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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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“My master and the others thought so too. How did you deduce that?”
Lagnis asked, sounding genuinely surprised and pleased.
“It just felt fishy…?”
Honestly, I wondered if it was really that surprising, but perhaps her reaction was understandable.
After all, predicting or anticipating situations is usually based on experience and knowledge, unless you’re a genius of course.
If someone who didn’t even know the king’s name accurately guessed international affairs without any information, anyone would be shocked.
The thought that I might have appeared that way to Lagnis sent a shiver down my spine.
“Take the academy you and Cheryl attend, for example. It’s the same principle, just on a different scale.”
“Hmm… is that so?”
“More importantly, it’s already been five years since the hero’s training began. Bringing it up now, depending on the outcome, could expose their incompetence. The casual way they proposed it is also suspicious. It feels more like a challenge, a ‘come and see for yourself’ kind of thing.”
I hastily added more details to downplay my deduction, while internally reviewing my reasoning.
What I said was true.
Wasn’t this like a nuclear weapons demonstration?
Behold our anti-Demon Lord weapon!
‘If you don’t want to be on our bad side when we kill the Demon Lord and conquer the demon realm, you better get in line.’
That’s the only way I could interpret their invitation.
…Huh?
“The more I think about it, the more absurd and infuriating it becomes.”
“Huh? What?”
“While some of us are grinding our teeth and losing everything because of the demon army, those who chose the hero are playing political games? What if the hero’s training is actually finished, and they’re just testing the waters?”
As I reached that conclusion, I couldn’t help but tremble with anger, my teeth grinding.
Inter-nation power struggles prioritize their national interests, so I could understand that aspect.
It’s all business in the end.
But to portray the demon army as a global threat, the enemy of humanity, and then pull this kind of stunt?
It was beyond deceptive.
Was it too much to add someone from the Empire to my kill list, along with the demon commanders?
Why did it feel like I kept encountering nothing but utter scum?
“E-Eldmia? Are you alright?”
I snapped back to reality as I felt Lagnis’s warm hand on my fist.
She had approached me at some point.
Wow.
Was this what true rage felt like?
I was momentarily dumbfounded.
“Uh…? Oh, sorry. I’m so sorry. I lost myself for a moment.”
I hadn’t realized how tightly I was clenching my fist, my nails digging into my palm.
The surge of anger had numbed the pain, but now I felt a stinging sensation as I noticed the marks on my hand.
“…Wait a moment.”
Lagnis, who had been watching me with a worried expression, went to her desk and retrieved something.
“This powder helps activate mana.”
She brought back something resembling a cough drop tin my father used to carry in my previous life.
It even contained similar-looking powder, which triggered an instinctive aversion.
But Lagnis, as if it were the most natural thing to do, took a pinch of the powder and applied it to the wounds on my palm.
Ugh, the thought of that powder on my wounds made my skin crawl.
But despite the foreign substance, I felt no pain.
“It might not be as effective as divine power, but it boosts self-healing. This powder enhances that effect. A swordsman shouldn’t injure their palms so easily.”
Lagnis clasped my hands, gently rubbing the wounds as she began casting a spell, forcing a smile.
“…Fortunately, the wounds aren’t too deep. If you had channeled your magic while clenching your fist, wouldn’t you have punched a hole through your hand?”
“That… Ha. You’re right. My fingers would have popped out the back.”
“Ugh. That’s rather gruesome.”
“Heh. Sorry. It’s been a while, and I showed you such an unsightly side of myself.”
It was nothing short of impulsive.
Getting so emotionally swayed by mere speculation, without any concrete evidence, was unlike me, especially in this world.
Perhaps I had let my guard down after beating up Dantel.
“I understand. I’d be furious too if I thought that way, regardless of whether it’s true or not.”
Lagnis, one of the few who could relate to my situation, dismissed my outburst as nothing, instead trying to shift the mood with a cheerful tone.
“Anyway! They’ve decided that we’re in no position to refuse the Empire’s request. So it seems I’ll have to go to the Empire soon.”
“I assume the royal family promised compensation?”
“Heheh. Of course. We’ve reached a satisfactory agreement, so that’s not an issue.”
“Then something else must be the problem. You wouldn’t have called me here unless you needed help.”
I shrugged, prompting her to continue.
Lagnis, still holding my hand, fidgeted her fingers, seemingly unaware of the contact.
“W-Would you come with me, if you don’t mind?”
“To the Empire?”
“…Yes.”
“No.”
I could help, but I couldn’t afford to waste time.
Unlike Lagnis, who had already achieved her revenge, I was still racing against the clock.
Traveling to the Empire as a Margrave would require a procession of carriages, not even traveling with wyverns.
It would take at least a month.
My immediate refusal brought a crestfallen look to Lagnis’s face, but I drew a firm line.
“It’s too far.”
However, my words instantly brightened her expression as she exclaimed,
“Oh! We’re not going by carriage! We’ll use a gate!”
“Oh? Really?”
It seemed the kingdom was providing substantial support.
I thought gates weren’t readily accessible.
“Then of course I’ll help. When are we leaving?”
“Thank you!”
Before I could tell Lagnis to maintain some composure as she hugged me tightly, I decided to simply pat her back.
Despite having Radnelband and other supporters, Lagnis was still an orphan.
I had Asirye as a pseudo-family to rely on, but Lagnis was likely still insecure.
So I figured she wanted to lean on me, someone who had been a source of strength during her difficult times.
“Alright, alright. Now tell me when we’re leaving.”
“Preparations are underway, so perhaps in a week? I’ve already informed Sir Ekaf and Cheryl, so there won’t be any issues once you confirm.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem.”
Engrim’s request was a factor, but judging by her urgency, it wouldn’t take a whole week. Depending on the circumstances, I could even expedite the request by leveraging various means. It would work out somehow.
After embracing me with all her might, Lagnis beamed with joy.
“Ha… I’m so relieved…”
-Knock. Knock.
Just then, a knock and a voice interrupted us.
“My lady, I’ve brought the tea.”
Ah, she had rung the bell earlier.
It must have been for tea.
Startled by the voice, Lagnis cleared her throat and said in a dignified tone,
“Enter.”
“You little…!”
This crazy girl!
She had no idea what she was doing!
The time it took to suppress my rising panic, swiftly lift Lagnis, practically throw her onto the opposite sofa, and regain my composure felt like an eternity.
Lagnis, who had been dumbfounded until then, finally understood her near blunder as the door opened.
She managed to sit properly on the sofa just in time, her face flushing crimson.
Her composure, despite her embarrassment, was remarkable.
The maid entered, oblivious to our near mishap, set the tea, and left.
“Whew. That was close.”
“Ha, ha! I was so startled.”
“Get a grip. You’re a Margrave. You’ll be in serious trouble if you keep acting like this.”
This grown woman, past her coming-of-age, was too clingy.
“I, I don’t usually act like this with just anyone…”
As I shot her a disapproving look, Lagnis lowered her head, fidgeting her fingers, her face turning even redder.
She was literally blushing from head to toe.
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