What I Want to Show
Even after casually dropping a word that could invite all sorts of misunderstandings just by hearing it, Teia's face showed no change whatsoever. Alan, on the other hand, had turned beet red for reasons unknown. Meia let out a quiet sigh inwardly.
The young master is a man, after all. I understand, but still.
She had learned a few things from her swordsmanship teacher and the lady of the house, Duchess Mueller. Men were fundamentally weak to women's temptations. Give them the slightest opening, and their imaginations would run wild. Alan didn't seem much different in that regard, but the real issue, Meia thought, was Teia's attitude—uttering such words without a hint of embarrassment.
"...Please refrain from teasing the young master."
"Hm?"
"It would be best if you avoided words that could be interpreted in various ways."
Teia chuckled as if amused by Meia's words.
"I didn't mean anything special by it. I just noticed the famous author seems really into magic. What, did you think something lewd? Your face is all red."
"...Urk."
Alan slapped both his cheeks with a sharp smack and took a deep breath. The flush drained from his face in an instant. Regaining his composure so quickly—Truly befitting the son of the Sword King, Teia thought.
"You're quite the tease, Professor."
"Hehe, plenty of people get lustful just looking at my body."
"I asked you to refrain from such remarks, Professor."
Meia's aura sharpened. Even without a sword in hand, her presence gleamed with a menacing sword intent. Teia’s eyes sparkled with interest at this maid who was far from ordinary.
"Maids these days are learning swordsmanship too, huh."
"It's basic training for the Mueller household's servants."
"Meia, that's enough."
At Alan's command, Meia withdrew her aura. Teia watched with a curious expression as the heavy tension in the room vanished in a flash, her gaze shifting back to Meia.
Not quite Master level, but just above... Expert? A Graduate? At her age?
There were naturally ranks among knights who handled aura. Those just starting to manipulate mana were Sword Users. Once they could channel ki into their blades to wield aura, they were called Experts. Those who advanced further, nearing Sword Master but not quite there yet, occupied the ambiguous realm dubbed Graduates.
In the terms of the Shuren Chronicle, they were super peak warriors. Not quite Master power, but on par with national knights who could wield aura blades.
Deep intrigue flickered in Teia's eyes.
Controlling a child like that with a single word...
It was proof of the white-haired maid's unwavering loyalty to her master, Alan. A smile curved Teia's lips.
"Interesting. A famous author with a Graduate-level maid. Is the Mueller family just that eccentric?"
"Meia's my bodyguard maid. She doesn't need to be full Master, but Graduate level seems about right, don't you think?"
"A bodyguard maid. That's unusual."
Maids were simply household servants who handled chores, not bodyguards. As Teia said, it was a rare case. No noble house taught swordsmanship to maids—except for one unique exception: the Mueller Ducal House, the empire's sword family.
Having a Graduate-level swordswoman as a maid... Only possible because it's the Muellers?
Teia felt her interest in Alan deepening even further.
Alan asked, "Anyway, what exactly did you want to propose to me?"
"Hm? I was just saying, how about being my research assistant? We could get real close~?"
Alan scratched his cheek. Unlike before, his face stayed calm, fully composed.
"Not a bad offer, but I'll have to pass."
"Hm? Why?"
"Juggling studies and writing is tough enough as it is."
A practical reason. Alan added, "Plus, with the Shuren Chronicle starting to come out, all sorts of troubles are cropping up here and there. I appreciate the offer, but I'll decline."
"Troubles, huh~? I've heard. The knight faculty kids got so hyped from the sword technique illustrations in the Shuren Chronicle that they're holding betting matches left and right. Though I hear Albert crushed them all?"
Alan gave a wry smile. Of course a professor would know about sparring frenzy in the knight faculty. It'd be weirder if she didn't.
Teia grinned.
"It's fun. Who'd have thought one novel could cause such a massive ripple? Stirring winds in the imperial capital, wielding comparable influence inside the academy. The future looks promising~?"
"...Thanks for the praise."
"Hmm~ Really no interest in being my research assistant?"
"No."
"So firm. I've never been turned down like this before."
Teia laughed as if delighted, then stood from her seat.
"You're intriguing, famous author. I'll look forward to what you write next. I'm a personal fan of your novels."
"Anything else?"
