Chapter 25
Chapter 25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Growth-1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Deep in the darkness, thick shadows upholding the House of Reinhardt had come to deal with the enemies harming the family.
"...Black Rock... it seems..."
The current location was Jehard's residence, the Dainons family mansion.
"...Damn it..."
Black Rock, Chris Reinhardt, took out a cigar while surveying the interior of the mansion. She put it in her mouth and let out a sigh.
Though no fire was lit on the cigarette, no one raised any objections to her eccentricity.
"...They've already all been killed."
The mansion's massacre was already too gruesome for that to be the case.
No one could open their mouth.
"...This is Black Rock... reporting in."
Chris barely managed to pull out the communication magic tool and spoke.
The report received was as follows.
Jehard Dainons, head of the family, found decapitated.
His father, Zen Dainons,
mother, Hyerin Dainons,
fiancée, Rain Lipford, and youngest brother, Eli Dainons.
All five members of the Dainons family confirmed dead.
A sigh without smoke escaped from the mouth holding the cigar.
The atmosphere inside the House of Reinhardt mansion was bustling with energy. Though an unfortunate incident had occurred, the servants were hastily lifting the mood to shift away from it.
And that was because
[Oh, what a festive atmosphere~]
[The matriarch of the house's birthday, you know.]
it was the birthday of the Family Head's wife, Sirica Reinhardt.
[But hey, for a birthday, wouldn't more people come?]
[Most who can will come. It's a chance to impress Sirica and the Family Head.]
Nobles didn't open social events simply for pleasure and luxury. They could be seen as a kind of conference to gauge each other's relationships, situations, and power.
[Pretty knowledgeable. Weren't you a mercenary?]
[I've been a squire for years; this is basic.]
Just as a school mutt recites poetry after three years at the academy, Leo boasted of the common knowledge he'd picked up as a squire and stood from his seat.
[Where you going?]
[Can't just sit around playing. Gotta find something to help with.]
Taking a break was nice, but lounging around forever would draw eyes. He preferred working over resting anyway.
[...But what work is there really...?]
"Miss!!"
A track meet unfolding in the hallway, with a white-haired girl in the lead.
"Lady Ariasfil!"
The lady of the Hero Family turned into an indescribable tomboy whenever high society events rolled around.
"Please stop! Lady Ariasfil!"
Maids clutching various dresses chased after Lady Ariasfil with difficulty. But no ordinary person could catch a full-speed sprint from a 1st-class knight.
"Found some work."
Leo started chasing after his lady as if joining the race.
After dashing down the hall and making several corner turns, Aria finally stopped her sprint.
"...Hoo... this should be good..."
Beyond the long hallway, in the stable behind the garden, she hid in the haystack and thought that.
"You're here."
It was Leo's voice.
"...Huh?!"
At the familiar voice, Aria turned around. Her exclusive knight faced her with a refreshing smile.
"...How...?"
"Just a hunch."
As mentioned earlier, Leo hadn't wasted his life as a squire. Finding where his lady usually fled to was no big deal.
[Seeing this, he really has good instincts... must be a lower body issue...]
[Shut it, you national treasure.]
Exchanging such heartwarming barbs, Leo approached Aria.
"What made you run off, Miss?"
"Wasn't running. Just avoiding what I don't wanna do."
[They call that running in polite society. Heh heh.]
No idea why that so-called Sage spoke so pettily. At times like this, gentle comforting was the virtue.
"May I ask why you ran?"
"...They keep telling me to wear a dress. I don't wanna..."
It was obvious.
While other noble ladies played with dolls, Aria had gripped a sword. And not child's play—she was a warrior strong enough to floor burly knights.
She might tolerate soft chainmail, but something fluttery like a dress would be quite the ordeal.
"...That uncomfortable?"
"Yeah. Don't wanna wear it."
So firm it almost sounded like a sword slash. Still, at times like this, the hugging strategy was best.
"Then not wearing it is an option too."
"...Huh?"
First, agree to lower her guard.
"Can't force someone who hates it. Looks bad too."
"...But... then I can't join the party. The other servants will keep trying."
[Knowing that, she'll wear it...]
[Ah, shut up. Don't shatter the innocence.]
After scolding the root of all evil, Leo refocused on the conversation.
"Then let's run away together. Like this."
"...Not running... together...?"
The moment she tried denying "running," "together" stole her attention.
"Run away together?"
"Fancy events like that make me uneasy too. Better to dodge together than alone, right?"
