The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: The Male Knight of Sianella (4)

I could sense the fragments of emotion leaking from Sione, despite her attempts to hide them.

Back in that village on the way to the Feiosha Marquisate, when Sione had killed the demon worshipper who’d attacked us, she’d been overwhelmed with shock and guilt.

She’d questioned her own morality after taking a life, and…

She'd trembled uncontrollably, as if seeking a place to hide, like she had in her room.

Later, thanks to my coaxing…

Though she hadn’t been able to bring herself to attack the bandits we encountered, she’d at least managed to calmly aim her bow.

I’d thought my master, Sione, had bravely overcome that incident, building a new conviction on top of her shattered morality…

‘Who’s worried about whom…?’

That thought proved to be my misjudgment.

My easily-shaken master hadn't fully recovered from that experience.

She was merely hiding her emotional impulses behind a mask of cold composure, imitating Siabel and Ainel.

At least, that’s how it appeared to me—

She’d been desperately trying to maintain her composure as her beautiful blue dress became stained crimson and the metallic scent of blood filled the air.

I could see her struggling to steady her trembling hands, still feeling the phantom sensation of the blade slicing through flesh.

I’d clearly told her not to feel guilty about killing those demon worshippers…

…That stubborn fool never listened.

I thanked her, keeping my voice as even as possible. That seemed like the most appropriate response for now.

“…Thanks to you, Lady Sione, I am unharmed. Thank you.”

“If you are alright…then that is good…”

Sione offered a weak smile.

I could sense her trembling had subsided somewhat.

I looked directly into her blue eyes and said,

“Lady Sione.”

As if in answer to my call, her gaze, previously feigning composure, met mine.

“You don’t need to push yourself so hard.”

A crack appeared in Sione’s carefully constructed mask.

“…What do you mean?”

“You are struggling, aren't you?”

More cracks spread across her mask, like a spiderweb.

“It's nothing to struggle over…I'm fine, so don’t worry.”

“Do you think you can deceive me?”

“That’s…”

Seeing Sione’s obvious distress, I sighed softly and said,

“Who do you think I am?”

Sione opened and closed her mouth repeatedly.

Adelheit, still with her arms crossed, simply watched us with a faint smile, making no attempt to intervene.

After taking in their irritating behavior, I looked directly at Sione.

“Right now, I am acting not as your humble servant, but as your knight. So whenever you are tired, please don't hesitate to rest behind me.”

“But…!”

“I protected you once before in this kind of situation. Do you think I cannot do it again?”

So please, I silently pleaded.

Don't make things more difficult by trying to help. Just stay by Adelheit's side.

It might sound heartless, but…

In a life-or-death situation like this, a warrior burdened by guilt was a liability, both to themselves and to their allies.

Sione, stay back.

I will handle this.

“…Very well.”

Thankfully, Sione seemed to understand my meaning, and she nodded.

Though the way she clenched her jaw suggested she wasn't entirely pleased…

Seeing the demonically empowered worshippers charging towards Adelheit, I had no time to spare.

I turned my attention away from Sione and focused on the approaching enemies.

‘I should never have gotten involved with people consumed by demonic power.’

Anyone who witnessed the chaos unfolding in the gardens would agree with me.

Those unable to control the sudden influx of demonic energy rampaged mindlessly, hindering the knights and mages.

And those who’d managed to control the demonic energy relentlessly charged towards Adelheit, ignoring the knights’ attacks, even when they lost limbs.

It was truly horrifying.

Just how tempting were the whispers of demons to inspire such fanaticism?

“Adelheit!! You whore’s descendant, lucky enough to carry the dragon’s seed—!!”

“…This is insane.”

The demon worshippers hurled insults at Adelheit, their words bordering on delusional.

The one who’d just spoken seemed to be a noble, judging by her attire. How could someone of her standing end up like this?

I lunged towards the attacker who’d gotten too close to Adelheit, quickly taking her flank. I swung my sword.

Whoosh!

My blade sliced through the air in a wide arc.

Scrape!

With a single, clean stroke, I silenced the attacker before she could finish her insults.

I wasn’t the only one killing demon worshippers.

“My lady, perhaps you should be more concerned with your flank than with your servant.”

“My flank? Ah…!”

“It might be best to create some distance with a kick. Can you manage that, my lady?”

“I will try…!”

Sione, having already cut the hem of her dress to just above her knees for greater mobility, was fighting alongside Adelheit.

With a swift kick, she sent a demon worshipper sprawling.

“Good. Now attack while she is off balance.”

