Chapter 154

The time when Ardis was attacking the headquarters . In one corner of the noble’s residency area, Minerva was just before heading to sleep in the Nyrestia residency .

「Here, Rona . It’s cold there right? Let’s sleep together . 」

「Wafuu」

Minerva reached her hands out on the luxurious looking bed with a canopy, though the golden beast only replied her and didn’t move .

Although Rona was entrusted to Minerva by Ardis, he really didn’t look anything other than a ferocious beast . Because all the other servants of the duke residency were afraid of him and never approached, in the end, Minerva had to take care of him alone .

Though of course, Minerva herself was more than happy to . After all, she wasn’t afraid of Rona, rather, Rona is more like a fluffy stuffed animal that is also her teacher’s companion .

She had been arranging meals and sweets for him, and even brushed his fur gently, it was a top-notch treatment . And for the few nights, Minerva had brought Rona into her room, and slept in the same room .

Minerva would want to feel his fur in the bed to sleep but the golden beast would never reply to her invitation . Rona would curl up beside the bed every night, he was like a knight that protected Minerva as he kept looking at the entrance and the window . That made her recall the attack few days ago .

A group of masked individuals that appeared during the training with Ardis . Though it was obvious that Ardis had fend them off, it didn’t mean that she is completely safe now .

Regarding that, her father, Duke Nyrestria didn’t reveal anything about it, which only made Minerva more anxious .

「I was kept out even though I’m the one they targeted…… . It’s the usual but, it really doesn’t feel well . 」

「Wan? 」

Minerva sighed, and Rona raised his head and looked at her in worry .

「It’s nothing, Rona . 」

The reason why she would say something that she wouldn’t normally, is probably because Rona was there to listen .

Though it’s a beast that wouldn’t speak . Even if Rona is a smart beast that can understand what people say, it’s not like he had the answers to a noble lady’s problems .

She would feel better even if she just speaks of her anxiety anyways . Since there was someone there to listen, Minerva talked more than usual that day .

「Commander Greystar had arranged escorts, so it should be reassuring . But if I said I’m still anxious, it would mean insulting him . 」

Several escorts were injured or died on that day, on top of that, having escorts that needed to accompany the duke on official matters and the duchess, there’s a serious lack of manpower .

It’s not easy to fill the vacancy, and so the numbers of guards in the residency had no choice but decreased momentarily . To fill the hole, the army’s battalion commander, Moore ・ Greystar that had known the duke personally agreed to guard the residency with some of his subordinates .

Though it’s obvious they’re mixing up official and personal matters, it is also the power of a duke to make that possible . Of course, it was for the safety for his daughter, and Minerva who was on the receiving end of that parental care had no reason to complain .

『Don’t worry about it, it’s a good experience for my guys to experience guarding as well . And I’ve owed some favors to His Excellency after all, there’s nothing Ojou-sama have to worry about . 』

Though she was sorry to make Moore and his subordinates take on this job even though they’re busy, she couldn’t say anything if the person himself dismissed her concerns with a laugh .

From what she heard, it seems like they’re going to receive extra vacation time after this too . In other words, guarding the duke residency is taken as an official task of some sorts .

On top of that, there’re compensation from the duke house too, so it seems like there’re many that volunteered as well . As such, there’re about ten soldiers that had been added into the guard’s rank in the duke residency .

Of course, it’s not like everything is solved even if they have enough manpower now . The defenders are always forced to be passive while the one attacking has the initiative .

As Minerva dived into her bed, the room shrouded in silence .

Was it a minute, or ten . As her consciousness wasn’t clear, the short or long period of time passed, just before Minerva’s consciousness got sucked into the dreamland, Rona stood up without a sound .

Minerva who felt that was roused .

「……What is it, Rona? 」

With the starlight from outside the window, Minerva looked at Rona .

Rona’s ears piqued . In a moment, an angry growl broke the silence .

「W-What is it? 」

Then, a ruckus that Minerva could hear . Heavy footsteps were heard running around the mansion, just when she thought she was hearing swords clashing from the floor below, there was a woman scream coming from the floor above .

「We’re under attack! Many of them! 」

「Be careful of their diversion! Guard the stairs! Don’t let them pass! 」

「They, even the servants……! 」

The silence a moment ago disappeared like it was a lie, there were cries of battle surrounding the residency .

