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Chapter 19
“You’re going to the capital? When?”
“It’s quite far… I’ll have to leave tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? That soon? Then what about me? Take me with you!”
Irene shouted.
‘My human buff!’
She thought to herself for once.
“…The capital is dangerous. There are many people, and it’s easy to get lost. The travel distance is also long.”
“It’s okay! I’m good with carriage travel! And I’ll stay right next to you the whole time!”
“Of course, staying by my side is the safest. But I have to visit the imperial palace regularly, so I can’t always be with you. And… there might be people who can recognize you. It’s safer for you to stay here.”
“But… you’re telling me to stay here alone?”
“Why alone? Sebastian will be here, and I’ll leave some knights as well.”
“……”
Seeing Whitey pout and become gloomy, Kalid briefly thought about taking her with him.
But he didn’t want to expose her to any possible danger.
Meanwhile—
Irene was more upset about losing her only conversation partner… and her “human shortcut.”
“I’ll come back quickly. I’ll just meet the Emperor and return.”
“……”
Not knowing his true thoughts, Whitey continued pouting.
Watching her, Kalid made up his mind.
***
“Sebastian. I have someone you need to meet. While I’m away, I want you to look after them.”
“Of course. But… is there a guest?”
Sebastian was surprised.
He didn’t know there was a guest in the mansion.
“…You’ll understand when you see. And for now, I’d like you to keep this to yourself.”
“I see. Someone with many secrets. Don’t worry.”
To be honest, Kalid wasn’t sure yet if he should introduce Whitey to Sebastian.
But now that she had a visible form—
he couldn’t leave her alone without worry.
‘Seriously… Whitey needs a lot of care. …But I don’t hate that.’
At the same time, he was curious—
how would Sebastian see her?
Kalid led Sebastian to his bedroom.
Sebastian didn’t expect a guest to be there, but he hid his surprise well.
“Wait here.”
Kalid knocked lightly and entered.
Sebastian waited patiently.
After a few minutes—
the door opened again.
“Come in. And… don’t be too surprised.”
Sebastian followed him inside.
And then—
he saw a woman standing quietly in the middle of the room.
“Is this… the person?”
“…Can you see her?”
“Yes, of course. She’s right here…”
Sebastian looked closely, doubting his own eyes for a moment.
Then he noticed—
she was slightly different from normal people.
“See? Now even Sebastian can see you.”
“Oh… I guess that’s true.”
“……”
“Sebastian?”
“……”
Sebastian stood frozen, eyes wide.
Irene looked at him worriedly.
‘What if he faints…?’
But contrary to her worries—
Sebastian was simply fascinated.
He quickly adjusted and observed her with shining eyes.
Kalid carefully watched Sebastian’s reaction.
At first, there was surprise—
but no negativity.
Only curiosity…
and admiration.
It seemed that Sebastian also saw her as a human.
“Ahem. My apologies. I am Sebastian Eintz, the butler of this Grand Duke’s residence. You may call me Sebastian.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Whitey.”
“…Pardon? White…y?”
“Yes. Whitey.”
Sebastian doubted his ears.
Such a name didn’t match her appearance at all.
It sounded more like a pet’s name.
For the first time in his life—
he didn’t know what expression to make.
“Then… should I call you Lady Whitey?”
“Ah… that sounds a bit much. Please just call me Whitey.”
“That would be improper for His Highness’s guest.”
“It’s really okay!”
Even though she had lived in a strict social system before—
Irene still couldn’t let go of her old habits.
Kalid, watching their absurd conversation, almost laughed.
“Ahem. Whitey, even if you are transparent, you look human now. Calling you ‘Whitey’ might not be appropriate.”
“But you gave me that name! And I’m used to it now.”
“…Then how about telling us your real name?”
Kalid suddenly felt embarrassed hearing someone else use the name he gave.
“My real name?”
“Yes. Don’t tell me you still don’t remember?”
“I… I think I remember now? Wow… my memory came back!”
“Right. It should. You never truly forgot.”
“…It’s just that my ghost life is short, okay?”
Irene pouted.
Kalid smiled slightly.
After hesitating—
she finally spoke.
“Fine. My name is Irene. Irene Snowell.”
Saying her old name—
she felt both happy and nostalgic.
“Irene…?”
“Hmm?”
But something felt strange.
Kalid’s expression changed.
Something was wrong.
***
“Hm… this is annoying. There’s barely any information.”
A man frowned as he looked through a few documents taken from a large pile.
He checked them again and again—
but nothing changed.
Knock, knock.
A voice came from outside.
“Master, here are the documents you requested… what are you doing?”
“Ah, you’re here? Give them to me.”
The man quickly grabbed them and read through them in an instant.
“I’ll be leaving for a while.”
“What?! Where are you going this time?”
“This time? I’ve been stuck here for two weeks.”
“Yes. Only two weeks. So where now?”
“Hmm… I’ll stop by the East first, then head North.”
He took out a sticky brown potion and a magical tool with two glass lenses.
“Is this for a mission? Then shouldn’t you go West?”
“There’s nothing left in the West. The ‘Broken Sword’ already cleared it.”
The “Broken Sword” was a term used for the imperial family.
“Then… don’t tell me?”
“Yes. I’m going to visit my master.”
“Master! If you keep entering illegally, you’ll get into serious trouble!”
“It’s fine. What would he do to his only student?”
The man laughed casually and drank the suspicious potion.
“No matter how many times I see it… it looks disgusting.”
His red hair turned brown.
His purple eyes turned ordinary brown after using the magical tool.
“Potions and magic tools are always amazing.”
“If mages still existed, we’d have even more of these…”
A faint bitter smile passed his face.
Then he bowed dramatically.
“Then this James will go complete the mission, Vice-Master!”
“Sigh… this time you’re James, not Smith?”
“Of course. With magic tools, I’m James. Smith doesn’t suit this.”
“…What’s the difference?”
“Haha. You still don’t understand. Please take care of things while I’m gone.”
With a playful wink—
Evan, now “James,” jumped out the window.
“Please use the door!!”
Ignoring the shout behind him—
he calmly headed toward the East.
