Samuel seemed quite dissatisfied with my decision.
"Is it truly necessary to go in secret like this?"
It likely wasn't solely because he had to participate in this farcical charade, all for the sake of my impersonating a squire.
Ever since Xenon mentioned the Magic Tower's guarantee, Samuel had occasionally suggested invoking the Temple's authority.
Perhaps he, in his own way, wished to be of help, but sadly, matters like the Temple's authority were something I was already adept at wielding on my own, without the Temple even stepping forward.
As for anything else... unless the Temple were to announce that the Dullahan was a divine apostle, there wasn't much to be gained officially from an institution that had already branded the rampant evil as such.
"It would be safer to declare an official subjugation and go."
"Subjugation? Lead a monster subjugation? Me?"
"Of course, as a pretense..."
"And where would we procure monster corpses for this pretense?"
Samuel faltered and closed his mouth. Glancing at him, I turned my head away coldly.
While checking in the mirror to ensure the appearance-altering magical artifact was functioning properly, Samuel, who had been quietly watching me prepare, spoke in a resigned voice.
"What is the reason we must depart immediately today?"
"Father dragged Phrygian sister to the Kendal barony today. Mother took Sayri to meet Maxel. Could there be a better day than this?"
"There is still one more person."
"Lilia Roam?"
Rolling my eyes toward Samuel through the mirror, I saw him press his lips together with a stiff expression.
"My, Sir Samuel."
Letting out a deflated laugh, I concealed the appearance-altering magical artifact within my clothes.
"I'm going out to see *him*."
* * *
The location of the monster attack was the Lindea River.
There was a warp gate across the river, so it was a place where many people usually passed through, but on the day of the incident, the road was closed all day due to the imperial family's procession.
And now, soldiers and investigators dispatched from the imperial palace were stationed everywhere for the incident investigation.
Of course, that posed no threat to me. Because I was Samuel's squire, and Samuel was a famous holy knight.
"It's an unusual attack, so the Temple must also ascertain the situation clearly."
"This is a matter for the Imperial family..."
"If it's an unknown monster, the Temple must also begin verification procedures."
Indeed, Samuel's status was truly useful. Thanks to that, we could easily enter the incident site.
Moreover, everyone was only paying attention to Samuel, showing no particular interest in me, his squire. This allowed me to roam freely along the riverbank.
The river surface under the sunlight sparkled beautifully. Perhaps because the weather was good, it felt utterly peaceful even if I moved just a little away from the sparse crowd.
Confirming that Samuel was admirably drawing attention, I slowly moved my steps.
I spotted a side path leading down under the bridge.
「There really are a lot of ducks in the river.」
As Heinri said, there were many ducks. Descending the side path and reaching the wet gravel bed, the quacking cries sounded like clear conversation.
[Swim over here.]
[Mama, mama!]
[Move your legs more vigorously!]
[Ugh, my wings are so stiff.]
Peaceful, everyday conversations were heard haphazardly. I approached the river's edge until the tips of my shoes got wet, bent my waist, and carefully surveyed the surroundings.
The river seen up close was still peaceful. It was as calm as when viewed from above.
"Hmm?"
I tilted my head, gazing at the sparkling water surface.
It was natural for the sunlight to reflect brightly on the water. But what was the reason the water surface under the bridge, in the shaded area, was also sparkling?
[Hello!]
Snapping out of my daze while staring blankly at the river surface, I saw a duckling bobbing near me, having approached at some point.
Staring intently at the duckling, I calmly parted my lips.
"Hello."
[Wow, you returned my greeting!]
The duckling flapped its wings. Tiny droplets splashed into the air.
"Do you live in this river?"
[We arrived last week!]
"Oh, really?"
Then were they here during the attack? I crouched down completely and met the duckling's eyes.
[You're not going to throw stones?]
"I won't. Why do you ask that?"
[You people always throw stones at us! You laugh every time we fly up!]
The duckling's voice was innocent.
[But I can't fly much yet. So don't throw stones.]
The Lindea Riverbank was usually counted among places with beautiful scenery. The sight of a flock of birds taking flight in such a lovely landscape always added to the atmosphere.
Suddenly, Heinri's words came to mind. There were unusually many ducks, and one of the attendants during the procession had thrown a stone.
Perhaps someone, with no particular ill intent, might have done such a thing to present a beautiful scene to the Empress riding in the carriage.
"I just came down because I wanted to ask something."
The moment I took a step toward the duckling, something flew in from afar with a *whoosh*.
[Stay away from my baby!]
A large duck let out a threatening cry. The mother duck, who had flown in as if to peck me at any moment, inserted herself between me and the duckling.
[Mama, I greeted that human!]
[Greeting? You can't greet humans. It's dangerous, let's go quickly!]
"Excuse me, I just wanted to ask a few things."
Sneaking into their conversation, the mother duck startled and flapped its wings. Then, droplets splashed in a quantity incomparable to the duckling's.
With many droplets splashing into the air, it became even clearer.
This river's water was glowing.
"......"
Gazing at the river water with a subtle look, I slowly dipped my hand in.
A faint green light enveloped my hand within the water that should have been transparent. Startled, I quickly pulled my hand out, but could find no trace.
Of course, there was no particular sensation on my hand either.
"Hey, duck."
Opening and closing my wet hand a couple of times, I stared at the duck.
The mother duck, hiding her baby behind her, was glaring at me with eyes full of wariness.
[What? Are you calling me? How can a human speak to me?]
"Not long ago, humans crossing the bridge up there were attacked by a monster. I wanted to ask if you know anything about it."
[Attack?]
The duck muttered curiously and tilted its head. Staring intently at the duck, I narrowed my eyes.
This wasn't it. I needed to change the question.
"In this river, did a Dullahan appear by any chance?"
The duck stiffened and looked at me. Seeing the completely rigid duck, I became certain.
"A Dullahan who can transform into an animal, right?"
[How do you know him?]
That day, Nadav sensed his comrade's presence. He must have rushed off, leaving Xenon behind.
But then, what about that black shadow and power that reportedly attacked the Empress's party? Was that the work of a fallen fairy, as Xenon said?
Or had this newly appeared knight of the round table... regained some power in this river where the goddess's authority faintly lingers?
"I came to meet him."
Perhaps realizing my interest was solely in the Dullahan, the duck relaxed its tension a bit more and answered.
[He's not here. He avenged us and left.]
"Where to?"
[To the forest.]
Across the bridge was the forest. Although it was designated a restricted area due to the monster attack.
"Do you happen to know why he went to the forest?"
[Well... He said he had to go somewhere?]
The mother duck couldn't explain anything further. From the start, having explained this much was sufficient, so I stood up with words of thanks.
The forest was designated a restricted area, but fortunately, the imperial palace hadn't yet begun search operations. Because matters concerning the subjugation force hadn't been agreed upon.
'For now, they're probably just blocking entry to prevent additional damage.'
While Samuel drew people's attention, it was entirely possible for me to enter the forest alone.
Having made up my mind, I was about to turn my body busily when I suddenly stopped.
"By any chance, what animal did that Dullahan transform into?"
The mother duck, tending to her whining duckling, glanced at me and answered nonchalantly.
[A snake.]
* * *
Fressian's eyes flashed fiercely within his helmet.
He had only realized today that the target was using an appearance-altering magical artifact. Thanks to that, he had lost track before, but with today's pursuit, he intended to completely make up for his previous mistakes.
However, approaching the target was not easy due to the holy knight standing firmly on the bridge.
Despite the effort to disguise themselves as soldiers and investigators, they could only watch from afar, licking their lips in frustration.
The only consolation was that they had the target in their sight.
The target's movements weren't extensive; at most, they went under the bridge, played a bit in the water, and came back up. Otherwise, they were loitering around the holy knight, putting on an unconvincing act of being a squire.
But an opportunity would surely come.
Fressian didn't think the target had come all this way just for some fresh air. Naturally, they hadn't come to play in the water or watch ducks either.
The area around the bridge was relatively bustling with investigators and soldiers, but just a little away from here, the crowd disappeared.
So, if that target acted carelessly and complacently, they might end up left alone.
If they were to have an accident while wandering carelessly in the place where the monster attack occurred, wouldn't that too become the monster's doing?
Of course, there were those who believed the target was fulfilling a divine mission to defeat monsters, but Fressian didn't believe it at all.
He knew the 'person who truly received a divine mission.' Shouldn't she, who possessed the ability to see the future clearly, be the one said to have received a divine mission?
And she had said. The target would not exist in the future.
Just then, he saw the target quietly crossing the bridge, avoiding the soldiers' eyes.
Fressian quickly gestured to his subordinates. The subordinates skillfully blocked others' view, allowing the target to slip completely beyond the bridge.
The target finally, alone, entered the forest.
At last, it was the moment Fressian had been waiting for.