10

If we were to choose the most suspicious things in the world—

First, a beautiful stranger suddenly approaching you.

Second, a person who offers something for free without asking for anything in return.

Both types of people are incredibly suspicious.

No matter how much confidence and pride you have in yourself, it would be a grave mistake to think you can get everything for free in this cruel world.

Especially if the person being approached is a noble.

Third, there's "a shabby old person selling apples while wearing a robe."

Of course, the most dangerous among these is the third.

This has been proven in old fairy tales.

Usually, the shabby old person is actually a witch, and the red apples in their basket are laced with poison.

In fact, I know this shabby old person is a witch.

But lo and behold, under that robe hides none other than the ears of an elf.

The term "witch" doesn't merely mean "a woman who uses magic."

It's a religious term, often referring to "a heretic who uses magic to deceive others into heresy."

Ah, what a dangerous word it is.

Naturally, as the entirely unsuspicious head maid, I had no choice but to block her path.

"…Luna?"

As I stood blocking the witch's way, Ayla spoke from behind me, sounding bewildered.

Of course. Others can't see the old hag hiding within.

In fact, even I can't literally see her that way.

Elves, after all, don't physically age much, even when they live for a long time.

"State your name and affiliation."

I spoke, looking down at the old elf.

"W-what?"

The old elf asked back, seemingly flustered.

But I knew her voice was only pretending.

She'd tricked me with that appearance the first time we met, too.

"I-I'm just, just a person from the village below, selling apples…"

"There is no one with your distinct features in that village."

"Tsk."

The elf's face briefly changed.

It was the look of someone annoyed at being interrupted in their fun.

Well, that was exactly the situation, so that expression was justified.

"Hey, Luna? You don't have to speak so harshly, do you?"

"Ayla, my lady."

"She's just a child."

The young lady herself is a child, though.

Of course, the way Ayla sees the young lady differs from how she views an ignorant commoner child.

Nobles must know at least a bit more.

And, if we're being honest, this elf's appearance does seem a bit younger.

"Ayla, my lady, it's not the season for apples."

"That's nothing to worry about!"

The witch interjected.

"I used magic to keep apples picked in advance fresh!"

"Didn't you just call them freshly picked apples a moment ago?"

"Tsk."

The witch clicked her tongue again at my logical retort.

This time, even Ayla seemed to hear it, and an awkward smile spread across her face.

"Luna, that's just a common sales phrase, isn't it? You hear it in markets all the time."

"Y-yes, that's right! I'm sorry, I exaggerated…"

Feigning remorse, the witch acted like a dejected child.

"Ayla, my lady."

"What now? Are you worried the apples she brought might be poisoned?"

"…"

Although the opponent was indeed a shabby old witch, that possibility seemed unlikely.

"How about you try one yourself to prove it? We can decide after that."

Ayla spoke in a tone of disbelief.

She clearly didn't suspect the witch at all.

"Fine!"

The witch pretended to be offended, puffing out her cheeks.

I debated whether to genuinely express my disgust at her antics.

"Here, go ahead and eat one to see for yourself!"

She thrust the basket of apples toward my face.

Of course, her short stature made it nowhere near my reach.

"There are still suspicious parts about you. In the lower village…"

"Do you claim to know every single person in the village?"

Ayla asked incredulously.

"Of course, Ayla, my lady."

"…"

"Before coming to this mansion, I thoroughly investigated the village.

While I may not know every resident's name,

I've never seen anyone with such distinctive hair color.

It's unlikely a young girl like her would have moved in alone,

so I can confidently say she's not a resident of the count's domain."

Ayla looked at me for a moment, then shivered slightly.

"I feel like you know even more than that, but I won't ask for now."

"A wise decision."

Ayla sighed audibly, as if to show her exasperation.

"If residents were to move between territories, a report would naturally be submitted here.

Though you dismissed the caretakers of the mansion and its surroundings, you still left the guards stationed at the domain's entrances, correct?"

