Chapter 3: The Observer’s Blunder
1
“It’s just a little walk. You didn’t need to come along, Alfred.”
“Please allow me to accompany you.”
“Hmm, very well.”
Luke and Alfred stroll through the streets of Gilbadia.
For Luke, it’s truly just a change of pace.
Usually, when faced with mentally taxing events, he would mindlessly swing his sword. But since he had an errand to check on the sword he had commissioned from Darkin, he thought a walk might be nice for a change.
By the way, Dia is currently house-sitting. There’s a mountain of treasure in the backyard, but given the sheer quantity, they couldn’t do anything about it right away.
(… This is nice.)
For Luke, Alfred is both his sword master and a comfortable presence who has been with him since birth. The gentle breeze feels pleasant.
The two have an aura different from commoners. Even just walking, they naturally attract the gazes of those around them.
However, for Luke, this is so commonplace that it’s nothing new.
“I beg your pardon for my impudence. Luke-sama, would you grant me another sparring match?”
“Heh, how unusual, Alfred. I never thought I’d hear you say such a thing.”
Luke turns only his head to look back at Alfred, who’s walking slightly behind him. A smile plays on his lips.
“I can see it in your eyes. You’ve grasped something, haven’t you? Those are the eyes of a martial artist wanting to test his skills.”
“Yes, that’s part of it.”
“Oh? What’s the other reason?”
“I want to experience it firsthand. That technique of yours, Luke-sama.”
Luke looks into Alfred’s eyes.
There are two lights dwelling there. One is that of a martial artist. The other is—
(I… rarely, but I know that Alfred can also go berserk.)
Such a dangerous light also dwells there. Only Luke, who has become sensitive to troublesome matters due to various experiences, noticed this. However—
“Heh, alright then.”
Refusing isn’t even an option. Moreover, it’s true that he’s looking forward to it. After all, there aren’t many who can truly cross swords with Luke.
“Thank you very much, Luke-sama.”
“Yeah, anytime… is what I’d like to say, but we can’t do it until after the party is over. … Really, how troublesome.”
“Fufu, that can’t be helped.”
With Eleonora and other nobles already having arrived, Luke will likely have his time consumed by greetings and whatnot from now on.
Even so, there was a definite joy in Luke’s heart.
“I’ll hone my skills to make it as enjoyable as possible for you.”
“I look forward to it. But be careful, alright? The current situation where nobles look down on swordsmanship hasn’t changed at all.”
“Yes, I’m well aware.”
“I see.”
The conversation ended there. The two aren’t particularly talkative. However, there was no discomfort in their silence. Just feeling the wind and enjoying the familiar scenery of the town, time flowed leisurely. It healed Luke’s heart more than any high-level healing magic could.
“… Hm?”
Just as Darkin’s smithy was about to come into view, a familiar figure caught his eye.
“Zack?”
“… Eh? Gyah!”
“Hey, why are you so surprised?”
“No… um, I apologize. I haven’t seen you recently, so I lost my… I mean, I was just a bit startled, haha…”
“Heh.”
A smile naturally spilled from Luke’s lips. While Zack might find it unbearable, he had certainly become one of Luke’s favorites. Unlike with Alfred, despite having only recently begun interacting with Zack, Luke felt oddly at ease. Unconsciously, he wanted to keep Zack close by—to that extent.
“Luke-sama, and Al-san too. What are you doing in a place like—hm?”
At that moment, a clumsy-looking cart stopped. Luke immediately understood it didn’t belong to any noble.
“Are you [Luke-Wizaria-Gilbert]?”
Three men appeared, looking visibly rough. Zack had a terribly bad feeling, while Luke’s mood rapidly worsened. Amidst this, Alfred stepped forward.
“Mind your words. Do you know who this person is?”
“Like we care. Listen up, we’ve got your mother [Julia-Rodel-Gilbert] in our custody.”
“… What?”
“Hmm.”
Luke ponders for a moment.
(… What’s with this contrived story? Committing a crime in such a public place, they’ve got some nerve. Are they people who don’t mind being seen, or is their plan just sloppy? Well, the claim of kidnapping mother is probably a bluff nine times out of ten—but the fact that I can’t completely deny that remaining one-tenth is also true.)
Perhaps angered by Luke’s unchanged expression, one of the men slightly raised his voice.
“If you value your mother’s life, get in the cart now!”
“Very well. Just me?”
“No, all three of you!”
“I see.”
Luke turns around.
“That’s how it is. Alfred, Zack, I’ll have you accompany me.”
“I was prepared for this from the start.”
“Of course, I’ll come along too. This is certainly not something I can ignore.”
Luke smiled faintly at Zack’s expression, which he had never seen before.
“Put on these [Magic-Sealing Shackles]. All of you. And hand over your swords too. Don’t resist.”
“We won’t resist at all.”
True to his word, Luke and the others boarded the cart without resistance.
With a split-like smile on their lips—.
§
“I’m speechless… Did you come here without telling your parents?”
“… Uu, I’m sorry.”
“There’s no point in apologizing to me, is there?”
Alice sighs as she looks at Mia, who has shrunk even smaller, hanging her head in shame. From what she heard, Mia couldn’t suppress her urge to see Luke and ran away from home. It’s obvious that this action will only bring disadvantages to a count’s daughter. But Alice couldn’t bring herself to scold Mia too harshly.
Mia’s figure somewhat overlapped with her own, and she understood those feelings all too painfully.
(… Really, such an awkward child.)
However, just because she understands doesn’t mean she can justify Mia’s actions. Being unable to control even one’s own emotions is clearly a flaw.