“Yes…!”

Sione finally managed to kill another attacker, then gasped for breath.

Her shoulders and hands trembled uncontrollably as she gripped her dagger.

It seemed unlikely she could continue fighting any longer.

I stepped in front of Sione and Adelheit.

Sione’s blue eyes, though trembling, still shone brightly as she looked at me.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Sione nodded silently.

“Rest now. I will take over.”

“But there are still…”

“Your shoulders and hands are trembling.”

“Ugh…”

“You have done enough, Lady Sione, and achieved meaningful results. Please leave the rest to me.”

Sione bit her lip again, then nodded in agreement.

I smiled faintly at her, a silent gesture of acknowledgement, then,

Flicked the blood from my sword and turned to face the remaining attackers.

“Hah…”

They’d just witnessed three of their comrades die…

But they continued to charge towards me, their eyes filled with killing intent.

My mana reserves had fallen below half.

The moment I resolved to protect Sione, not Adelheit…

[Beginning to protect Sione Sianella.]

[A portion of your power has been conditionally unlocked.]

The status window I’d been waiting for finally appeared.

The ability I’d gained after protecting Sione from the demon worshippers who’d attacked us on the way to the Feiosha Marquisate.

My depleted mana reserves began to refill, and I felt my physical abilities increase. I sharpened my senses, focusing on the approaching enemies.

‘…There are too many of them.’

Where had they all come from? Three more were charging at me simultaneously.

It seemed unlikely I could handle them all with mana alone…

I’d already attracted enough attention.

I hesitated, unwilling to use spirit magic in this situation.

Then, Adelheit’s voice, oddly calm and almost arrogant given the circumstances, reached my ears.

“You’re hesitating. Not panicking or distressed, but lost in thought in this situation…it seems you are hiding even more than I initially suspected.”

Adelheit’s presence, amplified by the noble bearing of the Aisilia royal family, began to dominate the space around us.

“Your relationship with that young lady…and whatever secrets you are hiding…The more I see, the more intriguing you become.”

Dragons, a race blessed with an abundance of mana and magical talent, lived brilliant lives until the very moment of their death.

Adelheit, a princess of the Aisilia royal family who carried the blood of dragons, had awakened a stronger concentration of that bloodline through atavism than any in recent generations.

She began to draw upon that power, taking control of the mana in the surrounding area.

“Ah…”

She possessed this kind of power, yet in the original course of history, Adelheit was supposed to be seriously injured here…

And I’d simply watched as she’d used her swordsmanship…

As I sighed in exasperation, Adelheit smiled cynically and, using her power of discernment, analyzed the demon worshippers.

“I have a mountain of questions. And it seems I’ve finally found some proper entertainment…Attendant Ray, let us continue this conversation in private.”

“…As you wish.”

“Good.”

Adelheit unleashed a chilling ice magic.

Dozens of beautifully formed ice spears rained down on a single demon worshipper, piercing her body and ending her life.

As the initial wave of attackers was subdued,

Knights, mages, high priests, and other nobles began to gather around Adelheit, Sione, and me.

There were quite a few familiar faces.

Aria Alenar, looking uncomfortable wielding a sword instead of her usual spear.

Leona Refilia, carefully controlling her fire magic to avoid incinerating the gardens.

Feira Feiosha, cutting down attackers with swift, precise movements.

And even the heads of various noble houses, radiating an imposing aura like Ainel.

Hmm. All familiar faces.

Though it was somewhat irritating that Noah Beleia was nowhere to be seen…

He didn't possess mana or holy power, so it couldn’t be helped.

Thanks to the intervention of the others, the situation was quickly resolved.

‘Who is that…?’

The last person I needed to speak with, according to Ainel…

The daughter of House Callia, responsible for defending the kingdom’s eastern border, Eunice Callia.

She was partially hidden behind her bloodstained sword and shield, but her brown eyes were fixed on me.

“…A true male knight,”

“Hmm…”

I groaned inwardly.

Just as Eunice had said,

Sione had bravely risked her life to protect the princess, becoming a true example of noble virtue…

And I’d become a true male knight, having single-handedly killed two demon worshippers empowered by demonic energy.

…I was already exhausted from the rumors spreading through the Sianella territory.

I hadn’t anticipated things escalating to this extent here in the capital.

As I sighed, feeling the weight of countless gazes upon me,

In the distance, one of the elves noticed me.

“Everyone—”

Her eyes, the color of the vibrant forest, narrowed, and a predatory glint entered them as she called to her companions.

“—don’t you think that human male is interesting?”

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