Translator: Nox

58 - Marquis Maron

Episode 58

Maris didn't take us to his residence, but graciously followed us to the inn we had secured. He couldn't avoid bringing escorts, but he didn't bring a string of attendants or aides.

It was unexpected. He was portrayed as such a perfect prince in the original story that I thought Maris would be all about, 'Make way, the prince is coming!'

The inn we booked was quite luxurious for Enif. Reikart, who had rented the entire top floor because I didn't want to bump into anyone, led Maris to the furthest room.

"Looks like you're not short on money."

"You worry about the strangest things."

"I heard Sorceress Hayley amassed so much wealth from her evil deeds that she could build a kingdom."

"No, I'm telling you, that's just a rumor."

"How did you reconcile with Reikart Winter? Was there a turning point that cleared up the misunderstanding?"

He seemed to have many questions about us.

But Reikart didn't seem inclined to answer.

"I don't think I have any obligation to explain such things to you. Your Highness, Crown Prince of Kasnatura."

My Omnivore had been staying at Maron Keep for a while and had lost his social skills.

I lamented that fact and looked at Maris, implying that I wanted to hear what he had to say.

"I heard about the list you gave to Asta. You even forewarned her that Demons would appear in southern Enif. As the Crown Prince of Kasnatura, I can't help but express my gratitude."

"That's fine. I told Asta too, I just pushed it off on her because I didn't want to do it. There's nothing to be grateful for."

"Will you answer if I ask how you survived in the Contaminated Zone?"

"No."

"Do you have any intention of helping to uncover the secrets of the Order?"

"None."

"Any thoughts on clearing up the misunderstanding and requesting a retrial?"

"Not really?"

"Why?"

Maris tilted his head, looking like he didn't understand. His long hair cascaded down with a rustle.

"Hayley, do you want nothing?"

I want a lot of things. But there's no one in this world who can solve the things I want.

Frankly, who would listen if I asked them to prevent anthracnose on the peppers planted in the Maron Keep garden, or if I asked to play a round of a farm game on my phone before going to bed?

I want to eat hamburgers and pizza. Coffee with condensed milk and soufflé pancakes… Ah, is that even possible here?

Anyway, relying on others is only a momentary satisfaction and not a fundamental solution. Naturally, it's far from happiness.

Instead of explaining all that, I said to Maris, "There's a lot to prepare for winter at Maron Keep. I need to bring essential supplies to the people hiding there. So, allow me to shop freely in Enif."

"What?"

"Tanning oil and fur pelts, and hats to protect our heads when snow piles up in the forest. Chunks of frozen snow can fall from the trees and injure us."

"Ha…."

"The fireplaces are still usable, but many of the chimneys have collapsed, so we need some plaster. There are many things we can do if we only had the tools."

"Are you talking about that old keep in the Contaminated Zone, Maron Keep?"

"Yes, that's my home."

Maris nodded.

"So that's why you introduce yourself as the Marquis of Maron. Now I understand."

"You knew about that too?"

"It was the Order that insisted Sorceress Hayley should be given the name of Maron and exiled to the Contaminated Zone, but Nieve and Holt strongly opposed it. If I hadn't sided with the Order in the end, you might have been executed then and there."

"Why did you?"

"Suspicious."

"What was?"

"You were the one who committed the evil deeds, but Cyril Vandision and Mikelan Holt were the only ones who benefited. It doesn't make sense that a Wizard like you killed so many people and gained nothing."

Maris revealed a sliver of contempt on his expressionless face.

"Above all, Eugene Widemark."

"Why Eugene?"

"What he said was decisive."

On the day of the real Hayley's trial, Eugene said this on the spot:

"'Sorceress Hayley should be given the name of Maron and exiled to the Contaminated Zone, where she will live forever isolated from the world. Also, what must be done first is to take away her magic.'"

It was a part I had read in the side story. I nodded, impressed by Maris's memory.

"I know what it means to take away a Wizard's magic. It was like killing you once, and exiling you to the Contaminated Zone after taking away your magic was like killing you again… That's how I judged it at the time."

"You killed me twice."

"Yes, I thought it would be better to eliminate you for sure, even if it meant doing so to a dangerous person who could never be mine."

"A very Crown Prince-like way of thinking."

"But you've shown such great kindness to my sister, I honestly don't know what to do."

"Do you want to apologize?"

"I want to repay you."

Aha. Because I'm being nice to his sister, I suddenly seem grateful, great, and kind.

After all, Maris was Asta's brother. Only then could I smile honestly.

"Prince Maris."

"If you tell me what you want, I will try my best to grant it…."

"Buy me some cows."

"……."

"And sheep and chickens too."

Maris seemed to take what I said as a bad joke.

Is this what it feels like to have your sincerity ignored? Feeling deeply disappointed, I quickly finished shopping.

The plan to stay overnight was canceled. Seeing Reikart saying we should buy only what we needed and return quickly, it seemed he was afraid he would draw his sword again if he ran into Cyril again.

I didn't want my Omnivore to be wanted even in Kasnatura, so I packed up quickly as he said.

But on the way, Maris made a strange request.

He told me to ignore any feeling of being followed and go straight ahead. Since whoever was following us wouldn't be able to enter the Contaminated Zone anyway, I nodded vaguely.

And so, I was sitting in the newly purchased wagon, heading towards the canyon.

Chirp, chirp.

The area was sparsely populated and the road was dark. It was already night, and it was dark in every direction.

I regretted not staying at the inn for the night, and the chirping of insects that lingered in my ears made me feel uneasy.

Intuition. Yes, that was it.

The moment when the alleyway, which was no different from usual, suddenly felt unfamiliar and scary on the way home after a graduate school dinner. The feeling that someone's gaze was surrounding my back like a curtain, and someone's malice was strangling my neck.

"Hayley!"

Reikart threw the reins and hugged me.

Swoosh!

An arrow flew. A short, fierce arrow. Was that what they called a crossbow? Still in Reikart's arms, I jumped off the moving wagon and rolled across the ground.

"Stay down."

He roughly stroked my head once and stood up alone. I was wearing a long robe with a hood, so I couldn't see anything.

I just knew that my Omnivore was very angry and had drawn his sword at someone.

"How dare you."

Reikart murmured lowly.

His voice was full of murderous intent. At that moment, I was more afraid of my Omnivore than the unidentified attackers.

They didn't know it, but Reikart was skilled enough to face the only fully manifested Demon in the original story all by himself.

It seemed the attackers were aiming for Reikart, not me. He realized that after a few exchanges, moved a few steps away from me, and began to slaughter his opponents in earnest.

But then another uninvited guest appeared.

"Stop fighting!"

It was Asta.