The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Eunice Callia (2)

“You are the real thing, unlike all those other imitations.”

“…”

I’d been planning to hurry back to my quarters and collapse onto my bed, but…

Thanks to this unexpected encounter with Eunice Callia, my plans were thoroughly derailed.

From the way she’d stared intently at my chest, where my mana resided, to her whispering in my ear about me being a “true male knight”…

‘She must be one of those Ainel mentioned, who’ve discerned my true abilities.’

Eunice Callia seemed to have grasped the extent of my power.

Otherwise, in this gender-reversed world, she wouldn't be so brazenly staring at a man’s chest or whispering in his ear.

‘Well, she is the eldest daughter of House Callia.’

Moreover, Eunice was known to be a Sword Expert, just like Siabel.

A highly skilled knight from the eastern region, renowned for her prowess with the blade, almost surpassing the initial stages of expertise.

Having witnessed my swordsmanship against the demon worshippers yesterday, she must have been able to roughly gauge my abilities.

I was trapped.

How was I supposed to escape this encounter and return to my room for a nap?

As I pondered this,

“Ray, do you need more time to think?”

I looked at Eunice’s expectant face and replied evasively,

“Mana? You flatter me. Besides, I’m afraid I don’t have time to speak right now.”

Ainel would deal with the mana issue eventually, so there was no need to acknowledge anything here.

And though I was a mere slave, I was also a member of House Sianella, as evidenced by the crest embroidered on my uniform.

I figured Eunice would back down if I politely declined her invitation.

“Flatter you? You used mana. I saw it with my own eyes.”

But instead of retreating, Eunice pressed closer.

At this rate, she would become just as clingy as that elf, pestering me every time we crossed paths in the palace.

I forced a smile and tried to end the conversation with a polite farewell, turning to leave, but—

“Make time.”

Eunice’s voice called out from behind me.

“…?”

“House Sianella and House Callia have a complicated history. Our ancestors were fierce rivals, which has left our relationship somewhat strained.”

“…Why are you telling me this?”

“If you make time for me, you could earn the favor of House Callia’s future head. As you said yourself, forging a connection with the eldest daughter of a Marquis house, practically a Duke...wouldn’t that be a valuable opportunity for House Sianella?”

…It seemed there was some bad blood between House Sianella and House Callia.

Ainel had only mentioned Eunice Callia as someone Sione should meet; she hadn't explained the history between their families.

I stopped walking.

“And that’s not all. If you grant my request, I can offer you a small gift in return. Isn’t that a tempting offer, for a brief conversation?”

Eunice smiled, a subtle seductiveness in her eyes.

“If Lady Sianella asks about your whereabouts, feel free to mention my name. After all, who could refuse a request from a noble lady of my standing? Especially—”

“…”

“—a commoner, even if he is an attendant of House Sianella.”

I finally relented. She was even using my status against me.

“…If you wish to discuss yesterday’s events, you must be referring to the incident at the coming-of-age ceremony.”

Eunice’s expression brightened.

She seemed pleased that I’d acknowledged my mana use and the fact that I wasn’t just any ordinary attendant.

Eager to seize the opportunity, she quickly replied,

“Yes. And more specifically—”

Eunice stepped back slightly.

“—I would like to hear about your involvement. Would that be alright?”

“My involvement amounted to killing two demon worshippers. It’s not a particularly interesting story.”

Eunice shook her head, her brown hair gleaming in the sunlight.

A warm, inviting smile spread across her face. However, the wider her smile grew, the more uneasy I felt. My instincts were screaming that this would lead to further trouble.

“That’s alright. I know a far more entertaining way to hear your heroic tale.”

“Yes…?”

What other way was there to hear a story besides sitting and listening?

Eunice, her smile now fully formed, reached out and tugged on my sleeve.

“Come with me!”

“…Where are we going?”

“To my room!”

“Your…Lady Eunice’s room?”

“Yes! Is there a problem?”

Problems? There were plenty.

Why did we need to go to her room to discuss this? Why couldn’t we just finish the conversation here? And why was she dragging me along like this?

If I weren’t a lowly attendant, I would have protested, but…

Seeing my speechless indignation, Eunice smiled mischievously.

“Ah—Don’t worry. I won’t do anything untoward. I’m not that kind of woman.”

“…”

…I’d thought I was getting used to this world, but…

What had I just heard?

I would never be able to adapt to this insane, gender-reversed world.

***

I was dragged, against my will, to Eunice’s room.

Eunice hurried inside, heading towards a corner of the room, and I slowly followed, taking in my surroundings.

The layout was similar to Sione’s, but…

Eunice’s room was sparsely furnished.

Aside from the necessary furniture like a bed and wardrobe, there were no decorations whatsoever. The resulting spaciousness was rather striking.

As I looked around, Eunice returned.

“Now, shall we begin?”

Yes, beginning was all well and good, but…

“May I ask what you’re holding?”

“A practice sword. I get anxious if I miss even a day of training.”

Why would she bring practice swords to a conversation? Two of them, no less, one in each hand.

I felt a headache coming on.

“Listening to a heroic tale while sitting still is boring. I want you to reenact the events as you tell the story.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Of course. And…the mana.”

“Mana…?”

“Yes, I want you to use mana as you did yesterday.”

“Ha.”

Eunice Callia was eccentric. Incredibly so.

“I don’t understand why you’re asking this of me.”

