Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Missing You - 2
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"Welcome. Sister. You're later than I expected? And... what happened to you? You look a mess."
Her cousin and the head of the duchy, a beauty with deep blue short hair, wore a smile brimming with arrogance.
Leventia's gaze remained as calm as possible as she faced her.
She herself was clad in armor, without any makeup.
Cecil sat on the throne in a lavish dress, fully adorned and made up.
Though they shared similar features, the two exuded completely opposing auras as they regarded each other steadily.
"Why does someone who helped take down the Demon King as a member of the Hero Party go around dressed like that? Short on cash? Want some?"
Cecil, clearly displeased with the practical armor, lightly raised her hand. Moments later, the duchy's armor smiths approached Leventia.
"We can fit you for a new suit of armor. Something very efficient. It's the same kind we're planning to introduce to our knight order soon..."
"I'm fine."
This armor still bore the Sage's touch. It was the armor enchanted with his personal spells and incantations in the village they stopped at before slaying the Demon King.
She didn't want anyone else touching it.
Leventia waved off the approaching smiths, who hesitated, glanced at Cecil, and only then backed away.
"If you're attending someone else's birthday party, shouldn't you dress up a bit more properly?"
"This armor is my formal wear."
"You're still as stubborn as ever."
Silence fell once more. Archduke Cecil looked down at Leventia and flicked her hand dismissively.
"You've gotten so boring."
"......"
"You used to be at least a little entertaining to watch. Like when you were with the Sage."
Leventia glared at Cecil intently. Only then did Cecil grin mischievously and continue teasing.
"You seemed to shine when the Sage was around. But now? You look like a lost child who doesn't even know which way to go."
Cecil was vain and prideful, but that wasn't all there was to her. She had risen to the position of Archduke, even if it was through her family's influence.
She had a keen eye for people.
That was why her assessment struck Leventia's heart with terrifying accuracy.
It was true that ever since losing—no, abandoning—the Sage, she no longer knew what she should do or how.
It was true that she'd grown and shone brightest when she struggled to keep up with him by her side, when he guided her path.
It was true that after kicking away that light, pushing away the one who had held her steady, she'd become like a drowned rat, trembling in fear.
That was why Leventia had no retort to Cecil's mockery.
"A hero who saved the world by slaying the Demon King, and this is how she carries herself... Hmph."
Disappointment flickered across Cecil's face. It was easy to see that the Leventia before her now was far stronger than the one she'd met during the Demon King subjugation journey.
But back then, she'd seemed unbeatable. Now? Leventia just seemed like someone she could take.
Perhaps that was...
"Ah, Leventia."
Cecil called out to her as she turned to head to her lodgings, smiling brightly.
"I heard. The Sage left the Hero Party, right?"
Leventia flinched, her shoulders trembling, but Cecil didn't miss it.
Wasn't it the Sage's absence that had turned that once radiant and powerful Leventia into this?
Her interest piqued.
It felt like she'd found a magnificent gem worthy of an Archduke like herself.
What if the Sage who had left Leventia ended up staying by her side instead?
Then...
Masking her surging ambition, Cecil smiled sweetly.
"I heard you're trying to win him back. Not going so well?"
"...What business is it of yours?"
"Fair enough. Go rest. We'll depart tomorrow, so keep that in mind."
With that curt dismissal, Cecil sent her away. Leventia stared at her intently before walking out.
Once Leventia was gone, Cecil recalled the Sage she'd met in the past.
He was quite the odd one. Following the Hero Party without even a divine blessing, asking for nothing in return.
Even amid the Hero Party's bullying, insults, and beatings, he just smirked vacantly.
A man with a cheeky smile and attitude that hid a thorough ability to keep his distance—one of the most unique people she'd ever encountered.
Remembering him, who had merely intrigued her back then, Cecil smiled faintly.
The next day.
The journey began toward Leydin, the continent's most famous resort destination, to celebrate Archduke Cecil's birthday on behalf of the duchy.
***
"...Archduke Cecil, huh."
"Have you met her before too, Master?"
It was probably around chapter 8 of the main story. They'd captured one of the Demon King's minions and visited the duchy, where Cecil had casually helped me out when Leventia and Evangeline were chewing me out.
Well, less "helped" and more like she did it to needle Leventia—no, the Hero Party specifically.
Still, it was true that things got a bit easier for me thanks to her.
Beyond that, both the game's evaluation and my personal one pegged her as a decent person.
The reason was simple.
There were a few easy achievements you could snag by going through her.
"She tries to uphold etiquette as a high-ranking noble and maintains her dignity. Sure, she's vain and loves dressing up to show off. But she knows where to draw the line."
"I see."
"I didn't like her much. She's always trying to hype herself up. And that bravado..."
"For those in power, bravado is part of the skillset. You have to know how to package yourself to pressure others."
Lucille found it fascinating that Veronica and I differed in our assessments, while Bermund sided with Veronica.
"Anyway, as the owner of Leydin, she's a bit of a hassle. Always making needless demands. Even now, she's going on about throwing herself the grandest birthday party fit for her, yapping away. Ugh. Leydin has some of the finest chefs, musicians, jesters, and dancers around. Yesterday, she was asking for a new singer and performer. Even though we already had Leydin's top singers."
Lark's eyes lit up at that, and he cleared his throat to start singing, only for the Lily Knight Order members to hurriedly stop him.
I wish that guy knew when to read the room.
