Chapter 241: The Mysterious Painting
The maid was puzzled. She was supposed to be in New Nellie Castle, but before she knew it, she was walking around New Nellie City.
She wondered when she had arrived at the castle, and began to walk down the main street, but something was wrong.She started to walk down the main street, but something was wrong.
A faint uneasiness sprouted in her doubts, and this time she became strangely concerned about the people on the street.The maid's attention turned from the scenery to the people.She noticed the displeasure.She had passed the same-looking people many times. Before.
The maid became frightened and quickened her pace as if to run away.
She became half-crazy and found herself running away, only to pass a person with a face she had seen many times before.Her mind is filled with the fear that the same person is following her.
She wonders when she started crying, and the tears make it hard to see ahead. The next moment, the maid bumps into a young man carrying a water bottle.
The maid regained her composure a little as she heard a loud cracking sound of pottery, and her face was splashed with cold water.The maid, who had been sitting on her bottom, slowly turns around to apologize to the young man .
But there was the young man carrying the water bottle as if nothing had happened. There was no trace of water on the ground, not even a broken piece of the water bottle.
The maid, finally unable to believe that the event was real, collapsed to the ground and closed her eyes. She opened her eyelids, hoping to be rescued from this place, but there was still the same unchanging world.
The maid crouched there for a long time, feeling faint.
I wondered how much time had passed, and suddenly I noticed that the people around me had stopped moving, as if in time to her stillness her.Each person had a different pose, but none of them were moving.
And the maid herself was also unable to move Her fingertips were as stiff as stones, and she was unable to speak, as if she had sunk to the bottom of the water But fear was the only emotion that remained within her of.
Then she suddenly understood.Her soul was trapped in this world.That from now on,she must continue to exist in a world that will never end.
…… Recently, there is a maid who had such a dream.
The maid saw a picture of Vidaldo in the hallway of the castle.It is an elaborate painting depicting scenes from the city of Newnery.Perhaps that is why she dreamed that her soul was trapped inside the painting.It was a dexterous nightmare.
However, the story of the dream seems to have drawn sympathy from many of the servants. Recently, the nightmare has been rumored to be everywhere in the castle. Some of the servants even began to not want to pass through the corridor at night, which shows just how much they hated the painting.
I was the one who had the painting hung in the hallway. It was just a casual instruction, but it was an episode that made me question my sense of values once again.
Grandfather.
My grandfather and Fanny were standing at the spot where the ghost stories of the day were being told.
“Wilk?”
Brother.”
Grandfather's body his was facing the wall, but only his face his was turned toward us.It seemed that they were looking at a painting together.
Today, he had temporarily taken the painting down to the castle to check the sketching point of the painting, but before he knew it, he had returned it to its original state. Moved to the villa or the pioneer association.
I see that you have already returned.
He just left a few minutes ago.
Fanny answered when I called out to her.
I had come straight back to the castle from the pioneer society, but my grandfather had entered the castle earlier than me.
I heard that Wilk had you paint this picture.
His grandfather's eyes he was once again fixed on the painting on the wall.
He did not have it painted, but he offered it to me.
So he hung it up.
……Yes.”
Somehow, I felt as if I were being scolded.
'Are you going to make him paint something else?
What does your grandfather think of the painting?
A strange tension pervades the ghost story spot. The military officers looked at me and my grandfather as if they were peering at each other.
Then my grandfather let out a breath so loud that it almost reached me.
It's a weird picture, and it's best not to let it out.
I didn't want to be probed in my gut by people who might think that the heir to the Quardenze family might have bad ideas.
I just want to have a rare painter on hand.
Yes. From now on, I'm thinking of having him paint mainly landscapes without portraits.
My father also told me to stop painting portraits.
……Would be better.”
Fanny followed her father's advice for her.
Besides New Nelly, I am also interested in Gatoren, Nambonan, where my brother often goes, and Reichleaf, where my grandfather lives. I think this painter's brushwork will give me a good idea of what kind of places they are.
For some people, realistic landscapes are a little off-putting to look at, even if there are no people in them. Fanny, however, had no particular resistance in this area. When I first showed her Vidardo's painting, she said she wanted a painting that depicted the streets of Nambonan, just as she is doing now.
However, as expected, he was not good at drawing people with a realistic touch. When I suggested that he paint a picture of them lined up together, he bluntly refused, saying that he didn't want to. Brother.
He said, “It's going to be tough to take a painter to the Reishleif area or …….”
I replied, and my grandfather approached with his arms outstretched as if to embrace me and Fanny.