「A-Attack……? 」

Minerva who was hugging Rona unintentionally suddenly thought of something and went to the closet and took out a sword . It was the short sword that Ardis gifted her a few days ago for self-defense .

Since she was receiving guidance from a strong mercenary, if she would be afraid of the enemies, it would be too pathetic . The reason why she wished to be strong herself was because that she wanted less people to be sacrificed for her .

「Cut them down! 」

「Guak! 」

The ruckus had become closer than before . The sound of swords clashing behind the door, the sound of flesh being cut, and blood being splattered could be heard .

「I……, me too……」

Minerva who had made her resolve pulled her sword and had her hands on the door . While feeling that Rona is at her feet, she opened the door slowly .

「Uuhh……」

Just as she opened the door, the stench of blood flooded . Minerva who narrowed her eyes due to the sudden bright light coming from the corridor became speechless the next moment as she saw the scenery .

「A-Ah……」

It was supposed to be a familiar corridor . A scenery of many people collapsed on the ground that would never happen .

One, two, three persons…… . The floor and the wall where they died at were dyed with a vibrant vermillion .

「Ojou-sama! It’s dangerous so don’t come out! 」

It was like an angry yell at her .

「Ah…… . Commander, Greystar……」

As she found out the owner of the voice, Minerva called his name with an expression on the verge of crying .

「We’re under attack . There’re many of them but they aren’t powerful . Stay put in the room and rest easy, it will be settled immediately . 」

「Aa, I-I too……」

Minerva’s hands were shaking as she grasped the short sword .

「Don’t be stupid . It’s disgraceful for us to make someone we should guard holding a sword . 」

「……I, understand……」

Minerva turned around and hid her face . While feeling hatred at her own hands for only shaking, she understood what Moore was saying as well, and so her eyes were filled with tears .

「There, return to your room . 」

Moore said so gently . As expected, he couldn’t reach his bloody hands towards the young noble lady in sleepwear . While hesitating with his hands, he chased Minerva back into her room .

The sounds that she heard died down, and it felt like the ruckus was settling .

「……Yes」

Nodding without energy, Minerva returned back into her room . That time, Rona who had been quiet around Minerva’s feet suddenly leapt out .

「Eh? Rona? 」

「Wan! 」

At the same time when Rona barked, the window glass broke, and two shadows intruded the room . The shadows glanced at the bed, and then without hesitation, they attacked Minerva with a dagger .

「Back down! 」

Saying so, Moore stepped in front to protect Minerva .

At the same time, Rona went in from the side and bared his fangs towards the attackers . That action was probably unexpected for the attackers . Without even the time to react, one of the attackers had his throat gouged out by Rona, and then ended just like that .

The other attacker was still aiming for Minerva but, of course, Moore was standing in his way . Moore himself who is the battalion commander in the army is a strong person .

Even if the attacker is skillful, he wouldn’t be outwitted in a one on one situation . After about three exchanges, the attacker fell without causing any damage .

「Their purpose was this huh . But too bad their timing wasn’t good that I’m here…… . No, I guess it would’ve been fine even if I’m not here . 」

Moore looked at Rona who had easily taken one of the attackers by himself .

「As expected from the partner of 『Countless Swords Sorcerer』 . You’re not just a normal beast huh . 」

「Wan! 」

Of course, Rona barked so . As the sounds of battle slowly died down in the silent night, the presence of the attackers eventually went away .

「Well then, I guess that’s all of them, I will have to look for the injured now . 」

「W-What about me? 」

「Ojou-sama should stay here……, no, we should move somewhere else since the window is broken . ……There’s this dependable escort here too, I will call for someone, so wait first――, nn? What’s the matter? 」

Moore who was talking about their next plan realized the abnormality with Rona . Rona who had easily killed one of the attackers were looking around the place seemingly in unrest .

「What is it, Rona? …… Huh? 」

Minerva noticed Rona’s behavior too, then, a strange feeling coming from the surroundings assaulted her .

「What, is this? 」

「What happened? 」

There’s no one who could answer Minerva’s question . As for Moore who couldn’t understand what was happening, it was because he couldn’t notice the change .

There was a heavy atmosphere wrapping around her entire body, making her senses scream . The next moment, her consciousness became afar, holding the short sword in one hand, her other hand were hugging Rona .

While only that sensation remained as she desperately tried to hang on her spirit, her limit came eventually .