Ch.6868. Sianella’s Male Knight (5)

What am I supposed to do with this…

The stares are focused on me to an excessive degree.

Starting with Eunice Kallia, half of them are staring intently at my face.

The other half are alternating their gaze between the blood-stained sword in my hand and the Demonkin I’ve killed.

Yes, since long weapons and warfare in this world are the exclusive domain of women, not men.

It’s only natural that attention would be drawn to a mere servant who isn’t even from a martial family wielding a sword like this.

Of course, I understand. I understand, but…

‘…I feel like I’m going to collapse from exhaustion.’

I’m getting a headache as I envision the increasingly complicated and troublesome situation that’s likely to unfold. My stomach feels a bit sour too…

For someone like me, born a commoner and at best just a servant, the attention of those noble lords is heavy and burdensome.

And to make matters worse.

‘Now I’ve got those pointy-eared bastards involved too.’

Those elves over there.

Looking at how they’re staring at me with sinister eyes from a distance, I can guess what they’re thinking about me.

That uncivilized short-lived species. How about keeping it as a pet?

Since elves all think alike, they’re probably evaluating me along similar lines as my own thoughts.

Born nearly perfect, the arrogantly filthy guardians of the forest even have long lifespans.

They’re always seeking stimulation to awaken their emotions that gradually erode and wear away over time.

To them, a being like me who suddenly appeared before them.

‘I must be like some rare exotic animal.’

I must have stimulated their interest quite a bit.

I never thought I’d get entangled with elves of all races.

Judging by how they don’t seem ready to interrogate me right away, perhaps due to the distance, they don’t seem to have caught the scent of my spirit yet.

The moment they discover the spirit energy, those pointy-eared ones will definitely try to get involved with me.

As I was observing the elves’ demeanor, my eyes met with one of them.

Flutter, flutter.

An elf with striking yellow hair greets me with a radiant smile, waving her hand gently.

“Hmm…”

Knowing the true nature of elves.

Rather than being wary of breaking into a silly grin at her beauty, I was more concerned about keeping my expression from souring as I gave her a slight nod.

Then, seeing no benefit in keeping my sword drawn any longer.

After turning my gaze away from the elf, I slowly sheathed my sword with my eyes closed.

Shhhhk…

After organizing my thoughts briefly and opening my eyes again.

‘…This is driving me crazy.’

Now beyond the elves, I noticed Eunice Kallia and Aria Allenar examining me with their respective expressions.

‘Eunice Kallia is—’

The Marquisate of Kallia, responsible for the eastern border of the kingdom.

Known for her frost-like cold temperament and cool-headed command.

Famous for freely wielding both sword and shield, she was.

‘A sexual deviant…’

…with a distorted interest in strong men.

Her fantasy about male knights is so great that she was staring at me with blazing eyes and excitement.

In some ways, even more than Sione who had no restraint yesterday when drunk on wine.

Damn this gender-reversed world.

Normally, I would have gladly welcomed the attention of such a beauty.

But during my carriage travels and stays at various lodgings, I realized something about this world’s rough mercenaries.

The women here are only biologically female; their mindset and everything else is exactly like men from Earth.

What good is outer beauty when they all have the minds of dark-hearted men inside?

‘How could I possibly like them?’

How could I like these biologically female men?

Even if a male friend transformed into a beauty, I’d only feel disgust, not appreciation for their beauty.

It’s a similar principle.

Avoiding Eunice’s intense interest, I sighed inwardly and hid behind Sione.

“…Is your hand alright?”

I could see my master pretending to be fine after everything was over, secretly trembling alone.

* * *

The coming-of-age ceremony, which should have continued until sunset, ended before the sun even began to set.

The royal family moved quickly to uncover the background and causality of the incident, and Ainel was doing the same.

These damn cultist bastards have a record of causing major trouble in the Beltrin Mountains too.

Because those bastards spread Magia everywhere.

While exploring the mountains with Sione, my left arm was pierced by that spider.

They even forced Siabel Sianella to return to her territory with serious injuries.

Ainel Sianella would see this as an opportunity to report to the royal family about everything the cultists have done near Sianella territory.

Behind such Ainel.

All events scheduled for today were canceled, and knights were stationed throughout the royal palace for security.

With nothing particular to do or that could be done.

Sione and I had returned to our respective quarters.

After thoroughly washing away the traces of battle from my body, I changed clothes.

The spelling of Sianella embroidered on the breast pocket.

Having changed into the uniform of the County of Sianella, I ruffled my hair in frustration.

“…This is such a pain.”

By now, Sione would be alone again, wallowing in guilt like a drenched puppy.

I’d like nothing more than to lie down on the bed and rest comfortably right now.

But on the other hand, I’m worried about Sione.

After wavering between rest and Sione, I finally opened the door and went out.

Creeeeak…

As I quietly entered Sione’s quarters, sure enough.

“…Two people.”

Without having changed her blood-stained dress or fixed her disheveled hair.

I could see Sione quietly staring at her hands with vacant eyes.

Her hands weren’t trembling like before.

But as if the sensation of tearing fabric remained, her expression, unlike in the garden, was deeply confused.

Really.

To think that someone of Sianella blood would be so affected by killing Demonkin.