"Hm, watch out on your way home at night? I might just pounce~."
Alan's face paled. Teia tapped her lips with a smile. A prickling killing intent needled her skin—Meia's silent glare.
"Kidding. Oh my, your maid's looking at me like she wants to kill me."
"...Anyway, we'll be going."
"Drop by whenever you have time. My door's always open~."
Alan gave a silent nod and left her lab. Alone now, Teia sat back down, crossing her legs.
"This'll be fun. From here on out."
Volume 2 of the Shuren Chronicle didn't create quite the same uproar as Volume 1. But that was only because Volume 1's aftermath had been overwhelmingly massive; Volume 2 still packed plenty of punch. Especially in reigniting the Tyranto Empire's vigilance toward black magic, something they'd long forgotten.
"It's just a fictional novel, isn't it?"
"It's an order to err on the side of caution. Makes sense. Straight from the crown prince himself—no veto power here."
"Haa..."
The problem was that the crown prince, apparently stirred by the novel, had personally ordered the Imperial Intelligence Bureau to track down black mages hiding anywhere on the continent. Suddenly, the bureau agents were dying under the workload of chasing shadows.
The executives grumbled as they dispersed.
"I don't get why that damn novel's got everyone in such a tizzy. How realistic can it be?"
"It is well-written, though. Didn't realize a single book was that hard to get even in the capital."
"That popular?"
"Skyrocketing popularity, they say. And it's only Volume 2 out. Apparently, it's sparked some weird sparring craze at the academy."
"You know quite a bit."
"My son's starting at the academy this year. Wouldn't stop nagging me to get him a copy."
The square-jawed executive shook his head.
"Anyway, better safe than sorry, so let's be cautious. Squad 7's got Eastern border surveillance too—gonna be busy."
"At least the Eastern border's been quiet these past few years. With the Eastern nobles always on high alert, those barbarians can't just barge in easily."
"Barbarians? They're just monsters."
Between the Tyranto Empire's eastern border and the Kun'Rung Empire lay a vast desert. Beyond that barren wasteland of dunes and badlands stretched wide grasslands, home to outcasts. The Eastern Wastelands were the domain of non-humans with intelligence—beastkin included.
"Shuren Chronicle, huh. Anyway, I'll check it out when I have time."
"No need. It's entertaining, but definitely feels alien compared to imperial novels."
"That's why those literary cartel old fogeys are throwing fits. Good luck, Squad Leader 1."
"You too, Squad Leader 7."
The bureau executives scattered amid their murmurs.
Work on Volume 3 of the Shuren Chronicle progressed smoothly. Alan hadn't cared much about sales figures or hype anyway, so his focus stayed squarely on the manuscript. Even with Diavela dropping by now and then, and meetings with Felicia or Lin becoming routine, the time he poured the most passion into remained writing the Shuren Chronicle.
Meia, naturally, helped review the drafts. Having the honor of reading the half-completed Volume 3 manuscript, she handed it back to Alan, hiding her faint smile.
"Shuren feels increasingly consumed by his thirst for revenge, young master. And it's only Volume 3."
"Proof he's being devoured by it bit by bit."
Alan set down his quill and rubbed his neck.
"That's how vengeful spirits work. No holds barred. They'll use any means for revenge."
"You speak as if you've experienced it firsthand."
"When I write, I try to fully immerse myself in the protagonist."
Of course, that immersion left severe aftereffects when finishing a work—like sending off not a child, but a piece of his soul. That's why substantial breaks were needed before the next project.
"And Volume 3 is where Shuren reaffirms what's most important to him, more than anything else."
"What's that?"
"Vengeance... and humanity. You'll see in his duel with the Western Empire swordsman in the midpoint."
"One side still burning with vengeful fury, the other an old avenger who's completed revenge and tasted its emptiness—such a bizarre standoff."
"Revenge leaves nothing in the world. Just more grudges."
Alan picked up his quill again.
"I don't want that chain of hatred to continue, so I'm showing it through Shuren."
That was what Alan wanted to show. That the endless cycle of hatred, grudges, and vengeance left only hollow emptiness in the world.
"Guess I gotta write even harder, then?"
"I'm always cheering you on."
"...Thanks. Oh, could you grab me some water, Meia?"
"Right away."