My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending

That night Harold and Task entered into a cooperative relationship.

There was a room with brilliant lights to escape from that darkness in the darkness, where the night book descended and the moonlight could not reach the surface, inhibited by thick clouds.

In one of those rooms he began a task sitting in the upper seat, where his wife Koyomi and daughter Erica, Kiryu, the side servant of the task, and a total of five Yuno, whose unspoilt cooking attire were trademarks, were uniformly silent.

The task of being the lord of this mansion so as to relieve tension cuts the tone of conversation.

"Well, I see you have something to report, don't you? Yuno."

"Yes, sir, and I have something to tell Erica"

Yuno cut it out that way in a different way than the usual prolonged tone of what is a quiet voice.

"To Erica, too?

"It's the left. Erica was working for you."

A gaze other than Yuno gathers in Erica at the word. She took it and bowed her head deeply.

"I'm sorry I moved them on my own, Father. I had to make sure, so I helped Yuno."

"What do you need to know, Harold?

"That's right. Did you know that your father murdered Harold's servant, his father and son?

"Oh, reports are coming up that there are stories like that in Stokes' city well."

I have also heard of the murder of a mother and child by an inside detective who infiltrated Stokes territory under the guise of a merchant or traveler. The original aversion to the Stokes family also seemed quite widespread among the inhabitants.

"… the possibility has surfaced that it is false"

"False? Does that mean the murdered rumored parents and children are still alive?

"We asked Yuno and the others to help us find out the truth."

And now Yuno is here to communicate that finding.

Now everyone's gaze gathered in Yuno. Everyone waits for the next word she utters.

In contrast, Yuno said this without wearing it.

"With regard to this case, the rumors that are circulating were false. Clara, the servant who was supposed to have been murdered, and her daughter Colette, are still alive."

The task narrowed her eyes to the report, and Erica squeezed her face down and her fist firmly on both knees. Guilt covers her heart.

Watch as you care about Erica like that, but still keep reporting.

"What they now live in is a small village under the jurisdiction of Viscount Barack called Brousch Village. It was quite a hassle, but we also got testimony from the person."

"What did you take the trouble for?

"I hadn't changed my name, it was easy to get to them by asking the villagers, but I didn't try to tell them what happened back then."

Upon receiving the report from a fellow, Yuno went to the site on his own feet. I wouldn't even be paying the front door if I actually talked to him, but he seemed completely unwilling to tell Clara the truth.

But even as a yuno, you can't back off with "then you can't help it ~". And I also noticed that it was within the interchange of words with Clara.

That means she owes a lot to Harold.

Harold hides their survival while claiming to have killed himself, and makes no move to sedate it knowing the rumors that they were murdered. Plus, she's supposed to have been killed. Why does she owe Harold anything?

When I thought that far, a certain hypothesis emerged in Yuno. If that hypothesis was correct, it might rock Clara.

at the same time it was like trampling the thoughts of Harold and Clara, both of them.

But even if it does, I don't have the option of holding my mouth to Yuno. Bite her bitter thoughts to death. She went on to say these words.

"Master Harold bears the stigma of a murderer, and he's affirming it by moving on. Because of this, Master Harold was now hostile to the people of his own territory, and although he had not put it on the table, it was very frustrating.

Nor am I willing to expose the hidden truth under the day. But if you tell me the truth, I can secretly gain Harold's understanding. I was wondering if you could help me save him. "

Its oral complaint, which was served everywhere, was the effect surface. Hearing Yuno's words, Clara dyes her face bright blue and covers her mouth with her hands.

Tears seeped into her eyes, and after a painful few minutes of silence, she finally revealed everything about what had happened that day.

And regret it. That I could only force him to talk until I did.

"... what is she?

"About five months ago, Clara was about to accidentally injure Harold."

From there, Yuno conveyed exactly what she had heard from her to everyone in the room without being overwhelmed.

That Harold's parents were going to be drastically slaughtered and killed as a result of that.

That Harold lied about turning Clara into a magic experimental bench and locked her in a dungeon.

That he braided the means to rescue Clara while buying time that way.

That my daughter let me associate with myself so I wouldn't be heavenly lonely.

That he has prepared and provided free of charge luggage horses, household belongings and even large sums of money.

That we are stigmatized now, perhaps to ensure our own safety.

"... she told me that in tears"

Everyone was stuck in words when they heard Yuno's report.

Because I found out how strong and tender Harold was inside that unscrupulous attitude and at the same time suffering.

And even though Clara, who knows that, to help him, it must have been like cutting himself loose to speak the truth about his thoughts.

Unexpectedly Erica stands up and puts her hands on the wax. The task stopped that back.

"Erica, where are you going?

