Ch.4444. Gender Discrimination, That’s Really Not Good.

“Finally, regarding the repair of the village’s outer wall.”

“Why does it need repairs?”

“Although there hasn’t been any direct damage from monsters for several years, it’s quite deteriorated. There are cracks in several places.”

“Alright, take care of that too. Use the most expensive materials if possible.”

“Understood.”

I expected to be scolded by Federicks as soon as I returned to the mansion, but contrary to my expectations, his silence was rather unsettling.

I rested my elbows on the desk, propped my chin on my hands, and tilted my head.

“But why is it so quiet?”

“What do you mean, sir?”

“I thought you’d be angry as soon as I arrived, but you’re just assigning me work.”

“Didn’t you come today? Handling the backlog of work is simply more important.”

“Oh, so you’ll lecture me after everything is finished?”

At that, Federicks let out a deep sigh.

“Haa… Unfortunately, this matter is already out of my hands.”

“What does that mean?”

“We received word from the main house. It seems Baron Byron already knows that young master has left the mansion twice.”

I had expected this.

The last time I accompanied Jawil Wilson to meet the Poison Lady, someone was quietly following us.

Of course, they followed me on this journey too.

It was fortunate that I had checked in advance with my Eye.

If I hadn’t, I might have mistaken them for spies and killed them.

I waved my hand toward Federicks.

“It’s fine. Father will understand when I explain why I went to Evis territory.”

“That’s nonsense. Even if it was for the family’s sake, you broke your promise to your father and left your place of exile, didn’t you?”

“Nothing bad happened, right? According to you, wouldn’t the knights from the main house have already stormed in?”

Federicks opened his eyes wide at my brazen attitude.

“How will you explain the pleasure district!?”

“I didn’t go there.”

“Haa… You don’t actually think that excuse will work on Baron Byron, do you?”

“You’re being too harsh.”

“What exactly is too harsh!?”

“Even if I did go, don’t you think it was because of Jawil Wilson’s hardship rather than my own pleasure?”

Federicks pursed his lips and bowed at the waist.

“Sure, sure, that must be it. Young master’s concern for his knight is truly as vast as the heavens. Are you satisfied!? Huh!?”

“Stop being sarcastic.”

“Do I look like I’m not being sarcastic!? The fact that you went alone with Luna, a woman, is already a seed of distrust.”

Ah… that’s truly unfair!

I can’t even explain how I was almost victimized by Luna—it’s maddening.

At that time, her affection deficiency level was at 80, so if I hadn’t taken her along, “Blood Massacre” might have activated, which is why I reluctantly brought her.

She should be prostrating herself in gratitude for saving her life, yet here we are talking about seeds of distrust!!?

My molars clench reflexively.

“I originally planned to take Jawil Wilson, but as you know, his leg was injured.”

“Then you could have taken another knight, couldn’t you?”

“That’s exactly what I did. Luna Brillhart is no longer a maid but a knight, isn’t she?”

“Luna is a woman, isn’t she!?”

I looked at Federicks with disdain and shook my head.

“Gender discrimination is really not good, you know.”

“It’s not gender discrimination—it’s that I don’t trust you, young master!!”

“Why don’t you trust me?”

“Because I have a talent for reading people at a glance.”

I put down the hand supporting my chin and adjusted my posture.

“Then what if Luna had tried to pounce on me?”

“Ha!? Are you writing fiction!? While you’re at it, why not claim you met the Imperial Princess in Evis?”

This bastard…

He’s a genius?

How did he know that?

I gaped at Federicks’ divine foresight.

“M-me meeting the Imperial Princess makes no sense.”

“Exactly, and that’s the kind of nonsensical question you just asked me.”

“Haa… fine, I apologize. Anyway, was there anything else from the main house?”

Federicks, who had been agitated, took several deep breaths and continued speaking respectfully.

“Butler Brighton mentioned something concerning.”

“Concerning? What was it?”

“He said a gift from the family will arrive soon.”

“They’re sending a gift?”

“Isn’t it strange that they’re sending a gift when they clearly know you’ve left your place of exile twice?”

I pondered Federicks’ words for a moment, then lightly snapped my thumb and middle finger.

