Home Visit (9)

I don't know how the Countess was consumed by 'it' or how her true identity was discovered by the Count after she had been assimilated. Even discerners like Leonardo and Vittorio cannot distinguish those who have been assimilated. Moreover, if it is indeed true that the Countess returned as it, more questions arise. So far, two things have been confirmed:

First, Count Ertinez is hostile towards King Godric. And second, a significant part of the Count's plans for rebellion is related to his wife's death. These facts have been established through previous encounters and various circumstantial evidence. The death of the Countess is a crucial link that turns the Count and Godric into enemies. But what does it mean if the Countess' death was realized through it?

Despite knowing that his wife had been consumed, the Count fully directs his enmity and accusations towards Godric.

'Blaming Godric for the Countess' death, claiming he was responsible while also feeling guilt for having killed her himself—it's not just a simple complaint about being attacked by them on the way back from visiting the capital.'

This implies that he directs his anger towards King Godric, which suggests that Godric provided the cause and is therefore in league with it.

Given the current situation, where it has been established that Sub-writer 1 stands behind it, it's possible that Godric, like Count Bermont, is also being manipulated by Sub-writer 1. If Godric played a role in killing Leovald, thereby contributing to the turning of the narrative, he could very well be a key pawn of Sub-writer 1. 

On the other hand, it is also conceivable that he is merely a black-hearted villain, using it as a convenient tool for murder, separate from the story of the authors. After all, Godric is the 'young king,' a young ruler who ascended to the throne amidst turmoil. There might be hidden circumstances behind why he is perceived as a generous king without facing any discord or obstacles in such a setting. 

For instance, clearing away anything that might obstruct an easy path forward. Let's think of something simple for the moment. Ah, yes. Didn't mention that capturing it was possible even in an unformed state?

'Capture the entity in its unstable state and release it in a sealed space with a chosen human target, keeping them both together for a few minutes, and that's it. You can eliminate the target without any cumbersome means like a knife or poison.'

There's no need to dispose of the murder weapon, and there won't be a body. The deceased will simply walk out on their own, making it easy to manipulate the evidence.

Although there's a characteristic of continuity in the consciousness of the assimilated, from what I've seen so far, it seems that when assimilation occurs, the primary concern is satisfying their hunger. Once consumed and assimilated, it can fabricate a suitable situation and be sent somewhere—whether it be a domain or an organization that it governs. It will roam within its territory to consume humans, and in the process, it can strike at the roots of power.

Even if it doesn't inflict any damage and its identity gets exposed, or if it causes a disturbance before being placed somewhere, or if it suppresses its hunger and attacks Godric under the pretext of revenge—

What does it matter?

The king will be under strict protection within the castle. With the royal guard of the capital watching over him, the chances of being counterattacked by it are low. Godric won't face any murder charges; only the exposed entity will face immediate judgment and die as a tainted being. The situation will reach a neat resolution. There's no simpler way to eliminate an adversary than this.

In this manner, the immature and naive young king grasps solid power even during the harsh and tumultuous times of crisis without a single ripple. Of course, to prevent the complete erosion and collapse of human society, heroes like Leovald are kept alive. But if a hero becomes too renowned, that poses a risk, so they are pushed to the front lines and provided with no support as a means of control.

'There are possibilities in either scenario.'

Godric might be in league with the Sub-writer, or he could merely be operating within the confines of his role, using even that as a tool. However, to develop this conjecture into a well-founded hypothesis, I needed clearer evidence to determine whether the Countess truly died after being consumed by it.

Perhaps I should gently probe my new source of information, Ferdinand. I wrapped my lengthy thoughts in a guise of personal reflection, as if I were immersed in empathy for Leonardo's childhood. Softening my expression, I smiled at Ferdinand.

"…The absence of the departed feels so immense. I'd like to pay my respects to Leo's mother. Is there a specific place where I could meet her?"

Due to the machinations of the scenario, I found myself unwittingly digging up the grave of my life experiences, but my reason for asking about the location of the Countess' burial had nothing to do with grave robbing.

If the Countess had returned to El Dante after being replaced by it, then it would be expected that her body would have been absent at the time of her death, making an empty grave a natural conclusion. I had no desire to desecrate the dead in such a manner. There were other ways to confirm my suspicions. Ferdinand paused for a moment before responding.

