Episode 9
“What to do…? What should I do…?”
Damn it, I can’t get my thoughts together at all.
I’ve had Emi wait outside the room for now, but it’s probably breakfast time soon.
Most of the time, everyone is out, and I eat alone, but if someone happens to be there, I’m in big trouble.
Last time, I had amnesia, so some discrepancies weren’t noticed, but this time, that won’t work.
If I give unnatural answers… what will happen? Huh? Is it okay, actually?
I don’t know how I’ll be judged or what kind of treatment I’ll receive, but even if I live peacefully here, a tragic end awaits me. In that case, wouldn’t it be better to be banished and level up?
I don’t know if this is a repeating loop or a one-time do-over, but I’d rather fall forward than sit and wait for death.
“It’s decided. I’m leaving this place.”
More than anything, I don’t want to be in this mansion. The Maid’s gaze is too much to bear.
If I follow the same steps as last time, I could improve our relationship before long, but the thought of it all being reset again makes me hesitate. It’s probably better for my mental health to distance myself.
Just as I solidified my resolve, I was called to the dining hall by Emi. Sitting alone at one end of the ridiculously long table that could seat about thirty people were Father and Stepmother. Older Brother must be out somewhere.
“Oh, Geld. You’re early today.”
What? Am I not usually…? What kind of life did Geld usually lead?
“Yes, well. I have something on my mind.”
“Is that so? Well, sit down. I have something I want to talk about too.”
“Yes, sir.”
I was urged by Father to take my usual seat. What could he want to talk about?
And Stepmother… I really can’t believe she’s Older Brother’s mother, she’s so plain and inconspicuous. What happened to her in my previous life… did she stay in Waslein?
While vaguely thinking about how I’ve hardly ever talked to her, Father abruptly started the conversation.
“By the way, Geld. Have you decided about your further education? The deadline is approaching.”
“Huh? Ah, further education, you say. I see…”
Certainly, that’s one option.
To be honest, I don’t remember any of the original scenario, but if I were to get involved with the protagonists, going to school would be the only way.
Presumably, Geld’s life would originally involve kidnapping Millie, whom he meets after enrolling, and being defeated by the protagonist and dying.
But… I think he’s supposed to be a boss character, but this Geld is clearly too weak. Unlike me, he seems to be well-versed in magic, so maybe he’ll somehow boost his strength that way.
“Hey, I told you to think about it, didn’t I…? Or rather, you were the one who brought it up in the first place. Why do you seem to have completely forgotten…?”
“That’s… yes, I’ve decided not to go to school after all.”
There’s no way I can get involved in the original story as the current weakling I am. Leveling up is the top priority right now.
Then, in three years, I can return to Waslein Territory and rush to the battlefield, or use my increased level to somehow survive.
Anyway, anything can happen if I leave this place. The question is how to convince them… should I just push through with momentum? If that doesn’t work, I can always rethink it.
“Is that so? But what will you do from now on?”
“I… have decided to live by the Sword.”
“…………”
Huh? I thought I said it pretty coolly, but there’s no reaction. Father and Stepmother are frozen. Did they not hear me?
“I have decided to live by the Sword.”
“…………”
“I have decided to live by the S-”
“No, you don’t have to say it multiple times. …Eh? What is that? Does that mean you’re going to live wisely?”
“Huh? Ah, no, not that kind of ‘wise,’ but the Sword. The Sword of Swords.”
Even after saying it this clearly, Father doesn’t seem to understand. Well, Geld has hardly ever swung a Sword before, so it’s no wonder.
“Does that mean you’re going to become a weapon merchant? That’s especially fraught with restrictions, and it’s quite difficult for newcomers to enter…”
“No, that’s not it… it would be faster to show you. Hey, someone bring me a Sword.”
“Hey, hey, don’t tell me an amateur is going to swing a Sword around in a place like this… hey, don’t anyone bring one!”
