Volume 8
Chapter 20
"What would you like to drink? We have everything from wines of all ages and countries to distilled liquor, mead, and even rice wine."
"No, please don't
worry about me..."
Nozomu, who had been
led by Mekuria to the salon on the second floor, was facing her at a table set
up in a corner of the luxurious social gathering place. Even while being
offered a drink, Nozomu was directing a gaze full of tension at the alluringly
beautiful woman in front of him. On the other hand, Mekuria, despite being
clearly viewed with suspicion, didn't seem particularly concerned and simply asked
a passing servant for a bottle of vintage red wine. When the servant opened the
wine they had brought, Mekuria divided it into two glasses and offered one to
Nozomu.
"So, what did you
want to talk about?"
Without even looking
at the offered wine, Nozomu frankly threw his question.
"Please don't be
so tense. Considering your relationship with your friends, it can't be helped
that you're on guard, but as for me, I'm just thinking that I'd like to have a
simple chat."
There had been no
particular contact between Nozomu and Mekuria until now. All he knew about
Mekuria was that she served a political enemy of the Francilt family. However,
the fact that he had been bothered by Egurodo in the mock battle during the
day, and above all, the gaze that was being directed at him from behind
Mekuria, had made Nozomu wary.
"..."
Nozomu's gaze was
directed at the owner of the gaze, who was likely behind Mekuria. Mekuria, who
had noticed that his eyes were directed behind her, smiled happily and clapped
her hands. At that moment, as if a shadow were taking form, a single human
figure appeared from behind Mekuria.
"Nice to meet
you, nice to meet you! I am in charge of this young lady's protection, her
errands, and the outlet for her desires..."
"Be quiet."
The one who had
appeared was a slender man with a skin so pale it was morbid. Although he was
dressed in neat formal wear, his tone, which could only be taken as joking, and
his eyes, which were like those of a bird of prey and were the complete
opposite of his tone, were exuding an unparalleled eeriness.
"Eeh!? I finally
got a chance to talk, you know? To deepen our friendship..."
"I have not given
you permission to speak here and now. Just shut that unnecessary mouth."
"Che~"
Even while being
admonished by Mekuria, the gaunt man did not seem to be particularly concerned.
The man sat down in an empty seat at the table where Nozomu and Mekuria were
sitting and began to munch on the tea snacks that had been served.
"My name is...
John Smith, so please, be sure to remember it."
It was a clear alias.
Did he have no intention of telling him his real name from the beginning? A
question floated in Nozomu's mind, but that thought was quickly pushed aside.
Nozomu's entire body, which was filled with tension, tensed up even more. What
was more of a problem than this man's real name was that this man, who could
only be seen as joking, was still directing a clear killing intent at Nozomu.
In particular, a tingling sensation, as if he had been burned, was running
through Nozomu's neck and eyeballs. If he were to let his guard down even a
little, his eyeballs would be gouged out in an instant and his head would be
cut off. It was a killing intent so great that it made him feel such a
premonition.
"..."
Nozomu's switch had
already been flipped. At the killing intent directed at him, his body had
naturally shifted into a combat state. The appearance of the naive student, who
had been flustered in front of the nobles until just before, had disappeared,
and the face of one of the continent's foremost fighters had appeared. His mind
was filled with the spirit to put up the greatest resistance if it came to it.
Perhaps having sensed Nozomu's fighting spirit, the cheeks of the man who
called himself John curled up. The innocence, as if a toddler had found a toy
he had been waiting for, and his morbidly pale skin, combined to form a
gruesome and perverse smile that could not be greater.
"Refrain. This
place is not a battlefield."
Mekuria cut in from
the side and admonished the pale man who was called John. The man, who had
shrugged his shoulders as if to say it couldn't be helped at her words,
withdrew the killing intent he had been directing at Nozomu.
"My apologies, Nozomu-dono.
He is my guard, and although his skills are certain, as you can see, he is
lacking in what is called common sense, so I usually try not to let him be seen
in front of people."
