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040 Strict
Training
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Translator : PolterGlast
I opened the front
door of my mansion, and Anneliese practically pounced on me. I caught her soft
body and touched her breasts. This wasn't intentional. My hand just happened to
be there, and so were her breasts.
"Master..."
she murmured.
Behind her, Rosalina
and all the servants were waiting. Even though it was late at night, they had
waited for my return.
"Anneliese,
everyone. I'm home," I said.
A chorus of
"Welcome home!" filled the air. I never thought those words could
feel so comforting.
"I'm fine. I've
safely returned," I reassured them, prompting the servants to go to bed.
"Mondark. I
apologize for the late hour, but I'd like to speak with you briefly. Please
wait in the living room."
"Understood,"
he replied.
I looked at Anneliese,
who wouldn't let go of me. "It's late, Anneliese. You should go to bed
too."
"I want to be
with Master," she insisted.
"Alright then...
I'm going to the living room, so can you let go?" I asked.
"Can't I stay
like this?" she asked, with that adorable, upward gaze. Ugh. How can I
refuse such a cute look?
"Fine," I
conceded. She was like a child.
"Rosalina, you go
rest first," I told her.
"I want to be
with Master too!" she chirped. My slaves are a handful.
I led the two of them
into the living room, where Mondark had already prepared some herbal tea. The
caffeine-free herbal tea gently soothed my body, which was stiff from tension.
"This is
delicious, Mondark," I said.
"Thank you,
Master," he replied.
I motioned for Mondark
to sit and then told him I had become an Honorary Baron.
"Congratulations,
Master," he said. Is it really something to congratulate? Is it generally
considered a joyous occasion? Am I not normal?
"Congratulations,
Master!" Anneliese exclaimed.
"Congratulations,
Master!" Rosalina added. Anneliese and Rosalina were happy for me, but it
still felt like a landmine waiting to explode. Was I the only one who saw a
future where the Duke would use me as he pleased?
"I need to hire
one knight and five soldiers by the end of the year. I've only just arrived in
this land, so I don't know anyone suitable, nor do I know what kind of people
would be good. Do you have anyone in mind, Mondark?" I asked.
"I, too, haven't
been here long, but I do have one knight in mind," Mondark replied.
"Really? What
kind of person is he?" I asked, leaning forward eagerly. Mondark cleared
his throat once, prompting me to sit back and take a sip of my herbal tea.
"He is from the
same country as myself and was formerly a knight. Due to certain circumstances,
he has also come to Kerniff, just like myself," Mondark explained. If he
was a former knight, he would have received knightly training. If his character
was good, I wanted to hire him.
"What's his
character like?" I asked.
"He is a serious
individual. He can be a bit inflexible due to his seriousness, but he is a
trustworthy person," Mondark replied. I don't dislike seriousness, but
everything has its limits. Excessive seriousness can be harmful.
"I'd like to meet
this person. Can you arrange it?"
"Understood. I
will contact him." I hoped that person would work out. Many explorers
seemed to be already claimed by other nobles, including the Duke, so if I got
into a tight spot, I could always rely on Zaigen.
"Also, I don't
understand anything about nobles. I was told to read these documents, but I
don't think everything is written in them. Mondark, please tell me about
nobles, as much as you know."
"I don't know how
much help I can be, Master, but I will assist you with all my might."
"Alright. That
helps." Since it was late, we decided to discuss the details tomorrow
after I returned from the castle.
Well, time to take a
bath and rest. Anneliese wouldn't leave my side. Rosalina didn't follow me to
the bath, but Anneliese did. Of course, we bathed together. We washed each
other's bodies. I meticulously touched every inch of Anneliese's body with the
purpose of washing her. I was glad I had changed my job to Enchanter with its
highest MIN value. I felt my self-control was supported by MIN.
Rosalina was waiting
outside the bath. I didn't think she needed to join us, but it was cold, so she
could've waited in the room. When we went to bed, Anneliese was on my left, and
Rosalina was on my right. This was the usual. But tonight, both of them were
clinging to my arms as they slept.
Being taken away by
Barukan must have been very scary and unsettling for them. I felt bad about
that.
"I'm not going
anywhere," I murmured.
"Yes,"
Anneliese replied.
"Yes,"
Rosalina echoed.
I put my arms around
both of them and stroked their hair. I wouldn't leave these two for anything.
Even if I had to escape, I'd definitely take them with me, so they could rest
assured.
*
"Gah..." I
knelt on the ground, breathing heavily. This whole situation was Barukan's
fault.
