Ch.231EP.52 – A Lady’s Heart is Like a Reed (1)

“W-who did you say he went to meet?”

The gray-haired boy asked with a bewildered expression, to which Garand looked puzzled. Despite his fierce appearance, he seemed to have a rather gentle side, as he kindly answered again instead of responding curtly.

“From what I heard, he went to meet Arno’s father.”

“…”

“What’s wrong, young lord? Do you have a headache?”

“N-no, I just wanted to confirm something… Thank you for answering, Garand.”

The boy, Derrick, stumbled a bit over his words but seemed to recover quickly without showing too much confusion.

“Hmm?”

Perhaps detecting some uneasiness in the boy’s demeanor?

The former mercenary student…

“It’s cringy when you talk like that. Just speak casually to me.”

“Ah, but that’s…”

“Oh, are you discriminating against me because I’m a former mercenary? That hurts…”

“N-no!? That’s absolutely not it! Really, it’s not…!”

“Hahaha! I’m just joking, joking.”

Thump! Thump!

“M-my back hurts.”

“Don’t exaggerate, you’re plenty sturdy.”

“Mmm…”

Though Derrick swallowed his complaint, he felt grateful toward Garand.

He knew that Garand was deliberately teasing him and patting his back because he noticed his confusion.

‘…He’s a considerate person. As expected of the future mercenary captain…’

A man with a leadership score of 93 points (out of 100).

Someone who had hoped to become a knight, but became disillusioned with nobles during his academy days and returned to the mercenary world to establish his own mercenary group.

Additionally…

‘He was also the one who scouted Kunta and Arno as vice-captains.’

Though his combat ability score was lower than the two mentioned earlier, his leadership score alone made him an extraordinary person.

The current king’s leadership score was around 44 points, so in comparison, well…

‘Ah, that’s not what’s important right now…’

Seeing how naturally he analyzed Garand as a “character” as if he were diseased, it was no wonder the instructor called him “this game-addicted kid.”

This world was clearly “reality,” not a game, and yet…

‘My head knows it, but my heart hasn’t fully accepted it yet.’

Derrick acknowledged his problem and chronic condition with a bitter smile.

He kept promising himself to fix it, but it wasn’t easy.

…Still, if he were to make an excuse this time…

‘Even the instructor would be shocked if they heard what I have to say. Because…’

–A “character” who should have died long ago is still alive.

‘The last head of the Ophen family, Iliad de Ophen.’

A name that, according to the game’s story, should have been dead by now.

*

*

*

Though unintentional, Ihan had frequently met the heads of noble families.

Some were parents he often saw after becoming an instructor, and there were also many occasions when he met them at the royal palace before becoming an instructor.

If there was one thing these noble family heads had in common…

‘…They lack manners.’

Yes, they’re arrogant.

No, even calling them arrogant might be putting it mildly.

That’s how much these family heads lived off their own self-importance.

Well, it’s not incomprehensible.

They firmly believe they were born with noble blue blood, and since they wear the hat of leading those with blue blood, it would be stranger if they weren’t arrogant.

In reality…

‘From experience(?), it’s red blood that flows, not blue…’

Well, that’s not an experience to share in public, so let’s move on…

What he means is that arrogance and lack of manners are passive traits for noble family heads, and one shouldn’t expect humanity from them.

In that sense…

“Thanks to Sir Turtle, Arno seems to have become more dignified lately. He had talent but had some rough edges in his character, but thanks to Sir Turtle, those rough edges have disappeared. You are nothing short of a benefactor to our family.”

“F-Father…?!”

“I haven’t said anything wrong, so don’t make that face. Swordsmanship can improve with effort, but a flawed character is hopeless. You have no idea how many rascals I’ve seen who caused astronomical damage to their families due to their character. So, I can’t thank Sir Turtle enough. He’s made a proper person out of our eldest son!”

“…I never had flawed character.”

“Tsk tsk, you don’t even realize how ill-mannered you were before entering the academy, you shameless boy.”

“…”

Meeting such a humble and informal noble was an unusual experience.

‘He’s quite the oddball.’

The Ophen family had influence comparable to a great noble family, and despite leading such a prestigious family, Iliad was quite respectful yet casual, and even humble.

Most un-noble-like.

“Sir Turtle, if it’s alright with you, could we have a chat for a moment? I understand this is a ‘nominal’ home visit, so I’d like to hear how my son is doing at the academy.”

“…I don’t mind.”

“Haha, I appreciate it.”

See? He expresses gratitude directly without resorting to ’roundabout speech.’

‘It’s been a while since I’ve had a conversation with a noble that didn’t give me a headache.’

It’s incredibly refreshing not having to interpret political language.

While other nobles might consider him quite eccentric, Ihan found him entirely likable.

…Also…

‘In another sense, he’s a respectable person…’

Ihan gave him a meaningful look.

