(EP-61.2) Mansion #1
061 – Haunted Mansion #1
Just as I was wondering if anyone would come out, the skeletons which I thought were simple decorations moved and the gate opened.
“Eu.”
Naturally, I got startled and even almost screamed.
Nevertheless, I had to pretend that everything was okay. Moving through the gate, I made my way towards the garden entrance. All the while, there was this creepy feeling that someone was watching me…
━Jeujeujeujeujeu.
━Seueutsseuseuseut.
Cries of unknown beasts could also be heard from somewhere, motivating me to move faster. Finally, I reached the front of the mansion.
“Is Lady Draco present? This is Theo Gospel.”
Upon the first knock, the door suddenly burst open as if it had been waiting for that moment. From beyond, I could see the Draco Family’s Young Lady wearing a school uniform, despite it being the weekend.
“You’re late, commoner.”
Judging by her cold attitude, it seemed to be the older sister, Mirna Draco.
“Did I not arrive right on time? It’s about lunchtime.”
“The Draco Family has lunch at 10 am. You’re an hour late, commoner.”
Well, I didn’t know that…
I politely bowed before entering the mansion. The inside was like a dark room. Worse still, most of the windows were covered with curtains.
Looking around, I realized that the few candles and chandelier flames were the only things that provided some dim light.
Meanwhile, skeleton fragments and self-portraits of people horrifically screaming were everywhere, enough to make my mind wander…
… Wasn’t this practically just a haunted house?
It immediately became apparent why Elga called her ‘a shady woman hiding in the dark’.
If you spent every weekend in such a gloomy place, it wouldn’t be surprising if your personality got twisted and rough.
However, there was no way I would be overwhelmed with this.
So, I decided to take out the secret weapon I had been carrying.
“Please take this in return for inviting me to the villa of the Great Draco Family. It is small, but my sincerity is true.”
Seuk.
It was a fan made of feathers.
Specifically, this fan was made using Blue Eagle feathers, which I obtained while cleaning Professor Belhawk’s office yesterday. I thought that Mirna, who always carried a fan, would like this.
“… You have a much better sense than I thought, huh?”
Mirna had a slightly interested look as she received the fan. After giving it a test, she said in surprise.
“Such cool wind… It’s made from a Blue Eagle’s feathers, right? I heard that they inhabit the southern grasslands and are quite rare….”
“Truly, you have a great eye for beauty.”
No one would dislike receiving a gift. Well, unless said gift was useless of course.
I felt like Mirna’s evaluation of me had gone up a bit.
“You can sit anywhere, I’ll treat you with a special tea.”
Seuk.
Having said so, Mirna promptly disappeared into the darkness. It was surprising that this girl understood the concept of a ‘give-and-take’ relationship.
“Eum.”
With Mirna gone, I was left alone in the empty mansion lobby. Looking around, a lot of furniture and sculptures made of skeletons and bones could be seen…
And the other thing I noticed was-.
“…….”
This place was completely quiet and barren.
Almost… as if there were only me and Mirna in the villa.
There was simply no movement at all!
Even my sensitive Half-Fairy ears couldn’t pick up anything…
Could the rumor be true?
The fact that, in the end, the Draco Family, who betrayed the Angmar Royal Family, was cursed by the Demon King and became short-lived.
However, what could actually make them commit such an act? What was their reason in betraying the Demon King, despite the risk of such a curse?
* * *
I sat in the guest room of the villa and chatted a lot with Mirna.
What were we talking about? Business, of course.
“Commoner, you shall be a warrior who entered Ark for the sake of reviving your family from the distant kingdom you’re from. Do you understand?”
“That’s the setting? All right.”
“Your origin will be that of a fallen royal family.”
“… Like the Angmar Family?”
“…….”
While talking to Mirna Draco, I peeped at her expression. Despite everything, the Draco Family was a loyal follower of the Angmar Family.
It was for that reason why, even now, Mirna Draco still considered Queen Aira a usurper and did not respect her authority. She simply refused to acknowledge the queen.
Then, on the other end, I thought that Theo Angmar could benefit from that loyalty.
“Can it be established that the reason for the collapse of the royal family is due to betrayal and rebellion within the country, like the Angmar Family?”
“… Sure, let’s go with that.”
Although she gladly replied, Mirna’s mood seemed to be petulant. She didn’t seem very happy talking about the Angmar Family.
However, I was not one to waste an opportunity like this.
“Come to think of it now, I have a lot of questions. The Angmar Family possessed powerful means and treasures, so how could it collapse overnight?”
“There was a good reason. Furthermore, the alliance of the four great families was something that even Demon King Solomon could not withstand.”
“Right, your family certainly played an important role…. But isn’t it strange? The House of Draco was a loyal ally of the Angmar Family. What was the reason for the sudden turnaround…?”
“… Is that story important to our conversation right now? Do not cross the line, commoner.”
“…….”
As expected, mediocre tactics wouldn’t work. After all, this woman was still a villainess like Elga and Aira.
Alas, it was time to put any regrets behind.
“The Draco family did not betray the Angmar Family. You and all the other foolish peons are simply ignorant of it!”
“Truly? Could you please enlighten me, then??”
“That’s….”
“That’s…?”
As if facing a conundrum, there was a slight hesitation on Mirna’s face.
Edited by: faker
