Seiju no Kuni no Kinju Tsukai - Chapter 60

Chapter 60 (Inside a dark room)

 

 

 

After looking at the map which Aira-san gives me carefully, it seems like noble villas are located in the southeast district of this imperial city. 
The Arclight family as well not an exception, their residence also located in the southeast district. 

"Somehow, this feels like the upper-class residence area huh." 

With one hand holding the map, I loitering around the southeast district. 
I was running until this place as if I was doing jogging, but I don't feel any fatigue at all. 
................................. 
As one expected, I can't disregard this as my just imagination isn't it. 
Apparently, my physical ability has shown a rapid increase. 
This probably because of the effect of forbidden spell, however, it is a power to be grateful about when I thought about the prospect of facing against the magma monster (again, I named it with my convenience). 

I stopped walking and look around. 
In the outskirt of the main road, small to medium size building stand, this place gives an impression that the land has been extensively used for mansions. 
Fences and Gate are surrounding each mansion, in each of them, there's also an excellently maintained garden. 

"Hnn, should be around here..." 

It's not like the map that I carried have detailed drawing of each house. 
However, the circle mark indicating Arclight mansion is really big. Thus it seems to catch my attention. 
Should I ask someone who passes by? 
When I was thinking of such thought, 

"Excuse me, may I take your moment please?" 

Someone speak to me. 

"Yes?" 
"You seems to be looking for something since a while ago, but, are you someone living in this district?" 

The one who called me out is a guard. 
The reason why he talks to me politely might be because this is a noble area. 
A place where you can't speak rudely if the partner turns up a son of some noble by chance. 
And I heard that many children from noble family attend the academy after all. 

"No, I'm not a person who live in this district." 
"Then, why are you here?" 

Suspicious expression floats on the guard face when he found out that I was not from this district. 

"I was looking for Arclight family mansion, however, since this is the first time I've come here... if possible can you tell me where the mansion is?" 
"『For the first time』 you said?" 

As soon as he said that, the guard expression become stern. 
Huh? 
Have I said something wrong? 

"You are suspicious. I've become this district guard since a long time ago, however, I've never a noble such as you. I try to recognize as well, but as expected I don't remember you." 
"I'm a Lunezret Academyー" 
"That uniform, is it real?" 

The guard hand rests on his sword hilt. 

"In the first place, what is your business with Arclight family?" 
"I'm Cecil-saー, an Arclight family daughter acquaintance. We're students from the same class. My name is Sagara Kurohiko. I came here to meet Cecil Arclight." 
"... Does Arclight family know?" 
"No, I don't think they know..." 

The guard began scowling at me. 
He definitely doubts me... 
Don't tell me is this place is a place where commoners not allowed to step their foot into? 

"Nn? Kurohiko?" 

The one who appeared in a timely manner is, 

"Zix?" 
"By any chance, are you coming here to see Cecil-sama?" 

It was Zix. 

"That man over there, is it Zixbert-sama acquaintance ?" 
"Yes." 

Zix nodded toward the guard. 
At the same time. Zix seems to have guessed what is happening in front of the eye. 

"That person is Cecil-sama friend from the academy. Yesterday Cecil-sama had been attacked by criminal and because he's worried about her he come here to visit her. Since today Cecil-san didn't attend class." 
"I see, so that's how it is." 
"I guarantee his identity." 

After Zix had said those words, the guard changes his manner immediately and briefly giving a short apology and left. 

"You saved me there, Zix." 
"Don't mind it... however, that was quite the disaster huh." 
"As expected, is it because the nature of this place that the guard is more strict compared to the other place?" 
"There is also that reason, but, due to yesterday incident, Arclight family has tightened its guard. by the way, are you going to see Cecil-sama?" 
"Yes. however, though this is embarrassing I don't know the location of her residence." 
"Arclight family house is right on the hill over there. because the position is slightly higher than the other mansion, it is a little bit hard to see; I also experience it when I come here for the first time." 

Being led by Zix, we walk toward Arclight family residence. 
I ask Zix while we're walking. 

"She didn't come today, How's Cecil-san condition?" 

Un, Zix nodded while having a troubled expression. 

"She had been shut herself inside her room since yesterday... she even didn't eat her meal. I heard from Hirgiz that since yesterday incident until now she seems had only drink water." 
"I see..." 
"I'm sorry, we didn't even contact you." 
"Don't mind it. you have it hard too right." 

Then Zix explained that 『due to him and Hirgiz-san worried about Cecil-san condition, they decide to take rest today』. 
As expected, Cecil-san receives a rather huge shock huh. 

"But you know, her condition aside, Cecil-san were able to return safely is also thanks to you, Kurohiko. Thank you." 
"I wonder about that... I also don't know whether I'd done the right thing or not. If I were to stop Cecil-san faster then this kind of thing might not happen. In that respect, I feel responsible." 
"I've heard the story from Hirgiz. that if you're not there at the time, Cecil-sama might be kidnapped by the man named Hibigami to the country of the end." 

