Chapter 95

◆4-07 Gilbert? I don’t know this person.

What should I do? I never expected that my true identity would be exposed like this. I thought that as long as my black hair wasn’t noticed, I wouldn’t be suspected unless I made a huge mistake. I never imagined that my identity would be revealed through the magic tool meant as compensation. He must already be convinced that I am Yumiera.

While worrying about how to handle the situation, I idly rolled the crystal in my hand.

"Ah, well, you see..."

"...13?"

For a moment, I puzzled over what the number could mean, but I quickly understood. The magic tool I had been touching had somehow activated and was displaying the last two digits of my level. He must have seen it. In that case, there’s only one thing I can do to prevent him from realizing I’m Yumiera.

"Oh, this? The level just pops up like this. 13 isn’t that high, is it?"

"That’s quite impressive for a woman of that age... Oh, right, you’re different, aren’t you?"

If I were Yumiera, my level would exceed 99, I wanted to assert loudly. But I had to hold back. If someone who knew my usual self heard me say such a thing, they would surely suspect I was an imposter.

If he had reacted with something like, "Level 13 is way too weak (LOL)," I might have lost my composure, but he didn’t.

The man with gray hair looked doubtful, muttering, "Is that so?" but his expression was still unconvinced. To make sure he didn’t think I was Yumiera, I decided to emphasize it even more.

"Did you think I was the Duke of Dorkness? It’s okay, I’m used to it. With this hair, you know..."

"I’m sorry. Being compared to someone like that must have been very unpleasant."

"...It’s not that bad. I feel bad for being mistaken for someone so amazing."

"Amazing? You must mean a dangerous person. From what I’ve heard, Yumiera Dorkness isn’t a normal human. She was born and raised in a dungeon, thinks only about combat, and tames a vicious dragon... The more I hear, the more I realize she’s not normal."

I was worried if my face was twitching. What? Am I really that bad of a person? How is she perceived in the neighboring country?

It’s true that I was raised in a dungeon and often think about combat. But Ryu is completely harmless and very cute, so that part is wrong. Overall, it seems to be a bit exaggerated.

"But! She’s a lord, so I don’t think she’s as bad as the rumors suggest."

"It’s just that the people around her are competent. She doesn’t do anything. I’m not foolish enough to believe every rumor without evidence. There are even wild stories about Yumiera being two people or coming from another world."

It’s true that I became two people after the incident with the second Yumiera, and I really did come from another world. It’s also true that I rely on the people around me for my duties as a lord. Even the most unbelievable rumors seem to be true, and I’m at a loss for words. Unfounded bad rumors would have been better.

As I remained silent, he added:

"Also, stop calling me 'big brother.' I’m not your brother."

"I’m sorry. Then, what should I call you?"

"...Gilbert is fine."

Gilbert seems to be particularly particular about being called 'big brother' or 'little brother.' ...Wait? Gilbert? It sounds familiar...

I searched my mental database of names, excluding close acquaintances and people within the Balshain Kingdom. She’s not a member of the Remest royal family, and I don’t know most of the noble names, let alone commoners... Maybe it’s just my imagination.

Since he introduced himself, I should do the same. I can’t just say Yumiera, so I need to think of an alias. The first name that came to mind was someone close to me.

"Understood. Then, Gilbert. I’m... Eleonora."

"I haven’t heard your name before."

This person’s words and actions are so prickly.

Did I do something to offend him? Yes, I destroyed his house. It’s a wonder he didn’t yell at me.

Even if he calls me Eleonora, I’m not sure I can respond, so I’m actually happy to be called 'you.'

"I’m very sorry for destroying your house. Let’s continue the conversation. Please use this crystal as compensation for the repairs."

"I’ve already said I don’t need compensation for the roof. Leave and don’t come back."

Gilbert firmly refused. I need to find a way to make him accept it. Maybe I’ll leave the crystal here by force when I leave.

"Follow me."

He said that and turned his back on me.

I followed him silently as he walked out of the room, down the hallway, and stopped in front of the next room.

"This is usually unused... something like a guest room. It’s been cleaned, so feel free to use it."

"Thank you."

To be able to prepare a room without any prior notice, he must get a lot of visitors. The house itself has a strange, eerie atmosphere.

He opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

When I entered the room as instructed, the door was immediately closed.

