The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: To the Mountains (3)

"...Were you watching?"

Sione scratched her cheek, seemingly embarrassed.

At the same time, Siabel's blue eyes that had been fixed on me shifted to her sister.

Only then did that inexplicably unsettling gaze lift from me, allowing me to breathe easier.

"Of course. Your skill has improved considerably since facing those goblins earlier."

"I simply followed Ray's advice. I'm glad you see it that way."

"Ray..."

"Ah, that's my personal attendant's name."

Sione half-turned to reveal me hiding behind her.

Thanks to that, I once again found myself reflected in Siabel's blue eyes.

Our gazes met once more.

I quietly bowed my head to Siabel.

Regardless—

"Hmm."

Siabel silently looked me over for a moment.

Just like during my first meeting with Ainel Sianella, her penetrating gaze seemed to see right through to my core, making me needlessly tense.

Moreover, unlike the puppy-like Sione, Siabel had a cold impression.

Her resemblance to Ainel sent chills down my spine.

Though it wasn't particularly long, to me it felt like an eternal moment of discomfort.

Unlike with someone like Sione, the gazes of people who so obviously flaunted their nobility from the start were incredibly burdensome.

I hoped this moment would pass quickly.

As I was wishing this, Siabel slowly opened her mouth.

"So, your name is Ray."

It wasn't just her words.

Her previously expressionless lips curved up into an arc.

Though it might have been my oversensitivity, I thought I detected a hint of interest in her previously cold eyes.

Either way, Siabel's attention made me quite uncomfortable.

...For some reason, I felt getting involved with Siabel would lead to troublesome things.

I'd prefer to just know her through Sione.

Whether my sense of Siabel's curiosity was mistaken or not...

"Come to think of it, I heard the servant who taught you archery was your attendant. Is this that servant?"

She began asking about my identity.

"Yes. Ray personally taught me archery."

"A servant teaching rather than an archery instructor..."

Siabel narrowed her eyes.

Sione seemed quite entertained as she freely shared my story.

"He said he learned archery briefly in the past. Not only does he teach well enough... but he's also trustworthy."

"Oho."

Siabel brushed back her silver hair at Sione's words.

The interest in her eyes deepened simultaneously.

It seemed to be moving beyond interest to actual amusement...

But since I had nothing particular to say, I quietly closed my mouth and calmly accepted her attention.

"Well, though I only saw briefly, you do possess sharp skills like our county's archers."

Siabel, who had been brushing her hair, crossed her arms.

Tilting her head slightly as she met my gaze, she said:

"How interesting."

I silently bowed my head once more.

Though there was no need to be particularly intimidated, this situation of being overwhelmed by Siabel's presence did not sit well with me at all.

Why was Siabel suddenly showing interest in me now, after encountering me several times before?

As I pondered this, I recalled the rewards from the two quests I'd received.

'...Both quest rewards involved Siabel Sianella.'

These quests were different from previous ones that had focused solely on Sione's growth.

The quest rewards were none other than—

Siabel Sianella's interest in me and acceleration of her talent awakening, respectively.

Since this quest's rewards related to Siabel, it seemed a connection between her and me was forming.

I could only sigh internally.

'...I don't like this.'

Sione was already actively declaring her desire to break off engagements with marquis' sons.

I was already on edge lately since you never knew what Sione might do next.

And now, in this situation, I had to start worrying about Siabel too.

Just what was it about the Sianella family that required so much attention...

At this rate, I might need to worry about Sion Sianella as well.

"When you said you wanted to bring just one servant up the mountain, I was quite concerned... but this is unexpected."

"Didn't I tell you beforehand? He has awakened to mana and is skilled in archery, so at least he won't be a hindrance."

"How could I believe just words? Though I accepted because I was confident I could protect you even with one man following... still, he's male after all."

Siabel said this while crossing her arms.

"Well, looking again now, it doesn't seem like such a bad choice."

Speaking thus, Siabel slowly approached me.

She extended her hand to me.

"Please take good care of Sione. I can trust you with this, right?"

I quietly took Siabel's hand.

"...Please leave it to me."

Siabel nodded with a satisfied expression at my words.

"I'll be watching."

***

The day passed quickly.

We cut down numerous goblins and finally discovered traces of ash wolves, successfully mapping out their territory.

We even managed to catch several ash wolves that had strayed from their pack.

Throughout this, I offered Sione advice about archery during the continued monster elimination.

Though still inexperienced, Sione's accuracy gradually improved as she absorbed my advice bit by bit.

It was all thanks to constantly firing arrows at many enemies.

After returning to base camp, we handled various tasks.

It wasn't too bad since most were handled by Bronte rather than exhausted me.

The problem lay elsewhere.

'It was too burdensome.'

The fact that Siabel Sianella tried to observe me whenever I was with Bronte.

I didn't like how she watched me as if she'd discovered some fascinating animal.

Just what had impressed her so much?

I hadn't shown her any magic, and to get this attached just from seeing me shoot a bow once...

I could understand such interest after impressively unleashing spirit magic.

But there had been no such flashy display, so I couldn't understand why Siabel was acting this way.

I couldn't exactly ask her why she kept following and staring at me either.

Somehow the first day passed like this and the second day arrived.

After the sun lit up the mountains, we set out for elimination again.

"You've improved much more than yesterday."

"After shooting enough to get blisters on my fingers, it would be strange not to improve."

"...That's true enough."

Sione showed better performance with each passing day.

Her aiming time had decreased from yesterday, and her accuracy had improved considerably as well.

Though it was amusing to see her acting proud about getting used to handling goblins.

Seeing how much she was enjoying herself, I couldn't just laugh at her outright.

As we continued hunting like this, before long...

"We've confirmed a group of orcs!"

A soldier who had been scouting ahead reported what he'd seen to Siabel.

"How many?"

"Six in total."

"Hmm..."

Siabel stroked her chin thoughtfully for a moment.

Her decision came without much delay.

"We'll ambush them."

Following Siabel's decision, we silently advanced toward where the orcs had been spotted.

Even Siabel, who usually walked leisurely while killing goblins, maintained appropriate tension.

Before long, we spotted the six orcs just as the soldier had said.

They were monsters with green skin like goblins.

However, it would be wrong to treat them the same as goblins just because they shared skin color.

Height exceeding 2 meters and broad, sturdy builds.

And stupidly heavy bodies.

They were natural fighters from their physique alone and boasted tremendous strength in practice.

The fortunate point was that they tended to move sluggishly in proportion to their strength.

The soldiers, with plenty of combat experience from Sianella's regular Beltrin Mountains elimination, should be able to handle them sufficiently.

Moreover, with an Expert knight present, the soldiers only needed to hold the orcs' attention until Siabel could cut their necks.

As I was comparing the orcs I hadn't seen in a while with our forces, I heard Sione's voice.

"...I'm nervous."

It seemed she was already intimidated just from seeing the orcs.

Well, unlike other pathetic monsters, orcs did possess a unique intimidating presence.

I understood why Sione, who wasn't used to facing monsters, had such a stiff expression and cold sweat.

I spoke to help ease Sione's tension.

"Just think of them as large green targets. The soldiers will handle them up close, not us."

"Large green targets..."

My comparison seemed to appeal to her, as Sione's expression improved considerably.

Just then, Siabel's voice rang out low and clear.

"When I strike the first one, follow immediately."

As Aura mana coated Siabel's sword, she kicked off the ground.

Tap!

In an instant, Siabel closed in on the nearest orc.

She immediately swung her sword down with full force.

"Chwiik!!"

Along with the orc's startled scream, its green arm flew off.

As expected of an Expert knight - unlike archer Sione, she had quite the magnificent style.

With Siabel's strike, the soldiers also began joining the battle.

"Let's provide support."

"Whew... alright then."

Sione steadied her breathing and began shooting.

Despite appearing overly tense, Sione shot diligently.

Thanks to that, several arrows ended up buried in one orc's stomach.

Seeing her steadily doing her part, I shot arrows toward where the soldiers were struggling slightly.

But that turned out to be a problem.

When multiple arrows pierced its moon-like bulging stomach, the orc's attention turned to Sione.

"Chwiik!!"

The orc, already covered in cuts from multiple soldiers.

As if unwilling to die in vain, it ignored the soldiers' attacks and began charging at Sione.

Apparently to the monster's eyes, rather than those wielding swords, taking the nervous archer Sione as a companion seemed right.

The orc's judgment was correct.

"Ah..."

Sione let out a dismayed sound.

Turning toward her at that voice, I finally understood how the situation was developing.

The orc was charging straight at her like it meant to tackle her completely, yet why was she just standing there watching?

Sione just wore a despairing expression even as it charged right up to her.

"...Damn it."

What were the soldiers doing to let an orc charge at her?

I quickly considered how to resolve this situation.

Siabel was over there dealing with another orc...

And though I could run there immediately, the distance was awkward - I couldn't be certain of saving her in time.

And if I tried shooting its forehead to kill it.

That orc bastard could definitely land a solid hit on Sione before losing consciousness and collapsing.

In that case, ultimately.

As Sione said, I had no choice but to show magic that I'd rather not display in front of others.

I quickly circulated mana before the orc's fist could reach Sione's head.

What I needed was enough speed to save her.

I imbued my body with spirit power.

"Hah..."

As I felt the fresh breeze brush my cheek and ruffle my hair, I threw my body forward.

Fortunately I reached Sione in time.

I grabbed her in an instant and threw myself sideways to dodge the orc's attack.

After rolling on the ground several times, I felt quite heavy pain in my back and arms.

I really had to do everything, even rolling around the mountains, because of Sione.

"Ray...?"

Sione stared at my face in apparent bewilderment.

"Why were you just standing there watching?"

I scolded her.

If she was scared she could have at least screamed - what was the point of being surprised all by herself?

What if I hadn't noticed?

"Sorry..."

Along with Sione's weak words.

Thud—

The orc that had charged at Sione collapsed, its head severed.

Siabel appeared, flicking the red blood from her sword beside the fallen orc.

She looked down at Sione and me while muttering.

"Magic?”

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