Chapter 355: The Cattleya Brothers’ Oath
The mock battle was over. Rest was victorious.
Amidst the surrounding cheers, Rest wiped the sweat from his brow while letting out a long breath.
“Good grief… That was close…”
Toya Cattleya was a genuinely strong opponent.
If Rest had blasted him with powerful magic from a distance, he might have been able to defeat him easily.
However… fighting him in close combat was quite tough.
If it had been a chaotic melee with allies and enemies mixed together, Rest might have actually lost.
“Well, I’m surprised… To think you actually defeated Toya…”
“Yes… It’s quite astonishing. Even if Toya is the weakest among the brothers, to be defeated by a sixteen-year-old boy…”
“…!”
A powerful presence approached from behind.
Turning around, Rest saw Toya’s two older brothers. Bareya Cattleya and Caryas Cattleya were looking down at him.
“…Sorry, brothers.”
“……”
Toya, kneeling on the ground, apologized vexedly.
Bareya merely glanced at his younger brother before raising his right hand high.
“!”
“Magnificent, Count Clover! Well done defeating my younger brother!”
He’s going to hit me… That thought lasted only an instant.
Bareya clapped Rest on the shoulder, praising his good fight.
“It’s clear why Marquis Rosemary acknowledged you as his daughter’s husband! I never thought a young man in his teens could handle close combat like this! Truly splendid!”
“It’s reassuring to have such an outstanding Magician like yourself joining us as an ally. We’ll be counting on you in this upcoming battle.”
Not just Bareya, but Caryas also offered words of praise.
Rest, who had been gripped by a strange tension, relaxed out of relief.
“Th-Thank you… I’m honored.”
“It was a fierce battle. You must be tired… Go rest first.”
“We have a room prepared. We’ll have someone guide you immediately.”
Rest had thought he might have to fight Bareya and Caryas as well… but the conclusion was surprisingly anticlimactic.
“Alright, everyone! Follow Count Clover’s example and strive your hardest!”
Bareya encouraged the other soldiers while praising Rest.
Guided by a soldier from the fort, Rest left the plaza.
○ ○ ○
“I see… So that’s the man who subjugated the Magical Beast Sabnock. Count Rest Clover.”
In the plaza Rest had just left, while knights and soldiers were testing their skills, the brothers of the Cattleya Marquis House were talking quietly amongst themselves.
“Despite being a Magician, he possesses enough power to fight us Cattleya head-on… He cannot be underestimated.”
“Rather, I’m relieved he’s at least minimally capable. It means our beloved sister’s judgment wasn’t flawed.”
Caryas spoke to Bareya, who stood with his arms crossed, pondering.
The four brothers of the Cattleya Marquis House. They all doted on their younger sister, Yuri.
This duel had proven that the man Yuri had chosen was not some frivolous charmer whose only skill was wooing women, but a man of principle and promise.
That was pleasing… yet, still, there was a feeling of disappointment lingering.
“I’m really sorry… If I had won, I could have objected, saying ‘We can’t give our Yuri (Princess) to someone this weak’…”
Toya ground his teeth in frustration.
Yes… that was the reason his older brothers were vexed.
They loved their sister. From the bottom of their hearts, they doted on her so much she was the apple of their eye.
The memento left by their mother, Yuri, the only girl among five siblings, was an angel, a princess, a butterfly, and a flower.
If possible… they had wanted her to grow up healthily under their care for a few more years.
However, the sheltered daughter had flown the coop of her own volition.
If it had just been to another house, it might have been acceptable, but she was even living with a man.
When they learned of this, the brothers had been ready to cast aside their jobs and positions, even planning a raid to retrieve their sister.
If the mansion Yuri was staying at hadn’t been connected to the Rosemary Marquis House, there was even a potential for it to escalate into war.
“Since Father has approved our angel’s marriage, we cannot forcibly bring her back… not without a just cause. That’s why we wanted a reason to openly oppose the marriage, but…”
“Sorry…”
“There’s no need to apologize repeatedly. It simply means our princess has good judgment when it comes to men… Shall we observe quietly for a while?”
The three looked at each other and let out heavy sighs.
Although they resented Rest… they were still warriors.
They wouldn’t stab him in the back under the cover of battle’s chaos. Even if they secretly wished they could.
“However… if he shows any sign of weakness in this upcoming war, I’ll take Yuri back, even if I have to defy Father’s opposition!”
“Of course. We shall protect our princess!”
“I won’t lose next time… Absolutely!”
The brothers firmly united and made their vow.
If Rest showed any sign of being unsuitable as Yuri’s spouse, they would bare their fangs without mercy.
For now, Rest had passed the first hurdle… but the Cattleya brothers’ testing of the groom was far from over.
In fact, the real test was just beginning.
Volume 1 of the book is now available from Sneaker Bunko!
This is all thanks to everyone’s support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!