I picked up a wine glass and headed to the reception room.
There sat a lady knight with neatly arranged blue hair. The beauty of the woman, who had removed her dark hood, shone even in the dead of night.
It was as if a gem that had been dusted off was glistening.
Of course, the woman’s pride was not just in her appearance, which resembled a single flower.
She was a member of the Empire’s renowned Royal Guard and the one who held a seat as a member of one of the five noble families, supported by Rufemyon.
Airen Rufemyon.
She was also the person the Empire’s 5th Imperial Princess, Sien, was desperately searching for.
I had forgotten for a while, but I never would have guessed I would encounter her at Percus Manor.
Even I, who had already received a hint from the princess, could not have predicted this visit.
Others certainly could not have suspected anything.
This was why Lady Airen’s appearance was bound to cause a significant stir.
The mysterious swordsman who had shown up unexpectedly displayed his skills and found himself kneeling before the main character of the banquet.
Ned was on the verge of tears, choking on his cheers. Liya could only gaze back and forth at me and Lady Airen with a look of disbelief.
The weightiness of Lady Airen’s affiliation was immense.
While it could be expected for the Virgin Saint, Senior Elsi, and Ceria, given the special background of the Academy,
the Academy was a place where touching stories of friendship between nobles and commoners were often heard.
But Lady Airen was different.
She had already graduated from the Academy and held an official title. For someone of her stature to casually call a younger man ‘Master’ was unthinkable.
Logically, it should have been impossible.
Moreover, the fact that someone clearly extraordinary used honorifics indicated the following:
It meant I was a stronger individual, one positioned above Lady Airen.
Liya stuttered and finally managed to utter a word.
“…C-could it be ‘Expert’?”
It was a question with the subject omitted.
Thus, it was unclear who Liya was referring to.
Whether she meant me or Lady Airen.
The answer would not have changed either way.
I only spoke to ease whatever shock Liya might receive.
“Let’s talk later.”
So, I ended up having a private conversation with Lady Airen.
There were many people filled with questions.
Why did Lady Airen call me ‘Master’? Why had she come to Percus Manor regarding her lord? What were the mysterious sword techniques she had showcased upon her arrival?
One of those with questions was me.
Despite the torrent of suspicious glances directed at me, I had no choice but to insist on meeting with Lady Airen privately.
After all, it was a question to which I also had no proper answer.
Lady Airen’s attitude towards me had changed significantly from before. The cause of that change was clearly linked to the ‘me’ from the future.
Thus, it was necessary to understand the situation at least to some extent.
The ‘me’ from the future would not engage in pointless acts.
Lady Airen seemed somewhat embarrassed, as her face had flushed.
Clearing her throat, she tried to lighten the mood and silently raised her glass.
The wine bottle tipped.
With a slosh, the fragrant aroma spread out. It was at that moment Lady Airen opened her mouth.
“Pardon my rudeness… it has been quite a dark time recently.”
Although the latter part of her statement was omitted, I understood what she meant.
It seemed she had shown an excessive reaction upon discovering hope in a sad and despairing situation. I had heard that Lady Airen had been wandering for a long time, after all.
Therefore, it was even more puzzling.
The skills that Lady Airen exhibited clearly appeared to have been transmitted by the ‘me’ from the future. Based on that, Lady Airen must have seen hope of overcoming the long period of darkness.
The only question was why such hope had been shown to Lady Airen in particular.
Even though the ‘me’ from the future had given countless pieces of advice, the sharing of techniques had been rare. To begin with, I had also grown strong based on the memories of being a man.
However, the technique Lady Airen had received was on a different level.
It felt like an art that could not be mastered through intuition or instincts alone.
There must have been a thorough training process, considerable effort devoted to mastering the techniques commendable enough for her to call me ‘Master.’
The lady knight carefully poured me some wine.
The glass clinked in the void, and the warmth flowed down my throat.
For the moment, I decided to extend a courteous greeting.
“…First of all, welcome to Percus Manor.”
“Oh, no! I simply followed Master’s instructions…”
With a shy gesture to scratch her cheek, Lady Airen displayed an obedient attitude.
I was curious about what had happened while I was unconscious.
