Ch.8Lustila (3)

Thump, thump, thump!

Sonia relentlessly struck Eidel.

“Ugh, urgh!”

Merciless pinpoint attacks. No time to breathe. Under Sonia’s dazzling hand and footwork, Eidel was literally knocked senseless.

“Uuuugh.”

Eidel, who had been flapping like a live fish, went limp. His complexion was as pale as sliced flounder sashimi. Foam dripped from his mouth as if he’d lost consciousness.

Sonia sighed and spoke.

“With injuries of this degree, recovery should take three days at most. I, Sonia, am satisfied with my restraint.”

Sonia hoisted Eidel over her shoulder.

Zermel, who had been blankly observing the situation, asked.

“Who… are you?”

“Ah, I see I haven’t introduced myself.”

Thud! Sonia tossed Eidel aside and slightly lifted her skirt with both hands.

“I am Sonia, personal attendant to Master Eidel von Rheinland here.”

“Sonia… what a pretty name. I am Zermel.”

Sonia, picking Eidel up again, said:

“I apologize for our young master’s disruptive behavior. You must be confused. I will handle the situation. Please wait in the room at the end of the hall for a moment.”

Zermel shook his head impassively.

“We have a duty to protect Lady Rustila.”

“I’ll temporarily take over that duty for you.”

Sonia demonstrated by shaking the unconscious Eidel. Zermel could only sigh inwardly.

‘When the boy before us was causing a disturbance, we couldn’t do anything.’

A dilemma created by the conflict between ‘must protect humans’ and ‘must not hit humans.’

Even people hesitate when faced with such dilemmas. How would robots made of code be any different?

After processing feedback through his artificial neural network, Zermel bowed his head.

“…If you don’t mind, may we exchange information?”

“Please, anytime.”

Sonia also bowed her head.

Mutual agreement was reached. Zermel read information from Sonia’s central chip.

‘This Sonia, checking her serial number, she’s equipped with fifth-generation technology.’

Zermel was a fourth-generation android.

Meanwhile, Sonia was a fifth-generation android.

‘Compared to our fourth generation, the fifth is practically human. She’ll protect the young lady better than we could. She used violence against a human because she has a disciplinary access key.’

A massive amount of data was exchanged in a short time. Having read Sonia’s intentions, Zermel nodded. Unlike humans, robots could persuade each other without words.

“Then, please take good care of Lady Rustila.”

“I will ensure nothing happens to her.”

The androids, as if nothing had happened, released their encirclement of Rustila and entered the designated room.

‘…What just happened?’

Rustila stared blankly at the scene.

They were gone.

All those annoying androids who had been monitoring her had disappeared.

“…Ah.”

Freedom.

Rustila had, at this moment, regained her freedom after a long time.

“Wow, that crazy bastard Eidel! I thought he’d been quiet lately. I knew he’d cause trouble again!”

Seti grumbled, grabbing the back of her neck. She sighed and turned around.

“Sis, I’m really sorry. That lunatic ruined your concentration, right? I’ll apologize properly. Really…”

Rustila shook her head.

That wasn’t what mattered now.

Thump, thump, her heart beat rapidly.

“Seti.”

“What?”

“Can I… do this…?”

Back in the room, Rustila took out a wooden sword. She had brought it secretly from home. Seti tilted her head.

“You want to practice swordsmanship? Here?”

Though Seti’s room was spacious, it was only about 990 square feet. Considering furniture like the bed, the actual space was even smaller. It was far too narrow to practice swordsmanship.

“It’s fine. This width is enough for practice.”

“Practice…”

Seti’s lips curled bitterly.

Seti knew that Rustila had an affection for swords. It was a well-known story.

She had also heard in social circles that her parents forbade sword practice. Clear overprotection.

“Um, okay… Go ahead. We can do the assignment later.”

Rustila’s expression was too desperate to refuse. Seti could only nod.

“Really? Thank you!”

Rustila jumped around like a child. Life returned to her previously dull eyes. She took off the cardigan she was wearing and gripped the sword. She was in a sleeveless top and shorts.

‘Ah… this familiar sensation. How long has it been.’

She gripped the wooden sword and concentrated. She took her stance. The corners of her mouth kept twitching.

Whoosh!

She swung it lightly once. Her spine tingled.

It felt so good. Much more fun than mindlessly studying with a pen. Moving her body suited her nature.

It wasn’t anything else.

Rustila had a dream she couldn’t give up.

‘I’m going to be a soldier.’

