Chapter 16

Not long after, Jeremy entered the study and sat across from Ian following his gesture. Though Jeremy’s sleeves seemed to have shaken off some dust from sitting with his characteristic carefree yet cheerful movements, light traces of dirt still clung to them like a child’s. It had already been a month since the somewhat eccentric and boisterous tutor had come here.

Perhaps because Ian had told him to consult with Clayton about learning matters, there had been no occasion to request separate meetings. So though Ian was puzzled, he guessed Jeremy might bring up Ash’s learning situation or perhaps uncomfortable aspects of manor life.

‘This is a bit nerve-wracking.’

Or perhaps he might say he was quitting. The manor was far from even the sparsely populated village, unlike the academy in the capital center. It was an isolated space without any decent shops or taverns nearby. Having to see only the manor people day and night in such a place, he might have become completely fed up at some point.

Along with thoughts jumping around randomly, what amplified Ian’s anxiety was Jeremy’s uncharacteristically fidgeting attitude. He wouldn’t speak but kept clearing his throat, seemingly dissatisfied with his posture as he leaned back then straightened up repeatedly, until finally Ian, unable to bear it, spoke first.

“Whatever it is, you can speak comfortably.”

At his own dejected-sounding voice, Jeremy scratched his forehead awkwardly and opened his mouth. What came out was unexpected content.

“…This may be presumptuous of me to say, but I heard you lost your memory before coming to the manor, Baron.”

Ian blinked. He hadn’t particularly planned to keep it secret. But he hadn’t gone around telling everyone either, so it was surprising (though he hadn’t actually lost his memory) that Jeremy knew this fact.

Soon he nodded with a light exclamation.

“Yes? How did you…? Ah, Jason must have told you?”

At his nonchalant reaction, Jeremy seemed relieved and relaxed his expression.

“Yes. I heard from Jason before departing. He asked me to take good care of you. When he first tipped me off, I wondered how I should help you, but meeting you directly, it seems you don’t need my help at all.”

“Fortunately, it doesn’t affect daily life. I’d appreciate it if you could pretend not to know. I don’t want to cause unnecessary worry.”

When Ian made this request thinking the word shouldn’t spread unnecessarily, Jeremy readily nodded.

“It wouldn’t be good if word got around unnecessarily. Jason also made me promise to keep quiet about it. That’s why I asked in this private setting, so I’ll keep my mouth firmly shut about it from now on.”

Jeremy smiled cheerfully and made a gesture of sewing his mouth shut, then continued.

“Anyway, how should I put this? Though you’re unpretentious, Baron, there are aspects where you don’t seem like a person from this country. The manor people seem to naturally accept it as you being from outside, though.”

At words that seemed to subtly hit the mark, Ian felt a pang. Still, he maintained his smile and nodded.

“I think I’m ordinary, but I’m not sure. Thanks to everyone’s kindness, I’m receiving a lot of help.”

At Ian’s words, Jeremy shook his head.

“Yes, exactly this attitude. Usually when someone becomes a baron with such a grand manor and territory, their shoulders would rise a bit and their manner of speaking would change. But you show no signs of that at all.”

Originally, even during his days as Jung Ian, Ian had always been kind to everyone from the cleaning staff in the mart corridors to the part-time workers at the convenience store near his home. Though that kindness wasn’t always well-received, it was his innate nature so he couldn’t help it.

That disposition hadn’t gone anywhere, so becoming a baron of a grand manor wouldn’t change that attitude. Sometimes he even lost sense of reality about all this.

‘Actually, that’s not the problem.’

There was also no time to put on airs. Being potentially a child abuser who would ultimately be destroyed by fear of the manor’s strange phenomena, there was no time to rejoice over the suddenly acquired position or territory. So being cautious seemed to make him appear unusual instead. Mrs. Gauner had asked him to be careful about his behavior before.

Ian smiled bitterly.

“Being a baron doesn’t change who I am. But anyway…”

And he decided to subtly change the direction of the conversation. He was curious whether Jeremy, who like himself was an outsider to this manor, had perhaps had strange dreams or heard any sounds while staying here.

“Is manor life alright? Are there any uncomfortable aspects…?”

“Couldn’t be better! Compared to before, life here is perfect in every way. It’s completely different from when I lived suppressing myself tightly according to strict rules. It’s like the colors of the world before my eyes have completely changed. If before was gray, now it’s very bright and clear. So I’m truly grateful to you, Baron.”

Jeremy’s fervent reaction was somewhat bewildering to Ian. Though he didn’t think he’d treated him well enough to warrant such gratitude, if Jeremy found living here good and had no thoughts of leaving, that was fortunate. Just as Ian was about to move on, he still asked carefully just in case.

