Chapter 293 – Remembrance

“Thank you so much, Theodore-dono, and everyone else.”

“Please give our regards to Her Highness Stephania as well.”

“Understood. I will certainly convey them.”

The Knight Order Commander and the magician expressed their gratitude with deep bows.

“I truly wish we could welcome you with the entire territory’s hospitality,” said Lady Belinda with regret.

“We still have many matters to attend to over there… Well, I’m also curious about the hot springs of Mt. Tephra, so we’ll visit again when we have time.”

“Please do come. We shall prepare a proper welcoming feast then.”

“If it’s hot springs you seek, there are excellent spots in the mountains. I shall guide you,” offered Marquis Zilbolt with a smile.

“Yes, we’d love that.”

“If any problems arise, the shrine maidens can offer prayers to the Moon Goddess, and we’ll be able to detect it. Though going through Tephra works too,” Claudia added.

“Understood.”

Marquis Zilbolt nodded at Claudia’s words. Since they had given Tephra a communication device, they should be able to detect any abnormalities in the mountains.

“What about you, Tephra?”

“I shall wander the mountains for a while. After relaxing a bit, I’ll come visit you all.”

“Got it. Just contact us, and we’ll come pick you up at the ritual site.”

“Mm. Farewell for now.”

Tephra nodded contentedly and flew off toward the mountains.

“Well then—we should head back too.”

“Yes. We look forward to the theater invitation.”

After exchanging such farewells with Marquis Zilbolt, we returned to the ritual site via Claudia’s teleportation magic.

“—Welcome back.”

“Yeah, we’re home.”

Alfred and the others were drinking tea in the gazebo.

Old Sigmund glanced at Claudia for a moment, but since we had informed him that we would discuss matters with King Melvin present as well, he didn’t press for details.

Given that he only knew of teleportation magic as theoretical knowledge, he was probably curious about Claudia’s background. Her refined demeanor and the hints of high status she exuded made it understandable.

“My apologies for the delayed explanation.”

“Hmm. No matter. There are many matters regarding Silvatoria that require discretion, after all. Verdgar, too, being an ancient land, must have its share of complexities.”

Old Sigmund said this with a wry smile.

Now then. The dragon palanquin carrying Father and the others should arrive sometime tonight.

We need to finish what must be done before then. After seeing off Marquis Zilbolt, the next task is Marlene’s familiar contract.

“Marlene. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

When I called out to her, Marlene smiled, led the falcon over, and hurried closer with quick steps.

“Marie. The catalyst.”

“Right.”

She retrieved the ritual catalysts, silver plates, and other items from the magic bag.

We proceeded with the contract ceremony using the altar in the ritual site. Unlike when we summoned Lavigne, we knew from the start that the falcon, being a magical creature, was docile, so there was no need to construct a barrier. We filled a silver plate with water, reflecting the celestial map on the ceiling as we advanced the ritual.

“Marlene. Do you remember the steps?”

Marlene held the ritual rapier and nodded firmly. Standing across the altar from the falcon… she let a drop of blood fall into the water. Closing her eyes once, she took a deep breath, then gazed straight at the falcon as a clear chant spun from her lips.

“Here, I declare my name… and grant you a name, to forge an eternal covenant.”

The chant was slightly awkward, but the words were firm. Dipping her fingertips into the water mirror, Marlene continued the incantation.

“My name is Marlene Vulcadil Fobrester. Your name shall be… Eclair.”

The moment she spoke the name, the falcon—Eclair—let out a cry.

Hmm. It seems the contract was successfully formed.

Eclair flew around Marlene joyfully, then landed as if to greet her, bowing her head to Marlene.

“Well done, Marlene.”

When Claudia spoke with a gentle expression, Marlene turned toward her, beaming happily, and hugged Claudia.

“Nice to meet you, Eclair,” said Grace.

Eclair came before Grace and, like a gentleman placing a hand on his waist to bow, moved her wings in a bow.

She then hopped lightly from spot to spot, greeting each person present one by one. She came before me too and bowed. …She seems quite intelligent.

“Alright. Eclair has a proper name now… Shall we return to the gazebo and relax?”

As I collected the ritual tools, I suggested this to everyone, and they nodded, leaving the ritual site.

“Theodore-sama.”

Then, Ashley approached to speak.

“Hm? What is it?”

“Just now, I received a message from the butler via the communication device. I believe the content is something you should be informed of.”

I see. Let me take a look at Ashley’s communication device. It read:

『Lord Elliot’s fiancée is here. She wishes to accompany us—is that acceptable?』

…Ah. I see. That must be a matter from when the previous Baron Silun—Ashley’s father—was still alive… If Elliot was meant to be the heir, it wouldn’t be strange for him to have a fiancée.

“I haven’t been told much about Lord Elliot’s fiancée by the butler, and my own memories are vague… But if we’re to discuss the Barony of Silun, it’s something we cannot avoid.”

“Indeed. We can’t avoid talking about it.”

Given that Kennel referred to her as his fiancée in the present tense, it seems the person is still unmarried.

Since Elliot was presumed dead in a shipwreck, Kennel probably didn’t convey the details to Ashley. That was likely Kennel’s own form of consideration, but now that Elliot is alive, it’s not necessarily invalid.

“Elliot, do you have a moment?”

I informed him of the situation as well. When I told him that Kennel was asking to bring his fiancée along, he showed a slightly surprised reaction but quickly regained his composure and said,

“Then… could you please inform Kennel to bring her along?”

“Understood.”

I nodded. Ashley relayed that message to Kennel via the communication device.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me what kind of person she is?”

“…Well, her name is Camilla. She’s the daughter of a retired knight… Apparently, while my father was traveling within the territory, he was attacked by monsters in a nearby forest and was aided by Camilla’s father. As a token of gratitude, he invited them to a banquet, and during that event, they hit it off, leading to the arrangement of her becoming my fiancée.”

“I see…”

So she’s likely the daughter of a local notable? What happened after that… Elliot says he doesn’t know. If we had informed him about the communication device earlier, he might have contacted and confirmed with Kennel…

Of course, due to confidentiality, there were parts we couldn’t reveal until returning to Termwills.

“I’m acquainted with Camilla’s father as well. He grew disillusioned with the capital, retired from the knight order, and chose to seclude himself in the countryside… He doesn’t seem like the type to be obsessed with power,” Elliot added.

Hmm… Judging from Elliot’s assessment of her character… if we properly discuss matters with Camilla’s father, the barony situation should be manageable. They’re probably aware that Ashley has succeeded as the lord. In that case, it would be best to settle things clearly to prevent anyone from using her to stir up trouble.

Since it also involves Elliot’s future position, it will likely require discussions with King Melvin present as well.

“Then, I’ll inform His Majesty Melvin about this matter as well.”

“My apologies for the trouble.”

Saying this, Elliot bowed his head quietly.

“Are you acquainted with Miss Camilla as well?”

“Yes. We often played together when we were young. She’s two years older than me… To me, she felt more like an older sister than a fiancée… I see. So she hasn’t married… If I caused her any sadness, I feel truly sorry for that.”

I see. If she was older than Elliot, then from Camilla’s perspective, Elliot might not have been like a younger brother but recognized properly as a male fiancé.

Elliot didn’t return… and six years passed.

If that has left lingering effects, it explains why Ashley barely remembers Camilla and why Kennel never brought her up.

Because she would see Elliot’s resemblance in Ashley… Camilla probably wanted to keep her distance from the Silun baronial family.

…Yes. Since this stems from the King of Deathly Slumber, I too hope this matter can be settled where it ought to be.