Chapter 5.3

Even if the small happiness that she enjoyed for granted ends, Elsia hoped to meet Ian and remember this shining moment.

Even if she went back to her hometown with the sad consequences of being unable to become lovers with him…….

[ Master, I’m here! ]

Silent Woody suddenly exclaimed.

“You’re here.”

Elsia thought that White Bunny had finished making his wreath. The flower viewing was over, she had to think about where to leave the flower crown and dry it. If there’s a bug stuck in the wallpaper, it’s annoying to remove it from the crown.

As she was struggling and agonizing, Ian tapped his finger on her shoulder from behind.

“Hi, Elsia.”

“I, Ian?”

Surprised, she twisted her foot. Ian protected her staggering frame. Elsia’s breathing in the man’s arm became as fast as a rabbit caught by a hunter. Ian helped Elsia sit on the sofa in the living room before opening his mouth

“How are you?”

“I’m alright.”

Ian’s head is full of Elsia’s image these days. No matter what he does, he couldn’t focus at all.

At first, he wasn’t aware of his strange state, but when he came here and saw her, all became clear to him. He was always thinking of Elsia when left the marquis’ residence. In the morning, at lunch, or even in bed with lights off, or even while he was leaving the Capital for a mission and was sleeping in the forest…….

But why?

Was he worried because Elsia was staying at the secluded Cleyon House?

Ian looked towards Elsia to find his reason.

However, it was obvious that a man who had drawn a limit on his relationship with her couldn’t think of it.

‘She said she came here to make a doll, right?’

Contrary to her words, wherever he looked around Ceylon House, any progress of the doll’s production wasn’t prepared at all. Looking at Elsia’s face, her expression also proved she was unprepared.

‘Did someone make Elsia uncomfortable while I was away?’

Thinking like that, it was too shameful.

Even when Ian was a violent and pathetic drunk, Elsia did not leave Eusley Castle and endured until his hands were healed. Ian was quite comforted by Elsia’s unchanging warm affection. After that, aren’t they close friends now? How could he make her feel lonely even though he promised to protect her?

(Tl/n: Look at this child pretending to protect her under the pretext of being friends when he doesn’t really feel that way)

Ian suddenly remembered something making him ask.

“Elsia, where did you stay before you came to Eusley Castle?”

Only Read at Pink Muffin’s official site. Do not repost our translations.

“Well, it was a private research institute in my hometown. After his highness selected me, I went back and forth the Imperial Castle and an Inn. I left my luggage in the bank for a long time before I left for Eusley Castle.”

“I see.”

The conversation was cut off in an ambiguous place. As the two remained silent, White Bunny, who finally finished making the rabbit grass flower crown, came in proudly.

[ Sigh! Grass dirtied my hand. Elsia, wash my hands with soap.…. Huh? ]

“Hello, rabbit doll.”

White Bunny opened his eyes wide while looking at Ian and exclaimed.

[ I can’t even see you because you’re busy acting like a knight. Did you come here to ask for help because something finally happened? Did I get it wrong? ]

“Bunny! You’re talking too much!”

“What’s wrong with my rabbit instincts, is that not the case?”

“Yeah, you were right.”

Elsia was surprised by Ian’s affirmation. What? Something happened to Ian? When her wide eyes signaled him to speak, Ian sat next to her and delivered the crown prince’s order. Ian wasn’t alone this time, Elsia had to go with him so he was in a difficult situation.

To be precise, it was a temple related work rather than an imperial affair. Fortunately, it came from Vanir Church. Elsia, who met the benevolent and well-liked the priest she met at that time, quickly replied.

“Of course I have to go.”

“I didn’t want to take you because the road to the place where the High priest told me to go was a little rough.…. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it because the letter said to bring you with me.”

“Why should you be Sorry? I’m your partner, am I not?”

Even though Elsia’s expression was bright, Ian’s wasn’t and informed the situation.

Recently, Vanir’s high priest fell asleep and heard a faint voice, It wasn’t affirmed as an oracle yet. Nevertheless, His holiness wanted to fulfill his premonition according to the content of his dream.

If they go up to a small mountain called Priya to find a hidden cave, there will be traces of God left there. This was God’s message on the dream. His holiness even drew on a map, saying that the topography he saw was vividly memorable.

Elsia happily packed up her light luggage and followed Ian. When she went outside Ceylon House, she could see Seiran. She jumped out of joy realizing his return.