Whoosh, whoosh.

The sharp blade cut through the air. Rustila’s gaze sharpened. The eyes of one focused on the sword. With that gaze, she set up an imaginary enemy and struck at vital points.

At the same time, she made a vow.

‘No matter what my parents say.’

Swish, thwack!

‘I’ll stick to this path.’

[— The God of Purity and Resolve applauds your determination.]

[— You have received a donation of 100 coins!]

With just a few swings, Rustila entered a state of immersion. Unity of sword and mind. A state where she became one with the wooden sword. The more she reached that state, the more distant the world became, disconnected from the outside. Everything appeared sparse and scattered.

And as a result, Rustila could converse with her inner self.

She asked her sword:

‘…Who was that boy?’

Eidel von Rheinland.

That name was famous. Known throughout the universe. Wasn’t he called the troublemaker of the Rheinland family?

Rustila didn’t believe those stories. She didn’t hold prejudice either. She thought one shouldn’t judge someone based on rumors without meeting them.

Of course, Eidel, that boy, had behaved quite poorly on the surface. The rumors seemed accurate.

‘But.’

Whoosh!

One shouldn’t judge people solely by what they show on the outside.

Depending on the situation, the context. One must carefully consider why a person acted that way. At least Rustila’s sword blade was screaming that this was how it should be.

‘There must have been some intention.’

The essence she discovered using her “Mind’s Eye” skill.

Eidel was essentially a good person.

Then why did he display such ruffian-like behavior? It wasn’t difficult to infer the answer.

‘It must be because of the outer god.’

The fear she faced when looking with her “Inner Eye.” The white tentacle she glimpsed briefly revealed that Eidel’s background entity was an evil god from the outside world.

‘He’s been… insane for a long time. Tormented by an outer god, he probably hasn’t been in his right mind much.’

Rustila sighed.

‘How difficult it must have been…?’

A life gripped by an evil god. Seeing that life, others would point fingers calling him “crazy.” That was like pouring salt on a painful wound.

‘At least… from now on, I should treat him well, even if I’m the only one.’

Rustila emerged from her thoughts.

Though she had stopped moving, though she had unknowingly closed her eyes, she could still see the sword’s path. Her talent had already reached a state of selflessness. If she continued like this, she would surely achieve greatness.

However, she wasn’t interested in the state she had achieved after so long.

“Seti.”

“Wow, this is really delicious… Huh? What?”

“Can I meet your brother sometime?”

“Pfft-!!”

Seti sprayed the juice she was drinking onto the desk.

***

How many hours had I been lying down? I opened my eyes with a throbbing sensation.

As my blurry vision gradually returned, my senses became vivid. My whole body ached. It hurt all over as if I’d been beaten to a pulp.

“Ow.”

My groans came out in broken chunks like rice cakes.

“Are you awake?”

I see an apron with lots of frills. Unable to lift my head, I just rolled my eyeballs. Blue bob cut, white eyes. Sonia was looking down at me with an expressionless face.

“…Where am I?”

“The infirmary. Don’t worry.”

“Ah…”

I recalled what I had done. I was beaten so hard I almost forgot.

“Are you alright?”

“Not enough to die.”

“That’s good then. Since you ordered it, I won’t apologize separately.”

“Ah, right… By the way, what are those androids doing now?”

“I’ve put them away in the room.”

“Well done.”

It was somewhat of a gamble, but I’m glad things worked out. Looking at it strictly, phase one was successful.

After this, I heard more detailed information from Sonia.

“They cannot attack humans, but I can. They will likely rely on me when the same threat appears. It’s the limitation of the fourth generation. At the very least, control over Lady Rustila’s safety has passed to me today.”

I mentally applauded. How capable, Sonia.

Although I got thoroughly beaten, if the dark cloud hanging over Rustila had cleared a bit, if the possibility of universal destruction had decreased even slightly…

Yes.

That’s enough.

“Sonia.”

“Yes?”

“The workbook I was doing? Could you bring it to me?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to rest for a day? Though I went easy on you, you’re still injured.”

“That’s why I want to do it.”

“…?”

“For me, studying is resting.”

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity is pleased with your academic enthusiasm.]

[— You have received a donation of 100 prons!]

“I never understand your way of thinking. I’ve been serving you for over ten years, yet how…”

“Ah, Sonia!”

“Fine. I understand.”

When I threw a tantrum, Sonia brought the workbook. She only brought two volumes, but that was enough. It was sufficient to pass the time.

“Ow, my shoulder hurts.”

