DTBTHS Chapter 16

Ariadne tilted her head in puzzlement, then gave her attention to the view outside the window. The raging blizzard was making the glass windows rumble.

"When will that blizzard stop?"

"Around when spring comes. Around then your aunt and cousin will return too."

The Countess and young Count would return.

Ariadne tensed reflexively.

'Erich Weaver...'

The reason the Archmage and the Weaver family were mentioned in the novel was mostly because of 'Erich Weaver.'

The heir of Weaver and the Archmage's top disciple. And one of the companions chosen by the protagonist.

As the protagonist repeated regressions, the companions he'd been with were also numerous.

Most had been trash who either betrayed him or became burdens to the protagonist, but there were a few who were genuinely skilled.

They were the core supporting characters of the novel.

'People who kept their wits and did their part in any situation.'

One of them was Erich Weaver. A genius mage acknowledged by protagonist Axel Valentine.

'He had a prickly personality. Frequently picked fights with the protagonist.'

Axel Valentine's personality wasn't particularly good either. Honestly speaking, it was close to trash.

An already poor personality that worsened progressively as he repeated regressions, was betrayed, and suffered all kinds of hardship.

So when Erich Weaver picked fights, he wouldn't leave it alone nicely. There was even a time he'd nearly killed him.

Of course, Erich Weaver—whose temper remained unchanged rather than being intimidated even when the protagonist thrust a knife into his belly—was also no ordinary person.

'He's skilled enough that even that Axel didn't kill him despite going right to the brink of it.'

Erich was also someone essential to her, who intended to change the novel's ending.

She absolutely had to become friendly with him. If becoming friendly was impossible, she at least had to gain his trust.

'...But how do I become friendly?'

Ariadne fell into serious contemplation. It seemed she'd have to go to the Phantom Library and review the content related to Erich Weaver.

When she grew quiet, the Margrave smiled and spoke.

"Don't worry. Everyone will welcome you."

"...Yes."

Though she answered obediently, she had no intention of being at ease.

Since her body had improved considerably, she needed to start moving now. Though the Margrave had promised to protect her, she felt uneasy about just sitting idle.

'Let's make the Elixir first. I should ask for materials.'

The Margrave, who had completed a circuit of the greenhouse, emerged outside. Ariadne was flustered that he didn't set her down even in the corridor.

"Please put me down now, Margrave."

"I'll take you to your room."

The servants who discovered the Margrave with a child on his shoulders widened their eyes. One servant dropped the vase they were carrying.

Ariadne felt somehow embarrassed and lowered her head completely.

"Here we are."

The Margrave set her down in front of her room door.

"Play moderately and rest well. You have to get permission from your physician for outings before we can go on a picnic in spring."

"Um, Margrave."

"Hm?"

"There's something I need—"

"My lord!"

Just as she was about to bring up the materials, the butler came rushing urgently. He was a dignified person who rarely ran, so it must be quite urgent business.

"What is it?"

The Margrave asked with puzzlement. The butler, who'd been about to answer immediately, discovered Ariadne and changed his words.

"...A guest has arrived."

"A guest? In this weather?"

The Margrave raised his eyebrows and turned to look at Ariadne.

"I'm sorry, Ariadne. I'll hear what you need a bit later."

"Yes."

She entered her room obediently, then leaned against the door and listened carefully.

The sounds of the butler and Margrave moving quickly could be heard. Low voices exchanged.

"There's no one who would come. Who came without notice?"

"El—"

The voices moved away rapidly so nothing more could be heard. But the first syllable alone was enough.

'Duke Eldier came? Already?'

Ariadne sank down in that spot and covered her mouth.

It was too fast compared to her expectations. She'd thought he would come at least after the weather warmed.

'...He didn't come in person. It must be a messenger.'

Her mind was relatively calm, but her body trembled. All the blood drained from her body.

'It's okay. It'll be okay.'

She barely suppressed the terror by recalling the contract.

The Margrave entered the reception room with a frighteningly hardened face.

"I greet you for the first time, Lord Weaver."

The person who had been seated stood and took her courtesy. She was a woman with a kind and favorable impression. She introduced herself politely.

"I am Belvaret Lyktus. I humbly occupy a position in the Golden Horn Knights."

She was a knight under Duke Eldier. The Margrave looked over the woman called Belvaret with an expressionless face.

"A Spirit Knight being so modest is excessive."

"To recognize it at a glance, you truly are the Shield of the North."

"The journey couldn't have been easy. What business brings you?"

