Chapter 37
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 37: The Villainess Is Afraid of Thunder
“Severely injured to the left tent! Lightly injured to the right tent!”
The expeditionary force, having fended off the Phantom Mantis ambush without significant damage, moved to a clearing not far from the scene.
They will regroup here once, then decide whether to continue forward or return to the territory.
Setting up makeshift tents, lighting bonfires. Distributing stew to soothe the startled and exhausted soldiers.
Priests tend to the wounded in the tents.
Since accidents are bound to happen on such expeditions, priests always accompany them to prepare for emergencies.
“How is the situation?”
“Two severely injured, seven lightly injured. No deaths.”
“That is truly fortunate.”
Brun breathed a sigh of relief.
It wouldn't have been strange if they were annihilated, but fortunately, they overcame the danger without any casualties.
As a commander, it was a huge relief.
Brun expressed gratitude to the knights of Edelheid.
“It is all thanks to you. I express gratitude on behalf of the family.”
“...We only did what we naturally had to do.”
Lance’s expression looked quite perplexed for someone receiving praise.
Understandably, his contribution in this battle was less than a slave’s.
He glanced around looking for the protagonist of this battle, but Irion was nowhere to be seen.
“Sir Sylvan, where did Cadet Irion go?”
“He went to wash in a nearby valley. Since his appearance was a mess.... Just in time, there he comes.”
Sylvan signaled with his eyes. From the shade of the forest, Irion revealed himself along with other cadets.
Whether he washed roughly in the valley water, wet hair was sticking to his forehead. Still, much neater than before when he was covered in slime.
Irion meeting eyes with Lance. Irion, looking around, realized the gaze was directed at him and walked over hesitantly.
“Cadet Irion, washed cleanly in the valley and returned.”
“...Yeah.”
Short conversation passed and awkward silence flowed.
“Do you even know what you just did?”
Immediately after, Sylvan scolded with a disapproving expression. Clear anger lingered in his low-pitched voice.
“Yes? Catching magical beasts?”
“Insubordination. Sir Brun clearly ordered to maintain circular formation and not leave the ranks. However, you ignored that order openly and sprang out arbitrarily.”
“That’s because the situation was urgent.......”
“Don’t make excuses!”
Sylvan shouted cutting off Irion’s words. Everyone in the clearing looked at the two.
“Do you think results justify everything? Haven't you thought that your arrogant independent action could have broken the battle line and put comrades in greater danger!”
“.......”
“The most important things for a knight are discipline and obedience. No matter how outstanding swordsmanship one possesses, an uncontrolled sword is merely a weapon stabbing allies.”
Sylvan looked down at Irion as if disgusting and shot back.
“Perhaps because you are a rootless slave bastard, you lack even the basic grounding a knight should have.”
“...I apologize.”
Irion lowered his head shortly.
“But the Princess told me to do this?”
But he raised his head stiffly again as if he never lowered it.
“She said it’s obvious you wouldn't let me move an inch on the expedition, so spring out immediately if there is a chance.”
“What?”
“And didn't you exclude me every training? It’s natural not to know since I didn't learn. You should have taught me then.”
“This bastard?”
“Lastly, you don't acknowledge me as a knight, so why mention knight’s discipline here.......?”
Irion tilting his head with an innocent expression as if he really doesn't know the reason.
“Please decide clearly. If I am a knight, I will follow instructions. But if not a knight, what I, a mere slave, follow is only the Princess’s command.”
“This guy, to the end...!”
At his audacious attitude, veins bulged ruggedly on Sylvan’s forehead. He looked ready to draw his sword right away.
“Now, now. Don’t fight. It passed without a big accident in the end anyway. Isn't good good?”
Brun approached smiling good-naturedly and mediated the two. And smiled brightly towards Irion.
“You are that famous slave knight. I heard the story from the Lord. I hear you played an active part in this battle too?”
“I was just lucky. I apologize for disobeying orders.”
“It’s fine. Since my subordinates saved their lives thanks to you. Just take this mistake as nourishment and don't repeat it, right? Isn't it so?”
“...Since Sir Brun says so, I will let it pass just this once.”
Sylvan clenched his teeth and glared at Irion. Feeling no value in dealing with him anymore, he left.
After the commotion was settled, Irion sat by the bonfire and started drying his wet body.
Helena took the seat next to him as if obvious. Smiled brightly.
“Good work, Irion. You played a huge part?”
“Got scolded though.”
“Sir Sylvan’s words aren't wrong either. Still, you got praised by the Commander, right?”
Considering it’s the first expedition, it’s a splendid achievement, Helena added a word.
“But how did you do it?”
“What?”
“Detecting enemies in the fog. Even noticed exactly how many there were.”
“I told you last time mana sensitivity increased. Polishing it, I could see to some extent.”
“Even with eyes closed?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow....”
Helena couldn't hide her admiration.
Mind’s Eye.
A realm reachable only by a very few skilled people.
For Helena who can’t even handle mana perfectly yet, it is a distant stage she dares not even look at.
That Irion does that.
While thinking it’s amazing, on the other hand, she felt impatience.
Thinking is it okay for the capability gap to be this severe when they are the same apprentice knights.
