Chapter 515: Jealousy is My Power (15)
Chapter 515: Jealousy is My Power (15)
Silence is always heavy.
The thickened air weighed down on my lungs, hindering my thoughts. I hesitated, my hand clenching and unclenching.
Should I grip the handle of my axe, or shouldn't I?
It took only a few seconds for my firm resolve to waver.
Lady Ruphesia.
To be honest, she was a difficult person to deal with.
It was because I personally felt indebted to her.
A few months ago, Lady Ruphesia had been despicable and cruel. She had subjected Emma to verbal and physical abuse simply because she was a commoner, and in my rage, I had punished Lady Ruphesia and her cronies.
By hacking off every single one of their limbs.
While Lady Ruphesia had been the one in the wrong initially, it was hard to deny that my response had been excessive.
Cien had even used that incident as an excuse to try and have me expelled.
But in the end, Lady Ruphesia had forgiven me.
Perhaps she had been moved by Emma’s sincerity, as Emma had visited her hospital room time and time again. I hadn't heard what happened after that, but I never imagined she would end up becoming one of Emma’s close friends.
I was grateful.
And that was why I couldn't bring myself to draw my blade.
I merely twitched, gritting my teeth.
I have to kill her.
While I hesitated, Lady Ruphesia cleared her throat and slightly averted her gaze.
It seemed the fear she felt toward me hadn't completely vanished yet.
"…This is perfect timing, Emma."
"Huh? Oh, right."
It was an unbelievable sight.
Emma was speaking informally to Lady Ruphesia.
This was the same Emma who was always impeccably polite to any noble other than myself.
It meant they were truly that close.
Before the shock could even fade, the sound of the two women whispering to each other tickled my ears.
"You prepared this with so much effort, didn't you? You should give it to him while you have the chance."
"B-but, I wanted a better atmosphere…"
"He’s a busy man as it is; why are you worrying about the atmosphere? Just give it to him already… Hurry!"
Eventually, unable to resist the prodding of Ruphesia, who was nudging her in the ribs, Emma stepped forward toward me with a hesitant gait.
Still caught in the middle of my internal conflict, I was startled.
Looking closer, I saw Emma was hiding something behind her back. Her flushed face created a lovely aura.
"Um, Ian? So… it might not be enough, but I prepared something for you."
"Huh? Oh, right…"
At this point, I couldn't find the heart to draw my sword at all.
I could deal with Lady Ruphesia later anyway.
I couldn't exactly kill her best friend right in front of Emma’s eyes, could I?
It was just as I was calming myself down and relaxing my twitching hand.
Emma, her eyes squeezed shut, held something out.
Resting upon her two slender palms was a blade harboring a chilling sharpness.
A hand axe.
Even the handle looked luxurious. The blade was so keen that it gave the illusion that its radiance was dripping off in droplets.
As if possessed, I took the hand axe in silence.
It felt heavy, yet light.
It might sound like a contradictory statement, but this hand axe realized that very paradox. It meant that while using light and sturdy materials, the center of gravity was perfectly balanced.
It had to be the work of a renowned master.
Naturally, it wasn't something that could be bought for a pittance. It was a masterpiece that would be hard to find even if one offered 10,000 Gold—no, double that.
They say that when one is too surprised, words fail them.
That was exactly my state right now.
Only a dazed voice managed to leak through my teeth.
"Where… where did you get this…?"
"I had a little bit of money saved up."
'A little bit.'
That was nonsense.
Until not too long ago, Emma was the type to go out picking mushrooms because she didn't have money for food. I thought it was because of the cost of materials, but I see now that wasn't it.
Emma had been saving money like that.
To repay me.
However, a question still remained.
No matter how hard Emma saved, there was no way she could have gathered this much. Tens of thousands of gold was an amount that even most noble families struggled to mobilize.
It certainly wasn't an amount a commoner could save through mere frugality.
This doubt was resolved shortly after.
"Actually, Her Highness Cien provided most of the support… and your hand axe just happened to come to mind."
My eyes flickered toward the hand axe hanging at my waist.
I wasn't particularly interested in equipment. Of course, using good gear was better, but I had lost count of how many times I had passed out on the battlefield or been knocked unconscious from severe injuries.
I didn't want to lose expensive equipment that way.
That was why I had been using mass-produced items that were easily replaceable.
But now I was a 'High Expert,' and I had the confidence that I wouldn't be taken down by just anyone.
Was it okay to be a little greedy?
Emma still couldn't meet my eyes properly, looking bashful.
"D-do you like it? I’ve never bought such an expensive item before, so Eri helped me."
"…Eri?"
"Ah, Liereri Ruphesia! You know who she is, right?"
My gaze naturally followed Emma’s.
At the end of it stood Lady Ruphesia, clearing her throat and trying her best to hide her reddened face.
"Ahem, what would a commoner who was digging up herbs until recently know? As a noble, I merely provided a bit of assistance out of duty."
I remained silent for a long time.
I have to kill her.
I really have to kill her.
Even as I repeated those words to myself, my hand couldn't let go of Emma’s.
The words I finally managed to squeeze out were nothing more than a joke.
"…But why a hand axe instead of a sword? My main weapon is the sword."
Perhaps it was an unexpected question, as Emma’s eyes went wide.
After blinking a few times, a beautiful balsam-pink hue rose to her cheeks.
"Swords are… a bit expensive… Ahaha…"
It was a reason very much like Emma.
Even as I bit back a bitter smile, I couldn't overcome the overflowing emotion and pulled Emma into a light embrace.
Emma’s breath hitched at the sudden hug. In that moment, I spoke to the woman with all my heart.
"Thank you, Emma. Let’s meet alone later… I’ll come by the workshop."
"…E-eh?"
Hearing my words, Emma let out a rare, dazed sound.
