义务 (3)
Chapter 174
Speira had no friends.
Living a life that was far removed from that of an ordinary noble young lady in many ways, Speira never had the chance to make proper friends.
Whenever she attended parties and met peers, the atmosphere always ended up awkward.
Because of this, Speira felt a considerable distance from the concept of “peers” as friends.
She had heard that close friends often shared gossip, but she didn’t quite understand what being a “close friend” truly meant.
This lack of understanding played a significant role when she asked Johanna about size while drinking tea.
“Really that big?”
“Phew!”
Johanna sprayed out the tea she had sipped.
Shay, who was standing guard beside Speira, gave an unnecessary cough.
Shay wanted to stop Speira but hesitated, fearing it would be impolite.
Meanwhile, Johanna wiped her mouth and glanced at Speira.
Johanna honestly found it uncomfortable that Speira had taken an interest in Ray. However, since such conversations were rare for her, she also felt a bit of joy in it.
After scanning the surroundings and recalling past experiences, Johanna cautiously spread her hands.
“About… this much…?”
“?!”
Speira looked down at the fork she held. First, the distance between Johanna’s spread hands was definitely longer than the fork.
Speira subtly pressed her fingers against her navel area.
“…”
Suddenly, she felt a queasy sensation in her stomach.
Even though Speira had been exposed to pain from a young age and had developed a high tolerance for it, pressing on her navel brought an indescribable discomfort and fear.
Her eyes filled with confusion as Johanna added:
“But this is… his, usual state.”
“?!”
It took Speira a moment to process Johanna’s words before her body stiffened.
Wait, does it get bigger? She almost screamed but was stopped by Shay.
“Hmph!! Hmph!!”
With forceful coughs, Shay interrupted their conversation and then spoke cautiously.
“Hmm, um… Lady Speira, perhaps you should proceed with the engagement but delay the consummation until a little later… I think it would be better.”
Indeed, Speira was small in stature due to her genetics and still very young. There was still room for growth, and in two years, she could potentially grow taller.
By then, the burden might decrease somewhat. That was the opinion.
“Yes, that sounds good!”
Speira quickly nodded. Whether or not her body would grow significantly in two years, it was certainly too soon now—at least, that’s how Speira saw it.
As Speira nervously glanced around, Johanna felt oddly proud.
Maybe she should boast a bit more and scare Speira further, but after glancing at Shay, Johanna decided to stop teasing.
Johanna still found nobles and knights intimidating.
Returning to an awkward silence, Speira and Johanna just sipped their tea.
After such a conversation…
That day, when Speira happened to meet Ray, she clenched her fists and vowed to him.
“Please wait for two years. By then, I will work hard to grow… I may be small now, but I’ll definitely grow taller…”
“…?”
Taken aback by Speira’s sudden declaration, Ray briefly froze before nodding.
“Yes, I will also work hard to grow.”
“What, what are you growing?!”
“Height, height.”
Ray’s height was now around 175 cm.
Though it wasn’t short by any means, compared to the figure Ray aspired to, it was clearly insufficient.
Ray decided to believe the anecdote about people growing taller after joining the military in his previous life.
Although he hadn’t prayed for growth despite the physical strain he had put on his body so far, Ray couldn’t let go of hope yet.
Determined to grow taller, Ray watched as Speira blushed and bowed her head deeply.
“It would be troublesome if you grew even taller…”
“No, it would be troublesome for me if I don’t grow taller.”
“Hmm… I’ll try harder too.”
“Alright, whatever.”
From a swordsman’s perspective, there was nothing wrong with having a larger physique.
After giving Speira some appropriate encouragement, Ray left.
Left alone, Speira covered her face with her hands, feeling flustered.
*
A few days later, Johanna’s sword arrived from Zeppelin.
Johanna grinned broadly as she drew the sword.
On both sides of the blade, holes were carved in the shape of an X. The outer edges of the X-shaped holes were designed like flower buds, making them look like beautiful engravings at first glance.
Unable to contain her laughter, Johanna immediately swung the new sword.
Whoosh!!!
By concentrating mana into the holes and releasing it explosively, the sword accelerated much faster than before.
Losing control of her strength, Johanna stumbled and rolled on the ground but her smile never faded.
Seeing this, Speira was also delighted.
Johanna’s sword was the result of hundreds of experiments, allowing it to generate immense power with only a small amount of mana.
The material was also extremely durable to withstand the rapid acceleration caused by mana explosions.
Though it lacked any artefact-like functions, it was a masterpiece crafted by the best artisans of the Empire.
Speira was genuinely happy that she could now spar with Johanna on a more equal footing.
Thereafter, Speira and Johanna frequently practiced with real swords.
Johanna quickly became well-known within the Prizzran Clan Fortress.
While mentioning Ray’s name was practically forbidden, there were no such restrictions regarding Johanna.
The appearance of a genius girl rivaling Speira gradually spread through word of mouth among the people.
Clang!!
Speira and Johanna were once again sparring today.
The midday sparring had become almost routine, sharpening both of their skills.
Shay closely observed their duel from a very short distance.
Since they were using real swords, even a slight mistake could lead to a major accident, so a skilled observer was essential.
Clash!! Clang!!
“Hmm…”
Now able to walk steadily on two legs, Ray leaned against the railing and watched their duel.
At the beginning of their practice within the fortress, Speira had the upper hand.
However, over time, Johanna increasingly gained the advantage.
‘Right now, Johanna has no choice but to have the upper hand.’
Johanna lacked specialized swordsmanship training, and Speira lacked time.