“They were all Demonkin, weren’t they? You only did what was right.”

Sione, finally noticing my entrance, opened her eyes wide before quietly nodding.

“Yes… that’s right.”

Then she tightly clasped her hands together.

“It was clearly the right thing to do, but I can’t forget the sensation I felt in my hands.”

My master, who finally removed the mask she had been wearing on her face, faced me.

I could see myself reflected in her trembling blue eyes.

I was looking down at her with an almost mercilessly emotionless expression.

“I had resolved not to lose or have anything taken away… yet instead of protecting you as a woman, I’m trembling just from helping a little. How pathetic of me.”

She showed a hollow smile.

“…Ray, what should I do?”

Thud, thud.

I sat across from her and silently looked at Sione for a while.

“You are fragile, Lady Sione.”

Sione is weak.

Both physically and mentally.

At least to me, she’s weak to a degree that’s far from satisfactory.

“Unlike other Sianellas, you’re not particularly proficient with swords and martial arts, nor do you possess exceptional talent in handling mana.”

“The same goes for archery. Though you have talent, you’ve been handling it for less than a year,”

“Your body isn’t fully developed yet, and your temperament is more suited to a compassionate cleric than an unwavering knight.”

As I continued stating these facts, Sione’s confidence began to hit rock bottom.

Just looking at those darkening eyes, it was clear she was falling into deep self-reproach.

Before the last glimmer of light disappeared, I opened my mouth again in time.

“So from now on, entrust all difficult tasks to me or share them with me.”

At those words, some life returned to Sione’s dying eyes.

“Does that mean…?”

Before answering her question, I placed my hand over Sione’s tightly clasped hands.

Flinch.

At the sudden contact, confusion mixed with Sione’s self-reproachful expression.

“You said you couldn’t forget the sensation you felt in your hands.”

Then I unclasped her hands and made her hold mine, causing Sione to bow her head deeply.

Holding her hand firmly so she wouldn’t let go, my master’s toes began to fidget restlessly.

Finding it quite amusing how she couldn’t say anything and just wiggled her toes, I broke my cold expression and slightly raised the corners of my mouth.

“How do you feel now? Is that sensation still there?”

“No, now it’s… fine…”

“That’s good.”

With those words, I stood up and pulled her hand.

“Ah…!”

Pulled by the sudden force, she pressed against me as if embracing me.

Where was the recently assertive Sione?

Like before her confession at the shooting range at dawn, she was just fidgeting with her mouth, her ears flushed red, quietly watching my reaction.

I began stroking her silver-white hair.

It felt nice, like petting a well-groomed dog.

If there was anything bothersome…

It was Sione’s dress, stained with blood at the front.

Having just changed clothes, it wasn’t particularly pleasant to be in contact with such dirty clothes.

But right now, stabilizing this troublesome master’s mental state was more important than complaining about such things.

Sione, you blessed bastard.

As I continued stroking her hair, I whispered in her ear.

“There’s no need for you to try to protect me.”

I’m much stronger to begin with, so who’s protecting whom?

Please don’t cause more trouble by trying to stand in front and protect me.

Rather, at this level, I’d prefer if she just quietly supported from behind.

“But if you still want to help me… your archery skills are sufficient, Lady Sione. With a bow, unpleasant sensations won’t remain in your hands like this time.”

But if she still wants to be of help to me.

Regardless of the past, now that she’s put down the sword and taken up the bow.

I’d ask for nothing more than for her to support by shooting arrows like a proper archer.

It would be a hundred times more reliable if she didn’t try to show off with swordsmanship she can’t properly execute and instead just kept watch from behind.

“Moreover, you’ve chosen the path of an archer now, haven’t you?”

A ruler should act like a ruler. A servant should act like a servant.

And an archer should act like an archer.

“…That is true.”

Seeing that my sincerity had gotten through, Sione quietly buried her head against my chest.

Ah, damn. If she presses this close, blood stains will get all over my clothes.

Instead of the sigh that was about to escape, I ruffled Sione’s hair and said:

“Lady Sione, may I say one more thing?”

Sione carefully looked up at me in response.

“…What is it?”

“If I may, I wish you would no longer fixate on gender.”

“What do you—”

“I mean I hope you won’t be consumed by a sense of obligatory responsibility just because you’re a woman.”

“…But aren’t men weaker than women in both mana and physique?”

I chuckled and replied.

“Am I an ordinary man?”

At my words, Sione pressed her lips tightly together.

I’m different from the men of this world.

I can handle mana, and beyond that, even spirit magic.

I can wield both bow and sword more skillfully than Sione herself.

And I even defeated an Arachne alone.

I’m much stronger than most female mercenaries.

As such, Sione couldn’t argue with my words and showed a troubled expression.

To prevent Sione from creating troublesome situations due to female-specific bravado in the future, I drove the point home.

“Though I am a man, I have enough strength to protect you—”

I smiled with my eyes at Sione who was staring up at me.

“If you wish, I’ll continue to protect you as your male knight.”

At my words, Sione’s calmed cheeks flushed red again.

“I hope you’ll heed my words… what do you think, Lady Sione?”

Hearing my question, Sione embraced me tightly and quietly answered.

“I’ll… do as you say…”

As she said this, Sione had a small but definite smile, like a girl in love.