Ch.108108. Oath (1)

Siabel and I released our hands from the handshake and slowly composed our expressions.

Cooling down from the excitement of the unexpected reward, I quickly thought about what lay ahead with Siabel.

‘If Siabel becomes my swordsmanship teacher.’

I would likely have to cross swords with her for a considerable amount of time.

Withstanding that venomous swordplay I had experienced firsthand in the past would certainly not be easy. Surely after each sparring session, my body would be exhausted and fatigued. But I don’t think this is entirely bad.

Well, compared to the days when I used to enter Dungeons daily to kill monsters, I’ve grown dull lately.

Facing Siabel’s sword—more relentless than a Demon’s grip on one’s throat—every day, or at least periodically, wouldn’t be bad for regaining my edge.

It’s rather funny that an archer is having these concerns about a sword rather than a bow, but well.

Since it’s about rekindling my dulled combat senses, I think it’s not a bad idea.

‘If there’s one issue, it’s the relationship between a noble and a commoner becoming master and disciple…’

I’m not sure about this either.

Siabel must have her reasons for accepting me as her disciple.

…A male slave being taught martial arts by the eldest daughter and future head of the County. I wonder what kind of gossip will spread around this time.

It’s just a bit annoying to think about the gazes and rumors that will follow when a noble and a slave form such a serious master-disciple relationship.

Siabel spoke again as she slipped her hand back into her fur coat.

“I’ll come find you in a few days after adjusting my schedule. Until then, rest comfortably with Sione.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Yes, you can rest easy until the festival. I’ll come after the festival ends, so prepare at your own pace.”

Ah, the festival.

Sione had mentioned it before. A rather large festival held in the territory around this time.

A festival to commemorate the achievements of the first head of the family, or something like that. I remember Sione being quite excited about the prospect of enjoying it with me.

“May I ask when the festival begins?”

“It starts next Tuesday, as far as I know. Unless something special happens, the festival will continue for three days as it has every year.”

“Next Tuesday… I understand.”

Next Tuesday.

Today is Wednesday, so it’s just under a week away.

Since Siabel said she would come to me after the festival, I should probably prepare a training sword for myself in advance.

The conversation that followed was neither long nor short.

Siabel asked about the conversation between Aria and me that had just taken place, and I answered her questions.

Particularly when I told her what the magician named Lavi Cournel had said when she joined the conversation, Siabel suppressed the subtle smile that I thought wouldn’t fade all day and acknowledged my words with a slightly hardened expression.

After our brief conversation concluded, I bowed my head and said:

“Well then, since Sione must be waiting for me, I’ll take my leave now.”

Sione must be anxiously waiting in her room. It’s time for me to head back.

* * *

“Haah…”

How long has it been since I’ve sighed so deeply? Thinking back, it wasn’t that long ago.

Once when the First Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony at the royal palace—what should have been the most magnificent and brilliant celebration—was defiled by the Demon’s despicable minions.

And then again the day after having a deep conversation with His Majesty the King and the First Princess about recent cultist activities, as the head of the Sianella family, Margrave of the western border of the Kingdom of Aicilia.

And once more after hearing the words of my second daughter’s exclusive attendant who came early in the morning when I was extremely tired.

Tuk─ Tuk─ Tuk─

With my chin resting on my left hand, I habitually played with my index finger. The sound of lightly tapping the wooden desk at regular intervals reached my ears.

It was a habit. Something that naturally occurred when organizing thoughts or when something was displeasing.

The rhythmic, non-stimulating sound calmed my mind, which had become irritated because things weren’t going as desired.

“…They’re late.”

The second search party and reconnaissance team I sent to the Beltrin Mountains. Their return was being delayed more than expected.

I sent them when the guests from the Marquisate of Allenar entered the count’s residence. I had expected them to return with news shortly after Diolia came back, but unfortunately, my expectations were not met.

I carefully selected Rangers who had been meticulously trained within the county to form the search and reconnaissance teams. Since there was an incident half a year ago when Demon minions crawled out from the mountains, I even sent reliable priests from the church affiliated with the Papal Office located in the county’s inner fortress for support.

What on earth is happening in the west that’s causing such a delay?

It’s bound to be irritating. And that’s why I can’t help but worry more.

While the imperial forces obsessed with territorial expansion are causing trouble in the eastern part of the kingdom, ferocious monsters left behind by Demons are swarming in this western region.

As the county closest to that cursed land beyond the mountains, the significance of the Demon Realm cannot be taken lightly.

─I led the knights to eliminate all the enemies that swarmed in at once. Thus, I was able to quell the disturbance that swept through the territory… but I feel as if this current silence is like the calm before a storm.

