146 - 24 Hearts

The Twenty-Four Hearts - Chapter 146 > Forest Rabbit - Web Novel Archive Chapter 4. The Land of Entertainment and Culture, Urun. When the sun was at its zenith, Yuda opened his eyes again. He vaguely recalled Jeanne and Arhil visiting to wake him in the morning, but he seemed to have been too sleepy and drifted back to sleep. Lying snuggly in the warm bed and blankets like a worm, Yuda furrowed his brow and sat up, his head throbbing. "Heuu." Still drowsy. Despite what felt like sufficient sleep, his eyes threatened to close again. He felt an unpleasant premonition that if he continued to sleep, something dire might happen. He threw off the covers. It was frustrating to feel unpleasant when he should have been waking up refreshed. As he stretched, his stomach growled loudly. He stepped out of his room and requested a meal from a maid, busy with her own tasks around the mansion. Before long, a selection of dishes, slightly cooled, was brought to his room on a cart. Sitting at the table, the satisfaction of a full stomach lifted his mood somewhat. He had plans to meet Rocsin the next morning, leaving him with nothing specific to do for now. Having experienced some of Urun's entertainment, he considered taking in the sights of its natural landscapes today. Appropriately, if he left now, he could catch the dusk and night scenery. Jeanne, Arhil, and Sarah had already gone out. He vaguely recalled them waking him up this morning to invite him out. As companions, he traveled with them but relied on them for nothing in particular, nor did he have any tasks to ask of them. He pondered if he was needlessly tying them to him. Though, indeed, he couldn't think of anything to request of them, either. While casually changing his clothes, he noticed the count standing by a pillar at the entrance. The count, deep in thought, seemed to snap out of it as the door opened. "I heard you struck it big in Avalon?" "Haha, you've heard already? I had some surprisingly good luck there, got quite the thrill out of it." The count offered a wry smile. "Don't get too engrossed in gambling, there's nothing good down that path. You may have been lucky this time, but who knows what the future holds." "Don't worry, it won't become a habit." "Right, someone with your clear mind wouldn't fall into such vices. So, where are you heading today?" Clear mind? Yuda considered it trivial and quickly shifted the topic to his plans. "I heard the natural scenery outside the castle is remarkable, so I thought I'd take a look." "Hmm - then, mind if I accompany you? This time, instead of my daughter, I'd like to be your guide." Yuda typically preferred to wander alone and was about to refuse, but something about the count's demeanor suggested he had something to say. After a moment of contemplation, Yuda nodded slowly. "Sure, I wouldn't mind that. Would you lead the way?" "Of course. But first, shall we buy some clothes? You seem to wear the same outfit every day since arriving here." "Clothes?" The count nodded, pointing at Yuda's attire. "You wore that when we met in Philloria and later when visiting Legion. It looks new, almost like you've managed to keep it well, but since you're here for leisure, you should buy some nice clothes." "Mmm-" "It seems decided then. Let's go shopping first." Noticing Yuda's reluctance, the count shook his head and promptly called for a carriage to head to the market. Befitting a cultural nation, there were all kinds of clothes available. The carriage moved slowly, and the count invited Yuda to choose a shop that caught his interest. Yuda was reminded of the myth where Medea cursed clothes, but given the count's offer of choice, it seemed to be simple hospitality. As they browsed, Yuda's eye caught a tailor shop. 'Dress shirts with frills seem over the top, and that looks the most practical.' A suit would be suitable for any occasion and would pair well with his coat. "Let's go there," Yuda said. The count nodded and stopped the carriage. Inside the tailor shop, many pre-made samples were displayed. "You like simple outfits." "If they're also comfortable, all the better." "Really? Then we'd better tailor a few more." The count offered to cast a spell and even covered the cost for three suits for Yuda—one in reddish-brown, a second in black, and a third in a shade of blue. But that wasn't the end of his generosity. During their excursion to the scenic spots, the count, using magic, revealed to Yuda sights unseen by others – a kindness without clear reasoning. The majestic and stunning beauty of Urun's renowned natural scenery left Yuda in awe, but it also weighed on him. He intended to take the shard from the count, yet the count's fatherly treatment left an unsettling feeling lingering within him. "..." The count remained silent until they