Chapter 120

After the hunting festival ended, many things changed.

First, my mother started contacting me unusually frequently. I never even told her how to use the communication magical tool, but she kept reaching out first. We’d just stare at each other blankly, exchange a few words about how we were doing, and that was it. But she seemed quite satisfied, her lips curling slightly.

She was a strange woman. Though maybe I’m not one to talk, given how much I resemble her.

Second, Rosie Nevermore started sending me letters. They began with trivial greetings, but I suspect they were filled with complaints about the engagement I broke off… though Camilla and Kyle burned them before I could finish reading. I think there was a line about her visiting soon, but… it’s not really my concern. Looking after a friend’s younger sister is enough.

Third, Kyle and Rizel started hanging out a lot. It began with Kyle teaching Rizel martial arts and how to manage money, while Rizel taught Kyle noble etiquette and speech. It’s not that I don’t trust them… well, I do, but you never know with human emotions. If a young man and woman spend so much time together, feelings might develop…

And if they cross the line, I’ll have to kill Kyle with my own hands.

“I’ll step out for a moment.”

“Going to spy on the kids again? They’re adults now, you know.”

“It’s not ideal. There’s no reason for the family head to stay in this rural area, handling duties while sticking close to Kyle. And Kyle, who initially rejected Rizel, has been getting closer lately… This won’t do. Maybe I should break Kyle’s legs now…”

“If you do it, it won’t be a joke, so please restrain yourself. From what I’ve seen, they’re just innocent fools.”

If not the legs, maybe I should break what’s between them.

As a teacher, I have some affection for him, so I should make it quick and painless.

First, I’ll subdue him by striking his neck…

“Stop seriously planning to ruin someone’s life. If you think about it, you’re the craziest among us.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you.”

Lastly, I now have a lover. Technically, this is my first real relationship, so I’ve been at a loss about what to do.

Layla and I never got to experience anything before parting ways forever, and Rosie only put on a show to secure her position as family head. It wasn’t something you could call love.

But love, it turns out, isn’t that complicated. It’s just living together, laughing, eating, reading books, and having trivial conversations.

Though wrapping those familiar, mundane things in the frame of love and making your heart race is quite impressive.

“By the way, Master… I mean, has our teacher said anything about our relationship?”

“Of course not. That bastard… I mean, that guy wouldn’t care about me. He’s too busy, and when he has free time, he’s either drinking or passed out.”

“… That’s a relief.”

If he had tried to interfere with our relationship, I might have actually killed him.

We all acknowledge Master’s strength, but when it comes to personality, he’s absolute trash.

A few months ago, he got drunk, stripped naked, and walked on all fours in the street, only to end up fighting a dog tied up in a tavern’s yard.

“At least he won’t come to this small village, so that’s a relief.”

“If he quit drinking, I might forgive him a little. But Raul, you’d become a smooth talker faster than he’d quit drinking.”

“I don’t know why everyone uses my speech as a benchmark for something extreme.”

I just have a limited vocabulary. I don’t frustrate people like my mother does.

“… Well, I can’t say I don’t understand why he drinks so much.”

“Ah. That story.”

It’s famous enough that everyone knows it.

Camilla’s mother, the Duchess of Argos, ran off with a man she brought in as a servant.

At first, Duke Argos thought she had been kidnapped and searched everywhere… but after receiving a magical tool with recorded footage, he realized the truth.

The Duke, who had loved only her, was heartbroken. From that day on, he drowned in alcohol and became no better than a dog.

“I don’t know what footage arrived, but… I can guess. Back then, he destroyed everything he could get his hands on.”

“Even the Emperor didn’t dare provoke Master during that time, so that says it all.”

“… Just to be clear, I’m not like my mother.”

“Of course not.”

I approached Camilla, who was reading a war epic, and brushed a leaf off her hair.

“You’re you. Master and that woman have nothing to do with you. My bond with you is deeper than any blood ties. Why should I care about their stories?”

“Sometimes I wonder if you’re really this naive…”

“…?”

“Anyway, you’re right. I’m your lover. I have nothing to do with that damn woman.”

And Camilla hated her mother more than her father.

At least Master worked properly for the country, but that woman didn’t even do that.

She was just a debauched, promiscuous woman. I don’t know where she is or what she’s doing now, but given her personality, I doubt she’s settled down peacefully.

“Raul!!!”

Just then, Kyle’s frantic voice reached us.

Thinking Rizel might have gotten into trouble, I reached for my cane, but Camilla stopped me, telling me to quit it.

“What’s going on?”

“O-outside…!!!”

“What’s this ‘outside’ spell you’re casting?”

“Just come and see!”

“… I’ve faced the King of Specters, so I doubt I need to make a fuss unless it’s the Demon King himself.”

When I reached the village entrance, I regretted my arrogance. The opponent wasn’t the Demon King, just a pitiful human I could kill anytime… but this was worth making a fuss over.

Sky-blue hair reaching her waist, a face that made it hard to believe she was middle-aged, flashy makeup and clothes, and the trash clinging to her side.

And Camilla, trembling with anger at the sight.

“Long time no see, my daughter.”

“Don’t call me your daughter with that mouth.”

“My daughter takes after me, such a beauty~~? Though not as much as me, of course.”

“Shut up. I don’t resemble you, and don’t look at me. I’ll kill you both before you can blink.”

Camilla’s mother, Velika, had arrived.

This village was where I chose to recuperate quietly, but I didn’t expect trash like this to show up.

“I heard there’s a beautiful resort nearby, so I came to check it out and saw someone who looked like you.”

“Great, go enjoy the resort and then get lost.”

“… What if we enjoy it together?”

“Mother and daughter together… Not bad…”

Then, with a loud crash, the carriage they were in shattered into pieces.

I swear, Camilla and I did nothing.

Well, to be precise, the carriage was destroyed before we could do anything.

“You damn bastards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Kyle grabbed their necks and started shaking them.

For Kyle, who looks up to Camilla and me like parents, this must have been the ultimate insult.

“Camilla! Get this trash off me!”

“You! Do you know who I am? If I tell the noble ladies I know, you’ll be stripped of your uniform, you brat!”

“Try it, you bastard! I’ll dress as a butcher and slaughter your mother first!”

“Y-you’re even more vulgar than your words!”

“Show me something more vulgar than my mouth!”

If I were them, I’d have shut up, but if they had that much intelligence, things wouldn’t have gotten this far.

Still, I didn’t expect them to talk back to Kyle like that. In terms of raw strength, he’s stronger than me or Camilla.

“Camilla! Slash this trash right now!”

“Hey, you gloomy guy! Control your brat right now!”

… Like dish, like plate.

They were a perfect match. Velika and the vulgar man beside her.

They seemed so petty and pathetic that they weren’t even worth responding to.

Of course, if they tried to lay a hand on Camilla, I’d send them to where the Dragon Queen resides.

“Camilla. Let’s go back.”

“Right. It’s ridiculous to let reading time be interrupted by such humans. Kyle, as punishment, handle those beggars properly.”

As we walked back to continue reading, Camilla spoke with a serious expression.

“Stay sharp. A woman like that won’t back down easily.”

“You mean…”

“She’ll try to squeeze money or something out of us. But I have no intention of giving them a single coin.”

“… Are you satisfied with just that?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, are you satisfied with just not giving them anything?”