96 95. Twenty Trials "Prison".txt (2/2)

It's all right. Mr. Glenn.

Snow nodded along with me. Apparently, he wasn't fazed by the thought of us fighting because of him.

'Huh, thank goodness ....... You've taken up a lot of my time, I have to go say hello, but ....... Snow, are you sure you're okay ......?

...... It's okay. I'm sorry you're the one who's busy, brother.

'No, I'm always busy ....... I'll be off then. ......

Mr. Glenn then walks into the Great Hall.

Immediately, Mr. Glenn is surrounded by people and begins to deal with them with a fake smile. The amount is many times greater than ours. It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of your time with the best of the best, because there are a lot of people who try to get in on the action.

You look busy, brother.

...... Yeah. Even if he's like that, he's a 'hero' of the five nations. He's like that wherever he goes.

'Wherever you go or ....... I don't like that .......

'...... I hate it too. I absolutely hate (・・・・)

Snow refuses in a hushed voice.

The stinky Snow may find the troublesome greetings most repellent.

Hey, Snow. What do you want to do today?　Can we go home now?

...... Yes, I want to go home.

Me and Snow agree and decide to leave the ball.

It's true that Snow isn't feeling well.

We'll keep our heads down and make our way out.

I lead the way back to the Great Hall.

Returning to the hustle and bustle of the nobles, I head for the exit without making eye contact with anyone with Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradiate).

Then, when I'm almost to the exit door, I'm approached by an unknown woman.

''Ah, brother. It's been a while.

It's a girl with short hair.

She uses a strange honorific and waves at me.

I'm puzzled.

The woman is a stranger. I'd like to ignore her, but she might be the daughter of an upper-class family that isn't even a joke.

I stop and look at the girl.

Then I hear more voices.

The next voice is low and old.

”Mu....... Are you Christ Eurasia ......?

It was an unusually tall woman.

She was a woman, but her voice was strangely low. She looks like a man.

She was taller than me, with sharp eyes and a dignified expression. Her long chestnut-colored hair is tied back and hangs down like a tail.

And I could tell by the way they walked that they weren't just any two people.

They looked like Rowen. Quiet and lean, the way they walked to swing their swords.

I quickly 'gaze' at them as soon as I could.

[Status]

Name: Persiona Quager HP430/434 MP105/105 Class: Knight

Level 27.

Strength 10.99 Strength 9.73 Skill 8.55 Speed 10.09 Wisdom 9.32 Magic 6.56 Elemental 1.56

Inherent Skill:.

Acquired Skill: Swordsmanship 1.89 Sacred Magic 1.95

【Status】

Name: Ragne Kaikwola HP158/161 MP36/36 Class: Knight

Level 17.

Strength 3.40 Strength 4.42 Skill 12.05 Speed 6.62 Wisdom 7.52 Magic 1.62 Qualities 1.12

Inherent skill: magic manipulation 2.12

Acquired Skill: Swordsmanship 0.57 Sacred Magic 1.02

The short-haired girl with multiple layers of skirts is Ragne Kaikwola, and the tall woman with a low voice is Persiona Quager.

No doubt about it.

They're both pretty good at what they do. Lagne Kaikwola's one has mastered the skill that made that Rowen even say that it's something that you can learn with your life, ”Magic Power Control”.

That's why I want to ignore it and leave .......

However, I didn't have the guts to ignore these knights who would have been named.

''I think you have the wrong person ....... I'm not that kind of name, so .......

I politely shake my head.

But Ragne Kaikwola approaches me with a strange look on her face.

''Heh?　It was impossible for us to mistake that Christ Eurasia. After being beaten so violently and unilaterally, it's almost like a dream. I was caught off guard that time, but I won't lose the next time.

No, no, you got the wrong--

I spread my hands out to make a wall against the girl who is getting closer and closer to my face.

''Hmm.''

Seeing this, Persiona Quager nods her head in agreement.

Then she grabs Ragne Kaikwola by the back collar and begins to speak while pulling back.

It's a good thing that you've got the wrong person. ...... Lagne, that man is right, he is the wrong person. Only that man's guilt has been settled in the deal between Fuzzyards and Lauravia. Therefore, this gentleman and that miscreant are not the same person.

Oh, really?　I haven't heard anything.

You're not only soft-spoken, you're also weak. So I didn't let you hear me.

Ma, ma'am. ......

They leave me alone to discuss it.

Apparently, ”Christ” is even suspected of being a sinner.

And then they begin to introduce themselves again.

