The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Teachings and Promises (1)

What was a male knight in this world?

From what I'd heard, in this world's fantasy novels, there was always at least one male knight who appeared as the protagonist's best friend, companion, or even husband. Male knights were extremely popular among women.

Given how the merchant who had tried to sell this body's previous owner as a male knight had spoken with such sincerity, even awakening to mana, it was probably true.

Having accessed those memories, I couldn't understand why male knights were so popular.

'What's so great about them?'

Was it just because they were strong, unlike the typical weak and introverted men?

No. If raw strength was all that mattered, that slave Lint in the next cell should have been sold long ago.

That bastard had quite good looks even by my standards as a man, and unlike the overly modest men here, he was more like men from Earth.

But considering how Lint hadn't been sold and had zero popularity as a slave.

It seemed being strong alone wasn't enough for popularity.

Just what made the women of this world so captivated by 'male knights'?

After deep contemplation, my conclusion was this:

'A warped obsession with strong men...'

I recalled the words of the merchant who had once owned me.

'A male knight must be outwardly beautiful and refined, pleasing to all who look upon him.'

'Inwardly, he must be unfailingly loyal to one master, possessing all virtues of both a wise father and good husband.'

'But above all else!'

'He must have the martial prowess to draw his sword and boldly face even the strongest woman for his lord!'

...What remarkable conviction.

From her fanatical words, I could be certain.

The fondness for male knights was a warped obsession with strong men.

'Well, there were guys on Earth who particularly liked female knights too...'

Figuring it wasn't much different from that, I had forgotten all about male knights after being sold to House Sianella.

But now receiving these warped gazes seeing me as a male knight again like at the slave merchant's brought up all sorts of thoughts.

I wished they would stop paying attention to me. Their whispers were impossible to ignore.

'At least Sione is here.'

The one fortunate thing was that Sione kept sending hostile glares to pressure those who were staring at me.

When Sione swept her surroundings with that signature annoyed look of hers, the piercing gazes from before disappeared.

Once the stares had mostly subsided, Sione finally relaxed her expression.

I asked her:

"The Male Knight of Sianella... The rumors must be why I'm getting so many looks."

"A man who defeated an arachne. It's good gossip for those who only swing swords all day."

"That's true, but..."

Well, with these looks, and having let my arm get mangled to catch an arachne and protect Sione.

I must perfectly fit their criteria for a male knight.

Thinking about it, getting a nickname like male knight didn't seem strange.

The sudden flood of attention was just a bit overwhelming.

In the midst of this, I asked Sione something:

"Do you like male knights too, Lady Sione?"

"Uh, huh? Why ask that so suddenly...?"

"Most women seem to like male knights, so I was curious about your thoughts."

"Well... about male knights..."

Sione hemmed and hawed without giving a proper answer.

It seemed she also harbored some fantasy about male knights.

Seeing her reaction was quite amusing.

"...I do admire them somewhat."

"I see."

It must have been embarrassing to say in front of me who had been dubbed a male knight.

Thinking it might be fun to tease her more, I put on my most nonchalant expression.

"Then what do you think of me?"

"W-what do you mean?"

"You did call me the Male Knight of Sianella, didn't you?"

"That..."

Gulp.

Sione swallowed dryly.

Seeing her face turn bright red like she might explode, I finally burst out laughing.

"I was just joking."

"...!"

Though she seemed to have many things she wanted to say as she worked her mouth, seeing my laughter, Sione just sighed.

"...Let's stop this and go shoot some arrows."

"As you wish."

I followed behind a deflated Sione into the shooting range.

Though gazes focused on me briefly there too as rumors had spread among the archers.

Sione's cold reaction quickly took care of that.

After finding her spot, Sione slowly began shooting arrows.

Unlike when she first learned archery, her form was now remarkably stable.

She easily planted arrow after arrow in the center of the target.

"You seem skilled enough at stationary shooting. Let's practice shooting while moving."

"Moving?"

"If a monster suddenly appears beside you, you can't just stand frozen shooting arrows, can you? From now on, it would be good to get used to shooting while moving your body slowly."

"Oho. Let's try that then."

Sione shot arrows while walking sideways as I suggested.

Whoosh!

The arrow landed at the edge of the target.

Though she had aimed for the center, her expression turned cold when it didn't go as intended.

"Just a small mistake."

She drew the bowstring again.

The result wasn't much different.

Though it landed closer to the center than before, it was still nearer to the outside.

"...One more time."

"Just one more try."

"...Last try, just one more."

Sione wore a sulky expression when the arrows wouldn't fly as she wanted.

She seemed unable to get a feel for it, though it should work with just one proper shot.

Thinking this was a good time to help, I approached behind her.

Sione's body trembled at my sudden approach close enough to hear her breathing.

"...Ray?"

"Take your stance. I'll help this time."

I brought my face right behind Sione's shoulder.

Though it was to better gauge the target she was aiming at.

Sione seemed quite flustered by the suddenly shortened distance, stiffly turning just her eyes to check on me.

"Draw the bowstring."

"...Isn't this too close, even considering the circumstances?"

"Haven't I guided you like this often before?"

"Even so, with you being male and the stares around us... it doesn't seem very proper."

"It's purely for instruction. Don't worry."

When I spoke matter-of-factly, Sione finally drew the bowstring.

I placed my right hand over hers holding the arrow and string.

"Isn't this just your male knight teaching you archery?"

"Uhk...!"

When I placed my hand over hers, Sione let out a startled sound.

By now I was used to such reactions and responded appropriately.

"Release the arrow when I remove my hand."

"...Alright."

I walked with Sione.

Moving slowly sideways, I guided her to adjust the arrow's direction and height.

And when I thought it would definitely fly straight to the center.

I released her hand.

"Shoot."

The arrow flew and struck the target with my words.

As the arrow hit dead center, her scattered gaze fixed on the middle of the target.

"...Let me try once more on my own."

"I'll watch from behind."

Sione shot again as if entranced.

It seemed she had successfully gotten a feel for it this time, as her arrow landed even closer to the center than before.

With a few more days of practice, she should be able to fully adapt to shooting while moving at that speed.

Her talent was remarkable.

Seeing her rapid improvement with each instruction raised my expectations.

That's why I thought:

'Perhaps it's time to teach her how to imbue arrows with mana.'

What if I started teaching her to infuse mana into arrows rather than swords from now on?

After all, small arrowheads inevitably needed mana's power to pierce through monsters' thick carapaces and hides.

This was an essential step to reach a certain level.

The technique for reinforcing weak arrows was similar to knights' Aura Blade.

Since Sione had already reached the level of Sword User, she should know how to infuse at least a little mana into her weapons.

With her archery talent accelerated through quests.

I was leaning toward teaching her now that the opportunity had come.

After finishing my brief deliberation, I looked at my master.

Sione was smiling brightly while examining her bow and hands after confirming her arrows had landed near the center again.

Since this involved mana.

With many eyes and ears here, caution was needed.

I approached Sione and whispered:

"Would you mind coming to the shooting range alone with me tomorrow at dawn?"

"Like before?"

"Yes, exactly like then."

I nodded at Sione's question.

"I have something to teach you privately."

"...Just the two of us?"

"That's right."

Given how absorbed in archery she was, she should react well.

Though Sione tilted her head expressing curiosity about what I would teach.

Wanting to see her reaction when she finally got her answer after the anticipation, I just smiled in response.

"You can look forward to it."

And after that.

Sione kept stealing expectant glances at me whenever she could.

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