The following morning, I returned to the cottage, took a short nap, and then headed outside again.
After a while, I came back to the mansion carrying some rabbit meat, feeling as if I had just returned from a hunt. Of course, I had caught my prey during the night and had the Bats keep an eye on it.
“What are you doing there, Yuuki-dono?!”
As soon as I passed through the gate, I heard a voice. It was Kachel Miegen, dressed in a pure white robe, looking right at me. Just as I expected.
“It seems you’ve been outside. Would you be so kind as to tell me what you were doing?”
“Why should I?”
“I am Zeros-sama’s tutor. It is my duty to ensure that the Baronial House is in the proper environment for him.”
“…I went hunting.”
I gestured to the Large Rabbit slung over my shoulder.
“I went to check the traps I set in the back mountains and found some prey, so I brought it back. I plan to have the maid in the cottage prepare it.”
“And why would you do that?”
“Because we rarely eat meat in the cottage. I thought I’d treat them.”
“Oh, how selfish of you, a mere illegitimate child!”
Instructor Kachel looked up to the heavens and exclaimed.
“An illegitimate child is no different from a servant. If a servant catches prey while hunting, it is only right to present it to the Baron! To use it to curry favor with other servants… how outrageous!”
“I’m going to process the meat, so excuse me.”
I ignored Kachel and tried to walk away.
“Wait, Yuuki-dono!”
“What is it? I thought I heard Kachel-sensei’s voice…?”
From the garden, my father approached. With his short blonde hair and muscular build, he held a wooden training sword in his hand. My father, Baron Georg Glossaria.
“Oh, it’s Yuuki! Where have you been?!”
“I went hunting in the back mountains.”
“Listen, Georg-sama. It seems Yuuki-dono intends to keep the spoils of his hunt all to himself!”
Kachel interrupted me and informed my father.
“This is the Glossaria Baronial House. If a servant hunts and catches prey, it rightfully belongs to Georg-sama. It should be presented to him, yet he intends to keep it for himself… how utterly ridiculous!”
“If Yuuki hunted it, then the prey belongs to him, doesn’t it?”
My father set down his wooden sword and ruffled my hair with his large hand.
“Two Large Rabbits, no less. Hmm, you must have delivered the finishing blow after they were caught in the trap, right?”
“Yes, Father.”
“That’s impressive! When I was your age, I could only swing a wooden sword! I’ve heard that Large Rabbits are quite wary and difficult to catch. To hunt them is no small feat! You have remarkable talent, Yuuki!”
“Thank you, Father.”
I didn’t mind being patted on the head by him.
My father is a man who earned his title through achievements in battle. That’s why he never skips his morning training. I actually enjoy watching him swing his wooden sword, drenched in sweat. After all, I never had a father figure in my previous life.
“But don’t take unnecessary risks. There are powerful monsters in the back mountains. You should only go as far as the foothills alone. If you were to get hurt, everyone would worry.”
“That’s quite the problem, Georg-sama!!”
Kachel shouted.
“Instead of reprimanding the illegitimate child for his reckless behavior, you praise him! Is that the proper way for a noble to act?!”
“Don’t be so rigid, Kachel-sensei.”
My father scratched his head in exasperation.
“My son has achieved success in hunting. What’s wrong with praising him for that?”
“It seems you have forgotten the conditions under which I was hired.”
Kachel laughed, a nasty grin spreading across his lips.
Both my father and I knew what he was getting at. For the past three years, Kachel had silenced the household with the same words.
“I will do my utmost to ensure that the legitimate child, Zeros-sama, becomes a trainee at the Lindbell Magic Guild. In return, Baron-sama will not deny my methods. Wasn’t that the condition when you hired me?”
“…Y-yes, but…”
“The training institution for sorcerers at the Lindbell Magic Guild is attended by members of the royal family and high-ranking nobles. If Zeros-sama aims for that, what will happen if the Baronial House does not uphold its discipline? An illegitimate child must stand beneath the legitimate child. I believe I mentioned that Baron-sama should not speak to the illegitimate child more than necessary. That is the rule in noble society.”
“I understand… I understand, but… Yuuki has talent!”
My father ruffled my hair again.
“It is a parent’s duty to help that talent grow, isn’t it?”
“I understand. Then I shall take my leave to the royal capital. It seems my efforts to get Zeros-sama into the Magic Guild have been in vain.”
“W-wait! That’s not what we agreed on!”
“If he becomes a trainee at the Magic Guild, he will have many opportunities to meet the children of high-ranking nobles. I thought it would be the best way to elevate the name of the Baronial House, but it seems unfortunate. With the current state of Georg-sama…”
“……Guh.”
“This is for you, Father.”
I offered the Large Rabbits to my father.
“In exchange, may I ask a favor?”
“O-oh. Speak!”
“I would like permission to enter the library in the main building.”
“The library?”
“Yes. As Kachel-sensei mentioned, I lack understanding of the rules of this country and my own position. I want to learn about the systems and history of this country so that I do not offend my brother or Kachel-sensei.”
“……Impressive. You’ve thought this far ahead?”
Sorry, Father. This was all part of my plan.
I knew that if I brought back the hunting spoils, Kachel would definitely complain. That’s why I boldly entered through the main gate, carrying the Large Rabbits.
I knew my father practiced sword training in the garden every morning. If I did something in that state, Kachel would surely make a fuss loud enough for my father to hear. He had always done so. No matter how much I might be a creature other than human, after three years of the same pattern, I had learned to recognize it.
So this time, I decided to use that to gain entry rights to the library. By investigating the books in the library, I could learn what happened to the world after I died in my previous life.
“As Kachel-sensei said, I need to be aware of my position and place. To do that, I want to supplement my lacking knowledge. Please, Father, grant me the right to read books.”
“Of course! It’s admirable that you want to study on your own, Yuuki.”
“……Guh.”
“Yuuki is saying he wants to understand his position. Is that against noble discipline, Kachel-sensei?”
“Th-there’s no problem with that!!”
With that, Kachel left the mansion in a huff. My father sighed softly.
“I’m sorry, Yuuki.”
“No, I don’t mind.”
I understood that my father was trying to protect the family. I couldn’t interfere with that. A Nosferatu like me couldn’t inherit the Baronial House.
“I will speak to the butler, Neil, about the library. Feel free to use it.”
“Thank you, Father.”
After bowing to my father, I headed toward the main building.
Next time, Episode 6 will be updated tomorrow evening.