Chapter 115 - Episode 3: "I Can't Even Walk Through Town Anymore"
Good day... It is I, Violia Nico Fortesia...
I am currently very troubled...
"...And that is how it is."
"That's... somehow unexpected. Young lady, are you bad with that type?"
"I was surprised myself. I thought I could brush him off more decisively..."
...Yes. Lital escaped from me after that.
After saying 'I will surely clear you of the false charges!', Lital stared at me for a few seconds, and then he stood up as if startled and left as if running away.
However, as he left, he said something like 'If anything happens, please come to the Esclan family villa! I've made preparations so I can shelter you at any time!'...
...How should I put it, he seems serious. Yes. Very troublingly so.
"Well, can't you just leave him alone? It's just that brat doing something on his own, right?"
"Even if you say that, at this rate, he'll run into me at the Martial Arts Tournament."
"Then just kick his ass. You can do it, right, young lady?"
"It's easy, but... ugh, it's somehow hard to do!"
Since Lital is a type I've never dealt with before, how should I put it, it is extremely! Hard to do!
"...Well, if you feel bad about dumping a devoted, pure-hearted boy, why not just lead him around? Wouldn't it be interesting?"
"You say whatever you want since it's not your problem... You're drunk, aren't you?"
"Well, I'm not the young lady or Doran. If I drink, I start feeling good, you see."
My, how enviable. Since I don't get drunk no matter how much I drink, look, five bottles of wine are already empty.
"...If he were getting involved in some clumsy conspiracy, that would be one thing, but if the other party only harbors pure affection, wouldn't it be fine to leave him alone?"
"It's precisely because it's 'pure affection' that it's so troublesome. Do you understand? If he finds out I'm not 'falsely accused' but a real criminal, I don't know what he'll do after being disillusioned and feeling betrayed on his own."
"That's true. It's a pain."
That's why I'm saying it's a pain! Honestly!
"It's your own fault. You reaped what you sowed, so deal with it yourself."
"Oh, Keeb? Is it okay to say that? Since you're also participating in the Martial Arts Tournament, you might run into Lital too, you know?"
"I can kill that guy without feeling anything."
"...Killing isn't allowed in the tournament, you know?"
"If it's 'intentional.' If it's an 'unforeseen accident,' they can't complain even if I kill him."
...Well, that is true. Yes.
Due to the nature of a Martial Arts Tournament, injuries are inevitable. If that injury goes a bit too far and results in death, it can't be helped, so you can't participate unless you sign a pledge agreeing to that.
Therefore, in practice, killing is allowed. Yes.
"...So, are you going to that guy's villa, Violia?"
"I'm not going. What would I do there? I don't think I'd be saved by being carefully kept by that young master. Besides, I don't think Lital can win the Martial Arts Tournament."
No matter how much he trained and grew rapidly, it's not so easy that he could win just with that.
After all, I, Doran, and Keeb are all participating from our side. I don't think all three of us would lose to Lital.
"Ah... come to think of it, what was it? The one you were talking about before. From House Clarino."
"Chris Bay Clarino? Yes, I heard he is also quite strong. Naturally, I think he's stronger than Lital. Yes. I'm looking forward to running into him."
That's right, rather than running into Lital, I'd like to look forward to that.
"After all, he is the next head of House Clarino..."
That fellow is one of the targets I shall personally crush. Yes.
"...That Chris guy is a relative of that Lital guy, right? Are they on good terms?"
"I suppose so. Well, their blood must be connected somewhere, and they shouldn't be on bad terms."
Since House Clarino is numerous, their blood might be a bit distant even if they are connected, but they look somewhat similar and seem to have interactions. Well, I don't think they're on bad terms.
"Then, if you use that Lital guy, can you get information on that Chris guy?"
...Ah.
Well, that is true.
That was the reason I gave Lital the bait...
Originally, I had intended him to be a sort of insurance... insurance for self-preservation and securing a source of information on House Clarino.
Yes, so I could get information on Chris Bay Clarino from Lital, or lead Chris through Lital, or send poison to Chris... well, there are many things I could do.
But...
"...Since I don't quite understand the other party's intent, it's a hand I don't really want to use..."
Above all, I don't really understand what Lital is thinking...
"It's pure affection, obviously."
