Ch.28Innocent Girl and Sickly Boy

Meanwhile, Eshtiel was exhausted from exploring around the banquet hall, driven by curiosity. Where was the person who had emanated such a powerful sense of “like”? That was currently Eshtiel’s only interest.

The area where she had been wandering connected to a secluded garden, a perfect place to stimulate a child’s sense of adventure.

“Wow, it’s so pretty.”

Surely the person with all that “like” must have passed through here. After all, she had already circled the banquet hall twice, so if not here, it would be unnatural. Eshtiel’s mind was so pure that she didn’t even consider the possibility they might have taken different paths.

And so, she set off toward the garden full of shade. It truly was a beautiful garden, worthy of the palaces mentioned in fairy tales.

That’s when it happened.

Rustle!

She detected a presence. Eshtiel’s eyes flashed like a snow leopard spotting prey.

Worried that her target might flee out of shyness, Eshtiel took steps while concealing her footsteps to the extreme.

Rustle, rustle!

The presence became increasingly clear. The identity of the mysterious person was right before her. Eshtiel advanced, intending to greet them cheerfully. Of course, she carefully tracked the sounds to catch irrefutable evidence.

“Ah…”

“Ugh.”

Voices could be heard. Two people’s voices. The groaning sounds that seemed painful sharpened Eshtiel’s vigilance.

‘What’s this? Did a fight break out?’

Eshtiel pressed her body against the corner and peeked her head out slightly. Then the owners of those painful voices came into view.

‘Oh…!’

Eshtiel couldn’t help but be shocked. In the garden shrouded in darkness, a man and woman were fiercely hurting each other.

What should I do? This is way too much.

‘Ugh…’

Smooch.

The woman bit the man’s nape. It was fierce enough to leave a bright red mark. The man frowned and let out a painful groan.

“Ugh, ah…”

“Haa… haa…”

The woman looked quite exhausted. Her rapid breathing vividly represented her condition. Eshtiel watched their misconduct with trembling flesh.

“Haah… ah…”

This time, the man firmly grabbed the woman’s chest. The breast being compressed by his large palm looked very painful. Indeed, the woman couldn’t even properly resist and was helplessly violated by the man’s touch.

‘Ugh… ugh… Brother Rahilt… what should I do?’

She needed to stop them immediately.

But how?

What chance did a little girl who couldn’t even beat a laundry lady have to intervene between two adults?

‘No, no…!’

Her brother had taught her.

To become an adult who doesn’t ignore others’ misfortunes.

And she had realized from this afternoon’s play.

That one who aspires to be the Grand Duke of the North must cultivate the virtue of courage.

Eshtiel closed her eyes tightly and clenched her small fists.

She made a firm resolution to do her best to stop the fight between the two adults.

“Hey there, you shouldn’t fight… mmph?!”

“Gasp.”

“Eek?!”

The sound of hastily gathering clothes scattered on the grass came clearly. They didn’t even think of approaching the corner where Eshtiel was standing. Scandals in high society were merciless, so even the slightest flaw couldn’t be tolerated.

In that sense, Eshtiel was lucky.

The two were so flustered they didn’t recognize Eshtiel’s cry as that of a child.

And even if they had tried to silence her by doing her harm, a person who could protect her identity had covered her mouth.

“Mmph, who are you…”

“…”

In response to her question of “who are you,” the mysterious person slowly removed their hand from her lips. Then they gently grasped Eshtiel’s hand and calmly guided her out of the garden.

Having returned to near the banquet hall, Eshtiel looked up at her sudden escort.

Hair as black as if it would melt into the night sky, and blue eyes comparable to transparent water.

A boy who looked very much like Sister Serin. That was Eshtiel’s honest impression.

“I apologize, Lady Elenot. I am…”

“Ah, the person with tons and tons of ‘like’!”

In an instant, Eshtiel beat him to it.

Her round silver eyes took in the boy completely. It was clearly visible to Eshtiel’s eyes—the countless “likes” emanating from the boy’s features.

“Person with a lot of like…?”

“Yep. Do you like me, big brother?”

“…Pardon?”

“And what’s your name? I’m Eshtiel.”

“Uh… hmm.”

