Oran Knight is out (1/3 chapters for today)
Mystery of Western-Style Mansion (3): Seven Wonders
(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
An old lady invites me to tea in a mysterious mansion us, Sonia, Rick, Frank and me. The owner asked who we were, and Rick-san, acting as our representative, explained the circumstances of our visit. He explained that this mansion was one of the academy’s Seven Wonders, and how we had discovered a path while chasing a cat. After explaining everything…
“We apologize for the impromptu visit. We are classmates from Class 1-C. My name is Glass Rick. Nice to meet you.” (Rick)
“I’m Fort Lux. Thank you for the tea as well.” (Fort)
“I’m Mitta Sonia. This is a lovely house.” (Sonia)
“Rancol Frank. Nice to meet you.” (Frank)
After hearing each of our introductions, the elderly woman said…
“Thank you for being so polite. You can call me Rinkert.” (Rinkert)
“Then, Rinkert-san, why are you… um…” (Rick)
Rick-san seemed unsure where to begin.
“Living in a place like this, is that what you want to ask?” (Rinkert)
“Huh, you live here!? In a place like this!? Oh, I’m sorry…” (Sonia)
Sonia’s voice was filled with surprise at Rinkert-san’s response. She didn’t seem particularly offended and laughed heartily.
“Well, it’s understandable from your perspective. This is a school, and a military one at that. It’s only natural to wonder why someone would live in a place like this.” (Rinkert)
As Sonia apologized quietly, Rinkert-san offered her some cookies.
“Don’t worry about it. Well then, where should I begin? I wouldn’t want to make this too long…” (Rinkert)
“No, it’s fine. We had planned to spend the day exploring the mansion or supporting a friend’s studies, so we have time.” (Rick)
Rick replied, adding that it was up to Rinkert-san.
“I see. I have nothing else planned today either. So, shall I share an old story with you?” (Rinkert)
After taking a sip from her teacup, Rinkert-san began to tell a story from the past.
—
Have you ever wondered why there’s such a large academy in the middle of this town? No matter how important it is to the military, it’s unrealistic to think they would drive out all the residents living here.
So, why was this academy built in this location? The reason is that this land used to be inhabited by only one family. Do you understand what that means? Yes, the hint is that they were people with that kind of power.
Yes, Sonia, that’s correct.
This place was once the residence of a royal family. It was the estate of Duke Lengrad, the younger brother of the current princess’s grandfather. This Western-style mansion was one of the many residences of Duke Lengrad. It was built as a separate house for the duke’s daughter, who was in poor health. The surrounding forest was planted by the duke to create a calm environment for his daughter. However, despite the duke’s devoted care, his daughter passed away at a young age.
Duke Lengrad was deeply depressed. As he lived an idle life after losing his daughter, a war began. At first, the mansion was used as a temporary rest facility for soldiers injured on the northern battlefield to return to the homeland. Gradually, Duke Lengrad began to focus on caring for the soldiers who arrived with weary steps, almost as if to forget the sorrow of losing his daughter. As more soldiers came to admire and rely on the duke, he started welcoming soldiers heading to the battlefield, offering his land for buildings to support them.
Duke Lengrad had no heir. As he grew old and sensed his end approaching, his last will was for this place to be used for the benefit of soldiers. And so, a military academy was established. The wall separating the school from the town is a remnant of the past. The duke was the real brother of the then-princess. Though it wasn’t a castle, this place was built like a small fortress.
Additionally, Duke Lengrad had one more request in his will. He asked that this mansion be kept as it is and, if possible, maintained regularly. That wish is still honored today. Since a house falls into ruin if uninhabited, I live here, and a gardener secretly visits regularly.
Me? I’m affiliated with the academy, you know.
—
We listened silently as Rinkert-san spoke in a hushed voice.
“But yes, this mansion is one of the academy’s Seven Wonders. It used to be a well-known place.” (Rinkert)
“Really? Is that so?” (Lux)
I asked.
“Yes, back when the old school building was still in use, which was about 10 years ago. Oh dear, has it really been that long…” (Rinkert)
According to Rinkert-san, the location of the old school building used to be where Duke Lengrad’s mansion stood.
It might be difficult now with the forest grown, but back then, you could catch glimpses of this mansion through the trees from the upper floors of the old school building.
“So, I think the Seven Wonders were different back then…” (Rinkert)
“By the way, why hide the path?” (Rick)
Rick-san asked.
“Well, as times change, fewer people know about this story. Naturally, some curious kids come closer, just like you did.” (Rinkert)
Rinkert-san said with a laugh, making us shift uncomfortably.
“Oh, I’m not blaming you. I don’t mind if well-behaved children come. But I think it’s better if not too many people come here to keep the garden as it was.” (Rinkert)
“I’m sorry.” (Sonia)
Sonia apologized again.
“Don’t worry. Feel free to visit again. I welcome you when I’m here. I’m usually around on school holidays. But it would help if you didn’t spread the word.” (Rinkert)
“Actually, we have four more members in our team. They’re all well-behaved and won’t spread rumors. Can we tell them? They know we’re looking for the mansion…” (Lux)
I asked, ready for her to say no.
“That’s fine. But if rumors spread, I’ll have to put a ‘No Entry’ tag on this path. Just remember that.” (Rinkert)
“Understood.” (Lux)
We all nodded seriously.
Seeing this, Rinkert laughed again.
“Don’t worry too much. Although not every year, there are always kids who wander into this garden. They’re all good kids. I can’t say who, but some of your upperclassmen know about this place. Only chosen ones seem to come here.” (Rinkert)
“Chosen ones?” (Frank)
Frank, who had been silently munching on a cookie, tilted his head.
“Yes. Everyone says they were ‘led by a cat,’ so I thought, ‘Ah, these kids too.’ That’s why I invited you for tea.” (Rinkert)
—
After thanking Rinkert-san, we left the mansion.
“This was quite a mysterious experience in its own way…” (Rick)
Rick-san spoke with a satisfied look on his face.
“Yeah. Let’s come again. The cookies were delicious too.” (Frank)
Frank replied, making us all smile wryly.
“The garden was lovely, wasn’t it, Lux?” (Sonia)
“Yes. Let’s take Rinkert-san up on her offer and visit again.” (Lux)
As we were talking and heading back down the path, I felt a gaze and turned around.
From the second floor of the western-style mansion, I saw a woman in a white dress waving at us.
(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
(Please consider supporting at https://www.patreon.com/bayabuscotranslation)
bayabuscotranslation 