The deeper my thoughts went, the more Diolia’s previous words bothered me.

“Like the calm before a storm, she says.”

Tuk─. Tuk─.

More force began to be applied to the index finger tapping on the desk.

What exactly is happening in the mountains? Could it be that something unusual has occurred in the Demon Realm beyond the mountains, which has been quiet for thousands of years?

“Tsk.”

Whatever it is, it’s certain that troublesome matters will arise.

While fiddling with the familiar fountain pen with my right hand that had been tapping the desk, I closed my eyes.

The world went dark.

The window fluttering in the occasional strong wind and the faint sound of my breathing were the only sounds that could be heard in the quiet office.

In the silence and darkness, I slowly organized my thoughts. It took some time to suppress the unpleasant thoughts.

Smoothly.

As the fine wrinkles between my brows relaxed, I returned to my usual cold, expressionless face. With restored composure, I slowly lifted my eyelids.

The shape of objects formed on my retina.

It was an expensive decorative sword. A sword with high artistic value from its handle to its scabbard.

However, the sword was not only excellent in appearance but also in substance. The blade also possessed sharpness and durability that did not fall short of the hilt and scabbard.

Indeed, as I gazed at that sword, a previous incident came to mind.

─Should I rightfully kill you, considering you ominous and using the excuse that keeping you close is dangerous? Or should I allow you to continue guarding Sianella as you do now?

The lowest class citizen. The attendant of Sione, who was born with nothing but looks and Mana awakening, who should have had nothing else.

The first thing that came to mind was pointing that sword at Ray’s neck.

─Mother, I’ve found someone I’d like to teach swordsmanship to personally.

The second was the recent matter-of-fact statement from my eldest daughter, Siabel Sianella.

“Really…”

I know better than anyone that she has never shown interest or enjoyment in anything other than swords and her martial arts.

It was surprising that my daughter, for the first time, had developed an interest in someone other than swords.

So I became curious about who this person might be.

I asked if she had found a soldier with exceptional talent in swordsmanship at the training ground she visited daily, but she shook her head.

Then I asked if she had discovered someone with the potential to shine more brightly among the knights with still immature skills, but she shook her head again.

So I stopped asking and demanded an answer, but instead of the name I wanted, she made me even more curious.

─I’ll let you know when the time comes. Don’t worry. I’m not planning to teach our exclusive swordsmanship that has been passed down.

“…I’m looking forward to it.”

Whether her desire to teach swordsmanship truly came from her heart, she even went so far as to ask to borrow my personal training room, which has been neglected these days.

As I put down the fountain pen I had been fiddling with back on the desk, I wondered who this person could be that Siabel showed such deep interest in.

Obviously, the single reason of showing talent in swordsmanship is not enough. The county is a family of valiant knights. Even without those who inherit the blood of Sianella, our territory is full of soldiers and knights with considerable talent with the sword.

To attract Siabel’s interest, one must possess a clearly shining talent besides swordsmanship, and a special quality that is not lacking in talent.

But… why is it that, coincidentally…

“…Ray.”

Among those who met the conditions, the first to come to mind was none other than Sione’s slave.

I had a frivolous thought.

What would it be like if the man at whose neck I had pointed a sword were to be taught swordsmanship by my daughter?

…My thoughts are getting deeper, making me imagine strange things.

Shaking off the petty imagination, I gently opened the desk drawer on the right.

Drrrk…

Through the quietly opened drawer, a carefully preserved document folder could be seen. I reached out to take it and placed it on the desk with some care.

“Hmm.”

Rather than idly sitting like this, it would be better to finish the tasks that can be resolved right away.

Opening the document folder revealed a piece of parchment in the form of a contract.

I picked up the parchment. Then, after pushing the document folder aside to clear my view, I filled the blank spaces with various conditions and provisions using a fountain pen to ensure the contract would have definite effectiveness.

After completing this series of actions with an indifferent expression, I called for a servant who would be waiting outside the office.

“You called?”

“Yes. I have important matters to discuss with Sione and her exclusive attendant, Ray. Could you please inform them to come to my office together?”

“Yes, I will convey your message as instructed.”

The maid bowed her head and then backed out, closing the door.

Tuk─ Tuk─ Tuk─

The room was once again filled with the sound of tapping on the desk and the sighs of someone waiting for guests.

Ainel, still resting her chin on her hand, once again looked at the parchment, or more precisely, at the large text at the very top center.

『I swear before Mana』

The text was imbued with Mana, making those who saw it feel a sense of mystique.