The Sword Bears Will (5)

Emilia’s accusation of me being Ser’s accomplice in theft was ultimately resolved thanks to Ethan’s intervention.

To be honest, I wouldn’t have minded simply letting Ser take full credit for the Hookfang subjugation.

After all, strictly speaking, the female soldier was clearly in the wrong too.

If I had visited alone without Ethan, there would have been no reason for someone in my position to stir up trouble, so the credit would likely have ended up transferred to Ser.

Though I’m not sure if Ser would have readily accepted it even if I insisted on transferring the credit.

Just look at how he’s bowing his head to a commoner maid right now.

“My apologies, Miss Lillith. Actually, calling you here wasn’t about transferring the Hookfang subjugation credit, but to request your attendance as a witness for that achievement.”

“Huh? A witness?”

“Yes. Miss Emilia absolutely refused to be persuaded by my explanation, so she demanded to speak with the person involved. I thought she might be convinced if she met you, Miss Lillith… I’m truly ashamed to have wronged you again like this.”

“No, Sir Ser. As I mentioned earlier, I thought Miss Emilia’s suspicions were reasonable. …Though hastily concluding those suspicions as certainties does seem like something she should be more careful about.”

Emilia flinched slightly at my words.

Judging by that reaction, she seemed to realize her actions just now had been imprudent.

Of course, I hadn’t made that remark to mock her because her words upset me.

It was simply genuine concern for this Emilia woman that made me speak up.

From our brief interaction, her personality seemed like it could easily lead to trouble somewhere down the line.

It would be such a pity for someone who achieved the rank of senior soldier at a young age to lose their career over something so trivial.

And judging by her rigid attitude… she probably had many enemies within the security force too.

Of course, offering further advice would be overstepping my bounds, and I had no desire to get further involved anyway.

Getting entangled with someone who has so many enemies would just bring unnecessary trouble.

‘To live long, it’s best to avoid entanglements as much as possible.’

I must never forget. I’m just a commoner maid. Whether it’s Ethan, Harold, or any noble or knight, a single word from them could end my life in an instant.

“…So, is this all the business you had with my maid?”

“That’s correct, Young Master Ethan.”

“Very well. Then we’ll take our leave now.”

“Huh?”

Ethan’s calm declaration of departure made me blurt out a stupid question before I could stop myself.

After briefly studying my expression, Ethan hesitated for a moment before asking me in a whisper:

“What do you think, maid?”

“…Pardon?”

“About accepting her tour. Do you think we should?”

“Why are you asking me that, Young Master?”

“…Just thought you might find that woman uncomfortable to be around.”

Since when did he start caring about whether I felt uncomfortable or not?

Well, I did find Emilia somewhat unpleasant from our first meeting, and my honest feeling was to avoid getting involved…

…But depriving her of this chance to make amends still felt a bit cruel.

“I don’t mind, Young Master.”

“…Is that so?”

“Miss Emilia is both a senior soldier and handles administrative duties for the territory’s security force, so as Sir Ser Blacksong said, she’d know the layout well. I think it’s a good opportunity.”

“…Alright, if that’s what you think.”

After our brief whispered exchange, Ethan shifted his gaze from me to Emilia.

Mentioning Ser’s suggestion of having her guide us through the security force, he said:

“If you truly regret wronging my maid, I’ll give you this chance to make amends.”

“…!”

“Guide me and my maid through the security force. With sincerity.”

“Thank you, Young Master Ethan!”

Emilia bowed deeply in gratitude for this chance to redeem her verbal blunder.

Behind her, Ser whispered something quietly to Emilia, likely offering advice.

“Don’t misspeak this time, Miss Emilia. If you upset Young Master Ethan again… I doubt there’ll be a second chance.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

I couldn’t quite make out their conversation, but…

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

The inspection of the Blackwood Territory Security Force began under Emilia’s guidance.

To be honest, it was an uncomfortable situation.

Emilia had already falsely accused me in the office, and Ethan had just silenced her with his authority moments ago.

By now, Emilia likely had a knot of unresolved emotions smoldering uncomfortably in her chest.