“That’s fortunate. Nothing strange or anything like that?”

“Well? Nothing in particular…”

Jeremy, who had been rolling his eyes around as if trying to recall something, opened his mouth again.

“Well. Maybe because I’m not from this region, but if I had to pick something unusual in my eyes, it would be the sculptures in the garden.”

The eyes that had always been a dreamy, hazy sky blue behind his glasses were shining clearly.

“Sculptures?”

Ian asked back, bewildered by the sudden comment. He recalled the few sculptures in the garden that wasn’t particularly decorated—pillars and stone walls carved with strange patterns whose meaning was unclear. Though they were quite unique, he’d thought they were common decorations in this area, but apparently not.

“They’re flawlessly excellent sculptures, but I can’t precisely understand what those sculptures erected there mean. Gardens usually have figures from myths or old tales, or fairies and angels, but there are strange aspects. The material feels older, like they might have been dug up when the manor was built—they might be very old artifacts on display.”

Though his usual manner of discovering and admiring various things was evident, this time there was deep excitement like an adventurer who had made a new discovery.

“You mentioned mythology earlier too. You must be very interested in such things.”

“I do like biology, but I also like regional stories, ruins, and artifacts. This is probably why life in the capital didn’t suit me. And actually…”

Jeremy scratched his disheveled hair and smiled awkwardly before speaking carefully.

“I haven’t told anyone this… I wanted to write a book.”

“A book?”

“Yes, being a writer is my dream. Somehow I think I might be able to write the book I want here. I feel like this entire place gives me inspiration.”

Ian’s eyes widened at Jeremy’s unexpected words, then he smiled gently.

“I’d love to see it when it’s finished.”

“Since I know your secret, Baron, I wanted to tell you mine too. If I ever complete it, I’ll show you.”

Jeremy looked truly relieved, as if he’d revealed a great secret. And as if suddenly remembering, he continued.

“Haha, by the way, young Ash… he’s a smart student. He’s so sharp that I’m worried I’ll soon run out of things to teach him.”

When Ash came up in conversation, Ian nodded with a proud expression. Unlike before when he was afraid of reading books, there were increasingly many days when he touched thick books one by one, not just picture books. Seeing him grow so rapidly, Ian thought he must have a desire to learn and wanted to satisfy it, so he was pleased that Jeremy recognized this aspect of Ash.

“Since he’s the child who will inherit the manor and territory. I think educating him early would be good for Ash’s future too. I feel like what I can provide is only partial.”

At those words, Jeremy tilted his head.

“Then do you think of your current position as simply temporary?”

“Yes, since Ash was too young, I came to take charge, but later when Ash becomes an adult, he should inherit this place.”

Since there was no need to mention the unfair contract situation or the strange dangers lurking in the manor, Ian spoke simply. Jeremy seemed to understand something as he opened his mouth slightly and nodded. He nodded as if his long-held questions were finally answered.

“Then where do you plan to go when that time comes?”

“Well? There’s still a lot of time left. I’m thinking of considering it gradually.”

Since Ian had no concrete thoughts about the future other than the naive idea that he could escape this strange world once he safely handed over the baron position to Ash, he smiled awkwardly, and Jeremy burst into laughter. His characteristic unrestrained laugh rang cheerfully through the room.

“You really are an interesting person. I thought I was somewhat lacking in plans, but you’re truly unique too, Baron.”

Just as Ian made an embarrassed expression at those words, text appeared in a corner at the top.

[System: Ash will remember this.]

‘Ash isn’t around, so why is this phrase appearing?’

There were definitely only himself and Jeremy in the study. Perhaps making a strange expression, Ian quickly said to Jeremy, who leaned forward slightly as if wondering what was wrong.

“It’s nothing. Nothing at all.”

Jeremy briefly wore a puzzled expression, but seeming to think it wasn’t important, soon said:

“Actually, I was wondering how to bring this up, but thanks to you, Baron, it seems to have become a good conversation. May I visit again?”

“I feel the same way. Please come visit comfortably again.”

At those words, Jeremy nodded and said he seemed to have disturbed Ian so he’d leave, then departed. Left alone, Ian stood and looked around the study. Then he approached the large bookshelf and put his ear to it. Doing so didn’t produce any particular sound.

Ian sighed and said quietly:

“Ash, you’re there, aren’t you?”

As expected, no answer came back. Ian stepped away from the bookshelf and grabbed the large crow-shaped bookend made of metal that was supporting other books, pushing it right once, then inward twice.

With a swoosh, part of the bookshelf rose upward. The revealed space required an adult to bend at the waist to enter. As light from the study shone into the dark space, familiar shoe tips came into view.

The child was sitting crouched there.