The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Return (2)

Siabel was severely wounded...?

The news from the servant's mouth was hard to believe.

Expert wasn't just some nickname kids gave themselves for street fighting.

Expert knights were those who proudly fought wielding Aura Blade, even being called symbols of knighthood.

Their skill level would equate to mid-B rank to A-rank Hunters from Earth.

I'd personally seen Siabel cleanly slice through an orc's unnecessarily thick arm.

'She definitely wasn't someone who should be getting beaten up.'

It made no sense that she'd been severely wounded just from facing some cult members.

There had to be more to the story.

While I was thinking this.

How must Sione feel, given how much she valued her family?

I glanced at her profile.

'Tch.'

Her expression had long since turned cold.

Given the quest about Sione and Siabel's relationship had been completed.

Just when they'd finally broken their long silence and started getting close again.

How cruel to receive such news so soon after they'd resumed talking like before.

It was painful to watch her struggling to keep the corners of her mouth from turning down.

Tremble tremble.

Though her expression had frozen into perfect stillness.

Sione's hands were shaking slightly from the shocking news.

...Though she tried to hide it, it was all too visible.

Feeling sorry for her, I gently took her trembling hand.

"Ray?"

"I hope I haven't overstepped."

Sione looked at our joined hands for a moment before gripping mine back weakly but firmly.

The servant must have noticed Sione's shaking hands too.

He gave me a small approving nod.

As if not wanting to miss this chance, Sione interlaced our fingers and said:

"...Thank you."

"It's nothing."

After composing herself, Sione faced the servant again.

"Do you know how my sister was injured?"

"I don't know the details but... they said multiple demons appeared."

"Demons-"

Sione's expression turned grave.

Understandably so.

These weren't just some pathetic demon worshippers, but actual demons.

Demons were beings who had sold their souls to devils and gained demonic energy through sacrificial rituals.

Not only were they historic madmen who fought ruthlessly and recklessly with no attachment to life.

They could imitate devils' techniques using demonic energy, more violent than mana.

Even with a weapon piercing their heart, as long as they maintained consciousness, they would sink their fangs into their enemy's throat until the very end.

With demons... even I preferred avoiding combat with them when possible.

If those fanatics driven mad by demon worship had decided to go all out to kill someone, it made sense that Siabel was severely wounded.

After being lost in deep thought for a moment, Sione spoke again.

"When did you say my sister would arrive?"

"She's almost here, having passed the walls. Currently, the high priest and various workers are preparing to quickly move and treat Lady Siabel and the other soldiers."

Sione nodded at his words.

"I see. Sorry for keeping you so long. You may go."

"...Until next time."

The servant bowed once before hurrying away.

As soon as he left, Sione turned to me and said:

"We should visit the garden another time. I want to see my sister with my own eyes..."

Since I was equally curious about Siabel's condition, I agreed with Sione.

She began walking quickly like the servants we'd seen, still holding my hand tightly.

Though she seemed somewhat calmer now, I wondered how long she planned to hold my hand.

I tried subtly pulling my hand away in consideration.

But it was useless.

Sione immediately noticed my attempt and gripped tighter.

Really, did she see everyone around us as mere scenery?

What good could come from being seen holding hands with a servant like me?

"I think it would be better to let go now."

"...Can't I hold it just a little longer?"

"More and more people are gathering around. There are too many eyes."

"Mmm... alright."

Only then did Sione release my hand.

I thoroughly ignored how she stared at my profile with an expression full of reluctance to let go.

We arrived at the mansion's entrance.

The entrance was filled not with ordinary servants, but workers prepared to move and treat the severely wounded.

Even Bronte was there, standing alone in a daze among them waiting for the carriage.

He must have heard the news about Siabel too.

"Let's get closer."

We also stood among them waiting for the carriage.

Before long, a procession of carriages entered the mansion.

Soldiers began disembarking from the carriages filling the entrance.

"...Sister Siabel."