"I heard many rumors about Weaver's blizzard, but it exceeded imagination. I truly thought we'd be stranded midway. If my lord hadn't pressed me, I would have come more leisurely."

Belvaret, who had made small talk, took out a letter.

"This is a letter Duke Eldier instructed me to deliver."

When the Margrave received the letter, she added with a smiling face.

"Of course, even if my lord hadn't pressed me, I would have come quickly wanting to see the young lady. I've only heard rumors that she's like a fairy, but I've never met the young lady directly."

The Margrave ignored her chatter and immediately took out and read the letter. The letter contained content he hadn't anticipated.

"...An escort knight?"

"Yes, my lord has entrusted me with the young lady's escort. Knights to assist me, exclusive maids who always served the young lady at Eldier, and the young lady's attending physician have also come together."

As he read the letter, the Margrave's expression grew increasingly menacing. Belvaret, unconcerned, spoke with a still-smiling face.

"Weaver wouldn't treat the young lady poorly, but our lord worries unnecessarily. He said to serve the young lady as if she were at home even while staying with her maternal family."

"That's not necessary."

The Margrave crumpled and threw down Duke Eldier's letter as he responded. Belvaret tilted her head with the same smiling face.

"I apologize, but my lord ordered me to stay by the young lady's side and serve her without fail. Where is the young lady?"

"She's resting comfortably. Go back and report to Duke Eldier that there's no need to worry."

"I cannot do that. Please allow me to see the young lady."

"That's not possible."

"How strange. Why are you trying to hide the young lady? Perhaps there's a reason you cannot show the young lady?"

Belvaret curved her eyes.

"Surely the noble Lord Weaver isn't confining his young niece."

"What ridiculous talk."

The Margrave wore a predatory smile.

"I said it's not necessary, so return."

Belvaret's expression became peculiar. She spoke quietly.

"This puts me in a difficult position, my lord. You might truly be misunderstood as confining the young lady."

"Final warning. Get out immediately."

"To chase away people a father sent to his daughter. Can you bear the consequences?"

"Father, you say. What father in this world does such things to his daughter?"

"Such things? What do you mean?"

Belvaret asked innocently. The Margrave smiled, baring his teeth.

"Go ask your lord. Duke Eldier will know very well what I mean."

"My lord, I—"

"Drag her out!"

The Margrave shouted toward the outside as if there was nothing more to hear. The guards who had been waiting rushed in en masse and seized Belvaret.

Instead of resisting, she only looked at him with a peculiar gaze.

"Please be careful, Lord Weaver."

Belvaret left those words and was dragged away.

The Margrave immediately summoned the knights.

Most had gone out on subjugation so few remained, but it was more than sufficient—overflowing power—to chase out those who came from Eldier.

"Escort those people courteously to outside the territory."

"With Weaver-style courtesy?"

"Yes."

"Understood."

The knight who grinned saluted.

Ariadne had entered the Phantom Library to forget her fear.

"Is it delicious?"

Pie nodded with their mouth stuffed full of cookies.

"I didn't know you'd like it this much. I'll bring them often from now on."

Pie's golden eyes looking at her sparkled brightly.

It had been impossible at Eldier, but here she could bring cookies as much as she wanted.

The snacks Lucy had brought were piled high in her room.

"Eat slowly."

Ariadne stroked the small child's head contentedly, then took out the original novel.

'Erich Weaver's first appearance scene should be around here... Ah, found it.'

She re-examined all the scenes where Erich Weaver appeared, searching for clues to become friendly with him. Once she focused on the book, the fear disappeared quickly.

Suddenly she raised her head at the tug on her hem.

"What?"

Pie was pulling at her skirt hem with a frightened expression.

"Ariadne, leave?"

"Hm?"

"Outside. Danger. Ariadne, leave. Must leave. Urgent."

The small child stamped their feet. Ariadne was flustered.

"Outside is dangerous? You can know the situation outside the Phantom Library too?"

"Don't know. Suddenly. Abruptly. Feeling, premonition, sense. Strange. Quickly. Quickly."

Pie, who'd become tearful, stood on tiptoe and covered her eyes with small hands.

"Pie?"

Her vision darkened, then her eyes snapped open.

She was lying on the bed exactly as she'd been before entering the Phantom Library.

'This—Pie forcibly expelled me, right?'

That child was capable of such things too.

Ariadne got up from her spot in bewilderment and examined her surroundings. Unlike Pie's urgent words, the dim bedroom was quiet.