Hakushaku to Yousei

Chapter 40

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P. 116
    With the negotiations still broken down, the mayor and villagers left.
    Edgar remained in the estate of the lord of the manor, and gathered Raven, Ermine and Lydia in one room to speak to them.
    “So, now what we should do.”
    “Edgar, you bl.u.s.tered out such a bluff without thinking up anything?”
    Lydia was imagining that he might have had some kind of card up his sleeve that would reveal how the villagers were embezzling the fluorites.
    “You wouldn’t be able to make a bluff, if you kept on trying to think up of something. We only have four people on our side, and if they gathered up all the men in the village they would have a few dozen, so it wouldn’t even be a match for us.”
    “They should be hiding the actual fluorites, so our only option is to uncover those,” said Ermine.
    “But, it’s not like we can go and search all the houses, and most of all, isn’t it a problem that all of the village people are feeling hostile towards us?” asked Lydia.
    “That’s true. I don’t think that they planning on going all the way to killing us to shroud this in darkness, but if we used force to try and uncover the secrets about the fake lord, then our safety might be put in danger.”

P. 117
    But, there was no way that Edgar was intending on backing down at this point. For some reason, he seemed to have the trait of not being able to tolerate having something that belonged to him taken away from him.
    Whether it was an object, or rights or a person, and even if he didn’t know that it existed until after it was stolen from him, but he wouldn’t give any mercy to those who treaded onto his lands.
    Since, he did say something like he was going to get even with the young men who picked on Lydia at the party a while ago.
    When she thought it like that, Lydia began to think that he considered her something of a procession to him.
    Just then, there was the sound of a knock.
    All of the villagers had left the estate of the lord and it should have been completely empty here. So if there was no maid in the house, then it was much too inconvenient for n.o.bles to reside here.
    The mayor must be thinking that by doing that, Edgar and his group would quickly leave the town, but if that were so, then all four of them in the room wondered who it could possibly be.
    “Um, I have brought some tea.”
    It was Martha who came in, pus.h.i.+ng a wagon.
    As if nothing had happened, she began setting out baked sweets and scones and sandwiches onto the table.
    “I’m terribly sorry, so the Cook won’t be able to come tonight. We will not be able to provide any dinner for you, so would you be able to bear with snacks that come with tea.”

P. 118
    “That wouldn’t be a problem for us.”
    Edgar made a little suspicious look as he watched her hands that were pouring them tea.
    Raven swiftly stepped over to Martha and made her set down the teapot.
    “Please take back everything.”
    “…….Why is that?”
    “We will not take in anything that is offered here.”
    When Raven said that strongly, Lydia finally learned what it was Edgar and the two were being cautious of.
    He only had his two servants that he could rely on, and yet, the reason why Edgar turned all of the village members to his enemies wasn’t something haphazard where he made a bluff because he lost his temper. The three of them had fought together all this time and are doing so even now.
    They were putting the up most caution in the movements of their opponents and were thinking of a way for them not to lose.
    “If you need to taste it for poison, then I wouldn’t mind to be the one to do it. This here all is safe. The mayor and the rest of the village are for now just want all of you to leave here and are not wis.h.i.+ng for this to go into something
    Serious.”
    “Um, Edgar, I think it would be all right to trust her. She is Martha Tyler, the woman who wrote you the letter about the changeling.”
    Making a look of surprise, Edgar looked at Lydia and then at the woman.

P. 119
    “Is that true?”
    With a grave expression, she nodded.
    “I am terribly sorry for what is happening, Lord Earl. I didn’t know that there was a different, real earl. That’s why I had written something that was so criticizing.”
    “You believe that I’m the real one?”
    “If you weren’t, then why on earth would you come to such a remote village such as this to investigate. I had the opportunity to visit the next town and heard from the landlord from there about how he had met the Earl Ashenbert in the London ton, and he was kind enough to tell him your London address. If it was someone whose name is known throughout London, then however one would think about it, I believed that you were the true Earl Ashenbert.”
    “However, is it all right for you to go against the mayor and go and take care of us like this?”
    “Even if I were to obey the mayor, there isn’t going to be one good thing in my benefit.”
    Lydia picked up one of the teacups.
    “That’s definitely true. I’ll have some tea. I’m so hungry.”
    And she took one of the sweets and popped it into her mouth.
    “Ah, this biscuit is delicious.”
    “I baked them.”
    Like the tense left her shoulders, it was apparent that Martha let her cheeks relax. The gruff impression that she was giving all this time must have been because she was filled with nervousness by being in a town where there was no one who would take her side.

