My name is Rafen.

The middle-aged man in glasses introduced himself when he sat in the seat.

"I was hired by the Count to work as Forth's assistant as a doctor."

You look exactly like the Count.

This man said it earlier.

The Count and Forth said they were lying.He wants to help the Third Princess.

The three of us, with the exception of Rafen, looked at each other.

What should I do?

Rafen sighed.

"... suddenly.I can't help being surprised..... "

Hmm.

Licht opens his mouth by choosing a word.

"What is the lie between the Count and Forth?

"It's about the Third Princess's illness.They know the name of the disease. "

――

Suddenly the confession tightened the surrounding air.

"What is that!?

Rafen answers Licht as he steps forward and asks.

"Yarn sickness."

Yarn craziness?

It was a name I didn't know.Laura and Licht had a face that didn't look good.

"You don't know that.It's a rare endemic disease. "

Licht asks Rafen.

"What happens when that happens?

"That name is correct.The deterioration in physical condition will eventually subside, but only on the surface.Your mind will break - eventually you will be distracted. "

"Madness?"

"Every madman is crazy, but he kills people, for example - a lot."

... hmm?

I think I heard that story somewhere recently...

Um...

Laura interrupted the conversation between Licht and Rafen.

"... I heard that the previous lord was distracted and executed many of his relatives, but no way..."

Rafen nodded.

"That's right. I haven't diagnosed my predecessors, so I'm not sure, but I think it's a typical case of filamentous disease."

The three of us looked at each other again.

... it seems that the madness of our ancestors has its back.

Nastasia has the same disease.

"No, no, no! Hold on a sec!

Licht shook his head.

"Even if you were sick!Why would the Count pretend not to know?I have no reason not to help you!

That was a good point.

Nobility is what serves the kingdom and the royal family.There is no way to leave the Royal Human Crisis unattended.

Rafen replied quietly.

"I don't know."

And this keeps going.

"I can only think that the Count and Forth are already insane.They seem to be moving just because the kingdom is going to be confused -- because they want to enjoy it. "

Already mad...

Indeed, the Count's words and deeds deviate greatly from the common sense of the nobles.

As far as Rafen is concerned, it is convincing.

"--I want to question the Count's bastard....!

Licht speaks to himself like that.

But I'm sure he knows it's pointless.After all, the Count has no ear to hear.

Laura opened her mouth.

"... isn't it better to save the Third Princess?

That seemed like a very good idea.

There is no chance of survival here.Save Nastasia and escape the Earl's Landing and fly straight to King's Landing with the transfer formation in Liechtenstein.

Richard's face became brighter.

But...

"No."

Rafen shook his head.

"If you run to King's Landing, you can't cure your illness."

"What do you mean?

Rafen answers the question to Licht.

"There's only one way to cure yarn craziness.We need to swallow the 'special spring water', which is only available in this region. "

"... special spring water...?

"Yes, I looked into the heavy mythrill mine north of this city - it can be harvested behind it."

Open it for a while before Rafen keeps talking.

"It's just a place that's been abandoned for a long time.Rumor has it it's a Wicked Beast nest. "

"... is that so?"

I opened my mouth.

"He said he needed your help, but he wanted you to fetch the spring water."

"Yes"

Rafen nodded.

I'll throw my gaze at Licht.Licht just roared "Hmm" and didn't reply.

... I don't even know.

Because...

"You don't trust me, do you?

I smiled like Rafen was in trouble.

Yes, Rafen himself cannot be trusted.

Leading us to the Abandonment Pit - I followed the Count around to find out about the Heavy Mythrill and finally found out where Nastasia was hiding.Isn't that a good place to assassinate us?

Raffen suggested it to us who couldn't answer right away.

"So, how about this?I will accompany you to the abandoned pit.There's no way I could put you in danger, is there?

Raffen looked at us with serious eyes.

"I want you to believe me.I need your help to help Nastasia.The medical condition is bad. One more week.Beyond that, you won't be able to recover even if you drink spring water.We don't have time for this!

Laura's face shakes sadly.

Laura's kindness seemed to have embraced Rafen's words.

My eyes and those of Licht hit.

Licht's eyes...

It was the eyes of a hungry man.Look at me and nod.

After all, Richard and I were nobles.Beyond being a nobleman, you can't abandon a royal family in distress for fear of your own danger.

Licht opened his mouth.

"Okay! Leave it to us!

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Return to Stram territory.

That's what we told the Count to get on the highway carriage.

Of course, I'm not really going back.

To avoid being overwhelmed by the Count.

Then take the express carriage for two days.

We followed Rafen's lead to the city adjacent to the Heavy Missile Mine.

When you get off the carriage, you can see a very large rocky mountain.

It was used in mining until decades ago, but it seems to have died and has not been used for a long time.

So, even though it was a city, the bustle was a rustic atmosphere like an old story.

"Ugh... so powerful..."

Laura sounded nervous next to me.

This is what Rafen says as he gets off the carriage.

"Please be careful, everyone.I'm talking about becoming a Wicked Beast nest..... "

Incidentally, Rafen is the one suspected of being the Count if he suddenly disappears, but I've been asked what to do about it.

"Psychiatric illness."

A truly classic solution was presented.

... it will be settled in a few days.It won't be a problem because you only have to buy a little time.

― ― Are you a beast?Your arms are ringing. "

That's how the last one comes out of the carriage.

"Please, Rio."

Licht called for a maid knight with Nastasia.Now I'm wearing armor instead of maid clothes and I'm putting a sword on my waist.

"Leave it to me."

Rio continued in a confident tone as he slapped the sheath of his sword.

If you're dealing with a beast, you're better at cleaning.

... is it okay as a maid?

We entrusted the carriage to the members of Licht's crew, and we headed for the abandoned pit.