Mekuria bowed her head
deeply to Nozomu. Although Nozomu gave a small nod in reply, his attention was,
as expected, directed at the man who called himself John. It was probably true
that his skills were certain. No one in this place seemed to have noticed the
killing intent that this man had released at Nozomu, let alone his sudden
appearance. It was a terrifying stealth technique. The reason Nozomu had
noticed this man was because this man had been directing his killing intent at
Nozomu from the beginning. If this man who called himself John were to
seriously hide, Nozomu was not confident that he would be able to notice him.
Ignoring Nozomu's anguish, Mekuria, who had moistened her lips with the brought
wine, began to question Nozomu.
"Now then, I will
be blunt. Nozomu-dono, would you be willing to cooperate with me?"
"...Does that
mean to serve the Fabran family?"
"That's right,
you may take it as such. In truth, I am in need of your power."
At Mekuria's remark, a
question mark floated in Nozomu's mind. Because the head of the Fabran family
had, today, given him a scathing evaluation.
"It seems your
master does not think so?"
"To be precise,
the word 'now' would be attached. It seems that you have not yet decided on
your future, Nozomu-dono."
At Mekuria's words,
Nozomu's eyebrows twitched. As for Nozomu, although he was assuming that she
had probably heard about him from Egurodo, it was not an interesting story to
have his own current anguish pointed out with such a triumphant look. On the
other hand, Mekuria, while smiling as if she were enjoying each and every one
of Nozomu's reactions, continued to speak.
"However, as for
me personally, regardless of my master's intentions, I would very much like for
you to come."
"Wouldn't that be
taken as a betrayal, if things go wrong?"
"That's right.
However, I believe that securing a talent like you is far more useful than such
a trivial matter."
"..."
"Egurodo-sama may
look that way, but he is quite a conservative person. Even when bringing an
outsider into his circle, it takes a considerable amount of time. However, he
is by no means an exclusionist. He will not spare any reward for those who have
done a corresponding work."
Egurodo Fabran's
political ideology was very conservative. Regarding the great invasion of ten
years ago, he had insisted that they should stick to logistical support and
should not send troops. He had also flatly denied the founding of Solminati
Academy, and had loudly opposed it, saying that it would accelerate the drain
of the country's talent and technology. On the other hand, the evaluation from
his people and the officers who served him was by no means bad, and he was also
very popular. That was also proof that he knew how to treat those he had judged
to be his own.
"How about it? If
you were to come to my side, I would surely give you a reward that would
satisfy you."
With a bewitching
voice, Mekuria invited Nozomu.
"Whether it be
money, honor, or interests. And also, personally..."
"!"
Before he knew it, Mekuria
had naturally closed the distance to Nozomu. A sweet scent, like honey,
enveloped Nozomu's entire body. At the same time, Nozomu's brain was assaulted
by a sensation as if it had been numbed. His heartbeat naturally quickened, his
vision narrowed, and it reflected only the purple-haired beautiful woman who
was snuggling up to him. The sensation of the rubbing silk was heightening his
instincts as a man. It was very similar to the sight of a carnivorous plant
preying on its prey. It would lure with a sweet scent, offer its dripping
honey, and in exchange, with pleasure, it would devour all of its prey. And the
current Mekuria was exuding an allure so great that it would make a man think
that it was fine to be eaten.
"...I'm sorry,
but I have no intention of serving the Fabran family."
But Nozomu did not
fall for that temptation. Perhaps it was fortunate that he had been wary of
Mekuria from the beginning. He bit his tongue so as not to lose to the allure
of the snuggling Mekuria, and forcibly suppressed his boiling desire with the
pain. What was directed at Mekuria next was not the heightened vigor of a male,
but a cold sword ki directed at an enemy. It was not a heated one like the one
that had been directed at Egurodo, but a fighting spirit that was reminiscent
of the bitter cold of winter.
"Oh my, what a
pity."