P. 120
    Letting out a sigh like he was astonished, Edgar sat down next to Lydia.
    “I can’t let my precious fiancée be the one to taste it for poison. Mrs. Tyler, some tea for me as well.”
    He was quick to take the sandwich that Lydia was reaching out to take in her hand and plopped it into his mouth.
    “By the way, isn’t there a relation to how the villagers are embezzling the jewels, and how they are letting the changelings happen?”
    In place of Martha who tilted her head like she didn’t know, Lydia answered.
    “There is a relation. But at this point right now, there’s nothing we can do.”
    She couldn’t reveal to Martha that the Wyrm, who created the Freyas, liked to eat human children, so she was only able to give a vague explanation.
    “The fairy mother who had to exchange her own child with Martha’s baby was also troubled. But, I will take care of this.”
    I wonder if I could do anything.
    The dobie had said that only the Blue Knight Earl was the one who could defeat the Wyrm, but if Edgar wasn’t able to do that, then Lydia had to do something about it.
    Even if she couldn’t defeat the Wyrm, there should be a way that she could bring back the changelings. It wasn’t the cure for the root of the problem, but for now, that was the only thing.

P. 121
    Even still, the earl imposter who wanted to awake the Wyrm wasn’t just a normal jewelry thief no matter how one thought about it.
    But when she thought about if there was such a person who had that sort of power, then Lydia could think of only one person.
    Ulysess.
    Edgar could also be having a small feeling that Ulysess and Prince might be involved in this.
    It seemed like they had originally keeping a hostile eye out for the Blue Knight Earl long before when the unexpectedly occurrence of Edgar inheriting the name of the Blue Knight Earl for them.
    If that were so, then Edgar must want to know the real objective of Ulysess who was pretending to be the landlord.
    As the sun set, the wind began to blow harder. The estate of the lord which peered over the ocean should have been getting directly hit by the blasting winds, however it seemed to have a strong structure and so, the gla.s.s windows slightly rattled and none of the candle lights wavered.
    However, when the windows that were connected to a balcony made unnatural sounds not made by the wind, Raven would react.
    As she watched him step over towards it, he swiftly opened the window.
    “Woah” Hold on there just a moment!”
    The one who let out a shrill just before Raven was about to jump him to attack was a large pirate man.

P. 122
    It was Pino, Lota’s supposed younger brother. In the next moment, the hostility from Raven was gone.
    “See Lota, that’s why I was against going in through here.”
    “Well, it can’t be helped since no matter how many times we ring the doorbell, no one comes and answers it. And the only room with a light was this one.”
    Along with her voice, Lota hopped over the balcony railing.
    “h.e.l.lo there, Lota and Pino, you two couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.”
    Edgar made a smile as he welcomed the two of them in.
    Lydia became cautious as that face of his was when he had come up with some scheme.
    That was because Lydia thought quite a number of Edgar’s schemes was anything but a brilliant idea.
    “I didn’t spot even one of the villagers, it really is a strange town.”
    “To tell you the truth, Lota, it’s already been revealed by them that I am the Earl Ashenbert and that I had come to this town to investigate it.”
    “Huhh? Then, what are you going to do. Did you find out anything about Betty?”
    “Nothing yet. So, I have an idea I want to offer you, please lend me your Cook.”
    “Cook? Wait, Edgar, this isn’t the time for something like that!”
    “Lydia, meals are very important. To do anything.”

P. 123
    And then, he turned around towards Martha.
    “Mrs. Tyler, how much food and alcohol is there?”
    “I think that there was plenty in the storage shed, but I will go look.”
    Please, and as he said that, he looked back at Lota and gave her a smile.
    “Tonight we’ll have a feast. Bring all your crew from your s.h.i.+p.”
    “……Well, it’s great that you will treat us to drinks, but what are you wanting from us?”
    Obviously, Lota knew Edgar very well, so she had a very careful stance.
    “Let’s play a war game.”
    “Ehhh! What are you saying.”
    The only one who let out a yelling voice was Lydia, and all the rest of the people didn’t it take it as a joke of his and was watching Edgar solemnly.
    “To sum it up, this village has been taken over by the fake Blue Knight Earl who stole my rights. We will attack and recover it. The mayor here is connected with the one who calls himself the Blue Knight Earl. He should know about what happened to Betty. We’ll have him spill out everything he knows.”
    From the moment he revealed his name, there was no mistake that Edgar was planning on using the fighting power of Lota’s crew.

P. 124
    And Lota, who came in order to rescue Betty didn’t hesitate at all.
    “Yeah, I’ll do it.”
    “Then it’s decided. Let’s make a plan.”

