The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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In just a day, I encounter Sion and end up being called by Aria and Ainel, experiencing all sorts of mishaps.

It was a day dense enough not to be lacking compared to my time spent in the royal castle.

Thanks to that, I’m still feeling the remnants of yesterday’s fatigue gnawing at me bit by bit, unable to fully shake it off after just one night.

Yesterday was an exception, though.

With the new day arriving, I found myself following Shione, who was already at the shooting range as expected.

Now, I simply watch her quietly, no longer having anything to criticize about her.

As I stand back and observe, boredom and drowsiness begin to creep in slowly.

However, that all changed the moment Sion showed up.

As a priest who awakened divine power, shouldn’t he be visiting a church to pray like a proper priest? What on earth brought him here, swinging swords and pulling bows?

Why on earth would he make the heavy journey to the shooting range, where he has a not-so-great relationship with Shione?

‘Didn’t Shione mention yesterday…’

During dinner, Sion had commented on feeling a pressure from her gaze that seemed to pierce right through him.

It was a meal that was way more delicious than usual, but that look made him unable to truly enjoy the flavor.

Thanks to that, I had to listen to her whine for a while, and in the midst of it, she mentioned her archery skills a bit, which I had heard about from her as she expressed her curiosity over Sion having dinner with Shione.

It seems Sion came to check on Shione’s archery skills after hearing about it from her during their meal yesterday—

“Unlike the swordsmanship and magic you so belittled due to your lack of talent, archery is different. I practiced every day and improved every day. Isn’t that surprising?”

The issue was that his arrival was steadily dragging down the atmosphere of the shooting range.

“Well, have you seen everything you wanted to see with your own eyes? Or… I could easily show you how to hit the center of the target. Would you like to stay and watch more?”

The subtle tension between the two made the entire shooting range stiffen.

Even within the Count’s House, these soldiers trained in a facility that was quite recognized for its size and excellence. Unlike others, they had lived around the Count’s estate for several years.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the soldiers standing here were all aware of how bad Sion and Shione’s relationship was.

‘Really…’

Why did Sion come all the way here to bother the soldiers?

With a faint smile, Shione was gracefully adjusting the quiver given to her while placing a new arrow on the bowstring.

Sion, on the other hand, was quietly frowning slightly as he faced Shione, creating a standoff between them.

The subtle tension was precariously maintained. This soon spread to all those present, causing them to pretend not to eavesdrop while focusing on the conversation between the two.

And at least—

Among the instructors, archers like Flora, who had seen Shione shoot and capture her concentration while she was deeply absorbed, even those who hadn’t spoken much with her slightly lifted their lips at Shione’s words, showing a hint of fondness as if a little affection had developed over time just from seeing her daily.

After maintaining silence while watching Shione, Sion finally spoke up.

“…I’ll watch a little longer.”

“Sure, if that’s your choice, then take your time.”

Shione was confident yet composed. She tilted her body to give Sion a quick glance before starting to shoot again.

Not just I, but everyone here silently observed Shione as she focused on shooting her arrows.

It seemed she had successfully tamed the bow given to her by Ainel, now drawing the string with an increasingly stable posture and refined speed while alternating the techniques I taught her to gather mana at a noticeably quicker rate than before.

And among her noticeable advancements was, of course, the mana.

‘It’s getting faster and more refined each time.’

Having once experienced a glimpse of the level she aimed to reach while lying in my bed, and thanks to her several encounters with kobolds and even orc skins, her recent growth was nothing short of remarkable.

It’s true that it accelerated through the quest I undertook to awaken her talent, but even so, that speed was abnormal.

And right now, especially with Sion’s presence serving as another source of motivation, she seemed to show an even more perfected version of herself than usual.

At this moment, it seemed Shione herself was yet to realize it.

But at least for me—

“Ah.”

Seeing Sion suddenly open his mouth in awe, it was clear his eyes caught something significant.

The mana enveloping the sharp tip of the arrowhead was now beyond merely flowing; it was agglomerating and solidifying with an infinite density at a single point.

