LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 45: The young lady's orders are absolute!
The young lady’s orders are absolute!
For now, since the Viscount was kneeling before me, I couldn’t bear it, so I had him sit on the sofa like a normal person.
The young lady and I also took seats facing him.
Upon meeting the Viscount, I noticed that he had a ruggedly handsome appearance, likely due to his blood ties with the handsome Yuto.
Even through his clothing, you could tell he was well-built, and he likely carried an air of dignity in his everyday life.
However, I couldn’t shake the image of his earlier prostration from my mind, which made it hard for me to show him the respect he probably deserved.
Rather than a stern nobleman, my impression of him was more like a salaryman worried about his stomach.
I couldn’t help but think about how much he must have suffered dealing with that hero idiot.
“Cough. I sincerely apologize once again for the great inconvenience my foolish son has caused. Ideally, I should have dragged Yuto here myself…”
“I declined because I didn’t want to see his face.”
“In the current situation, you rejected a choice that might have resolved things more peacefully.”
Well, I can’t blame her for not wanting to meet a hero syndrome patient, right? Even that Yuto should put his sword away in front of the young lady.
Speaking of which…
“Viscount, may I ask a question?”
“You don’t need to be so formal. What is it?”
“Why did Yuto remain as the heir to the family, even with such a rash and reckless personality?”
“I appreciate your careful choice of words. It may be hard to believe, but when it comes to matters unrelated to romance, Yuto is an excellent son in both intellect and martial skills. Of course, considering your history, it’s not unreasonable for you to have that question.”
In response to my question, the Viscount gave a wry smile as if I had touched on a sore spot.
While it pained me to ask questions that would further distress the viscount, it was highly doubtful that someone with such a strong predisposition for misunderstanding could effectively lead the viscount’s household.
I could still believe in him performing such reckless acts that could destroy the family’s reputation.
Acts like the one that nearly bankrupted the family, like this recent incident, were more believable.
As much as I disliked putting my trust in him, simply removing Yuto from his position as the heir would solve the issue.
I wanted to know why they didn’t do it, even though it seemed like the most straightforward solution. Even though I knew it was a somewhat impolite question, I couldn’t help but ask.
However, the Viscount calmly responded without anger, maintaining a serious expression.
“The position of the next head was, in a way, the leash that bound Yuto’s foolish deeds.”
“A leash?”
I couldn’t immediately grasp the meaning of his words, so I asked for clarification.
“Regardless of how much Yuto loves Lilith, as a member of the Viscount’s family, he isn’t allowed to marry a commoner.”
“Differences in social status, huh? But wasn’t he…”
“Yes, that hero doesn’t have a fiancée.”
“To not have a fiancée at his age is quite embarrassing. Nevertheless, our son kept declining proposed engagements, claiming he had ‘a woman he loved in his heart.’ Eventually, he grew tired of it and even started spouting nonsense like not being my biological child!”
The viscount covered his eyes with his right hand, seemingly reliving the past.
Did he really cross such a ridiculous line? That idiot.
Despite saying such things, the viscount’s struggle to continue treating him as his son despite everything was evident. Neglecting such a good parent… I always knew he was an idiot, but I didn’t think he’d go this far.
“Miss Lilith, was it? After falling in love with her, Yuto began dedicating himself to his studies and training. That part was good. However, it’s a significant problem that the eldest son has no fiancée.”
“So, in essence, the issue is that the next heir can’t produce an heir, right? And how does that connect to not disinheriting or disowning him?”
“It’s simple. The moment I disown him, that idiot will happily rush to Miss Lilith. It’s clear as day.”
“Oh…”
I had to agree with that assessment. It was quite easy to imagine.
So, his noble responsibilities acted as a sort of restraint. Although that had clearly been completely shattered this morning.
“First of all, when Yuto said he wanted to transfer to a school in Japan, I strongly opposed it multiple times. But my son not only refused to listen but also attempted to escape countless times. In that case, I thought it was necessary to make him experience the pain of failure.”
“Was that the shock therapy for the hero syndrome?”
“Yes. That’s why I conditioned it by saying he could transfer if he could defeat the most skilled adventurer among my subordinates, someone with the abilities equivalent to an A-rank adventurer or higher. However…”
“Yuto won, right?”