Muu, I was stopped by Father. What a lack of trust.
“I won’t swing it around. Um… oh, Gasso! Come here for a second. I won’t draw it, just let me hold the hilt.”
“Eh? Y-yes. But what are you going to…”
Ignoring the bewildered Gasso, I grabbed the hilt of the Sword hanging at his waist and activated the skill. Among the skills I remember, this is the only one that can be activated without swinging the Sword.
“Sword Aura Release”
When you activate this skill with a Sword, some kind of mysterious purple aura bursts out of your body. It probably has some kind of good effect, but I have no idea what specifically changes.
“Oh! That’s ‘Sword Aura Release’! It must take considerable training to learn that skill… when did you learn it?”
“I’m a man, you know. I do secret training.”
In reality, the last time, it wasn’t secret at all, but training surrounded by Maids and showered with cheers… but now that no one knows, it’s practically a secret.
“Now you understand that I’m not saying this on a whim, right?”
“W-well, yes. But Geld… even so, it’s still dangerous outside…”
“Of course, I understand. I’ve been training for a long time, so I’m not saying this without considering safety.”
In reality, I was swinging the Sword without thinking, and I’m trying to leave without thinking. But since I have no choice but to leave even if I think about it, it’s practically like I’ve thought it through.
“But you are the next Family Head of Waslein…”
“Father knows best that I’m not suitable as the Family Head. There’s no mistake if you leave that to Older Brother. Don’t you think so too, Stepmother?”
“Eh!? Yes, well, that’s right… no, that’s not true…”
Tch, it’s about your son inheriting Waslein Territory, so don’t be scared and fully support it. I’m watching you closely, seeing the happy look on your face when I’m talking about leaving.
“Hmm. Even so…”
“If Mother’s family is being difficult, I’ll go directly and talk to them. Don’t worry.”
“I-is that so? But even if you talk to them, how will you…”
“Just make them think that if he becomes the lord, they’ll suffer tremendous damage. It’ll work out somehow.”
“O-oh…”
“It’s not like I’ll be completely out of contact, so please let me know if there are any problems.”
I don’t know what will actually happen, but if it doesn’t work out, it can’t be helped, so for now, I have no choice but to keep asserting myself with confidence.
I’ve heard directly from Father himself that he was worried about me succeeding him. Thanks to that, he seems to be giving in easily.
“Somehow… if it were the old you, it would be one thing, but I could leave things to the current you…”
Ugh, he’s saying something I’ve heard before again. That’s not going to happen.
“No, Father. I want to test my skills against the world as a man. I’ve decided to live by the Sword and die by the Sword. I’m prepared not to set foot in my homeland until I raise the Tenkaichi banner.”
“You have that much resolve… then I won’t say anything more. Do as you please.”
Of course, I don’t have that kind of resolve. I’m just planning to wander around the countries with a light heart, defeating Monsters and leveling up to some extent. If I get bored, I won’t hesitate to cut it short and come back.
“Now then…”
After finishing the long and tough negotiation, I returned to my room and was immediately at a loss.
I impulsively decided to go outside, negotiated, and got permission, but that means I haven’t thought about anything.
First of all, I don’t even know what to bring… but first and foremost, a Sword. I can’t start without a Sword.
Glancing at the corner of the room, there’s a Sword-like object with a crushed blade… in other words, a flat iron bar, and a wooden Sword that only pursues lightness… in other words, a wooden stick.
“There are plenty in the training grounds, so even if one goes missing… no, I don’t want to get scolded…”
Okay, I’ll go with the iron bar. It’s the starting town anyway, so it’ll work out somehow. If it doesn’t, I can rethink it then.
And then… changes of clothes, a sleeping bag, a tent… food and water too.
…………This is a pain.
“…………Okay, let’s start by leaving. If I’m in trouble because something is missing, I can rethink it then.”
And so, I left the town with a light heart, carrying a single iron bar, and died easily ten minutes later.