“Sir Seiran!”

“Haha, it’s been a while, Ms. Bennett. How have you been?

Originally calm, Seiran looked a little excited than usual, perhaps influenced by Elsia’s demeanor.

“What happened?”

“……I heard that you wanted me to accompany you on an important mission.”

Suddenly, young Haden’s face crossed her mind, but was curious about another.

“Then, Sir Seiran is going to Priya Mountain together?”

“Yes. Let’s talk about it later and leave for now, Elsia.”

“Get on the carriage Ms. Bennett, I’ll drive the horse.”

Ian felt strange and incomprehensible emotion as he saw Elsia, who suddenly brightened up after seeing Seiran.

Strangely he felt a ticklish feeling next to the beating heart. Was he overusing his muscles? For no reason, he lightly patted his right chest with his fist and walked toward the carriage. Every step away from Elsia, Ian kept wanting to look back at her.

* * *

The journey to Mount Priya was not long. Even nearby residents said they had no idea who, when, and why it was named like so and where it originated from. Looking at it, it was a low mountain, so Elsia felt relaxed at their journey.

Concerned that the sun would set quickly, they stayed at a nearby inn and headed back the mountain before dawn. Mt. Priya in the morning with a quiet serenity looked down silently at the three. Ian held a map drawn by the high priest, measured the direction with a compass, and opened his mouth.

Only Read at Pink Muffin’s official site. Do not repost our translations.

“Elsia, Seiran and I will go and come back. Can you summon Woody and wait here? We’ll be back before the sun goes down.”

Even if it was a place without people, he was reluctant to leave Elsia alone. However, he did not want to make her climb the mountain. She should be fine with Woody’s help…Ian clenched his fist while thinking about some terrible possibility.

Why did he bring her all the way here?

Even if it takes time, he could have taken her to the temple after finishing work!

The Commands. He can’t believe that he’s missing something important because he was just focusing on the orders given to him!

“Ian!”

“……You’re a precious friend to me. I couldn’t repay the kindness I received from you but I’m too ashamed to make you do something difficult.”

“I want to go with you because it’s a tough task, Ian. What if you get hurt while climbing the foot of the mountain alone? Please keep me by your side.”

Ian put on an uneasy look and knelt down in front of her without a word.

What does this mean? Elsia froze in surprise, but Ian focused on tying her shoelaces tightly. Ian, who quickly got up again, reached out to Elsia.

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“Come on. I don’t think a mountain beast will appear….But don’t take more than three steps away from me and follow closely, okay?

“Okay.”

It was okay up to there until Ian added one more.

“If you want to go to the bathroom, don’t leave at random and tell me first. I’ll look after you.”

“Ack-! Ian!…..I at least know that much…”

Seiran, who worked hard to drive to Mt. Priya looked at the two who seemed to have forgotten about his existence. The two got close when spring came at Eusley Castle, but not this close. He was quiet as he was unable to intervene.

Instead of being a rugged mountain range, there was no road that a person could walk on Mount Priya. It was literally a humble hill, completely abandoned.

Seiran paved the road by slashing a branch with a long knife prepared in advance.

Using the wagon for a long time and cutting off the leafy branches, Ian heard a worried man’s voice behind them.

“Follow me carefully, Elsia Pay attention and only follow the footsteps I passed.”

“Okay.”

“Tell me whenever you feel tired I’ll carry you back down to the carriage.”

“Hey, my feet are still fine.”

The conversation between the two was too childish when they were simply crossing a stone bridge in a stream that was not even reaching their ankles.

The background behind him is too pink. Seiran focused on paving the way after pushing back the weak anger that rose to his throat. Fortunately, before noon, they found the entrance to the cave marked on the map they brought.

(TL/N: You’re pissed, Seiran? Us too XD your master is at fault though. )

Elsia, who lived in the countryside but was not very close to Nature, gaped.

“Will the item mentioned come out if we go inside?”

“It may be an object, I’m not sure, it’s either a mural or a piece of bone.”

“Bone, you mean bone fragments?”

When Elsia’s eyes shook with fear when she heard that it was a bone, Ian wanted to tease her.

“Yeah, if you’re unlucky, it could be a grizzly waking up from a long hibernation. It’s quite difficult to kill a bear even if you stab it with a knife. Will you really stay here?”

