6

I couldn't tell if the intruders were amateurs or professionals, but I wasn't too worried.

Naturally, the people my younger sibling asked for hadn't arrived here yet. The marquisate and this count's territory are quite far apart.

If you ask whether it's because I'm confident in my skills, you'd be half right. At least right now, I can probably bring out about half of my true ability.

But that doesn't mean I possess the skills I had when I was in my previous body. If the former me were to face the current me, I'd lose in an instant.

The reason I'm confident I can win isn't because all I have is a sword.

Inside the large bag, there's a small 'gun.' Technically speaking, it's a state-of-the-art weapon. From what I've heard, it can pierce a knight's armor in one shot.

The problem is, it can only fire one shot at a time. Reloading is possible, but since the firing mechanism is different while the projectile principle is similar to a cannon, reloading in the middle of a chaotic battle isn't easy.

I could consider carrying several guns on me, but that's not very practical either. Carrying multiple objects, each as heavy as a sword, isn't exactly an efficient combat method. Especially when my body isn't as well-trained as it used to be.

So then, what's the reason for my confidence?

Of course, it's magic.

The reason I was able to detect the alarm in the first place was thanks to a magical tool.

I strapped the 'gun' to my waist and filled the pouch beside it with a few beads, each sorted by purpose. The best ones I could obtain within my limits.

That means, well, even without any explanation, they're considered top-quality.

It's not because I'm the eldest son of a marquis family, but because I received them from an acquaintance. In return for solving a few issues in the past.

I hope the intruders aren't just amateurs.

If they are, it'd be a bit of a waste to use these.

No, wait.

In that case, it'd be a good chance to see how much of my swordsmanship has survived.

That might leave a bigger impact.

"Looks like there's really no one here?"

The men, who had approached almost directly in front of the count's mansion, whispered among themselves.

On their way here, they hadn't encountered any hunters or guards.

If the knights had still been here, these petty thieves wouldn't have made it this far before their heads and bodies were separated.

"But doesn't this emptiness mean the inside has already been looted?"

"You idiot. No matter what, it's still a count's estate. There's bound to be something valuable inside."

"And probably a woman too."

When another man, who had been listening to their conversation, spoke up, the two fell silent.

They looked at the third man.

"What?"

"You're planning to mess with nobility?"

"A noble is only noble when they have the power to show it. If there's no one left to protect her, she's no different from any other woman."

"Yeah, you're right."

The second man agreed.

"There are nobles who get taken down even with their status. Haven't you heard of cases where a carriage gets raided, the men are all killed, and the women are assaulted?"

"You've only heard rumors. Do you even know if it really happens?"

"You idiot. If something like that happens, do you think they'd openly talk about it? A noblewoman wouldn't be able to marry if such rumors spread."

"Yeah. Even if we don't know about assaults, there's at least a story of a noble's illegitimate child being taken from a carriage raid. Haven't you heard that?"

"Oh, that one."

The first man nodded.

Information is expensive. Noble family information is even more expensive. But precisely because it's valuable, there are always people eager to sell it.

Information circulates and eventually loses its value. But those who buy expensive information rarely regret it. Buying it before its financial lifespan ends means they can earn more profit than they spent.

The information about an illegitimate child being attacked was sold at a relatively low price. After all, who would care about one illegitimate child dying? At most, it served as a warning that the marquis was furious and that one shouldn't try anything in his territory.

To begin with, the marquisate was heavily fortified in such matters and wasn't an ideal place for criminal activities.

For reference, the information about the empty count's mansion wasn't purchased. These three men had confirmed it themselves. Over the past month, they had kept their distance while observing whether anyone came and went from the mansion.

Instead of selling the information, they decided to use it themselves.

"Yeah, that happened. Didn't the carriage supposedly explode completely? They couldn't even find the illegitimate child. And yet, has anything happened since? Nope."

When the second man said this and started creeping closer to the mansion, the first man spoke again.

"Oh, right. They said the countess was also an illegitimate child."

"Yeah."

