Chapter 191
After the unintended commotion.
The master and disciples gathered, engaging in heartfelt conversation.
I'm also a disciple, so why am I narrating from an observer's perspective?
'Because I'm not there with them.'
I was crumpled up like a paper doll by Lucia's hand. My whole body was drained of strength.
But that wasn't the only problem.
"Mmph mmph!"
"Kekekekekeke! Just endure it for a few days. When you open your eyes, you'll be at the Lucid household."
Currently, I was being tightly bound from head to toe by Nanny.
Nanny's objective was obvious. She intended to confine me in the Lucid household and create an opportunity to marry me off to Lucia.
'She's a handsome child kidnapper!'
No matter how cute I am, this is going too far. Isn't this a real crime?
I wanted to cry out for help, but I couldn't speak because Nanny had gagged me.
"Mmph mmph mmph!!"
A final struggle with all my might.
Only then did Lucia, who noticed me, approach and ask.
"Nanny, what are you doing?"
"I'm packaging him. He might spoil on the way, though."
"...So why are you packaging that."
"Isn't it a gift? It's only natural to take it with us!"
"...Sorry, but could you tell them I'm returning it? It's not that it'll spoil on the way, it's already spoiled."
Nanny looked crestfallen.
By the way, referring to a person as spoiled. It's not like I'm food or anything.
Even if I were food, I'd still be delicious even if spoiled!
"Zero, it's regrettable, but we'll have to aim for the next opportunity."
"Keke, I didn't want to go in the first place though."
"Kekekeke, you might like it once you arrive? The underground prison of the Lucid household is famous for being pleasant. If you stay there for about 3 years, don't you think you'll develop a desire to marry the young lady?"
...Was my way of speaking this spine-chilling?
I could somewhat understand why people made those expressions whenever they talked to me.
"We've chatted too much. Come now, everyone gather around. It's truly time to part ways."
Lucia clapped her hands and gathered us.
"I wish I could instruct you directly with all my heart... but the situation isn't favorable."
Being called a hero doesn't mean everything is good.
Balls, noble councils, subjugation battles, wars, etc.
With lofty honor comes obligations that must be fulfilled. It's like a sort of obligatory defense battle (?).
'She can't take us to such places.'
If she took us to various events, it would be like advertising us as Lucia's disciples.
Battlefields go without saying. Those are real battlefields, not tests, and only the strong can survive there.
The excellent education system of Annwood Academy also played a part.
"In the first place, you guys aren't at a level to understand my instruction yet. So learn the basics here, and the real training will start around your 3rd year or after graduation. Keep that in mind."
There are vacations in between, but it's uncertain if Lucia will be able to make time then.
There are many places seeking heroes after all.
'Well, I didn't intend to seek her out in the first place.'
Lucia's training will surely make us stronger.
However.
'It can't compare to the hidden pieces.'
For ordinary students, vacations are just short rest periods, but for me, it's the only time I can leave this area and...
'The only chance to obtain fraudulent hidden pieces.'
That's right, for example.
Something like a hidden piece of the [Divine Imitation] class.
Anyway, I've already decided on the places I need to visit during the vacation.
There won't be any changes to the plan.
"But feel free to contact me anytime. I'm busy so I won't always be able to answer though."
Nanny handed each of us a piece of paper.
A piece of paper with unknown characters written on it.
[You have acquired Lucia's communication code.]
[From now on, you can freely contact 'Lucia de Lucid'. Try communicating using a magic crystal ball.]
A magic crystal ball, how old-fashioned.
It can't be helped. This is an old game after all.
Despite its appearance, it used to be touted as an incredibly innovative communication method.
"And speaking of gifts..."
As Lucia said that, everyone's gaze turned to me. Nanny clicked her tongue as if it was a waste.
By the way, why is she mentioning gifts in this situation?
Could it be that Lucia is also going to say 'I'm the gift'!?
"That's something I, as the master, should give."
...Such otaku-ish delusions didn't occur.
