Chapter 115
With a soft thud, as I placed my hand on the wall, Rodelin found herself cornered against it by me.
"Ze, Zero? What is this all about..."
"Keke, I will continue to do such dangerous things in the future. As long as it means I can protect my allies."
"..."
"However, I think I can restrain myself. If you would grant me just one request."
"...What is it?"
I asked, extending my index finger.
"Just once, allow me to stroke your head."
"My, my head?"
"Yes. If you permit it, I will do my best to avoid reckless actions in the future."
"This is unprecedented! A junior stroking the head of their senior!"
Huh? You dislike it? Then.
"Sob sob... To think you can't grant your junior's earnest request. I might as well go and sign a contract with a demon right now. And it would be a terribly unfair contract."
"That, that's...! Calm down! What meaning does this action have!"
Rodelin was visibly flustered.
Almost had her, it seems.
"It's about bonding."
"...Bonding?"
"That's right. In the event we find ourselves in such a situation one day, we'll remember this moment."
Sob sob, it's too hard. A demon is tempting me.
But Senior Rodelin said never to make a contract with a demon.
Right, for a junior, you even offered your head. Telling me to never forget this advice.
Everyone, rise up! Let's fight and win!
"That's what it is. An extreme exchange of emotions, even in tough situations, that reminds us of the senior's advice! A firm bond between senior and junior!"
...Now, I don't even know what I'm saying anymore.
But I had no intention of giving up.
Because teasing Rodelin is just too fun.
"It's a ritual to strengthen the bond between senior and junior. Just by being stroked once, you could save me. But surely..."
I whispered closer to Rodelin.
"You wouldn't refuse, would you?"
"Ah... Ah... Uh..."
Rodelin's eyes spun wildly.
Rodelin, not knowing what to do, suddenly bowed her head deeply.
Though I couldn't see her face in that position, it was clear she was blushing fiercely.
Her ears were so red they looked like they might burst into flames.
If you brought paper close to them, it might catch fire.
That's how hot Rodelin's face was.
"For the sake of a junior... I suppose I have no choice."
Permission was granted.
Sacrificing her own dignity for a junior.
What a senior, truly a senior.
"Then I shall proceed."
"...Please, be gentle."
Gentle, huh.
Provoking me with such a provocative (?) word.
'Using a word that turns all men rough...!'
Of course, I'm talking about the stroking.
A once in a lifetime opportunity.
To be gentle or rough, I had to think carefully.
'Alright, I've decided.'
Pretend to be gentle while being rough.
My grand strategy to enjoy both at once!
The moment I was about to place my hand on Rodelin's head, still with her eyes tightly shut.
A huge face suddenly wedged itself between us.
"Hmm... I didn't know you were that close to the young lady. This complicates things."
It was the nanny of the de Lucid household. She had squeezed herself between us.
At the same time, life began to return to Rodelin's eyes.
She had come to her senses.
'No! My stroking opportunity!'
To miss such a once-in-a-lifetime chance!
How regrettable...
"Nanny? Why are you here..."
"Before that, I have one question for the young lady. Are you in a relationship with Zero?"
"That's ridiculous!"
"I see. That's a relief."
The nanny pulled out a notebook and began scribbling something.
"He seems like a troublemaker despite appearances... This is problematic."
What's problematic? And I'm not a troublemaker, okay?
"Well, if he were to cheat, the eldest lady would chop him into pieces and confine him in the mansion, so there's no need to worry... But still, it's best to be cautious."
What?
"She might even mount him as a trophy. The lady does cherish her possessions, after all."
...I better just stay quiet.
I am the air, and the air is me.
Becoming one with the air was when.
Rodelin, now back to her senses, asked the nanny.
"Haven't you gone back yet? It's been three days already."
"There's one matter I need to resolve."
"I see. And my sister?"
"Three days means she's been one with her bed for three days."
"...This cannot be ignored."
"It may be troublesome, but I must ask for your assistance."
"Don't worry, Nanny. I'll throw her out, bed and all."
After Rodelin left, it was just the nanny and me.
Bowing deeply.
"Then, I too shall take my leave..."
Just as I was about to politely say goodbye.
Snap.
"...?"
The nanny caught me by the nape of my neck. Then she started to chuckle.
"Kuku."
"..."
"Kukukukuku...!"
I sighed lightly before speaking.
"It was a joke."
"I see... A joke. They say a joke is essential between lovers, better than a passionate love affair for longevity."
The day I first met Lucia. A casual joke I made.
For some reason, I seemed to have completely won over this nanny.
Not as a person.
But as a potential husband for Rodelin's elder sister, Lucia...
'As a husband.'
To judge someone not as a person, but on their suitability as a husband.
The nanny of the de Lucid household. Just as the rumors said, a fearsome (?) person.
"Keke, I am not in a romantic relationship with Miss Lucia."
"That can be easily resolved, can't it?"
Wow, Nanny~ That's amazing.
How can you say that's easily resolved?
"I've met many men, but I've never seen anyone like Zero. You're quite charming."
The nanny's gaze was sticky.
Hmm, it seems like the genre has suddenly changed. From fantasy to daily drama.