Ironically, it seemed that the combination of Yuto’s hero syndrome-driven actions and his own talents had worked in his favor.
The viscount, who couldn’t break his promise as a noble once it was spoken, had allowed the transfer but firmly warned against causing any disturbances.
Unfortunately, on his first day, Yuto had picked a fight with me, a slave to the Duke’s daughter.
Yeah, if I were in the viscount’s position, I would have undoubtedly cut ties completely. Disownment or exile would be too lenient. I can’t think of any other way to quell my anger than to put an end to it
However, the viscount had limited himself to giving Yuto a severe scolding for three hours.
Being too kind-hearted could also be a problem.
Anyway, he kept warning him not to lay a hand on me unless provoked. That’s why he was so persistent.
…
What should I do? I couldn’t tell them that a duel had been arranged this morning unless I wanted to give the viscount a heart attack.
I don’t want to be the one to drop such a bomb. It was likely just a temporary solution, but it was best to keep quiet for now.
“Isaya, do you have something to say?”
“I-I, no, there’s nothing at all!”
“Hmm…”
But the intelligent young lady seemed to sense something. I hurriedly denied having anything to say, but her crimson eyes narrowed, piercing into me.
Please, don’t say anything.
I had always tried to uphold the morals I had cultivated as an upright Japanese person even in my work as an adventurer, avoiding murder whenever possible. Please, don’t let me lose that here!
I desperately pleaded in my mind.
Perhaps my plea reached her, as she smiled a pleasant smile and said,
“Isaya, say it.”
“Understood, my lady.”
Her smile, so angelic, was incredibly heartless.
If she gave me an order, as a slave, I had no right to remain silent.
“W-What’s going on? Don’t tell me Yuto has done something again!?”
Oh no, look at that. The viscount, who had been witnessing our exchange, was now trembling with fear. His face seemed ready to break into tears.
I can’t take this anymore. Why should I feel guilty for Yuto’s mistakes?
With my anger on the verge of becoming a trauma, I reluctantly opened my mouth.
“Actually, this morning, due to the circumstances, Lilith mentioned that she has more favorable feelings towards me than your son. Because of that, Yuto, who was heartbroken, demanded a duel to settle it at the school’s sports festival. With everyone pressuring us, a duel became unavoidable.”
I summarized the events of today succinctly.
After hearing the explanation, the viscount’s eyes widened, and he froze like a statue.
“…Ugh.”
See? He covered his head and was left speechless. That’s why I didn’t want to say anything.
Honestly, I want to cover my own head too.
“Oh dear, he’s in a tight spot. It’s an opportunity. Make sure to thoroughly beat down his wounded ego.”
“Hey, young lady, what happened to your usual mercy?”
“Having mercy on an enemy is just a waste.”
“You’re not even treating him as a human anymore.”
I retorted with a sarcastic comment about her swift decision, but I remembered that she had lashed out at the maid who belittled Sakura, calling her a minion of the Demon Lord.
It seemed like her anger was directed at anyone who insulted Lilith, even if they were just servants. I wished she could have said it in a more private setting.
It felt awkward.
As I thought about it, the viscount slowly raised his head.
“No, as Scarlett, the Duke’s daughter, said, that’s correct. If it’s within the bounds of life and death, you can do whatever you want to my foolish son. I promise, as long as he’s alive, our family won’t hold you accountable.”
“I didn’t want to hear such words from the father.”
But the approval came too quickly. Wasn’t it abnormal that he allowed this so easily? Didn’t he have any qualms or reservations?
And what about the circumstances? Regardless of how we got here, isn’t it strange that I’m the one responsible for fixing the viscount’s family’s mess?
It doesn’t make any sense.
That hero idiot… I’ll make sure to resent him just as much as my parents. If I could, I’d prefer to decline, but unfortunately, that’s not an option.
“Well then. Since the viscount has given his permission, you don’t need to hold back, Isaya… Go on.”
“Yes.”
She ordered me while placing her hand on my shoulder.
I don’t have the right to refuse, no matter how many times I say it.
Thus, with no way out, I began to prepare for the upcoming duel.
===
If you like this novel, Please leave ratings and review in NovelUpdates.>>HERE
If you’d like to make a one-time donation to support our translations or subscribe to read up to 5 chapters or more (depending on the novel) ahead, you can do so via Ko-fi: