Ch.287287. ····No way, did you get into trouble again?

“Young master, good morning.”

As Jawill Wilson opened the door to the inn room, he was holding a plate in his hand.

On that plate sat food.

“What’s this?”

When I tilted my head at the sudden kindness, Jawill Wilson placed the plate of food on the table and spoke.

“I brought what they say is the most delicious dish in Grey territory.”

“…Don’t tell me you’ve gotten into trouble already?”

At that, Jawill Wilson hesitated and placed his hand on his chest.

“How could I possibly cause trouble when I have the honor of serving you, young master?”

“No, I mean, why are you doing this? It’s burdensome.”

When I showed an alarmed expression, Jawill Wilson pulled up a chair and continued.

“Please eat before the food gets cold.”

I wondered if I had eaten something bad in the Western Continent.

I was about to refuse, but Jawill Wilson stared at me so intensely it was uncomfortable.

With a short sigh, I planted my behind on the chair.

“I don’t usually eat much in the morning.”

“I know. But you need to eat to have energy for the day ahead.”

“…Can’t you do something about your way of speaking?”

“Haha! Understood. If that’s what you want, I’ll try to correct it.”

Roast beef sat on the table.

When I picked up the knife and fork and sliced it lightly, the sound of cutting meat and a subtle meaty aroma stimulated my nostrils.

‘Oh, this seems better than I expected?’

Taking a bite, I found that unlike the crispy exterior, the inside was tender and juicy, spreading rich flavor throughout my mouth.

Wow…

Baron Byron complained about the food here, but maybe I have a Western Continent constitution?

And then.

The fresh vegetable salad topped with a refreshing dressing created a crisp texture that delighted my mouth.

Though it’s disrespectful to my mother, Ellaria Alphonse, it was comparable to home cooking.

“Wow, this food is really delicious!”

When I exclaimed in surprise at the unexpected taste, Jawill Wilson casually sat down in the chair opposite me and smiled.

“I specially prepared it at my own expense, thinking it would suit your taste.”

After devouring the food in an instant, I leisurely drank some water and nodded toward Jawill Wilson.

“So, why did you bring this meal so early in the morning?”

“Well, that’s…”

Trailing off, Jawill Wilson squeezed his eyes shut and spoke.

“Would you please spar with me again, young master?”

“You want to spar with me?”

“…Yes, please.”

Wasn’t he once begging and clutching at my pant leg because he didn’t want to spar with me? What wind has blown to make him serve me food now?

Just looking at him, he doesn’t seem to have turned over a new leaf.

“What’s your reason?”

“Does one need a reason to become stronger? As a knight of the family, I want to develop the ability to assist you properly.”

“That sounds more like something Rio Sergang would say. Weren’t you the type who preferred an easy life?”

“W-when did I ever say I preferred an easy life…”

“When I tried to train you, didn’t you throw a tantrum saying you didn’t want to be vice-captain?”

Jawill Wilson glanced toward the door with a flustered expression, then let out a sigh of relief.

“…Let’s forget about the past. And I’d appreciate if you kept this secret from Clara.”

“That sounds like a threat?”

“H-how could I possibly threaten you, young master? It’s just a cautious request.”

I folded my arms firmly and spoke.

“So, stop talking nonsense and tell me why you want to become stronger.”

After keeping his mouth shut for a while, Jawill Wilson raised his head.

“Clara says I’m cool.”

“…What?”

“At first she was angry because the skill gap was too wide, but thinking about it more, she said she found it cool.”

“…Why?”

As I was about to speak, Jawill Wilson hesitated and stared at me.

“You look completely confused, young master?”

Barely hiding my bewildered expression, I continued.

“That’s not it. I’m just curious about the reason.”

Jawill Wilson still gave me a suspicious look before continuing.

“Clara told me that she developed faith in me to protect herself.”

“And this faith in you is your reason for wanting to become stronger?”

“If Clara continues training with you, won’t she become stronger than me? I can’t fall behind.”

