บท 6: Chapter 16: Renfont Manor, Night (1)

Evening had settled by the time Iris and I were done touring the estate.

It was a magnificent complex, far larger than even the impressive gates would have led to believe. And despite Baron Renfont's assertions that his treasures were few, I knew he possessed enough works of historical or magical significance to transform his manor into a museum.

In many ways, it already was. There was history within these walls, and so it was with reluctance that we were finally informed by our minders that our presence was required.

We returned to the dining room where neither a lavish feast nor Magnus was waiting. The lack of a meal could be explained. It was at our request.

Adventurers learned early that meals came either after a task was complete or during the lull between storms. Anything substantial was more likely to result in ruinous effects should even the slightest athleticism be demanded.

Even though we weren't expecting a fight, this mode of thought continued even when all that was asked from us was the recital of a hundred verses. I'd never seen a phoenix goblet at work before, and though rumours pointed towards a cleansing ritual to be a relatively non-invasive affair, I didn't trust that I wouldn't have to run for some reason before the night was done.

The lack of Magnus, however, was more of a sticking point.

"It appears one of your party is absent," said Baron Renfont lightly, his smile giving away that he knew precisely where he was and what he was doing.

I offered a dip of my head in apology.

"No disrespect is meant through the lack of punctuality. Even ordained heroes are adventurers, and as I no doubt expect you know, are woefully inadequate at timekeeping."

The baron laughed good-naturedly.

"That I know. I've known more adventurers in my time than most barkeeps, though I wish I'd known more heroes. Though our time together has been short, I've greatly enjoyed it. Should this ritual prove successful, I would like to inquire about additional tasks I might impose upon you."

Another reminder not to mess up. As if I needed more.

"I'd be more than open to discussing how we may be of service, while we still find ourselves in the city."

I decided I might as well remind him also that we were only here for as long as necessary to see to our expenses. But if he could offer ways to future proof our financial needs, I was more than happy to offer my sword.

Sitting with me at the table, Iris nodded in agreement.

"The ritual will succeed," she said, her tone making it clear this wasn't for show. She had full faith in me. "The phoenix goblet is a miracle of its own. In capable hands, its effects are guaranteed. We have some experience with powerful artifacts."

"That is most agreeable to hear. Although I understand that neither yourself nor the Scorched Dragon will be taking part in the reciting?"

"I shall remain outside the ritual site to provide support."

Baron Renfont nodded, making no comment about what Magnus would be doing during that time. That was probably for everyone's best.

By the baron's curious expression, it was clear he also wasn't sure what support Iris could provide outside of the site, given that all I was required to do was recite from memory. But he was also familiar enough in the workings of adventurers to know that through magic or some other bond, we'd be able to assist each other from afar.

In truth, I wasn't sure what support Iris could provide, either.

I'd already spoken to my companions regarding their roles in tonight's task. And to be frank, there wasn't one.

Magnus didn't know the hundred verses. He knew one. And that was the first one. Presumably because that is as long as he could keep awake. Iris was better, but she hadn't learned it via rote memorisation like I had.

As a result, the matter had been left until closer to the time to decide how to spread any additional responsibilities that crept up. As there were none, Iris would remain outside the workings of the ritual as essentially moral support. Magnus would … do what Magnus does.

I didn't begrudge either of them, of course. Not even Magnus, who I was very generously choosing to believe was making himself useful somewhere and not currently introducing himself to another trio of maids come to ensure he didn't escape with any pilfered loot.

He wouldn't, of course.

Surrounded by willing servants and able to enjoy someone else's wealth, he would fight the Demon King in an arm wrestle to maintain this current lifestyle.

Although I wouldn't put it against him to do that for the sake of it, too.

"Then we are prepared," said Baron Renfont. "This will be the second time a cleansing ritual has been attempted. I hope for the sake of the Goddess who bestows such gifts upon us that her boon isn't wasted."

"It shall not be," I replied.

I wasn't necessarily confident in myself. But I didn't need to be.

The harsh teachings of my local Sisters meant that once I began, I wouldn't stop until all one hundred verses had been accurately delivered.

I imagined that if I failed, it wasn't a wasted holy artifact that I'd need to worry about. But a sudden smack on the side of my head.

~ ~ ~

Beneath a clear moon, a small clearing had been erected within the vast garden at the front of the estate.

It was an area deliberately cleared of all the wealth and distractions that lined the rest of the garden. Within this circle, only a basin of clear spring water stood, and within it, a priceless silver goblet.

There were no markings or holy symbols adorning the goblet. None obvious, anyway. A goblet such as this would not pass in a jeweller's store, lacking any embellishments as it was. It was a holy artifact, but one gifted by the Goddess who favoured humility and virtue.

I had to wonder how the baron had come across it. Perhaps it'd been obliviously passed on throughout generations. A piece of tableware more in danger of being melted down for its silver than the cause of wars and bloody disputes, either of which were more than plausible considering the nature of the artifact on display.