"Leave tomorrow."

Before I could respond, Gilbert’s footsteps faded away. I can’t tell if he’s kind or strict.

I looked around the room I was shown to. A neatly made bed, a table with a chair, and thick curtains. Other than that, the room was unnaturally sparse, with less of a lived-in feel than a business hotel.

No normal person’s house would be like this. It seems to be designed only for sleeping and waking up, and it’s a mystery who usually uses this place.

It’s a bit scary to delve too deeply, so I’ll just rest.

I sat on the bed and took a deep breath. There are too many things to think about: the mystery of this house, the route to cross the border tomorrow, and so on. I don’t think I can sleep at all.

Even if I don’t sleep, it’s better to lie down and rest. I lay down on the bed—

"Hmm... Morning?"

It was morning. I slept like a log in the house of a suspicious stranger in a foreign country where our relationship isn’t good.

The curtains weren’t closed, so the morning sun was blinding. I sat up and stretched.

Well, it’s almost time to leave. I need to get back to the Dorkness territory and say I couldn’t go to the moon, and somehow the wedding will proceed...

I don’t want to go back. It’s fine to have the wedding happen casually, but it’s embarrassing to declare I would go to the moon and then not be able to.

The cold war was lost by the one who couldn’t go to the moon, and giving up on the moon trip is equivalent to admitting defeat.

If I leave at night and return the next day, no one will believe I went to the moon. I’d rather return after at least three days.

Let’s call it the Prince Ishizukuri Plan. In the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Prince Ishizukuri is asked by Princess Kaguya to bring the stone bowl of Buddha. He doesn’t go to India where the bowl is, but instead hides in the countryside for three years and presents a fake bowl.

In the end, the fake is exposed, but I focused on the three years he waited. Following Prince Ishizukuri’s example, who waited three years to make it seem like he went to India, I want to wait three days to make it seem like I went to the moon.

If I return to the Balshain Kingdom, there’s a risk that my existence will be reported to Patrick. But going to an inn in Remest is also dangerous.

Is there anyone kind enough to hide my existence from the outside and at least lend me a place to sleep?

As I was thinking about this, I heard footsteps outside the room. It must be a kind person who will provide me with a hiding place.

When I opened the door after a knock, Gilbert was there as expected. He looked tired even in the morning.

"Get up. Hurry—"

"Good morning."

"You’re awake. Then, get out quickly."

"I have a request. Can you let me stay for three days? I just need a room, nothing else."

"What are you talking about?"

"To be honest, I’m running away from home, and it wouldn’t look good to return too soon."

"Why should I get involved in your runaway? I could hand you over to the guards."

"If the people maintaining order come to this house... who would be in trouble, really?"

I sensed a change in the atmosphere.

Well, if people from the Remest Kingdom came, it would be a big problem for me. It seems Gilbert also has his own issues.

He refused the compensation, told me to leave immediately, and then hid me from his neighbor. I had always thought it was because of me, but if I consider that Gilbert has his own reasons, it makes more sense. He has some reason to avoid attention.

He wants me to disappear, acts like a good young man in front of his neighbor, and avoids having women come and go at night.

My guess, which I thought had a 20% accuracy, turned out to be a bullseye.

Gilbert glared at me sharply and subtly tensed up.

He didn’t have any weapons, but he was in a position to use a restraining technique. I’m not familiar with such martial arts, but I recognized the stance from Patrick.

Without lowering his guard, he said in a voice devoid of emotion:

"What do you know?"

"I don’t know anything. I just figured out that you don’t want to stand out."

"You said you’re running away from home? Even if that’s true, your home isn’t a normal home. If people come, you’ll be the one in trouble. Just leave honestly."

"To be honest, I’d be in trouble if people came. But you would be, too, right? Your attempt to persuade me is proof."

I openly admitted that I have my own issues.

The important thing here is not to threaten him but to clearly show that we both have reasons to avoid attention.

If he tries to eliminate me, it will be a problem for him as well. A mutually beneficial relationship would be ideal.

Gilbert casually moved his right hand and scratched his left shoulder.

He was in a position to throw a backfist. It’s a technique Patrick taught me.

I don’t want to be seen as knowledgeable about combat, so I pretended not to notice.

"What do you want?"

"As I said before, let me stay for three days. That’s all I need."