Mekuria also did not
seem to be particularly disappointed by Nozomu's reaction, and she moved away
with a natural gesture. Nozomu silently tried to stand up from his seat. To be
honest, as for Nozomu, he did not want to continue talking with the woman in
front of him any longer.
"However, since
it is a rare opportunity, why don't we continue our chat a little longer? For
example, about your friend..."
But Mekuria stopped
Nozomu, who was about to stand up. Since he could not just ignore her, Nozomu
sat down in his chair again.
"What are you
talking about?"
"About Ken
Notice. The pitiful clown who was attacked by that demonic beast and was taken
in. And about Abyss Grief..."
In Nozomu's chilled
heart, heat was once again gathering. The truth of the incident that Ken had
caused. In particular, the content that Abyss Grief was involved was not made
public. Furthermore, as for Ken's subsequent custody, all Nozomu knew was that
he had been sealed in the Gloaurum Institute. As for anything more than that,
since it was a confidential matter even in Arcazam, Nozomu could not touch it.
"Nozomu-dono, you
are attracting more attention than you yourself think. If you were involved in
the incident he caused, then you must know, mustn't you? Aren't you curious
about what happened to him after that?"
On the other hand,
perhaps she had seen right through such an agitation of Nozomu, as Mekuria was
accurately striking Nozomu's vital points. There was no doubt that Nozomu also
wanted to know about Ken's condition. He was an opponent he had faced with his
own will, and had delivered the finishing blow with his own hand. There was no
way he wouldn't be curious. Furthermore, Mekuria continued to release words
that would stir Nozomu's heart.
"Regarding Abyss
Grief, it seems there has been a new discovery. Perhaps it can also be of help
to your power, Nozomu-dono..."
"...What do you
mean?"
Suspicion swelled
within Nozomu at once. Just how much did this woman know about him? What did
she mean, that Abyss Grief would be of help to his power? Various questions and
suspicions were floating up like bubbles. The expression of the pale man who
was grinning next to her was also a factor that was driving Nozomu's
impatience. Mekuria was looking at Nozomu's expression with a satisfied look.
"Fufu, you're so
cute. But you mustn't. If you want to know, you need to pay a corresponding
price."
"..."
He had been led on.
Having come this far, Nozomu was convinced of it. From the beginning, this
woman had intended to get some kind of commitment from Nozomu in this place.
Compared to the nobles from before, it was clearly an outstanding induction
technique. She had investigated Nozomu, had seen through the impatience in his
heart, had induced his agitation, and had skillfully struck at that weakness.
On the other hand, there was almost nothing that Nozomu could do to counter
Mekuria. Even the act of "recruiting Nozomu," which would seem like a
betrayal, from the fact that Mekuria did not seem to be particularly concerned,
it was probably something she could handle. The number and quality of the cards
he held against his opponent were overwhelmingly disadvantageous.
"Good grief, I
was wondering what you were doing, having caught a young bird, and to think
that you were doing such an indecent thing in this glamorous social
gathering."
At that moment, there
was a voice that cut in between Nozomu and Mekuria. When Nozomu turned his eyes
in the direction of the voice, Madam Parline was standing there, dressed in a
luxurious dress, and with her two maids in tow.
"Oh my, Madam
Parline, it has been a while."
Madam Parline glanced
at Mekuria, who was greeting her with a smile, and then took Nozomu's hand with
a smile.
"I'm sorry, but
this one has a prior engagement. I'll have to ask you to continue your chat
another time."
Pulled by Madam
Parline's hand, Nozomu's hips naturally lifted. On the other hand, Mekuria, who
had had her conversation interrupted, with a smile on her face,
"Oh my, you are
rather forceful. As expected of the gluttonous lady who took over a great house
in one generation. How greedy."
"Whatever a stone
woman, who can't even hold onto a single man even with terrible perfume, says
is just going to sound like an excuse."
Tit for tat. In the
face of the unique poisonous tongue-lashing of the nobles, Nozomu was quickly
pushed to the sidelines.
"Unfortunately,
both you and I are just supporting actors in this place. Since the leading actress
is someone else."