“You mustn’t cause trouble for Luke, okay?”
“… Yeah. I’m really sorry…”
The air froze slightly. Alice’s words had a hint of anger in them, becoming sharper. There’s no way Mia could talk back to that.
“—It’s alright. Don’t make such a scary face, Alice-chan.”
At that moment, someone called out to the two. It was—
“Julia-sama, it’s been a long time.”
“Ah, u… It’s been a long time.”
Dressed in a beautiful gown—it was Luke’s mother, Julia. There was a bewitching beauty that even women would gasp at.
Alice immediately bowed her head, followed by Mia.
“I’ll take care of Mia-chan’s matter. Is that alright?”
“N-No! I can’t trouble Julia-sama with my problem—”
“It’s fine. We’re going to be family after all. This much is nothing. Right?”
“—!”
Julia’s aura somehow overlapped with Luke’s.
Mia felt in her bones that no objection would be allowed.
“Yes… Thank you very much…”
“Ufufu. —Please relay what you just heard to my husband.”
“Understood, Julia-sama.”
The maid standing nearby bowed and started walking. Mia, a bit confused by the situation, could only stare blankly at the retreating figure of the maid.
“Now then, you two. Shall we have a little girl talk? Follow me.”
“Yes.”
“Y-Yes!”
There’s no way to refuse. It’s not allowed.
Such words from Julia, giving off a kind of fear and the presence of a ruler.
Alice and Mia had no choice but to follow Julia.
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§
“—Oh my! You’re both so cute! Let me give you a hug!”
“… Eh?”
“Ah.”
As soon as they entered the room they were guided to, it happened.
Smiling innocently like a child, Julia suddenly embraced Alice and Mia.
“Luke has found some good girls, fufu.”
There was no longer even a trace of the ruler-like aura from earlier. Such a drastic change. It’s only natural that Alice and Mia would be bewildered.
“I want to hear about what happened at the academy, and how you met Mia-chan. We have time, so it’s fine, right?”
Julia smiled seductively yet innocently. Alice and Mia looked at each other.
Where to start, how much to say.
At first, timidly and slowly, choosing their words carefully, the two began to speak. Julia quietly listened. Sometimes responding, sometimes laughing.
The tense expressions of the two gradually relaxed, and it didn’t take long for the conversation to blossom.
“—At that time, I burst into tears…”
“Oh, Luke, really. I’m sorry, Mia-chan…”
“If I may say so, Julia-sama. The one at fault is Mia for crying over such a trivial matter.”
“Th-That’s right! It’s my fault. I’m always thinking about how I can be useful, but I just end up troubling Luke…”
“You’re absolutely right.”
“Uu…”
“Fufu.”
Watching the exchange between Alice and Mia, Julia laughed happily.
“I’m glad you two get along so well.”
“We don’t get along. —It’s just that, among other women, I’m glad it’s Mia. That’s all.”
“… Eh?”
At that moment, Mia felt her heart warm up with surprise.
“Alice-chan, you truly love Luke from the bottom of your heart, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Alice said without changing her expression. In contrast, Mia’s face turned bright red, showing her agitation as she looked at Alice.
“What about you, Mia-chan?”
“Weh!? Um… yes… I… love him…”
Mia blushed intensely and lowered her head. Seeing the contrasting pair, Julia smiled gently.
“That kid has always been able to do everything effortlessly since he was a child. As his mother, I shouldn’t say this, but he’s almost too perfect, isn’t he? Don’t you get tired being around him?”
“Not at all,”
“Y-yes! It’s just as Alice says!”
“Hehe… You’re both such good children,”
Julia chuckled modestly and took a small sip of tea. Then—
“I hope you don’t mind me meddling, but there’s something I want to tell you.”
She slowly began to speak about what she most wanted to convey today.
“That kid doesn’t show his emotions much, so it might be hard to tell. But if he truly disliked you, he wouldn’t keep you around. he’s not the type to put up with something he doesn’t like, absolutely not. So, you two are genuinely loved. As his mother, I can say that with certainty.”
Those words resonated with Alice and Mia with inexplicable persuasiveness. It wasn’t just said to please them. Somehow, they knew this.
“Besides, this is from personal experience too. Hehe,”
Julia laughed mischievously.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“Who could that be? Come in!”
“Excuse me.”
“Oh, if it isn’t Ellie!”
“It’s been a while, Lady Julia.”
The one who entered was Eleonora.
After bowing to Julia, she immediately continued speaking.
“Please forgive my rudeness, but I have an urgent matter to report. Luke has been spotted boarding someone’s carriage.”
“…What did you say?”
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
“Therefore, I thought I’d go and check things out. With my spatial magic, it should be easy. I’ve already obtained approval from my father and Lord Claude. Objectively speaking, I’m the best choice in terms of combat ability.”
“Wait, I’m going too!”
“I-I’m going as well!”
Alice and Mia immediately responded. However, their request couldn’t be approved right away. Being nobles, there were unavoidable complications.
“We’re not going to fight. If anything happens, we’ll just bring him back. You two stay here.”
“This isn’t about logic. Besides, no matter what you say, if there’s a situation where we can fight, Luke definitely will.”
“I think so too… I promise I won’t be a burden! Please take me with you!”
“…Hmm. I know both of your capabilities, but… what should we do, Lady Julia?”
“…………”
Julia remained silent. But it was only for a moment.
“Alright. I’ll take responsibility. But you must come back safely, understood?”
Julia chose to respect their wishes—.
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