Chapter 41

The sweet vacation in Sylvantrium, even if only nominally, passed like lightning. Even though it was routine, it was quite fresh and enjoyable.

I spent half of the morning and afternoon coordinating the details of Asulin and Failord’s bidding. By the time the sun set, I watched my father-in-law desperately try to get some alcohol under some pretext, only to receive stern punishment from Mother-in-Law. Once I easily suppressed Asulin, who was trying to drink with him in an identical manner, the day ended.

While struggling to protect myself from Asulin, who always tried to sneak into my arms while I slept, two weeks of vacation were drawing to a close.

Consequently, the year-end grand auction in Shaten, which would mark the end of our holiday, approached swiftly.

“It has finally come. Are you ready?”

Asulin’s clear voice echoed in my ear, showing off her disguise completed through magic tools with a relaxed demeanor.

“Of course.”

Since I had been eagerly awaiting this day, my answer was immediate.

“Let’s go.”

With Asulin’s joyful shout, as if she had been waiting for me to leave, we stepped out of the villa, shedding the stillness of Dignity John, and headed toward Shaten.

It seems late because of the year-end season. Despite the late hour, the bustling street we had to pass through on our way to Shaten was packed with people.

With a serene expression filled with warmth and happiness, I said.

“I think I could have a similar expression if I win and reclaim Failord in the bidding competition.”

“…People’s expressions look so good.”

Already, Asulin’s expression was not much different from those bustling in the busy streets.

“Your expression looks much better.”

I stated the obvious truth.

“Really?”

As soon as she heard my words, Asulin hurriedly touched her lips, starting to manage her expression.

Despite the transformation through magic tools making her appear much more dry and cold, Asulin’s attempt to soften her expression did not differ much before or after the disguise.

Just being able to see another side of Asulin, whom I had never seen on the battlefield, was a luxury in itself.

It seemed like it would take a bit more time to reach Shaten, so perhaps we could use this time to chat.

Acting quickly based on the philosophy that one must act decisively despite careful thoughts.

“Even with the disguise, your expression changes to something cute almost instantly. It seems there’s no helping it.”

I pointed out as I noted Asulin’s expression becoming cute while she adjusted her lips, attempting to continue the conversation according to her reaction.

“Cu…cute…”

Frozen like a statue by the word “cute,” it seemed difficult to continue talking about her expression.

“Hmm, just stating the truth. To be so surprised by just that…”

There must be people who often say she’s cute. If she isn’t aware of how cute she is herself, it’s not good that she’s so affected by such minor words.

Since this is the case, I should tell her how cute she is…

“Even now, frozen like that, you’re cute…”

“…I’d rather you didn’t bring that up.”

…Just as I thought, before I could finish my sentence, Asulin hastily hardened her expression, preventing me from making her realize her cuteness.

Seeing her so startled by the truth, it seemed like I would need to inform her frequently about her cuteness when I have time later, so she wouldn’t be startled again in the future.

Anyway, despite being startled by my word “cute,”

“When I was young, I spent most of the year-end holidays in the north, so I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic, and my expression relaxed.”

Asulin explained why her expression had relaxed while watching the cheerful atmosphere of the year-end season.

“Year-end… It seems you’ve been here for quite a while.”

I hummed along with Asulin’s words, planning to keep her company during the trip to Shaten.

Asulin nodded in response to my question.

While nodding, her softened expression continued to relax non-stop, indicating that memories of her childhood were already flooding her mind.

Here, it would be better to start a conversation and build the mood rather than wait for her to speak.

“The Duke’s wife… No, Mother-in-Law came down here to avoid the cold due to health issues, right?”

As I spoke my guess,

“Mother seems healthy, but she suffered a lot during her adventuring days, so Father pays special attention to her health. We always stayed here during the year-end.”

Asulin’s expression was filled with nostalgia as she continued telling stories while walking towards Shaten.

“When I was little, I really was a troublemaker. Although we stayed in a villa much better for playing than the Duke’s Residence in the north, I was always eager to go out to the bustling streets.”

“You might not know since you didn’t live here, but when you were little, the bustling streets weren’t safe places for kids to play alone.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Before the capital development plan was fully implemented, the distinction between bustling streets and slums was unclear.”

“It seems you managed to play around somehow.”

“I did play…”

Hearing my words, Asulin trailed off mysteriously, lost in old memories.

Watching her, I too recalled the bustling streets and back alleys, much less organized than they are now, where I spent my childhood. I wondered where Asulin played when she was young.

