Artillery Studies was an emerging field that could be roughly divided into five areas: field artillery, siege warfare, fortress defense, coastal defense, and naval warfare.
Elisa was proficient in the latter two, coastal defense and naval warfare. In the Archipelago, artillery was rarely used in field battles or sieges, and defensive battles involving fortified cities were uncommon as well.
Thanks to her expertise in those two areas, Simon, inside the dream classroom, was subjected to execution by cannon fire and then given a burial at sea.
[Under your cruel instruction, Simon completed a lesson in Artillery Studies. His artillery handling skills have improved.]
Elisa looked at the screen of light with some regret.
I still wanted to let my male servant try out some artillery movement techniques. I was going to use him as a human cannonball, but unfortunately, the dream classroom wouldn’t let me do that. The force of the gunpowder blast just passed straight through him. Haaah.
After closing [Young Lady’s Late-Night Lessons], she opened [Simon’s Log].
[Simon woke with a start from his dream. He dreamed that countless golden-furred seals were barking as they slammed into him and dragged him into the depths of the sea.]
Who are you calling a golden-furred seal?! And I wasn’t going awooo, awooo, awooo! It was boom, boom, boom!
[Intimacy -1]
The golden-furred seals did it! Why are you lowering your intimacy for me?!
Elisa sternly condemned him in her heart. Her male servant was always blaming the innocent Miss Elisa for everything, and that left Miss Elisa feeling… very pleased.
You torment me during the day, so I’ll torment you twice as hard at night!
After happily finishing breakfast, Elisa sat on the sofa in her bedroom reading the newspaper. Maria arrived, accompanied by Eleanor’s maid.
Elisa nodded, not surprised in the slightest.
Eleanor had come to see her male servant. Those paper cranes from the “spirit world” were only suitable for exchanging letters, not for discussing important matters.
Speaking of letters, I sent my teacher one two weeks ago, telling her about the “finger bone.” Counting the days, her reply should be arriving soon.
I wonder what exactly that “finger bone” is.
After having Maria see Ruth out, Elisa waited.
Shortly after lunchtime, Eleanor’s carriage arrived at the estate. The young lady entered the mansion and chatted with Elisa for a while before saying that she wanted to tour the estate and enjoy the scenery on her own for a bit, then left the room.
Elisa opened [Simon’s Log]. Sure enough, Eleanor and her male servant just so happened to “run into” each other in the garden.
[Simon and Eleanor met in the backyard. It was quiet and secluded here, and there was almost no chance of them being discovered. Especially not by Miss Elisa.]
[Miss Eleanor told Simon that she had come to see him under the pretext of visiting Elisa.]
Ew. Elisa shook her head in disgust.
If you ignored all the context and only read these few entries, it practically sounded like Eleanor and my male servant were having an affair, using me as an excuse to secretly meet up on my own estate!
[Looking at Miss Eleanor before him, Simon thought of Miss Elisa and felt a pang of guilt.]
[Intimacy +1]
Don’t raise my intimacy!
If you two want to have a secret rendezvous, then go ahead! Why are you suddenly feeling guilty toward me? You’re making it sound like I’m the loser in some love triangle!
I’m not the losing heroine!
Elisa covered her face with her hands and sighed.
She continued reading the log.
[Eleanor told Simon that she had already removed the cat spirit from Susanna. Once night fell, the forces monitoring Susanna would most likely make their move.]
[Eleanor invited Simon to stay close to Susanna that night and gather information.]
That’s it, Eleanor! That’s the way!
[Simon refused Eleanor. It was far too dangerous.]
It is a little dangerous, admittedly. Neither of you is an experienced Transcendent, after all. But I’ll be keeping an eye on you, so I can support you at any time!
Sigh, my male servant is far too cautious.
[Eleanor offered 30 pounds. Simon firmly refused.]
What? You won’t even do it for 30 pounds? Weren’t you supposed to be my money-grubbing male servant? Have I misjudged you?
[Eleanor offered 50 pounds. Simon pretended to waver and tricked Eleanor into raising her offer to 60 pounds.]
Hah, and here I was reflecting on myself for nothing!
[Eleanor paid a 30 pounds deposit and discussed the plan of action with Simon. That evening, she would drug Elisa unconscious early, and the two of them would set out ahead of time.]
“……!?”
Why did my name suddenly come up? What do you mean, drug me unconscious?!
That’s going too far! What did the innocent Miss Elisa ever do to deserve this?!
Well, there’s no helping it. A servant can only move freely once his master is asleep. I’d better take the hint and pretend I’m a little tired today so I can go to bed early.
[Simon asked Eleanor about the details of the operation. From what Eleanor said, he concluded that she had something to rely on. Perhaps there was someone backing her from behind the scenes.]
It wouldn’t be strange for someone to be backing her. Eleanor must have a teacher in mysticism. I just don’t know what level that teacher is.
Elisa ate a small cookie to replenish her sugar and speed up her thinking when she suddenly heard a tapping sound.
The tapping came from the balcony. She stood up and opened the glass balcony door.
A white pigeon flew in from outside.
Her teacher’s reply had arrived.
She closed [Simon’s Log], removed the message tube from the pigeon’s leg, then picked up a cookie and held it in front of the pigeon’s chest.
A slit opened across the pigeon’s chest, transforming into a mouth that bit off the cookie.
Elisa patted the pigeon on the head and began carefully reading the letter.
***
“Nothing. There’s nothing strange about him, nor any trace of madness,” a voice came from Eleanor’s chest. It was the weak voice of a woman.
“Can you feel a little more at ease about Mr. Simon now?” Eleanor asked.
“A little,” the voice from her chest replied. “Hurry and take me off and seal me away. I can sense that you’ve already lost something.”
“What?!” Eleanor was startled. She glanced around, then quickly entered the mansion’s washroom.
After setting up a simple ritual, she took off the necklace around her neck and performed a spiritual sealing ritual.
She grumbled unhappily, “Other transcendent items at least only have side effects after you use them. Why do you have side effects just from being worn?! It hasn’t even been that long, and I’ve already lost something!”
“I’m not a transcendent item. I’m merely sleeping inside this necklace. I’m in very poor condition, so my abilities are somewhat out of control. I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize. My [Finding Ritual] is practically second nature by now anyway.” Eleanor activated the sealing ritual. “See you tonight, Madam.”
“See you tonight…” The necklace fell silent.
Eleanor put the necklace back on and took stock of her belongings. Wallet, jewelry, handkerchief… They’re all here. What did I just lose?
Eleanor lowered her head and carefully looked over her clothes. None of the accessories on her dress were missing either.
Finally, she lifted the hem of her skirt and froze.
It was gone. The sock on her left foot was gone!
I’d rather have lost my wallet!
She immediately used the [Finding Ritual], retracing her earlier footsteps as she searched.
The silver chain in her palm quickly reacted, pointing toward the corner of a wall. She hurried over and found herself face-to-face with Simon.
[Simon held Eleanor’s stocking in both hands and returned it to her.]
[Eleanor’s Stocking.jp]
Elisa had just finished reading her teacher’s letter and writing a reply. The moment she opened [Simon’s Log], she was greeted by this shocking development….and it even came with a picture!
Her mouth fell open as she stared at the screen of light in disbelief.
How long did I look away for?! What were you two doing behind my back? You even took off your stockings!
Leave a Reply