So in short, Clara has developed a desire for training because of the rising Guardian Corps members, and Jawill Wilson wants to become stronger so he doesn’t fall behind Clara?

Is this what they call interaction?

“You’re not planning to cry and cling to me later, are you?”

“Absolutely not! If I do…”

“If you do?”

“Then you can kill me, and I won’t resent you.”

Why is he being so extreme?

Talking like this makes it seem like I kill people too easily.

*Screech*

I got up from my chair.

After such a delicious breakfast, a light sparring session for digestion seemed appropriate.

“Let’s go.”

As I grabbed my wooden sword, Jawill Wilson seemed lost in thought.

Then, as if he’d finished thinking, he slowly raised his head.

“…Couldn’t we start the sparring after we arrive at Lake territory…?”

*

“Young master, are we supposed to go up this way?”

At Hargon Mountain in Grey territory.

Looking at the steep hill, I nodded briefly.

“Yeah, they said there’s a house halfway up the mountain, so this should be the right path.”

Clara wiped sweat from the back of her hand and spoke.

“But why did we leave Jawill Wilson at the inn and come up here with just the two of us?”

“He’s very sick right now.”

“S-sick? That’s strange… He seemed perfectly fine when I saw him this morning…”

“We sparred after breakfast to help with digestion.”

“Ah…”

Understanding what I meant, Clara squeezed her eyes shut as if mourning for Jawill Wilson.

As we climbed the steep mountain, I continued.

“By the way, what did you think of properly sparring with Jawill Wilson?”

“…To be honest, I was really surprised. I finally understood how he became the vice-captain of the knights.”

“Did you think the vice-captain position was just an empty title?”

“When I was in Pandera territory, seniority took precedence over skill.”

“That’s true. The problem was that connections took precedence over seniority.”

Clara smiled bitterly and continued.

“Right. That’s why I thought Jawill Wilson became vice-captain because he was close to you.”

“If that were the case, wouldn’t you have become the Guardian Corps captain?”

“Now that I think about it, you’re right. I was quite ignorant.”

I smiled gently at Clara as she drooped her shoulders.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Having lived in Pandera territory your whole life, it’s natural that your perspective was limited.”

Looking up at the seemingly endless steep mountain path, Clara tilted her head.

“…By the way, what’s our final destination? I asked Jawill Wilson, but he wouldn’t tell me properly.”

I thought he would easily spill everything when asked by the person he loves, but this is unexpected.

Is he being careful because it involves Lucien?

“Do you know who the principal of Lake territory is now?”

“Yes, he’s a former professor from Estella Academy where our Guardian Corps members graduated.”

“Right. We’re on our way to meet an acquaintance of Principal Rupert.”

“An acquaintance? Is there a special reason we need to meet them?”

“It’s a highly personal matter that’s difficult to explain, but I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

Clara nodded and continued.

“…May I ask one more thing?”

“What is it?”

“I asked Jawill Wilson, but he said he didn’t know exactly, so I’m asking you—why are you so strong, young master?”

“I train consistently by beating you guys up, that’s why.”

“Even though I was a frog in a well living in Pandera territory, I’ve truly never seen anyone as strong as you.”

Will there ever come a day when I can tell someone the truth about how I gained my strength?

I feel like I should be honest with my fiancée whom I’ll spend my life with.

“As I answered before, I just trained consistently.”

“…If I train consistently, could I become as strong as you someday?”

“It’s possible someday.”

Though I just made up an answer, Clara seemed deeply impressed and exclaimed.

“Ah… I hope that day comes soon.”

When we reached the middle of the mountain, I took a deep breath to catch my breath.

And when I glanced down, I saw that the inn where we were staying now looked like a tiny dot.

“Seems like we’re almost there?”

As we started walking again, after a short distance, an old house appeared among the quiet forest.

Wild flowers bloomed abundantly around the house, and their fragrance gently wafted to my nose on the breeze.

I raised the corner of my mouth and nodded toward the house in Clara’s direction.

“Well, let’s go see.”