Everyone stared straight at me.
I touched my face and spoke.
“Offense.”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t sleep much at night, right? Being an assassin and all.”
“I usually work during the day, so I sleep plenty at night.”
“Good. I’ll leave it to you.”
“Are you even listening to me?”
I sighed heavily and continued.
“Watch Ophelia for me.”At that, everyone’s faces stiffened.
Led by Serein, they asked.
“Watch her? Did she do something wrong?”
“She didn’t seem like the type.”
“Shouldn’t we tell Miss Pheasant about this too?”
“Everyone quiet. Mide can’t talk.”
That last bit from Neril was a bit comforting.
I looked at Adwin, the only silent one in the party.
He nodded slowly, as if he understood something.
‘Ah. Right.’
Someone who sees souls wouldn’t fail to tell the living from the dead.
I let out a deep sigh.
“Huh?”
“It’s like… wearing clothes a size too small.”
“She gained weight?”
“I didn’t think you’d take it literally…”
Uncomfortable clothes?
If a soul was wearing its body like clothes, did that mean Ophelia felt uncomfortable in her own body?
Just what had Idria done to her?
Soon we arrived at the count’s mansion.
Count Acaine was overjoyed, as though his own daughter had come back to life.
No matter her credentials as a former high-ranking knight, this wasn’t about calculation—he was genuinely happy.
“Haha! Today is truly wonderful. To have you return like this!”
“I’m sorry for all the worry I caused.”
“Yes, you caused plenty. So where have you been all this time?”
Ophelia faltered, unable to answer.
David gently shielded her and spoke.
“She says she remembers nothing.”
“So you already asked her, huh. Well, I suppose that makes sense.”
“Yes. No need to rush. Maybe her memory will return if she rests here for a while.”
He then turned and looked at Ophelia.
“Well, I don’t really care if she remembers or not.”
“Mr. David.”
“You just need to remember me. That’s all that matters.”
They unconsciously held hands.
But then they remembered they weren’t alone and quickly pulled apart.
That’s when Neril spoke up.
“But Count, shouldn’t we continue our earlier conversation?”
“Ahem. There’s nothing more to say. My mind hasn’t changed.”
“It’s a good day. Can’t we just let it go?”
“I still believe Sir Kaeld is the true Hero. I won’t tolerate insults against him.”
“…”
“But since Vice Captain Xenia here is connected to you all, I’ll at least not drive you out immediately. Xenia, spend time with Ophelia if you like. That’s all I have to say.”
It was clearly a dismissal.
We exchanged glances.
Then—
“Ugh!”
Ophelia suddenly clutched her head.
Her pupils shook wildly, like they might pop out.
Her lips trembled, face pale.
“Ophelia? Ophelia, what’s wrong?!”
“S-sorry. Suddenly my head hurts…”
“That’s not just an ordinary headache.”
I narrowed my eyes and watched her.
Xenia rushed over.
“Ophelia, calm down. Take my hand.”
“Xenia.”
“O Heavenly God, we call upon your merciful touch…”
Xenia prayed seriously, unlike her usual demeanor.
Neril asked Serein.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m watching.”
“Aren’t you a priest? Shouldn’t you help someone having a fit?”
“What do you expect from someone quitting the priesthood? Besides, I’m observing because something feels off.”
“Off how?”
“Healing magic doesn’t seem to be working. I’m sure Xenia has noticed too.”
Xenia finished her prayer.
As Serein said, her face darkened slightly.
“Something’s weird. Maybe the gods are in bad shape today.”
“You’re the same as ever.”
“Wait. Let me try again.”
“No, it’s okay now. By the way, your divine power really grew, huh?”
Ophelia gently patted Xenia’s shoulder.
Though Xenia tilted her head in confusion, she seemed willing to let it go for now.
David apparently took the small incident as just a reaction to the shock of her lost memories.
Or perhaps he simply wanted to think that.
“R-Right. Ophelia.”
“Yes?”
“You know the festival in our territory is coming up soon, right?”
“Oh… around this time, if I recall…”
“Yes. The Harvest Festival. It’s the season, after all, so it’ll be held soon. Preparations are already underway. Why don’t you join me?”
Ophelia’s cheeks flushed pink.
“Aren’t you busy, Mr. David? Don’t you have to study to inherit the estate?”
“My father will understand. Right, Father? Thank you.”
Count Acaine let out a dry chuckle and nodded.
“Fine, fine. You’re supposed to be greeting the local lords around this time, but I’ll handle that in your place.”
“Thank you very much.”
I thought for a moment before speaking up.
“Count.”
“What now? I already said I’ve got nothing more to say…”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what?”
I shrugged.