He said, haha, I'll show you the Reishleif sooner or later. Not only Raisleaf, but also Othelloia.
“Well…”
Grandfather and granddaughter laughing together. If you cut out this peaceful scene, you wouldn't think we were talking about war.
“By the way, Wilk, are you hurt?”
Suddenly, my grandfather's large hand is pointed at me. Before I had time to resist, he was rubbing me all over.
I didn't feel very comfortable being touched by my grandfather, but he was touching me so seriously that I couldn't resist.
He was so serious about touching me that I was afraid to bounce off him.
I have heard about it. I knew it would be better for you not to go to King's Landing.
My grandfather grown low and stopped touching me.
Lukuse says he will go to King's Landing again soon. I suppose it's inevitable for the sake of diplomacy.
“You don't mind?”
No,” He said. I hear that Levios has not yet avenged the bandit. The eastern ally is still at the mercy of the enemy, and is not at all reliable.
Fanny asked a question, as if she had something on her mind.
Is your grandfather dissatisfied with King Levios?
It is true that, as Fanny said, her grandfather seemed to be rather dissatisfied with King Levios than with the Levios family.The voice of the grandfather seemed to contain such a nuance.
“Dissatisfaction, yes, indeed, I am dissatisfied. King Levios is still alive, then he would have been able to move even after being wounded.
The main ancestor has a strong life force, so he can move even if he is slightly wounded.
'Grandfather, King Levios was wounded in an unknown attack by a high priest. I understand it was a magical attack with poison-like effects.
Even if he is poisoned, as long as he is conscious, we can give him instructions.The most important thing to remember is that you can't just go out and get a good deal of money.It's pathetic that he can't even stand up for himself, let alone go after them, while they trample on the capital.
I see, he must have some feelings about the attack on the capital. I feel that he is more emotional than he should be.
But I think it is limited to a few battle-crazed aristocrats to forget the pain in anger.
Since this is an attack by the Lord's ancestors, there are concerns about magical residues. Shouldn't we think about resting first?”
When you are attacked by magic, it is important to rest first, to take care of it as soon as possible, and to reduce the aftereffects as much as possible. Are very strict in instructing me on this matter.
The magic residue is a terrible thing. If Wilk is attacked, do so.
And King Levios?
That is different.The leader of the nobility must be strong, he must try to be strong.
Perhaps my grandfather has his own ideal of a strong leader. He was not perturbed at all when I asked him if he was contradicting himself.
Grandfather,” I said, “Your brother is very strong. My brother is very strong. Even in King's Landing, he defeated demonic beasts.
The younger sister was cute as she proudly said, “Hmmm.
He was listening to Fanny's story with a calm expression on his face her.
'And he's trying to be strong, too.
Apparently, he had heard that story from his father as well.My grandfather looked at me again with sharp eyes.
I have heard this from Lukuse. He has decided to overthrow the Spierzeiks.
I have decided to fight the Spiaseiks in King's Landing. I had been feeling like I was being forced to live with the fate of the Kuordentse family for the time being, but from now on, I decided to be proactive.
After returning to New Nelly, he had a brief talk with his father about it.
Did you have any thoughts about it?
Yes.
Then I looked at Fanny. She is pretty enough at this point, but I am sure she will become even more beautiful in the future.
I like cuckolds, but I don't like to be cuckolded. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to have Fanny's body eaten by some other guy, but just the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach.
I will destroy …… Spierzeig with my own hands.”
Perhaps it was because of my sickening fantasy, but the words came out much stronger than I had expected.
Neither my grandfather nor Fanny responded to me, and for a moment I was under the illusion that the sound had vanished from my surroundings.
I said, “… Got the message.”
They got the message.
'Brother, your face scares me.'
I lifted my cheeks with the index fingers of both hands, made a smile, and turned to Fanny. I'll try not to have too many unhealthy fantasies.
The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the most out of your money is to be prepared to pay for it. The determination and will to be strong is more precious than anything else. Kasia would be pleased.
The grandfather's hands were placed on my head and stirred me to my heart's content.My head is rattled, not only by his hands, but also by his ears and cheeks.
When I moved my hands to still them, my grandfather laughed loudly and moved his hands and fingers even harder.His hair was a mess.
I can go back to the front lines without any worries.
…… When will you be back?
Early tomorrow morning.
That's too soon. I just got back and now I'm going back to the front, I can't even get a rest, can I?
“Grandfather,” He said, “Please take a little more time. You can relax a little longer.
Fanny seemed to have already heard that, and she squeezed out a strained voice.
I'd like to, but we can't be too careful. I've been back on the road too.