Under the guidance of Ernst and others from the Prizzran Clan, Johanna quickly absorbed the nuances of dozens of advanced sword techniques.
On the other hand, Speira, constrained by time, couldn’t achieve a rapid improvement in skill.
There was a two-year gap between Johanna and Speira.
To say “two years” understates the reality; it was equivalent to one-fourth of the time Speira had seriously trained in swordsmanship.
In a few more years, Speira might catch up to or even surpass Johanna.
BOOM!!
When the duel reached its climax, Shay intervened.
Shay blocked the swords of both Johanna and Speira.
They had swung their swords at each other at almost the same time, but both knew Johanna’s strike was slightly faster.
Speira panted, showing a regretful expression.
The recent win-loss ratio was around 3:7.
There was no sign of narrowing the gap.
Despite her frustration, Speira smiled warmly at Johanna.
Ray watched the scene fondly and turned his head.
Karen stood at the end of the corridor, meeting Ray’s gaze briefly before hastily turning away and fleeing.
Just as Karen thought she had escaped Ray’s sight by nearly running, Ray suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Why are you running?”
“Huack!”
Startled, Karen almost fell backward, but Ray quickly grabbed her wrist to steady her.
Regaining her balance, Karen quickly averted her eyes from Ray.
Ever since the incident of the sudden advance, she had felt awkward around him.
Ray patiently waited for Karen to gather her thoughts, but when the period stretched too long, he finally took the initiative.
“How long do you plan to keep running?”
“…”
Karen glanced at Ray blocking her path and struggled to speak.
“Guh…”
Unconsciously, Karen extended her finger and swept it downward across Ray’s chest.
“That time… that… didn’t you dislike it?”
Hearing Karen’s frightened question, Ray simply smiled.
Impossible, how could he dislike it?
The memory of that sudden and sweet encounter remained vividly strong for Ray.
Without speaking, Ray closed the distance between them by another step.
Feeling the warmth in Ray’s gaze, Karen withdrew her finger and swallowed hard.
Instinctively, she realized the situation.
After deliberating, Karen gathered her courage.
Since their heights weren’t drastically different, Karen tilted her head slightly forward and extended her lips.
Peck
Their lips touched.
It was the shy and ticklish kiss Karen had dreamed of as her first.
Blushing furiously, Karen tried to lower her head, but Ray gently caught her chin.
The saying that the first time is always difficult applies universally everywhere.
Ray caught Karen’s chin and kissed her again.
“Huff…!”
Initially startled, Karen soon closed her eyes and began to intertwine her tongue.
Ray pushed her firmly against the wall.
Instinctively, Karen pressed her body closer to Ray, starting to rub against him.
An indescribable tingling sensation coursed down her spine from the contact with Ray’s firm body.
“Huff, Huff!”
Before long, Karen wrapped her arms around Ray’s neck and intertwined her tongue more enthusiastically.
Unable to control her heated body, she kept pressing herself closer to Ray.
Forgetting they were in a corridor, Karen moaned helplessly while passionately kissing.
Just a little more, please…
As Karen, driven by intense desire, explored Ray’s body, she eventually noticed that Ray’s tongue had stopped and slowly opened her eyes.
Ray’s gaze was directed sideways.
Following Ray’s line of sight, Karen turned her head.
Alesya stood there, her mouth wide open in shock.
*
Mohamed returned to Phillip’s County.
Only then did Count Phillip learn all the details from Mohamed.
The count couldn’t hide his relief as he opened the chests Mohamed had brought back, which contained gold ingots and treasures exceeding five years’ worth of Phillip’s County budget.
“Hmm…”
Phillip was unsure whether to be pleased or not.
What was certain was that thanks to Ernst’s leniency, Phillip’s County had been spared.
The count convened the most important matter at hand with the knights, including Mohamed.
The issue concerning Ulte Gardy Baron.
After pondering, Mohamed spoke.
“This… is beyond our capabilities, I believe.”
Everyone nodded in agreement with Mohamed’s assertion.
He continued,
“How about sending someone to consult Ray’s opinion?”
This wasn’t suggesting reliance on Ray’s decision.
To resolve this matter, the assistance of a heavyweight, someone like Ernst, was necessary.
Either abandon Ulte Gardy Baron entirely or reveal part of the truth and seek someone’s help.
Count Phillip agreed with Mohamed’s suggestion.
“We cannot do nothing and abandon Ulte… Gardy Baron.”
Ultimately, Didier took on a new mission and left Phillip’s County.
Watching Didier ride off through the window, Lea complained.
“Why isn’t brother coming?”
Bella hugged Lea and whispered.
“Brother has urgent business, so it will take some more time for him to return.”
“I miss brother!”
“Our daughter likes her brother?”
“…”
Though Lea couldn’t outright say she liked Ray because he teased her a lot, he was still the family member she relied on the most.
Lea alternated between nodding and shaking her head, causing Bella’s heart to ache.
Given her complicated background, Lea wouldn’t be able to live an ordinary life as an adult.
Still, Bella wanted to protect her.
To protect her beloved and loving daughter, Bella was willing to sacrifice her own life.
That was Bella’s unwavering sincerity.
Bella kissed Lea’s forehead and whispered.
“Our daughter, always be grateful to your brother.”
Without Ray, neither Bella nor Lea would be here today.
Bella always appreciated her son and hoped Lea would feel the same way.
Lea grabbed her mother’s cheek with both hands, worried by her sad expression.
Amused by her daughter’s antics, Bella smiled brightly.
