Vanessa’s forge was eerily silent, as if the previous visit had been some kind of illusion. Allen had expected to be greeted, as always, by the clamor of hammer and anvil, so the silence was a surprise.
Normally, the simplest explanation would have been that she was away for some reason.
Well, it’s not like I’ll figure it out by standing here thinking about it.
All he knew for sure was that Vanessa wasn’t there. For a moment, he considered just leaving the requested item behind, but he quickly dismissed the idea. For one, he couldn’t be certain it was truly the right sword. He was almost sure, but there was always a chance he was mistaken. No, he would have to hand it over to her directly.
“Still...waiting around in an empty forge doesn’t sound right either. Guess I’ll have to come back later,” he muttered, about to turn on his heel, when he suddenly tilted his head. Something felt off. Scanning the forge, he had a realization.
Ah, I see.
It was a simple thing once he noticed. The furnace fire was out. Of course, with no one present, perhaps that was a given, but Allen recalled something Noel had once told him. Once extinguished, a furnace took a long time before it was ready for use again. Unless the blacksmith planned to be away for an extended period, they wouldn’t snuff it out. Sleeping, running errands...whatever the case, the fire was usually left burning. Noel had said that was how she did it, and it was how her master had taught her as well.
Hm. I don’t like the feel of this. Perhaps I should check with the guild. They might know something.
He doubted it would help, but the bad feeling wouldn’t go away. Not that bad omens were anything new—they had been dogging him ever since he’d ended up in this situation.
In the end, though, it was a waste of time. When Allen asked the guild about Vanessa, they told him they knew nothing. It made sense. The guild didn’t keep track of everything in town, and residents weren’t obliged to report their whereabouts. The answer was predictable in hindsight.
If the guild knew nothing, wandering around wouldn’t help either. He’d simply revisit her forge tomorrow. For now, he turned toward the mansion where Noel and the others were staying.
Still, things have turned out oddly, haven’t they?
Who would have thought he’d end up living there with them as well?
Of course, Noel and Mylène would likely leave in a few days, and Anriette would go with them. But even so, he couldn’t help but feel glad. He didn’t know why Noel had made such a suggestion, but the fact that she was fine with them living together, even briefly, was proof she trusted him at least that much.
If only Riese were here too, it’d be perfect...but I haven’t even met her yet.
He hadn’t even heard her name, only the word “Saint.”
Ah, but wait. Maybe Noel knows something?
After all, Noel had helped Akira alongside the Saint, and that was widely known. It wouldn’t be strange if they had met. And considering how casually people referred to the Saint, others might know as well. Would asking reveal her whereabouts? Not that he planned to do anything even if it did.
Unless it’s by chance, it doesn’t feel right to go looking for her.
Besides, Allen was well aware that he was something of a trouble magnet. It wasn’t that he caused incidents so much as that they had a way of finding him and dragging everyone around him along for the ride. He didn’t want Riese caught up in that.
Not that it was any better for Noel, Mylène, or Anriette, but those three were the type to plunge into trouble themselves. Riese wasn’t. True, she was already aiding the Champion as the Saint, but that only made him more reluctant to involve her in anything unnecessary.
I’m starting to sound like I’m making excuses.
To whom, though, he couldn’t say. Smiling wryly at the thought, Allen reached the mansion. The familiar sight made his eyes narrow.
So I’ll be living here again from today...
It hadn’t been all that long since he’d last stayed there, but perhaps that was why it felt strangely moving. Still, reminiscing wouldn’t get him anywhere. He sorted out his thoughts and stepped toward the door.
Upon arriving, Allen almost said “I’m home” but hurriedly corrected himself with “Excuse me.” Even if he planned to stay from today, it was his first time there. Announcing that he was home would have been strange.
Looking around inside, he found the familiar scenery he’d expected. There was almost no difference from what he remembered, and that was natural enough. When he had bought the mansion on “the other side,” he had barely touched the interior. Noel and the others weren’t the type to fuss over such things either, so it made sense that this place was almost identical.
As he searched for small differences, like a spot-the-difference puzzle, a voice called out, “Oh, you’re back. Welcome home, I suppose?”
It was Noel. She looked refreshed, having changed and likely bathed. She didn’t seem to mind Allen’s gaze, probably because she was used to it by now. After traveling together for so long, one couldn’t help but grow accustomed to others.
“I think that’s fine to say. At least, there’s no need to be formal anymore,” he replied.
“You’re right. By the way, why have you still got that?” She was looking at the item still in his hands, the requested sword. He had gone to deliver it, yet still carried it. Her curiosity was expected.
“Yeah, I went, but she wasn’t there. I even asked around at the guild, but they don’t know where she went.”
“So you brought it back. Hmm... I wondered why you were a little late. So you went to the guild.”
“Exactly. By the way, where are the others?”
“Mylène and Anriette? No idea. Haven’t seen them since we got back. Mylène’s probably resting. She doesn’t show it much, but she must be tired.”
“No doubt.”
For the whole journey, Mylène had driven the carriage. It had been her own choice but exhausting all the same. Her needing to rest was perfectly understandable.
“And Anriette?”
“Maybe arranging her room? Speaking of rooms, this is convenient. I should show you the one I’m lending you. Is that okay?”
“That’d be great. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Noel led him to a familiar room. Of course, every room here was familiar. But this was the very one he had used in the alternate mansion.
“Looks cleaner than I expected. And furnished too,” he commented.
“The landlord cleaned it before we moved in. The furniture was left behind by the previous occupant. We were told not to worry about it when we rented the place.”
“I see.”
It was the same as when Allen had bought the other building. And since he had been content with what was there, he hadn’t bothered changing the interior then either. So once again, the room felt familiar, enough to make him narrow his eyes.
“Something wrong? Don’t tell me you don’t like it? If so, there are other rooms.”
“No, not at all. It’s more than enough. If anything, it’s too spacious.”
“Is that so? Then good.”
“Yeah. Really, it’s more than I need.”
As he said that, memories of his days in the other version of the mansion welled up. He realized he had liked that life more than he cared to admit. And once again, he thought that he wanted to go back there someday. Not that he intended to neglect his life here, of course.
“Thanks for showing me.”
“Think nothing of it. I invited you, after all. It wouldn’t do to leave you hanging, even though running into you just now really was a coincidence.”
“Either way, it was still a big help.”
“I see. In that case, may I ask you for something in return?” Noel asked.
“A favor?”
Noel’s eyes shifted to his hands. The sword he had brought back.
“This?” he asked.
“Yes. Would you lend it to me for a while? I’ll return it tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, huh? Well, I don’t really have any use for it myself, so sure.”
He was only holding on to it until he could return it to Vanessa anyway. If Noel wanted to borrow it, he saw no reason to refuse. He did wonder what she intended, but she wasn’t the type to misuse it, so he handed it over without question.
“Here you go.”
“You gave it up rather easily. Didn’t even ask what for,” she remarked.
“I trust you.”
“I see. Thanks. I’ll make good use of it, then.”
Noel accepted it with a solemn air, as though it were a precious treasure, but perhaps that was natural. It was a masterpiece, forged by a first-rate blacksmith at the height of her craft. Maybe it was beyond price.
But Allen sensed there was something more to Noel’s demeanor. Perhaps it was simply her interest as a blacksmith—at least, she had been one in the other world. Whatever the case, she had her reasons. He would not pry.
Instead, he turned his thoughts to what he should do next. His luggage was meager, and he had no intention of redecorating, so unpacking wouldn’t take long. After that...he would see.
Glancing at Noel, who was gazing intently at the item with an uncharacteristically serious face, Allen let his mind wander to what to do next.