The Duke's Wrath
A night had passed.
The incident that occurred yesterday had been decisive. The accident that occurred because she couldn't control the Witch's power for a moment seemed to be the last thread of patience for the students as well.
The gazes that had been unfavorable towards her before had completely turned to hatred towards Elysia in just one night.
"Hey, look over there. The witch is coming."
"Really. How shameless. This time, she's coming to class to burn someone again."
"It would be good if the academy gave a warning..."
No matter how much the academy claims not to discriminate based on status, it can't ignore the weight of Cadeliz, Elysia's family.
But even that implicit balance had been broken a long time ago.
Chloe's existence was another thread connecting to the Cadeliz family.
So, she didn't need to cling desperately to the fierce Elysia.
The atmosphere was not normal. It was a situation that could explode anywhere at any time.
Even in the murmurs from those nearby, they weren't directly snarling at me, probably because of my presence alone.
A suspicious person dispatched from the Astasia Temple.
The power this tag carried could never be ignored. My suspiciously odd identity had finally played its role for the first time.
And Elysia didn't know this fact either.
"... You said you'd die if you followed me. Did you think it was a joke? Were your ears blocked? Haven't you seen enough scary sights yet?"
Elysia was doing everything she could to push me away. I shrugged my shoulders in response.
"Is that so. If I leave your side now, can you handle this situation?"
"What?! You don't need someone like you at all...! No, go to that woman! You said you had to do something there, right?"
"Chloe? I don't know. Whether I like it or not, I was hired as your bodyguard. Chloe is your burden. The duke arbitrarily added it to the contract terms. Of course I'll do the work, but I don't have much interest in that side either."
"Watch and see. If you act so freely, the family won't leave you alone?"
"If that happens, I'll have to use my power too. The connection with the Astasia Church isn't just something."
"Uuu...! You...!"
Because I was biting my tongue, Elysia glared with her eyes wide open and trembled.
While I was distracted for a moment, she stuck out her tongue and said "bleh" and left the place.
"Bleh?"
"Who are you calling me?"
Anyway, her legs are fast. She's a girl with good legs for running.
I tried to follow immediately, but the strange atmosphere caught my ankle.
I hadn't noticed that the surroundings had become quiet because we were exchanging meaningless conversations.
It wasn't just because of me and the villainess.
The main reason was a handsome man and woman waving their hands at me cheerfully near the edge of the academy grounds.
The priestly robes with pure white and deep night sky black, harmoniously mixed with gold that holds wisdom, are the symbol of the Astasia Church.
Finally, the six golden embroideries embroidered like constellations.
It unmistakably indicates a high priest of the Astasia Church.
The handsome young man and the quiet beauty approached me.
Since the high gods, who aren't even the goddess of beauty, seat only such people, it seems that Astasia's bias is filled to the brim.
The man was the one who greeted me.
"You are here, Lord Gray. We found you."
"What business do you have coming this far? The two of you coming together like this..."
"Of course, we came to see your situation once. We don't do this regularly, do we?"
"Is that so. I thought the two of you were enjoying a date and came by the way."
"Ha... haha... You start teasing as soon as you see me.... We are just..."
"Now that you've gotten married, haven't you gotten over being embarrassed?"
The two priests got married half a year ago.
It was right when I had just completed my first covenant.
The temple also vaguely knows that I am acting on behalf of Astasia's call in various things.
It was Bishop Boris and Priestess Lucia who had volunteered to come and help me from that temple.
They are kind people who don't complain even though it's quite bothersome to watch my back every day, and provide various conveniences without a single complaint.
"You don't have to come so often. It must be troublesome for you."
When I said that, Boris and Lucia laughed "huh huh" and shook their heads.
"Troublesome? There's no way. Lucia, right?"
"Of course, it's only natural. I think it's a task given to us by Lady Astasia."
But no matter what, if someone helps, I couldn't refuse.
"Then, without refusing, I'll tell you right away."
"Please expect as much as you want. Such straightforward looks are really grateful for us as a couple."
"Because I have a personality that wants to finish the work as soon as possible to have peace of mind."
"Well done, Gray~"
Lucia had always treated me like a younger brother, spoiling me.
She playfully said while messing up my hair.
"Oh my, your height has grown a lot. This kind of thing won't be possible in 2 or 3 years, right?"
"... By then, won't the two of you have children?"
"... I don't know. Hmm... I'm curious how Boris would think too."
Lucia narrowed her eyes and looked at Boris.
