Chapter 113 – At the Northern Tower

“Mmm…”

I woke to the sensation of something lightly stroking my forehead.

When I cracked my eyes open, I saw Seraphina peering down at me upside down, gently stroking my head with her small palm. It tickled.

“——Good morning.”

When I gave my morning greeting, she giggled happily and flew around the room.

“Food’s ready. I’m going to wake everyone up,” she said before heading to the door. With a slight wave of Seraphina’s finger, the door opened on its own, and she slipped out through the gap.

…I suppose that’s to be expected from a Brownie.

As with the door earlier, she could move objects within the house without touching them. For instance, a broom would move on its own and clean without being touched while Seraphina watched over it.

As a result, everyone’s household chores and burdens had decreased considerably. We’d wake up to find the cleaning already done, for example. She’d finish the housework while the household was asleep—a very fairy-like thing to do.

Well, even so, household chores were still taken in turns. Meal preparation was one of them, for instance. Grace and the others were sleeping nearby. Today’s turn was Sheila and Irmhild.

I let out a yawn and tried to sit up, but Grace’s hand was resting on my chest.

Grace and Marlene were next to me, with Ashley on the other side of Marlene.

Ashley slept nestled close to Marlene, giving off the impression of sisters who got along well.

Their sleeping faces—seeing them again like this was a highly destructive sight. They weren’t in their usual clothes or their labyrinth exploration equipment. Their defenseless forms clad in nightwear were rather stimulating, to say the least.

“Grace.”

Just as Seraphina had done to me, I lightly touched her pure white forehead with my fingertip. When her bangs brushed against my finger, her hair felt soft and glossy. It flowed through my fingers as if spilling out.

“Mmm, good morning…”

Grace opened her eyes slightly and smiled.

“Good morning.”

Grace’s hand gently stroked my cheek before pulling away. I lightly ran my fingers through Ashley and Marlene’s soft hair as well, combing it with my fingers.

“…Theodore-sama… that tickles.”

Noticing this, Ashley giggled happily. Marlene also opened her eyes, smiling as if tickled, and squirmed.

Marlene, as if in retaliation, started tickling my sides. Seeing this, Grace and Ashley found it amusing and joined in.

“Hey, wait. Three against one is…”

I tried to protest, but they exchanged glances, flashed mischievous smiles, and teamed up against me. We tussled in the futon for a while. The sound of their cheerful voices echoed through the bedroom.

“Ah… good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

After changing clothes, we headed downstairs. Sheila, Irmhild, and Seraphina were bringing breakfast to the dining table.

Thanks to rolling around in the futon with the three of them, I was wide awake this morning. There was no way I could still be sleepy. It had been a rather stimulating morning in various ways.

Lately, I’ve been struggling with mornings. That’s because I’ve been deciphering the codes in Mother’s notebook at night.

Because of that, Grace insisted she couldn’t go to bed before me and would make tea for me. Ashley and Marlene also worked hard on their independent magical power control practice. We’ve all been staying up later together more often than before.

While working on deciphering the codes together like that during our late nights is somewhat enjoyable, in its own way.

As for the codes themselves—I’ve managed to grasp a lead.

It seems that what appears to be a diary written by Mother is actually the codebook, and from there, it seems possible to decipher the ciphers, or so it seems.

That’s because I noticed discrepancies between the diary entries and my memories… or rather, things written that differ from reality.

Mother and Grace would celebrate my birthday with me every year… but completely different things were written on those dates. That became the hint.

By cross-referencing the dates in the notebook, converting the diary’s characters into numbers, matching those numbers to letters, and so on, I’ve been racking my brains trying to figure it out. The rules for cipher conversion seem to change depending on the date, so it’s not something that can be solved immediately, but I’m enjoying the process nonetheless.

At the very least, I’ve determined that the recipe for the menu, when the cipher is converted, turns out to be a recipe for mixing chemicals. I hope to decipher the magic incantations in a similar manner.

“Irm, how have your mornings been lately?”

I asked indirectly if she was cold, and she nodded.

“Thanks to the magic tools, I’m doing quite well. Thank you, Theodore-kun.”

“The cold should ease up a bit more soon,” Sheila said.

Spring, huh. Since land routes were closed during winter, it seems that come spring, there’s a sudden influx of people coming and going. Those entering Termwills. Those leaving. All sorts.

Well then. With everyone gathered and ready, it was time for breakfast.

Lavigne maintained an immovable stance before the poultry meat until we started our meal. In this regard, she’s very wolf-like, strictly adhering to hierarchy.

“Today—Ashley and Sheila have plans, right?”

“That’s correct. We’re scheduled to accompany Ophelia-sama.”

Ashley had a lecture at Peresford Academy. Sheila apparently had a payment to make at the Thieves Guild.