Lucia rummaged through her bosom and threw one to each of us.
A rectangular wooden plaque. In the center, the figure of a roaring lion was beautifully engraved in relief.
The roaring lion, the symbol of the Lucid household.
That's right, this is.
"Proof that you are people associated with our household. You'll be treated quite well in the territories of allied nobles... It should be useful elsewhere too?"
Of course.
"You might die if things go wrong though."
"Wh, why is that?"
"Enemies can be anywhere, but... the value of that plaque is quite heavy. You guys are young, right? There might be people who find it suspicious and try to verify it."
Con artists, merchants, knights, allied nobles, etc.
In the worst case, there might be those who try to kill and take it.
"Hii, hiiieeeek! I, I won't use it until I die!"
Perhaps realizing the weight of the wooden plaque, Rezé immediately paled.
"Ahaha! Still, you should use it when you feel like you're going to die. Actually, it'll save your life more often than put you in danger. The influence of our household extends far and wide, even to places we can't see."
The Lucid household, one of the pillars of the empire.
Not only is their status grand on the surface, but there are countless people who secretly respect and admire them.
As Lucia said, we'll experience more good things than bad.
'She's giving an amazing gift at the end.'
Especially for me, even more so.
Because hundreds of ways to gain profit by using this wooden plaque and its close connection to the Lucid household came to mind.
Huh? Aren't I the con artist Lucia was just worried about?
That's a misunderstanding. I'm not a con artist.
I'm just a good person trying to make good use of the wooden plaque given to me.
"This is all I can give you right now. I'm sorry. I should have prepared more..."
"N, no, Master! We're the ones who are sorry!"
"Ma, Master..."
"Why are you crying? It's not like we won't see each other again. You cute things, come here. Let me hug you one by one."
But even Lucia couldn't hide the sniffling sound.
"Master!"
"My beloved disciples!"
The three of them hugged each other tightly.
Of course, I was forcibly excluded again this time.
"Keke, Zero. Shall I hug you?"
Nanny slyly approached me.
"Keke, if you just throw away the rope you're hiding behind your back."
"Oh my, how did this get here?"
Nanny tossed the rope. As if she really didn't know.
I whispered in Nanny's ear while lightly embracing her.
"You're going to Kalos, right?"
"Of course. I'm always with the young lady."
That's right. Lucia and Nanny are of one mind and body.
99% of the information obtained from Caron is likely shared between them. That's why I boldly mentioned the secret of 'Kalos'.
'Nanny also seems to know my identity to some extent.'
Rather, it's a good thing.
"I know Teacher Caron is also included in the subjugation team, but you're not going together?"
"All members of the subjugation team will move separately and then join at a designated location. There are many prying eyes, you know?"
"Then when will Teacher Caron leave?"
"Tonight or tomorrow morning. He insisted on doing the test before leaving. The schedule is quite tight."
In that case, there's a high probability that Caron will come looking for me tonight.
"Keke, thank you. I've obtained good information."
"Kekekeke, don't worry. I intend to be thoroughly compensated later." I didn't particularly want to ask what that compensation was.
And so, our master, Lucia, left.
It was a short but intense.
Month-long encounter.
*
While riding a wyvern with Nanny.
Lucia suddenly felt a chill in her lower body.
It was only natural. She was wearing a skirt, and not just any skirt, but the uniform skirt of Annwood Academy.
A skirt that was incredibly shortened at that.
"Ugh! My dignity as a master!"
Lucia clutched her head in despair. Her first-ever disciples.
Greenhorns, let's meet on the battlefield next time.
The plan to leave in a cool manner while saying that was completely ruined.
"Forget being cool, you're just whining! Lucia! You call yourself an adult!?"
"Keke, I thought it was humane and nice. Well. It was a ladylike appearance."
Lucia's eyes shifted to the side.
Nanny. She was the root of all this.
"Nanny! Isn't this really too much? I never even imagined you had such intentions!"