"Stand. Stand and
swing your sword," he commanded. For some reason, I was being forced to
swing a sword. This must be what "no questions asked" means.
This was right after I
had decided on my crest with the herald. Barukan, with an incredibly fierce
expression, grabbed my shoulder as I was about to leave. I was led away like a
cow to slaughter, suddenly handed a sword, and told to strike at Barukan. It
had been about three hours since then...
"W-water..."
I gasped.
"One does not
drink water during training," Barukan retorted. Are you a Showa-era sports
coach!?
"A-a
break..." I pleaded.
"You cannot
become strong by taking breaks," he declared. I can become strong if I
level up!
This guy is completely
a Showa-era sports fanatic. No, he's like an army drill sergeant from before
the war.
I wonder if he's going
to kill me after all...
*
At some point, I must
have lost consciousness.
"!" I sat
up, my entire body aching. How many years had it been since I last felt muscle
soreness? My arms trembled, my legs shook, and a sharp pain shot through me
when I tried to move even slightly.
"You're awake.
It's pathetic to collapse from that much," Barukan stated. I'm not a
monster like you!
"You will die on
the battlefield if you are like that," he added. I don't want to go to a
battlefield!
"Train. Then, you
can survive on the battlefield." I don't think so, but is he actually
worried about me?
"Now, let's
continue," he said.
Gah!?
*
By the time I returned
to the mansion, it was night. My entire body ached, and it took me a very long
time to get back.
That bastard Barukan,
I'll beat him someday. I'll definitely win. And I'll send Barukan flying!
It's frustrating, but
this is perfect for honing my swordsmanship, which I lack. Relying solely on
levels might lead to a plateau someday. I'll think of it positively, as an
unexpected opportunity for sword training. Someone like Barukan seems to
possess strength beyond his level, so I'll develop fundamental abilities that
don't depend on level. And then I'll defeat that monster and make him lick the
ground.
"Welcome home,
Master."
"Welcome
home."
"I'm home,"
I replied.
The two of them
supported me as I almost collapsed.
"What happened to
you?" Anneliese asked.
"Are you
alright?" Rosalina added.
"That bastard
Barukan just gave me a hard time. It's just terrible muscle soreness," I
explained.
Mondark approached
silently and bowed. "The bath is ready. Please enter."
"That
helps," I said. A capable butler knows what's needed. I really wanted to
soak in a bath to soothe my muscle fatigue.
Supported by the two,
I made my way to the bath. They helped me undress. Anneliese naturally
undressed too, while Rosalina exited the room. If I reached out, I could touch
Anneliese's delicate skin. The demon (my right hand) and the angel (my left
hand) wrestled within me.
"What's wrong,
Master?" Anneliese asked, looking puzzled at my left hand stopping my
right hand.
"N-nothing. My
whole body just hurts," I stammered.
"Is that so?
Then, I will support you," she replied.
Boing! Squish!
Her breasts are
touching me! Two large breasts supported me. The sensation of her soft skin,
the sensation of her breasts, infiltrated my brain.
She washed my body,
and Anneliese was even more proactive than usual. No, no, no! My son is too
energetic; he's about to explode!
"Master... I will
wash your front," Anneliese said.
"O-oh..." I
replied.
Since there was no
soap, she poured warm water and gently washed me, but having my "son"
gently handled was truly problematic. What should I do with this explosive
energy!?
Right! I'll think
about other things! I'll think about the crest I decided on today.
The ducal family's
crest featured two dragons facing each other, grasping a dragon orb. The crests
of marquises and counts under the Duke featured one dragon with some accent.
Viscounts and barons often used designs of wolves or tigers. Lower-ranked
knights mostly used swords, spears, and shields.
I chose the wisteria
plant. My family crest in Japan used wisteria. I figured those Heroes wouldn't
know my family crest, so I chose a design with wisteria hanging down on both
sides, though not exactly identical. No noble used wisteria in their crest. The
herald didn't even know what wisteria was, and said it was quite rare for a
noble to use a plant as a crest.
After leaving the
bath, I handed the crest design to Mondark. This crest would be displayed on
the mansion's gate. It would also be incorporated into the armor of knights and
soldiers. The crest would be used in various places.
Also, let's make some
soap. I remember making it in science class, so I remember the ingredients. I
should be able to do it. After all, baths definitely need soap. Soap is
essential for a clean life.
The afternoon of my
18th day reincarnated was awful, but the end of the day was good...
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