Should the title be The Nanny's Seduction?
"How can your flustered look be so adorable? You and our miss would make a perfect pair."
"..."
"Kuku, don't be nervous. There will be plenty of opportunities to get to know our miss. I'm sure she'll grow on you."
Suddenly, the nanny's gaze turned icy.
"I'll remodel her to suit your tastes."
"What?"
"Both her appearance and her inner self, I'll adjust everything to fit your preferences. Ah, don't say it's impossible. I'll make sure it fits, even if it means breaking her body."
Hmm, as I've felt since a while ago, this nanny isn't normal either.
Is it just me who's normal in this world?
If so, that's quite bleak.
"So, won't you tell me your preferences? What type of woman do you like..."
"Keke, I'm quite busy, so I'll take my leave now."
The nanny, who was preparing to take notes, froze.
She might be getting angry. It was time to prepare to run away.
"Ah, right. My mistake. I should have given you time to think. Completely slipped my mind."
What?
"Take your time to think about it and let me know. Then, goodbye..."
The nanny disappeared in an instant.
I thought to myself, maybe this game.
Could end with a bad ending called marriage.
* * *
Training Grounds.
Luna stretched her body here and there before immediately drawing her sword.
"Alright, shall we go? Being cooped up has made me restless."
Luna was more motivated than ever.
'It might be partly because she was confined for three days, as Luna mentioned...'
But it's more likely because of the fight with the demon.
She must have felt her own weaknesses acutely.
'And the same goes for me.'
I drew my sword a little away from Luna.
I planned to start training from today.
I hadn't needed to train until now.
'But now it's different.'
[Fleur Family Style C].
Now that I've obtained a skill that can grow, not training would be foolish.
'...I can become the real deal.'
It would take a long time to reach S class.
But I had no intention of giving up. Because it's a chance to become 'real'.
'And I've prepared a little cheat.'
[Hard Worker: A]
Skill growth speed +15%
During lunch, I copied Alex's passive skill using [Divine Imitation].
With this, my experience points will increase during training.
'I want to become stronger quickly.'
I lost myself in thought while swinging my sword.
While reviewing my battles with Bineus and then Lérang, it occurred to me. Maybe.
'Could I have saved Lérang?'
After analyzing the timeline, I realized it wasn't entirely impossible.
If I had sought out Teacher Lérang as soon as I entered the academy and convinced him to abandon the demon sword.
And after converting him through conversation, received the [Fleur Family Style]?
'...Might the outcome have been better?'
The rewards, like titles, might have been different, but that doesn't matter.
Because I would receive a greater reward.
'If I had succeeded in saving Lérang, there's a high likelihood that a training quest would have been linked.'
The occasional quest that appears when inheriting techniques.
Under the guidance of a master, faster skill growth was possible.
'The problem is, doing so would mean the first chapter would be without a boss...'
Considering Bineus's case, there would have been preparations for that.
Indeed, this game is impressive.
The world I loved.
No matter how many thousands, tens of thousands of times it's played.
It shines with a different light every time, illuminating the world with its breathtaking beauty.
'...I want to try playing the game this way now.'
I found myself wanting to see Teacher Lérang guiding us in this training ground.
Another reason to clear the final boss was added at that moment.
* * *
While the training was in full swing.
"Hello~!"
The door to the training ground opened, and Yuridia made her appearance.
Her usual escort was nowhere to be seen.
Meaning, she came alone.
After looking back and forth between me and Luna, Yuridia spoke.
"Um~ What's this? You're not doing anything?"
"Keke, we are in the midst of training."
"No, no. I thought it would be a... heated atmosphere."
"...?"
"This is the training ground of rumors, right? I was expecting something... Ah, what a letdown."
Several incidents did occur here.
From physical altercations with Luna to Rezé's appearance and rope play(?).
But to expect that and come here. A pervert?
After wiping sweat with a towel, I focused back on training.
The Fleur family's swordsmanship. Lacking in flashiness but solid and weighty.
Truly a swordsmanship as strong as steel.
"What, ignoring me? Even after I kept your secret. This is troubling."
Yuridia voiced her dissatisfaction.
Secret.
Right. As Yuridia mentioned, a small secret had developed between us.
During the time confined in the infirmary, we lightly discussed and came to an agreement.
The user of [Demon Slave] that pushed Bineus to the brink of death.
It was made to appear as if Yuridia, not I, had used it.
'When I started chanting the spell, Yuridia yelled what I was doing, drawing attention for a moment...'
But given the demon in front of them and their focus on Bineus's [Demon Magic], there was no chance to look our way.
So, people think I helped Yuridia recover her mana in a strange (?) way.
Then, Yuridia used [Demon Slave].
That's the current belief.
'Almost became troublesome... Fortunately.'
If it had been revealed that I could use the de Rownter family's forbidden technique.
I would have been 100% suspected of being a suspicious person.
So, it worked out well.
Of course, there was one problem. Specifically...
"I have a favor to ask, will you listen? Oh, you don't have the right to refuse. Because I know Zero's secret."
Damn that Miss Yuridia.
--TL Notes--
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