Entoshi

The day after reporting to the guild about the incident with the entshi

Wait a while until we hear from William.

I decided to go look for any records about the legend of the hero in this town. Alex seems to dislike the cold quite a bit. He'll stay behind at the inn to wait.

Stepping outside, a biting cold seeps into the skin.

The temperature seems quite low. Snow is also deeply piled up.

Wandering aimlessly through the streets, feeling free to go wherever I pleased. Since I had no idea what was where, it felt like sightseeing.

The main road was lined with wooden houses, their triangular roofs neatly aligned. The path, paved with stones, looked much cleaner than a simple gravel road.

There were a few restaurants. I decided to enter a random one and gather information.

Though I didn’t fully understand, I ate a dish combining a red fruit said to be edible raw with meat, while chatting with the shopkeeper.

"Library? Never heard of it. If there is one, it's probably inside a noble's mansion. Can't get in, though."

Scoffing, he said it with a dismissive tone.

"？ Seems like you don't like nobles much. Are they unpopular in this town?"

What do I care? Even if it's unavoidable, the mine output has been declining, making life tough. It's not like magic stones suddenly disappeared. Everyone knew it had been dropping for a while. Yet they did nothing effective, so now suddenly trying random things won't bring production back. And with every attempt to develop alternative industries failing, it's no wonder people resent them.

I see, they're quite unpopular indeed.

It'll be tough to regain public favor without doing something truly remarkable. Even nobles must find it difficult when they're disliked this much.

"I'd like to learn about the Legend of the Hero. Do you know of any place where I can find information?"

"If you want to know quickly, head to the capital of the kingdom. But if you're interested here and now, try a store affiliated with the Yoshida Company."

"Why is that store good? The Yoshida Company?"

"It's simple. It's the largest trading company around here. They handle a huge volume of goods, so there's a chance one of their books might be related to the Hero's Legend."

"I see, thank you very much."

This is a significant find.

I'll look into it as a priority when I have time. But as always, there are still many Japanese names. Could they be related to the Hero's Legend I saw in the Empire? The records about that hero seemed to suggest Japan.

The mystery only deepens.

I also heard a folk tale-like story, which sounded similar to what I'd heard in the Empire.

There are many variations, but the content doesn't differ much.

That evening, it grew dark, so I returned to the lodging.

The next day, snow fell, and I had no desire to go out. Yet, someone came to visit the lodging where I was staying.

She was a maid who had served William.

Her name was Anne Bell. I was summoned by Anne and went to the side of the lodging.

"By the young master's order, I have come to greet Lord Taro."

"Regarding the promise. How do you plan to enter the mansion?"

"Before that, why are you helping the young master?"

"Why? Because I made a promise, that's why."

"Are you really sure you can accomplish a task whose outcome is uncertain?"

"True, that is a reasonable point. But it's still too early to give up when the possibility remains unknown. After all, it's a child's wish—don't we want to do our best to fulfill it?"

"Even if, in the end, nothing comes of it? We can't disappoint the young master again."

"Again? Why decide in advance that nothing will come of it?"

"Do you think we've done nothing at all until now? We've consulted renowned doctors in the capital and had the attending physician conduct research for years. Even then, nothing worked. What exactly do you, a slightly knowledgeable adventurer, think you can achieve?!"

Anne snapped, her voice loud yet swallowed by the endless snowfall, absorbed before it could echo.

She was right. Perhaps I couldn't do anything better than a doctor, nor could I ease my sister's painful feelings about her illness. Maybe William had sensed that instinctively too.

Still, he had come to me. Probably anything would do. He just wanted to make progress toward a resolution, no matter what.

Whether satisfying that feeling is right or wrong is debatable, but this time, I've decided to go ahead and fulfill it.

Fortunately, I have the latest research results from Akau Village with me. Since I once studied some of the techniques while visiting Akau Village, I should be able to perform medical treatments. That doesn't mean I'll actually do so, though. My skills are strictly for emergencies.

Still, I’d like to at least provide some direction or guidance. After interacting with William, that’s what I came to realize.

"Research is progressing every day. Even if the results aren’t satisfactory, if William desires it, I’d like to show him the potential."

"Then, make sure you deliver results. If not, I’ll erase you."

A voice so low it felt unfamiliar issued the warning. My spine stiffened.

As an adult, I keep my promises to children. So, how exactly do you plan to get inside the mansion?

You can't enter straight ahead without a valid reason. Our household is currently reinforcing security in preparation for a war with the Empire, which could break out at any moment. Don't worry— if you don't have a reason, just make one up. Please change into these clothes here.

What was pulled out, saying that, was a maid uniform.

"Is this really William's plan?"

"You look perfect. No matter how you look at it, you're the kind of maid who belongs in this household."

As we walked toward the mansion, two maids were carrying shopping baskets.

I was dressed as a maid. I didn't even need to look in a mirror to know it was a terrible fit. It didn't suit me at all—far from it.

Even if I just change my appearance, the people in the mansion will notice, I was told. There are many maids in the mansion, and since they come and go all the time, the upper staff wouldn't notice if one more maid were added.

Also, it seems there are other people willing to help besides Anne.

As for the voice, I was told:

"Use this. A magician should be able to handle it, right?"

I was handed a voice-altering gemstone.

As its name suggests, it can alter the timbre of one's voice. Extremely rare and never seen on the market. Of course, I'd never seen one before. I've experimented a few times, but I'm still unsure whether I can actually use it effectively.

I'm a bit worried about whether I'll really be able to blend in with the mansion's residents using such equipment, but we've already arrived at the mansion.