Let's do a uniform cosplay (?) to compete with Luna and seduce Zero at the same time!
Even while being hit by the fierce wind, Lucia's face grew hot.
"Kekeke, dignity is important, but marriage is even more important."
"Aagh! Please stop speaking like that!"
"Keke, I can't do that. I intend to keep it up until the day I meet Zero again. It would be troubling to forget the groom."
"Who in the world is the groom!?"
"Keke, of course it's Zero. 'Because Lady Lucia is not an object.' Phew, this Nanny's heart was pounding."
Lucia pouted.
'Well... It's true that I felt a little flutter then, but.'
Not only is there an age gap, but Zero is now a disciple.
Marrying a disciple is socially unacceptable.
"We're master and disciple now, you know? Even if I want to marry, I can't."
"Social norms aren't laws. No, even if it's a law, it's not a problem. What's important is love."
"I've never started or tried to start that so-called love! Plus, what about Luna? The master snatches the disciple's boyfriend? The whole world will curse me!"
"Th, that's right!"
Nanny slapped her forehead. Did she finally understand what Lucia was saying?
"Yes, so just give up..."
"The number of forbidden relationships has increased by one!"
"What? What's that?"
Nanny thrust her face forward.
"The sweeter the forbidden fruit, the better."
"...Forbidden fruit?"
"Twenty-year age gap, student, noble and commoner, highest class and lowest class, master and disciple, hero and suspicious character!"
"..."
"Right now, an immense forbidden item has been added to the already forbidden item! Oh my, oh my, how can this be!"
Seeing Nanny's eyes rolling back, Lucia thought.
That she was crazy.
"Do you know why forbidden fruit is dangerous?"
"...I don't particularly want to know."
"Because everything ends with just one bite. So from now on, there's only one thing you need to do. Just one bite. You just need to take one bite!"
"...You're telling me to bite?"
"Keke... I'm saying to lure him to the room, to a space with just the two of you. Then Miss Luna or whoever will be done for in an instant..."
"Y, you're crazy. Really! Get away! It's dirty!"
"Not eating such forbidden fruit is the true sin! This is all for your sake!"
Seeing Nanny's eyes filled with whites, Lucia realized.
That she herself wasn't even a concern right now. Nanny was only interested in the marriage between Zero and herself.
"Aaagh! Just fly the wyvern! We're going to fall and die at this rate!"
"Kekekeke! I see. If you survive this, it means you'll marry Zero! I'll make sure to accomplish it!"
"...How in the world does my words get interpreted like that!?"
Despite Lucia's cries, there was no change in Nanny's actions.
She just repeated 'kekekeke!' while demonstrating skillful wyvern control.
Seeing that, Lucia flopped down and let out a sigh.
'Not knowing others' thoughts...'
From the day she saw Zero's flash at the training grounds, Lucia always thought.
That the spirit of the Lester household's secret techniques wielded by Zero.
Lacked 'pride'.
'Zero's goal isn't to restore the honor of the Lester household. There's no evidence, but I can feel it.'
If he had dreamed of being the Lester household's rat, he should have inherited at least some of that lofty pride.
But she didn't feel that from Zero.
'Is it because his heart has been unrestrained since the Lester household was annihilated, or...'
Because he has decided not to be picky about the means and methods for the sake of revenge.
She didn't know which one it was, but if it was the latter, it would be the worst.
Because it meant he would stain the Lester household's swordsmanship and lofty pride.
With blood.
If what Zero was dreaming of was something like that.
'I'll have to stop him.'
Setting a disciple on the right path when they're going down the wrong one.
That's the mission and duty given to a master.
That's right. From the moment she decided to accept Zero as a disciple, Lucia had already made up her mind.
If Zero goes on a rampage, drunk on blood, she will stop him.
Even.
"If I have to kill him."
While Lucia was thinking about this and that, the wyvern just kept flapping its wings.
Towards the western end of the empire.
--TL Notes--
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