However, I made an effort to suppress the questions bubbling up to my throat and naturally guided the conversation.
“You’ve greatly improved in your swordsmanship.”
“Well, I am a Royal Guard.”
Her response was smooth, as if stating an obvious fact.
In fact, there was an unprecedented pride in her words.
“I did my best to stand by Her Highness the Princess again. When I return, I do not want to repeat the same mistakes as before.”
I had yet to grasp the precise cause and effect, so I merely stayed silent.
I simply raised my glass.
It seemed that Lady Airen interpreted my silence a little differently.
She cautiously gauged my reaction, and then, in a somewhat timid tone, she spoke.
“…Of course, this is also thanks to Master’s grace. As I mentioned before, I hope you will give me the opportunity to repay you.”
“Repay me?”
“Yes, anything! I will do my utmost to repay you in both material and spiritual ways.”
I was somewhat taken aback.
In truth, I was at a loss to understand what I had done for Lady Airen. Yet, now she wanted to repay me out of the blue, and I had no idea what the reason might have been.
Through our brief exchange, I had inferred the following:
Lady Airen had been taught swordsmanship by the ‘me’ from the future.
And as mentioned from the beginning, the future ‘me’ had sent Lady Airen to Percus Manor. Thus, there must have been a reason for that.
What I was immediately curious about pertained to that latter point.
I found myself clearing my throat as I needed to redirect Lady Airen’s attention.
“I merely assisted you as much as I could. I do not want to receive repayment for something done lightly.”
“That cannot be!”
Despite my humble words, Lady Airen’s attitude was resolute.
She firmly asserted her opinion.
“Of course, I was startled at first. When you suddenly kicked at me…”
“…You ‘kicked at’ her suddenly?”
There was an immediate snag in Lady Airen’s statement right from the start.
As I unknowingly interjected, Lady Airen tilted her head with an expression of surprise.
“Yes, is there a problem?”
If anything, there were countless issues with that.
Who in their right mind would kick someone out of the blue?
However, since there wasn’t a shred of doubt in Lady Airen’s voice, I could no longer press her.
A faint sigh escaped my lips.
It was a gesture of surrender.
“…Ah, no, please continue.”
It was only then that Lady Airen nodded and began reciting her long-winded words of gratitude.
“Anyway, including that kick, I owe you so much, Master. It gave me the chance to gather myself before I broke. You even taught me the vision of the Sword Circle…”
I mentally stacked away the information that spilled out of Lady Airen’s mouth like a torrent.
The wine must have been strong because, after just a few sips, Lady Airen’s account was unabashed. It felt as if she would shed all memories of that day.
Of course, I also wondered whether I would be able to endure that long.
“…I am grateful just for that, but also thank you for inviting me to Percus Manor. I have done my best to show you my accomplishments over this time.”
“Is that all?”
At my short question, Lady Airen’s eyes turned towards me.
Her story was short but omitted a great deal. I couldn’t pry into every detail right away, but I suspected some hidden information remained.
The reason Lady Airen had to come to Percus Manor.
I decided to ask more directly.
“Wasn’t there a more important hint that required you to come to Percus Manor…?”
“Ah.”
It was at that moment that a soft gasp escaped Lady Airen’s lips.
A somewhat embarrassed expression flushed across her face. Flustered, she began to offer her apologies.
Raising her body, she seemed to be on the verge of putting her head to the ground.
“Y-yes… I’m so sorry, Master. I’ll make corrections right away…!”
“No, no! It’s alright!”
Having previously experienced senior Delphine bowing her head in such a manner was enough.
I hurriedly tried to stop Lady Airen and forcing a smile.
“It’s a relief that you remembered it even now.”
“Yes, yes… I remember now.”
As she spoke, Lady Airen hesitantly straightened her posture again.
Unable to resist my glance, her body immediately slumped into the chair.
With a flushed face, she downed the remaining wine in her glass and testified.
“…You said not to take your sister’s eyes off her, right?”
That Liya could be in danger.
The moment my hand, which had been tilting the glass, suddenly ceased.
“Kyah! Kyah!”
As I abruptly pushed open the reception room door, a shrill scream was heard.
My younger sister, Liya.
