LIGHTNOVELWORLD Episode 19
Episode 19
The elderly man, his white hair pulled back, stared intently at us with piercing, hawk-like, water-blue eyes. He was clearly awaiting Alshade’s response.
Without hesitation, I positioned myself protectively behind Alshade. However, I couldn’t deny that the familiar man before us was undoubtedly the master of this house.
So, I shifted my focus to her behind me.
“Rios, thanks. Just as the master expected, it’s an emergency situation. That’s why we’ve come to intrude like this.”
“…Outside of training, please call me Orto, I’ve mentioned it multiple times,” Orto replied.
“Sorry, I’ll be careful. So, can you let us in?”
“Understood. This way…”
Orto’s name and appearance matched what I knew. This person was indeed ‘Righteous Sword’ Orto, Alshade’s master.
After briefly scanning the surroundings with his gaze, Orto called out to us and led the way to the back door of the house.
I walked alongside Alshade, observing Orto’s tall and imposing figure.
Despite exposing his back, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I couldn’t exploit any weaknesses, no matter what tricks I had up my sleeve.
As I marveled at his mastery, Orto spoke without turning back.
“Young man, it’s impressive that you have a habit of searching for openings, but be careful. If you do that out of curiosity, you might end up dead, depending on your opponent.”
“Yes, I’m sorry!”
It was evident that my attempt to find openings was transparent, and I was reprimanded for it.
Startled, I reflexively apologized, but Alshade gave me a slightly reproachful glance.
“…I’m sorry, Orto. You know, he doesn’t mean any harm,” Alshade interjected.
“It’s okay, but he should learn how to do it without being noticed,” Orto replied.
Although Alshade apologized, Orto seemed unconcerned and shook his head.
I felt bad for causing Alshade to apologize on my behalf due to my own mistake.
“Now, let’s head inside.”
“Excuse us.”
“…Excuse me.”
As I walked with a dejected expression, we reached the back entrance. Orto unlocked the door and conjured a single “illumination” to guide us. Leading us through the corridor, he brought us to a room.
“This should be fine. Alshade-sama, please have a seat.”
“Thanks, but you don’t have to be so formal. You know I dislike it when things get too serious, right?”
“As you grow older, you’ll find it harder to be flexible in such matters. I find myself troubled as well.”
“Saying things like that won’t make your words more convincing.”
“Now, about the main topic… young man, please take a seat over there.”
“Thank you.”
Observing the casual exchange between Alshade and Orto, I sensed a definite bond of trust between them.
Alshade sat at the short end of the rectangular table, commonly referred to as the “birthday seat”.
Orto, as her swordsmanship and martial arts instructor, motioned me to sit at the right end. Having confirmed this, Orto sat at the left end of the table.
In this country, influenced by medieval Europe, the Western-style seating arrangement would place me at the upper seat compared to Orto.
However, since neither of them raised any objections to this seating, being from the slums, I had no grounds to speak up, and the conversation began.
“Alshade-sama, before we get to the main point, could you please introduce this young man?”
“Ah, sorry. I forgot. This is Rios, my knight.”
“Oh, a knight? That explains the lack of manners just now.”
Apologizing as Alshade introduced me, I heard a surprised voice from the front.
Although he might have considered me her companion, it seemed that he didn’t think of me as a knight.
But, it couldn’t be helped. After all, I had a shabby appearance and didn’t look anything like a noble knight.
Being treated as Alshade’s companion was already more than enough for me.
“I am Rios. I am a knight in the service of this young lady. However, I am from the slums, and I became a knight only recently, so please don’t mind me.”
“Despite being from the slums, you are quite polite. And earlier, when Alshade-sama apologized for your mistake, you seemed genuinely remorseful. You have chosen a good knight.”
“That’s right? I think I’ve made a good find,” Arshade said, raising her voice.
I hadn’t done anything noteworthy yet, but I felt overwhelmed by the higher praise from Alshade and Orto.
The pressure of their expectations made me let out a small sigh.
At least Orto using casual speech made it somewhat better.
“Now that the introductions are done, let’s get to the main point.”
“Please do.”
“First…”
Alshade explained about being drugged and kidnapped, meeting me after the abduction, our subsequent escape, and the presumed enemy, Hyann, in order.
“That’s the situation. So, I want Orto to lend his strength in subjugating Hyann.”
“…I understand. Orto shall assist Lady Alshade in any way possible,” Orto replied, gazing straight at Alshade, promising his cooperation.
Both Alshade and I felt relieved, knowing that we had acquired such a powerful ally that would almost certainly guarantee victory.
“By the way, I sensed some commotion and impolite gazes from the mansion’s direction. I didn’t expect things to turn out like this,” Orto commented.
“You noticed, huh? Even though our opponent was meticulous in their caution,” Alshade said.
“It’s nothing. There’s no way a novice like them would outwit me,” Orto replied.
To be aware of the disturbance and surveillance around the mansion was truly praiseworthy. With Orto’s presence, it was beyond the capabilities of a hundred ordinary people.
In the relaxed atmosphere, Orto raised his hand slightly.
“A quick question.”
“What is it, Orto?”
“For the plan to subjugate Hyann, I believe a surprise attack at dawn would be optimal. And I’d like to enhance the effect of the surprise attack by keeping it to just the three of us. Is that acceptable?”
“I don’t mind. What about you, Rios?”
“I think it’s a good idea too.”
Originally, we had hoped for the involvement of the Baltzfeld family’s covert organization, but considering the favorable odds with just the three of us and the risk of information leaks, there was no reason to object.
“And one more thing, it seems that among Hyann’s forces, there’s a skilled combatant,” Orto added.
The relaxed atmosphere tensed up in an instant upon hearing that there was a capable opponent among Hyann’s forces.
“…Can we win?”
“Yes, though I haven’t faced them directly, I’m sure we’ll win.”
To Alshade’s question, Orto calmly but confidently responded.
“I see. Then we should be fine.”
“Yes, please rest assured. Now, until dawn, we have some time. I’d like Lady Alshade and Lord Rios to regain their strength in the guest room on the second floor.”
“Understood. I know where it is, so no need to guide us. Rios, come with me.”
“Roger.”
As Alshade opened the door to leave the room, Orto called out from behind, as if he had just remembered something.
“Oh, and about Vivian-dono, I don’t believe she’d betray us so easily. It’s likely she’s being held hostage, perhaps even her family. It must have been a difficult decision for her, not her true intentions.”
“I understand.”
Alshade answered in a flat voice and left the room.
Her profile seen from behind seemed to contort as if she had bitten into a bitter bug.
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