episode_0034

While monitoring the subordinates of Duke Orleang in the underground cellar, Leia brought in Count Rajurang.

“I’ve heard everything from Leia when I came.”

Count Rajurang scanned the tied-up people in chairs with a cold gaze.

“But seeing these captured individuals…”

Count Rajurang shook his head as he looked at them.

“Just the testimonies of these individuals claiming Duke Orleang distributes Orange Sapphires won’t be enough.”

“…”

I looked at Count Rajurang as he spoke.

“I am aware of the kidnapping and interrogation of these individuals, but capturing only those of this caliber won’t directly impact the cunning Duke Orleang.”

At the mention of individuals of this caliber, Duke Orleang’s subordinates flinched.

“If we release them, won’t it be a favor to us?”

Rotus drew his sword and stepped forward.

“Behold! I didn’t say I’ll spare them!”

“Rotus, stop.”

At Count Rajurang’s words, Rotus sheathed his sword.

“It would be better to capture those involved in distributing Orange Sapphires and bring them to trial while we’re at it.”

“Ugh!”

Duke Orleang’s subordinates’ expressions turned to despair at Count Rajurang’s bold declaration.

“I will take care of the rest.”

At Count Rajurang’s gesture, his soldiers entered the underground cellar.

“Shall we take these individuals with us?”

“Yes, please do.”

I nodded.

“You should take the statements with you as well.”

I handed the bundle of statements on the desk to Count Rajurang.

“Hmm… these are well organized.”

Count Rajurang carefully examined the bundle of statements I handed him.

“Thank you, I will make good use of these.”

“I’ll be waiting for good news.”

“Ahem!”

As I chuckled softly, Count Rajurang coughed loudly.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave now. There seems to be busy work tonight.”

Count Rajurang left with Duke Orleang’s subordinates.

“Well… it seems like everything is done.”

Aramis looked around the empty underground cellar.

“Shall we have a drink then?”

I took out my pocket watch from my breast pocket.

It was already past 3 AM.

“Ugh… it’s already 3 AM, I should go to bed now.”

I stretched my arms above my head.

“Leia.”

“Yes.”

“Guide those three to suitable accommodations.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t go drinking at this hour, if you really want to drink, sleep and then go to the tavern.”

“Alright, I’ll go to bed then.”

For some reason, Rotus obediently stepped back.

“Why are you… stepping back so easily?”

“To be honest, I’m feeling a bit tired too.”

Rotus yawned and stretched.

“Then, let’s all go to bed.”

I waved my hand and ushered the three friends.

Leia instructed the other maids to guide the three to their rooms, and she led me to the bedroom.

My bedroom was on the second floor.

Opening the door to the luxurious bedroom, I saw a neatly arranged room.

“Oh…”

I genuinely admired it.

Regardless of Count Rajurang’s intentions, I was only focused on the well-decorated appearance of my bedroom.

“Wow… this is a bedroom?”

“Yes, have a comfortable night.”

“Thank you, Leia, you’ve worked hard until late.”

Leia bowed to me and closed the door as she left.

Although it was a splendid room, I was too tired to feel like exploring.

I crawled into bed, feeling exhausted.

#

“Madam, please wake up.”

I jolted awake at Leia’s sudden voice.

Suddenly getting up, Leah was slightly surprised at my appearance.

“Uh… nothing wrong?”

“Good morning, did you sleep well?”

“Yeah… what time is it now?”

“It’s 9 AM.”

9 AM…

I must have slept a lot more than I thought.

“What about the other friends?”

“All three of them waited for the lady and had breakfast first.”

“I see… I’m sorry.”

I scratched my head and got up from the bed.

“Oh… I slept without changing my clothes…”

I felt embarrassed looking at the crumpled dress.

I looked around at the crumpled dress.

“Leah… what should I do with this?”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“No need. Just change your clothes first.”

With Leah’s help, I changed my clothes and headed to the dining room.

As I went downstairs, I saw Rotos drinking in the dining room.

“Who said you could take out and drink the alcohol?”

“I was thinking, don’t I have some share in getting this house?”

“What does that have to do with drinking this alcohol?”

“So I can drink the alcohol in this mansion without any problem.”

I was at a loss for words at Rotos’ statement.

“What…?”

“Marie.”

As I looked at Rotos with a bewildered expression, Aramis called me.

“I brought Rotos to my house before. Accept it.”

“No… what is this…”

I felt like tears were about to well up in my eyes from the absurdity of it all.

“Rotos, just finish the alcohol and that’s it.”

