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Death’s Daughter Chapter 43

Author: “FoodLovingPanda”

CHAPTER 43 – A MEAL WITH THE EARL

The journey started off peacefully. Under tutoring of Odi-san I was able to ride on my own, safely by the end of the day. Odi-san was surprisingly good teacher; sadly there was no avoiding the soreness of riding all day.

Since this was an official escort mission, I didn’t forget to pay attention to our surroundings, I kept my presence detection skill constantly active as a precaution, but aside from our party there was nothing I could detect.

For the entire day we didn’t make a single stop, I assumed the goal was to cover as much distance as possible, but I somehow felt that the pace of the journey seemed really slow. But then again, I could not be asked what is normal for such travels, since every time I left the town I was in extreme hurry. However the Earl was the one that was dictating the pace of the travel and I didn’t mind it that much.

The second day went pretty much the same way as the first one. Luckily, during dinner and breakfast, I was able to snatch back the cubs much to Earl and his maid’s sorrow. Don’t get so attached I am the one that tamed them.

This time I was talking with Volt-san and Odi-san how to fight with them since we never partied before. Even though I could use the sword it was decided that I would take the role of a magician and support them from a distance. The layout was similar how Cerberos acted. Sadly we couldn’t practice much but since we were somewhat familiar with each other, I thought it would work out if a fight breaks out.

One good thing about this party play is that I will be able to make better use of my [Enchant] magic that I sadly could not cast upon myself. I only ever used it to make my sword lighter, sturdier and sharper.

When the evening arrived we made a stop for the night. The Earl didn’t want to stop at inns, so we never entered towns or villages. I took out some of my already prepared food when the maid called for me.

“Naoko-sama, Earl Orzak wishes for you to join him for dinner today. Please come with
me.”

I was surprised by the invitation, I thought of him as withdrawn man that preferred silence and solitude over conversations at meals. Since I had no reason to refuse I followed behind until I arrived at the carriage. Inside there was a built in table between the seating area which were all covered in soft pillows. It looked like a comfortable ride inside. Right now Duke
was not inside.

“Good evening Earl-sama, I am honored to be invited.”

“Oh drop the formal talk, it doesn’t suit you.”

Completely un-noble like, but I didn’t mind it. That made it easier for me as well. As soon as I sat down, the maid brought a meal. When did she prepare that?

“Very well, I’ll do that.”

“Now that the meal is served, tell me how did you learn space magic? Your speed statistic is nowhere near the needed amount to unlock it.”

Uwah… suddenly I feel this will be more of an interrogation and less of a casual meal. And the thing he asked is something I had no idea about since drunk Nao was the one to unlock it.

“I got it after getting drunk one day. The next I woke up and it was there on my status. I kinda got lucky that night.”

“Is that so? Well then just from that you would not be able to use it, and yet when I used [Blink] you were more like “OMG he can do that” instead of “What the hell did he just do?”. Care to explain why?”

He got me here, I didn’t expect him to notice my expression at that moment. I was certain he was preoccupied with the Duke to pay attention to me. It seems I was wrong about him.

“You’re right, I can use it, but it takes too much mana, but for the current me it is enough. As I improve, it will become easier to use it, I’m sure of it.”

“Very well then, I actually wanted to ask you to be my disciple, but from what I have heard you already have your own style and have learned some peculiar swordsmanship so I won’t bother about it at all. Now onto easier stuff, what do you think of our travel plan.”

What easy stuff, the atmosphere turned super tense as soon as he asked that. Is this some trick question? I had no idea what he wants to hear. I should probably try and bluff my way through this.

“I was curious as well, but isn’t this somewhat odd plan, slowly travelling all day without breaks seems odd to me as well. But since Earl-sama, as the one in charge ordered it, I dare not disobey. My job is that both you and the Duke arrive at the capital unharmed.”

“Well as long as you are aware of that, there won’t be any problems. Do you want some wine with your meal?”

“Absolutely not! I am on a job, and that means no drinking alcohol whatsoever. Besides, god knows what the drunk Nao would do.”

I muttered those last words almost silently leaving the Earl in confusion. Rest of the meal passed cheerfully with some chit-chat. However, the question about the travel plan remained in my mind. Why exactly is he doing it like that, staying on the road all day long and never entering towns, it seems to me that it is almost calling for danger.

Suddenly, something clicked with me. If the Duke was collaborating with Black Hand then there is a chance Black Hand will make a move and try to silence the Duke to stop information leak. And the way we are travelling makes it easier to launch an attack. But isn’t this too risky? Earl is betting that we can overpower and outwit assassins, however we have no idea who might come. This is dangerous.

I returned to the campfire where we would keep watch and offered to go first. I don’t think I will be able to sleep anytime soon now that I was aware of the plan the Earl forged without telling us. I made sure to have all my detection and sensory skills active the entire time I was keeping watch.