Ch.9292. In the Piercing Wind (5)

“Won’t you call me noona?”

…What a thing to say, suddenly popping up like that.

‘This means she must have been listening from the beginning.’

It was extremely unpleasant and burdensome.

Siabel should have been clearing the path with the soldiers over there…

The fact that she brought up the “noona” thing as soon as she arrived meant she must have been listening to my conversation with Sione from the start.

What information could she possibly hope to gain by eavesdropping?

“……”

“So, what’s your answer?”

A deep sigh rose up, which I suppressed by swallowing, leaving a tightness in my chest.

I couldn’t tell if Siabel’s words were a joke or if she was actually serious.

Judging by the atmosphere she gave off, she was definitely teasing me… but when I met her subtly heavy gaze, it also felt sincere.

As I hesitated to answer, Sione approached quickly and spoke in my place.

“Um… sister…?”

“What is it?”

“Were you listening to everything?”

She must have found our recent conversation quite embarrassing.

Sione’s vigorously trembling pupils and her speech distorted by shame were quite the sight.

Siabel must have found her state quite amusing.

She finally turned her excessive attention away from me and toward her sister.

‘That’s a relief.’

Unlike Sione, with whom I’d built a solid relationship over the past year through many precious moments,

My encounter with Siabel was comparatively brief.

While Sione might not mind, I still hesitate to call Siabel “noona,” even in jest.

No matter how favorable her opinion of me might be,

I’m just a servant, and Siabel is none other than the noble daughter of a Count’s family.

I took a step back and observed the two sisters.

“I didn’t intend to listen… but somehow it happened?”

“……”

“The situation seemed to be under control, so I came to have a chat, and you two were having quite an interesting conversation. So I quietly listened for a bit.”

“Uuumm……”

As Siabel chuckled softly, Sione’s carefully maintained composure finally crumbled.

With Sione looking as if she might cry at any moment, her face filled with emotion close to sobbing,

Siabel refreshed her demeanor in the sudden cold breeze and faced me once again.

“Sione’s archery skills have noticeably improved since half a year ago. That must be your work, right?”

After all, I was the one who planted the small seed of talent in the flowerpot named Sione and nurtured it with consistent watering.

As she said, everything Sione had accomplished originated from me, so it wouldn’t be wrong to call it my work.

But I gently shook my head in response to her question.

“I merely suggested the direction and helped her move forward. Lady Sione’s achievements are solely the result of her own efforts.”

No matter how much I told her to do this or that, without Sione’s determination,

It’s obvious she would have been satisfied with her mediocre skills and wasted time in vain.

Sure enough, my answer of modestly downplaying myself while praising Sione seemed to be the right one.

With just one well-crafted sentence, I was able to win the favor of both sisters.

If I had known this would happen, I should have attended a public speaking academy back on Earth.

They say one word can pay off a thousand nyang debt, and that’s absolutely true.

Hearing my words, Siabel looked at Sione with admiration for a moment, then deepened the blue depths in her pupils.

“Of course, I highly value our Sione’s efforts as you said.”

Her eyes gleamed.

It was the sparkle of someone who thinks deeply and observes carefully.

“But shouldn’t we also acknowledge the merit of the wise teacher who guided my sister on the right path? Your swordsmanship was already impressive. But the archery I saw today was even more remarkable.”

“That composure you never lose, the perfectly timed supporting attacks in every situation… you killed more than six Kobolds.”

…Moreover.

After saying this, Siabel took a breath, and the corners of her eyes curved upward.

“You spotted a Kobold that even I didn’t notice easily, and immediately shot it down with your bow. How sharp are your senses?”

Her expression gave me a sense of déjà vu.

Ah, yes. Back then.

That’s exactly how she looked when she first saw my magic.

“I don’t remember your archery skills being this outstanding half a year ago. Were you hiding your abilities?”

Not satisfied with my swordsmanship, Siabel began showing great interest in my archery skills as well.

