While I was preparing a simple suitcase, the bandit maid and her servants crossed over from Rue's mansion. Seeing the maid smiling with satisfaction, it seemed they had done a great job in their interviews.
—We're leaving now.
—Have a good trip, Miss Daisy and Jean. Please, return quietly, without incidents, safe and with Mr. Rue. When did you say you'll return?
—After ten days.
—Okay. See you then.
After picking up her luggage, Jean whispered softly.
—Senior, I understand that the round trip only takes 90 hours. Can we find Mr. Rue in four days?
—We have to find him. Otherwise, we won't be able to fulfill our promise with Raphae... I mean, with Duke Zenail. The interrogation visit is scheduled soon.
Ah, the life of a maid was very busy and there was no time to rest. I urged the bandit maid.
—Take care of the Weatherwoods, bandit.
—Of course, head maid!
The sturdy bandit maid tapped her chest confidently and warned Jean with a playful wink.
—And you, butler, I won't lose against you either.
The door slammed shut and Jean, with a half-stunned look, turned to me for an explanation. She seemed quite surprised.
—I guess they see you as a rival.
—Why…?
—Perhaps because you're in similar situations.
We headed directly to the Midwinterre airfield. When we disembarked at the sparsely populated airfield, a man dressed entirely in black approached us from behind, as if it were natural. It was Andert.
—Our airfield… Airfield D, right?
Still, it felt unfamiliar to me, though it wasn't my first time here. When we passed through airfield C, a familiar face appeared. As if he were someone going on vacation, a blond man with elegant black sunglasses waved his hand vigorously at me.
—Miss Daisy! Long time no see! Hahaha, how have you been? You look better than before. How are the Viscount and Viscountess?
Perhaps it was because he had a cheerful personality, but he never showed himself uncomfortable every time I saw him.
—Both are healthy. The master is too busy, so I'll move in his place. He asked me to convey his gratitude to you. Meanwhile, I'll count on you.
—Please take care of me too, Miss Daisy. This person seems to be your companion... Hm, if my eyes don't deceive me, isn't this...?
Yeager, who lowered his sunglasses just below his nose, looked at Jean and me with an incredulous look.
—Jean... It's not Miss Jean Berkley-Gratten, right?
—That's right, she's my coworker. Jean? This is Mr. Yeager Panula, who will lead us to the Northern Continental Union.
—Coworker…?
—A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Panula. We already know each other, I'm glad you remember me. I'm Jean, the butler of the Weatherwoods family. I'll do my best not to be a burden.
—Butler…?
Although initially deeply confused, Yeager quickly regained his composure. Perhaps it was because he was the son of a newspaper president, but he was quick to catch situations. Well, the world was full of news, probably more surprising than the fact that Jean Berkley Gratten had become a butler in the Weatherwoods. With a small fake cough, he gave a slightly uncomfortable smile this time.
—Ehem. But as I mentioned before… I have an unexpected companion.
It was not surprising news because I had already heard it. No, rather it intensified my curiosity. Who could it be?
The next person who appeared was someone whose intentions could be understood even if he were buried 10 feet deep.
—Good morning, Miss Daisy Fager, Miss Jean. We may have met at the Noble Council meeting, but I'm not sure if you remember me. I am Viscount Desherro Contana.
He was Raphael's aide for a long time and my partner. For a moment I wondered if it was a dream, but immediately I understood the meaning of Desherro's presence. Raphael must have sent him! There was no other reason for the astute Desherro to be there. I narrowed my eyes and examined his face. Desherro, a master at hiding emotions, looked as tired as ever.
—I will accompany you on this trip. I hope it's a pleasant journey.
I shook Desherro's hand, feeling a sense of unease. In a low voice, the always suspicious Yeager whispered in my ear.
—I don't know how, but it seems that the news that I'm accompanying Miss Daisy on behalf of the Viscountess has reached Duke Raphael's ears. I hadn't informed anyone of this, so haha, eh...
With a clear look indicating he had heard everything, Desherro wore his perpetually tired smile.
—Duke Raphael knows everything that happens in the world.
—So, now you've come to spy on me. Isn't that it? A viscount?
—In times of prosperity, titles have no meaning, Miss Fager.
—Well, I guess that's true.
Seeing him like this made me feel a bit sorry for him. To think he still had to wander around the field after becoming a viscount. "He's here to keep a close eye on me." But if he thought that would make me lose my cool, he was wrong. I, Daisy, the maid, could walk my path without revealing my identity.
