The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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A sudden uninvited guest appeared amid the raging blizzard.

‘What is that bastard doing here?’

It was none other than an Orc—the main culprit rampaging across the western territory.

They had been adamant that there wasn’t a single Orc to be found anywhere near this passage. So why did it have to show up right in front of us?

I had questions, sure, but I didn’t have the time to mull over such a trivial matter.

[An emergency quest has been formed.]

“Pierce the Bad Weather”

“A blizzard is raging. For some reason, Orcs that shouldn’t exist here have made their appearance before you and Princess Shione Shianella, piercing through with cold winds and heavy snow. Shoot arrows that won’t be swayed by the storm and protect your master.”

“Reward: Accelerated growth rate for Shione Shianella, increased mana.”

“Failure: Serious injury to Shione Shianella.”

Just like the time we faced Arachne in the Beltlin mountains, an emergency quest had popped up.

As the quest mentioned, the first Orc to show its face was right before us.

I could confirm that there were several more lurking behind it.

‘This is troublesome.’

The numbers were quite significant.

…It seemed like there were at least dozens of them.

That thought fluttered in my mind, making me feel like this was going to be quite the hassle.

“Grrraaaah!!”

The Orc’s unique roar pierced through the howling wind, crashing into my ears.

It charged at Shione and me with a relentless bellow.

If we collided, it would be clear as day that we wouldn’t come out unharmed.

With Shione still in a half-hearted protective embrace, there wasn’t even time to reconfigure my stance for a counterattack.

I quickly assessed Shione, who was frozen in shock at the sudden appearance of the Orc, and then immediately channeled my mana.

The mana residing in my heart began to surge through my body’s pathways.

My physical abilities and senses heightened, but that was merely a secondary effect.

Right now, I wasn’t just circulating mana for physical enhancement.

‘I’m going to use Spirit Magic.’

Spirit Magic. Specifically, I was calling upon the power of wind.

Since our team didn’t have a wizard, nobody would likely notice the miracle manifesting through my mana.

In this blizzard, the only one who might sense the magic would be Siabel at best.

Additionally, with such strong winds already howling…

Surely, the winds I conjured would be hidden within this fierce chill.

There was no hesitation in manifesting my magic.

“Hold on tight.”

The moment Shione clung to me as instructed…

Whoosh!

A gust of wind burst forth from around me, sweeping over my body.

The air chilled to match the temperature surrounding us, yet it made me even more agile.

I sprang sideways, evading the Orc’s attack.

“Nnngh…!!”

What a wretched scream. What the heck is “Nnngh”?

I released my arm that was wrapped around Shione’s waist and readied my bow.

Just as I pulled an arrow from the quiver and nocked it…

“Kuhuaaah!”

A green lump slammed down right where we had been standing.

Boom!

That was a brazenly reckless attack. The trajectory was clear, the movements were predictable, but still, it would be a grave mistake to underestimate them.

Orcs possess innate brute strength. Even if they look clumsy, a solid hit would shatter bones and rupture flesh.

Whoosh!

As it yanked its fist from the ground, the snow that had been scattered around us clouded my vision.

A snowball rose before the head of the hulking creature.

“Gah!”

I concentrated the whirlwind at the arrow’s tip.

As the spirit magic manifested in my arrow, my bow responded.

Indeed, it was an elven bow!

The bow resonated with my mana, amplifying the wind’s power.

Just then, the fierce ferocity that would ordinarily require three times as much mana began to swirl and condense.

The arrow shot forth, piercing through the rising snowball.

Swoosh!!

Boom!

The Orc staggered and fell.

My arrow had indeed penetrated the Orc’s temple.

However, there was no time to bask in the feeling of having successfully unleashed a magical shot after so long.

“Grah!!”

“Grahhh!!”

The smell of blood had excited the Orcs, who came rushing forth with drool dripping from their jaws.

“Princess Shione, we need to hurry and brace ourselves. The situation isn’t looking good.”

“…Wouldn’t it be better to flee instead?”

“Well, it’s already too late to run; look at those drooling beasts.”

“……”

“They’re about to charge at us as a group, so getting away through this bad weather is looking quite difficult.”