    The barrels of wine and beer in the storage were all carried out into the hall and there was a lively party going on.
    The merry sound of the ocarina that Lota was playing had a bit of sadness mixed in its cheerfulness, and Lydia listened in amazement to the foreign music.
    That melody reached the small quiet room that was located a ways away from the grand hall and mingled with the sound of the wind and waves without seeming out of place at all.
    Lydia was alone and stood silently by the window and gazed up at the moon.
    The sound of voices talking came from below the window outside.
    When she peered down, she saw Edgar and Ermine.
    Ermine and a number of the pirate crew should have gone out to spy on the mayor and villagers’ houses and kept watch on their movements.
    It seemed like the mayor and villagers rushed to hide the evidence that they embezzled the fluorites, but by giving them time and letting them act freely, it seemed like Edgar was getting the idea of where all the important items where.

P. 125
    After he retrieved all the information, he was going to launch the attack and planned to be certain that he takes over the village.
    Edgar looked like he was listening to some kind of report from Ermine. She could hear certain fragments of their conversation, but once the talk finished, he murmured something.
    “I was not myself earlier.”
    “I have already forgotten about it.”
    Being told from her that she forgot it so completely, Edgar made a look like he was dissatisfied.
    “Having Lota and Pino appear, it makes me feel like time has gone back to when we were in America.”
    “I would prefer not to recall on that past.”
    “But, in the middle of all those hards.h.i.+ps, we did a lot of partying and fool around like tonight.”
    “While that was going on, we were able to forget about everything.”
    It was an Edgar and Ermine that Lydia didn’t know.
    It wasn’t a master and servant, but two comrades in an equal standing. Or maybe someone even closer than that.
    Edgar was looking back straight into her eyes, but he didn’t dare place his hand on her like he would with Lydia.
    That distance between them seemed like it hid a high, n.o.ble feeling, and that made Lydia feel the thumping of her heart.
    “I didn’t want to make you die.”

P. 126
    “Lord Edgar, everything was my fault.”
    “I was in the belief that it was the best method for the both of us.”
    “That is exactly right. And yet, I had done wrong.”
    As Lydia felt their state unusual, she held her breath and stayed still.
    From there, their conversation came to an end and the two of them went their different ways, but Lydia remained standing in her spot as she felt like she had come across into a special scene of events.
    It was a conversation that she couldn’t understand the meaning of. It was just a simple talk of their past. And yet, there was a dull something that brought a stinging pain to Lydia’s heart more shaper than the kiss scene of the two of them.
    She had never known an Edgar who looked in so much pain and longing like that.
    She couldn’t understand it herself and kept taking deep breaths.
    “Miss Carlton, did you have a light with you?”
    Lydia was suddenly called for and she was unnaturally surprised and hurried to turn around.
    It was Raven who stood in the doorway, waiting for Lydia’s reply in a completely indifferent att.i.tude to Lydia’s disturbance.
    It seemed like he had just pa.s.sed by and noticed that Lydia was in a room that was lit by the light of the hearth and decided to ask her.
    “I-it’s all right. I can see the moon much more clearly in the darkness. See, the light is reflecting onto the waves and that helps make the outside brighter.”

P. 127

P. 128
    Raven approached her and looked out the window, and with his usual emotionless tone, said ‘Yes, you are right.’
    But still, he didn’t take his eyes off from the scenery outside so he must have sensed something.
    “Uh, you don’t seem to be break out and enjoy yourself. Do you not like alcohol?”
    By talking to Raven, Lydia tried to push out the feelings in her that she wasn’t able to understand.
    “No matter how much I drink, I cannot get drunk. That’s why I don’t particularly have the desire to drink.”
    “I see. ….Oh, yes, if I think about it, there really isn’t anybody who wants to drink tea so much they can drown.”
    When Lydia made a smile, he stared at her like he was always looking at something unusual. At first, she didn’t have any particular business and just smiled at him, and he would look at her like this.
    As he was someone who grew up treated as a tool to kill people, it must have appeared strange and peculiar for Lydia to smile at him or talk to him like she would act to a normal person.
    Before, she didn’t know what he was thinking and became tense and nervous just by being near Raven, but lately, Lydia was put at ease at his serious personality.
    Unlike Edgar who was a liar and who was hard to understand what his true intentions were, even if she couldn’t read his expression, it was because he was honest, actually much too honest.

P. 129
    “Now that I remember, Raven, you should also know about Betty, right. What sort of girl was she?”
    Raven snapped his eyes away from her like he jumped in reaction and only said ‘I do not know’ and tried to leave the room.
    His guard has gotten tougher.
    If it was before, he would have replied, as there was no mistake that he was strictly taught by Edgar not to reveal anything about his women.
    Lydia grabbed onto his coat to stop him.
    “Wait listen, it isn’t anything like that. In order for him to ask about her to the fairies, I don’t know any of her characteristics at all.”
    “I think he really doesn’t know. The only female characteristic he could have remembered was that she was wearing a skirt. …..Was what I heard from Edgar before.”
    It was Lota.
    As Raven silently bowed to the female captain of the pirates, it seemed like he was not pleased about that a.s.sessment and so opened his mouth to correct her.
    “No, when it comes to Lord Edgar’s lovers, it wasn’t that I was unable to remember them, it was just the women kept changing so fast I hardly was given any time to remember each one.”
    Lota laughed. Raven didn’t understand why it made her laugh, and as she was slapping his shoulder he looked dubious.