A minimal defense force remains.

The territory's security cannot be completely neglected.

Though not knights, the guards are local residents appointed by the count's vassals.

And the self-organized village patrol is still functioning as well.

The count, greedy and flawed as he was, knew how to protect what was his.

However, even that stability wouldn't last forever after the count's passing.

It's been about a month, so cracks would inevitably begin to show.

Like the intruders who recently attempted to breach the mansion.

"Thus, I have every reason to doubt this… 'girl.'"

"…"

The witch looked at me.

Naturally, I was the one who summoned her here, knowing she might be discovered.

But that didn't mean she had to personally appear.

Few know the face of the Forest Witch.

Even those who do usually remain silent.

Her very existence is akin to a weapon.

She doesn't particularly enjoy revealing herself, either.

Although she often loses her cool when it comes to matters involving her apprentices,

I didn't expect her to come this far so quickly.

Or rather, she likely didn't travel here—but tore through space itself.

The Forest Witch's dwelling is far from here, after all.

"Sniff."

My words were meant as a subtle hint for her to retreat, but as always, the old witch refused to yield when arguing with me.

Instead, she sniffled, her eyes glistening with tears.

"The truth is…"

The old woman began.

"This is all I have… somehow…"

"…"

No matter what, such an obvious lie. Or rather, if you're going to make up a story, you should put more thought into it.

Throwing out words like that without thinking only makes it less credible.

I looked at Ayla.

Could she possibly believe it?

But—

"Certainly, when you put it that way, it does seem a bit suspicious. Oh, of course, Luna, that doesn't mean I agree with everything you said."

Ayla added, with a coy glance as our eyes met.

I turned back to the witch.

The witch was looking up at me with sparkling eyes.

Do something about it.

This wasn't a plea—it was just her passing the burden onto me.

And within it, there was probably a hint of "Consider the cost of the orb you broke."

If you said it was me who broke it, I'd feel a little wronged, but it's not incorrect to say it broke because of me.

And yes, it's true that it was meant to be broken eventually for use.

"…If you came with your family, perhaps in the midst of the chaos, they forgot to report your arrival. Your parents must be in the village, of course?"

At my words, the witch's face lit up.

Seeing her nod enthusiastically, I turned back to Ayla.

"Did she get into trouble while passing through?"

At Ayla's question, the witch nodded again, energetically—so much so that I briefly worried as her apprentice if her neck joints would hold up under the strain of her age.

"Of course, even if she was in trouble, coming directly to the count's mansion is quite suspicious."

I bent down slightly and picked up an apple.

Crunch.

I took a bite.

The sweetness was excellent—worthy of being called a freshly picked apple, or even one just taken off the tree moments ago.

The taste wasn't merely sweet; the balance of acidity was perfect. The texture wasn't overly firm, nor was it mushy or dry.

"There doesn't seem to be any poison in the apple."

I waited a moment before speaking to Ayla, who let out a long sigh.

"If that's what it comes down to, was there really a need for such a long standoff with a young girl?"

"My apologies, Lady Ayla. Though the girl lacks manners, the apples she brought are of the highest quality. They are certainly fit for the consumption of the Count's household."

At my words, Ayla's expression grew complicated.

High-quality fruit, especially those preserved magically, are expensive.

While not completely out of reach for an ordinary noble, the current situation of the Count's household was quite precarious.

"I'll sell them at a discount!"

The witch shouted.

And then, like a truly innocent child, she beamed a bright, carefree smile.

…Well, perhaps she really was an innocent child.

By her own logic, as an elf, she hasn't yet fully grown.

"I'll negotiate the terms properly," Ayla said, after a brief pause, nodding her head.

True, if a noble couldn't even afford a single piece of fruit, that would indeed be a problem.

Still, I felt the need to question the witch who had suddenly appeared at the mansion gates.

Maybe tonight, I'd find some time to ask her more thoroughly.

It seems like another sleepless night is ahead.