”I apologize for the rudeness of my subordinate, Lord Aikawa, the hero of Lauravian. I am Persiona Quager, the first in the pecking order of the Seven Celestial Knights of the Foozeyards. It's a pleasure to meet you.

I'm Lagne Kaikwola as well. I came third in the pecking order.

I can't help it when people call me by my name so politely.

I'll call my name back too.

''I'm Aikawa Uzumi, guild master of the ...... Lauravia's direct guild 'Epic Seeker', and this is the submaster, Snow Walker. This is Submaster Snow Walker. However, I'm in a hurry right now, so let me excuse myself--

I'm back, sir.

The words to leave this place are interrupted by a new girl.

She is one of the most noble girls in the ballroom. She flutters her conspicuous blonde twin-tail and wears a luxurious dress decorated with gold and silver embroidery.

Just in time, let me introduce you. Newly inducted into the ”Celestial Knights” are Franlle Helvilleshein, sixth in the hierarchy, and Rainer Helvilleshein, seventh in the hierarchy.

Perciona Quager introduces herself to the girl without pause.

Then she meets eyes with the twin-tailed girl.

''Heh, huh?　Ki, Christ ......?

The twin-tailed girl's blue eyes became squeaky small, and she opened her mouth wide and muttered, 'Christ.

''--!

Behind him, the boy in the butler's uniform was also surprised. But his surprise was different from that of the girl.

The boy shows a stinging hostility after his astonishment.

I 'gaze' at the boy in response to the hostility and lightly brace myself.

[Status]

Name: Rainer Helvirshine HP142/172 MP23/50 Class: Knight

Level 12.

Strength 6.12 Strength 4.52 Skill 5.01 Speed 6.92 Wisdom 6.53 Magic 3.88 Elemental 1.89

Inherent skill: wind magic 1.12

Acquired skill: swordcraft 1.23 sacred magic 1.02

Liner Helvirshine.

There's some talent there, but he's not an opponent to be particularly wary of. It should be .......

And by the time he finished looking at the status, the boy's hostility had disappeared like a fog. He gently erased his expression and held back behind the girl. In line with that, I also release my stance.

''Eh, eh?　Why is Christ here?　And that's with Snow: ......

The twin-tailed girl, Franlle Helvirshain, tries to close in on me, even more so than Ragne Kaikwola earlier.

However, Snow interrupts in between and keeps the distance between us.

''It's been a long time since I've seen ...... you, Flanruele-sama. I heard that you were anointed as the highest-ranking knight of the Hoosiers. Congratulations.

Snow and Franlle Helvirshein seem to know each other.

'Snow ......!　I'd heard you were taking a leave of absence from the academy and running a guild: ......!　You said you weren't interested in Christ!

...... in the course of events.

What? It just happened!　I wouldn't have a hard time if I could be with Christ by accident!

From what I've heard, he seems to know someone from the Academy. He seems more at ease than when talking to other nobles.

Behind him, Perciona Quager's low voice comes over.

''Don't go any further, Fran. That man is not 'Christ'.

It takes, but Franlle Helvirshain does not stop.

'Christ, it's me!　I'm Frenlle Helvirshain, who helped me with my sometime academy exams!　You remember...

I'm telling you to stop.

Against the unstoppable Franlure Helvirshain, Persiona Quager made him stop by grabbing him by the scruff of the neck.

''--Ught!''

With a voice uncharacteristic of Otome, Franlle Helvirshain is lowered backwards.

Then Persiona Quager advises in a low voice.

''You are the representative of the Foozeyers, the Seven Celestial Knights, and he is the Guildmaster of Lauravia, Aikawa Kanami. You're interfering too much in your personal affairs.

d*mn it ......!

Franlle Helvilleshein was chided and stepped back. Rainer Helvirshein was with her.

In his place, Persiona Quager stepped forward and continued to speak after a bow.

''Aikawa Kanami. As you know, there are three empty seats in the 'Seven Celestial Knights' (Celestial Knights). Hein Helvirshine's relatives filled two seats, but there is still one empty seat. No, we are really in a bind. So we're looking for a good knight to carry on Hine's will.

With a slightly theatrical manner, Persiona Quager closes the distance.

'Hein--'

Hein Helvirshine.

When I heard that name, my mind boggled.

Regardless of my intentions, my fists clenched.

Perhaps the brother of the boy and girl behind me - no, let's not turn away from him.

The man, Hein Helvirshain, must be someone from my past who has a connection to my past. That's why these people are so obsessed with me.