Her trembling breath and wide eyes spoke volumes of her state of mind. However, my own mind was already as complicated as it could get, and I needed time to catch my breath first.
"See you later."
At my repeated suggestion, Emma nodded, her face turning beet red.
Her mechanical, creaking gait was worrying. Her arms and legs were so out of sync that even Lady Ruphesia watched us both with a strange look in her eyes.
But what could I have done?
Lady Ruphesia moved along, urged by Emma, and soon I was left alone in the clearing.
The hand axe was still in my hand.
It wasn't too late.
I could follow them right now and finish it by throwing the axe.
I had already committed murder several times. I had even cut the throat of a friend I’d lived and breathed with for years just a short while ago.
Yes, I had to do it.
Thwack.
The thrown hand axe embedded itself into the ground. As if to prove that a weapon imbued with a master's soul was different, the throw was so clean that the sound of it piercing the earth was barely audible.
Eventually, I let out a sigh and wiped my face with my hand.
It was inevitable that a mocking voice would follow from behind me.
"Aha, I wondered who it was, and it turns out it was your girlfriend? Our 'Scrub Percus' sure has talent… to seduce such a devoted and pretty girl."
I didn't bother denying it.
If I were to tell the truth, the story would be endless. So, I chose to remain silent instead of making excuses.
Of course, Senior Elsie wasn't the type to stop teasing just because of that.
"And after stepping out so confidently, what was it? 'You don't have to go after her'? You might lose her if you stay like this, you know?"
"It’s obvious where Lady Ruphesia will be staying. And, also…"
My words trailed off again as I continued making excuses.
The words that finally escaped after much deliberation were nothing but weak sounds that solved nothing.
"…What should I do?"
"Why are you asking me?"
It was a refreshingly blunt answer.
Senior Elsie crossed her arms and stated the obvious.
"The choice and the regret are both yours. Don't even think about pushing them onto someone else."
She was absolutely right.
I nodded in agreement. At that, Senior Elsie also turned her gaze away with a bittersweet smile.
It was a look that seemed to be staring at somewhere far away.
"…Still, well. I guess it’s still there."
"What is?"
"The side of you that’s my 'junior'."
Scratching her cheek for no reason, Senior Elsie looked away coyly.
"It might sound like I’m bragging, but my junior was like that too… kind, and nice to the point of being a fool."
A hollow chuckle escaped the girl's lips as she delved into some point in the past.
It was a dejected laugh, but it carried a faint sweetness within it.
It meant she was remembering a happy time.
"I wondered how on earth he would survive without me… I hope he’s been doing well since then."
It was a question I found hard to answer.
Had he been doing well?
Now it was my turn to avoid Senior Elsie’s gaze. Instead, I followed up with a mischievous question to divert her attention.
"By the way, 'Scrub Percus'?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
Senior Elsie maintained her attitude as if there was no problem.
That nonchalant face was slightly annoying, so I decided to be even more ruthless and tease her.
"Then what about that 'junior'?"
"…What?"
"You must have called him something. Surely you didn't just call him 'Junior' or something like that."
At my remark, Senior Elsie’s face gradually turned pale.
It was the face of prey that had exposed a weakness.
Of course, Senior Elsie did try to resist.
"E-eh? That’s what I called him. Hey, what kind of nickname would there be between us…"
"Then I’ll have to ask that 'junior' as well."
At that, Senior Elsie immediately shut her mouth tight.
Her blue eyes were wavering, unable to find a place to rest. I realized I had to deliver the finishing blow here.
"If our stories don't match, it might mean I was mistaken. So…"
"…Percus."
A trembling voice.
But her head was bowed low, and the volume was so small that even I could barely make it out. When I sent her a questioning look, Senior Elsie, who had been trembling with her fists clenched, exploded.
"I called him 'My Love Percus,' you bastard! Is it cringy? Does it sound stupid? So what if it does, you son of a bitch!"
"No, I wasn't going to go that far…"
"You… you really shouldn't be doing this… okay? Taking advantage of my pure heart like that, like that…!"
In the end, I had to spend a long time reciting apologies to Senior Elsie.
It was more than enough time for Emma to finish all her preparations.
* * *
A few hours later, the Emma who greeted me at the workshop looked somewhat different.
"…Y-you’re here?"
First of all, she wasn't in her uniform.
She was wearing a thin fabric that fluttered, subtly revealing her skin. Emma must have been embarrassed by the outfit as well, as she couldn't meet my eyes.
Did she have nothing else to wear?
I should buy her a few outfits later.
Thinking nothing of it, I spoke to Emma.
"Emma, do you happen to have any of that medicine you made last time left?"
"E-eh? What medicine?"
Emma seemed flustered today.
Even her voice as she asked me back was incredibly awkward.
I tilted my head inwardly, but I had work to do.
It was best to handle my business first.
"The one I asked for before I left for the Percus territory. You know, the one where just a few drops can make someone lose consciousness…"
"A-ah! You mean that one?"
Only then did Emma seem to remember, and she hurried toward the medicine display shelf.
Normally, she should have warned me about the danger of such a toxic substance.
Before I could even properly harbor that doubt, Emma handed me a small bottle she had taken from the shelf.
"H-here it is… but why?"
"Thanks, Emma."
I gave Emma a bitter smile as I thanked her.
"See you next time."
Then, I popped the cap of the medicine bottle and poured the contents straight down my throat.
With a thud, my consciousness blurred along with the sound of me collapsing.
"Oh my god… I-Ian? Ian?! What did you just… O-oh no, what do I do!"
Accompanied by Emma’s horrified scream in the background.
How much time had passed since then?
When I regained my senses, a familiar pair of golden eyes was before me.
A black-haired man with a weary gaze.
"…What are you up to, novice?"
It was 'me' from the future.