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“What? Rose’s tutor left?”
Later that day, we were all gathered around the dining table for dinner when I explained the little quarrel to Claus.
“That’s right. While it’s true that I felt Lord Graeger’s lesson was unsuitable for Rose, I admit I also went too far. I’m very sorry, Lord Lycoris.” Before we tucked in, I bowed deeply to Claus. When I did, Rose, who was sitting across from me, hurriedly interjected.
“Lord Hisui did nothing wrong! That man was a simple fool through and through!”
“And that’s that, Hisui,” said Claus. “Given your story, I also doubt the lesson was appropriate. In fact, I should be happy about the way things worked out, seeing as you’ve offered to teach Rose, and I know you’re a great deal more talented than that tutor. At any rate, your offer aside, Lord Graeger’s behavior is unconscionable. I’ll send Viscount Clerkin a letter at a later date to inform him of his son’s actions. The lad could have damaged Rose’s potential, after all.”
Whoa—a raging inferno had flared to life in Claus’s eyes. If I hadn’t attended the lesson, Rose might never have learned to use her gift properly, and she might’ve even lagged behind at school with how terribly she’d been taught. Claus’s anger was entirely justified, and his restraint was honestly admirable.
“At any rate, to make this official: Could I ask that you be Rose’s tutor? I know you’re busy with your own plans, so feel free to decline,” said Claus.
I nodded. “Please, leave it to me. I’ll do everything I can to help her learn.”
“Good, good. I’ll of course reward you handsomely for this job; do look forward to your remuneration.”
“Oh no, I don’t need money for this. I’ve already received quite a large sum from you.”
“That was for saving our lives—all I’ve been able to do in return has been paltry in comparison. Besides, you’ll always need money, won’t you? Please, just accept it.”
“Lord Lycoris... Thank you.”
I could never disagree with Claus for long, especially not when he was being so considerate. It’d be rude of me to continue refusing his good graces, so I simply lowered my head and bowed once again.
“Oh yes. I have something to discuss with you, Hisui, before I forget.”
“What is it?”
“Recently, reports of people falling ill have been increasing. I suppose it may not be all that relevant to you, seeing as you’ve chosen to live outside of town, but do be careful of a potential plague outbreak when you pass through town.”
“I see... All right, I will. I can use godcraft so I should be fine even if I get sick.”
Claus chuckled. “Right, that’s quite true. Even if you couldn’t cure it, all you need to do is call upon the church in town. The healers there will see to you...as will the Erebos acolytes, I suppose.”
“The Erebos acolytes?” I repeated, startled. What a coincidence that I’d heard that name again in such a short span of time, and this time from Claus of all people.
“You’re well-informed! I should have known you’d have crossed paths with them.”
“I saw them in town. They even called out to me yesterday,” I explained.
“My, that...must’ve been quite the ordeal.” Claus looked directly at me, gaze filled with sympathy. Had he also been harassed or something? He must’ve, since I can’t imagine he’d look at me with such concern otherwise.
“Do you know much about them, Lord Lycoris?”
“Not particularly. At least, hardly more than you, I presume. It’s just that some of our citizens have experienced trouble with them. I’ve been receiving letters of protest, you see.”
“So people have been complaining,” I followed, feeling perturbed. After the episode I had yesterday with some of the followers of Erebos, I completely understood why some people would go as far as to lodge formal complaints. Since the marquis now had to deal with those complaints, the acolytes were clearly also inconveniencing him, though indirectly.
“I did have the opportunity to speak with them once. It’s clear that they are fully devoted to Erebos, but they can hardly be said to be a moderate group. In fact, they seem to be extremists—their goal is to eradicate faith in the Trinity, so it’s been quite the headache dealing with them. Many of the healers serving at the church have been calling for the Erebos acolytes to be driven from town.”
“That does sound difficult,” I sympathized.
“Indeed. Unfortunately, I cannot simply make them leave. They’re proficient in their healing arts, and given that there’s a possibility there may be a plague spreading through my demesne, I would prefer to have more healers available to help deal with the illness. Quite the predicament.” Claus heaved a deep sigh as he finished speaking. His fatigue was really beginning to show on his face as well.
“If I notice anything, I’ll help to the best of my ability,” I reassured him.
“Thank you. That’s certain to take a load off my shoulders,” he said, smiling warmly.
Then, food was finally brought to the dining table from the kitchen, signaling a timely end to our conversation. As I tucked into my piping hot dinner, I went over what I knew.
Right now, Erebos acolytes were actively trying to gather converts in town, and their faith didn’t permit acknowledgment of the three goddesses. There were also a lot of people in town who had fallen ill, likely due to a curse, and the Erebos acolytes had the power to heal that illness.
Claus wanted the Erebos acolytes to leave, but the situation being what it was, he couldn’t afford to have them removed from town. Which...made for an excellent opportunity for the acolytes to stick around and spread their word. It was the perfect coincidence. But what was this nagging feeling in the back of my mind? Did I just think they were creepy?
I wanted to think about it more deeply first; it wasn’t fair for me to be suspicious of them without reason. They might just be really fervent followers of their faith, and I didn’t have any proof they were spreading a curse.
First of all, would they even stand to profit from doing that? Well... Yeah, actually. They were here to spread the word of Erebos. If they cured people, then they’d come to see the acolytes as saviors.
These Erebos guys were definitely suspicious.
As I sipped on the remainder of my soup, I decided to remain vigilant.