The Atmosphere Is Dreadful

Despite the early hour, preparations were already underway in the dining hall.

"Please, right this way."

A maid pulled out a chair at the table for me, and I sat down.

The hospitality was so generous I almost forgot my place as a slave.

"We'll be serving the same meal the staff eats. Is that all right?"

"Of course."

Last night we'd eaten the same food as Anatia-san, but the portions had been small.

The ingredients had looked expensive, so if the staff meal came in larger portions, that was perfectly fine.

Just having food prepared for us was a huge help.

"I'll bring it right out."

The maid wheeled the wagon to the kitchen.

After a brief exchange with the chef, she came back with the wagon loaded with dishes.

"Lamb and root vegetable stew, turnip salad, and corn soup."

A generously heaped plate of stew was set before me.

The aroma hit my nostrils and set my appetite roaring.

It was the kind of meal that would put strength in your bones.

"The bread is in the center, so please help yourselves."

A basket brimming with sliced baguette was placed in the middle of the table.

I sensed a firm resolve: no one would be complaining about not having enough this time.

I glanced toward the chef, who gave a nod, so I nodded back.

Warm herbal tea was poured into our cups.

The maid moved to attend us, but having someone wait on us felt too extravagant, so I politely declined.

"It smells wonderful."

"It does. I'm starving."

"Well then, let's eat while it's still warm."

I picked up my knife and fork.

Thanks to Master and Alexia-san, my table manners had shaped up nicely.

I pressed the knife to the lamb. It sliced through effortlessly.

It had been stewed thoroughly, tender and rich with flavor.

It practically melted the moment I put it in my mouth.

"This is baby lamb. So tender."

"Adult mutton stays tough no matter how long you cook it."

"Really?"

"They're called mutton and lamb. Baby lamb is a luxury."

And they'd given us a mountain of it…

Still, it was so good I couldn't stop eating.

Finishing the meal didn't take long.

I agonized over whether to mop up the sauce on my plate with bread, but decided against it. Bad manners.

A real shame.

They might not have minded, but that was no reason to let my behavior slip.

It seemed Anatia-san had also risen during our meal and was eating in her room.

It would have been rude to interrupt her during breakfast, so I asked the maid to help find the right moment.

After a short wait, just long enough to finish our herbal tea, we were finally shown to her room.

"Good morning. Did everyone sleep well?"

"Very well, thank you. I was out like a light."

"I'm glad. There's no change to the schedule. The Church of the Sun God's delegation is expected to arrive before noon. Father is on standby in the main residence."

I nodded. Our job was to stay close and make sure no harm came to Anatia-san.

"Until then, you're free, so would you mind keeping me company? I've cleared my entire schedule for this."

"We don't mind at all, but what's that in your hands?"

"Hehe. This is a card game that's been popular in the city lately. You play with these pieces of paper. They've been carefully cut to size."

What she showed us were identically shaped pieces of paper, each illustrated with a different design.

A card game, she called it.

The only paper I'd ever known was parchment, so I thought these were the most beautiful things I'd ever seen.

"Printing technology… No wonder information spreads so quickly."

Alexia-san studied the cards with a grave expression.

Elza-san was listening to the rules.

You divided the cards equally among the players and drew one at a time going clockwise.

If you matched a pair of identical designs, you set them aside.

Whoever was left holding the unmatched card at the end lost.

Simple rules, but surprisingly exciting and fun.

Luck played a part. The "next time for sure" feeling made it enjoyable whether you won or lost.

I'd have to tell Master about this.

We'd been playing for a while when there was a knock at the door.

A messenger whispered something to the maid.

"My lady. The delegation from the Church of the Sun God has arrived."

"Already? Time flies when you're having fun. Well then, shall we go?"

"Understood. We'll be right behind you."

"I'm counting on you."

We put the card game away and stood.

We followed Anatia-san out of the annex, into the main residence, and through to the great hall.

Armed soldiers stood on standby there, and Duke Baroba was seated in his chair.

He glanced our way but immediately looked elsewhere.

I settled for a bow.

Master always said a bow never hurt, so I followed his advice.

Anatia-san took her seat as well.

We positioned ourselves behind her. It seemed we'd be waiting here for the delegation's arrival.

Beside us stood the duke's personal guards.

They looked extremely capable.

If it came to a fight, we might lose.

For now, at least, they were on our side. I chose to find that reassuring.

No one in the hall spoke. Barely anyone shifted.

Only the ticking of a clock echoed through the room.

The pressure radiating from Duke Baroba was intense.

After a short wait, the delegation from the Church of the Sun God was shown in.

At their center was an elderly man wearing a biretta.

His vestments resembled a priest's, though more ornate than any I'd seen before.

He must be the highest-ranking among them.

Behind him stood several figures in knight's garb.

… One of them I recognized.

Temple Knight Evris. I'd never forget.

The man who had tried to kill Master.

Last time, I hadn't finished him off and let him escape.

"Don't move. Not now."

"… I know."

Alexia-san placed a hand on my shoulder to hold me back.

Before I realized it, my fists had clenched tight.

Elza-san took my hand in hers.

I took a deep breath to steady myself.

It was no use. Just seeing his face made the anger boil up.

I closed my eyes and pictured Master's face.

Right now, I had to do the job he'd trusted me with. I had to see it through.

I opened my eyes.

It seemed the other side hadn't noticed me.

Evris looked like he was just tagging along, without much enthusiasm.

The opportunity would come. Now just wasn't the time.

The man in the biretta stepped before the duke, removed his hat, and bowed.

"Duke Baroba, I am honored to make your acquaintance. I am Archbishop Poplas Keira of the Church of the Sun God."

He extended his right hand for a handshake, but Duke Baroba did not return it.

Archbishop Poplas awkwardly withdrew his hand and cleared his throat, but the atmosphere was dreadful.

Not surprising. The duke's impression of them couldn't have been worse.

Until they proved their innocence, nothing would change that. Even I could see as much.