Chapter 187

Chapter 159: Before the Action

Holding an umbrella, I tiptoed through the muddy streets and lawns, running and jumping back to House Number 3. As soon as I entered, I rushed straight to the bedroom on the second floor.

I opened the door and immediately saw the goat cheese standing on the windowsill, trying to avoid the rain.

It seemed to be dozing off, but the sound of me opening the door startled it. It immediately spread its wings, cocking its head and staring at me with crimson eyes. Its beak slightly open, it let out a hoarse scream: “Pepe!”

“Idiot!”

…Damn Li Mama.

Even when returning home, I was being scolded by a stupid bird. I felt angry inside: “You’re the idiot!”

After saying that, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

It’s just a bird, why should I argue with it… Maybe I am the idiot.

I quickly walked over, opened the window a crack—rain immediately drifted in, hitting my face and body. I hurriedly closed my eyes and shut my mouth, waiting for a few seconds until I felt the goat cheese had come in. Then, I quickly closed the window again.

Just as I opened my eyes, I was splashed with water by the goat cheese.

I slapped its head and pouted, shouting: “It’s so dirty!”

“Ga—”

The goat cheese retaliated immediately. It flew onto my shoulder and started pecking at my forehead fiercely.

“Aah!”

I involuntarily let out a short cry of alarm, wriggling my body to try to shake it off. The more I struggled, the tighter its claws gripped my shoulder, its sharp nails digging into my skin painfully.

“Stop messing around… You’re ruining my clothes… Seriously, I’m getting mad!”

After shouting those last words, the goat cheese immediately calmed down… Can this thing really understand what I’m saying?

I curiously examined it.

Its wet feathers looked even shinier than usual, and those blood-red eyes, which seemed to be drenched in blood, stared unblinkingly at me.

Are you really just a raven…

“Wonderful creature.”

Shaking my head, I pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat down, leaning over the desk. I took a piece of letter paper from the shelf above and placed it flat on the table. I grabbed the quill pen on the right side, dipped it in ink, and began writing a letter.

“To my beloved father and mother…”

“I’m in the Royal City… Everything is fine…”

What should I write about?

I can’t mention anything about the Door of Truth, or they might worry unnecessarily. I should start with something happy.

“Here… it’s very beautiful… the academy is interesting… there are many delicious foods…”

“The goat leg is very tasty… waffles are very tasty… sausages are also tasty… the one I made for Captain Gray is tasty too… everything is delicious.”

… It feels like I’m always talking about myself. Not good, not good. I should ask how they are.

“Do you want to eat… after some time… I’ll find a truck… something that doesn’t spoil easily… and send it to the castle…”

The City of Winter… I wonder how things are going there now.

When I left, Father and Lafayette were already preparing to purchase large quantities of iron ore and leather. What they intended to do was clear… It makes me worried… I should write and ask them.

“…Father, Mother… Brother… stay safe… if anything happens, notify me promptly…”

Right, there’s also the matter of the Iron Guard.

Victoria alone handling those… I can’t watch idly, so I should help her.

Hmm… But that would be a considerable contract for the central defense… How should I tell Father… Just act cute and say they’re bullying me…

The sunlight on a rainy day shyly hid behind the clouds.

In the silent bedroom, the well-behaved young girl tightly held the quill pen, scribbling on the yellowed paper. Her cherry-red lips murmured softly. A huge raven stood on her shoulder, turning its head to look around restlessly.

After a while, the young girl put down her pen.

She grabbed the densely written pages, held them up to her eyes to check, nodded in satisfaction, and a charming smile appeared on her face.

“Hee hee.”

“That’s it!”

She picked up the letter, stuffed the paper inside, sealed it with wax, then placed it into the wooden cylinder she had bought earlier. She tied a red string around the right claw of the goat cheese, gently patted its head, pointed her jade finger at the window, and shouted loudly, “Go, Goat Cheese!”

The goat cheese stared at me blankly.

After a moment, a harsh, eerie laughter came from its black beak: “Hee hee! Hee hee hee hee!”

I immediately widened my eyes.

… Was this bird mocking me!?

“Stop laughing, you fool.”

“Pepo Fool—!”

“You’re the fool… You won’t get lost, right? Go back to the castle and give the letter to Father and Mother.”

“Caw—”

“Once the rain stops, you can go.”

After saying this, I ignored him.

Tilting my head, I thought for a moment, then walked to the wardrobe and took out a black knee-length combat skirt that my father had ordered the workshop to make for me. I tried it on, threw it casually onto the bed, then squatted down, opened the drawer, and pulled out the chain gloves embedded with moon crystals, along with the garters and leg armor, and finally chose a pair of pure black boots… The night outfit was ready.

This all-black ensemble would definitely be hard to spot at night… Forget about the Papal Knight cloak; it’s white and reflective, making it too obvious.

Right, there’s also the cuirass… Should I bring this?

But it feels so stiff and uncomfortable… Never mind, it’s not necessary.

After preparing these things, I walked to the corner of the bedroom and opened the leather suitcase that I hadn’t touched much since arriving here. I reached out and gently stroked the cold scythe blade.

Captain Gray… I feel like you’re a bit lonely.

Should I take you along tonight?

Rumble rumble rumble—

Thunder rumbled outside the window.

…………

Night fell.

Half asleep and half awake, I suddenly heard a loud banging on the door downstairs, startling me into standing up abruptly from the bedside. After a moment of daze, I quickly ran downstairs.

Opening the door, I found it was Reckt… This guy had changed into dark leather armor, but his body was still wet. Who knew where he had gone at noon, and he didn’t even bring an umbrella… Oh, for him, using an umbrella would be inconvenient.

“Forgive me for knocking so loudly, who were you trying to scare?”

Reckt ignored my slightly annoyed gaze. Seeing me dressed entirely in black, he nodded lightly: “Looks like you’re already prepared.”

“Are we leaving now?”

“The sooner the better, more time to observe.”

“Oh, let’s go then.”

Stepping outside, I realized that the rain had stopped sometime ago.

This was good, it actually relieved me… Thank goodness, otherwise I would have been forced to get wet too. I dare not get wet now, if I catch a fever again, I might end up like last night… Don’t want to think about it, don’t want to think about it.

If I don’t think about it, it won’t matter.

“What’s on your back, it looks so heavy.”

“Arms.”

“Arms?”

“Mm-hm.”

“What kind of arms are they… Can I see them?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

Of course, what I carried on my back was Captain Gray. In the end, I still took it out of the box, though it was covered with a black cloth and folded into three parts, so Reckt couldn’t tell what it was.

I knew he was curious, but I didn’t want him to touch it.

If he found out how heavy this weapon was… I felt embarrassed.

“Stingy…”

Before stepping through the large iron gate of the courtyard, I noticed that three members of the Canny Sword were waiting here, including a familiar face… the hooked-nose one.

He smiled at me and said, “We entrust this task to you tonight, Miss Silvija.”