"I don't understand that 'pure affection'!"
There's none of that in this circle! Isn't it difficult to deal with something for which there's no precedent!?
With that kind of opponent, I really don't know their goal... I'd be more grateful if it were easier to understand, like they're after money or my life! Yes!
"Besides, setting aside what Lital is thinking, it's a different story whether the people around Lital are trying to help me like he is, isn't it? It wouldn't be strange if they were using Lital to lure and capture me!"
"That's true."
"...Therefore, unless I'm in great trouble, I won't use Lital. Otherwise, my own spirit will likely break first..."
In a situation where I don't understand the other party's intent or the circumstances around them, I don't have the confidence to utilize them well. Yes.
Besides, behind Lital is House Clarino, and behind them is the Royal Family. It's not a circle where one should move carelessly.
"Oh, is that so? Too bad. I wanted to see the young lady toy with a noble young master."
"You have quite the taste..."
It seems I won't be able to meet Giovan's expectations. Yes. I have a policy of not crossing dangerous bridges that aren't particularly interesting.
...Or so I thought, three days later.
While I was taking a walk in Elsemarin during the day.
"Ah!"
...Gah.
"Va... no, Ayle-sama!"
L-Lital was here...!?
"Why are you in a place like this? Shouldn't you be in the Royal Capital?"
For now, I decided to go into a coffee shop in a back alley to talk. My face is known here, and we won't be poked into strangely. Lital seems a bit restless, though.
"I came to register as an adventurer at the Guild again."
"A noble young master playing at being an adventurer? You really are a curious one..."
"I thought I'd do some monster hunting to serve as training until the Martial Arts Tournament. I haven't held a staff for a while since I returned here."
Come to think of it, he was a mage.
...When I first met him, he was wearing ridiculous things like a silk robe with protection magic and a staff for beginners, but now he looks like an adventurer who fights properly.
The robe, which likely has protection magic woven into it, looks like that of a light-armored swordsman, emphasizing ease of movement. The staff has truly changed. While orthodox, it seems to be a staff for experts, decorated with dragon fangs, scales, and the dragon's orb.
It must be Lital's personality, but while a staff with too many quirks doesn't suit him, a staff that is too 'good' and lacks quirks would only amplify his indecisive and weak side. A staff made from dragon materials that is orthodox but firmly increases aggressiveness must suit him.
...Well, in short, he's dressed in a way that shows he's been fighting reasonably well. The staff also looks well-used.
"Even so, is it okay for a noble young master to be playing at being an adventurer? Don't you have family circumstances?"
"Well, they're overlooking it because I'm participating in the Martial Arts Tournament. Besides, the Esclan family are nobles, but they're only a branch of House Clarino. I'm not busy like Brother Chris of the main house."
Well, I understand those circumstances.
Even so, I don't think it would be looked upon kindly for a noble young master to be wandering around...
"I was away from home for almost a full year. There won't be any complaints if I wander around for a few days now."
...Ah. I see.
Lital has... how should I put it, he's just completely broken free from various things, hasn't he!?
It seems he had a complex about being weak despite being of Clarino blood, but that has now been dispelled... and he's just, like, elated, isn't he!? I understand that feeling!
"Besides, I'm glad I came here after all. I was able to meet you, Violia-sama! Um, do you live around here, Violia-sama?"
...Ah, but really, what should I do with this guy...
Since it would be bad if he found out I live in Elsemarin, let alone that I rule Elsemarin from the shadows, I escaped into the forest after parting with Lital at an appropriate point. I played with some slimes there for a while, and then I returned to the hideout using the hole I dug previously.
"...I-I wonder if I should stay cooped up for a while...?"
"Hmm. It's rare for you to be weakened to this extent. I'm starting to get interested in this man named Lital."
"I suppose so... he is a very rare fellow in that he became strong while remaining as soft as he was..."
"...Well, cheer up. If he registered at the Elsemarin Guild, his base will be Elsemarin for the time being. You'll likely have to lead a subterranean life for a while."
"Aaaah, as I thought, it's come to that!? Even though I finally became able to stride through the main streets of Elsemarin in broad daylight!"
While being comforted by Onii-sama and gnashing my teeth greatly... I began to feel anxious about my life from tomorrow onward...?