She must have been feeling the pressure that one more misspoken word could get her expelled from the security force by Ethan.

And the misunderstanding that I seduced Ser to steal the Hookfang subjugation credit still hadn’t been cleared up either.

While Ethan had silenced Emilia with his authority, she probably still suspected me in her mind.

Of course, one more wrong word about that would cost Emilia her position, so she’d keep quiet.

Fortunately, Emilia hadn’t wasted her time in the security force – she was skilled at concealing her emotions.

As if completely forgetting the incident in the security office, she calmly guided Ethan and me through the facilities.

“This is the security force barracks. The hallway splits here – right side for men, left for women. Most are out training now, so if you wish, I can show you an empty room to inspect the living quarters.”

“Knowing they don’t live in poor conditions is enough. …And I’d rather not invade others’ privacy unnecessarily.”

“This is the security force cafeteria. Blackwood Territory security personnel receive three balanced meals daily. If you wish, Young Master, you could see what the soldiers typically eat.”

“Knowing the meals are balanced is sufficient. …And I’m watching my diet, so I’d rather avoid unnecessary meals.”

“These are solitary confinement cells for disciplinary purposes. Violations of security force regulations result in confinement here for set periods. The most recent inmate was detained for violating curfew…”

“…That’s enough. We’ll stop here.”

Following Emilia’s proper tour, Ethan and I continued inspecting the security force facilities.

…Though I noticed Ethan kept glancing at me subtly as we moved through the buildings.

Or maybe he just couldn’t help sneaking peeks at Lillith’s chest out of habit.

Making such reasonable assumptions, we finished touring the interior buildings.

Then, following Emilia’s guidance, we began inspecting the outdoor facilities.

As soon as we stepped outside, we heard what sounded like soldiers’ training shouts not far away.

“Aah! Aah! Aaaah!”

“Hyaa! Uwaaah!”

The soldiers’ shouts, somewhat awkward yet undeniably energetic.

The noisy atmosphere naturally drew our attention, and Emilia guided us toward the source.

“This is the mock combat arena. New recruits use training armor and weapons to practice as if in real combat.”

“Why only new recruits?”

“For safety. More experienced soldiers can manipulate combat energy – even training weapons could cause serious injuries.”

As mentioned before, swordsmanship in this world could slice hills and cleave earth – practically magic by another name.

I nodded at Emilia’s explanation about training weapons causing injuries when…

……?

I suddenly felt multiple gazes focusing on me.

Soon after, a dozen deep male voices suddenly rang in my ears.

“Greetings, Squad Leader Emilia!”

“Greetings!!!”

…Whoa, that startled me.

But being a high noble’s security force, even the new recruits maintained strict discipline.

The gazes I thought were directed at me were actually for Squad Leader Emilia.

The training recruits quickly gathered around her.

Used to attracting male attention, I’d naturally assumed wrong.

“……”

“……”

“……”

…Or maybe I wasn’t entirely mistaken.

While verbally greeting Squad Leader Emilia, many soldiers’ eyes kept drifting toward my face and chest.

With this appearance and outfit, I stood out no matter where I went.

“…These are important guests. All of you, mind your manners.”

“Our apologies!!!”

Perhaps because of the earlier incident, Emilia proactively cautioned the soldiers eyeing me.

The recruits promptly apologized and stopped glancing around, facing forward properly.

“This is Young Master Ethan Richard Blackwood, only son of the Blackwood family. Beside him is his personal maid, Miss Lillith Rosewood. They were observing your training during their inspection.”

“Honored to meet you, Young Master Ethan!”

“Thank you for visiting us!”

“An honor, Young Master!”

“Carry on as you were.”

“Yes, sir!!!”

The recruits responded in near-unison before resuming training.

As I absently watched them…

…a forgotten element of the [Luminor Academy] game system suddenly surfaced in my mind.

‘Wait a minute, if I play this right…’

As the forgotten game mechanic resurfaced, so did ideas for utilizing it.

If I handled the situation well, maybe I could level up right here.

That audacious thought fully formed in that moment.