''So, as the President of the 'Seven Celestial Knights' (Celestial Knights), I'm willing to recommend Aikawa Kanami for the last seat. It's free if you just want to invite me. How about ......?

However, I don't understand the relationship between them.

As long as I'm under the protection of Lauravia, I don't intend to enter the 'Seven Knights of Heaven (Celestial Knights)' or something like that, but I'd like to at least hear what they have to say.

Hearing Persiona Quager's proposal, the two girls behind her get excited.

''Yes, that would be great!　Nice thought, Mr. President!

'What?　All three of you are out because of your brother.　Does that make sense to you?

Two jolly yellow voices go up.

But that's not the problem. What matters is the boy who hides behind them.

The hostility of the boy, Rainer Helvirshine, swells. His senses, honed by repeated training with Rowen, appeal to him.

This expressionless boy could even attack me right here and now (・・・・・・) if he's not good enough: ......!

Persiona Quager continued to speak, whether she noticed Rainer Helvirshine or not.

'Both of you, keep your mouths shut for a moment. ...... So, Aikawa Kanami, what's your response?

Well...

Anyway, I thought we should hear the details, so I was going to answer--

'No. Kanami is my master and my partner. I won't give him to the Hoosiers.

Instead, Snow refuses.

He steps in front of me and glares at all the knights.

Persiona Quager looks at Snow, who suddenly interrupts and looks at her with interest.

''...... way.''

Kanami will be the 'hero' of Lauravia. No matter what happens, Kanami will never leave the 'Epic Seeker'. Hey, Kanami: ......?

Snow's shoulders seemed to be shaking a little.

He still didn't seem to be feeling well.

'...... Right.'

I nodded honestly. It's better to cut it off early for Snow's sake.

Persiona Quager gives me a sharp look as I bounce off the solicitation.

''Hm. Then let's make a move at the ”Dance Tournament”: ....... The ”Celestial Knights” have been given a recommendation from the Hoosiers. It's highly likely that she'll be able to match up with Aikawa Kanami, who is recommended by Lauravia.

Then he speaks of a 'dancing competition'.

Snow talks back to Perciona Quager, who hasn't given up so much as a hair.

I'll tell you what, I'll be participating in the 'Battle of the Dance Competition' too. Don't think you can fight Kanami so easily.

I see ....... It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's interested in this. The Walker Family's Dragon Incarnate, Lord Snow Walker......

Snow and Persiona Quager glare at each other.

Then some silence passes, and Persiona Quager laughs under her breath first.

''--Huh, good greetings. ...... Sorry to stop you, I'll see you again. Aikawa Kanami, Lord Snow Walker.

With those last words, Persiona Quager shows her back.

Her colleague 'Seven Knights of Heaven (Celestial Knights)' also left with her.

However, until the end, Franlle Helvirshain was staring at Snow. Snow looked away and waited patiently for the Foozeyers' group to leave.

And only me and Snow were left behind.

I felt uncomfortable with her behavior and called out her name.

'Snow ......?'

Gulping, Snow shakes her shoulders and looks away, speaking as if to mend her ways. He seems to know that his earlier actions are out of character, even for himself.

'...... Oh, I'm sorry for those people. ...... because Kanami is my (...) Kanami.

What ......?

'Yay, I mean 'Epic Seeker' guildmaster. Kanami means our (・・・・) Kanami. Everyone in the guild would be sad if they were easily pulled out, so!

Snow smiles sneeringly and adds a few more words.

I can sense from the way Snow looks at me that this is a construction. Snow said he wouldn't give me to anyone just for personal reasons. That's to be expected from the previous incident.

Snow hasn't given up on marrying me. I could be sure of that.

I nodded slowly, hesitantly.

'Don't worry about it. I'm not going to Hoosier's, no matter what terms they give me. I'm just getting to know the guild members. ......

...... Yeah, that's right. Good. ...... Good.

Snow's face lights up when she hears my answer.

Seeing that, I'm relieved, and at the same time, my discomfort swells.

If Snow is smiling, that makes me happy as a partner. But on the other hand, I'm sure I'm confused by this new side of her.

'For now, let's go home ....... I'm getting a little tired too .......

...... Yeah, I'll come home with you.

Snow pulled my hand away and left the Great Hall as if to escape. If it were true, I would have had to greet the Lauravian royalty, but I managed to escape, claiming to be in poor health. I don't know how this will affect me later on, but it can't be helped. It was obvious that Snow was acting strangely today.

He went straight out to the yard and we left the castle in the carriage.

Thus ends my social debut.

On the way home.

I felt a little closer to Snow than usual on my way home.