P. 130
    "You haven’t changed. More importantly, your master was calling for you downstairs.”
    Hearing that, in exchange with Raven who rushed to leave, Lota walked over to the window sill where Lydia was.
    “Sorry for the men making such a commotion.”
    “Oh, no, I don’t mind it being lively.”
    “You know, I had been thinking that you didn’t know anything about Edgar as you were with him, but I see that’s wrong. You know what happened to him in the past. No wonder you didn’t act so surprised when you came across pirates.”
    I did feel surprised, thought Lydia.
    But, when she was by Edgar’s side, she learned that things one would think couldn’t possibly happen do in fact happen.”
    “In regards to Edgar, it isn’t like I know all that much about him.”
    “But, you’re engaged to him.”
    “It isn’t a real engagement. There happens to be some circ.u.mstances, and besides, I don’t have any intention of marrying him.”
    Hmmm, replied Lota, with a look like she was long ago realized that.
    “I was having the feeling like the two of you didn’t have the air of engagement with you. Regardless with him, you seemed to be keeping more distance.”
    “He’s like that with any kind of woman.”

P. 131
    Making a short chuckle, Lota stared over at Lydia.
    “With me, I had been watching how Betty fell in love with him and was hurt, so I know it’s none of my business, but I was a little concerned about you.”
    Lydia wondered if she meant that if Lydia were to fall in love with Edgar, then she would end up being hurt.
    “Betty was hurt?”
    "She wasn’t the type of girl to be wounded by one or two broken loves, but with him, it seemed like she was hurt in various meanings. Not long after they jilted, she suddenly said that she was going to leave America and go to where the Grand Duke was. The three of us grew up together and it didn’t matter what our background was, but it was just when we had a talk that we weren’t going to separate from each other.”
    “……Why did they jilt? Edgar doesn’t seem like the type to end it from his part, , so it was his cheating that was the reason after all?”
    “After all, so, you are being cheated?”
    “Eh, no, it isn’t like that…..”
    She rushed to wave her hands. Lota went silent to think about something for a while, but looked like she made her mind and opened her mouth.
    “You know, Edgar wouldn’t with the girl that he truly loves even once. ….Don’t you think so?”

P. 132
    She must mean Ermine.
    Lydia remembered how the two of them were just a few moments ago, and strangely convinced that that was so.
    Edgar felt that by not accepting Ermine’s feelings, it would be the best option for the both of them. He was saying something like that.
    Ermine had said that she was the female slave of Prince. That’s why he was keeping himself distanced away from Ermine because he was worried that he would make Ermine remember about Prince.
    Even to Edgar, to make a deep relations.h.i.+p with Ermine must have made him feel a fear like he wouldn’t be able to get away from Prince.
    But then, does that mean he’s not sure if that was the right decision he made now?
    Because, by making himself keep refusing Ermine, it made her lose her life as a human.
    “…..If he really loves her, then he should have just and gone and expressed his feelings to her even now.”
    “That would be impossible. I’m not exactly sure why, but when you see those two, you get the feeling that there is no other way.”
    Lydia wondered if Prince’s influence between the two of them was much bigger than she had imagined.
     “And so Betty decided to separate from Edgar?”
    “No, she became even more determined to steal him away, and tried to make Ermine drink a poisoned wine.”
    Huh?

P. 133
    Lydia had the feeling she heard something unbelievable, as she stood with her mouth hanging open facing Lota.
    “Well, she said that it was an amount that wouldn’t kill someone if they were to drink it. But it turns out that Edgar noticed it, and said to Betty that she should drink it. To make your lover drink poison, what a lowly sc.u.m of a man! she apparently said and ended her relations.h.i.+p with him. Well, I think they both are at fault, to tell you the truth, but at least he was treating Betty as his lover at that time. But it isn’t the method you would use to deal with your lover’s jealousy, right. In the end, doesn’t that mean that Betty finally found out the true character of him, didn’t she?”
    It looked like Betty was a girl who was the unimaginable type to Lydia.
    What on earth was Edgar’s type of woman, no, his love for women knew no boundaries, was what she was made to end up thinking.
    But, if she wasn’t the one who he felt the most love for, then it could just mean that no matter who he grew feelings for, they all ended up as the same to him.
    If it was a girl who could just stay by his side for some reason or other and would distract him from his loneliness, then anyone would be fine….
    Yes, that was it. That’s why I must not believe in his lies.
    “If you were in love with him, then I shouldn’t be saying something like this to you, but if that’s not the case, then I can’t just watch as you fall to his prey. If the two of you are courting while you are only looking at the surface of him, then he would treat you kindly and I’m sure it would a lots of fun. But, as soon as you wish to be his number one, then he suddenly rejects you, so frankly speaking, he’s a woman’s worst enemy.”

