Volume 2, Chapter 2 – The Darkness of Illumi City

“Saint Fiene-sama, Holy Knight Christina-sama, welcome to Illumi City.”

As we stepped off the stagecoach, a line of town guards stood in a row, waiting for us with an incredibly over-the-top reception.

“I am Desmond Maynard. Though I am but an inexperienced man, as you can see, I have been entrusted with this Illumi City region as a Count by His Majesty.”

“Desmond-sama. It is an honor to meet you.”

“I have made preparations so that Fiene-sama and Christina-sama may spend your time comfortably in our town. It may be cramped, but might I have the honor of hosting you at my mansion?”

I feel like he’s the most humble noble we’ve met so far.

“Desmond-sama. We gratefully accept your offer.”

I gave him my best business smile.

Escorted by Chris-san, I climbed into the waiting carriage.

There were lots of people around holding glass beads and glass ornaments, so I felt a little bad about it.

Also, from an EXP perspective, it felt like a bit of a waste.

Then, we were taken to a grand mansion.

The Count had called it cramped, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.

It looked like a small castle.

“Welcome. Saint-sama, Holy Knight-sama. And welcome home, Master.”

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A line of butlers and maids stood ready to greet us.

“Father! Welcome back.”

“Ah, Felix. Saint-sama, Holy Knight-sama, this is my second son, Felix. Please make his acquaintance.”

“I am Felix Maynard. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m Fiene Argentata. This is Christina. Nice to meet you.”

No business smile this time. I’ve been chased around far too much up until now, after all.

“Hey, Felix. What happened to Alfred?”

“Well, my brother has gone out somewhere.”

“Hmph, and here we have Saint-sama visiting…”

It seems this Alfred guy is the type who doesn’t listen to his parents.

“My apologies, Saint-sama. I actually have another son, but it seems he had some urgent business. Would it be alright if I introduced him to you later?”

“Yes.”

Honestly, I’d rather you didn’t. Being introduced to noble sons usually only leads to unpleasant experiences.

“Hey, show these two to their room. Now then, Saint-sama, Holy Knight-sama. We have official business to attend to, so please excuse us. We will hold a welcoming banquet later, so please do attend.”

“Thank you very much.”

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The Count and his son disappeared into the depths of the mansion.

“Now then, Saint-sama, Holy Knight-sama. I shall show you to your room.”

The butler led the way.

“Ah, please make it just one room.”

“One room, milady? U-Understood.”

Lately, I’ve been making sure to share a room with Chris-san.

Previously, she would have stubbornly refused, but when we stayed at a certain lord’s manor, his idiot son used a spare key to sneak into the bedroom.

I Managed to escape by diving into the shadows that time, but ever since, Chris-san has agreed to stay in the same room.

She does the same at hotels too, so I get to save on lodging costs. Lucky.

“Please use this room. We will bring in another bed shortly.”

“Thank you.”

“I shall take my leave then.”

The butler gave an elegant bow and exited the room.

“Fiene-sama. I’m sure you’ve already noticed, but we have been followed by someone ever since we arrived in this town. Furthermore, there seem to be eyes watching us even inside this mansion.”

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“In this mansion, too? Does that mean the Count has us under surveillance? Wait, but if that’s the case, wouldn’t following us through town be pointless?”

Since the Count himself was accompanying us, there wouldn’t be much point in specifically assigning a tail.

“I do not know if it is the Count or someone else doing the monitoring, but it would be best to remain on high alert.”

“True. But Chris-san, how can you tell that we’re being followed or watched?”

At that, Chris-san made a surprised face. No, no, normally people wouldn’t know.

“It is because I am constantly guarding my surroundings. If you pull your nerves tight like zip , then go whoosh , you start to feel the gazes directed at you. Then, if you let your consciousness go fwoosh , you can sort of thump your way into sensing the movements of anyone observing us or harboring hostility toward Fiene-sama or myself.”

Ah, right. Things have been so quiet lately that I’d completely forgotten, but she really is a brain-muscle kukkoro onee-san. I was a fool for asking.

“I see. I’ll try to use that as a reference.”

“I am glad to be of help.”

Chris-san looked visibly satisfied.

That said, lately we’ve been getting a lot of ill-intent directed at us, mainly of the lecherous variety, so it would be great if I could quickly find the people thinking of doing bad things to us.

If she explains it like that, it means she isn’t detecting them with a Skill, at least. In that case, let’s give it a try.

…

…

…

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Yeah, I have no clue.

No, wait. Can’t I do something with magic? Detection Magic feels like a pretty standard fantasy staple.

—Search for enemies with Holy-Attribute Magic. ¹ The author using 属性の魔法 here instead of 聖属性魔法 (Holy Magic)

…

…

…

Hmm, nothing’s happening. Okay, let’s try to control it a little myself.

Using Holy Magic as a starting point, I pulled out Mana and shaped it into something like a radar, imagining it spinning round and round.

Anything that disrupts the Holy attribute…

“Ah! Chris-san! Let’s go!”

“Fiene-sama? What is the matter?”

“I felt something… something very strong. I know where it is.”

“Understood!”

We rushed out of the mansion and started running toward the place where I had sensed that strange presence.