Reconnaissance (9)
"H-he… heavy…"
Leonardo's knee, which had somehow made its way onto the bed, pressed down, causing the mattress to dip deeply under the added weight.
As I felt my body slowly tilt, I placed my hands on the shoulders of the oversized brute, trying to push him away. But instead of being pushed back, he slid down even closer, sticking to me tightly.
"I don't remember anything."
He murmured in a low voice. It wasn't new to hear that Leo would experience a blank in his consciousness whenever the original regained control of the body, but now he was repeating it like someone who had just realized the fact.
Then, as if examining me intently might help him recover the missing memory, he started scrutinizing me thoroughly, his gaze raking over me inch by inch. At this rate, he might just burn a hole in my face.
"What are you so worried about? I told you, nothing happened. Just move aside for now…"
But he didn't seem reassured, his gaze growing even more blatant. It was unnerving. Still, I didn't feel like running away or scolding him. Being trapped beneath him, I had no choice but to endure his gaze. Watching the unease on his face, driven by the blank spots in his memory, stirred a pang of sympathy in me.
Well, I get it. I remember how terrified I was when I first realized the world in this story could reset itself—against my will, erasing my memories completely. The sheer helplessness of it all. Thinking about that made me strangely generous, my heart softening. Resigned to whatever might come, I moved my body.
Instead of pushing against his shoulders, my hands slid to wrap around his neck. At that, Leonardo wavered slightly before slowly lowering himself. His hair and breath brushed against my nape, tickling me.
"It's okay. I'll tell you everything."
And so, I began to softly recount the details through
I told him how the original Leonardo had saved him from the trials of acting, how he'd successfully charmed Duke Marchez, and even explained how the original's playful antics had led to this oddly intimate position.
The more I spoke, the more I felt Leonardo's breathing, which had been restless against my neck, gradually calm.
Lying there, I absently ran my hand over the short, rough hairs at the back of his neck. My fingers travelled upward, twisting the longer strands around them, then untwisting them, over and over. Somehow, this rhythmic motion brought an unfamiliar sense of tranquility. So much so that I could have stayed like this forever, idling away without a care.
"…See? It's nothing, right?"
When Leonardo finally relaxed completely, I whispered with a smile. He raised his head and, now with a much gentler expression, nodded obediently.
I couldn't help but laugh when I noticed his usually tidy hair had become messier than usual after I'd played with it. He tilted his head quizzically but then smiled back at me, following suit.
Just then, Raul and Vittorio returned.
The flap of the tent entrance flew open, letting in a burst of cool morning air, as if their energy had rubbed off on it. They had been out fetching water again, but Raul's face was scrunched up like he'd swallowed something sour, while Vittorio kept a hawk-like eye on him, ready to pounce if he so much as looked like he might spill the bucket again.
Beyond them, the knights loitering outside were whistling awkwardly, making random comments about the weather, or staring pointedly into empty space in every direction but ours.
Ah. Perhaps we'd lingered too long, playing around while everyone else was busy.
Leonardo, of course, could afford to loaf around—he was a young lord, after all. But as for me, already feeling like an unnecessary addition to this group, I couldn't risk giving off the impression of slacking.
Quickly, I got to my feet. Seeing how Leonardo's shirt had gotten crumpled and ridden up while he was lying down, I brushed it off and straightened it neatly.
Later, I flashed a sheepish smile and cleared my throat to silently apologize. The knights, though clearly still uneasy, gave me awkward smiles in return. I could've sworn I heard faint murmuring from somewhere.
"See? I told you. There's no way the young count would come in first on a situation like that. Remember when they first brought him? Didn't the second young master burn down an inn to get him? Who knows what kind of stunt he'll pull this time…"
It wasn't entirely clear what they were saying.
"We should reach the Vernis Mountains around noon two days from now," someone said.
While we had stopped briefly for a meal, the leaders of each group gathered around a map spread across a rock, calculating the distance. They all seemed to agree on the timeline.
Lopez, who had acted as bait the day before, kept stealing glances at the fake duke. The fake duke, growing irritated by the obvious scrutiny, scowled in annoyance. Meanwhile, the real Duke Marchez, standing a step back, briefly glanced at Leonardo before fixing an inscrutable gaze on Lopez.
In short, Leonardo was the only one focused on studying the map intently. At his words, I turned my head slightly and looked toward the snow-capped mountains that had drawn closer. The snowy ridges, thin and winding as they extended into the distance, resembled the exposed bones of a dragon.
As the mountain path became steeper and frost began to coat the grass on some mornings, the approach to the Vernis Mountains felt more tangible with every step. This was a stage unlike the ones before—a stage where the role of King Godric was likely to take centre stage.
Knowing now that the original manuscript and Leovald's body were in my possession, there was no way they would let me pass without resistance.
