The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Facing the raging snowstorm, I fought against the green-skinned monsters in severe weather.

It was intense enough to make me feel the lack of mana for the first time in a while.

As night fell and I exchanged goodbyes with Shione, I returned to my lodging already utterly exhausted.

Thud.

“Hah….”

I threw myself onto the bed and sighed.

It wouldn’t be bad to just sleep like this right away.

But there’s still some organizing I want to do.

Instead of burying my consciousness in silence, I chose to gradually awaken it through mumbling to myself.

“My level.”

Shianella had once mentioned my level.

Indeed, checking my growth in martial prowess over the past year wouldn’t be a bad idea.

I assessed my mana. The difference between me a year ago and now was so significant that comparing the two would seem pointless.

The mana that had barely signaled its existence in a corner of my heart had grown heavy enough to be felt now.

Not just my mana, but also from quests cleared thanks to figures like Shianella and Adelhaite.

If the battles weren’t as relentless and intense as today’s, even using the mana-hungry Spirit Magic wouldn’t leave me in a tight spot.

“Not bad. But…”

That doesn’t mean I’m completely satisfied.

With just this much mana, I’m still nowhere near my original level before this state.

What weighs most heavily on my mind is—

“Why can’t I summon spirits?”

The power I gained as a reward for defeating Arachne.

Spirit Summoning.

Despite acquiring what could be called the essence and core of Spirit Magic, I had yet to utilize this power even once.

It’s not like I intentionally avoided summoning for the sake of being noticed by others.

After all, unless a spirit has a low affinity or the caster doesn’t want to display it, detecting and perceiving their existence visually is nearly impossible.

“It’s ridiculous.”

There’s something fundamentally wrong.

No matter how much mana I expend to call forth spirits, something seems to be blocking me.

The spirits remain unable to descend from the spirit realm into the present world, their energies scattering.

I can’t just go into the spirit realm and grab one by the collar.

Having gained this ability and not being able to use it is so frustrating…

I clicked my tongue in deep disappointment as I sorted my thoughts.

After briefly closing my eyes to face the darkness, I opened them again, drifting to another topic.

“The world must really be cursed.”

They say that there hasn’t been a single instance of orcs or kobolds descending from the Beltlin Mountain Range en masse to disrupt the territory until now.

And coincidentally, discovering the altar tainted by the demonic realm in the Beltlin Mountain Range right after the royal family launched their attack—it couldn’t be anything but ominous.

Considering I’ve been supporting Shione for the past year and living according to my current status, I feel like I’ve almost forgotten.

The fact that this world is already a dungeon that once swallowed me in ruin.

A world destroyed by demons.

I’ve vaguely heard that the area beyond the Beltlin Mountain Range was turned into a demonic realm as a result of the demons wreaking havoc hundreds of years ago.

“Huh…”

Unable to shake the incessant ominous thoughts, I tossed and turned on the bed.

Even so, I repeated it to myself.

I haven’t felt a lack of strength so far just from dealing with minor demons like orcs.

In the end, the real opponents I have to face are the demon bastards who toy with this world.

To survive, I need to crush their horns and obtain enough power to pierce their hearts.

To do that, I must keep supporting my lord and complete quests, garnering the interest and entertainment of Shianella’s ladies.

I quietly took in the back of my right hand.

“How infuriating.”

A kiss on the back of the hand that symbolizes respect and devotion.

Perhaps she admires my prowess in easily defeating orcs, even as a man.

And she likely attached meaning to my talent, which she sees as a blessing from the gods.

“At this rate, it wouldn’t hurt to boost my mana efficiency just a little.”

Regrettably, all I gained was this one ring.

The status window that spat out no other rewards irritated me.

*

Just as Shianella was about to head back out with the knights that could be dispatched, Diolia returned and informed Ainel and me, specifically Shianella’s young ladies, about the situation.

They successfully swept the monsters that had been causing chaos in the west and north.

What remains is just to hire a few knights and soldiers and tidy up the territory amid the cold winter.

In the now calm territory, ordinary life returns at last.

Today, a small event is set to take place.

Shione was so excited about the upcoming duel between Shianella and Aria that she had been eagerly looking forward to it since morning.

