episode_0040

It’s not a girl.

For a moment, with a body so slender that it could be mistaken for a girl and a neutral face and voice, Pestor was clearly a boy.

“Sir Lashwood? Why are you like this?”

“Huh? Oh, uh, it’s nothing. Anyway, let’s wash up.”

I wrapped my arm around Pestor’s shoulder.

“Uh…”

Pestor let out a strange groan.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“Oh, no. It’s just that… I thought it was thick. I envy you…”

“Punk, if you work hard, you’ll get thicker someday.”

I lightly squeezed his neck while pouring water from a basin into the bathtub.

Steam rose gently, carrying a pleasant scent.

Although warm baths were possible in my mansion, I refrained from using luxurious items like scented candles due to the expense.

We washed our bodies with warm water and lathered the thin soap in our hands to cleanse ourselves.

While not as foamy as modern body washes, these were luxury items made by the Alchemy Guild for nobles and wealthy merchants.

Even though they didn’t lather much, the scent and texture were satisfactory.

After rinsing off the soap from our bodies, we entered the hot tub together.

“Oh, ugh… The water in this inn is too hot…”

Pestor cautiously stepped into the water, finding it too hot.

Truly fragile.

It’s hard to imagine him as the eldest son of the prestigious Kapsella family, renowned even in Loreldia, known as the Knight’s Country.

“You should be able to endure this much. In battles, there are times when you have to endure worse.”

Like boiling oil or feces.

It’s said that in the country famous for its harsh winters, Suseron, cold water is poured beneath the castle walls to create ice sculptures.

In dungeons, monsters occasionally spit out large amounts of poison or corrosive metals, hindering movement.

“I-I… sigh…”

Pestor submerged himself up to his shoulders in the tub and let out a deep sigh.

“I won’t be able to go to the real battlefield anyway… My father won’t allow it…”

“If you don’t go, it’s practically political suicide.”

“In that case, in a real war, even a small unit commander would be given orders.”

If he isn’t sent, it would essentially be political suicide.

“But my younger brother is more suited for that… He inherited both parents’ talents fully.”

Pestor’s voice didn’t show a hint of jealousy.

He seemed genuinely impressed and admiring of his brother’s talent.

From the start, he was prepared to die in the labyrinth for his brother’s succession…

“Alex… It’s a name I haven’t heard before, but it will reach my ears one day. Oh, did you participate in the previous tournament?”

“Yes. Although I was eliminated in the preliminaries…”

“Oh…”

“But it couldn’t be helped. The opponent had that kind of spec.”

“Huh? Spec?”

“Yes. He was the winner of that year’s tournament.”

“Oh, I see. That guy is currently in the Labyrinth City.”

“What?! Is that true?”

“Yeah. A Dragon Slayer lives in our house. He came here saying he wants to fight with him.”

“A D-Dragon Slayer…?”

“Krisha of Brighal.”

“Goodness! Is that really true?”

“If you want, come later. I’ll introduce you.”

“T-Then it would be a great honor! To defeat the Specter who defeated your father and the famous Dragon Slayer Krisha… Sir Lashwood, your connections are truly remarkable!”

“My network is quite extensive.”

“Network…? Ah, Lady Steria also mentioned your connections like that.”

“Actually, rather than the Specter or Krisha, I prefer Steria more… Tsk… No, it’s nothing.”

“Yes? …Ah, all the Ebony tribe…”

“Did you hear that from Steria?”

“Yes. The Ebony tribe decided to disband after the Batori incident…”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“…Um, Lord Lashwood.”

“Why?”

“Steria sometimes talked about you.”

“Oh really? What did she say?”

“She said you were the most annoying person…”

“Hah, I see. We just didn’t quite get along, huh.”

“…But still, if they were to meet again, Steria said she would like to meet you first.”

“Why?”

“She said she wanted to give you a good punch…”

“Ahaha! That’s so like Steria!”

Ah, it brings back memories.

The war that lasted for a hundred years after being summoned to this world.

Not exactly pleasant memories.

Yet… or rather, maybe because it was tough, the small moments of joy shine brighter.

What was Steria’s real name again?

I can’t recall well, but on Earth, she was a professional athlete in some sport.

Was it baseball or volleyball, anyway, it was a sport involving a ball.

She strived to be selected as a national representative…

She was the fiercest and bravest among us.

But towards the end of the war, she confessed that she felt desperate as she saw no hope of becoming a national representative.

And here in this world, she said she achieved a bigger dream, surpassing being a national representative to become a representative of humanity.

We laughed heartily and raised our glasses…

“…”

…That’s how it was.

At one time, all of us…

“Ah… those were the days.”

“Yes?”

“Just reminiscing about the past…”

Yeah.

Back then, we fought to protect humanity in this world, and eventually, the entire world.

Dragged into battles without knowing the language, many died there, but…

Still…

Even so, it was a time of honor for us.

…Wasn’t it?

