Ch.352A Brief Rest

Upon arriving at Asha’s workshop, Demian and Millia exchanged brief greetings before immediately getting measured and explaining the armor styles they wanted.

Demian ordered armor similar to Nigel’s—tanned leather with partial black iron plating. He explained that while full plate armor would increase defense, it would be too heavy for aerial movement.

…That grasshopper obsessed with jumping. He needs to get swatted like a bug once to come to his senses.

Millia requested only a light leather vest to wear over her shirt, a black iron pauldron for just her right shoulder, plus leather pants, gloves, and boots. According to her combat style of fighting from a distance, she didn’t need to be wrapped in armor.

Well, even without metal reinforcement, leather like Rurik’s would perfectly block stray arrows or mediocre spears.

Even so, has she officially decided to just shoot arrows now…?

I tried to discourage her, but weren’t you originally aspiring to be a swordsman?

The three swords hanging lonely at her side seem to be crying.

—-

It was late evening when we returned to the residence.

Since Isabella’s mansion wouldn’t officially become mine until after the ceremony, Demian and Millia, who had nowhere to stay tonight, followed me.

One night at my place would be enough.

“Is this Haschal’s new home? It’s my first time visiting professors’ homes, but it’s… cozier than I expected.”

Millia looked around in amazement. If she’s this impressed now, I wonder if she’ll flip when she sees the mansion.

That place is likely to be incredibly luxurious. Though I haven’t seen it myself yet.

Oh, and there’s something I need to say in advance.

“…Don’t do it here. Lena is here too.”

I whispered quietly into Millia’s ear.

I don’t mind letting them stay, but using my house as a motel substitute is a bit much.

If I wake up to moaning sounds, I’ll have to cut off what’s between Demian’s legs.

Surely they wouldn’t do such things in someone else’s house… but you never know.

Lately, Millia seems determined to disregard time and place.

“Huh? Don’t do what… Oh.”

Millia, who had been tilting her head in confusion, gradually turned bright red.

“Uh, um, ah… D-did you hear…?”

“Of course I heard. In the carriage, you were really…”

They say late learners don’t know when day breaks, and it’s seriously no joke.

Even if the original was an erotic game, how can anyone do it more than ten times a day? And all that licking and sucking, it was absolute chaos.

“Aaaahh! S-stop! I get it, so please stop talking…!”

Millia, heated up like a broken furnace, hurriedly covered my mouth.

Did she think I hadn’t noticed?

Well, if she’d known her friend was listening, she probably wouldn’t have uttered such embarrassing lines.

What was it again? “See? How I’m gripping Demian tightly? I’m not letting go anymore.” It was truly unbelievable.

—-

I brought the tomato-red Millia and Demian, who was averting his gaze as if he knew nothing, into the house.

“Welcome back, sister!”

As soon as I entered, Lena ran up and hugged me as if she’d been waiting.

Why is she so clingy…? I don’t dislike it, but it’s a bit perplexing.

Did she develop some kind of attachment issues while I was away?

“Ah, um, yes, everything okay?”

“Nothing special except Leonore’s return!”

Lena grinned, pressing her head against me. I smiled and stroked her hair, then noticed gazes on me. Looking to the side, I saw Demian and Millia staring at me with faces like sailors who’d spotted a giant sea creature through a window.

…Why those expressions?

Did they think I was going to snap Lena’s neck or something?

I’m not Demian—why would I hurt Lena? If anything, it feels like I’ve gained a cute little sister.

“Lena, you remember Millia and Demian, right? They’ve decided to quit the academy and become my knights. Since they have nowhere to stay, they’ll spend the night here. Say hello.”

“It’s been a while! How have you both been?”

Lena finally detached herself from me and greeted the two with a smile.

“Yes, it’s been a while, Lena. Have you been well?”

“Yes! I’ve been fine. Just a little lonely while separated from Sister Haschal!”

Seeing how she clings to me, it seems she was more than “a little” lonely.

“Um… you seem very close with Haschal. I’ve never seen Haschal smile like that before.”

Well, Demian, that’s probably because I have no reason to smile kindly at you.

If you want to see my smile, go realize a Tale of Heros. Then I’ll smile for you.

After introductions, I showed them to their rooms.

Since there are only four beds, Demian would have to sleep on the sofa in the reception room.

It’s fine to let Millia use Nigel’s bed, but putting Demian there wouldn’t be right.

That wouldn’t be proper.

—-

While the two borrowed the bathroom to wash up, I discussed future matters with Leonore.

Things like operational policies for the Rose Cross Knights, tomorrow’s award ceremony,

and personnel arrangements for visiting the east due to Lord Ludwig’s letter.

Lena, who had been listening with a tilted head, eventually fell asleep using my thigh as a pillow.

She’s sleeping so soundly. My leg can’t be that comfortable.

Gently stroking Lena’s head, I continued my conversation with Leonore.

“As the master of the Rose Cross Knights, I only want three things from them. Loyalty to me, enough skill that they can take down a Master-level opponent when attacking together, and not dying from recklessness. As long as they maintain these, I won’t worry about other issues.”

With their current abilities, they’d all die if they followed me into battle.

So I can’t take them with me until they become stronger.

It would leave a bitter taste if my subordinates died meaninglessly.

“So keep these in mind, and as the commander, handle the operations yourself. You can hunt monsters or bandits, or focus on training at Rose Manor—I don’t mind.”

“Not dying from recklessness is a difficult condition for knights… but if that’s what you wish, I’ll comply as your knight.”

Leonore grinned.

Though she said it was difficult, I could clearly see she was pleased.

After all, the Rose Cross Knights were originally her knights, so Leonore must care deeply about each member.

That’s why my conditions must be satisfactory to her.

So I left the entire operation of Rose Manor and the Rose Cross Knights to Leonore.

She apparently had quite a few administrative officials under her command before, so she shouldn’t mismanage things.

“Oh, and I’m thinking of creating an elite group like Landenburg’s Sword, composed entirely of Master-level or higher members. What do you think? For now it’s just you, Demian, and Millia, but we can gradually increase the numbers. I’d like to include Ophelia if possible.”

“Hmm… the issue is where to find more Master-level fighters. Your connections are obvious, but Sir Nigel belongs to Landenburg so he’s out… and Lady Frider would be difficult too.”

That is a concern.

Even for an elite group, four is too few. We need at least seven.

I’m not sure when we’ll be able to gather the other three.

—-

Additionally, I was able to hear about the academy through Leonore.

News like how the newly recruited students aren’t integrating well with existing ones, or how the survival rate for dispatch missions is steadily declining.

After asking the staff to clean my armor, she apparently wandered around quite a bit until my return and surprisingly knew quite a lot.

“…By the way, rumors of your return have already spread throughout the academy. Everyone’s wondering when your lectures will begin. Some are already excited, convinced you’ve come back specifically to teach.”

“Lectures… I suppose I’ll have to do them eventually…”

Now that I think about having to lecture, nothing suitable comes to mind.

Actually, before that. What exactly do they expect me to teach?

How to kill people efficiently?

“What am I supposed to teach those chicks who haven’t even become knights yet…”

I couldn’t help but sigh.

“Why not do it like when you trained Demian?”

“…That would kill them all.”

Demian could endure it, but if I trained ordinary knight aspirants that way, we’d be clearing bodies within two days.

Even Demian’s heart stopped immediately when I properly focused my killing intent on him before he reached Master level.

“…So you did know that…?”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing, I just thought that since you’re so strong, you might not understand the standards of ordinary people.”

…How could I not know? It’s common sense.