"Isn't fulfilling a guest's request a bit much to call 'annoying'? Anyway, whatever our opinions, we just do our thing and that's that. No need to stress."
No matter who's around, the important thing is our vacation.
Lucille nodded slightly at my words, and Veronica agreed.
"And even if she's an Archduke, she won't get a special suite."
Leventia wouldn't have special suite booking privileges either.
We probably wouldn't run into them at all.
"Right. Alright, let's go."
Under Bermund's guidance, the group headed deeper into Leydin.
The bustling, glamorous streets were filled with vacationers who'd come to Leydin.
Not just humans—various races mingled there, with Leydin's guards patrolling to maintain order.
"This feels like a city-state, almost."
"You could say that."
Lark wagged his tail as he spotted a Skykin soldier flying patrol overhead. Surveillance from the skies must keep the peace well. While Lucille marveled at the sight, they soon arrived at the entrance to Leydin's massive resort grounds.
"Alright, then the Lily Knight Order should head to the Rose Pavilion."
"We're here as escorts..."
"Do you doubt Leydin's security?"
The eagle-eyed glare made the Lily Knight Order's escort captain grimace bitterly as he looked at me. But these were Leydin's rules, so I couldn't intervene.
"It's fine. Master's here too."
"If that's the case... Sage. Then we'll..."
"You rest up too. The Rose Pavilion's pretty nice."
"Yes. Then..."
As the Lily Knight Order members headed to another building, I glanced at Lark and Willkus. Why aren't these two going?
"We're here on a commission, so we have to go to the main building."
"Yep! Together everywhere!"
How do you say something so horrifying so casually?
Willkus, whose single casual remark sent shivers down my spine, strolled along gawking at the sights, and soon we reached the main mansion. Suit-clad Skykin staff greeted us courteously.
"Welcome. We extend our warmest regards to your visit to Leydin."
"We'll escort you right away. Leave your luggage here."
The Skykin staff took the bags and flew into the sky. Leydin's special suites were at the very top of the mansion. As they headed straight up, I presented a golden pass.
"Verified. Alright, let's head up."
Moments later, Skykin staff descended carrying a large palanquin. Lucille and Veronica looked puzzled, but I boarded with Bermund and said,
"Climb on. This is how you get to the special suite."
"Uh... Can't we walk? I'm not used to palanquins..."
"Me neither."
High society sure hates using their own legs.
Still, rules were rules, so Bermund just smiled.
"It's the special suite. Not just anyone can go there."
Lucille and Veronica boarded the palanquin cautiously. And shortly after.
"Eek?!"
"W-Woah!"
The palanquin took to the air. I'd ridden it a few times, so I was used to it, but floating in the sky felt awkward to them. They clung tightly to my arms, which naturally ended up wedged between their ample cleavages.
Hmm.
If it were strangers, I'd tell them to buzz off, but these were people I had some real feelings for, so... yeah, it was kinda nice.
"U-Uwaaa..."
"This is safe, right? Yeah? It is, right?"
"Hahaha. It's fine. It's fine. Look down there. Quite the sight."
You don't get views like this from the sky every day. Even in the game, the scene on first arriving at Leydin was pretty popular on YouTube.
I enjoyed the cool breeze while gazing below, but Veronica and Lucille wouldn't even look down.
"Acrophobic?"
"They're just not used to it."
"Wonder if they'll be able to enjoy themselves like this. One of the special suite packages includes a stroll in the sky garden."
"Should we skip that one?"
As I chatted with Bermund, the palanquin continued soaring. Soon, it came to a stop, and they finally opened their eyes.
Of course, they had no intention—or so—of letting go of my arms.
"I-Is it over?"
"Is it done...?"
"Yeah. Let's get down."
I disembarked with them. Feeling the solid floor beneath them brought visible relief, and they gasped in admiration at the lavish special suite.
"Wow..."
The special suite took up the entire rooftop of the main building, like a luxury villa. A vast swimming pool stretched out in front of the ornate structure, its far end made of glass for a clear view below.
There were plenty of other amenities too, with staff on standby around the clock to take you anywhere as needed.
Of course, you could stay put if you wanted— they'd bring everything to you.
"Whoa... It's amazing..."
Even Lucille, accustomed to splendid palace life, was awestruck. As she hesitated in wonder, I nodded, and she shyly followed the Skykin staff inside with Veronica to tour the place.
While they explored the special suite,
"Kyaaaaah!!"
A piercing scream echoed from below. What the hell?
I couldn't believe something like that could happen in Leydin. Bermund and I tilted our heads.
"Trouble?"
"Seems like it."
And that voice... I knew it well.
I leaped down with Bermund. After landing with gravity magic, I checked where the scream came from.
I tilted my head.
What the...? That's...
Beyond the glass window inside, a visibly flustered Cecil and Leventia stood with weapons drawn, surrounded by mysterious assailants.
Just from that, the situation was clear.
Someone had sent assassins to kill Cecil.
And.
A situation like that in Leydin was utterly unacceptable to its owner, Bermund—and to me, who needed to meet her later for some free achievements.
How dare they interfere with my achievements.
"...I'll rip them all apart!"
Author's Note
Hello, this is Malmulmalmul.
I have something important to tell you today.
To get straight to the point, we'll be going premium in a few days.
It was just a hobby writing gig, so I was on the fence, but I figured I'd give premium a shot and try making some illustrations too.
Anyway, that's the plan.
Looking forward to your support ^^
See you tomorrow! Bye~