P. 134
    Since it was the first time for Lydia to hear a woman say about Edgar like that, as she was still carrying her feelings that was nearly making her depressed, she in turn thought it was funny.
    Yes, she thought, it was just like she said.
    “But with you, don’t you think that you are a good friend to Edgar?”
    “Who knows. But, at least I thought that he was an impressive man beside that flirtatious part of him. He took control over the rotten rats of the lower part of the city and how he went head-to-head against the grown-ups of the underground society.”
    “Lota, don’t say anything that would make my impression unfavorable.”
    Edgar appeared himself.
    “But I’m complimenting you.”
    “Before that, didn’t you say something like I’m a woman’s worst enemy?”
    “It’s true.”
    “Lydia, so this was where you were. I was looking for you.”
    He must have sawn that he was at an disadvantage and so pus.h.i.+ng Lota aside, Edgar walked over to Lydia.
    His smile wasn’t any different from his usual one, but when Lydia remembered his hidden expression that he showed Ermine just earlier, then Lydia
suddenly felt suffocating.
    “…….What do you want?”
    It isn’t me. The one he truly loves.

P. 135
    That’s why as he calls her his fiancée, he would go and kiss another woman.
    She should have known that, but she had now clearly grasped the pent-up feelings in herself which didn’t have any shape till just now.
    “I was just thinking about departing, and so I came to see your face. Lota, you also need to go and give out orders.”
    It was an obviously motive to try and drive Lota out, but although she shrugged her shoulders, she went out of the room.
    When it became just the two of them in a semi-dark room, before Lydia could even try to escape, Edgar swiftly took her hand.
    “Since when were you here?”
    She had the feeling that for an instant, it looked like he was concerned about the window.
    “Just a moment ago.”
    Lydia lied.
    At her reply, it was unclear if Edgar doubted her, as one of his brows twitched.
    However, immediately he lowered his gaze and looked down at the moonstone on her ring finger and narrowed his eyes at the hazy milky-white glow.
    “When you have that on, I have a feeling like the light in it grows. When you look at it like this, it makes it seem like you being the bearer of this ring and marrying me was decided from the very beginning.”
    That is impossible.

P. 136
    And Lydia tried to swing away his hand, but he wouldn’t let go.
    “More than that, is it really all right to go striking against the mayor and villagers?”
    “Are you being worried for me? It’s all right, they might have the larger number, but our side is much more experienced in launching attacks.”
    ….Attacks, aren’t something that people normally should be used to.
    “The ones I’m worried about are the villagers.”
    “We’ll go easy on them.”
    Saying that, he stepped closer to Lydia.
    Before she knew it, his hand was resting on her back and they were so close to each other, it was like they were completely lovers.
    “Um, Edgar…….?”
    This is bad.
    “Uh, Edgar, I’ve figured out something, with you I uh….., I just want to be friends.”
    Edgar, who must have listened to this abruptly, tilted his head to the side a little.
    “Did Lota say something to you?”
    “It isn’t like that…. Anyways, please don’t go around saying I’m your fiancée.”
    “Do you mean that there isn’t even a little bit of chance for you to fall in love with me?”

P. 137
    “Well….yes.”
    And for her to say that was because the way Edgar asked that question was unusually pessimistic and she felt like he was antic.i.p.ating Lydia’s reply.
    “All right.”
    Huh? All right?
    What do you mean? Thought Lydia as she knitted her brows, to which he made a sad smile.
     “If you feelings doesn’t change by the time we need to return to London, then I’ll give up.”
    “Re-really?”
    “You don’t believe me.”
    “That’s because some of your promises were never kept.”
    “……I’m serious.”
    His words that he said as he let out a sigh seemed like he was in pain, but most likely that wasn’t like he was in pain because he was going to give up Lydia.
    For Edgar to say something like he was going to give up on Lydia and that wasn’t like him, could probably be because he himself was starting to feel that there was a lie in the words he used to flirt with Lydia.
    If he thought that Lydia could have heard the conversation that went on just earlier below the window, then Edgar wouldn’t be able to help but remember how his feelings were at that time.