Am I romanticizing the past too much?

After hearing so much about Steria today, memories of those times flood back.

“I’m done with that guy’s story now. It leaves a bitter taste if I hear more.”

“A bitter taste…?”

“It’s like, too much of it will turn sour. Still, thanks for sharing the story.”

I patted Festo’s head.

Normally, this wouldn’t be acceptable, but since we’re facing each other as men now, it should be fine.

“Ugh… Lord Lashwood, you have big hands.”

“Oh, did that bother you?”

“Not at all…”

“Alright then.”

I sank deeper into the tub.

It feels warm and nice.

Feeling tired, drowsiness creeps in.

Ah… should I just fall asleep like this?

That would be a bit of a bother.

Well, he did save my life after all.

I guess I can let it slide for now…

Just a little… maybe I’ll close my eyes for a moment…

***

“…Ah.”

I opened my eyes.

I found myself outside the bath.

No, on the bed?

“Huh…? Did I fall asleep?”

I’m dressed now.

It’s not what I was wearing before, it’s a bathrobe.

“Oh, you’re awake.”

Lianne was by the bed.

“You fell asleep in the bath, so the young master told me…”

“Oh, sorry. I caused trouble. Wait, did you bring me out here?”

Looking around, this must be a guest room.

“Yes…”

Lianne’s face slightly frowned.

“Oh no, what should I do about this. Next time…”

“You don’t have to come next time.”

“Huh?”

“You don’t have to come. No, to be honest…”

Lianne’s tone and manner of speaking changed.

“I’d prefer if you didn’t meet with Lord Festo anymore.”

“…Could I at least know the reason why?”

“I’m sorry.”

“There must be some reason, right? Okay, I won’t interfere anymore.”

“Thank you.”

“But… what if Festo comes looking for me?”

“…”

“Don’t be stubborn. You weren’t ordered by Brashika, were you? Just asked to take care of her son.”

“Please refrain from addressing the Lord so casually.”

Lianne’s gaze sharpened slightly.

“No matter if you are of the same Ebony race as Lady Steria, she is undeniably a noble of Loreldia. You cannot address her so casually as a commoner.”

“Oh, really? Steria received a title. A viscountess perhaps? Or could it be a countess?”

“…She is a marchioness.”

“…Really?”

A marchioness?

From a marchioness… Only royalty can receive that…

That Steria…?

“What happened to Steria?”

“It’s none of your concern…”

“What happened?”

I rose from the bed.

“You have no right to interfere…!”

“Speak. Now.”

“Ah…!”

Lianne flinched visibly.

“Whether noble or royal, it doesn’t matter. If something has happened to that girl…”

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

“Lianne? Is Mr. Rashwood still asleep?”

It was Phesto’s voice.

“…”

“…”

I gestured for Lianne to go.

“…No. I am awake.”

Lianne replied calmly in her usual tone.

“Alright. Then get dressed and come out with me.”

“Yes.”

“…”

“…”

“Lady Steria.”

Lianne spoke quietly.

“Truly, nothing has happened. She hasn’t fallen ill or been injured. I can stake my life on it.”

“…In that case, it’s settled.”

Steria as a marchioness?

Becoming part of the royal family?

Haven’t heard anything for about a hundred years, what on earth is happening…

“I’ll change clothes and head back now. And… I won’t be the one to approach Phesto first. He may not refuse when he comes, but I won’t initiate it.”

“Thank you…”

Lianne bowed deeply.

“…Oh, I actually came to tell you about what happened in the labyrinth.”

“If that’s the case… Would it be alright for me to visit Mr. Rashwood’s mansion after tonight, or rather tomorrow evening? You can inform me separately then.”

“Sure. Do as you wish.”

I took off the bathrobe.

“…”

Lianne was staring at me silently.

“What are you looking at?”

“Me? Oh, no. Nothing at all…”

She left the room.

I changed into new clothes and stepped outside.

“Oh, Mr. Rashwood.”

Phesto hurried towards me.

He’s like a puppy.

“Since it’s late today, would you consider sleeping over…”

“Sorry. I have people waiting at home.”

“I see…”

“Dragon Slayer Krisha is waiting. Her mother too.”

“Oh! If it’s not inconvenient, how about tomorrow…”

“Young master.”

Lianne interrupted him.

Unless they have a close relationship, he wouldn’t dare do that.

“Mr. Rashwood must be very tired as well. How about letting him rest at home tonight?”

“Is that so. Alright then.”

Disappointed, Phesto nodded.

“Well, Mr. Rashwood, until next time.”

“…Sure. It’s been quite a day. You must be tired too. Rest well.”

I shook his hand and left the inn.

The Red Lake adventuring team of Oriharukon rank, who were in the hall, seemed to have finished their drinks and left.

“Please take care, Mr. Rashwood.”

An elegant old man sitting at the inn’s counter nodded to me.

“Of course.”

I waved to him and headed home.