Meanwhile, I presented the two large pieces of luggage I brought with me to Desherro.
—I hope you also take care of them, Viscount Desherro.
Desherro, who had been looking at Andert suspiciously since before, let out a look with a strange look of surprise in his eyes.
—Gavroche? Is it you, Gavroche? How did you get here?
—I'll introduce them again. This is my coworker, the butler. And this is my little brother.
Perhaps embarrassed by my presentation, Andert clenched his teeth.
—Don't pay attention to her nonsense. We ended up traveling together by chance, Viscount Desherro. I'll stay quiet, so you don't have to bother with me.
—…Miss Fager, did you form a fraternal bond with Gavroche?
—No, just siblings.
Andert clenched his teeth again.
—No, we didn't.
Well, that was somewhat true. We didn't form any fraternal bond. We were simply siblings. I subtly pointed to the aircraft to tell Desherro to hurry and get on the ship.
—Nice to meet you, Viscount Desherro. Please call me Daisy from now on. Shall we board now?
With a firm handshake, I headed towards the aircraft. "Five people in a group. It's a stable number." I felt somewhat relieved thinking about the old days. It was a perfect day for an airship to take off. I couldn't help but wonder what Rue was doing there, having left me behind?
Somewhere in the Northern Continental Union. The man, Bernard, was walking hurriedly. As soon as he heard the news, he flew from the Kingdom of Astrosa to Calepa, the sacred sanctuary, fortress and main church of Rogue. At that moment, the sun had set and risen again, but Bernard couldn't blink for a second. The "culprit" of the news was always unpredictable, no matter the time. Really, as always!
—Calepa.
The people guarding the exterior of the sanctuary knelt in fear recognizing Bernard's face. However, Bernard didn't have time to respond to their greetings. He passed through the door that opened slowly and half walking, half running.
—Calepa. —Calepa.
The Yettes who were allowed to live on the outskirts of the fortress knelt in fear as they confronted him. Everywhere Bernard passed, a serene silence reigned. Thanks to those people, who politely bowed their heads as if praying to a god, another path had been created. A sanctuary with a dome-shaped roof, with white walls rising here and there. A river that stretched like blood vessels between them. Large birch leaves swayed in the south wind and sand rolled on the ground... The harmony of white and blue signaled the peace outside the fortress.
How could there be so much silence when the main culprit of that news had returned? "You've jumped the wall again without making a sound." Now he was so familiar with this that his tongue didn't even dry out as before.
After crossing the exterior, Bernard entered the lowest peak of those surrounding it. Upon entering the cold cave, a long vine appeared that stretched towards the sky. Without resting, Bernard climbed the stairs formed by the thick vines. Even after crossing the light that illuminated the darkness, the same happened when he reached the top of the peak. Stairs stretched towards the sky. The spiral staircase formed by two giant vines existed to reach a single place.
This place, which from a distance would look like a giant tree covered in clouds, was The Land of God. Calepa. A sanctuary that would never exist on this earth again. When Bernard reached the end of the stairs, a huge door appeared in front of him. As if allowing his visit, the door opened slowly with a heavy sound.
A man with silver hair, so beautiful that he could dazzle, was standing in the middle of this paradise.
—Urd.
Bernard approached the man, Urd, with light steps. Although Bernard couldn't hide his joy, Urd's gaze behind the glasses remained cold.
—Master Calepa didn't even call you, but you came crawling.
He gave a slight smile and walked forward without paying much attention. Bernard was left baffled. "How can you talk like that without listening to what I have to say?"
—You, who only fight outside and don't take care of the sanctuary, don't deserve any kind words.
—Your role is to take care of the sanctuary.
—It's your duty too.
Urd was right. The three leaders of Rogue, the Calepas, had the responsibility of managing the sanctuary, Calepa. However, the other two had been outside for a long time, so Urd had been bearing that role alone.
—Has there been any news of Skuld?
The three Calepas of Rogue. Secretary Urd. Commander Bernard. Leader Skuld. And the great demigod who watched over them, Lord Calepa. Among them, Skuld departed for the southern continent to find the artifacts of Dian Cecht about four years ago. By now they should have heard that he had recovered at least a pair of them, but it was strange that there was so much silence.
—You know as much as I do.
That meant there was still no news today.
—Well, it's okay. But why did Lord Calepa suddenly return? I was sure we wouldn't see him again for a few years.
—Don't get excited like a child. Have we ever dared to question his will? If you're curious, shut up and follow the story.