Reading thoughts from such Helena’s expression, Irion raised one corner of his mouth slyly.
“Don’t be heartbroken. The opponent is me.”
“You, just watch. I’ll do the same later.”
“Ah ah, devote yourself. I will be waiting here.”
It was when Irion and Helena were resting exchanging trivial jokes.
Someone approached them. It was Apprentice Knight Euclis.
“Hey.”
“Huh?”
“.......”
“If you called, speak.”
“Thanks. Tsk.”
Euclis threw a word like throwing trash and disappeared.
“...What was that?”
“Irion helped him earlier. Came to say thanks. Probably acting like that because he’s shy?”
“Real kid. Cute.”
“I’m telling you, you are the youngest here.”
***
The expedition ended.
Originally they should have camped, but as a result of knights’ meeting, they chose to withdraw.
Subjugation of troublesome magical beasts was completed to some extent, treatment of the wounded was needed, and above all.
“Looks like it will rain.”
Helena said looking at the sky beyond. Fog disappeared, and this time dark clouds were gathering.
Signs of rain were seen. For such various reasons, the expeditionary force returned to Alderin.
“Thank you for today. Please lend your strength next time too.”
“We will see you again then.”
We parted with the Lord’s knights and returned to the mansion.
“Everyone good work. Wash and take a rest.”
“Yessir!”
“Helena, good work.”
“What did I do. Irion suffered more. Rest well.”
I parted with Helena too. About to wash and enter the mansion, I discovered Bibi coming out of the main gate.
“Bibi?”
“Sir Irion. Seems you returned from the expedition. Fortunate that you seem safe.”
“Yes. By the way, where are you going? Not maid uniform?”
Bibi was wearing a chestnut-colored dress with a cloth around her head, holding a small square bag with both hands.
Bibi straightened her shoulders and said with a smug expression.
“It is a vacation. Something Cadet Irion, a slave, will never receive in life.”
“...But what to do? It looks like it will rain soon, not a good start for a vacation. How pitiful.”
Dark clouds that started gathering from earlier covered the sky long ago. Raindrops were falling one by one too.
But Bibi didn't care at all.
“It’s okay. Vacation itself gives impeccable happiness. Ah, Cadet Irion wouldn't know because you haven't tried. Being a slave.”
“If Bibi leaves for vacation, the family might perish, but are you still going?”
“Then I should run away faster. If it’s a family that perishes without one maid, shouldn't I run away even a day sooner?”
That is true too.
Clearly correct logic, but why do I feel so bad.
“For that reason, take care of the Lady while I’m gone. Especially in weather like these days.”
“Why ask me that.......”
“Then.”
Bibi hummed a song and left with light steps.
“Damn envious.”
Because I have a broad heart, deception doesn't work usually, but that is really enviable.
‘Will she give it if I ask for a vacation too?’
First outing, next vacation, lastly freedom.
Perfect.
Visited Renoa immediately.
“Princess, just returned from expedition.”
Reporting is not the role of a mere cadet, but I was a special case.
Whether she is so worried about me running away, Renoa ordered to report as soon as I return.
‘Can’t run away because of contract anyway.’
Although I like heroine obsession stories, Renoa’s obsession is just scary.
“Unusual matters?”
“None separately. Just got scolded a bit by Sir Sylvan?”
“Why scolded?”
“He told me to keep the formation but I sprang out. Got angry saying insubordination.”
“So. Did you stay still?”
“I talked back asking why he sees me as a cadet only at times like this when he doesn't even treat me as a cadet. Also told him to teach me during training if dissatisfied.”
“Then?”
“Face turned bright red and got angry, it was chaos.”
Then the corners of Renoa’s mouth went up. Smiled as if satisfied.
“Well done. No need to be discouraged by those things. What you should prioritize is my command. Do just like today from now on.”
“Thank you. Then since I did well, do you give a reward too?”
“...What do you want.”
Since the atmosphere is good for once, I conveyed the demand sneakily.
“Vacation? About 3 days and 2 nights?”
“I will let you rest for life.”
“Is what I almost said~ Staying by the Princess’s side is the best vacation.”
That figures.
Seems vacation is still far away.
“Come to think of it, I saw Bibi leaving earlier and she boasted a lot about going on vacation.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Saying it’s better to escape even a little faster from a family that will perish soon, she was even singing as she went? Must be very hard serving the Princess.”
“I should have a pleasant conversation time when she returns.”
“Oh my, of course. Of course.”
You dare tease me?
You get scolded a bit.
“Then I will go re——”
—Flash! Crash!
Outside the window was dyed pure white like daylight for a moment, then a tremendous roar as if tearing eardrums shook the mansion.
“Whew, surprised me.”
At the lightning that burst without notice, I shrugged my shoulders unknowingly.
Thunder and lightning struck almost simultaneously. The sound was very loud.
“Haha. Thunder is huge......?”
Feeling awkward about being startled by thunder, when I turned my head laughing sheepishly.
Renoa, who always has coolly subsided eyes.
“Ugh.......”
Was curling her body round on the chair.
With eyes closed tight, and blocking ears with both hands.
“Huh?”
......Eh?
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