Chapter 55

* * *

I sprinted out of the castle the moment I realized Nero had run away.

The servants were pale and flustered when they saw their frail mistress dash out almost naked into the freezing air. They scrambled for furs and bundled me up.

“Tell me exactly what happened. How did Nero run off? Did you lock the doors properly?”

“Of course we did! It was so cold we closed every window so he wouldn’t catch a cold. We checked again and again.”

“Was anything unusual, anything different from normal?”

“I don’t know. I just played with Nero until he was completely tuckered out…”

“Then he didn’t run away from boredom.”

Berry had been an excellent playmate who wore Nero out completely. Unlike me, who gets tired after a few toy swats, Berry always threw her whole self into playing with him.

I crossed off one possible reason for Nero’s escape.

“Where could he possibly go in weather like this!”

“Madam, first put on your coat. A blizzard looks like it’s coming.”

“You won’t last long out in this weather.”

Nero was a former street cat and clever about every nook and cranny of his territory. Normally I wouldn’t worry so much, but this time felt different.

The sky had been swallowed by leaden clouds.

“Stay inside, Madam. We’ll find him.”

“He couldn’t have gone far.”

“Of course not. Nero’s no fool. Nothing will happen to him. Besides, Baron Conte is with us, so don’t fret too much.”

Baron Conte, already bundled in furs and scarves, came running with a handful of castle servants offering to help search. Only then did I realize I’d rushed out practically bareheaded without telling anyone. I hadn’t taken the time to check the surroundings because I was afraid of losing Nero all over again.

“Thank you, everyone.”

Even I had at least a few people on my side now. I cleared my throat to hide the sudden heat in my eyes and thought of the paths Nero had used in his previous life.

Back then Nero had been a big tomcat with a wide territory, centered around Caldrick village west of Lombard. If this life’s Nero still followed the same routes…

“Bring the carriage! Get the carriage!”

* * *

At the same time, three people were picking their way up a road ruined by a massive landslide.

The piled rocks and soil looked like they could collapse at any second, yet none of the travelers showed fear.

“Ugh, greeting guests like this, honestly, country folk from the north are hopeless.”

“Brother Matteo, that remark could cause diplomatic trouble. Watch yourself.”

“Who else is listening besides us?”

Even in the capital, Sister Judith’s scolding was enough to make Matteo pout. She was known as the strictest among those bound by law and discipline, and she had ended up as his companion on this trip. He had been looking forward to a rare chance to go outside the city, but instead he was stuck with the worst nagging partner imaginable. Remembering it made his anger rise again.

As Matteo bared his teeth and reached for his spear, the one walking ahead slowly turned his head.

“Do you want to die here?”

“I-I…”

“If you two keep fighting and get buried by a landslide, you’ll be dead either way. Or I could kill you myself now. I’ll give you the choice. Pick.”

“I’m sorry. We’ll be careful and avoid fighting where Vincent can see.”

Apparently Matteo wasn’t the only one annoyed at the sudden landslide. Sister Judith, who’d summoned a massive axe, clicked her tongue and sheathed it.

All that remained in her hand was a silver rosary. It was the relic synonymous with elite Inquisitors of the Holy Office.

“I get it. That corrupt energy across this land is gnawing at my nerves.”

“How did Brother Vincent stand it here? I stayed for a moment and felt creepy crawly things all over me. It’s unpleasant.”

“Maybe.”

Vincent confirmed both had stowed their weapons and turned his gaze east toward where Lombard Castle must be. A burning red banner flashed in his mind, a face he suddenly remembered.

“Is she a woman?”

“Eek, no way?!”

“A priest given over to God consumed by earthly feelings, what blasphemy is this!”

Vincent was a common name in the capital. Catch a passing priest and the odds were one in five that he would be called Vincent. But among their ranks, Vincent was also the feared Inquisitor. Favored by the pope, the sharpest blade, the most likely candidate for the next Prefect of the Holy Office. His epithet: Priest of Sacred Blood.

‘I’m curious to see Elicia’s reaction.’

He had laughed for a long time after hearing the rumor that the Duke had sent search parties because he believed someone had eaten a mountain beast. The woman was undeniably interesting. He’d even volunteered to come here.

Ignoring his noisy subordinates who insisted priests behave like priests, Vincent walked on and his eyes narrowed for a moment. Sister Judith and Brother Matteo were the same.

“It’s magic, isn’t it.”

“Terrible. This doesn’t look like an ordinary monster.”

“I heard monsters can’t cross the Northern Wall, so what is this?”

“I don’t know either.”

“How irresponsible to say that! As head of the Inquisition you should be more responsible—”

Vincent barely heard Judith’s scolding. He breathed a blessing into his signet ring. A blinding light flared and a huge scythe appeared.

Effortlessly grabbing the weapon taller than himself, Vincent charged forward.

“Responsibility is good. Let’s investigate from here on.”

* * *

I wandered alone through the Caldrick hills west of Lombard.

My paper-thin body, used only to bed and desk, felt like it was breaking under the strain, but I couldn’t stop. I had to find Nero and be back before anyone discovered I’d disappeared.

‘Are you going to Caldrick village all of a sudden?’

‘Nero was brought during a monastery inspection. Lady Olden would never allow it, so we hid him in the bedchamber and I got chewed out when she found out.’

‘Ah, so that’s why you’re heading west to find Nero…’

‘If you insist on going yourself, please take us with you.’

When the handmaidens first found Nero in the bedchamber, they had all been from the capital. Now they were either fugitives or no longer among the living. I was the only one who knew the truth, so I could get away with lies. It was odd for a duchess raised in the palace to know the west of Lombard like the back yard, but I had made that excuse up on the spot.

‘Madam, are you all right?!’

‘What’s wrong? My head’s spinning…’

‘You got too much cold wind while tired. You should rest at the inn. We’ll fetch Nero. Don’t go back outside.’

At the destination I used a convenient excuse to separate the group. When I staggered, Baron Conte hurried to rent a fine inn. Then, under Berry’s lead, each of them took a sector to search. As soon as everyone left, I snuck out of the inn.

Only I knew the routes Nero used.

“Nero! Nero, where are you?! Ne…ugh!”

I retraced every familiar alley and path until dusk blanketed the mountains. Exhausted, I stumbled on a rock and fell. I couldn’t give in. As I struggled to my feet, a faint mew reached my ear.

“Meow?”

“Nero, Nero? Are you there?”

Night was falling fast. The deepening twilight made it hard to see the ends of the paths. I squinted down the trail ahead.

“Meow…!”

Yes. It had to be him.

I reached out in relief, convinced it was Nero, when the ground beneath me heaved. The earth shook violently and a sound like the tearing of eardrums exploded all around.