"My mother is at the family graveyard behind the Rondine Tower. Well, since it is restricted to family members, outsiders cannot enter… I appreciate your thoughts regardless."

"Oh, I suppose that makes sense. I keep forgetting Leo is a noble. The Rondine Tower is where the Ertinez family resides, so the graveyard must be nearby. Does the Count visit often?"

"He goes almost every day."

There was something strangely hollow about that statement. If the Countess, Veronica, was indeed in that state and scattered by the Count, it would mean that the grave was empty. The Count of Ertinez visits the empty grave covered by soil every day, knowing full well about the void beneath the earth.

"I would dare to speculate that he brings a bouquet of lilies with him, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he brings lilies. Even when it's not the season for them, there are always white flowers in the garden. They all symbolize mourning."

Some empty spaces remain as eternal voids instead of healing naturally with time or being filled by someone else. Thinking about that, it feels like a heavy footprint cast by love in life. Footprints appear in the place where a foot has stepped and then departed.

We meet, we part, and we repeat this cycle. Each time, we tread over each other, leaving a different imprint than when we first stepped into the world, and then we all leave.

Well… thanks to that, I can roughly guess the Count's movements. He must visit the garden at least once a day and head toward the courtyard of Rondine Tower. I feel like I've gained an answer for when I need to read the Count's emotions or when a suitable stage-like encounter is needed.

As I tapped the table to organize my thoughts, I noticed Ferdinand's expression softening a bit. Instead of his usual soldier-like demeanour, he wore a lighter smile more fitting for his age. He hesitated before revealing his feelings.

"It's nice to talk about my mother after such a long time."

"Since the Count loves her so much, doesn't he reflect on her often?"

"When it comes up, I can see my father's sadness… Moreover, whenever Leonardo brings up my mother, he tends to overreact, which has made it taboo to mention her since the funeral."

Ferdinand finally pushed aside his empty plate and looked straight at me.

"But since you arrived, I feel like something is changing, Isaac. Starting with Leonardo… many things have changed."

"Should I take that as a positive change?"

"Of course."

I was relieved to have gained Ferdinand's goodwill. It wasn't just the affection given by being the younger brother's friend. Over two days of good meals and meaningful conversations, I had expected to earn some points. His soft demeanour made me laugh; it reminded me so much of Leonardo.

I know they aren't true siblings. However, the expressions and atmosphere created by the face and body of 'Leonardo Ertinez' really resembled Ferdinand now. Ferdinand peered at me with his characteristic relaxed face before speaking.

"It's nice to see you smile."

"Well, the way you say it makes it sound like I usually walk around with a sad face. Since this is Leonardo's hometown, I thought I should show myself well, so I've been smiling brightly!"

"Oh, that's not what I meant. It's just that your smile seems different somehow. I apologize; I don't really know how to explain it. I'm not very well-versed in literary skills."

Ferdinand seemed to be deep in thought, lowering his gaze slightly.

"Leonardo would express this better, but, hmm… if I were to use an analogy, it would be cute—Crash!— similar to Celestina's smile when she found something… huh? What's going on, Leonardo?"

Suddenly, a loud noise interrupted, and someone dashed into the dining room. Leonardo's cerulean hair was tousled like a wild mane, covering his forehead. He took a rough breath and quickly brushed his hair aside before coming over to collect the plates from the table.

"…I was just about to wash the dishes and remembered the plates I left behind."

He had gone out on the pretense of tending to the garden, yet now he was talking about washing dishes. Instead of finding this sudden intrusion odd, Ferdinand was impressed.

"Do you really do the washing yourself? Wow, you're like a completely different person. How on earth did you manage that, Isaac?"

"Me? Well, actually, it was under duress… Just kidding. Since we live together, it's only natural. We take turns with cooking and cleaning. Honestly, I prefer it when all three of us do it together every time instead of assigning roles."

"Hmm. In that case, if our family is to grow closer again… should we take care of things ourselves instead of relying entirely on cooks or servants?"

"Isn't that a bit difficult? I can't even estimate the scale of the household chores."

What kind of thought process leads someone to believe that the key to a harmonious family lies in domestic work?

As I entertained Ferdinand's silly remark, I noticed Leonardo, who had been hesitating while following our conversation across the dining table, quietly retreat as if nothing had happened. I blinked, staring at the spot where Leonardo had just been, and decided to brush off what had just occurred. 

He can be so peculiar at times…

Anyway, it's amusing.