“……No matter how much common the bear is on a forest, that’s not the case at all, master. Don’t make fun of innocent Miss Bennett for nothing.”

Seiran, who couldn’t stand it, slowly intervened. Ian, who was openly embarrassed, shut his mouth and took out an oil-fed wooden club to lit the fire.

Ian in the lead, Elsia was in the middle, and Seiran at rear. Elsia, who made Woody wait outside the cave, summoned White Bunny and held him tightly in her arms.

[ What’s this smell? ]

“Bunny, shh.”

Ian, who had lit a torch, approached the recessed stone wall shortly after entering. He clenched his fist, tapped it a few times, and soon stepped back.

As they waited, the wall collapsed and several stones of equal size fell at once. When Ian removed some of the stones above and he saw a box placed underneath.

“Ah!”

“This is it.”

Seiran was amazed. Ian pointed on the box with his hand and muttered.

“This…An unknown divine power, it was real…. Then…….”

Only Read at Pink Muffin’s official site. Do not repost our translations.

*kuuung*

As soon as Ian just held the box, they heard something ringing inside the cave. Seiran instinctively pulled out his sword. Ian, who found a few pairs of faint green lights visible inside, hurriedly picked up his own sword.

“Elsia, go out and behind Woody…!”

(Screams)

Ian, who told Elsia to leave, jumped up and stared at the target that collided with his sword. With bright green eyes and a strong body made of stone, it was a golem made to resemble a giant! But how can a Golem be this fast?

“Ah!”

“Hurry up and get out!”

Seiran said, wielding a sword and swinging the blade towards the Golem, who rushed in one after another. While Ian and Seiran were fighting fiercely, Elsia was terrified and looked at the box they found. They came to bring it back with them, but everyone was busy fighting. It would be difficult if the box was broken.

White Bunny shouted urgently.

[ Elsia, Elsia! When they came, I heard the ground rumble! We don’t know when this cave will collapse, we have to go out quickly. ]

“What? Sir Ian and Sir Seiran! The cave will collapse soon, we have to go out.”

She was in a hurry but she made a loud shout. However, the two looked busy dealing with countless Golems. Can she leave them like this and just take the box? If fighting took time and the cave collapses trapping them, then!

Ian could die when she leaves.

Elsia looked back and shouted.

“Woody! Woody, come in and help me!”

When Woody, who was waiting outside the cave, came in, Ian, who was fighting hard, barely opened his mouth.

“Get out, Elsia! You can’t beat rocks with wood!”

“No! Bunny, please spray something to block the Golem’s view.”

“Okay!”

White Bunny climbed up to Elsia’s shoulder to spray something near the round heads of the tall Golem. When white and fluffy bubbles were created around the eyes and the Golems slowed down for a while, Elsia’s order was issued.

“Woody! Now! Hurry up and push Golem back!”

[ Yes! ]

Woody dug between Seiran and Ian and pushed the Golem hard with both wooden arms. Finding a gap in the middle of the battle, Elsia looked back at the box.

“I’ll take the box now, so hurry up and get out! Bunny? I’m sorry.”

[ Ouch! Are you going to abandon me? ]

Elsia placed White Bunny down as if throwing it on the floor and quickly pulled out the box buried between the stones with her bare hands. Her fingers were pressed between the stones and hurt, but she didn’t have time to think of the pain.

The box’s content was too heavy! She ran away quickly to the exit, followed by White Bunny. Woody stretched out his reliable arms and was still in a boxing position. Since the entrance to the cave is narrow, it seemed that the three could handle it roughly if Golem came out one by one.

Ian, who confirmed that she had gone out safely, shouted.

“Seiran! Push the one in the front completely, knock them down in the back, and we go out. Let’s make sure it’s done outside.”

“Yes, Sir!”

Ian and Seiran waited for the right time, and when Golem swung his heavy arm, he bowed his head and hit it one after another. The staggering Golem fell back with a loud thud, and all the Golems following behind had staggered as well.

They quickly escaped the cave. Ian looked through Elsia’s complexion, holding the box tightly in her arms. She looked surprised but her lips were tightly closed. Ian briefly thought that her judgment was as good as any other knight.

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“Elsia!”

“Ian……”

“Be careful, I won’t let them come out all at once, so stay back further. This is me and Seiran’s-..…!”

“Incoming!”

Boom, boom, boom.