Chapter 55: Charlotte and Side Connections
It was my umpteenth visit to Trichel’s room.
Unlike the first time, she now smoothly pulled out a chair and invited me in.
I silently followed her lead.
Once I sat down, she gently slipped my cloak off from behind.
"Well then? What happened this time?"
"…………"
"Hm? If you don’t tell me, I won’t know, you know?"
Really, is it okay to talk to this one?
The only thing we have in common is that her way of speaking feels slightly similar. That’s all.
And yet, for some reason, I can’t help but see Salem overlapping with her.
There’s a lot about Trichel I don’t understand. If she turned out to be connected to Salem behind the scenes, it honestly wouldn’t surprise me.
Whether she knew what I was thinking or not, Trichel quietly prepared tea.
She poured two cups and offered one to me.
When I just stared at the cup, refusing to drink, Trichel took a sip of her own and then swapped it with the one set in front of me.
A gesture that said: there’s no poison.
"…You’re pretty cautious, huh."
Trichel gave me a wry smile.
But she didn’t tell me not to be cautious.
"You’re not making your usual jokes today."
"Mm, because I understand. I get why you’d be on guard."
Saying that, she took a sip from the swapped cup.
I followed her lead and drank as well.
I felt her gaze. She was watching happily as I drank.
…What the hell. Looking at me like that just makes me feel guilty.
"Why do you know I’d be suspicious?"
"If I have to spell it out—it’s because I know Salem."
At those words, my body froze, even though part of me had already suspected it.
Did I just walk straight into the enemy’s arms?
"I’ve heard the gist of your situation… just broadly. The rest is deduction from the circumstances."
"Are you going to hand me over to Salem?"
What am I even asking?
I knew in my head it was a meaningless question, but I couldn’t stop myself from saying it.
If Trichel wanted to, she could restrain me without any effort.
Which makes this question pointless.
And yet, contrary to my fears, Trichel just blinked wide-eyed in surprise.
As if the thought had never crossed her mind.
"Charlotte, is that what you want me to do?"
She asked, sounding confused.
That’s such an unnecessary question. Obviously not.
"…No."
"Then I won’t."
As if it were nothing, she drained her cup in one go.
This time it was my turn to stare, dumbfounded.
Did she just say she wouldn’t? Then why admit to knowing Salem in the first place?
I couldn’t read Trichel’s intentions. No—I’d never understood her, but now she felt even more unfathomable.
What? What is she after? What’s her goal?
"Hm? What is it, Charlotte?"
"…Aren’t you one of Salem’s allies?"
She tilted her head slightly, as if thinking it over.
But she didn’t look the least bit serious.
"‘Ally’ might not be the right word. I can’t go against Salem’s orders, but she doesn’t actually care about me otherwise."
"That’s basically—!?"
I was about to say that’s basically slavery, when she gently raised a finger in front of my face.
I bit my tongue, and she just smiled while twirling that finger playfully.
"This is about birth and role. I appreciate you getting upset for me, but it’s not something I want you interfering in."
Hearing that left me no choice but to fall silent.
But then, why…?
"Salem hasn’t told me, ‘Go capture Charlotte.’"
It felt like she had read my thoughts. With a smug look, she poured herself a refill.
"Besides, from my perspective, Charlotte’s wishes take priority."
She winked at me in a cheeky, playful way.
"So even if I do get such an order, if you don’t want it, I’ll refuse."
"…Thank you."
The tension in my body loosened. My suffocating breaths began to feel like actual air again.
Only then did I notice—I’d been trembling.
Ah. Tears welled up in my eyes. I really had been wound up so tight.
To be reassured in such an unexpected way—it completely caught me off guard.
"Ah, did you fall for me? You did, didn’t you?"
"Mm, maybe I felt a tiny bit of murderous intent."
"Well, as long as it’s a feeling directed toward me, I’ll accept it!"
Without missing a beat, Trichel struck her usual playful pose, and I chuckled in response.
We laughed together for a short while before I lifted my cup again.
…Yeah, it’s good. Fragrant too. Must be fine tea.
"So then, what were you planning to tell Reynard?"
Seeing that my tension had eased, she guided the conversation back on track.
Maybe this one is more capable than I gave her credit for. Lately, I’ve been rethinking my impression of her.
Not that I’d ever say that aloud—she’d just get cocky, and I’d hate that.
"Actually, I’m heading into a dungeon right now, and I want you to come with me."
"This has to do with Salem, right?"
"Yes. Riven went in alone. I want to go help him."
If Trichel knows about Salem, then she also knows just how dangerous this is.
She doesn’t like Riven, but since she can see how serious I am, she doesn’t tell me to stop.
Instead, she gives me a beaming smile.
…She’s not going to try and stop me, right?
"Alright, let’s go. Right now."
"…Huh?"
"Sorry, but given the situation, we don’t have time to wait for Reynard. He won’t be back anytime soon."
Trichel rose from her seat and smoothly picked up a staff from the back of the room.
I’d never seen a weapon like it before. What was it?
"If it’s just him, Salem won’t show any mercy. If we don’t hurry, he’ll be killed."
"W-wait! But… are you sure about this!?"
Didn’t she just say she couldn’t disobey Salem?
This is completely against Salem’s will.
She told me my wishes mattered more, but… is that really okay?
"Um, Trichel…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Are you sure?"
"Hm?"
She tilted her head, as if she really didn’t understand.
I couldn’t tell if she was playing dumb or if she genuinely didn’t get it.
If she really didn’t, then not pointing it out felt wrong.
"We might end up fighting Salem."
"Ah… well, that’s a bit of a problem."
"Then—!"
I raised my voice, but then our eyes met.
Why are you looking at me with such gentle eyes? That’s not who you’re supposed to be!
She stepped closer at an unhurried pace, and I instinctively braced myself.
And then—her hand rested softly on my head.
"Don’t worry so much. Charlotte, just do what you always do—make some noise in the back."
"…………"
Her words left no room for argument.
Warmth radiated from her hand, and I didn’t know how to respond.
My mind went blank. I didn’t even know what kind of face I should be making.
I never thought she’d take my desperation seriously.
At best, I expected her to tell me to wait until tomorrow, since it was already too late to dive in tonight.
"Hm? What’s wrong? Fell for me all over again?"
"…Thank you."
"There we go."
All I could manage was sincere gratitude.
Maybe I should’ve tossed in some snark instead.
…No. Those words came from the heart. That was enough.
"Besides—I’ve never liked that one anyway."
I couldn’t tell if she was serious or just joking to reassure me. Still, it eased my mind a little.
When she went so far as to say she couldn’t miss the chance to beat Salem down for real, all I could do was laugh.
…I’ll have to repay her somehow later. This is a debt I can’t ignore.
But how? When it comes to Trichel, I can’t think of a single good way to repay her. Probably because of the way she usually acts.
Oh well. I’m always racking up debts anyway. I’ll figure it out later. Once we’ve saved Riven, I’ll settle it however I can.
"Charlotte, is your gear ready?"
"Yes. I’ve packed everything I need in my magic bag."
"And you know where the dungeon is?"
"I do."
"Then let’s move. I hate that it’s him we’re rescuing, but… this is a race against time."
For just an instant, she made a face full of distaste, then left the room with her staff in hand.
That staff… what is it? I want to ask, but it can wait until we’re in the dungeon.
Right now, there are more important things.
If Trichel is this urgent, then the danger must be real.
Wait for us, Riven. We’re coming.
Please—let us make it in time.
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