"I admit I have my own issues that I can’t talk about. I want you to keep quiet and leave as soon as possible. You know... if you become a silent corpse, both of our goals will be achieved."

He threatened to kill me. His issues are more serious than I imagined.

But... if he really wanted to kill me, he would have done it before saying anything. He seems like the type to be decisive in such matters.

Since Gilbert threatened me verbally, it’s safe to assume he has no intention of acting on it.

It would be strange not to be scared at all, so I acted scared for real.

"Kyaa, that’s scary!"

"...Are you mocking me?"

He clicked his tongue loudly. But he was irritated even when I didn’t react, right?

With one more push, I might be able to secure a place to stay. If I can give him some benefits, it would be even better, but he probably thinks the best thing is for me to leave quietly... Let me point out the downsides of me leaving.

"If I leave as you say, I might reveal your existence to others. To prevent information leaks, it’s best to keep me here."

"That’s a fallacy. You’ll leave eventually, so the result will be the same."

"My attitude will change. If you let me stay for three days, I’ll leave this house in a good mood."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, no, I’m just stating the obvious human psychology. If I’m kicked out, I’ll be in a bad mood."

"Considering you destroyed the roof, you shouldn’t be upset if the homeowner kicks you out."

"Ah, no, that’s... I do want to compensate, but... I’m not trying to solve it with money... I’m sorry."

I admit I was completely at fault for the destruction. Come to think of it, I was like a burglar who fell from the sky.

Not only did I break into the house and destroy it, but I also threatened the owner to stay. That’s the definition of a heinous criminal.

There was no way to negotiate a mutually beneficial deal from the start. It’s embarrassing to pretend to be a negotiator.

Remembering that I was the aggressor, I decided to leave honestly.

First, I need to get out of this city. I’ll think about going straight back or killing time somewhere after that.

"I’m really sorry. I’ll leave immediately. I won’t tell anyone about you or this house, so please don’t worry. It’s best if I don’t come near here again. If you can hide my existence, I’d be grateful. But since I’ll leave the capital soon, it’s fine if you answer if someone asks."

There’s nothing left to do but apologize and do as he says.

From the position of the sun, I can roughly determine the direction. I’ll use that as a guide to return to the Balshain Kingdom. Once I cross the border, it won’t be a big problem if my identity is revealed.

I bowed deeply and passed Gilbert to leave the room. I went down the stairs and reached the front door, about to open it—

"Wait, Eleonora."

"Eh? Is there an Eleonora here?"

Hearing the voice from behind, I instinctively looked around.

There’s no way Eleonora would be here... Oh, it’s the fake name I gave.

It’s impossible to bluff from here. It’s better that I didn’t turn around and say, "Did you call me?" when he called me Yumiera.

Since my issues are already exposed, it’s not a big problem if he realizes the name is fake. I’m leaving anyway.

Gilbert, of course, noticed that my name wasn’t Eleonora and said with a look of exasperation:

"You might be smart and perceptive, but you’re completely unsuited for deception."

"Seems so."

"You should have insisted on staying despite the roof incident."

"I can’t be that bad."

"...If only that person had a bit of conscience and intelligence."

Gilbert sighed deeply.

He seems to be thinking of someone. A person without conscience and intelligence. The way he describes them suggests he really dislikes them.

"Do you have a place to go?"

"Um... I’m leaving the capital. To the east."

"East? Near Tetania?"

I don’t know the name. It’s probably a place in Remest.

My destination is further east, in the Balshain Kingdom. Lying would only make me more suspicious. It’s better to tell the truth about the unnecessary parts.

"Further east. Around the Ashbaton territory."

"...You shouldn’t go there."

As soon as I mentioned my plan to go near the border, Gilbert reacted. It’s not like a war is about to start...

Ashbaton is peaceful, but maybe the Remest side of the border has poor security?

It’s difficult to answer in detail since I plan to cross the border. I tried to leave again, but—

"Wait."

I was stopped again. He came closer and tried to pass by me.

When I moved out of the way, he opened the front door and, with his back to me, said:

"I’ll let you stay. You can use the same room as last night, and feel free to use anything in the house. Help yourself to the food."

Why the sudden change of heart?

Before I could ask, he said, "I’ll be out for a while," and left.

I stood frozen, staring at the closed front door for a while.