Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Master, You're So Cool
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I subtly turned my head to glance at the man called Lucius, and the moment our eyes met, my brows furrowed in displeasure.
...How utterly blatant.
He was a man who seemed deliberately crafted in stark contrast to Nameless—a man with shining silver hair and clear blue eyes just like Elia's.
His features weren't sharp so much as softly rounded...
Yet his eyes, rather than sparkling with vitality, were shadowed by deep dark circles.
Of course, even that gave him a sort of decadent allure, but that ridiculously tall stature of his was just too eye-catching.
Elia was certainly tall herself...
But standing next to this man called Lucius, she looked like an average-height woman.
-Gulp
...Just how tall is he?
His massive build matched his height, naturally exuding an intimidating presence that made my gaze drop involuntarily.
I sidled over to Nameless's side and tugged at his sleeve, pulling his ear close to me.
"...Nameless! What the hell is with that guy's size?!"
"M-Master, even if you ask me..."
Nameless wore a somewhat baffled expression as he stepped back a pace from me and nodded toward something with his chin.
Hmm, what's over there?
I glanced in the direction Nameless indicated, and there was Elia, looking at me with an expression like she was holding back laughter.
What...?
Is she... mocking me? This Saintess dares to mock me?
With that paltry aura of hers... Wait, it's more than Nameless has, so mocking Nameless instead?
Or maybe... with that barely passable amount of power?
Whatever.
She struts around so arrogantly despite having less power than I do in my knee—an ignorant fool who can't even recognize the gap between us.
Sure, the man beside her has decent inner energy, but that's about it.
Decent.
Deep for his apparent age, but compared to me? Laughably inadequate.
And yet she mocks me?
"Eek!"
How insolent! Brats like her need to be taught a lesson!
I wasn't going to draw this, but!
I squeezed my eyes shut and reached for my wooden sword at my waist—
"Master, there are a lot of eyes watching."
"Right..."
Nameless grabbed my wrist and shook his head. I watched him with a sullen expression.
Hmm, 'a lot of eyes watching,' huh.
I was only joking, but does this mean he'd cut her down without hesitation if push came to shove?
Tsk, should I be happy about that or give him a good scolding...
As I gazed at Nameless with a complicated look, Elia stepped forward, towing the giant along.
"Lucius? You should introduce yourself."
Elia raised the end of her voice like she was scolding a child, despite Lucius being a head taller than Nameless. Lucius scratched the back of his head with a sigh, as if accustomed to it.
Hmm, a big lug like that getting bossed around by a woman...
Well, thanks to that, the intimidating bulk started to feel more like a giant teddy bear.
Of course, I said teddy bear, but you know what I mean—it's not cute or anything.
A man being cute? Ridiculous.
Ah, except for Nameless, of course.
A disciple always looks cute in their master's eyes, no matter what they do.
I fondly stroked Nameless's head with a pleased smile, and he just stared back at me with a puzzled expression.
After shooting Elia a weary glance, Lucius bowed slightly toward us.
"...I'm Lucius, a companion of Elia's."
"Ugh... Feels like a lot got skipped there..."
Elia shook her head with a small sigh and immediately turned to Nameless, lifting her gaze.
"Your name was Nameless, right? As I recall?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Then, if it's not too rude... may I have your companion's name?"
Hmm, they've already exchanged names with Nameless.
If it were me, I wouldn't give my name to such unpleasant types—I'd make one up.
I suddenly felt like applauding Nameless's tolerance.
Well, we'll be traveling together for a while, so exchanging names like he did might make things smoother.
To make myself look as imposing as possible, I rested my arms akimbo and tilted my head back to glare up at Lucius.
"My name is Heaven Cleaver."
Whenever I introduce myself, my heart starts racing.
I raised one arm from my hip toward the sky and pointed my index finger upward.
"The one who cleaves the heavens."
"..."
In the awkward silence, only the sound of Nameless's hesitant applause rang out.
-Clap clap clap
"Master, you're so cool."
"..."
Hmm, why no reaction?
The first time I introduced myself like this to Nameless, his eyes had sparkled...
My face started to heat up, but I shook my head to shake it off.
First impressions matter, so I need to keep a dignified face now more than ever.
I'm not embarrassed.
Yeah, really.
...
The moment I opened my mouth, an eternity seemed to pass.
I glanced at Elia, and she wore an awkward smile.
Like I said, I'm not embarrassed.
...Probably.
As I stared off at distant mountains to forget the past, Elia's awkward laughter reached my ears.
"Ahaha... So, should I call you Heaven Cleaver then?"
"Hmm..."
I narrowed my eyes and stroked my chin.
Honestly, being called by my name feels a bit off-putting...
But making a big deal out of it and building walls isn't ideal.
I pondered briefly, but the answer came quicker than expected.
First things first, my primary goal should be building some rapport with them.
From what Nameless told me, that lanky giant next to the Saintess must be the Hero.
Making enemies of them would be a long-term loss.
...Of course, since I've allied with the Demon King publicly, we'll inevitably clash someday. But to explain my side and resolve it amicably then, getting friendly now is key.
Above all...
I glared at the sky.
To achieve my goal someday, I'll need this Saintess standing before me.
I crooked one corner of my mouth and nodded firmly.
"Whatever. Call me what you want."
"Thank you."
Elia smiled brightly, satisfied with the answer.
She looked so fresh and cute that I glanced at Nameless, but his eyes were fixed on me.
Hmm, why's he looking at me instead of Elia...?
Come to think of it, he didn't react much to Lily either.
Recalling how he acted toward me back in the cabin, he clearly isn't disinterested in that sort of thing...
...Does he have unique tastes?
As that serious question crossed my mind, Elia continued.
"So, Heaven Cleaver? I've been wondering since earlier..."
"What is it?"
"Do you hold any titles outside the Empire?"
Her words made my brows narrow naturally.
Titles? Does she mean nobility?
Ugh—nobility?
The noble from that village who traumatized Nameless came to mind, souring my mood instantly.
My tone turned aggressive without thinking.
"I'm no noble. Why would you think that?"
"Ah, sorry if that offended you..."
Startled by my sharp reply, Elia flinched and bowed her head.
Even with my family name.
Anyone could see from my wooden sword or messy hair that I'm no noble...
Elia straightened up and continued right away.
"Well, partly because of your family name, but—"
"Also?"
"Your speech sounds so accustomed to dealing with inferiors..."
"...Yeah, that's understandable. Wait, no—'Cleaver'? What's that about?"
Elia chewed her lip for a moment, then touched her slightly flushed cheeks and spoke.
"It, it might be rude, but... your looks were the biggest factor...?"
Why are her cheeks red...?
No, more importantly.
"My looks?"
"Yes? You're so cu—ahem! Beautiful, aren't you?"
That word she spat out before clearing her throat grated on me..., but digging into it felt like it'd give me a headache, so I brushed it off lightly.
No, wait—beautiful?
Doubt crept onto my face, and seeing it, Elia looked baffled as she added,
"You didn't know?"
"...Flattery won't improve my mood, so cut it out."
Just look at Nameless—he's got Western features, so what about everyone around?
To the people here, I'm just someone with an unusual appearance.
I shot Elia a displeased look conveying that, and she thumped her chest in exasperation.
Suddenly, my gaze drifted to 'that' bouncing vigorously.
...It was unavoidable.