LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 80
How long has it been since I spent another long time riding in a carriage?
Sitting in the endlessly moving carriage, I simply gazed at the scenery passing outside, losing track of time.
Finally, I could see the large and grand castle walls of the Shianella Count’s estate shining in the distance, a source of pride for them.
Indeed, Princess Shione, who was laid back in a comfortable position with her legs stretched out on the carriage floor, seemed overjoyed to finally be back in the territory where she was born and raised.
“Finally…!”
She instantly jumped up from the floor where she had been lounging the whole day, claiming the seat next to me.
Without caring about my presence, Shione pressed her cheek against the window to gaze at the castle walls.
As time passed, still not wanting to move away from my side, she adjusted her sitting position and looked at her bow resting on one side of the carriage.
The bow she received from Ainel.
Although it was a recurve bow made from the same wood, its elasticity and reinforced tension meant that Shione hadn’t completely adapted to it due to her insufficient practice time.
With a pleased smile while gazing at her new bow, she scratched her head and spoke.
“It seems I’ll be quite busy when we return to the Count’s house.”
Having dealt with numerous annoying and troublesome matters during our carriage journey, one would think she’d deserve some rest instead of more busyness upon returning to the estate.
Even as I knew her words were just a mindless mumble, I couldn’t let it slide.
“What do you mean you’ll be busy?”
Shione looked down at her slim, elongated fingers as she replied.
“Given the circumstances, it’s been too long since I had a proper chance to shoot my bow. Maybe that’s why I feel a bit out of practice. When we get back to the Count’s house, I plan to spend quite a while at the shooting range.”
Her unexpectedly thoughtful remark caught me off guard.
I brushed her platinum hair back as if it were something I was used to after a while.
Like a cat enjoying its owner’s petting, Shione purred under my touch while I offered her a bit of encouragement.
“You’ve been quite impressive when goblins attacked the carriage during our travels, right, Princess Shione?”
During our time in the carriage, we certainly encountered numerous monsters when boredom struck us.
Goblins were particularly frequent around the carriage.
Shione eagerly took the lead each time, shooting arrows at the monsters with determination.
Contrary to her claim, she hadn’t lost her touch; instead, she seemed to develop even more.
‘She hit the moving goblin heads with precision, after all.’
Almost all the arrows struck the goblin’s torso.
On occasion, she’d even pierce through the heads of thrashing goblins, showing a commendable accuracy rate.
Thinking about the time we first headed toward the Beltrin Mountains when she shot a wild arrow at a goblin, one could say the progress she made was nothing short of significant.
Shione seemed pleased with my words and puffed her shoulders proudly.
“Well, thank you for saying that. But this level still doesn’t satisfy me. At the very least… I must surpass my mentor.”
“Your mentor? You mean that person?”
“Of course! My archery mentor is Ray. Who else could it be?”
“…That won’t be easy.”
“You won’t know how long or short it’ll take until you try. Just wait a little. While I might not beat you outright, it won’t take long before I’m up to a similar level.”
“Ah….”
Well, they say dreaming big is good.
Moreover….
To save this world from being toyed with by demons, we might need dozens, hundreds.
Or perhaps even thousands of people with skills beyond mine.
I quietly nodded at Shione’s words.
“…I’ll support you.”
Hearing my reply, Shione nodded with satisfaction.
Having wrapped up what I had to say, I thought I’d return to my designated spot beneath the warm blanket, intending to lie sprawled on the floor again.
However, Shione remained beside me, staring at my profile intently.
Her unwavering gaze felt particularly intense today.
When I turned my head to see why she was looking at me so intently—
“And also—”
Shione, as if she had merely been waiting for me to notice, smiled at the perfect moment.
Then she wrapped one of my arms, leaning her shoulder against me.
A delicate voice flowed from her small mouth, drawing a soft curve.
“Did you forget the promise we made earlier?”
“The promise…?”
“Hmmm. You haven’t forgotten, have you? Well, it’s fine. I remember it very clearly.”
With her cheeks puffed out, Shione pretended to be upset.
She locked eyes with me.
Her azure eyes sparkled brighter than usual today.
“Once you can load mana into an arrowhead like an Expert knight, you clearly said that you would offer your lips to me first.”
“…….”
“By your expression, it seems like you just remembered.”
What a little devil.
Shione emanated an endlessly playful yet serious atmosphere at the same time.
“…Just a little longer, okay?”
Shione gently placed her index finger on my lips.
“I’ll make sure to hold you to that.”
I found myself staring blankly at Shione’s bold declaration.