Zix speaks with a stern expression. 
From that expression, I feel a sense of guilt from him. 

"Because my power is not sufficient enough I've exposed Cecil-sama with danger... it runs chill down my back when I remembered if you guys have not been there. above all, I'm angry of my own worthlessness." 
"It's not like I was able to overwhelm Hibigami you know. This time, it's more like because he just let it pass on a whim. We were just lucky." 
"Even if it's like that, Cecil-san situation didn't turn for the worst is thanks to you and Kyurie. one day I will repay this gratitude one day." 
"Well if that the case then, why not we treat it as even with how all of you saved me from the sacred ruin incident, what do you think?" 

Zix opened his eyes wide surprised. 

"You're fine with that?" 
"Lending and borrow between friends, I don't really like such thing. " 

Zix began smiling broadly. 

"Funn, Fine. all is even now right." 
"Ou..." 

While we talk about such thing, we arrived at Arclight mansion. 

................................................ 

"Oh well well, are you the one who rescue Cecil-sama, Sagara Kurohiko-sama is it?" 

Upon entering the mansion, I was greeted by the maid with such words. 

The Arclight family mansion interior is like a 『old European style』. 
With how it looks, the mansion is two storied building. 
Even though the appearance is not that grand, it gives off a relaxed atmosphere. 
The land is slightly more wide compared to the other residents of the neighborhood. 
The garden is a well maintained as well, en route, I met Banton-san giving water to the flowers. 
After giving Banton-san a light greeting, I followed Zix inside the mansion. 
Thus I met the women with apron dress. 

"Ah, I'm sorry for my rudeness. I'm a servant serving this house, Hana." 

Hana-san began her introduction. 
Her age, I guess the same as Banton-san? 
She has a gentle look. 
Her figure is good, and there's white hair mixed among her hair. 
She is the kind of women who give off a sense of relief. 

"Sagara Kurohiko. I've been indebted to Cecil-sama." 
"Now now, please do by all means go and meet ojou-sama. if it's Kurohiko-sama, then Cecil-sama would definitely also want to meet." 

She seems to have a huge expectation of me... how should I do about this? 
I asked Zix 『what should I do?』 with my eyes. 
Zix which seems to understand my thought left to the back. 

"I will wait on the first floor." 
"You're not coming together?" 
"Not only me nor Hirgiz, the current Cecil-sama even rejected to meet Hana...  she might not want to meet someone she knows for a long time. however, at least I want to bring her some food." 

With that being the case, it has been decided that I will be the one bringing her food. 
After receiving the explanation, I go to Cecil-san room on the second floor while bringing bread and soup placed on the tray 
.................. 
This situation, it gives off the feeling like I'm meddling with a hikikomori who don't want to get out from their room eh. <TLN: Hikikomori = social withdrawal person.> 
I feel this as 『meddling』 because I, myself thought such thing back in the days huh. 
Well, it's rude to lump Cecil-san case the same as with mine. 

"Hmm, I guess it's here?" 

I stand in front of the double door. 
This is Cecil-san room huh? 

I don't hear any sound. 
Is she asleep? 
............................ 
Well, I guess if there's no respond if I call out then I will just return down. 
After all, it's only had been yesterday and today. 
She might be still have not yet organized her feeling yet. 

Should I leave her alone? 
Or should I be a little bit forceful? 

The latter seems to be better, if it's the latter, the current me should be able to do it. 

"Cecil-san, this is Kurohiko." 

I called out, but there's no answer. 

"I've come to visit you but... if you don't want to speak with anyone then, I will leave the bread and soup here and return home. please eat." 

There's no reaction. 
Is this a signal that I should leave? 
I guess it can't be helped. 
Let's go back home for today. 

"Well, then I will leave the bread and soup here alright." 

A trolley cart had been placed by the side of the room 
Although the handle is not attached, previously they also put the food here I guess. 
I put the tray on the top of the trolley. 
I looked at Cecil-san room one more time before turned around and began walking away. 
However, at that momentー 

I heard a sound that the door had been opened. 

When I turn around, I saw Cecil-san room door had been half opened. 
Did the wind or something open it? 
Nah, looking at the timing it's impossible for that I guess. 
I guess... with this it's alright for me to enter? 
I try to go back in front of the door. 

"Cecil-san?" 

I called out, but there's still no answer. 
I looked at the food at the top of the tray. 
That's it. 
At least just this. 

"I will bring the food inside alright?" 