Bewilderment was evident on the boy’s face. Having grown up in a static and quiet world, the boy somehow found the girl difficult to handle. It felt like facing a puppy creating a storm with its tail.

Still, he couldn’t postpone introducing himself.

So, the boy composed his expression and formally recited his introduction.

“My name is Tesser Literion.”

“Yep, I’m Eshtiel Elenot.”

“Ah… I see.”

Tesser was Seriniel’s only younger brother. In other words, he was an imperial prince, so the young lady of a fallen noble family couldn’t puff out her chest and act proud.

Tesser, who had inwardly expected Eshtiel to show proper respect, was considerably perplexed.

‘Well, since she hasn’t debuted yet, it’s understandable she might not know the Literion surname… right?’

But that didn’t seem to be the case either.

“Oh? Literion? That’s exactly the same as the Grand Duke’s surname.”

Eshtiel belatedly raised her eyes in surprise.

“I’m so jealous. I want to be a Literion too.”

“Th-that might be difficult…”

“Hmph…”

Watching Eshtiel openly express disappointment, cold sweat trickled down Tesser’s forehead.

‘At such a young age, does she already aspire to become part of the imperial family…?’

Surely not. It must be a statement born from a child’s simple admiration for the emperor.

However, the next moment, Tesser couldn’t help but be perplexed once more.

“Hey, Tesser, do you like me?”

“Huh?”

“I can see a lot of ‘like.'”

“No, that’s…”

Tesser’s face turned red. Not from embarrassment, but because his astonishment had reached its peak.

As far as he knew, Eshtiel was only 8 years old. And he was 14, on the verge of becoming an adult. Why would he harbor inappropriate feelings for Eshtiel and risk being called a depraved beast?

To prevent any misunderstanding, Tesser firmly stated:

“Lady Elenot. I’m sorry, but for me to have such feelings for you would be a crime…”

“Really? That’s strange…”

Eshtiel tilted her head in contemplation. Her innocent demeanor was truly adorable. It was perfectly understandable why Eshtiel had such confidence. Though his appreciation stopped at finding her cute, of course.

Just then, the moonlight reflected softly in Eshtiel’s eyes.

“Ah! Then, you… um, definitely not Rodrick… hmm, you like Brother Rahilt?”

“By Brother Rahilt… you mean Commander Rahart?”

“That’s right!”

“That’s…”

Tesser paused briefly before honestly confessing.

“Yes, it’s as Lady Elenot says.”

“Aha, so it was ‘like’ toward Brother Rahilt?”

It was peculiar.

Normally, a young lady would try to gain Tesser’s attention, but Eshtiel seemed pleased that Rahilt was the object of interest instead.

‘What inappropriate thoughts about a child…’

It appeared that Eshtiel regarded Rahilt as family. If so, it would be natural to be happy when a family member receives goodwill. Tesser inwardly reproached himself.

“Why does Tesser like Brother Rahilt?”

“Ugh.”

He was at a loss for words.

It was difficult to speak freely.

Even though Eshtiel was a child, he was reluctant to reveal his inner thoughts. If rumors spread, he could dismiss them as false, but… he was simply afraid of a future where Eshtiel might laugh at him. Eshtiel, who was practically family to Rahilt…

“Hmm? Suspicious… I should tell Brother Rahilt.”

“W-wait!”

Just as Eshtiel was about to dash off without hesitation, Tesser caught her delicate hand.

Was it his imagination that a devilish smile appeared on her innocent face…?

Tesser shook off the distracting thought and forced his trembling lips to move.

“The reason I like Commander Rahilt is…”

“The reason is?”

“That…”

“Thaaaat?”

“…”

“…”

Eshtiel’s silver eyes pressured Tesser intently. The presence of an eight-year-old child was so formidable that Tesser ended up shouting as if being pushed off a cliff.

“Cool…”

“Cool!”

“He’s… cool!!! Ugh…”

“Aha.”

Tesser slightly opened his eyes to observe Eshtiel. He was worried she might laugh at him. But contrary to Tesser’s concerns, Eshtiel’s reaction was quiet.

“You think Brother Rahilt is cool?”

“Yes.”

“Hehe, I know too.”