Ignoring my question, Eunice pressed a practice sword into my hand.

“Didn’t I say I've always wanted to see a male knight?”

“How does that justify your request?”

“I want to experience it firsthand. A male knight wielding mana, protecting his master. Cutting down enemies.”

Eunice stepped back, loosening her wrists.

“Though it’s mostly legend, before demons and monsters appeared in the world, and before the mystical powers of holy power and mana emerged, in the mythical age, they say weapons, war, and knighthood were the domain of men.”

She stretched, loosening her muscles.

“Though it might all be fiction, they say the men of that time, especially the knights, considered it an honor to die on the battlefield, defending their nation and their beliefs.”

Eunice finished stretching and assumed a middle guard stance with her sword.

“Unlike the male knights of our House Callia, who spent their time indulging in pleasures and causing chaos during the frequent attacks from the Empire over the past decade, when they should have been helping defend the border.”

Eunice’s voice dripped with resentment.

As I thought about the male knight of House Callia who’d earned her ire…

Eunice channeled mana, her aura intensifying.

“I told you. I have always longed to see a true male knight.”

“…”

“I want you to show me the true potential of a male knight, unlike that disappointment, Allen Callia.”

“…”

“And the best way to confirm that is to cross swords.”

Eunice smiled.

“I hope you won’t disappoint me. May I anticipate seeing the kind of knight I’ve always admired?”

I nodded vaguely.

Her explanation had been rather long-winded, and I’d missed a few parts, but…

I understood the gist of her request.

She wanted to see a true male knight, not a pathetic excuse for one like her brother. She’d given me the practice sword to gauge my ability to wield a blade while channeling mana.

I decided to indulge her request and get this over with as quickly as possible so I could return to my room.

I channeled mana, my expression indifferent. I didn’t bother using the full extent of my power, as Eunice had suggested.

I had no obligation to comply with her request, and…

Attracting more attention would only lead to further trouble.

This wasn’t a duel, or even a serious training exercise. It was simply a reenactment of yesterday’s events.

A decent display of swordsmanship and a moderate level of mana would suffice.

“Initially, the attacker tried to kill the Princess with a short blade.”

“Like this?”

“Yes, and I—”

Thwack!

The practice swords collided with a loud crack.

My body, enhanced by mana, possessed considerable strength.

I wasn't sure how long the wooden swords would last, but the sooner they broke, the sooner this would be over.

I continued my explanation, and Eunice mirrored my movements.

“I dodged the attack, which was aimed at her throat, and swung my sword, intending to sever her wrist. But she blocked it.”

Thwack!

“Then I thrust towards her throat, and she parried my blade, trying to prevent me from closing in.”

Scrape.

Eunice’s practice sword slid along mine.

“She deflected my attack.”

Thwack!

“I swung downwards, aiming to cut her chest, but that attack was also blocked.”

Thump.

“From then on, it became a struggle of strength.”

“…You’re quite strong.”

“I’m channeling mana.”

We stood face to face, our swords locked, our gazes meeting.

Why was I here, engaging in a mock sword fight when I should have been back in my room, relaxing?

I chuckled inwardly and continued my explanation.

“I blocked her upward strike with the crossguard of my sword.”

Whoosh!

I channeled mana, accelerating my movements. Eunice, caught off guard by my sudden burst of speed, struggled to keep up.

Thwack!

Crack…

Eunice’s wooden sword cracked, then snapped, the broken pieces falling to the floor.

“…And then I cut her throat.”

My practice sword stopped just short of Eunice’s neck. Hers, in pieces, lay at our feet.

She looked down at the broken sword, then back at me, our faces only inches apart.

“Ray, you truly are the male knight I’ve always dreamed of.”

She raised her hands in mock surrender.

Eunice stepped back, catching her breath as she closed her eyes and calmed her mana.

“Hah…”

She opened her eyes, her obsidian gaze fixed solely on me.

“I envy Lady Sianella. To have such a knight at her side.”

“…”

“I want one too…If House Callia had been tasked with defending the kingdom from the demonic realm, like House Sianella…perhaps I could have had you.”

I remained silent.

Undeterred by my lack of response, Eunice shrugged and skillfully steered the conversation.

“Well, for now, I’ll be content with forming a connection with you. A possessive woman isn't very attractive, after all.”

With those words, we exchanged a few more pleasantries, and the conversation came to an end.

Just as I turned to leave, relieved to finally be free,

“Ah, Ray.”

Eunice called out my name.

“I only caught a glimpse of your conversation this morning from a distance, so I don’t know what was discussed, but—”

That glimpse this morning…it must have been when I was speaking with that insufferable elf.

I turned back to face Eunice.

“I suggest you be wary of that elf. Don’t trust her too deeply.”

A cold smile played on her lips.

“The elves I’ve encountered while defending the border…they aren’t as benevolent as the stories claim. They’re quite cunning and self-serving. Understand?”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

I smiled faintly, nodding in agreement.

To think she'd seen through the elves' facade…

I had to give her credit. She was absolutely right.

***

After Ray left, Eunice sat down on her bed.

She looked at her broken practice sword, a small, bright smile playing on her lips.

“Now that I’ve seen the real thing—”

Eunice lay back on the bed, closing her eyes. She ran a hand through her hair and whispered,

“—those pathetic imitations no longer interest me.”

She looked towards the door through which Ray had departed.

“I hope we meet again…in my territory.”

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