably so.

◆◆◆ (Third Person POV)

A lone woman who had left the Felground residence entered a back alley to avoid being seen. She walked further, completely distancing herself from the people in the public eye. After carefully checking that she wasn't being followed, Agen took out a mirror, rather large to be carried in a bag. Right now, it only reflected the doll-like face Nanahikari had described. But as Agen channeled her magic into it, an eerie black shadow gradually began to appear.

'How goes the plan, Agen?'

"...My apologies. It has failed."

'Hmm... Explain the details.'

The reflection in the mirror was a humanoid shadow. Only the twisted horns growing from the sides of its head indicated that it was not human. In short, she was no ordinary maid. She was a member of the only human organization that maintained friendly relations with the Demon Race... The Order of Truth. This world should be ruled by the Demon Race, not by humans. People possessed by such an ideology had eventually formed a single group.

"A man named Dareth appeared and has become the exclusive blacksmith for the Grossa Army. He appears to be a blacksmith of considerable skill."

'Dareth... I have not heard that name.'

The Demon Race's territory was planning an invasion of the continent where humans lived. So, The Order of Truth had begun to act immediately. Their first objective was the weakening of the national army. By sabotaging the repair and production of armaments, they would weaken the powerful Grossa Army, even if just a little. Crossing the acid sea would exhaust even the Demon Race. Therefore, lowering the national power of the Grossa Kingdom without their plan being exposed was a critical mission. Inciting the foolish heir to become the exclusive blacksmith had gone well. But due to the mysterious man named Dareth, the plan had quickly fallen apart.

'The preparations for the invasion are proceeding steadily. I believe I told you not to fail under any circumstances, did I not?'

"Do not worry... another plan is already in motion."

Agen relayed the details of that plan to the demon. Following her instructions, their comrades within the country were already moving in various locations.

'If you were of the Demon Race, you would already be dead, but cooperative humans are valuable to us as well. Thus, I shall give you one more chance.'

"Yes! I am most grateful!"

'I expect good results.'

The black shadow vanished from the mirror, and Agen's face was reflected once more. Next time, she would produce a good result. She resolved this firmly. And then, she vanished into the dark night as if melting away.