"And there's also the young lady of the count. If we could get both of them…"

"We could sell them for a high price."

The two snickered.

"Well, still, actually messing with them might be a bit risky—"

"Why did you stop talking halfway?"

"Wait a moment."

The first man stopped walking. He turned around, looking slightly uneasy.

The second man also realized something was wrong only after hearing the first man's words.

The third man, who had been following closely behind them, was now gone.

"What the…? Was there some kind of trap? You said there wouldn't be any guards."

"Hey, answer if you can hear me."

The second man turned around again, but there was still no one there.

In the spacious garden in front of the mansion, only one man was left standing alone.

"No, what the—"

"The 'rumors.' I'd like to hear a little more about them."

A soft sound of footsteps on the earth was heard.

Even to an untrained ear, the footsteps were graceful and composed. If one didn't focus, they might not have heard them at all.

The figure who spoke to the man was a maid.

A beautiful maid.

Her jet-black hair flowed like silk, and her violet eyes shimmered with the light of the starlit night sky. If the three men had made it safely inside the mansion and seen her sleeping, they might have been consumed by desire.

However, at this moment, with two men suddenly gone, the sight felt overwhelmingly unnatural.

No, it wasn't just that thought alone.

In the maid's hand was a long, slender sword. Its blade glimmered under the starlight. Not a single drop of blood stained it. Nor was there any on her white apron.

Yet, strangely, the man felt certain that the sword had been inside someone's body just moments ago.

"Y-You… what are you?"

"Oh, my apologies. I should have introduced myself first. I am Luna, a maid serving the Countess. I ask for your understanding as I cannot properly greet you while holding a weapon in one hand."

The maid spoke as she delicately grasped one side of her skirt with her empty left hand.

The man's eyes briefly lingered on the gun strapped to her waist.

"But let's return to the main topic."

The maid smiled faintly.

"I'd like to hear a little more about the rumors regarding the Marquis's illegitimate child."

"T-That…"

The man swallowed hard.

"If… If I tell you about that rumor, will you let me go?"

"To think you'd propose a deal even in a situation like this… you're braver than I expected."

The maid said with a hint of amusement.

The man drew his sword from his waist. It wasn't very long, a blade favored by thieves for its practicality.

The blade was much thicker than the maid's slender small sword. If swung properly—

"Oh my, are you planning to swing your sword at a lady?"

The maid raised her sword.

The tip of the thin blade pointed directly at the man, unwavering.

"If that's the case, I will simply respond like a lady and accept the gentleman's dance of swords."

The man realized then and there that his life would end tonight.

And so it did.

"There was an attack last night."

In the morning, after waiting for Ayla to fully wake up and finish her tea, I gave my report.

As expected, Ayla looked slightly surprised upon hearing it.

Ayla's outfit was better than yesterday. That was because I had carefully washed the clothes she had taken off.

Of course, not all the clothes dried overnight, but at least one set was dry enough to wear.

Perhaps out of consideration for my effort, Ayla couldn't entirely ignore my dedication, and now she was wearing a crisp white blouse and a slightly loose skirt.

"And even in that situation, you didn't wake me up?"

"Of course, Lady Ayla."

When I replied politely with a bow, Ayla let out a small, incredulous laugh.

"Can you explain why that's an 'of course'?"

"Because I am here to serve you, Lady Ayla. I couldn't possibly disturb your sleep over a few insignificant flies."

Ayla stared at me with her mouth slightly open.

Of course, her brows were furrowed, so it was probably more bewilderment than admiration.

"Let's keep this a secret from the young lady."

Eventually, Ayla placed her teacup down and rubbed her temple as if she was getting a headache.

"Can I see the corpses?"

"They are unsightly corpses. I'm hesitant to let such dreadful sights taint your beautiful eyes."

"…I'm getting more and more curious about what exactly you're doing in this estate. I'll check them myself."

"If that is your wish, Lady Ayla."

I replied with another gentle bow.

Ayla once again pressed her fingers to her temple.