P. 138
    “But, for now at least would you wish for my victory as my fiancée. Isn’t it customary for a lover to see off her lover with a kiss before he goes out to battle?”
    This part of him, this was the part she couldn’t tell was fooling around or being serious.
    But, hearing about a battle, it made Lydia nervous.
    If the other side made a serious counterattack, then there was a chance for people getting injured, and even the possibility of something happening that wouldn’t just leave them with injuries.
    Oh, no, what do I do.
    A kiss is alright if it’s just on the cheek, right. Stories with knights were usually written like that.
    She was trying to remember that as she was still unsure.
    She wouldn’t like it if something were to happen to Edgar if she didn’t do this, but this kind of charm was just some superst.i.tion.
    But…..
    “It’s all right. I won’t greed for too much,” said Edgar, who must have become sorry for Lydia who became stiff because she was seriously thinking it over, and smiled.
    “It’s best you get some rest about now.”
    “You’re going now, right?”

P. 139
    “It will be over by the time you wake up.”
    I couldn’t possibly fall asleep through that.
    However, the only thing Lydia could do was wait.
    Even if she stuck her head in the middle of a fight between humans that was unrelated to fairies, she would only get in the way.
    The only thing she could do was wish for his safety and wait for him.
    “Then, I’ll be going.”
    “…..Be careful.”
    As Edgar nodded, he didn’t let go of Lydia’s hand that easily.
    When he boldly walked away, Lydia felt like her body was tense, like she didn’t want to separate from him.
    Even if she fell in love with him, she would only get hurt.

    In the gra.s.sy weeds and thickets where the clan of dobies lived, Nico sipped the thick mushroom alcohol as he was taking part in their banquet.
    (So then, Mister Nico, did the fairy doctor come in regards to the changeling.)

P. 140
    (Although I think it’s useless. Even if it was a fairy doctor, there is nothing the doctor could do against a Wyrm that was revived by the Blue Knight Earl.)
    “That Blue Knight Earl, what kind of man is he?”
    Nico licked off the trickle that was clinging on to his whisker.
    (I don’t know.)
    (I was able to get a quick glance. When he was brought the Wyrm’s bride.)
    “Bride?”
    (That’s right. The Blue Knight Earl not only awoken the Wyrm but also gave it a bride.)
    “That would be a human, young girl wasn’t it.”
    (Of course. Dragons from the old days prefer young women, and like it more if they are a n.o.ble princess.)
    So the granddaughter of the Grand Duke of Cremona who was said to disappear wasn’t made into the bride of the fake Blue Knight Earl but was made to be the bride of the Wyrm.
    Well, that sure is misfortunate, thought Nico. But if it was a girl who that Earl lost interest in, then there’s the possibility that the Wyrm, who wouldn’t cheat at all, must appear like a better male to her eyes…….or possibly not.
    “So, what kind of man was the Blue Knight Earl?”
    (He was wearing black clothes.)
    “……That’s all you know.”

P. 141
    (Like I said, I only got one quick glance. But, if it was the Wyrm’s bride, then she might know.)
    “But the bride is near the Wyrm, isn’t she. How am I supposed to ask her.”
    (She comes out of its caves sometimes. Since she wants to eat human food. She seemed like such a poor little thing, so we sometimes bring her food sometimes.)
    “So, that would be the time when we could meet her.”
    (Yes, that’s right, we’ll be taking food to her just around daybreak. Since it’s the day of the spring tide. It’s when the Wyrm’s power weakens. And so, the princess is able to get near the border of the cave.)
    When Nico heard that, he rushed to stand up.
     “Daydreak. Wait. I’ll bring the fairy doctor.”

    Lydia was going to stay awake and wait, but as she pa.s.sed the time on the sofa she had apparently fallen asleep.
    It was still dark, but when the tip of a furry tail swatted the tip of her nose, she sneezed and rubbed her eyes.
    “…..Nico? Oh, no, was I asleep?”
    “More importantly, Lydia, I found out the location of the princess!”
    “Princess……?”

P. 142
    “Betty, was what I think her name was? The princess who was said to be kidnapped by the Blue Knight Earl. It seems like she was made into the bride of the Wyrm.”
    Lydia stood up like a spring.
     "Is-is that true?”
    “It seems like once a month, there’s a day when she comes out of the Wyrm’s cave. If we don’t hurry, we’re not going to make it.”
    “All right, I’ll go immediately. Ohh, but, hold on a moment, I need to go to my room and get my coat.”
    Morning outside could get quite frosty. Even if Lydia was in a room with a hearth, it was quite chilly for her as she was sleeping.
    “I’ll be waiting in the hall.”
    She rushed up the stairs and ran into her bed chamber. As Lydia swung open the closet, she thought that the dress she was in would be hard to move around.
    It was a dress to make her appear when one was on an elegant vacation trip, but Edgar’s true character was revealed so quickly, and when she thought about it hard, there was no necessity to be finely dressed.
    A place like the Wyrm’s cave was sure to make any dress become dirty in a matter of time.
    When Lydia decided to change out of her current dress, she pulled out her normal wear from her trunk and pulled off the fluttering, soft dress.
    Once she got off the crinoline, she stepped into a skirt over her one petticoat.