"... I must apologize to Master Harold. I didn't know anything, I didn't even try to know, I just cursed him as an emotion, and even lifted his lashes to my hand. It's not exactly forgivable, but still..."

You have to do as much as sincerely apologize.

But the thought was held back by the task.

"That's unacceptable."

"Why?

"He's showing himself up so far to protect me. Knowing that, the actions we need to take are strict secrecy, not secret sharing. If you find out that information has been leaked to someone you haven't trusted yet, Harold, you'll be more isolated than you are now, wary of further leaks."

There is a risk of driving Harold even more lonely that he would have fought for so long. Harold would still do something about it, but it's still a thorny road.

Constantly scratched under a thick mask, and at times may be weeping.

"It's only natural that Erica wants to apologize. But is that really coming from a guilty consciousness of him? Can you tell me you don't just want forgiveness for what you've done wrong?

"Huh!"

So I stopped the task. Even with irrational and harsh words directed at my beloved daughter.

Erica also knows what the task is trying to say. Even with my head, I was convinced. But the mind, the emotions, cannot be cleaned up with reason.

"... So what should I do? What am I supposed to do that I can't right my mistakes or bow my head!?

That's what Erica looked like screaming for was a toddler of her age. I find the task smiling, even though I know it is very out of place for Erica's childish behavior, which is more adult than she usually needs.

Standing up softly, the task walked over to Erica, gently stroking Erica's head about the height of her own abdomen.

"You, Harold, be a man who can support you. He's good, but he's too good. Sometimes that power will make him lonely."

I have intuitively felt the task of exchanging words with Harold. Perhaps Harold sees the world from a different perspective than himself and the more general human being.

Otherwise, the phrase “something no one but me understands" doesn't come out.

That's what he was saying with some lamenting mouthpiece. I guess he understands his own future that Tasks was concerned about. But happy or unhappy, Harold also has the strength to endure that loneliness.

He should keep walking without stopping no matter how steep the journey. The task had felt such a strength of will from Harold.

"If you want to atone for your actions, instead of begging forgiveness, watch what he's about to become, support, lean in, and be truly understandable."

"Leaning on Master Harold, to a truly understandable person..."

"That must be very difficult. Harold, because of your excellence, your collaborators may not need company even if they seek it. Can Erica believe in his discretion and follow him?

Above all, it is clear that Harold himself is trying to keep Erica away. I don't think Harold would take such an attitude without meaning to the task.

I guess he has a reason to just do that against Erica.

I mean, how exhausted Erica might not be able to save it. It will also take a harsh road again.

……

And here's a cheap "You can! I can assure you," Erica was not a shallow child. Because I know painfully how self-centered my actions are and far from what the task calls an ideal image.

The task of giving in and looking at Erica, who bit her lip with regret, speaks to teach in a gentle voice full of emotion.

"You don't have to give me an answer right now. You can learn from what he looks like and decide what you want to do. Well, I should apologize for overdoing what I did with my hands up."

Return to your room Erica, who leaked only a small "yes..." in a depressed state of mind. I decided I wouldn't be able to sort my mind out if I said anything more today.

Tasks laughed bitterly when Erica and Yuno, who followed its back, left the room.

"It was pretty good when we decided to get engaged, but you still seem pretty depressed this time"

"The opposite seems to be the case."

In contrast, Koyomi laughs in a voice that rolls the bell when it dulls.

Only about two months ago, Erica was heartily discouraged by her engagement to someone she didn't want while behaving in a temperament.

I regret that it has now hurt that person and even want to be acknowledged. Though he didn't seem to realize the feeling yet.

"This is how children grow up..."

"What do you say about smudging? This won't be the first time you've ever felt my child grow up."

"Being a beloved daughter is another emotion. By the way, Kiryu, how was Itsuki's response?

"Tomorrow morning you'll be back."

Tasks once again leaked a bitter laugh at Kiryu's words, which he had long silently refrained from.

"Well, I thought you'd say that because you meant him."

"She loves Erica. Even in practice, Harold, if I let you fight me, maybe I'll overdo it?

"Probably fine. Reports from Yuno indicate that you are quite skilled, too, Harold. It shouldn't be one-sided."

Though I don't think Itsuki will lose even as a task. Whatever it is, it seems interesting inside for those two to bump into each other, and the boyish venture peeks into his face.

"You look bad, you."

"Outside the heart. My heart is just dancing to future children."

"My husband is still young," he said.

"Ha, must be"

"Well, a man is a child no matter how old he is."

Koyomi sighed in dismay at Tasks and Kiryu, who nodded at each other as they nibbled.

Harold, who didn't even know that such an exchange of adults was taking place, was satisfied that things were still being carried around unexpectedly, and fell asleep with a taste of the long-standing duvet.