“R-right? He even saved my sister. Of course he’s cool…”

“Aha, so Tesser has a lot of interest in Brother Rahilt?”

“Yes. Quite a bit…”

When Tesser straightforwardly admitted it, Eshtiel proudly puffed out her chest. She even patted her chest with her delicate hands.

“Then I’ll specially teach you about Brother Rahilt.”

“Really?”

“Yep. You can ask me anything.”

“Uh, um, when you tell me to ask, I can’t think of anything…”

As Tesser frantically tried to think of a question, Eshtiel changed the subject.

“No, wait! Before that… why does Tesser think Brother Rahilt is cool?”

“Well, how could he not be cool?”

In truth, Tesser had long admired Rahilt, the commander of the Pinwheel Mercenary Group.

Why is Commander Rahilt cool?

How could there be any reason for him not to be?

‘He’s the embodiment of romance…’

A mysterious figure whose origins no one knows, surrounded only by rumors. Yet a man with definite achievements that easily dispel any gossip.

Moreover, the commander of the Pinwheel Mercenary Group, whose capabilities rival the Imperial Knights!

Above all, the ultimate element that captures a boy’s longing is…

‘A mask that covers his face, how cool…!!!’

He’s like the personification of a dark master. The impression of a hidden hero secretly building fame in the shadows stimulates the male heart. And seeing Rahilt in person today only strengthened this perception.

An iron wall mask that never allows emotions to be read.

Manners that surpass those of nobles from long-established families.

Bright golden hair and deep blue eyes that could enchant anyone who sees them.

One can’t help but admire him.

This is what a dark master is.

This is the image of a hidden hero!

“I… want to be like Commander Rahilt too…”

That’s right.

By this point, anyone would notice.

Tesser is secretly suffering from a serious illness. Truly his own illness that no one has noticed.

It’s something that originates not in the body but in the mind.

Originally, in the world where Serin obtained her first life, Tesser’s illness would be classified as:

‘Terminal chuunibyou,’ as the term goes.

For Tesser, now 14 years old, it was an unavoidable fate.

“Excuse me, Lady Elenot.”

“Yes?”

“Do you perhaps know Commander’s face without the mask?”

“Of course. Brother Rahilt is super pretty. The most beautiful in the world.”

“I knew it!”

So he combines mysterious charm with perfect looks? With so many qualities, it’s impossible to control the amplification of admiration.

“Th-then! Does he use any special powers different from others…”

“Oh, how did you know? Our brother can even create something like black smoke.”

“Could it be the power of darkness…!”

“Gasp! That really seems like it. Yes, yes, it’s the power of darkness.”

“Perhaps the power of… the black plague dragon?”

“Ooh, I don’t know exactly, but could it be that?”

“My goodness…?!”

Tesser was speechless. His internal evaluation of Rahilt was skyrocketing with no limit in sight.

And to some extent, Tesser was close to the truth.

“Lady Elenot. Could we talk more as we return to the banquet hall?”

“Hehe, ask me anything. No one knows Brother Rahilt better than I do.”

“Thank you, Lady Elenot. Truly…!”

Tesser bent his knees to match her eye level and firmly held Eshtiel’s delicate hands.

Eshtiel carefully examined Tesser’s eyes, which resembled Serin’s.

Unlike before, there was clearly an increase in ‘like’ with a peculiar hue.

Eshtiel was momentarily distracted by this very faint and new color of ‘like.’

At least until Tesser spoke again.

“Lady Elenot, how strong is Commander Rahilt?”

“Brother Rahilt is the strongest in the world. Rodrick said that even if all our people attacked together, they wouldn’t be a match.”

“One commander is stronger than the entire Pinwheel Mercenary Group…?”

“Yep.”

Perhaps he even reaches the heights of not only his sister but also His Majesty the Emperor.

Despite knowing it was an irreverent thought, Tesser’s fantasy continued to swell.

“So fucking cool…”

Tesser’s heart was pounding so much that the crude expression Seriniel had taught him slipped out.

Meanwhile, Eshtiel absorbed the unfamiliar expression verbatim as they entered the banquet hall side by side.

“Yes, our brother is so fucking cool!”

“Pfft, haha!”

“Hehe.”

And so, only Rodrick’s worries continued to grow.