boarded the carriage again. As the coachman cheerfully announced their departure, the count instructed him to move. With nothing more to say, Yuda naturally fell silent. He opened the window and gazed outside. Even beyond the castle, magical lights resembling street lamps illuminated the roads, leaving no room for darkness. "Please slow down a bit." The count asked the coachman to slow their pace. Instantly, the cool breeze blowing through the window eased. As Yuda admired the subtle hues of the lights and reflected on the fulfillment of the day, he noticed the count sitting across from him, his magic enveloping the carriage. "?" It was as if the inside of the carriage and the outside world were completely cut off; no sounds from outside could be heard. A transparent barrier had formed over the window. When Yuda reached out and lightly tapped it, ripples spread across its surface. "Are you finally ready to talk about it?" He had waited long enough. The count slowly nodded. It was unclear why he struggled so much with whatever he was about to say. Sighing lightly, he looked at Yuda and spoke heavily. "Ever since we met, I've been tormented by nightmares every single night." "…Nightmares, you say?" Nightmares? Perhaps he was having prophetic dreams. Yuda responded nonchalantly, but the seriousness on Count January's face suggested otherwise. The carriage jolted as its wheels likely hit a stone. "Yes, nightmares. They're the only way to describe them. When I wake up in the morning, a tumult of anger, fear, and sadness plague my heart. The infuriating part is that I can’t remember these nightmares, as if they were mere illusions." "……." "Even though I can’t recall the details, the nightmares haunt me nightly, except when I'm near you." "Hmm. So, are you saying that since I arrived at your mansion, you haven't had these nightmares?" "Correct." Yuda gave a bitter smile. He wanted to ask what the dreams were about, but since the count couldn't remember them, it seemed pointless. "At first, I found it hard to believe. I merely had a vague suspicion. But after yesterday, I'm sure of it." "Sure of what?" "Last night, you didn’t stay at my mansion since you were out in Avalon." That was true. He had returned just before dawn, having spent the day outside. Yuda nodded in agreement with the count's words. "Strangely, I didn't have any nightmares when you were near, just like when we stayed at the same lodging in Aslan. But last night, I did have a nightmare. I looked into it and learned you came back early in the morning." "I don’t possess any magic skills, especially not curses." The count chuckled softly. "I know. Even if you could cast curses, ordinary magic wouldn’t affect me." "Then why? Do you have any idea?" "Hmm, perhaps… it’s because of this shard I possess?" Speaking in a voice mingled with a sigh, he showed Yuda his ring. Yuda’s heart skipped a beat. The ring adorned with a red gemstone exuded an aura of antiquity. The fifth shard, 〈Valentine〉. If that shard was affecting the count’s mind, it would explain the nightmares. However, Yuda was under the impression that the count was living well, unlike the original story he knew. In the original tale, the count becomes mad at a certain point, acting erratically and committing atrocities, such as brutally killing subordinates for minor mistakes. This descent into madness occurs inside the mansion, away from Urun’s guards, involving the purchase of slaves and indulgence in hedonistic pleasures. Eventually, he turns from Urun's pride to a nuisance, leading Cain to end his life. But it seemed the count was aware of his possible impending insanity. Or rather, he knew the time was approaching. ‘This is troublesome. The count could lose his mind at any moment.’ Could Yuda continue to leisurely stay at the count’s mansion while also attempting to rescue the elves? A sense of obligation caused Yuda to feel that he couldn't simply let the count fall into madness, perhaps due to the care he had received. However, to take the shard righteously, he would ideally wait for the madness to occur. ‘What should I do?’ Should he wait for the count's madness or speak to him beforehand in hopes of persuading him to relinquish the shard? While Yuda pondered this dilemma, unaware of his thoughts, the count took the shard back, caressing it. "It’s likely because of this shard. I remember the dream I had this morning very vividly. In fact, I’ve recalled all my past dreams. I don't know what triggered this sudden clarity." "And why are you telling me this?" The count took a deep breath and fell silent. Yuda waited patiently for him to continue. "...This shard—it wants to be with you." ---------= Author’s Note --------- Yesterday, November 12, was indeed a historic day. For those who attended, you've done a commendable job.