Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: My Disciple's Tastes Are a Bit Strange
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"Ho ho, so the two of you aren't lovers?"
I stroked my chin with a crooked smile.
Isn't Nameless turning nineteen this year?
Next year, he'll be a full-fledged adult by everyone's standards...
If possible, I'd like to find him a partner before next year ends.
As for why it has to be before next year...
Here, nobles get engaged young.
Usually before they turn fifteen, securing their match.
Of course, as nobles, there are political reasons too, but even commoners typically find partners before adulthood.
Honestly, it's hard for me to understand by my own standards...
But that's how it was before I secluded myself in the cabin, so it's probably still the same.
In this era, the thought of Nameless, not yet paired at adulthood, being mocked or treated as odd...
Hmm, that just won't do.
...Of course.
Truthfully, I know it's nosy for someone my age to meddle in young folks' romance...
I glanced sideways at Nameless, who was giving me a meaningful look.
...Unless I do something.
I can't see this guy ever meeting someone and dating on his own.
Even when we lived together in the cabin, I tried sending him to the Academy under the pretext of finding a match, and he refused.
I let out a deep sigh.
Nameless tilted his head slightly in response, but all I could do was slap my forehead.
His expression, which had seemed profoundly meaningful just moments ago, now looked downright vacant.
My faint worry hardened into certainty.
This kid will never find a partner.
Really... what would he do without me?
...Actually, I've tried helping before, but he's always refused, seemingly uninterested in romance, which has given me headaches.
Conveniently,
There's a fine young lady right in front of me.
"Heh heh."
A somewhat sinister chuckle escaped my lips.
"...Why are you like that?"
"Hm? It's nothing."
To continue.
Elia's beauty is stunning enough to steal countless men's hearts just by looking.
And moreover.
I subtly lowered my gaze to sweep over Elia's hips.
Elia flinched at my leering eyes, breaking out in cold sweat...
But tilting her head, she thankfully seemed unaware of my gaze.
Her shudder was probably just instinctive repulsion.
Ahem, anyway.
Elia's hips are excellent.
She'll have an easy time bearing children with a partner later.
In a word, perfect for natural birth.
I don't feel it much now, but men instinctively seek women who can bear their children well, right?
Unless they're some weirdo...
Well, Nameless should like Elia's aggressive hips too.
Things were going smoothly, my lips nearly reaching my ears, but I calmed them down.
However, there was one drawback with Elia: she's the Saintess.
I don't know much about this world's religion.
I resented them as a target, but holed up in the cabin swinging my sword without specifics, so it's only natural.
Well, even so... you never know?
Religious folk here might not be allowed to marry.
Plus, I personally resent the gods.
The thought of my disciple—like a son—marrying the child of those I despise...
"Tch."
Honestly, it rubs me the wrong way.
But I can't just reject a potential match for him.
Above all, Nameless's happiness matters most to me.
I nodded firmly, as if resolving myself.
So, now I need to sound out Elia's opinion.
What good is me trying to pair them alone?
Just as I opened my mouth to ask, 'What do you think of Nameless as a potential lover?'
Elia's expression caught my eye.
Hmm, why is that?
While I was lost in thought, Elia's face had turned gloomy.
I poked Nameless's thigh.
"Why's that kid like that?"
"She's been that way ever since hearing your words earlier, Master."
"Hmm."
I narrowed my eyes at Elia.
Beyond her gloomy expression, she was glancing at Lucius.
I turned to look at Lucius, who was occasionally glancing at Elia too.
"Oh ho, I see... so that's how it is."
"...Pardon? What do you mean?"
As you know, I'm quick on the uptake.
With my razor-sharp intuition, let's deduce this situation...
Well, she must be uncomfortable being linked with Lucius.
Or regretting not having found a proper man despite her age.
Well... maybe I'm reading too much into it.
But surely she's not frustrated at their lack of progress, making that face?
Someone as perceptive as me wouldn't miss that pink atmosphere.
Hmm, right.
I nodded.
Now, not just for Nameless, but to ease Elia's worries too, I must pair them.
...A fleeting thought that something was off crossed my mind.
But I shook my head to dismiss it.
By the way.
Nameless starting a family with Elia...
"..."
...Frustrating.
What if Nameless's ideal type isn't Elia...
Shouldn't I ask him once?
I tapped Nameless's thigh.
"Why is it, Master?"
"Nameless, what's your type?"
Hearing my question, Nameless's eyes widened instantly, his lips twitching.
...Annoying, why's he like that.
Soon, he cleared his throat with a 'hem' and turned to face me.
"What specifically should I say?"
"Hmm, first, older or younger?"
Elia's age is twenty, as I recall.
If he says older, her chances as his type rise.
With faint expectation, I watched him, and without hesitation, he replied.
"I prefer older women."
"Hmm, is that so?"
Indeed, older.
A good start.
I grinned broadly and spoke.
"What kind of looks do you like?"
"Looks... you mean?"
"Yeah, like someone who looks intimidating."
At my words, he stared at me appraisingly, then replied without pause, just like before.
"I like women who look gentle."
"Gentle-looking?"
Gentle-looking...
Probably means soft, round eyes.
I glanced at Elia.
...Her eyes are round, but not exactly gentle...
Rather, unlike the round shape, her bright gaze makes her seem strong-willed.
Hmm, a miss...?
Still, not entirely displeased.
Just as I was about to probe further.
A thought struck me.
This guy always seemed uninterested in romance before, yet answers my type questions so readily.
Hmm, odd.
Well... he's at that age, can't be helped.
I nodded and opened my mouth for the next question.
This one was important.
If opposite to my guess, Elia would be far from his type.
"...Tall women?"
As you know, Elia is tall.
By my eye, about 177 cm.
If Nameless dislikes tall women, I'd either give up pairing them or push through.
For some reason, tension built as I awaited his answer, biting my lip.
...Not sure why I'm this tense.
I don't get my own reaction.
Nameless furrowed his brow briefly, sighed softly,
then met my eyes after mumbling.
"I don't particularly prefer tall women."
Hmm, doesn't prefer tall...
...Elia's out, then?
For some reason, the frustration in my chest eased a bit, but failure is failure.
I sighed softly.
"...I see."
"Yes. Ideally, about two hand spans smaller than me... um, like Master's hand."
Uncannily specific.
More than that, two spans smaller than my hand from him...?
I spread my palm and gazed at it.
Hmm, one span about 13 cm?
Two would be 26...
"..."
Nameless is just over 180 cm, so two spans smaller means even at max, under mid-150s.
And this fantasy medieval world has tall people on average.
Even Nameless's 180+ is average.
I gave him a cold stare.
"...Nameless, even so, kids are off-limits."
"Pardon...? What do you mean?"
...My disciple has such tastes.
I pressed my hand to my forehead and sighed deeply.
"No, why would Master say such a thing...?"
Why, what.
Why look at me like that.