Chapter 43 - Volume 3 (1/2)
Volume 3, Chapter 13: Unleashed, Part 1
“Now, please, come take a seat.”
The dining hall that we were led to was way too strange.
In the middle of the wider corner of the castle, there were luxurious large tables and chairs that looked like they were brought from somewhere, while carpets were laid out as if trying to hide something on the floor.
……Were you guys unable to keep up the appearances a little more?
“Wouldn’t you say this dining room is a little big?”
“Well, no… because of the constraints, this was prepared in a hurry.”
“Hmm…”
I think if I tease him any more, Duke Kapell’s self-respect will tear itself to rags.
“………”
The two of them were glaring at me from both sides silently. … it seems that one side was unable to calm down, given that my elder sister-samas who were also Duke Verusenia’s daughters were here.
Well, although I’m a self-indulgent person, since I’m the younger sister, surely it’s alright to call out to my elder sisters.
“Elder Sister Athena, if you keep wrinkling your brows like that, your cute face will be ruined.”
“……Yurushia. What kind of joke are you trying to make by calling me [Sister]…?”
“It’s only a formality, so don’t mind it. Oh yeah, I heard you became part of the hero’s party…?”
“Well… Al-sama is strong and his knowledge is splendid. It’s far removed from someone who’s the [Princess] of a country where old-fashioned traditions are in charge.”
“Ara, ara, ufufu. That is good. Because it would be troublesome for the family which Elder Sister marries into to look after her, it would be great if he could look after you properly and train you.”
My words cause Elder Sister’s face to change colour.
The Hero that Elder Sister was after tried to kiss my hand twice and was interrupted both times.
“…Even if it’s you, I won’t allow you to besmirch Al-sama……”
“Ooh, scary.”
I couldn’t hold in my joy, and when I involuntarily broke out into a full laughter at them, my Elder Sister-sama physically took a step back.
“……Yurushia”
Rick tapped my shoulder with a *pon* and looked at me with a shocked face.
Glancing back, I could see that Noel also had a troubled and bitter smile. I wonder if my enjoyment went just a little over the limit?
“It’s been a long time, Athena.”
“…Roderick-sama”
The two of them exchanged greetings and then settled back into silence with strained faces.
Was Rick the person that Elder Sister Athena used to be betrothed to? Well, for now I’ll leave Athena-onee-sama to Rick for a bit.
“Ophelia-onee-sama…?”
“…Hee!”
What is with that reply……… I haven’t said much so far, so why are you so afraid?
“…Y-Yu-Yurushia…… I have nothing to say to you.”
“Now, now, don’t say such a thing. Won’t you listen to your cute little sister’s request?”
“…Wh-what?”
If you keep making such a frightened face, my Demon blood will be roused and I’ll need to hold it back……
“What was it between the two of you?”
As I dragged her closer and whispered that to her, Ophelia-onee-sama gave a small nod with teary eyes.
“W-we……… played together with Roderick-sama when we were little kids…”
“Hmmm…”
A childhood friend, huh…? So for your engagement to be annulled, what exactly did you do, Onee-samas……
Thing is, Ophelia-onee-sama seems like she’s regressing into an infant.
“W-well, let’s eat!”
Duke Kapell, who couldn’t bear the atmosphere, said so loudly.
That’s right. It’s time for the main dish.
What a scene……
Duke Kapell was talking to himself in a nervous sweat, Rick was there silently eating while Noel, who wasn’t used to this atmosphere, was warily surveying his surroundings with a nervous face. Athena-onee-sama was ignoring everyone else as if they weren’t there, while Ophelia-onee-sama just sat, unable to even speak with a cramped face, and my attendants and I were eating without even hiding the displeased expressions on our faces.
Incidentally, despite saying that it’s only for young people… are Duke Kapell, Callisto and that unknown old guy just waiting for a tsukkomi for being present?
“Who is that person?”
Ah, Rick seems to have gotten to the tsukkomi first.
“How rude of me… This is Kord-dono that I’ve invited from Terutedo for guidance in summoning magic.”
At Duke Kapell’s introductions, the man built like a rock rose smoothly and nodded.
“I am Kord. I have heard of your name. Because I’m a boorish person who only engages in research, I hope you’ll forgive my rudeness…”
He says he’s a researcher, but he looks more like a warrior………
“Do all the men of Terutedo forge their bodies like Kord-sama?”
When I let out my side comment, Kord lost his breath for a moment, and then answered without looking at me.
“…In a warrior country, if one is not strong, one will be treated with contempt.”
The common names for the nations, or should I say, their nicknames, like [Holy Kingdom], [Agricultural Country], or [Warrior Country], weren’t officially their names, but rather labels so that others could understand what they did.
For example, this country’s [Holy Kingdom] title is commonly used in diplomacy because its official name is rather hard on the ears, while Shiguresu’s [Agricultural Country] was rude to use in official settings.
Despite being called a [Warrior Country] Terutedo isn’t actually fond of war, but they’re a people that loves to train their bodies and collect weapons, and are mostly harmless except towards those who were [Clear Enemies] like the Daemons and Demons, a self-proclaimed [Warrior Country].
For better or for worse, the people of Terutedo are lovable [Muscle Heads].
“So Kord-sama is a rare type in Terutedo……?”
“Well… you could say that”
There are serious researchers in the muscle-brained country called Terutedo, but those people were mostly those with weak bodies or who were women.
Those people are mostly doing their very best to make [The Strongest Weapon Imaginable], so besides Kord, while they all trained in fighting with weapons, there are almost no people studying summoning magic.
“Oh, right, Kord-dono gave me a rare fruit liquor from Terutedo. Let’s serve it immediately.”
Somehow sensing the delicate air between Kord and I, Duke Kapell panicked and ordered the serving of the wine.
Quickly, as if they had had it already prepared in the next room, a slightly cold and orange fruit liquor was poured into all the glasses.
Although the official age for drinking alcohol was 15 years old, generally people would gradually start to develop a taste for it from the age of 10. From the age of 15 it becomes alright to sit in a bar and drink as much as you want.
Although Betty did recommend that I drink, I never thought that it could be delicious since I couldn’t get drunk.
“What’s this…?”
“Lucia… what’s the matter?”
“Well, It was just a little delicious…”
It really was a little delicious. Although originally it was supposed to be a famous and precious sake, but as Rick, Noel and I were drinking it deliciously and having a conversation……
“……This…”
If I looked closely, I could see a [Cloudiness] in the clear orange liquid that was invisible to [Human Beings].
This is, magical power……
*Gatta……a*
Rick and Noel… and my Older Sister-samas all lost consciousness abruptly and collapsed.
“…Poison?”
I failed. No, I was careless. Poison doesn’t work on Demons, so I didn’t even try to guard against it.
“[Let there be…”
AsI tried to cast the Holy Magic【Detoxification], I was assailed by a sudden weakness, and slid down when I tried to stand up from the chair I was on.
“Yurushia-sama”
“MASTER!”
My attendants came rushing over at the state of affairs… Did the poison not work on those children?