I clenched my fingers against the biting winter wind, but Leonardo quickly covered them with his broad hand, sharing his warmth. Though a persistent unease lingered in the corner of my mind, knowing that Act 3 would be harsher than any before, his warmth offered a small sense of solace. It was then that the fake duke made a suggestion.
"Don't you think the reason we made it safely to the Vernis Mountains is thanks to everyone here? Since this is a rare chance, how about we share a meal together?"
Lopez stammered his agreement. "S-sure, let's do that," he said, and Leonardo nodded in approval. The fake duke, turning to Lopez, added with a subtle smile:
"I'd like to buy some wine to serve everyone during dinner. Perhaps we could have a quick word?"
It wasn't hard to guess the fake duke's intentions.
'Ah. He's trying to probe Lopez about the masked man.'
After all, Lopez was currently the only real lead regarding the masked figure and their connection to him. Pretending to step away with Leonardo, I casually fiddled with my earlobe—a signal from long ago. Picking up on it immediately, Leonardo nodded and quietly followed behind the duke and Lopez, his presence as unobtrusive as a mynah bird, silently relaying the conversation back to me.
As expected, the fake Duke Marchez and his men began pressing Lopez. They demanded to know how he was acquainted with the masked man and if he had any clue about the mysterious figure's identity. The atmosphere seemed tense.
"I—I don't know anything," Lopez stammered, clearly flustered. "All I know is I received orders last night to go to the forest quietly. You were the one who followed me, Duke, and in the end, he wanted to meet you, not me. It all went according to his plan. We've all been played by that man!"
"Orders? Who is this man that he dares to give commands to someone like you, a count?"
"The man… th-that person…!" Lopez stammered, visibly panicked. "You've met him yourself, Duke, so you must understand! He's the kind of being who approaches quietly, offering to fulfill the deepest desires of those he encounters. He's the one who made me a count."
"What did you just say?"
"Clearly, you don't even comprehend the kind of person you've crossed paths with."
Well, well.
Lopez was suddenly spicing things up, pouring fuel on the fire. While it did help reinforce the image of the shadowy mastermind, I couldn't help but wonder why he was embellishing things so much. What had I even done to deserve this level of exaggeration?
It seemed the incident where I'd pretended to poison him with wine had left an indelible mark on his psyche, seeding deep-seated fear.
Now, as we approached the stage of Act 3, I couldn't help but wonder how far my immersion in the
Meanwhile, the real Duke Marchez appeared momentarily stunned by Lopez' impassioned outburst. After a brief silence, he finally spoke, his tone slow and deliberate.
"If I were to meet him again, how would I go about it? Is there any way to contact him first?"
At that, Lopez let out a shaky, nervous laugh, tinged with fear, and responded.
"You don't understand! He's not someone you can simply go looking for. If you truly desire it, he'll come to you. He's watching, always watching… even now, I'd wager."
Shockingly, Lopez wasn't wrong. This conversation was indeed reaching my ears, word for word.
Amused by his lucky guess, I let out a faint laugh. Meanwhile, Leonardo's voice murmured in my ear, reporting that Duke Marchez had sighed in exasperation, clearly dumbfounded by Lopez' dramatic claims.
Well, if it's come to this, I might as well grant their wish. This would be the perfect chance for a final performance before we entered the Vernis Mountains.
So, I went.
To the dinner where Lopez, Duke Marchez, and Leonardo were invited guests. The setting was extravagant—a large tent cleared out and fitted with a table, lavish food laid out in advance for the occasion. Uninvited though I was, I arrived first, settled in comfortably, and waved leisurely when the others arrived.
"Ah, right on time, everyone!"
The reactions were priceless. Lopez turned white as a sheet, trembling like a leaf, while the duke, clearly unprepared for this development, looked visibly stunned.
Only Leonardo seemed delighted by the new twist. Upon seeing me, dressed as the shadowy figure, his cheeks flushed slightly, as if genuinely pleased.
Anyone watching might think he was a puppy reuniting with its owner. Really, how does he look so excited instead of frozen stiff like a proper noble who's just encountered a suspicious figure cloaked in black?
'Hey, straighten up and look wary, will you?'
「Ah.」
When I scolded him in
That's more like it. While he might lack natural talent for other types of acting, when it came to exuding the stiff demeanour of a disciplined soldier, Leonardo never failed to deliver.
At last, all the necessary actors and props were in place.
"What are you all standing around for? The food's going to get cold. Come, have a seat," I said, spreading my arms wide as though I were the host of this dinner.
"Now, now, Your Grace, take a seat here. And you, over there. And our young master here as well."
The words were deliberate, subtly emphasizing that everyone in this tent had, in their own way, encountered me before.
Duke Marchez was the first to step forward and take a seat. Once he moved, Lopez hesitated for a moment before sitting down as well. Leonardo, on the other hand, feigned suspicion, dragging his feet slightly as he slowly made his way to his chair.
I clapped my hands, feeling quite satisfied with how everything was coming together.
"Shall we begin the meal?"