The other mana that surrounded the arrowhead no longer sloshed like a mushy slime but began to solidify slowly and surely, taking the form of an arrow.

Shione’s mana was thickening.

Much like a knight steadily advancing towards sword expertise.

Yes, I would have preferred to simply watch, but—

Once again, Sion abruptly turned his head to look at me.

Recalling the past while staring at me, he approached with a slightly pained expression.

“You were… the personal servant of the lady who awakened her mana back then.”

“…Yes, I was Shione’s personal servant at that time.”

“At that time? Ah…”

Sion’s gaze trailed over me.

“…Your outfit has changed.”

He appeared to have many questions he wanted to ask.

Of course, being a servant wasn’t just a menial job. It was more akin to an advisor who guides their master to the right path through counsel and counsel.

Even if Shione was known for her incompetence, it wouldn’t be too strange for me, as a commoner, to be raised as her personal servant.

Having heard the rumors about Shione that spread through the capital, he probably had also heard rumors about me as well.

It’s no wonder he wanted to ask many things.

“When did the lady start shooting like that?”

However, he set aside all his curiosity about me and demanded an answer about Shione’s archery.

I paused for a moment, lost in thought, and then answered slowly.

“The first time she shot an arrow was last winter.”

“Winter? I never heard about her going to the shooting range while I was still at the Count’s House.”

“Right up until the days began to warm, Lady Shione went out alone in the early mornings to practice.”

“……”

A shadow deepened on Sion’s face.

He looked deep in thought.

“And once the weather warmed, she finally began visiting the shooting range during daylight.”

Not just Sion, but look at everyone with their ears perked up.

Everyone in the shooting range focused on my story.

The only one who wasn’t listening was Shione, deeply engrossed in shooting.

She was in a state of flow. Her immersion wouldn’t end until she had shot all the arrows.

“When she first arrived, everyone here was puzzled. No one knew why Lady Shione came to this place.”

“……”

“Yet, unbothered, Lady Shione kept shooting arrows. Since then, she had done just as she said. Given the time and conditions allowed, she came every day to shoot arrows and improved every day.”

“……”

“It has only been a year.”

“A year…?”

“It’s been a year since Lady Shione first shot an arrow.”

Bam!

A loud sound of the bowstring echoed across the shooting range.

Woosh!!!

Shione’s arrowhead resonated with the powerful mana. A clear sound filled the shooting range.

I had told Shione when I first taught her archery.

An arrow makes the most satisfying trajectory only when its owner unwaveringly trusts themselves.

That’s who Shione is now.

“Haha…”

Shione, upon watching the last arrow she shot, smiled weakly.

Sweat trickled down her slender jawline.

As if she no longer had the strength to pull the bowstring, her arms hung down limply, and her legs started to tremble slightly as if she might fall over at any moment.

But Shione smiled. With sheer relief.

Coincidentally, she managed to succeed right at this moment.

Having poured a powerful aura that could pierce through the strong armor and take a knight’s heart, she had finally unleashed it within her own arrow.

Crack!

The arrow she used to target a scarecrow.

Not only did it pierce through the scarecrow’s heart, but it soared through the air for a while longer, tearing through the wind before eventually falling to the ground.

They say a servant’s pride comes from the radiant glow of their master’s brilliance.

Here, at this very moment, Shione shone most brilliantly.

Without a doubt, I proclaimed with complete confidence.

“Only within one year, you’ve achieved this. You’ve successfully found your talent. The brightest talent of all.”

“……”

“Lady Shione shall become the most excellent archer.”

“……”

“I firmly believe that Lady Shione will become a legendary archer and proudly claim a page in history.”

After finishing those words, I bowed my head slightly and then hurried to Shione’s side.

I rushed over to support her, and she leaned into me, letting out all her strength.

Shione felt light. But the feat she just displayed was weightier than anything.

With a slight smile, she whispered.

“I’ve read in novels that realization is important. I didn’t think that saying was true.”

She took a breath before flashing me another bright smile, then lightly tapped my shoulder.

I turned to help her face Sion again.

Sion’s gaze caught Shione’s as she boldly asked.

“How about it, is your confirmation finished now?”