“Haha! I’ve already finished 5 bottles, so it doesn’t matter anymore, hehe!”

Rotos laughed heartily and downed the wine in his glass in one go.

“Sigh…”

I sighed and sat down, and a maid handed me soup.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

I ate the soup clean to the last drop and then got up from my seat.

“Laurent, Aramis. Let’s take Rotos and leave this mansion.”

“Oh~ Miss, I will be in your debt next time as well. Hehe!”

“Oh, why is this person getting on Marie’s nerves like this. Who knows what trouble he’ll cause.”

Aramis pushed Rotos out the door, hitting him on the back of the neck.

“Marie, see you next time. Move quickly, Rotos!”

Rotos and Aramis left, leaving Laurent behind.

“What about you?”

Thud!

Laurent suddenly knelt in front of me.

“What, why are you suddenly kneeling?”

I was quite taken aback by Laurent’s sudden action.

“Please teach me swordsmanship.”

“Um…”

I looked at Laurent, who knelt in front of me with his arms crossed, asking me to teach him swordsmanship.

“Suddenly?”

“I felt something while fighting with one of the Duke Orleang’s men yesterday.”

Yesterday, my two friends and I failed to subdue one of Duke Orleang’s men, and I was left alone to fend off the attack.

“What did you feel?”

“I learned swordsmanship from Draven.”

“I heard about that before, so?”

“But it seems like that alone is not enough.”

“Not enough…”

“As you can see…”

Laurent surrounded himself with his aura.

A bright golden energy slowly enveloped his body.

However, the aura was not properly controlled and was in a weak state.

Unlike my smooth and tightly controlled aura, his was in a rather pitiful state.

“I felt that I lack the ability to control my aura and my swordsmanship is not that great.”

Well… I had a feeling like that since he boasted about his swordsmanship in front of the fountain.

But teaching someone something was not my thing, and it was too much of a hassle.

“What’s the point of learning that when it’s useless if you get shot anyway?”

So I deliberately refused his request with a strong tone.

“…”

At my words, Laurent bowed deeply.

“Practicing with a gun would be better than swinging a sword.”

“Just a moment!”

I turned around to leave, but Laurent called out to me and stopped me in my tracks.

“Can you use me as a stepping stone? No, please teach me swordsmanship and aura control, whatever it takes!”

Having spent time together and grown attached, Laurent’s earnest plea weakened my resolve.

“Why are you asking me for help when there’s Rotus and Aramis? Am I that easy to manipulate?”

At my words, Laurent gritted his teeth.

“Are you saying that Marie is weaker than Rotus or Aramis?”

What…?

Laurent’s words successfully struck a blow to my pride.

If he had aimed for that, he deserved high praise.

Thud!

Laurent’s words made my blood boil.

“Fine, I’ll teach you swordsmanship and aura control! Follow me to the training ground right now!”

I said as I gritted my teeth.

How dare he speak to me like that…? I’ll just… have to teach him a lesson.

“T-Thank you!”

Laurent, with a flushed face, quickly grabbed his sword and followed me to the training ground.

As I mentioned before… I’ll really have to teach him a lesson. That’s why I decided to help Laurent with his aura training.

#

I changed into pants and a shirt and headed to the training ground.

Laurent, with his sword in hand and visibly tense, was waiting for me.

“Have you arrived.”

Laurent greeted me with a nod.

“Swordsmanship… it’s better not to dabble half-heartedly, so let’s start with aura control.”

I stretched my neck from side to side, rotated my shoulders, and loosened up my body.

As I grabbed my sword after stretching, my chest protruded forward assertively.

Seeing this, Laurent blushed and turned his head to the side.

“Ugh… now that I’ve loosened up, shall we begin?”

I did some stretches and then picked up my sword.

“Yes, please.”

Laurent aimed his sword at me.

“Laurent, put down your sword.”

“What…?”

Laurent looked at me with widened eyes.

“I told you, we’ll start with aura training.”

“Ah… understood.”

Laurent placed his sword on the ground.

“Now, focus your aura throughout your body.”

“Yes.”

At my instruction, Laurent concentrated his aura throughout his body.

“Now… try the horse stance.”

Laurent nodded and assumed the horse stance.

“Now, stay still.”

I approached Laurent with my sword and aura.

As I approached Laurent with a smile, I sensed his unease, like a wild animal.

“Marie? What are you…”

“Shh… stay still!”

“…!”

At my command, Laurent closed his eyes and held the horse stance.

I raised my sword.

And…

Swish!

“Ah!”

Thud!

“Oof!”

I began striking Laurent’s back with the sword, making him yelp in surprise.