Not exactly a lie. Lingering at the party might invite trouble from other nobles.
A light escapade like this could refresh her spirits.
In his past life, being forced into hated things kept him from wearing anything frilly, let alone a dress, past 15.
"...Together... run..."
At that moment, Leo had no idea.
'...Run away together...? That's... something lovers always do...!'
It wasn't at all, but
'...A date...!?'
Aria's thoughts were roughly that, and Leo was completely unaware. Not at all.
"...You okay? Your face is red..."
"Wha?! Fine! More importantly..."
She brushed her long hair behind her ear, carefully hiding the blush.
"...After running... what do we do...?"
"Just got paid, so how about strolling downtown?"
Leo calmly outlined the escape plan.
Eat together somewhere.
Tea sounds good too.
Stopping by a portrait shop wouldn't be bad.
For an excuse, say looking for the item lost during the assassin incident—how's that?
To her, it was clearly a date plan.
Not to Leo at all.
The Sage glared in contempt as if looking at society's refuse, but it wasn't.
"...Th-that... sounds good!"
"Glad you think so. Shall we?"
"Yeah...!! Let's do that!"
She'd worried when fleeing the dress, but with Leo solidly on her side, no concerns left.
'Might even be better...!'
"Tuxedos are tough for me too. Not as bad as dresses, but..."
But as repeatedly stated, Aria was a genius.
Reflexes and judgment beyond human—superhuman.
"Tuxedo...?"
So she didn't miss Leo's offhand short word. Her hearing was nothing to scoff at.
"Ah... yeah. Alfred got me one."
Alfred had prepared a tuxedo for Leonardo in his past life too.
Though older then, perhaps soothing Aria last time influenced it—he got it earlier this time.
"...So... you'll wear it...?"
"...Yeah? If joining the party, probably have to."
Under the premise she'd attend, that was. And Leonardo didn't know.
'...Tuxedo... Leo's tuxedo...!'
That this genius was gathering all thoughts, agonizing in conflict.
'Come to think, Leo always wore comfy clothes...'
He hadn't bought none in a month, but Leo had never worn—or even seen—something perfectly tailored like a tuxedo.
'...Must be... amazing...?'
Endless conflict and torment.
[Why's she acting up?]
[Dunno? Feeling unwell?]
Unfortunately, an incomprehensible anguish to the two mentally deficient.
A shame.
'...But... a date beats a tuxedo anyway. Totally different from just buying a gift...'
"Plus, social dances must be hard for you too, Miss Aria."
As her brain cells overloaded, Leo spoke up again.
"...Huh? Uh-huh!"
Startled but freed from her dilemma, Aria could respond.
"I'm not a fan of social dances either. Good we skipped together."
"Right! Skipping together... wait, together?"
Again, "together" caught her ear.
"Together...? Social dance...?"
"Ah, yeah. Alfred asked me to convince you to dance with him as much as possible. Figured might as well together... but you don't like dancing..."
Too many rewards to refuse.
Leo had no intent to force.
Pondering why not created gut-burning agony for onlookers.
"Wow...! Miss...!"
Beyond that, the servants added no further exclamations. Not because it was plain or unfit.
The transformation left viewers speechless; the dress endlessly accentuated the delicate beauty barely hidden by armor.
"...R-really? Not weird?"
Now, her worry wasn't the dress's discomfort. Only what one boy—her partner—would feel mattered.
"Yes! Everyone will love it!!"
"...L-Leo... too...?"
Hard to say or ask more. The blood rushing to her neck and face indirectly explained why.
"Let's go! Sirica will be thrilled too!!"
That'd be nice, but better was showing Leo's equally flushed face.
The door opened, filling Aria's view with the splendid ballroom. Neither the chandelier's dazzling lights nor the peers dazzling high society in equally bright attire satisfied the girl Ariasfil.
'...Leo...! Where's Leonardo...!'
So clutching her dress hem, she began roaming the hall.
Faster than to father the Family Head or birthday star mother—she wanted to show him first.
That instant, Leo's figure appeared amid the crowd. His tuxedo attire started registering.
"...Leo!! Leonar...!"
She couldn't call his full name.
"...do..."
Her voice sank.
Inevitably so.
Leonardo was blushing now. Wearing a troubled, flustered expression.
Not at her, but another girl.
Surrounded by three or four women, giggling away.
Ariasfil's eyes were already dead.
She sorely regretted not having a sword at her waist right then.