Even though she’s now recognized as one of the top swordsmen in the Empire with a nickname, back then, when she was as tall as my waist, she probably played safely in the bustling streets. It didn’t seem like she had many fun memories.

“…I had fun playing.”

As if ending her recollection and smiling brightly, Asulin firmly declared that she had fun back then, contrary to my expectations.

This answer felt oddly out of place, so I looked at her with curiosity.

“This one and…”

She mentioned the magic tool that changed her appearance without a trace.

“And thanks to a good friend who can’t be reached now.”

Mentioning an unknown friend, she said she enjoyed playing in the dangerous back alleys during the year-end season.

“…Friend? Even thinking about it, it’s hard to believe a friend could make the back alleys a place to play freely.”

“…Friend?”

So, filled with doubt, I emphasized the word “friend” and asked.

“Yes, every year-end, there was a friend my age who would always join me for secret night play.”

“Given that you got along with her, she must have been a very good friend who accepted your personality completely.”

“What does my personality have to do with it?”

Ah, here we go again. Asulin’s cheeks puffed up.

Even though she transformed into someone cold and distant with the power of magic tools, her cuteness stood out.

From that expression, it seemed she would immediately deny her own personality and claim she had a lot of friends, but,

“My personality… isn’t that great. Actually, I was more controlled by that friend.”

Asulin said something contrary to what I expected.

“…Is that so?”

I cautiously gauged her reaction as I started the conversation.

“Being the successor of the Duke’s family, I naturally did things that couldn’t be imitated, thanks to that friend…”

Her expression softened again as she reminisced about those times, and a mischievousness I couldn’t imagine came from her mouth.

Hmm, what kind of pranks did we play back then?

An impulse arose to ask, but,

“As I said, we can’t contact each other anymore.”

Suppressing the impulse, I carefully inquired about the whereabouts of her friend.

Maybe she knows. Perhaps among my acquaintances from the back alleys, someone who became close with the disguised Asulin might exist. I wanted to remember this if I heard anything.

“…It’s been about five years. We used to meet once a year, and she would cheer me up. But this time, even though I disguised myself and wandered around the bustling streets and back alleys, I couldn’t find her…”

As Asulin answered, her expression showed more than just nostalgia; it was tinged with bitterness.

This expression clearly conveyed the regret of realizing that the friend, who used to approach me without reservation, becoming a talker and sharing time with me, was now only a memory.

“…How about looking for her when we have time later?”

“She seems to be gone. I don’t know if she’s alive or dead, but I hope she’s doing well.”

With these words, Asulin concluded her mention of the friend who had given her joyful memories every year-end.

Although it sounded unbelievable, seeing her reaction, it didn’t seem like a lie.

I tried recalling the ‘girl’ with a similar impression to the disguised Asulin, who I met in the back alleys.

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t find anyone matching my memory.

Hmm, even with a disguise, such a beautiful ‘girl’ wandered around the back alleys.

Someone in the back alleys saw her and became friends with the disguised Asulin, spending time together every year-end…

…Strange. With such a beautiful appearance, I would remember her instantly if I saw her for a moment.

I should carefully recall those memories after this auction ends and we return to the villa.

Perhaps among my acquaintances from the back alley days, Asulin’s friend might be one of them.

“…We’ve arrived.”

My reverie was broken by Asulin announcing our arrival at Shaten.

‘This is it.’

I sharpened my senses, snapping out of the year-end’s warm atmosphere.

Now that I’ve reclaimed Failord, the family’s treasure sword, and knowing that I’ll need to protect it from certain wolves even after reclaiming it,

The fire inside me, which had been half-dead since the end of the Succession War, was reignited by the name Failord.

…

It definitely flared up.

“…Asulin?”

“Ugh. Don’t talk to me. Just like always, women ask kindly about my handsome face or want to talk to me, and I end up answering their questions about the road.”

“That’s not it! I received the auction guidebook listing the items up for bid!”

“That’s it! That’s it!!”

…Immediately after entering Shaten, Asulin was pouting because I received the auction guidebook from a staff member. The giant flame in my heart turned into a small campfire in an instant.

Though it was a moment of deflation,

“…I’ll take care of that. All you need to do is follow me!”

Even in her pout, Asulin strongly appealed to me to watch her. By the time I realized it, the heat had faded away, leaving me indifferent.

At this point, I found myself immersed in Asulin’s countless expressions.

‘Meh, whatever.’

Rationalizing it, I decided to diligently capture all the cute moments of my companion, no matter how many times I would encounter them, as I walked toward the auction hall where the grand auction was taking place.