And tomorrow morning when I picked you up.

Painted with a chilled look that didn't even make him feel good or dusty, Harold was having breakfast with three people: Tasks, Koyomi, and Erica. This is what happened when the meal was set aside.

"Yes, Mr. Harold. About yesterday, I've got someone you deserve."

That's how the task cut out when I was mouthing green tea after the meal.

Harold frowns at the words.

"You were a lot more handy yesterday today."

"You happen to have a powerful man coming nearby. When I checked in on the rendezvous, he accepted it in two replies."

"Who is he?

"It's fun to see you. I just got back this morning. Want to make some quick arrangements?

"Whatever. Guess we have a place for that, huh?

Harold eats without being able to contain feelings of deviation. Seeing that look makes the task even more grinning.

"Naturally. I'm gonna take the carriage, so will you be ready?

Listen to the task lines. No. Harold takes his seat and returns to his room, where he is appreciated. Japanese-style clothes - dressed like inn yukata are hard to fight, so it's to change.

"Same thing happened yesterday, Harold, but you're okay with the front seat."

"He said he could have worn Japanese clothes without hearing the samurai's explanation. As far as chopsticks are concerned and interior wear is concerned, it seems that Smeragi's culture is deeply embedded."

"... Speaking of which, he also seemed to know about Sakura"

The Smeragis look strangely at the empty Harold seat.

Then a few dozen minutes later, Harold's figure, dressed in his usual outfit, was in the carriage. Tasks and Kiryu, and for some reason Erica, are on board.

Erica sitting next to Harold seemed very awkward. Harold knows exactly how that feels.

I'm sure he doesn't like it in person. Probably had some idea about the task.

Having concluded so, Harold continued to be rocked by the carriage without opening his extra mouth.

Then it was a huge martial arts museum that arrived some time later.

The first thing I saw when I got off the carriage was a gate that was 10 meters away. It gives the beholder a sense of intimidation, and if he knocks through the gate and enters the grounds, various facilities are lined up in a vast area of land, from which he can hear the sound of a hanging voice or a dong like he struck the floor, even without clarity in his ears.

Harold was guided by a two-story dojo nestled in a particularly harsh atmosphere.

As with the exterior, climb the wooden exterior staircase and enter the dojo from the front entrance provided on the second floor.

From the lattice windows, the sun's rays did not plug in and make you feel dim. That floor was like a rest stop. A tatami is laid on the corner where the size of several adults is ensured.

Gayagaya and the lively resting place quieted back in an instant when Taske and Erica showed up, and in the next moment everyone bowed their heads and took a thank-you stance.

"I'm sorry to suddenly visit. I'll rent the dojo downstairs a little bit. Is Itsuki here?

"Yes, I see you in the morning now"

The task speaks comfortably to the people in the dojo and responds to it as do the men spoken. Trust seems visible.

Harold and the others descend to the ground floor after Kiryu, who leads the way with such a sight in sight.

It was the kendo field that was there. There are two sides of the court for competition and the ceiling is blown out.

The second floor is equipped with an audience seat, and a human being shows up from the top to peek at the ground floor because of a visit to the task or something.

But it didn't matter to Harold like that. His eyes had already nailed to one point.

One boy waving a bamboo knife in the center of a kendo field. A boy about twelve or thirteen years old who would be older than Harold is silently repeated bareback. That alone had the power to draw attention to him.

"Itsuki"

When the task calls his name, the boy stops pretending and turns to Harold and the others.

Dark-haired black eyes like pure Japanese. He's ten centimeters taller than Harold, and his refreshing, flat face is enough to do as an idol even in Harold's original world.

Waking up beautiful boy Itsuki mouthed the most lines like this.

"Oh, Erica! You look beautiful in a while!

Continue to push the task through and in a straight line to Erica, holding onto its hand and even spitting praise. Erica had her eyes turned to Itsuki, who sees things like trouble.

"... hey, is this the guy I'm dealing with?

"I know what you're trying to say, but I'm sure of my strength. Don't worry."

"I said," Prepare a strong man. "I don't care if it's a child."

"That would be you, too, wouldn't it?

It seems that Itsuki, who was not in the eye except Erica and looked something like that, was also firmly conscious of Harold. It's not like what I was pointing at Erica, I head to Harold with a grin that drifts black somewhere.

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Itsuki Smeragi. Erica's brother."

"... it's Harold Stokes"

"Is that all? You're not, are you? You're missing the most important thing."

Itsuki puts Pong and his hand on Harold's left shoulder.

"I guess you're Erica's fiancée, huh? Mine! Proud!! My sister!!!

Harold realized as he felt his shoulder, with his right hand placed, squeezed tightly.

This guy is definitely a severe ciscon, he said.