P. 143
    When she tried to b.u.t.ton the top of the dress, there was a sound by the window.
    “Nico, would you wait just a few more….”
    She thought that Nico was urging her faster. However, at the end of Lydia’s view when she turned around, she saw that kelpie grinning back at her.
     “Hey, Lydia. You disappeared suddenly so I was looking for you.”
    “Wait, Kelpie! Don’t come in without asking, I’m changing!”
    “It’s not like I’m interfering you getting changed.”
    “Don’t you have any common sense?”
    “Common sense?”
    He was a horse, on top of that a fairy, so there was no way he would.
    Instead of explaining, Lydia decided it was best for her to get quickly changed. Since to Kelpie, there wasn’t any difference in undergarments and clothing.
     “I can sense the smell of smoke. Something’s burning somewhere,” murmured Kelpie.
    At Kelpie’s words, Lydia rushed over to the window as she b.u.t.toned up her dress.
    But it was too dark and she couldn’t see a thing.
    At that same time, she heard the blast of gunfire.

P. 144
    Ohh, no. I wonder if Edgar and everybody are all right.
    But, there wasn’t any time to wait for their return.
    I need to let someone know that I’m going to go search for Betty.
    Lydia attempted to leave the room.
    “Hey, is going outside as you’re changing a part of human’s common sense?”
    Ohh, geesh. At times like this, being a woman is so bothersome. Not being allowed to go outside dressed improperly.
    On top of that, women’s clothing tended to come with a number of b.u.t.tons more than one could bear.
     As Lydia was in a hurry, she called for Kelpie.
    “Would you help b.u.t.ton up my back.”
    “Huhh?”
    Lydia was in a rush in b.u.t.toning her sleeve.
    “Hurry, please give me a hand.”
    In a somewhat tiresome manner, Kelpie came up to her.
    “What is this, what am I suppose to do?”
    “Put them through the holes.
    “That’s just too  tiresome….”

P. 145
    “Lydia, are you here?”
    Just then, the door to her room swung open.
    Lota was the one who appeared.
    She took a good look at the unfamiliar man who was in Lydia’s bed chamber and who was also helping her get dressed, and made an ohhh-like sound.
    “Sorry. I’ll come later.”
    Did she just get the completely wrong impression?
    “Wa-wait Lota! You’re wrong.”
    “I know, I know, I won’t say this to anyone.”
    “That’s not it, he isn’t human, but a horse! I beg you, please don’t go!”
    With a look like she didn’t understand what on earth she was saying, Lota still stopped.
    “Something so tedious I can’t do. Hey you, why don’t you help her.”
    “Me?”
    “I’m sorry, Lota, please.”
    “Uhh….., well, okay. Umm, oh, yes, it looks like Edgar and his group were able to close in on the mayor’s house. Our scouts were able to confirm that the villagers were splitting up and doing something to hide something, so me and my crew went ahead and seized them, but it seems like the mayor is putting up a fight. I’m going to go and back them up,” said Lota, as she b.u.t.toned Lydia up.

P. 146
    “That gunfire just now…..”
    Lydia wondered if it was part of the commotion of the attack.
    “That small thing isn’t something to worry about.”
    Right now, she just had to believe so.
    “Oh, yes, Lota, I think I might be able to meet with Betty. If I miss this opportunity, then I’m told I would have to wait another month, so I’m going to go immediately.”
    “Betty? Are you really able to meet her?”
    “But, it looks like she was made into the bride of a dragon Wyrm. That’s why, it might be difficult to get her out right away.”
    “The bride of a Wyrm?”
    “She’s being locked up in the cave of a dragon in the fairy realm.”
    Being told something like a fairytale so suddenly, Lota turned and twisted her head for a while. However, she didn’t react by laughing at what Lydia said, and eventually nodded like she understood.
    “Then, I would like to go with you. It will be fine if things here will be left up to Pino. Please, Lydia, take me with you.”
    “Yes…., that might be better. That way it would be faster to see if she is Betty or not.”

P. 147
    Lota winked with one eye, like she meant it’s decided, and she poked her head out of the window and called for Pino.
    She turned around and again gave a glance towards Kelpie, then spoke to Lydia.
    “Lydia, you really pick your men by looks, don’t you.”
    “No, you’re mistaken!”

    Lydia continued explaining that Kelpie was a fairy, but it was unclear if she really got the message, and so Lydia, along with Lota and Nico had made it all the way to the cliff along the edge of the ocean coast.
    The group of dobies had apparently told Nico to come here.
    Beneath the sky that was beginning to brighten up, even though they didn’t have a lamp, they were able to get a clear view of the landscape around them.
    “What, the cave of a Wyrm? You really shouldn’t, Lydia, go to a dangerous place like that.”
    Even Kelpie had tagged along with them.
    “Creatures like them breathe fire, you know. I’m not kidding.”
    “You don’t have to force yourself to come along.”
    “If I don’t come with you, you’ll be found by the Wyrm and eaten. It isn’t just some simple fairy, you’re going against an enormous dragon.”
    “Kelpie, even if you were with us, no one could go against the Wyrm.”