'I hear that the Spierzeiks are preparing to intercept at the entrance to the Voistra Plain.
It is obvious, but it is better to defend than to invade, and the damage will be less.It is more advantageous for the Spiaseik side to attack the Quardenze forces when they attack.The Spiasek side has the advantage of being on their home ground .
Even in the absence of their grandfather, would the inferior Spiaseik forces launch an easy counterattack?
Even if the Spierzeig forces were to move now, it would be difficult for them to retake the castle of Rijsleif in the short time they have before the return of their grandfather. Wouldn't it be better to fish them out of the front line, draw them in, and beat them back?
That will not lead to a great battle.
The big battle is a battle in which all the aristocratic families join forces.
Now a great battle at the entrance to the Voistra Plain would be envisioned between the two armies.
'I have been thinking for some time now, do we need a big battle with the Spierzeiks? No matter how strong your grandfather is, there are no absolutes in the battle of the Lord's Ancestors, and it is a big gamble. , If we continue to advance while reducing our forces accordingly, we will eventually reach Othellia.”
A great battle is essential.”
The words of strong denial were slammed down. The grandfather then showed a slightly flustered look, but continued talking.
The head of Kindroa is not enough. Only in the great battle can both Kindoroa and Makunis be avenged.
His grandfather and father hated Kindlore, the previous head of the Spierzeig family, and McInnis, the current head of the Spierzeig family.
I must be prepared for that, so I will leave New Nellie tomorrow.
My grandfather assured me that he would not allow me to argue with him.
There is much to be done, he said, such as strengthening the system for defeating the remnants of the occupied territories, scouting the Vojstra Plain, expanding the army, and establishing a frontline base.
Then my grandfather says, as if remembering.
“…… Come to think of it, the Nambonan soldiers are very obedient and easy to use. When Wilk comes to the front, consider taking the initiative to use them.”
The sudden high praise for the Nambonan soldiers was a mystery. I don't think my grandfather had ever led the Nambonan soldiers in the first place.
The goal this time was to move in a short period of time, so we exchanged troops on the Amelia River.
My grandfather had crossed the outer regions from the front line south of Raishleif Castle to the city of Nambonan, and from there he had used boats to enter the interior and run at full speed to the city of New Nellie.
The tedious part of this process was crossing the Amelia River, and the more soldiers there were, the longer it took. By boat.
For this reason, my grandfather would send the first soldiers to the other side of the river, and the soldiers stationed in Nambonan would cross ahead of them and wait on the other side of the river. And military officers would board the boats, making it possible to cross the river in a short time.
He said, “…… So the Nambonan soldiers are coming to New Nellie City now? Wouldn't that cause a shortage of soldiers in Nambonan City? …… Oh, it's not a problem, because the Soldiers your grandfather brought with him are in Nambonan instead.
For a moment I wondered if the city of Nambonan was empty, but I soon realized that was not the case.
In the first place, Nambonan City has a lot of soldiers.The soldiers we brought this time are only a small part of it, and there will be no problem if we don't bring them back for a while.Wilk will probably go to Nambonan, and we can bring them back then.
It seems that the Nambonan soldiers will be left in New Nellie City.
Both New Nellie and Nambonan are under the direct control of the Quardenze family, and there is no particular problem with the Nambonan soldiers being there. No one would complain if they were left in the knight's territory, though.
When you leave tomorrow, you will take the soldiers of New Nellie with you?
Yes. We must give the Nambonan soldiers a rest. We have not had a day off since we entered the interior.
Unlike the outer regions, there was little worry of enemy attack in the interior. My grandfather probably judged that there would be no problem even if they ran at full speed with minimal precautions. The Nambonan soldiers who had to accompany him must have had a hard time.
I understand,” He said. I'll put it back in later.
When you get a chance, give them credit.
My grandfather nodded in reply and started walking down the corridor in the direction that led outside. He was going to check on the men he would be leading tomorrow at the castle until dinner.
Before I could stop him, he disappeared down the corridor.
Brother.”
Fanny, who remained in the corridor, tugged at my sleeve.
What's wrong? What's wrong?
“Uh-huh. Grandfather seemed to be in a very good mood today.
He seemed to be in the best mood when he said that.
The first time in a long time that her grandfather paid attention to her, Fanny's whole body her was oozing with happiness.
Fanny is happy to see her grandfather after a long time, isn't she?
Yes. I love a kind grandfather like the one you have today.
I think I was left with the impression that they were in a hurry to get to the front.
In some cases, it may be better to move to Nambonan City earlier.