“Aha! Perhaps Father was moved by my personally going to the monster-infested Evis territory and is sending a gift!”

“I truly envy your positive thinking, young master.”

“Hey, I told you not to be sarcastic. They wouldn’t give me poison as a gift to kill me, would they?”

“Hmm, if Baron Byron were to bestow poison upon you, it would certainly be a nice gift for me.”

It would be very disappointing news for Federicks, but thanks to my immunity to all poisons, I won’t die from poison.

I don’t know what the gift is, but I’ll find out when I receive it.

I brushed my hair back and let out a short sigh.

“Speaking of ‘poison,’ did the Poison Lady leave?”

“She left on the third day after your departure.”

“Is Ariella better now?”

“Yes, and the Poison Lady asked me to tell you that you can seek her out whenever you need her.”

I won’t be meeting the Poison Lady again.

I’ve already interfered enough with the original story because of Riden Solis, and I can’t predict what might happen if I meet her again.

It seems I’ve roughly handled all the necessary business and received enough of Federicks’ nagging.

Still seated in my chair, I nodded slightly.

“Then call Jawil Wilson.”

*

“…Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“You called me here, but you’ve been staring at me for ten minutes now.”

Jawil Wilson shifts uncomfortably.

Ignoring his discomfort, I curl up the corners of my mouth.

“I learned a lot from this expedition.”

“W-what did you learn?”

“How should I put it… your importance?”

“Young master, I like women.”

Jawil Wilson, as if he’s heard something he shouldn’t have, digs at his ears with both fingers. I smirk at him.

“Never mind that. How’s your leg?”

“As you can see, it’s fine. I’ve been going to the training grounds since yesterday.”

“Next time before an expedition, don’t spar with anyone else for three days prior. Especially avoid Luna at all times.”

“Luna, you say?”

Jawil Wilson tilts his head in confusion, not understanding.

That’s to be expected.

He wouldn’t dream that Luna deliberately injured his leg so she could accompany me on the expedition.

Even if I told him honestly, he wouldn’t believe it, so I made up an excuse.

“You know how obsessive Luna is about training, right?”

“Ah… I heard about that from Sir Leo Sergan. But I heard she’s better now…”

“That may be true, but if she loses to you in a duel again, she might become obsessive about training.”

“…What!? Then shouldn’t everyone avoid sparring with Luna, not just me?”

This guy, he’s actually thinking now after our brief expedition?

Originally, he would have just said “Yes, sir!” without question.

I put more force into my voice to sound more convincing.

“That’s because you’re stronger than the other knights! The greater the gap, the greater her distress will be.”

“Me…?”

“Are you saying you didn’t lose to Luna last time because of bad luck?”

“W-well, you said luck is also a skill…”

“Ha! Anyway, just do as I say! If you get injured sparring with other knights, not just Luna, it will disrupt our expeditions.”

When I snapped at him in irritation, Jawil Wilson hesitated and then his eyes reddened.

“I didn’t know you cared about me this much, young master.”

Haa…

Should I start training another knight even now?

At first, I kept him around because he was easy to handle, but somehow I’ve come to rely on this dim-witted fellow…

I pressed my fingers against my throbbing temples.

“If you understand, take good care of yourself.”

“Knight Jawil Wilson! I will manage my body as if it were your own, young master, and do my utmost!”

“Well, that sounds a bit off, but as long as you understand. You may go.”

“Understood. I’ll take my leave then.”

“Yes.”

As Jawil Wilson leaves the study, I can’t help but sigh.

“Huff! I missed him so much when I was with Luna… but now that I see him again, I’m tired of him.”

Clank-! Creeeeak-!

As soon as Jawil Wilson leaves, Federicks enters the study with a grim expression.

“Young master…”

“Why do you look so anxious again?”

“The gift I mentioned earlier seems to have arrived…”

“The gift!? You mean the one Father was sending to the mansion?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

For some reason, Federicks is trembling like an aspen leaf.

This is completely contrary to his recent attitude of standing firm no matter how much I yelled at him.

“Surely it’s not actually poison, is it?”

“Young master, may I say just one thing?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Then, Federicks straightened his back with what seemed like determination.

“You need to escape right now…”