Chapter 200: Restlessness
I instinctively looked to the Butler for help.
From the Butler’s composed face, which avoided meeting my gaze, I could almost hear the silent message: “Even if there are servants, they are as good as nonexistent.” Damn it…!
“Jean, you’re just being teased. In this case, all you need to remember is that I can freely return to my House. I’m just going with the flow now,” Ash chimed in, perhaps noticing my restless gaze. Could you at least think about what it means to go with the flow?
“Ah…”
Wait, if Ash’s dad was just ignoring it, wouldn’t he have been pushed down? I felt a slight sense of relief, but I couldn’t fully relax!
“Haha. The financial power and connections to procure Spirit Silver are impressive. If I were to be greedy, I’d want Spirit Gold. Well, as long as there are no issues with character, the Duke’s Household is on board. After all, I never expected Leora to fall in love, and more importantly, to become someone who looks like a woman—binding Leora with a Spirit made the Captain reflect on his actions more than enough. The royal family, who shamelessly suggested restoring the engagement, has been silenced. I want Leora to live as she wishes.”
It seems the leading Duke’s Household is on Leora’s maternal side, and with this incident, they’ve completely seized power. As long as the Duke’s Household doesn’t mess up, the future kings will remain mere figureheads.
With this, the push-down incident reeks of political maneuvering. The leading Duke’s Household has gained the martial Duke’s Household through Leora. However, the Captain, who is called by Leora, seems a bit happy, so it doesn’t seem to be entirely one-sided, which is a relief.
“I can’t believe he changed so much from that handsome state. I’m surprised that his essence hasn’t changed at all,” Leora said, gazing at Ash with a sense of nostalgia.
Yeah, his shoulders have shrunk to about a third of their original size. With this—no, never mind.
“If only he had a chest,” Leora, stop saying exactly what I’m holding back!
After that, I heard a rough overview of the country’s situation and some incidents that I could safely inquire about.
The impact was widespread, affecting both the current generation and the next, with reports of assassinations and opium use in some areas. It seemed they had planned to poison the wells while simultaneously launching an attack.
Poisoning wells and rivers would draw significant condemnation from neighboring countries and damage trust, but it’s an act that occasionally occurs. Losing trust can lead to other nations invading under the pretext, so it’s not something that should be used lightly.
Also, the Butler’s son is continuing in his role. Apparently, he’s the type who can study well but lacks judgment, so he’s excellent as long as someone gives appropriate instructions. He might not get along well with his muscle-bound dad, but with Leora around—wait, that just raises the takeover flag even more.
“By the way, Leora said she wants to protect you as a Knight, and I heard she’s an Adventurer, so I imagined a respectable, strong figure like the Captain,” Leora said, looking at me.
Is Ash’s dad muscular?! And there’s a hint of bragging in her tone! Stop comparing; I’m still in the process of growing!
“What kind of Demon Beasts have you hunted recently?”
“Red Lizards.”
I’ve hunted others too, but lately, it’s been Red Lizards. They require more skill than just slashing away. The fact that they’re the kind of Demon Beasts that can’t be taken down easily is something I’ll set aside for now.
“Well, as long as Leora is around, you should be fine. She may be a bit inflexible, but she’s excellent as a bodyguard. I’ve heard she’s a merchant too.”
I felt like I was being judged as weak, but that’s not the case, so I won’t dwell on it. Is Leora perhaps measuring strength as a benchmark for men?
I was a bit bewildered since it seemed Ash and the Butler hadn’t conveyed much about me. Ash’s newfound freedom seems less about my recognition and more about the trust he’s earned.
With all that, the face-to-face dinner meeting came to an end. I couldn’t really grasp the flavors of the meal!
Leora was a strange woman, blending aristocratic grace, affection, friendliness, and sharp wit all at once.
I probably got evaluated too, but I had no idea what kind of assessment Leora had made of me.
Still, my image of a noble lady was gradually becoming more dubious. Is this what’s normal? Assassins, high combat power, and carnivorous types… huh?
When I got home, Rishu immediately sniffed me. Today, he was particularly thorough, probably because I met Leora.
Feeling a bit worn out, I took my time petting Rishu to soothe myself. Rishu’s fur felt a bit chilly this season. It was smooth as I ran my fingers through it, with no snags, and his paw pads were soft, even though he’s a wolf.
The softness must come from the fact that he doesn’t actually touch the ground while running. It’s easy to forget, but Rishu is a Spirit. I think he’s wolf-shaped too.
Rishu is Rishu, so anything goes.
Since I couldn’t really taste the meal, I decided to have some tea rice. I halved the rice to keep it light, but I made sure to include a piece of grilled salmon and grilled cod roe, along with a sprinkle of white sesame and crumbled seaweed. Just a touch of wasabi for flavor.
As I ate it lightly, I finally began to feel at ease.