Chapter 5
“The ‘comrades’ that Eisenhud speaks of are those who walk side by side with us,”
Artesia told me as we sat in the garden, bathed in the dappled sunlight.
“There are no racial or hierarchical distinctions among them. Neither distance nor time matters. ‘Share everything with your comrades, and know their joys and sorrows, their enemies as your own’ – this is the family precept of Eisenhud that we have sworn to uphold. We laugh together, rejoice together, rage together, weep together, grieve together…living through the same time as those we call ‘comrades.'”
Having heard about Eisenhud’s history before and living in the mansion for four years now, I understood the circumstances surrounding Artesia –
including, of course, how the demihumans who called her the “Great Sinner” and despised her.
Yet whenever she spoke of Eisenhud’s history, Artesia would smile happily, her expression beaming with pride at being born into that lineage.
“Well…though it was I who broke the ‘Iron Blood Oath’ I had sworn with them.”
Its name is derived from the unique magic spell of the first head of the clan, “Ironblood”.
The name derives from the first head’s unique magic, the “Iron Blood” art of controlling the flow of one’s own or others’ blood.
But others scoffed, calling it “an inferior ability unworthy of being called magic.”
Still, the first head paid no heed to their taunts, deepening his understanding until, as an unnamed soldier, he single-handedly turned the tide of a battle thought to be lost.
From achieving merit by wielding supernatural abilities during the Crown Prince’s first battle campaign and saving the lives of the Crown Prince and many soldiers on the battlefield, the first head of the family was granted the family name “Eisenfood” and a noble title.
There’s an incredibly foolish action and story that’s essential when talking about the first head’s achievements.
“This death is meaningless and foolish. I’ll just go talk to them.”
Entering the enemy camp alone, without harming friend or foe, he later brokered a peace through dialogue.
“The first head gathered all the blood spilled on the battlefield with his magic, invaded the enemy camp, and said: ‘This many have died in this battle. Nobody gains happiness like this, so let’s resolve it through talk.’ He summarized their demands, shielded by the crown prince he had saved, and forced the emperor into negotiations to secure peace.”
Artesia had once cheerfully recounted this tale of the first head,
more like an excited young girl enraptured by a heroic legend than the head of a noble house.
Such was her pride and love for the Eisenhud lineage.
Yet her own decision as head had driven the demihumans away.
So she spoke with self-deprecating words…
“Artesia-sama, you have upheld the ‘Iron Blood Oath’ to this day, have you not?”
I remember her looking surprisingly taken aback at my words back then.
Around that time, I was helping with organizing documents and some work,
as Artesia had become bedridden and unable to even leave the mansion grounds.
While sorting through the paperwork, I had accidentally discovered the contents written in her diary.
“So please, do not speak of denigrating yourself like that.”
“My, reading someone’s diary without permission…you really have grown into a misbehaved child.”
“My apologies. I thought it was necessary for work and read through it.”
“Then you should have stopped in the middle once you realized. I had carefully hidden it, yet you bring up matters from three hundred years ago…that’s just unfair.”
Puffing out her cheeks, Artesia looked every bit the young girl her age implied.
“As punishment, you will serve me extra tea and the pudding you made for dessert tonight.”
“But Artesia-sama, you had pudding just yesterday.”
“But it’s so delicious that I want to eat it every day.”
“Eating too many sweets will make you put on weight.”
“My physical age is stopped, so my body won’t change. And all food gets converted to magic power anyway, as I’ve explained many times.”
“…Understood. It was my fault, so I will prepare it.”
“Hmph, you should have just said so from the start.”
Artesia puffed out her chest triumphantly with that smug smile.
I so enjoyed those casual interactions and conversations with her.
I truly wished those times could last forever.
Perhaps sensing my feelings a little, Artesia said:
“I was not belittling myself, Kurtz.”
A faint smile played on her lips as she continued,
“I don’t mind being resented by my former comrades. I don’t mind being reviled as the worst ‘Great Sinner’ who betrayed them. In fact, I want them to hate me.”
“…What do you mean?”
“In times of suffering and pain, having someone to direct that anger towards prevents it from becoming even more agonizing. Taking that role is the duty of those in charge, and even such negative emotions can help bind demihumans together and protect themselves.”
Indeed, after the incident, the demihumans became more united across their races.
Eisenhud had been a bridge between them, fostering interaction. After the “Demihuman Hunts,” they actively engaged with races they had previously feuded with, each growing into strong nations.
“Being resented also means…they still remember me.”
Artesia’s magic allowed her to live an almost eternal life.
So she had said many times that the moment she was erased from people’s memories would be when she truly “died.”
Surely at this point, she was aware her time was running short.
“Though it has been three hundred years, so most may have forgotten by now.”
“…No, that cannot be. Many demihuman races are long-lived compared to humans. They must still remember you and the ‘Iron Blood Oath,’ Artesia-sama.”
“I see. If they do remember me, I may cry tears of joy.”
But then Artesia smiled and said,
“I don’t mind being resented. I don’t mind if they forget the Oath and me. My sole wish for them now is…”
The wish she voiced then sounded like something a child would say.
Yet coming from an Eisenhud, it was a fitting sentiment
“I am truly blessed to be able to serve someone like you, Artesia-sama.”
With all my heart, I gave her those words.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
A fire broke out at the auction house owned by Viscount Sandor Ureki.
I received this information even before news agencies could report it.
“The source of the fire was reportedly the warehouse storing the auction items. From the intensity of the blaze, investigations conclude it was an intentional arson, not a natural occurrence.”
Fidel of the Jade household, who oversaw the investigation, reported this in a grim tone.
“What are your thoughts, Duke Ornament?”
Hearing the report, the middle-aged man – Zervis Ornament, Duke – stroked the crease between his brows.
“And your view on this, Lord Jade?”
“It appears Lord Sandor Ureki has gone missing, with the transaction ledgers also missing, suggesting he fled out of fear of reprisal for his misdeeds. He likely intends to lay low until the furore dies down, then attempt to reverse his punishment using these transaction records.”
“Find him and kill him.”
Zervis uttered this in a low, growling voice, and Fidel nodded impassively.
“The search is already underway. And what of Lord Baris’s punishment?”
“What is his current situation?”
“Lord Guilenzio Baris is currently detained under suspicion of arson. There are numerous testimonies from employees stating they heard him angrily confronting Viscount Ureki after the auction results, likely venting his outrage.”
“Hah…not only useless but foolishly implicated as well.”
“What are your orders?”
“Leave him in prison to cool his head until Sandor is found and convicted of arson. Warn him that any further outbursts will decide his fate.”
I had intended to pin all blame on Guilenzio from the start –
being the one who purchased the slave, subjecting her to depraved acts. Condemning him as the scapegoat would divert public attention before it could tarnish the Ornament duchy. But I never expected such incompetence that he could not even serve that purpose.
“And what of the elf?”
“One body was recovered from the burnt ruins. Crushed under collapsed debris, the remains were too disfigured to identify, but the stature, shackles found beneath…all indicate the elf perished in the fire.”
“It’s fortunate in an unfortunate way. It would have been ideal for that elf to die at the appropriate time… But since she became an unidentified corpse, her existence won’t be made public for now.”
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