“Time is moving so slowly—”

Wrapped in blankets on the bed, Shione muttered something like that.

She glanced at me and then popped something into her mouth.

Munch, munch.

I quietly stared at my lord, who raised the blanket to cover her mouth.

If it’s real food, she should sit at the table and eat. Eating in bed will make crumbs fall everywhere.

“You promised you wouldn’t eat cookies in bed.”

“Um…?”

“Even if you act like you don’t know, I saw everything.”

“Hehe….”

With a bright smile, Shione tried to deflect the situation and pulled her hand out from under the blanket.

“Do you want to have some too…?”

Another cookie appeared from underneath the blanket. I had no idea when she had brought it in.

As we squabbled over cookies, the topic shifted to today’s duel.

“Who do you think will win, brother?”

“I’d like to hear your thoughts first, if that’s alright with you.”

“Me? I think—”

At my question, Shione’s eyes began to sparkle.

“I think Shianella will win. Even though her friend is quite famous for her excellent spear skills and adaptability… after all, she’s a Sword User, so there will be a significant difference from the Aura Blade.”

“I see.”

“Well, now it’s your turn, brother!”

“I think that whoever has honed their senses sharper today will win.”

“Even if Lady Alenarr has the better condition, it seems difficult for her to win against my expert sister.”

I shrugged at Shione’s remark. We would find out how it actually turns out when we watch the duel.

While Shione furrowed her brows, pre-simulating the duel that would take place shortly, I gently ruffled her hair.

“Shione, would it be alright if I lowered my tone when we’re alone together?”

“…?”

“It feels a bit strange to respond formally to my younger sister all the time. If you permit me, I think it would make it easier for me to talk.”

When I smiled, Shione seemed to nod as if mesmerized.

“…I, I’ll permit it.”

Now I can speak a bit more comfortably.

I smiled brightly at Shione’s words.

*

Recently, as soldiers and knights who had been dispatched to the western and northern territories returned one after another, the once quiet training grounds became packed with people again.

Soldiers trained under the instructor’s orders, while knights reflected on their swords, either alone or correcting each other’s stances.

And guests from the Alenarr Marquis Family, including Ravi and wizards, had gathered, all eyes focused in one direction.

“Looks like it’s finally about to start.”

Just as Shione said, Aria and Shianella faced each other, fully armed.

There was a palpable tension in the air far fiercer than what one would expect from a mere duel.

Certainly, both Shianella and Aria were burning with competitive spirit, thinking they couldn’t possibly lose to each other.

“…That’s intense.”

With all the armor and protective gear on, I felt as though the duel would not conclude until one of them fell in a cloud of dust.

In that moment, Aria, who was holding two spears, stabbed one into the ground.

As the airborne dust settled, Aria, who stood in the center, gripped the spear’s haft sticking up from the earth and spoke.

“I plan to alternate using two spears. Is that alright?”

“Of course. You’ve done it every time before. What’s with the sudden question?”

“Of course—”

Aria, usually cool and composed, slowly smiled at that.

The icy and sharp atmosphere surrounding her vanished, replaced by a gentle aura.

“If you’re afraid of my spear techniques, I’ll gladly face you with just a single spear—”

“Aria.”

Shianella, raising her spirit, interrupted Aria.

“Whether it’s one or two, it just increases the number of toothpicks. Do you really think I’d be afraid of that?”

“…Tch.”

Aria, who had clicked her tongue at Shianella’s teasing, readied her stance as well.

Confirming that both Shianella and Aria had completed their preparations to begin the duel, Diolia signaled the start with a sharp whistle.

Whoosh!

The moment the whistle blew, their fierce energies exploded forth.

Swish!

In an instant, Aria thrust her spear straight for Shianella’s face without a moment’s hesitation.

Shianella’s expression hardened as she tilted her head and barely dodged Aria’s spear.

“I told you so.”

With Shianella’s narrowed eyes reacting to Aria’s unexpectedly sharp first attack, Aria, who had maintained her cold demeanor throughout, now sported a blooming smile.

“Be ready to burst like the northern bears in my hands.”

It seems that Aria had taken that proclamation from the banquet rather more to heart than I anticipated.