Then, I quietly gave her head a gentle pat.
*
The long carriage ride came to an end, and I arrived at the now-familiar Shianella Count’s mansion.
Upon reaching the Count’s estate, Shione, Ainel, and others who had journeyed with us all returned to their respective rooms for some much-needed reorganization.
Of course, I too was no exception, heading to my assigned room to unpack and freshen up.
“Let’s just toss the sword Eunice gave me here… and I should keep my newly acquired bow over here since it’s precious…”
After roughly organizing my belongings, I washed up and changed out of my crumpled and dirty clothes into something neat.
I checked my appearance in the full-length mirror, adjusted my hair, and took a short break.
By the time Shione had finished washing up and changing, I began to walk toward her room.
As I made my way to her chamber, I slowly glanced around.
“…It’s been a while.”
The familiar layout and scenery of the mansion.
As I was reminiscing about these familiar sights, I spotted someone in the distance.
She had the same platinum hair as my master and wore clothes that would fit the mansion’s servants or knights.
So she must be a noble of the Shianella family, then.
Ainel mentioned she’d be holed up in her office for a while due to unfinished work, and Shione would likely be waiting for me in her room.
And given the striking familiarity of the beautiful embroidered formal attire she wore, it could only be one person.
‘Siabel Shianella.’
The one who noticed me handling magic right after Shione.
My master’s older sister, Siabel Shianella.
As soon as I recognized her, Siabel noticed me too, glancing my way before turning confidently in my direction.
“…Ray.”
As she quietly whispered my name, the corners of Siabel’s mouth curved up slightly.
As she changed her direction, she began to walk slowly toward me.
The closer she came, the more clearly I could see her.
Indeed… Siabel was just as she should be.
With the proud demeanor of an Expert knight, she walked confidently, exuding the elegance expected of the Count’s young lady in every little gesture.
And….
The considerable interest shining in her friendly atmosphere toward me hadn’t changed at all since the last time we met before parting.
Siabel and I exchanged simple talks to check on each other.
The conversation felt neither awkward nor unfamiliar since it had been a while.
After all, I was merely a subordinate under her, and she was my superior, so our conversation stayed formal.
But now the real problem began.
After sharing a few polite words, Siabel Shianella chuckled lightly before speaking.
“Well, let’s skip the tedious greetings since there isn’t much time. Let’s move on to the fun topic.”
“A fun topic…?”
“By the way, did you pass on my words to Aria Alenarr?”
Siabel waited eagerly for my answer, her expression brimming with anticipation.
Right… did I convey it well?
Indeed, I passed on exactly what she wanted to tell to Aria, the young lady of the Marquis family, without omitting a single word.
Though Aria had initially directed me to relay Siabel’s words, conveying the lines that would poke at Siabel’s nerves took quite a bit of mental energy.
As I recalled the banquet that took place last night, I suppressed my feelings as much as possible and nodded.
“Yes, Lady Siabel, I surely conveyed your words to Lady Aria Alenarr without missing a single word.”
“Hooh.”
At my response, it seemed like Siabel had heard an exceptionally entertaining story, chuckling softly.
“Well then… it must have been amusing to see that girl, Aria, turn red with anger right in front of you. I’d love to hear about her reaction.”
Recollecting Siabel’s words, I remembered Aria’s expression when she heard them.
At first, she seemed to hold back her frustration but eventually clenched her teeth and directed a wave of irritation toward Siabel.
“…Lady Aria Alenarr was quite furious, and then—”
“Lady Aria also requested that her words be passed on to Lady Siabel.”
Not one to lose, she insisted that her words should also be clearly delivered to Siabel.
When Siabel heard about Aria’s request, her eyes sparkled with even greater intrigue.
“A message from Aria, huh?”
Siabel crossed her arms, beaming with anticipation.
“Can you share it? Of course… word for word, if you can.”
What had I possibly done in my previous life to find myself in this situation right after returning to the Count’s estate?
Unable to resist Siabel’s gleaming gaze, I eventually conveyed exactly what Aria had said to me.
“Lady Aria Alenarr requested that….”
I took a moment to take a deep breath.
“This winter, the northern spear master said they’d take down that swordswoman who danced with knives every day…”
As I shared Aria’s words, I noticed Siabel’s brows twitch.
“And she said, ‘Get ready to be smashed by the bear from the north that’s coming down to your territory.’… she said that.”
That last bit only drew a chilling smile from Siabel.
…If that’s the case, we might as well just exchange letters instead.
Why drag someone into this mix and make my heart race like this?