𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭
― When Luke and Sir Wilfred were spending the night in the dungeon ―
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“Achoo!”
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Alma sneezed softly in bed.
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“I wonder if someone is talking about me.”
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Turning in her bed, Alma looked out at the shining moon through the window.
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“Really, Otou-sama, why did he go out with just Luke and not invite me?”
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The next morning, still groggy, Alma was visited in her room by a maid.
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“Ojou-sama, a messenger from Flora-sama requests an audience with you.”
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“Flora-sama?”
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Alma, hastily getting ready, headed to the parlor where a perfectly attired servant was standing.
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“Are you Alma-sama?”
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The servant presented Alma with a letter.
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“. . .What is this?!”
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Opening the seal, Alma’s eyes widened in surprise.
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― I would like to discuss a certain matter with you urgently. Please come at your earliest convenience. Flora Nightingale ―
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The letter bore Flora’s signature and seal.
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(What should I do, Luke and Father are not here. . . But maybe Flora-sama has found something important. . .)
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Hesitant due to the sudden situation, Alma was approached by the servant.
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“Alma-sama, it seems urgent. Flora-sama appears unable to act openly and instructed me to come to you.”
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“. . .Understood. I’ll prepare immediately, please wait outside.”
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Eventually, Alma looked up resolutely.
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There’s no use worrying here, I must decide on my own as Luke and Father’s return is uncertain.
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“I’ll be going out for a while. If Luke and Father return, show them this.”
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Handing the letter to the butler, Alma boarded the carriage waiting outside.
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“Alma, my daughter! I have returned!”
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In the afternoon, Luke and Sir Wilfred returned to the mansion.
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“Alma, I have an important report! Can you come here right now? Alma? Where are you?”
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“Danna-sama. . .”
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As they grew suspicious of Alma’s absence, the butler arrived with a letter.
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“Ojou-sama left this morning with a messenger from Flora-sama. She left this for you and Luke-sama.”
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“Lady Flora. . .? What is this matter about?”
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Sir Wilfred looked at the letter with a puzzled expression.
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Luke, who was looking at it too, changed his expression.
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“Could it be. . . Sir Wilfred, is there another letter from Lady Flora?”
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“Ah, yes, there is. . .”
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“Can you bring it to me immediately?”
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Holding the other letter brought by the butler, Luke’s left eye shone red.
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Luke, scrutinizing the two letters, eventually twisted his face in agony.
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“. . .This is. . . a fake letter. . .!”
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“What?!”
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“What did you say?!”
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Sir Wilfred and the butler were shocked.
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“Both papers are made of royal exclusive material. However, there are slight differences in the signatures and seals, and most importantly, the ink used is different. This is undoubtedly a forgery.”
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“What a thing to happen. . .”
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The butler’s face turned from pale to ashen.
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“This must be the work of a professional forger. It’s impossible for ordinary people to discern. We must pursue her immediately!”
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Luke rushed outside.
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The road in front of the mansion had several carriage tracks.
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However, Luke clearly saw the tracks that were just made.
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One of them was deeper on the return path, weighed down by Alma’s body.
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Luke’s face became colored with anger.
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“I will definitely save her.”
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“Luke! I will come too!”
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Sir Wilfred arrived on a running dragon.
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“Sorry, I’m going ahead, can you follow me?”
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As soon as he said it, Luke started running.
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“Hey, it’s faster on the running dragon!”
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“That’s too slow! Summoning Wind Sprint.”
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With his feet wrapped in light, Luke disappeared into the forest at a tremendous speed.
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“This won’t do! We need reinforcements right away! Chase after Luke!”
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Watching in astonishment, Sir Wilfred quickly pulled the reins in urgency.
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Alma noticed something was wrong a while after boarding the carriage.
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“It seems we are not heading towards St. Arrogas. Where are you taking me?”
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“I apologize, but I am under orders not to disclose our destination, even to Alma-sama, due to the secrecy of the matter.”
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Suspicious.
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It’s unthinkable that Flora would give such an order.
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In addition to the servant, there were five knights armed with weapons in the carriage, ostensibly for protection, but it seemed more like a brute squad to prevent her escape.
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Alma could have escaped with this number of guards, but she decided to comply for the time being.
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The carriage veered off the main road onto a side path and entered the forest.
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“This path leads to the Narejji territory, but why are we going this way? I don’t think Flora-sama is there.”
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“Tch.”
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The servant let out an involuntary click of his tongue.
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“You should have realized by now. You’re being kidnapped.”
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Just as she thought.
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Then, the letter must have been a fake.
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Alma sighed and shifted her mindset.
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Now she had to figure out who was behind her kidnapping and why.
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“Is your hideout in the Narejji territory, or is there someone there who hired you?”
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“. . .Just shut up.”
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The fake servant threatened her with a knife.
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His manner had already reverted to that of a criminal.
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“It’s none of your business who hired us or where we’re going. If you don’t want to get hurt, just stay quiet. We were told to bring you alive, but not necessarily unharmed.”
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This meant they were acting on someone’s orders.
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It might be wise to follow them quietly to their hideout.
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Luke would surely notice the letter was a fake and follow her.
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Seeing Alma fall silent, the fake servant snorted in derision.
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“Good, you’re a good listener. Don’t worry, we’ll ensure your safety until the handover. After that, I can’t say.”
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The carriage entered the Narejji territory, passed through the forest, and eventually reached a cliff with a cave.
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“We’re here. Sorry, but we’ll have to restrain you now. Don’t bother resisting; it’s futile.”
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“I refuse.”
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Alma’s firm stance twisted the fake servant’s face with anger.
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“Such a stubborn girl. Scared now, are you?”
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Alma grabbed the hand that was holding a knife in front of her and twisted the servant’s arm.
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She then threw the servant’s back, rolling towards the knights. With that momentum, she spun her body and leaped out of the carriage through the raised window at the back.
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“Damn it!”
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The knights tumbled out of the carriage.
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Men with a menacing look rushed out of the cave, surrounding Alma with drawn swords.
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“Don’t get cocky just because we’re not supposed to kill you. We’ll cut you up just enough not to kill you.”
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“The one getting cocky is you.”
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Alma’s body was encased in armor.
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“I’ll make sure you can’t move, but be prepared for some broken bones.”
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