With black hair and gold-colored eyes, she was truly beautiful. Her appearance was almost too lovely to believe she was my sister.
It seemed she had been eavesdropping on my conversation with Lady Airen by putting her ear to the reception room door.
Of course, Liya was not the only one attempting that.
From my father to several of the townsfolk, including Ned, they were also discretely listening outside the reception room. As soon as they heard Liya’s scream, they hurriedly pretended to focus elsewhere.
I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.
“…What is everyone doing?”
“Ah, well… We were just wondering why the main character of tonight’s banquet hasn’t arrived yet.”
My father spoke while awkwardly avoiding my gaze.
It was a transparent lie, but I no longer pressed them.
I simply waved my hand with a wry smile.
“Well, it’s over now, so let’s return. And by the way, Lady Airen will be staying at Percus Manor for a while.”
At my words, my father’s gaze turned complicated.
As guests increased, the nobility’s prestige would inevitably solidify. However, nobles found it difficult to host guests beyond that.
That was to be expected.
After all, someone other than family was residing in my house. No matter how much one was the house lord, it would be normal to feel apprehensive.
Especially when the new guest was said to be of the Rufemyon family.
For my father, who held little interest in the authority of nobility, it must have felt like a sudden bolt from the blue.
I understood that sentiment, but had no choice but to act unfilially.
Lady Airen was someone I needed.
In the end, those gathered outside the reception room could not resist my urging. One by one, they made their reluctant exit, but their eyes still sparkled with curiosity about Lady Airen.
They were truly meddlesome.
Yet, there was still one person who did not leave my side.
“…Ahem, ahem!”
With an exaggerated cough, the black-haired beauty was trying to attract my attention.
My younger sister.
Wanting to appear aloof, she brushed her hair back. That said, it couldn’t hide the blush on her cheeks.
I asked, unable to restrain my incredulity.
“Why are you still here?”
“W-well, it is my role to take care of the reception at Percus Manor! Depending on who the other party is and what kind of relationship you have with them, the treatment changes, you see?”
In a plausible manner, she raised a finger as if to make a point.
However, I knew.
With her eyes shut tight, she was avoiding my gaze, indicating that her embarrassment had not entirely faded.
Indeed, it was not strange at all to want to eavesdrop when her brother was having a conversation with someone.
That would surely lead to misunderstandings in the eyes of others.
My younger sister liked me that much.
I cherished my sister very much too.
Thus, I found myself at a loss for words.
It felt like my heart was being squeezed.
If my sister were to be put in danger, it would most likely be my fault. After all, I had been too much of an eyesore to the Dark Cult.
When I received no reply, Liya continued to stammer out excuses.
“W-well, besides, the other party is from the Rufemyon family, right? If you listen to the conversation, there might be some information helpful for business…and, and…”
“Liya.”
At my soft call, Liya poured even more strength into her closed eyelids.
“Ah, ah! I got it! I was wrong! Yes, I turn of age next year! But still, is it pathetic that a younger sister is obsessed with her older brother? But, but you’re wrong too, Brother! Why are you spending all day with other women…!”
Before she could ramble on any further, I silently placed my hand on Liya’s shoulder.
With a light touch, I firmly grasped her shoulder. Liya stared at me with round eyes, startled.
A faint smile graced my lips.
“…Don’t worry, I will make sure you are not hurt.”
Liya’s lips opened, then shut again.
No matter how many times she repeated that action, words wouldn’t come out. It seemed the sudden statement left her unable to grasp my intention.
That was sufficient for me.
I turned and resumed my steps. The warmth from the wine was heating my brain.
There was one more piece of information that Lady Airen had passed along.
“…And you mentioned patrolling the outskirts of the slums, right?”
Considering it was a small rural territory, there wasn’t really a proper slum. Rather, we merely called the shabby outskirts of the village that.
I resolved to head there tomorrow.
*
And that night.
“L-Liyah…”
With tearful pinkish eyes, she looked up at me from my embrace.
“C-could it be that you’re tired of me?!”
Her sweet voice carried a gentle fragrance of wine.
My hand brushed her cheek.
This woman was drunk.
And in someone else’s bedroom, no less.