“Do you have a stiff shoulder?”

“Don’t you think it might be because a blueberry-colored maid beat me up?”

“Hmph.”

Sonia, who had been twirling her side hair, twisted her lips. It was somewhat annoying.

“Since you’re going to study anyway, I’ll prepare a stand for you. Don’t strain yourself reading while lying down.”

“Thanks for the consideration.”

Ding dong.

“…Just a moment. Someone seems to have arrived.”

Sonia, who was inserting the workbook into the book stand, stopped her movement and turned around. She checked the intercom. Lying on the hospital bed, I frowned.

“It seems to be a visitor.”

Sonia looked at me and said.

A visitor for the delinquent Eidel? That’s a sign the sun is rising in the west.

Of course, I can guess who it might be.

“Let them in.”

“No causing trouble.”

“My limbs feel like they’re being torn apart, why would I do that?”

“People need to be careful not just with their actions.”

Sonia pressed a button to open the door. I took a short deep breath and barely turned my head.

The next moment.

Whoosh, a floral scent rushed in like a tide. It was a fresh fragrance like standing in a low field.

Following that scent, I shifted my gaze. There stood a beautiful girl with a yellow ponytail.

The girl bowed politely and then looked back and forth between me and Sonia.

“Are you… Eidel?”

Her tone was quite respectful. She looked to be at most in her third year of middle school, but her mature appearance was impressive.

Well, she can’t speak informally to someone she’s meeting for the first time. Thinking this, I responded formally.

“Yes, I am Eidel Rheinland.”

“…”

“What brings you here?”

Rustila’s aquamarine eyes slowly gazed at me. Then she flinched as if surprised.

“Ah, well…”

Hesitating, Rustila opened her mouth.

“Are your injuries alright?”

“Yes, they’re fine. I’m sorry for causing trouble earlier.”

I bowed my head. Rustila’s half-open eyes widened.

“Why did you act like that earlier?”

Rustila asked.

Just as I was about to answer:

“Our young master occasionally has these fits. Each time, I discipline him as you saw. After fainting once and waking up, he seems to be fine for a while.”

Sonia intercepted.

“…Well.”

It’s not wrong.

After all, I possessed Eidel after he got his head cracked by a casino guard.

I stayed quiet since I had no other excuse to offer.

“Aah…”

Rustila sighed like an old person who had seen it all. A sympathetic emotion clouded her previously elegant gaze.

Wait a minute.

Something seems to have gone a bit off from what I intended.

I hastily added to Sonia’s words.

“Forgive me for saying this upon our first meeting, but I was aware of Lady Rustila’s family situation.”

Rustila no longer tried to hide her surprise. Her pupils and hands trembled slightly.

“My, my family situation?”

“It’s well-known. The fact that the Kersil family’s couple is excessively caring for their only daughter.”

Kersil is a fairly prestigious family. News from such distinguished families tends to spread through parties or articles. Like how celebrities’ private lives are exposed.

“Seeing all those androids in front of the door, I thought, ah, this is a bit…”

This is the crucial point.

I continued:

“Suddenly my temper flared up. So I got a bit… like that. If I disturbed your studies, I apologize.”

I bowed my head at a right angle.

Crack! My whole body screamed in pain. Damn, it hurts like hell.

“Ah, I see. So that’s it. That’s what it was…”

Rustila nodded slightly. Her gloomy complexion brightened a bit.

Did it work?

I thought it was a bit of a stretch.

“…”

It seems Rustila used her “Mind’s Eye.” Either when I was causing a disturbance then, or now. Given that she came to visit, it’s more likely she used it then.

“…You’re a good person.”

Rustila smiled bitterly.

“That book… were you studying?”

“Yes. If I fail to get into Stellarium this year, I’ll be kicked out of my family.”

“Ah…”

Rustila’s face saddened. She drooped her shoulders lifelessly.

Seeing her sad makes me sad too. No, if you’re so dejected, the universe will end…

After a moment of silence, Rustila soon relaxed her expression and spoke. Her face was resolute, as if she had made some determination.

“I’m planning to apply to Stellarium too.”

“Being smart, you’ll surely be accepted.”

I smiled brightly and offered words of encouragement. Rustila burst into laughter.

“Ah, my way of speaking is so strange. We’re the same age and not adults, yet we’re speaking formally to each other.”

“…”

“Shall we speak informally to each other?”

After thinking for a moment, I nodded.

“If we can see each other after being accepted.”

Things are going better than expected.