I swallowed, sweeping thoughts of the object's value from my mind. Now was not the time to be anxious over failure.

"Oh? Is that nervousness I see?" said Iris, apparently more interested in my sudden stiffness than the powerful artifact in front of us.

I forced out a wry smile.

"The only thing I'm worried about is you being bored out of your mind. You know you don't need to stay here, do you?"

"I know."

"But you're going to stay anyway?"

Iris's gentle smile took on an air of playfulness.

"I solemnly promise I will not shirk my duties."

"You don't have any duties."

Iris placed her hands against her heart. Or at least as close to it as she could. It said something about the size of her bust when even such a simple action was basically the same as grabbing her breast.

"My duty is to my party. In this case, I believe the best support I can offer is to fully rest and recuperate, thereby allowing greater efficiency come tomorrow."

"In other words, you're going to flee at the first opportunity."

"I'll listen to at least the first ten verses."

"Those are the shortest."

Iris's eyes pretended to blink in surprise.

"Oh? I had no idea. The shortest, you say? Since when?"

"Since a thousand years ago."

"… Odd. Perhaps they added in a few more lines since then?"

Her cheekiness earned a laugh from me. And then I suddenly felt all the tension leave my shoulders. I didn't even know I was that tense before, but I'm sure Iris did.

That's why, yet again, I was reminded how fortunate I was to call her my girlfriend. That she was willing to subject herself to even ten of the verses was incredible when a manor full of treasures was there to grab her attention, and I doubted if we'd be allowed to linger after the task was complete.

Iris's clear eyes considered me. Her lips opened, looking as if she wanted to say something.

Then, she glanced at the phoenix goblet.

"You'll do excellently," she said after a small pause. "Focus on the task at hand and don't worry about anything else. And when you've finished reciting the hundred verses, I expect a recount of some of the tales concerning how you learned them."

I tried not to groan. If I did, this mischievous girl would undoubtedly not stop until she'd extracted all the misbegotten tales of my head being clapped by a Sister whenever I held a spoon wrong.

"It's very boring," I offered diplomatically.

"And I want to hear all about it."

She softened my obvious distress with her smile, then leaned slightly in, brushing the side of her arm against mine. For a moment, her weight leaned against mine, and I could no longer remember what worries had come to me tonight.

"I know we're a party," she said, her tone soft. "But it feels disingenuous that only you need to do anything tonight."

I would have shrugged if Iris had not been leaning against me. I gave a small laugh instead.

"Work? It's just a recital. The phoenix goblet will practically do all the work. It should be getting paid. Not us."

"And yet it is us. But only you need to do anything to earn it."

"It happens. That's just the nature of being in a party. We support each other. Sometimes, that means taking up tasks only one of us can do. It's a positive. Not a negative. How many times has your light magic gotten us out of a scrap? It's no different to that."

I paused, hesitating.

"If anything, this is the least I can do," I admitted. "I'm not a natural fighter. Not like you and Magnus. If there's anything I can do which doesn't involve …"

"Beating people up?"

"Beating people up. Then I'll do it."

Iris's weight leaned more keenly against me. Even against my arm, I could feel her body heat washing away the cool night.

"You're our leader," she said simply. "You do more for us than you know. And once I have an uninterrupted month to tell you all the reasons why, I will. Until then, be content with the knowledge that nobody could replace you. Not even if they were the finest swordsman, the deadliest mage or the most disreputable of rogues. Parties which have been led by people such as them have failed where we haven't."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I do at least consider myself better than the most disreputable of rogues. For one thing, that would be Magnus."

Now, I might not be the most confident of leaders, but I liked to think that when it came to not insulting the mothers of my companions, I was more learned in this regard.

I also liked to think that I would show up every now and again. It gave me a headache to think about what social faux pas he was currently committing somewhere on the estate.

And so, like any reasonable individual, I simply chose not to.

Some things were better not thinking about.

Iris giggled, saying nothing to defend the man. She couldn't, anyway.

"In any case, try to enjoy this ritual," she said, proving once and for all that she'd never sat through the full thing herself. "It'll be a spectacle from the Goddess. Meaning it won't involve axes and daggers."

"Is it too late to change?" I asked hopefully.

My girlfriend leaned away from me, her expression playfully serious as she chided me in the cutest way possible.

"Working in the Goddess's name is our calling. But don't worry, I know that making no mistakes is no simple task. That's why … you can look forward to your reward afterwards."

I firmly shook my head. Even as thoughtful as she was, I had to draw a line if she thought about having me take on the entire reward for myself.

"It's our reward. Not mine."

Iris's clear eyes sparkled more than the silver goblet beneath the moonlight.

"Yes," she said, her smile taking on an unusual hue. "I suppose it is."