Beyond the Window

Lady Anatia seemed convinced that the orb was genuine.

I would never try to pass off a fake to a duke.

If even a hint of suspicion arose, the other side had the power to do whatever they pleased with me.

Unlike in the past, I'd learned a thing or two about dealing with the nobility.

You grow through painful lessons.

Lady Anatia examined the Anti-Magic Orb from every angle.

"The agreed price for this orb was 2,500 gold coins, correct?"

"That is what was promised."

"The broken crown our family has been searching for, and the Earth Elemental Stone that can influence soil, those I understand. But when I first heard about this from my father, I thought the price was a bit steep."

That was a fair assessment.

But I hadn't been willing to let it go for less.

The Anti-Magic Orb had saved my life just moments before the sale.

Even knowing how rarely such occasions arose, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to keep it close.

That was precisely why, if it was going to sell, it had to sell high.

The duke had witnessed the lightning magic striking firsthand.

That had been the ultimate live demonstration, and it was exactly why he'd agreed to the 500-coin markup without hesitation.

"This is my first time handling the real thing. Father isn't at the estate right now, so I'll handle the payment in his place."

A maid brought in bags heavy with gold coins.

"Would you like to verify the amount?"

"No, that won't be necessary."

I'd expected a promissory note or bank draft, but to my surprise, they were paying in cash.

I was deeply impressed.

The moment we left the estate, I'd need to deposit this somewhere. Walking around with it would be practically begging to be robbed.

High-value transactions didn't end with a simple handover. I produced two sheets of parchment and had both parties sign them. I'd pre-filled the amount, the item name, and the liability terms.

A paper trail was essential to prevent disputes later.

With that, the sale was complete.

The Anti-Magic Orb now belonged to the ducal house, and the payment was mine.

I'd never sold anything worth this much in my entire life.

The nerves had been considerable.

I couldn't even taste the tea they'd served.

"Won't your companions have some as well?"

Lady Anatia had the maid prepare cups for Azu and the others.

It would be ruder to decline.

"Go ahead. Accept it."

"Then if you'll excuse us."

Alexia was first to take a sip.

Her movements were graceful and impeccable.

Azu coped by perfectly mimicking every one of Alexia's motions.

Elza was savoring the aroma.

Once I confirmed all their cups were empty, I was about to find a reason to take our leave when Azu turned her face toward the window.

"Something wrong?"

"No, I thought I heard something."

She said it, but her eyes never left the window.

Alexia and Elza followed her gaze.

"Oh my, what is it?"

"One of my companions says she heard some kind of noise."

There was definitely some commotion. A disturbance of some kind?

"That's odd. There shouldn't be anything in that direction."

"My lady!"

The instant Lady Anatia moved toward the window, the glass shattered.

A maid threw herself in front of her as a shield.

"What's happening?!"

"The window just broke. Please stay away from it."

The maids pulled concealed weapons from somewhere and armed themselves in an instant.

They formed a perimeter around Lady Anatia, scanning the surroundings.

"Look at this."

Azu had retrieved something from the floor.

A sphere made of black metal. That was what had smashed through the window.

"I must confirm, this wasn't your doing?"

"Of course not."

There was nothing else I could say. Being suspected was understandable, but we had absolutely nothing to gain from this.

The attendant maids were visibly on edge.

"If there's a disturbance outside, the soldiers should be coming to report."

"And yet, no one's come."

"The men stationed here aren't the sort to fall easily…"

Staying holed up in the room left us blind. We needed more information.

"I'll go check outside."

"All right. Go. If it looks dangerous or you learn anything, come straight back."

I gave the order immediately.

One of the maids protested that we shouldn't act on our own, but I pointed out that Lady Anatia's safety was at stake, which silenced her.

"Can I kick through the window?"

"It's already broken. Be my guest."

Azu received a blessing from Elza, took a running start, and burst through the shattered window.

That should give us some idea of what was happening outside.

"She's something, that girl."

"She trains hard."

The soldiers who should have come at the first sign of trouble never appeared.

Something serious must have happened.

Lady Anatia maintained an outward calm, but the silk gloves on her hands were creased from how tightly she'd clenched her fists.

"My lady, I'll go summon help."

"All right. Go."

One of the maids left the room.

The commotion outside continued unabated.

After a brief wait, I heard light, quick footsteps.

Those footsteps belonged to Azu.

"I'm back!"

"What's going on?"

"Sun God statues are on a rampage."

Sun God statues.

The moving statues that night after night gorged on the flesh and blood of living creatures.

Nothing but bad memories.

"Were statues installed on the ducal grounds?"

"Absolutely not. We already had them removed. We're well aware of the Church of the Sun God's actions."

"Then why…?"

A statue that size should be impossible to miss if it started moving.

No, that didn't matter right now.

The problem was that they were on a rampage at this very moment.

It had taken the combined forces of every adventurer in town to bring one down.

Even elite soldiers would struggle.

"Um."

"What? Is there more?"

"It's not just one. About three of them smashed through the gate."

Three of those things.

The scene out there had to be chaos.

Yet surely someone should have come to report by now.

A knock sounded at the door.

Perhaps the maid who'd gone to summon help had returned.

"Come in."

Lady Anatia glanced my way, gave a nod, and granted entry.

The door opened.

Standing there was a man in a red hood.

In his right hand, he was dragging a blood-soaked maid.

A strangled gasp escaped Lady Anatia.