Chapter 154
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Why Is He Angry?
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Why is he getting angry?
"Oppa..."
Chloe tugged lightly at my shirt to draw my attention.
"Yeah?"
"You don't have to explain everything to me. Just tell me what I need to do..."
Was she reading the frantic expression on my face as I racked my brain?
Chloe's few words, meant to ease my burden, calmed my mind and spirit.
'...She's amazing. They really do take after each other.'
I could sense the true elegance and charisma I'd felt from Eclair. No matter what path she chose—even outside knighthood—her future looked bright.
Chloe always stepped up perfectly when the moment called for it.
This must be why Rike didn't worry about her.
"First, let's head to the mansion and check if Eclair's there."
"Okay...! Sh-should I hail a carriage?"
There wasn't a coachman in the capital who wouldn't understand if we said we were going to the Dreitna mansion.
Eclair's estate sat proudly in one of the city's prime locations.
Most imperial citizens knew it through rumors and sightings, even if unspoken.
But carriages couldn't race full speed down capital streets, so we'd be late the moment we climbed aboard.
"To avoid being late, we have to run. That's why I was asking for your permission, Chloe."
"Huh? My permission...?"
It didn't make sense to drag Chloe—wearing a long skirt—along like luggage, no matter the length. Slinging her over my shoulder like a sack was out of the question too.
'Reminds me of the times I roamed with Rike in robes.'
Experience was truly wonderful and valuable.
Because of those days, carrying her on my back wasn't even an option I considered.
Considering her current long skirt and heeled shoes, running would be inconvenient enough.
Even in comfortable clothes, she couldn't keep up with my pace.
"You can ride on my shoulders, Chloe. Or I can just carry you."
"Eek...! E-either's f-fine, but... th-that!"
Watching Chloe panic intensely, I scratched my chin and sank back into thought.
It might feel like forcing her, given how she shied away from men.
"Yeah, a guy might be a bit much, huh? Let's think of another way—"
Chloe's face flushed beet red as she dropped her spinning gaze to the ground, mumbling in the tiniest voice like an ant's footsteps.
"N-not that, but... I'm h-heavy... You might get t-tired, Oppa..."
Her bringing up something I'd never even considered shattered the serious mood, nearly making me burst out laughing.
"Chloe, you're adorable."
Having such a kind, cute little sister made Eclair's feelings completely understandable.
"...!!"
Not intentionally, but Chloe's girlish innocence melted away my anxiety and cleared my tangled thoughts.
I bent my knees slightly to meet her eye level and looked straight into her eyes.
"No joke—really okay with it? If you're uncomfortable, we can find another way."
Permission granted was enough, but considering her nature, I asked once more. Chloe's blue eyes shone with resolve.
"It's... f-fine!"
"Then, pardon me."
"Kyaa!"
I lifted her as gently as possible, and her small scream drew eyes from the street.
'Why did I even come here?'
Leo scratched his head as he eyed the mansion before him.
The intoxication brought no pain—only pure pleasure—so his mind didn't turn to sobering up.
"Ah~! Aaaah! Hahaha~ I remember! I got it!"
Even in this state, recalling his purpose, Leo clutched his forehead and let out a groan of realization, marveling at his own quick thinking.
The reason he'd abandoned fine liquor and courtesans to drag his precious body here.
To confront Eclair Dreitna—not as his superior, but as a noble to noble—over her unreasonable actions.
"She should be back by now... Huh!"
At this hour, he could spill everything without repercussions.
He wasn't some mere Silver Wing squad member anymore; he was the young master of House Floyd, backed by the Fourth Knight.
No matter how prominent Dreitna was, she wouldn't dare swing her sword at the empire's deep-rooted powerhouse, Floyd.
"Heh... Tea's nice, but maybe score some booze."
He also needed to lecture her on the folly of rejecting his promising proposal.
"Ugh—"
His mind clung on, yet the drunken haze kept piling up endlessly.
It felt ecstatic, like stepping on clouds and drifting through the sky.
Even for Leo, who'd lived for drink and revelry, this was new.
Would more drinks heighten the bliss?
'This is a one-time special... What if I never feel it again?'
Yet anxiety gnawed, preventing full immersion in the pleasure.
Thud—
"Whoa!"
Stumbling, Leo grabbed the iron fence at the mansion's edge and looked up at Eclair's estate.
Lights dotted the building. He smirked bitterly, clutching decorative fixtures on the wall, inching toward the gate one step at a time.
Rounding the corner with effort, his eyes met a man's.
"...?!"
Chloe wanted to check inside for Eclair upon arrival, but I already knew.
Eclair hadn't returned. Those inside were just the servants.