“Do you have any vacant rooms in this mansion?”
One way or another, we managed to get a spare room from the count and soon gathered together.
All of us, except for Offense.
He was hiding in the shadows, keeping an eye on Ophelia.
I told Xenia that something about Ophelia was… off.
Leaving out the part about the blood script made the reasoning feel thin, but without a moment’s hesitation, Xenia asked:
“What should I do?”
“You believe me?”
“I felt something strange when I tried healing her. Even without that, I’d still believe anything you say, Mr. Mide.”
She said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Lisel spoke up.
“Um, aren’t you being too calm about this? We’re talking about something being wrong with your old friend.”
“Something similar happened in the capital too.”
“…?”
“I had no idea how we’d get through it at that time, either, but Mr. Mide solved it so easily. Since then, I just feel like… if he’s around, things will work out somehow.”
Xenia said this with a soft smile as she looked at me.
I scratched my head.
That’s when Adwin spoke.
“What exactly are you suspicious of, big bro?”
“The cause of Ophelia’s disappearance. I think it was Idria.”
Everyone’s expression changed.
I continued.
“I don’t have solid evidence—just a gut feeling.”
“To me, that sounds like decisive proof.”
“Hmm… Anyway, we’ve got no information, so for now, we wait. Let’s hope Offense finds some clue.”
Everyone nodded.
But unfortunately, the next morning, Offense returned empty-handed.
He woke us and said:
“You all slept so peacefully it pissed me off.”
“Sorry. I held out ‘til 11 just for you.”
“That sounds like you slept well.”
“So, nothing happened?”
Offense crawled back into bed and said:
“Ophelia just slept like she’d fainted. And now I’m gonna faint myself.”
“Alright. We’ll keep watch during the day. Get some proper rest.”
“You’re planning to dump night watch on me again, huh.”
“Want to switch? Honestly, we’re perfectly capable of watching someone like Ophelia.”
“No thanks. My rhythm’s already flipped. Just make sure I don’t fall over from staying up.”
With that, Offense fell asleep.
And for the next two days, we took shifts watching Ophelia.
I kept checking her blood script and that of those around her whenever I could, using the Eye of Omniscience to try and uncover hidden truths.
Night of the second day.
I lay down after switching shifts with Neril.
Nothing noteworthy had turned up.
I really do need to see the secret between Idria and Ophelia.
The damn grade restriction is the problem.
[Well, just one more task and your level will go up. Once you hit A-rank, you should be able to see most things. Just hang in there a little longer.]
‘Will I be able to see your secrets then?’
[Uh, hmm. Not sure? I mean, do I even have blood script?]
‘Of course not. You’re a soul—’
Suddenly, I shot up in bed.
[W-What? What is it?]
‘Just watch for a moment.’
I went to Adwin’s room.
Knock knock.
No reply. Seemed like he was asleep.
Sorry, but the situation called for it. I opened the door and stepped inside.
The little guy was half-falling off the bed.
“Heh. Are you trying to push me off a cliff? Such fleeting hopes.”
Seriously, though—he really looked like he was about to fall.
Sure enough, he flopped around and dropped to the floor.
Thud.
I caught him just in time.
Adwin blinked his eyes open, looking confused.
“Did you push me off a cliff, big bro?”
“Wake up.”
“Ah, okay. I’m awake now. But what’s up in the middle of the night?”
“Got a question. You can see people’s souls, right?”
Adwin gave me a look like, “What are you on about now?”
“Yeah. I can.”
“And you can show them to others too, right?”
“Uh? Huh?”
“You can. Think back to the necromancy your mother taught you.”
This was something he’d told me before the regression.
It was a spell that never saw practical use in Kaeld’s party, only ever mentioned in passing.
But now, it might be extremely useful.
Adwin seemed to recall something and nodded.
“My mom taught me something like that… Wait, how do you even know that?”
“Cast that spell on me.”
“Uh, sure, if you want…”
Adwin closed his eyes.
His sleeve puffed up slightly, and a white light shimmered around him.
A few moments later…
I could see Adwin’s soul.
A small, compact, and gentle blue glow which was pure and fitting for his stature.
Adwin looked at me with curiosity.
“You can’t see your own soul with this spell. I’ve never seen mine. What does it look like?”
“Just like you.”
“…Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“Anyway, thanks. I’m off. Sleep well!”
“I’m wide awake now, though!”
I dashed out of the room.
This time, I ran toward Ophelia’s room.
The door was locked, but I picked it easily and slipped in.
I silently looked at sleeping Ophelia.
Or more accurately, at her soul.
‘As I thought.’
Maybe…
Just maybe, there’s a chance.
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