Volume 3 Chapter 38 I Have Too Many Suspicions About the Cause of Her Illness
Despite being in a time of war, Capital City Raudinger looked much the same as it did during my last visit.
The people seemed to be living their lives as usual.
If anything, there seemed to be more patrolling guards than before.
They alone cast a stern gaze over the city's happenings, and I couldn't have been mistaken about that.
"I see, so the two of you made it all the way to Raudinger. You must be exhausted."
I was waiting alone in the reception room when, soon enough, Her Highness Princess Cecilie arrived with Mr. Dietrich.
As for Lene, she fell ill again as soon as we arrived in the Capital City.
I carried her to the castle to seek help.
The guards didn't change from before, and upon seeing my face, they let me in right away, saying that Lene was resting in a separate room.
"Thank you. And also, I'm grateful for lending a room to my wife on such short notice."
"Both of you are of great importance to our country. We couldn't possibly treat you with anything but the utmost respect."
Her Highness smiled reassuringly as she spoke, likely trying to put me at ease.
I bet Lene was also worried about me and had been walking on eggshells all this time.
As long as she's okay, that's all that matters.
"We've already called for a female doctor here in the Capital City for Ms. Lene. She should be examined right now."
"Really!? Thank you so much, over and over again!"
Finally, I might get a grasp on Lene's condition.
I can truly say that my effort in walking all the way to Capital City hasn't been in vain.
And to top it off, the fact that a female doctor was called on speaks volumes; it's not surprising, considering that Your Highness is of the same gender as Lene.
"So, Mr. Ryuuji, shifting gears a bit... What kind of person is Emerada, who could be called the mastermind behind it all? I've heard that she's someone significant to you, a mentor, right?"
"Ah, that's right..."
I was immediately asked about Emerada by Her Highness, but to be honest, I don't know that person very well at all.
I wasn't even given her name.
I do know a bit about her character, since we spent 3 years together, but anything more than that is a complete mystery to me.
What I do know is that she's an elf, Lene's real sister, a magician, a former priestess, and for some reason, she seems to view powerful people as her enemies.
Beyond that, I have no idea.
When I explained that, I noticed a disappointed sigh escaping from Her Highness.
I felt quite apologetic for not being able to help, even after receiving her assistance.
"No, wait a second. An elf priestess named Emerada?"
It wasn't Her Highness who reacted this time, but Mr. Dietrich.
He spoke as if something clicked in his memory.
"Diet, do you know something?"
"...Yeah, elves as priestesses are quite rare, you know... I'm pretty sure I've met someone like that years ago at the Adventurer's Guild. No doubt about it."
Mr. Dietrich sounded quite certain, and it seemed that if I headed over to the guild, I might find some clues there.
...Or rather──
"Why were you at the Adventurer's Guild, Mr. Dietrich? You mentioned it was a long time ago."
Mr. Dietrich is definitely supposed to be the second son of the Duke family.
Was such a person involved with the Adventurer's Guild during his boyhood?
To my inevitable question, Mr. Dietrich mumbles, "Um, well..."
Huh, interesting.
"Hehe, Diet wanted to become an adventurer, you see. He used to barge into the Adventurer's Guild and get thrown out," she teases.
At the princess's delightful revelation, Mr. Dietrich's face turns beet-red with panic.
Wow, even this straightforward royal knight had such a mischievous phase.
Now he gets bossed around by that same princess.
After a hearty cough, Mr. Dietrich adds,
"Anyway, one time when I, as usual, burst into the Adventurer's Guild, I was reprimanded by a kind elf priestess! My companions definitely called her 'Emerada'!"
Indeed, my teacher is strict yet gentle, so it's likely the same person.
If that's the case, I, who know the mastermind Emerada, should go confirm her identity and clear up the truth.
Who would've thought I'd find a clue in the Capital City?
"Well then, it's getting late, so I'll confirm it tomorrow──"
Just as I say that, a knock sounds at the door.
Mr. Dietrich hurries to open it, revealing a woman dressed in white standing there.
He exchanged a few words with her, then suddenly, his expression shifted to one of shock.
What could this be about?
"Diet, this is the doctor, right? What happened?"
After the lady left, Mr. Dietrich, when prompted by Her Highness, flashed a mischievous grin my way before whispering the message to Her Highness.
What's this? It's rare to see this guy make such a face.
And then Her Highness clapped Her hands together and exclaimed, "Well!"
Huh? What is it?
Am I the only one left out of the mosquito net?
"Mr. Ryuuji,"
"Y-Yes?"
I straightened up at the sound of my name and waited for Her Highness to speak.
And with a beaming smile, Her Highness said,
"Ms. Lene, it seems you’re expecting. Congratulations!"
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