Siabel also emerged from a carriage, supported by Diolia.

They'd said she was severely wounded.

Indeed, Siabel's condition was far from normal.

Her armor was stained with dark red blood, whether her own or her enemies' was unclear. The strong iron smell was noticeable even from this distance.

Moreover, though conscious, her complexion was so haggard she looked like she might collapse any moment.

And her right arm - what had happened to it? It just dangled limply, swaying with her movements.

Barely standing with Diolia's support, she dragged her feet in a way that made it seem she might fall at any moment.

'This is much worse than I expected.'

It was amazing she was even conscious.

Without extraordinary willpower, she would have collapsed long ago.

'And Diolia too.'

The state of Diolia supporting Siabel was no better.

As if showing she'd been through intense combat.

Her neatly arranged brown hair had come completely undone.

Her face was full of exhaustion and concern for Siabel even in this situation.

As I watched them.

Through the servants bowing their heads on the side, I saw someone approaching.

"...Mother has come."

Ainel's usual composed expression was gone, replaced by traces of worry and anger leaking through.

When she took in Siabel's battered appearance.

Whoosh-

Ainel's characteristically emotionless expression cracked, her lips twisting.

An impossibly cold and heavy air began flowing from around Ainel.

In this situation, Siabel finally made her way to Ainel with Diolia's support.

"Siabel."

"Mother."

Ignoring Ainel's worried words, Siabel.

Thud.

Collapsed to one knee as if crumbling.

Unable to even lift her head to properly look at her mother, she spoke:

"I, Siabel Sianella, report my safe return after completing the cult search and elimination mission as per your orders."

Thud.

After reporting her return in a cracking voice.

Siabel collapsed helplessly.

"...Foolish child."

Ainel whispered, various emotions suppressed in her voice.

She looked away from Siabel and said:

"What are you all doing? Don't just stand there, hurry and move Siabel for treatment."

At her words, workers and priests rushed forward to treat and move her.

After watching Siabel until she disappeared from view.

Ainel turned to Diolia who was still kneeling beside where Siabel had been.

"Diolia."

"Yes, Head of House."

"What happened to put Siabel in this state?"

After taking a breath, she explained:

"During the search... we were ambushed by demons."

"Even with an ambush, you should have been able to protect Siabel from one or two demons."

"There were seven in total."

"...Seven demons?"

"Yes, despite the sudden attack we managed to handle four between myself and the knights but... they targeted Lady Siabel relentlessly with coordinated attacks..."

Diolia bowed her head even lower at Ainel's rebuke.

"I have no excuse. Please punish me as you see fit."

"We'll discuss the details later when I summon you separately, not here."

"I understand."

After speaking briefly with the woman who served as both her vassal and secretary who had appeared behind her.

Seeing her bow her head, Ainel helped Diolia up.

"Get plenty of rest until I summon you."

Having grasped the situation, Ainel Sianella.

Had quietly turned to stare in our direction at some point.

Why was she suddenly looking this way?

I thought she might have spotted Sione, but.

Ainel was clearly looking directly at me, not Sione.

Thud thud thud.

She walked straight toward me with an ominous atmosphere.

Just why was she staring at me like that...?

I hadn't done anything suspicious since coming to House Sianella.

As anxiety began sprouting from this unexplained attention.

Ainel, who had reached me, quietly spoke:

"Good timing, I was about to call for you. There's something we need to discuss, so come with me."

"...Me?"

Ainel nodded.

"By discussion, what-"

"I examined the arachne you supposedly caught. There was something strange."

Ainel brought her mouth close to my ear and whispered.

"Unlike Sione's testimony that you just stabbed and twisted your sword, inside the arachne's head-"

Ainel's penetrating gaze began shining sharply, trying to discern my true nature.

"For some reason, there were traces of something burning and melting its insides."

"So what trick you used, and what you're hiding."

Her cold gaze pierced through me.

"Let's talk about that, shall we?”

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