Chapter 114.

“…… Teacher?”

An unexpected request, I blinked blankly.” But you …… you said you don’t use real swords.”

Thinking back to a certain time. After knowing that he was ostracized in the Knights, he bought him a bunch of wooden swords and training items to prevent being casually ignored.

Master, this is enough for me.

Because there are real swords, there’s no point in looking at them.

Because slaves can’t become full-fledged knights. So you only need the wooden swords needed for training.

By then, Ikris didn’t seem too enamored with swordplay. Seems only keen on attaching to me.

If it’s for me, simply pretend you don’t know and stay put. Nothing, so. That’s why I had to get him the Ancient Magic Sword. It was all for my own safety. There was no special loyalty to me, no love, no anxiety. Immersed in memories, my low voice woke me up.

“…… Obviously ……”

“I changed my mind.”

Ikris and Wet Eyes closed and chanted clearly.

“Not only will this be disobeying my master’s orders, but I will continue to fall behind in my training.”

“I need a teacher to teach me.”

“Orders?”

Blurring what I was saying for a moment, I immediately remembered what command the next words were.

“I will work hard and create a bit of sword strength that I can use.”

“Ikris. That sentence is ……”

“It doesn’t matter if I can’t escape my slavery.”

In defense, blocking me who opened his mouth, Ikris pleaded.” I just want to use the sword for my master. Then …… you’ll let me do it, right?” He looked at me with strange eyes. Seeing him like this, the mood became strange.

When did ………… he start to become like this?

Ikris, who always had dry, expressionless eyes, had recently begun to show fragments of feelings that had no idea of their significance.

Moreover, the fact that he, who had no pressing hopes, had asked for something so clearly was a shock in itself.

I quickly lowered my head. For the first time, his favorability level had dropped and only looked mixed. The bitter melon came, and to find out if it would help you, you had to eat it instead.

“…So you’ll participate in training properly from now on, right?”

I recalled the reason I found this place and extended my pinky to him. He looked at me in surprise.

“I promise.”

“I said, don’t disappear for no reason like this time.” Please don’t stop there until I’ve escaped.

Ikris looks down at my outstretched pinky finger. Then, he immediately laced my finger up, lowered his eyes, and replied sheepishly.

“…… I promise.”

Ikeli’s hands are much, much bigger than mine. Feeling the warmth of another’s hand, wrapping strongly around my fingers like a vine, I nodded heavily.

“I know.”

“If that’s what you want, I’m all ears.”

I wasn’t sure that would work, I said with bravado. The Knights weren’t stupid enough to say it was beyond my authority in the face of declining goodwill.

Minus < System> [10 million gold].

to see [Ikris]’s favorability.

(Remaining reserved funds:70,000,000 gold)

I smiled brightly like a blooming flower.” So don’t cry. Okay?”

[Favorability 88%]

12% later. For me, no matter what he wants, the only thing that’s the answer is to listen unconditionally.

***

Was deep in thought at the time, slowly walking out of the dormitory building.” Miss.”

I was almost at the door when suddenly someone called out to me.

“Ah, Deacon.”

“Are things taken care of?”

“Uh, what ……”

I gave a perfunctory answer and changed the subject.

“Where are the men?”

“Fulfilled as instructed.”

“Yeah? Hard work.”

Honestly, there’s not much to look forward to when you’re asked to go for once. Anyway, Derrick didn’t read it, and he wouldn’t take my word for it too well. Even if he did believe it, he’d be considered to be rolling a little in extended arms.” No big deal, on the way to the mansion.

“But ……”

“Hmm?”

“About what just happened, I said I’d like the young duke to watch for a while.”

The deacon added unexpected words.” The …… first Orani?”

Unable to help but ask warily, I was momentarily distressed. Hadn’t gotten the ideas and plans together yet. Instead of striking while the iron is hot even for the Iron Horns, I’d do better today than when I couldn’t get things done.

I nodded to Deacon.” Back now.”