"Oh my, is that
so... I just hope it doesn't end in a comedy, with him stepping on her hem at
the end of the dance, you know?"
Madam Parline, who had
taken Nozomu's hand, then linked her own arm with Nozomu's with a natural
gesture. And Madam Parline, with her arm linked, turned on her heel and led
Nozomu out of the salon.
"Madam Parline,
u-um..."
"You've been
caught by a strange woman. Well, I'll praise you for not falling for her
temptation even after she used 'Ishtar's Perfume'."
"Ishtar's
Perfume?"
"It's a powerful
aphrodisiac that will blow your reason away. It's characterized by a sweet
scent, like honey."
It seemed that the
unusual surge of his instincts that Nozomu had felt was due to Mekuria's aphrodisiac.
And it was a rather powerful one at that. The question of whether it was okay
to use such a dangerous thing at such a public party floated in Nozomu's mind.
"It's because the
guard who was next to her was using magic to prevent the scent from spreading,
you know. And besides, such a method is not particularly rare in noble
society."
Madam Parline answered
Nozomu's question. How to attract the attention of the crowd, how to outwit the
opponent. For that, the nobles would use all sorts of means. They would prepare
luxurious outfits and accessories, polish their own appearance and eloquence,
prepare perfumes and accessories that would charm people, have excellent
attendants by their side, and cram information about their opponents into their
heads. And without regard for the means, he precisely targeted the weak points.
It was a kind of battle that, even though Nozomu was unfamiliar with it, he
could feel a certain sympathy for.
"..."
Madam Parline looked
up at the silent Nozomu's face. For some reason, her eyes were tinged with a
color as if she were exasperated.
"I don't know
what kind of problems you're facing. Or how much that woman knows."
"Am I that easy
to read?"
"Well, yes. You
need to be a little more relaxed. A gentleman, no matter what kind of difficult
situation he is facing, will not panic, and will always have a smile on his
face."
Always be relaxed and
behave gracefully. Even if your heart is full of impatience or anxiety, never
show it on your face. As if to tell a toddler, Madam Parline told Nozomu.
"Remember this.
When a woman sees a man who has no composure, she becomes anxious. If you want
to reassure the person who is important to you, then you must always be
relaxed."
"..."
In Nozomu's mind, the
faces of Irisdina and Shina, who had raised their voices at him, who had been
injured in his training, appeared. To make them anxious. Those words fell into
the depths of Nozomu's chest.
"Well, that's a
problem for the future. More importantly, there's something else you have to do
most today, isn't there?"
"Eh..."
Madam Parline jerked
her chin. In the direction she had indicated, a goddess reminiscent of the
moon, clad in a pure white dress with silver decorations, was standing. It was
Irisdina. When Irisdina found Nozomu's figure, she had a radiant smile. A
refreshing, sweet and sour, infatuation-filled smile that only Madam Parline,
who had been involved with Irisdina since she was a noble, would understand. At
the sight of the girl she thought of as a daughter, who was in love, a smile
naturally appeared on the lady's lips.
"Come on, go and
properly escort the leading actress. She's been waiting for you all this time,
you know."
Saying that, Madam
Parline pushed Nozomu's back towards Irisdina.
"Y-Yes! Ah, um, Madam
Parline!"
"Yes? What is
it?"
"Thank you very
much!"
Nozomu turned around
once, bowed his head deeply with all his gratitude, and headed for Irisdina's
side at a trot. Madam Parline, while smiling at Nozomu's naive yet honest
thanks, saw them off. A noble and a commoner. Precisely because she was Madam
Parline, who had overcome that gap, she could understand the problem that lay
between the two. No, if anything, she was thinking that a harsher difficulty
than what she herself had experienced might be assaulting the two.
"Although you're
still a long way from being a gentleman... well, do your best, boy."
Still, if it was these
two, it would by no means be impossible to overcome. While holding such
thoughts, the lady's heart, as she looked at Nozomu and Irisdina, was dancing
more than ever.
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