P. 148
    “Don’t worry, if it’s about speed, then I won’t lose. Besides, it just has a large body, other than that it moves slow and dull.”
    So, that’s mean you’re going to run.
    “Hey, Lydia, there’s a boat over there.”
    Lota pointed down at the bottom of the cliff near the edge of the waves.
    In a land like this that is settled right next to the ocean on a cliff, the only way to go out to sea was to go down the wooden stairs that was built into the cliff wall.
     At the bottom of the stairs that the villagers had built, there was a small boat that was tied to the sh.o.r.e.
    “They said that you can enter the cave of the Wyrm by go through a crack in the cliff out by the sea. Doesn’t it mean that we should use that boat there?” said Nico and went ahead to go down the stairs.
    Lota watched as Nico stood up on his two hind legs and went skillfully down the stairs with a curious look and followed after.
     And once Lydia also reached the bottom, there was a small piece of lumber that was floating near the small boat. When she squinted to take a good look, it was a raft that a male dobie was riding on.
    (Are you the fairy doctor?”
    “That’s right. Are you going to be the one to guide us?”
    (If it was this small boat, only two humans can get on. The fairy cat, well, I guess would be all right.)

P. 149
    Said the guide dobie after he looked at Lota and Kelpie, who were behind Lydia.
    “I’ll swim.”
    As soon as he said that, Kelpie jumped into the sea.
    There was a big splash of water, and once he transformed into a black horse, even Lota opened her eyes in surprise.
    (Could you put on this luggage. Fairy doctor, are you good at steering a boat?)
    “Huh? Uhh…., I’m going to be the one to steer?”
    “I’ll do it. I’m pretty good at it,” offered Lota.
    That allowed Lydia to breath out and relax.
    (Well, then, would you please follow after me.)
    In the gra.s.s-woven basket that the dobie set in the small boat that Lydia and the two were riding, there were mushrooms and tree fruits. It must be the food that was going to be delivered to Betty.
    The dobie’s raft kept moving along the cliff. The swirling waves that crashed against the rocks made the small boat the Lydia and others were riding sway
violently, but the oars that Lota was steering made the prow of the boat follow right behind the way dobie led them.
    Eventually, when a long vertical cleavage appeared in the rocky cliff, the dobie steered his raft towards that crack.
    It was a narrow crack that the small boat that Lydia and the others were riding could barely slip through, and Lota was able to craftily pa.s.s through it.

P. 150
    The rocks on both sides of them gave a pressuring sense of oppression, but when they kept going for a while, the sight of a wide limestone cave came out into their sight.
    “Whoa…..”
    Along with Lota, the both of them awed.
    From an opening that was diagonally right above, the morning light that was finally starting to come up shown through, and the white ceiling and walls appeared like they let out a faint glow.
    The limestone that were hanging down like icicles looked like chandeliers, also, the naturally white pillars made the place look like it was a sanctuary.
    “This is the nest of the Wyrm?”
    (The nest is much further in the back. Oh, and one more thing, if you’re on the ocean waters, it’s still the human world, but once you step on the land here, then you’re in the Wyrm’s territory. So, make sure not to get off from the boat.)
    Just then, the boat suddenly rocked.
    Lydia grabbed onto the boat, and Nico went tumbling and hit his head.
    (Oh, this is bad,) muttered the dobie.
    “What’s happening, mister dobie?”
    (Usually around this time, the Wyrm should be sleeping, but-)
    “Wait, then, that’s means….”

P. 151
    (It looks like we’ve been found. We better hurry and escape.)
    As soon as he said that, he turned his body and rapidly started to oar towards the exit.
    Lota tutted because the small boat they were on couldn’t be turned around that easily like the raft. And while that was going on, they were slammed with a strong vibration made by something enormous moving, and crumbling rocks starting to fall down on them from above.
    “Hey, Lydia, come over here!”
    Kelpie rose to stand up on the water surface in his horse form.
    He reached out his head and sank his teeth into Lydia’s coat and pulled her out of the boat to carry her onto his back.
    At that same time, he bolted into a gallop through the large waves.
    “Kelpie! Wait, Nico and Lota…..”
    However, Kelpie had only Lydia in his mind in the first place.
    Still grabbing ahold onto his neck, Lydia saw a large wave was about to crash into the small boat, but once Kelpie galloped into the narrow hole in the cave, she couldn’t see the boat and the two left behind anymore.

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