Boris was smiling awkwardly.
Perhaps there's an unspoken conflict between the two.
I hurriedly changed the subject.
"By the way, the two of you, when you entered the academy, didn't you feel any strange atmosphere?"
"Hmm... atmosphere... Well, Lucia, did you know?"
"It's about the duke's illegitimate daughter. Even before, but today, various things were being said. Lord Gray. Did something happen?"
Lucia, with quick eyes, pinched me.
After I briefly explained what happened yesterday, the two priestly couples clicked their tongues briefly.
"Oh dear. It wasn't easy."
"So, I wanted some help from the two of you. It seems I have to forcibly block this atmosphere at the academy for a while."
"Understood. I'll have our temple give a warning to the dean. Lord Gray, please focus only on Lady Astasia's covenants."
Boris nodded his head and said. Lucia asked me.
"How is the Cadeliz young lady? Are you still getting along well?"
"That... It seems the covenant itself might be ruined if I'm not careful."
"Even if the method of purifying the Witch's Red Eyes is told by Lady Astasia, in the end, building trust until then is the most important, right."
"... Yes, that's right."
"Hahaha..."
Lucia said while stroking my hair as usual.
"That young lady probably didn't have anyone by her side since she was little. So, I have to stay by her side as long as possible. Even if I push her away, for now, at least for now, you can't take those words literally. Leave the rest to us."
"Yes..."
"May Lady Astasia's wisdom be with you. You can do it well. Don't lose your pride, Gray. There must be a reason why Lady Astasia chose you as her proxy among so many people."
I also want to know the reason.
"But... where is she now? I don't see that young lady's face around here...?"
"With Elysia... Ah...! I missed the chance to run away...!"
When I shouted, Boris and Lucia's eyes widened.
I tried to search everywhere at the academy to find Elysia urgently, but soon realized there was no need.
The chit-chat of the surrounding students' gossip reached my ears, which were already busy.
I could immediately know where Elysia was.
"The Duke of Cadeliz has come to the academy!"
***
"Dad!"
The one who welcomed Duke Cadeliz with open arms was, as expected, Chloe.
She immediately jumped into the duke's arms.
The duke accepted Chloe's pampering with a helpless look and briefly scolded her.
"You said you should call me 'Duke' outside, didn't you?"
"Hehehe... But it's nice though."
"Okay. I heard bad news last night and worried, but it's good that you look healthy."
The bad news the duke was talking about was probably an incident related to Elysia.
"It just so happens that I was there too."
He approached Elysia without saying much.
Elysia's face began to darken rapidly.
"You caused another accident."
"Ah... Father... J..."
"Outside, it's 'Duke'."
"........"
"I told you to be careful. How many times have I told you what your red eyes are like? You still can't understand. Who your stupid head is like, it's obvious without looking."
"Ah, no...! I am...! Yesterday was... That...! Mistake..."
Elysia, who was always haughty and proud in front of anyone, was now pale-faced, panting as if she would collapse at any moment.
"Your eyes are eyes that kill people. It seems you still haven't realized that you burned your mother to death with those eyes."
"........"
"Your late grandmother was executed not because she had the Witch's Red Eyes, but only because her eyes were red. Are you still not understanding that you, who inherited the 'real' Witch's Red Eyes, is still alive only thanks to my power and breath?"
"........"
"The promise you made when you entered the academy. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
"... Sorry..."
The duke frowned his eyebrows openly.
The students secretly watching from around were startled and moved away one by one.
Or not, the duke forcefully pulled his daughter's wrist.
"Let's go. Don't sully the family name any more."
"......... Uu!"
But Elysia stood firm, pressing down hard on the expression that looked like she was about to cry.
She knew too well what she would face if she went back like this.
It was too uncomfortable to watch anymore.
I knocked the duke's arm away with a light tap.
Srring...
The duke acted roughly, but when he heard the sound of my sword being flicked, he paused for a moment.
"Stop it. You said it hurts."
Elysia reflexively hid behind me.
She wouldn't have done that normally.
It was proof that she was mentally cornered.
I lightly pulled her to me and took a few steps back.
The duke's cold gaze reached me.
"... Who are you."
"Have you already forgotten? How long have I been employed by you, pretending not to know?"
"... A dog that bites its master has no memory of being employed."
"A dog that bites its master..."
I muttered quietly.
"Whether it really bites or not depends on the duke's discretion."
His eyebrows twitched.
"... You are an ignorant little brat."