***

The office Derrick uses is located on the west side of the mansion in the opposite direction from where the Duke’s office is located.

I looked around continuously as I moved after Deacon. It was rusty to think about, not having been on this side before.

After a while, the deacon stopped in front of the tall, ancient door.

“Young Duke. Miss Penelope is here.”

“Let her in.”

The deacon’s hand opened the door. With a slight feeling of nervousness, I moved in.

Derrick’s office, which I had seen a few times through the game illustrations but had visited in person, was unfamiliar. As much as it showed the cold character of its owner, the inner office seemed bleak, restrained, and murderous. For that brief moment when I entered it, I ended my appreciation of the interior and suddenly stopped dead in my tracks.

What …… was that?

A window frame in front of a glass window illuminated by the bright midday sun. Beautiful rented cages that were incongruous with the bleak atmosphere of the interior room were placed. Inside was a gorgeous bird that I had seen for the first time in my life.

There.

Beep, beep.

The bird sitting on the torch flapped its wings warily. At the same time, a few feathers landed on the floor of the blue sky cage. It was as beautiful as azaleas floating in the air.

Did he keep such a pet?

Surprised by the aesthetics that were completely unsuitable for that filthy character.

It was the moment when he removed his eyes from the pink bird in the cage and just turned his head.

The eyes and the blue eyes were facing each other head on, so cold. The owner of the bird was sitting at a desk piled high with papers, gazing quietly at me as I walked in.

“So it seems …… this is the first time I’ve seen you since the hunting competition.”

Still orange with the goodwill gauge clearly visible, but didn’t pay much attention to it. I stopped some distance away from the desk. There was a temporary chill between him and me. But it was me down there, and I suppressed a quiet defiance and bowed my head in greeting.

“You called me.”

He nodded. It was a brother-sister greeting, but it was insincere and office-like.

“Sit down for a while. There’s still some work left, so let’s have a conversation when we’re done.” Derrick said with his chin chinning the reception table behind him. In front of the window with the cage. Calling people in, I do things cold, but I dutifully turn around and head that way. For wanting to see the bird.

“Beep.”

Watching the impending arrival of me, the bird once again lifts its wings in alarm. So instead of approaching the cage, I sat on the couch in front of it and watched.

The unknown bird put up its dark pink curly tail like a nine-tailed fox. The animal was also in a truly elegant pose.

Not only that. Wasn’t it true that the bird’s body sparkled every time there was movement.” What?”

Upon closer inspection, in addition to the really pink fur, the beak, claws, and eyes were all really peculiar looking. It’s like a diamond reflected by the sunlight and gives off colorful light. Big hair.” It’s amazing.

The most prominent of them were the crystalline gems.

Lost in thought, I watched the beautiful bird’s gesture. Suddenly, arms reach out from the side. Dahl cocktail.

“Would you like to see it?”

Someone puts a teacup on the table directly in front of me. An accidental glance up and Derrick, who had just lifted himself up, was walking around the couch to the opposite side.” No.”

Out of politeness, the cup of tea that was brought up was colorless and instantly declined. This was due to the leisurely ride in with the guy.

Derek, sitting across the room, paused for a moment at my answer. Then nodded absently and poured the kettle over my cup.

Gulp. Straight away we were still always ready, curls of heat rising from the reddened liquid.

Setting down the teapot, the guy said bluntly.

“There’s friction with the knights again.”

“Yes.”

I nodded impatiently.

“You may have heard of the steward, but I didn’t start it or retaliate in addition.” As if in defense, it was hard to say. But having already been through a police risk that was all my fault, there wasn’t much that could be done.

In addition, in order to achieve small ends, one must be prepared. So I reluctantly opened my mouth.

“Besides, it looks like I’m training without authorization.”

“It might be electrified later, so I wanted to tell you in advance the extent to which something like this happened ……”

“Okay.”

But Derrick suddenly raised his hand and interrupted me. And then . . .” What punishment do you want to give them?”