I pick up the tray with food and going inside the room while pushing the door with my shoulder. 
.......................... 
Her room size is around 15 tatami? <TLN: Around 24 square meters> 
There's a lot of white furnitures. 
Inside there's a canopy bed. 
And also is that sofa and night table? Has been placed inside. 
Though it's not that grand it feels refined, just like the mansion, it gives off a calm and elegant atmosphere. 
The room is very clean and tidy. 
However, from the soundless room, it gives off a chilly impression. 
Then, looking at the bulging on the bed, I guess Cecil-san is there huh. 
I turn around toward the door. 

If the door is opened then...ーone have to crawl out of bed to open the door, then returned right? 
Umu... 
Just before, I interpreted as a signal that I can enter, but actually is that true? 
Is it to take the food? Or possibly is it for the sake of peeking at me? 
Or else, just like what I had interpreted that it was a signal that I can enter the room? 
......................... 
Well, I guess it's no use for me to brood it over huh. 

"I'll put the food here alright." 

I put the tray on the night table. 
I saw Cecil-san back of the head. 
The ribbon which usually tied her hair has been removed, as is her hair is spread on the bed. 
Cecil-san just like that keeps silent. 
I who being at a loose end sat down on the sofa. 

"Emm, if you want me to leaveー, please knock on your overhead bed frame twice." 

There's also the possibility that she don't want to talk. 
First, let's just wait in silence. 

The silence is flowing. 
Sometimes, I can hear someone doing household from outside of the room. 

I continue sitting down in silence. 
Just like that, time passes. 
Once, Hirgiz-san comes to take a look at the situation, Zix and Hana-san also come though they don't say anything. 

The outside windows become dark. 
Add the darkness inside the room. 
The indoor crystal has not been lightening up; however; I can see Cecil-san figure due to my eyes getting used to the darkness. 
At that time, 

"... what did you come here for?" 

Just when I thought the silence were going to continue for all eternity, Cecil-san speak out tearing down the silence. 

"It's because I'm worried about Cecil-san. 

After saying that, I remain silent once again. 
After around five minutes has passed, Cecil-san speaks in a subdued voice. 

"I can imagine all the things Hibigami had said." 
"What are the things that you have imagined?" 
"My future." 
"..........................." 

『Looking at her breaking her innocence is fine.』 
『Letting her drown in that naivety and then being destroyed by it someday is fine too.』 
『Push that beauty down and make her degraded into a treasured doll is fine as a well.』 

Probably about those words I guess? 

"I've thought about all the possibility. and somehow, suddenly I'd become scared of it." 
"Something like what you've imagined won't happen you know. Don't mind what that guy had said." 
"........................." 

After we sink into silence for a brief moment, Cecil-san began talking. 

"Fufufu... but still, it's really embarrassing isn't it? I was argued that an opponent where I can using all of my power finally appeared. Now looking at the result as if opening the lid of my weakness... finally, a 『opponent』 has appeared? What a laughable, me." 
"There's no such thing. About that Kyurie-san also said it. Hibigami's strength is in a different dimension even among the people from the sixth institution. Thus it is normal for being unable to win against that man. Anyone, against him, won't be able to win." 
"However, aren't you fought well, didn't he said that he would make you his arch-enemy?" 
"About that..." 

Hibigami is a bad person. However, I didn't think he would be someone who gives such awkward compliment. 
That's why; I guess that is his real intention I suppose? 
However, 

"Surely it's because of the forbidden spell. He did say that he will gather the other forbidden spell book, he must be wanting to fight against me who can use all the forbidden spell. Also, my swordmaster is also excellent after all." 
"Being able to compete against Hibigami is thanks to Kyurie you said?" 

Only this time that her tone of voice sounds more stronger. 

"Y-Yes..." 

Cecil-san fall silent once again. 
And then after several minutes had passed, 

"Kurohiko, you're really a kind person ne..." 

That's what she said. 

"Haha... Come to think of it Aira-san also stated that I'm a 『kind person』 today as well." 
"...Like that." 
"??" 
"You're always like that, trying to be loved by everyone." 
"Eh?" 

Her voice sounds feels like include condemn in it. 

"Cecil-, san?" 
"For you, toward the person who treats you kindly, anyone would do right." 
"W-Wait, please wait a minute! I, for suchー...." 

Cecil-san raises her body facing my direction. 
I held my breath. 
Her clothes are the same one she wore yesterday. 
It seems like she had slipped into her bed right after arrived here I guess? 
She has dark circle under her eyes. 
However, her beauty didn't reduce a little bit. 
Or rather, even with such degenerate beauty, it makes me want to be her ally. 
Howeverー the things that catch my breath is not about that. 
That's right, her expression. 

It's an expression which she occasionally has, that expression. 
Sometimes Cecil-san looked at me in a sarcastic manner. 

"To tell you honestlyー" 

She continues talking while gripping the edge of the bed cover with her fingertips. 
She has a mysterious, horrifying smile. 


"Looking at you is really annoying."