“Ugh…”

Gone was the image of Shione trembling in fear at the sight of Orcs just half a year ago.

With a single sigh, she donned a serious expression, ready for battle.

At this moment, she already seemed quite the capable archer, aiming her bow with intent at the enemies.

Her changed demeanor.

A year ago, she wouldn’t have imagined herself like this.

No longer the helpless little pup that merely barked harmlessly.

She had grown to show a fierce determination.

“Shione!”

As the unusual commotion reached her, Siabel came rushing over, calling for her sister.

“Are you hurt?”

“No, Ray protected me.”

“And what about that Orc over there?”

Siabel’s gaze landed coldly on the Orc, who was slowly regaining its bearings.

“That Orc… Ray took it down.”

The arrow that had unflinchingly pierced through even in the fierce storm captured Siabel’s full attention, showcasing the power behind my strike.

At Shione’s words, Siabel briefly turned to me.

“…That was impressively clean.”

Siabel flashed a small smile before playfully tugging at my cheek.

Swish!

With grace, she drew her piercing sword.

A fine blade bestowed upon her by Ainel Shianella after reaching the level of Sword Expert.

Hers was a sword that held enough frightening aura, rivaling that of the one Shione received from the royal family.

For instance, it could easily slice through an Orc’s hide.

“What a hassle this has turned into. The god of fate surely has little compassion.”

If Shione had merely displayed hostility towards the Orcs up ahead, Siabel now showed a chilling, bloodthirsty air that would make even the bravest shiver.

“They should have just stayed locked away in the Beltlin Mountains. I don’t know why they had to wander down here, and of all things, confront us in a blizzard.”

Siabel’s eyes began to blaze sharply.

The icy expression she wore mirrored the chilling glare Ainel gave me as she had held a blade to my neck.

Generating mystical energy overhead, she readied herself to strike right into the midst of the Orcs.

In that moment, she slightly tilted her head, glancing back at me.

“There’s only one knight here besides me to defend you and our Shianella.”

Whoosh!

A fierce wind blew, loosening Siabel’s hair tie, which flew away, never to be seen again. Her silvery hair flowed glorious in the gust.

“I’ll temporarily leave my sister and the soldiers’ safety to you.”

“…Are you talking about me?”

“Who else could possibly do it other than you? You just neatly pierced through that Orc’s head after all.”

“……”

“Just buy us a little time. If you manage, I’ll prepare a small reward when we get back to the mansion. How’s that sound, starting to feel a bit eager now?”

…If they’re saying all that.

I did have a reputation for catching Arachne after all.

Would it really make a difference to take down a few Orcs now?

Nodding lightly, Siabel’s lips curled into a grin.

“Wait just a moment. I’ll sweep them away in no time.”

Thump!

With a powerful kick against the ground, Siabel propelled herself forward.

She charged toward the Orcs with terrifying speed, drawing her sword.

The blade traced a great arc, and in its wake, blue aura surged like gentle waves.

The fan-shaped projection of her aura shimmered brightly even amidst the relentless blizzard.

“Grah…!”

Boom.

The Orc’s knee crumpled beneath it, dropping down to meet Siabel at eye level.

Yet, even in its enraged state, it didn’t relent in its onslaught.

Despite one of its legs being out of commission, it chose fury over despair, wildly swinging its arms instead.

Whoosh!

Its bulky arm sliced through the air toward Siabel, but—

Slash!

As Siabel crossed blades with the creature mid-swing, its flailing attack met nothing but the ground.

The Orc glared indignantly at Siabel.

She merely stood silently with her blade, calmly absorbing its formidable rage.

Thud—

“Grrr…”

The Orc spluttered blood, culminating its life as Siabel’s sword plunged into its throat.

Thud.

As she extracted her weapon from the beast, it fell back limply.

With her foot planted on the body, Siabel took in the sight of the darkening world around her with discerning blue eyes.

“Phew…”

A sigh escaped Siabel’s lips.

Beyond the breath rising like mist, she could see the advancing Orcs rushing towards her.

A bitter smile crept across her face.

“What is Diolia doing sending this many down here?”

As the red blood flowing from the slain Orc began to taint the pure snow beneath her feet, Siabel’s solo dance of slaughter commenced.