“I think I’ll stop by the orphanage too.”

“In that case, why don’t you go with Sheila?”

When I said that, Sheila nodded. Their plans were set, then. Ashley and Lavigne. Sheila and Irmhild. If they moved in groups of multiple members, it would put me at ease.

But that meant—with fewer members, today’s labyrinth exploration would be a day off.

“I have some business at the royal castle. It seems there’s been some progress, and I’ve been asked to stop by when I have time.”

At the Northern Tower, that is. Rosemary would talk if I were the one visiting. Otherwise, it seems she won’t seriously proceed with deciphering the ancient documents themselves… or so I’ve heard.

Well, it should be a good opportunity to hear what she has to say.

“Understood. What about you, Marlene-sama? Will you keep me company here?”

At Grace’s words, Marlene nodded. Naturally, Seraphina would be with them too.

“Don’t forget to take your magic communicator with you. If anything happens, contact us.”

When I said that, they nodded. Magic communicators for all the household members have been completed.

They’re like a prototype server-type model, allowing mutual communication within the party via the communicator I carry. For our purposes, this should be sufficient for now.

——Since there’s no need to head out too early.

We decided to have lunch, take a short break, and then head to the royal castle. Leaving the house, I blew the dragon flute toward the sky at the entrance, and from the direction of the royal castle, the Lindwurm heard it, escaped the stables, and flew straight toward us. Thanks to that, traveling to and from the royal castle is incredibly easy.

“Well then, I’ll be off for a bit.”

“Yes. Take care.”

I waved slightly to Grace, Marlene, and Seraphina, who had come to see me off, and soared into the sky. As we accelerated rapidly, the Lindwurm carried me to the royal castle’s square in no time. For the Lindwurm, it might feel a bit unsatisfying. Well, we’ll go for a longer ride eventually.

“Oh. Sir Chester.”

“Ah, Ambassador. Taking a break from labyrinth exploration today?”

He must be taking a break from labyrinth exploration too, I suppose.

Chester was in the square, sitting in the sun and apparently watching the soldiers train.

“Yes. Today—I have business at the Northern Tower.”

When I said that, Chester’s expression twitched slightly.

“You have business with Rosemary-sama?”

“Yes. Would you care to join me, Sir Chester?”

Rosemary is supposedly convalescing and generally shouldn’t be receiving visitors. I thought if he came with me, he could at least have a conversation.

“Is that alright with you?”

“Yes, if it’s acceptable to you, Sir Chester.”

“In that case… I would appreciate it if you allowed me to accompany you for a brief visit.”

“Those without permission are not permitted to pass, by order of His Majesty.”

“That’s why I’m asking. How does one obtain that permission?”

“That—I cannot answer.”

When we headed toward the Northern Tower, there were people arguing at the entrance.

“His Highness Helfried…”

Chester murmured. It was the Third Prince, Helfried.

“Sir Chester… and—you, is it?”

Perhaps Prince Helfried heard Chester’s voice, as he turned around and ruffled his hair.

Even so, he didn’t seem to have lost his composure as much as before.

The last time we met was apparently right after he returned. Since Rosemary’s faction had split, I heard from Alfred that he seemed confused and went to see the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.

I asked for his assessment of the prince, but Alfred himself hadn’t interacted with him much directly, so he didn’t know him well.

Compared to the other princes and princesses, he apparently doesn’t stand out much. His evaluation within the royal palace is similar, it seems. Perhaps one would expect more, given that he’s Rosemary’s brother.

Hmm. His antipathy toward magicians… could it surprisingly be influenced by his sister’s disguised actions and statements?

“…You came to see my elder sister?”

“That would be correct.”

Since lying would be pointless, I answered honestly. With a little investigation, it would become apparent that I’m one of the few permitted to enter and leave the Northern Tower.

“If you have something to discuss, would you care to come along?”

When I asked that, Prince Helfried widened his eyes in surprise.

That’s quite an unexpected reaction. Perhaps he never imagined I’d offer.

For Helfried, Theoreme Castle is his family home. I can understand why my presence here might confuse him. So, I don’t hold as much hostility toward Helfried as he might think.

As for accompanying us—I doubt Rosemary would let anything slip about matters that shouldn’t become public, even with Chester or Helfried present.

“It’s fine, isn’t it?”

“If the Ambassador is accompanying and present, permission is granted. However, please be aware that anyone who enters the Northern Tower must be reported to His Majesty Melvin, regardless of who they are.”

When I asked the guard, that was the response I got. The fact that permission is granted if I’m together with them suggests that King Melvin likely holds similar opinions regarding Rosemary as I do.

“Why… you…? No, but…”

Helfried seemed hesitant, but eventually nodded.

He followed quietly behind Chester and me, slightly bowing his head. Well then. I wonder what we’ll hear from Rosemary.