Still, I sent her in because I sensed a weird guy lurking around.
'His movements scream drunkard, but something feels familiar... What is it?'
It itched at the edge of memory.
From experience, this usually meant some guy I'd met once.
Drunk and wandered here? If only. But a bad vibe said otherwise.
The intuition sharpened since completing my first form, Raksha, granting resistance to curses.
An inexplicable foreboding prickled, urging me to ready my weapon. Then a shadow rounded the corner.
"Oh? The broken-nose guy?"
"...?!"
His drunken stupor shattered at the sight of me, face twisting like he'd seen a ghost.
But shouldn't I be the shocked one?
'Why the hell is this bastard here?'
Facing him now, I sensed not just booze, but an ominous aura emanating from him.
I heightened my guard.
Yet acted flippantly enough to piss him off.
"What're you doing here?"
I smirked crookedly, provoking him while scanning his clothes and state.
Booze and smoke smells were common. But the sword at his waist.
And the blood caked on the scabbard.
His face wasn't crystal clear in memory, but he'd lost weight?
No—more like vitality drained, hollowed out.
Dark circles so deep his eyes might pop out.
"You... bastard...!"
Fury beyond words, eyes bloodshot red.
I got he was pissed, but raw rage screamed he wasn't right in the head.
Clunk—!
At that timing, Chloe emerged from the mansion gate. I flashed my palm; she halted, confused.
"O-oppa?"
Shing—!
I tossed her the [Half Shadow]—long time no see. The sharp blade plunged into the ground, hilt barely visible.
"Take this and head inside for now. Got it?"
Eyes fixed on the man, I smiled as I spoke.
Chloe noticed someone beyond the unseen wall, face hardening as she yanked the pitch-black sword free.
"B-be careful...!"
"Don't worry about me. That thing's razor-sharp—handle with utmost care, okay?"
The sword granted debuff immunities just by holding it, aiding in crises with reliable performance.
Confirming Chloe nod without hesitation and enter with the blade,
I turned to the nameless man.
"Hey."
"Filthy cur... How dare you... This time the difference in level is...!"
His bloodshot eyes cursed me as he muttered. I approached step by step.
"Keep talking? If you've got something good, don't hide it—bring it out."
"Eclair...! What did you do with Eclair...!"
Sensing the situation beyond simple, I grinned and laid out reality.
"Why casually call a guy's woman by name?"
Shring—
He drew his waist sword, aura flaring to declare his intent.
"I'll kill... you!!"
Emotions aside, his uncontrolled aura made me close in without pause.
Dodging the clumsy swing, I readied a fist to embed.
"Friend, wanna sober up first and talk straight?"
Crack!
"Hngh...! Urp—!"
He doubled over, knees buckling, vomiting as deja vu hit.
'Feels like I've seen this setup lately...'
Wasn't there something like this at the Adventurer's Guild recently?
Recalling that day, I stomped his vomit-plunged head, dispensing wisdom.
"No matter how wild I get, I hate bothering my woman. Wanna smash your skull now, but you're a knight squad member and noble... something like that, right?"
"Kgh!"
If he weren't in Eclair's Knight Order, I'd have crushed it then.
He seemed to carry something eerie, but the presence was faint—too iffy to kill on sense alone.
Best to punish by slashing his pride repeatedly, intent laced in my swings.
"This bastard—never even dated her—why's he so pissed? I just don't get it."
"Grgh—! Ugh!"
Veins bursting in his eyes from rage. He tried lifting his head, fueled by that fury.
But some force pinned him inescapably.
Head in vomit, he had to listen.
"Think women are objects? Huh?"
Hearing a lecture from a lowly adventurer boiled his blood; his head felt ready to explode.
'Fuck! Fuck! I'll tell Father and make him pay for this humiliation...!'
-■■■.
A bewitching voice pierced from the pouch in his breast.
Promising aid.
Join forces to remove the terrifying obstacle and do as he pleased.
Leo felt it too.
His sole true friend, who cared for him, trembled since facing that man.
Yet showed will to overcome together.
For the first time, he truly felt friendship's splendor, moved.
-Hehe... Certain prohibitions apply until we say so. It's a precious item on our end too—use requires agreement. We've ensured no death, but penalties? Even we can't guarantee.
The black mage contract flashed in mind.
As she said, no death. If alive, he'd manage.
If he could rip apart that black-haired scum who shamed him endlessly, consequences be damned.
-■.
Resolve hardened; the black pouch untied itself. A dark orb spilled out, plopping into the vomit.
Head bowed in filth, Leo didn't hesitate—shoved his face down and greedily swallowed the orb.
"Mmgh—!!"