Just as I was about to open my mouth to answer her, Siabel spoke while tidying her hair that was fluttering in the wind.

“I’m not trying to interrogate you, so don’t look so tense. In that spirit, I have a favor to ask you. How about listening to it with Sione?”

Sione was the first to react to Siabel’s words.

As if finally finding a chance to interject, she slipped between Siabel and me.

“A favor?”

“It’s simple. Instead of wandering off alone together like before, I’d like you to stay with me. Keep your lonely sister company. As for Ray—”

For some reason,

Siabel’s folded arms came undone as she smiled at me.

Her left arm lowered.

For some reason, Siabel’s left hand gently rested on the sword at her left hip, its handle growing cold.

“I’d like you to help your noona.”

“…Help you how?”

“Simple. Don’t leave me out and talk with me.”

“……”

“And help with perimeter security. Flora is a newly recruited Ranger and still somewhat inexperienced.”

Flinch.

Flora, who was resting not far from us,

Started when she heard her name mentioned.

As she straightened her back like a startled rabbit and looked at us with round eyes, Siabel responded by waving her hand.

Wave, wave.

Only after seeing Siabel’s gesture indicating it was nothing did Flora breathe a sigh of relief.

“While we’re on the subject… I’d appreciate it if you could look after Flora a bit too.”

“Look after her in what way?”

“Surveillance and reconnaissance. And if possible, some archery instruction too.”

At those words, Sione began to look at Siabel with a troubled expression, but—

“I’m not asking you to stick together constantly, just give her some gentle guidance. Just until we secure the path completely. Not difficult, right?”

Eventually, Sione reluctantly agreed to Siabel’s words, which seemed already decided.

And I, somehow entranced by Siabel’s left hand gripping the handle, let my voice flow.

“I will follow Lady Siabel’s wishes.”

“Siabel noona.”

“…Noona.”

* * *

After one battle and an adequate rest period, we once again set off along the passage.

Since our first day’s goal was simply to hunt a few Kobolds while coordinating with team members,

We didn’t travel too far up the path.

The journey upward wasn’t boring.

Whenever the atmosphere settled into quietness, Siabel would invariably open her mouth and lead the conversation.

Sione and I were able to walk along quite enjoyably, but…

Flora, who was receiving advice on surveillance and reconnaissance from me at Siabel’s request,

Didn’t seem pleased with the situation.

‘Well, I suppose…’

With two members of a Count’s bloodline accompanying a commoner recruit,

I’m somewhat better off since I’m used to being around Sione daily and have seen all sorts of situations at the royal palace.

But for Flora, this must be quite an ordeal.

I felt sympathy for her, but well,

If this is Flora’s fate, then so be it.

I’ll simply fulfill the new duty Siabel assigned me and help ensure Flora doesn’t become completely isolated among us.

As we continued walking forward for a while,

I discovered chaotically intertwined footprints.

I followed the footprints to find other traces left in the area.

“Tsk…”

This doesn’t look good…

The weeds around here were bent sideways as if pressed down by something heavy.

Not to mention the wounds on trees that seemed to have collided with some strong force.

Seeing quite a few neatly broken saplings, it appears there was a battle here.

Just as I was about to check the footprints on the ground to guess who had rampaged through this area,

Siabel, who was observing this scene with me, spoke in a solemn voice with a hardened expression.

“…These are traces of battle I’ve seen all too often in the west.”

She clicked her tongue with an atmosphere as cold as the gusting wind.

The sound, mixed equally with annoyance and irritation, had the power to intimidate those nearby.

“It seems Orcs that fled north caused trouble here. Moreover—”

Siabel smiled crookedly.

Her cold impression and expression combined to add to the harsh atmosphere.

“…Looks like quite a few remain even after killing so many.”

…With traces this clear.

As I thought that Orcs might still be in the vicinity, my expression suddenly crumpled.

On such a cold day, these traces were not a good sign at all.

After checking the traces, I returned to Sione, who was watching us from behind.

Ready to grab Sione and flee without looking back if necessary.