How should he put it? He felt a strange sense of admiration for this person.

It might not be an appropriate assessment for a mere knight to make of a prestigious family head, but he couldn’t help it because…

‘-He hasn’t given up the sword.’

Despite being unable to use his legs, the calluses on his palms were visible like pebbles embedded in his skin—how could one not respect that?

‘This man…’

Has romance in him.

* * *

“I’ve heard that Sir Turtle created his own unique technique rather than using martial arts. Creating your own school at such an age—the word genius doesn’t do you justice.”

“Rather than creating, I just started with an idea anyone could have. The praise of being a genius is too much.”

“Haha, modest as well. But too much modesty can also be off-putting. Perhaps showing confidence occasionally would be good.”

“…No, I’m really not a genius.”

“Oh! Such modesty becomes poison at that level.”

“…”

The two men unexpectedly got along well in conversation.

Despite their differences in age, status, life trajectories, and everything else, they communicated well through the topic of swordsmanship.

Well, it was mostly Ihan receiving questions and compliments, but he responded to each one with a sheepish smile.

“Your son has the skills to become a knight right now. The only issue is his lack of practical experience. He shows signs of having hunted magical beasts a few times, but he’s still awkward when facing people.”

“Hmm, did I raise him too gently?”

“On the contrary, you raised him well. Honestly, what’s there to be proud of in teaching someone to kill?”

“Haha, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease.”

“Anyway, what your son needs now is practical experience rather than training. If becoming a knight is his goal, regrettable as it may be, early graduation might be worth considering.”

“…Still, I think it’s better for him to continue attending for now. Rather than rushing to become an adult, wouldn’t enjoying his youth, even if just a little, be more meaningful in the long run?”

“That’s true too. He’s still young.”

“Heh heh, I’d like it if he could bring home a bride when he graduates. Wouldn’t a love marriage be nice?”

“Don’t worry about that. He may put up walls, but he’s popular among the female students. If he sets his mind to it, he could give you grandchildren right away.”

“Oh!”

“…Instructor? Father?”

A special trait of adults:

They don’t care much even if the person in question is right in front of them.

Arno, who had become like a borrowed bundle, wore a dumbfounded expression, and both Kunta and Levi patted his back in consolation.

“Arno, I mean, young master, don’t worry too much. All adults are like that. Kunta almost became a father at 12 due to tribal traditions. Fortunately, I ran away from home for a year and avoided becoming a father.”

“…Is that supposed to be comforting?”

“More importantly, Arno is indeed very popular. Among the noble ladies in the swordsmanship department, there are several who plan to arrange matches with you starting next year, I believe?”

“N-noble ladies!?”

The scene resembled something from a sitcom, but it was undeniably warm.

The head maid Elza brought warm herbal tea, the children chatted happily, and the two men conversed pleasantly—how warm this scene was.

Truly like a scene from a fairy tale.

And Ihan liked this sitcom-like, fairy tale-like peacefulness.

How nice it would be if he could always live like this.

…So…

“So as I was saying, I think visiting the Blood Eagle would be a good way to broaden his horizons…”

“…Lord.”

“?”

“I apologize for interrupting suddenly. But I’m starting to feel a sense of crisis.”

“Pardon?”

“…Judging by your reaction, it seems genuine. So this wasn’t a setup after all.”

“??”

…Ihan decided to resolve the unfair situation where he alone couldn’t enjoy this peace.

Also to shake off the “pressure” that had been bearing down on him for “a while.”

Iliad looked perplexed at Ihan’s sudden words, as did the others.

They simply couldn’t understand what he was talking about out of nowhere.

Giving them a bitter smile, Ihan approached Arno again in another bizarre move.

Soon…

“…I’d appreciate if you’d stop projecting your aura, elder. My neck and back are starting to sting.”

“I-Instructor?”

“Or should I call you Lady instead of elder?”

“…”

“Ah, come to think of it, given your age, even ‘lady’ might be a bit…”

[-What’s wrong with my age?]

Ziiing-!

Crack! Suddenly, hairline fractures appeared on items throughout the reception room.

Though it was just a voice resonating, it felt like a high-frequency attack, and in Ihan’s case, who took this high-frequency attack with his whole body-

*cough*…

He suffered internal injuries.

“Y-yes, I’m sorry, my lady.”

Ihan apologized immediately.

He didn’t want to face unpleasant consequences for needlessly offending her.

Perhaps pleased with Ihan’s prompt apology…

[Hoho.]

Arno, or rather, the “lady” disguised as Arno, finally nodded her head with satisfaction.

[You should have done that from the start. Remember this, child. It’s an unwritten rule never to touch upon a woman’s age.]

“I’ll certainly remember that.”

…Felicia-nim.

Sword Master Felinshia de Ophen.

She was one of the three Aura users that Pendragon boasted of, alongside Baltar and Albert.