The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Bronte (2)

I couldn't just stand there and take it.

Before releasing Bronte's hand, I squeezed.

Crunch.

My physical abilities as someone awakened to mana far surpassed other men who hadn't.

This applied to grip strength too—Bronte's expression crumpled satisfyingly.

Finally, this was making me feel better.

Seeing those fierce eyebrows droop, the pressure that had been building in my chest finally eased.

"...What do you think you're doing?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You squeezed my hand."

"Ah, about that..."

I deliberately put on an 'oops' expression while covering my mouth with my right hand.

The more exaggerated my gestures and expressions became, the more Bronte's face soured.

"Since I've awakened to mana... sometimes I forget about my enhanced physical abilities..."

"...I've heard that even women who've just awakened to mana don't make such simple mistakes."

"But that's about women, not men like me, isn't it?"

"What nonsense—"

"Have you seen any other men who've awakened to mana besides me?"

Bronte ground his teeth.

He'd even dropped his nasal tone, suggesting he'd taken my bait completely.

"...No."

"Exactly. You see, Bronte, male awakeners are less adept at controlling our bodies than women, so we sometimes forget our own strength?"

As I explained kindly with a smile, proving the saying that one can't spit at a smiling face,

Bronte pressed his lips together and swallowed his anger.

Getting this worked up over a little squeeze.

Though Siabel was famous for being a responsible and well-respected knight, why was her personal attendant so petty?

This was all karma for Bronte picking a fight with me first.

As I grinned, enjoying how obviously he was showing his dislike, he backed down and spoke first.

"Since I've told you my name... please tell me yours."

"My name? You can call me Ray."

"Hmmmm..."

Well, as for names...

After I casually told him, Bronte muttered my name to himself several times.

Though he seemed to be trying to memorize it, hearing him say my name with that affected nasal tone was quite unpleasant.

"By the way. Why did you and Lady Sione come here?"

"Do sisters need a reason to talk to each other?"

"Ugh. That's not what I meant."

"Hmm... well, if you really need a reason, there is one..."

As I deliberately dragged things out to waste time, Bronte's expression began turning grim.

I'd had my fun and gotten some revenge, so.

It might be good to move on to something more productive.

"Lady Sione will be joining the monster elimination in the Beltrin Mountains. She'll be heading to the mountains with Lady Siabel."

"...Lady Sione?"

But my intentions were immediately shattered by his words.

Despite his master's status, this attendant was hopelessly dense.

I could only wonder how someone like this could serve at the well-respected Siabel's side.

I'd thought about observing a bit longer, but if I didn't get angry now, his attitude wouldn't change until this reached its end.

Just warning him with words wouldn't get through to him.

Though it was a bit troublesome, I needed to knock some sense into him before I died of anger.

"Bronte."

I completely erased my expression and took a step toward him.

My cold voice entered Bronte's ears.

When I looked down at him with this changed atmosphere, he took a step back.

"You should be more careful with your words. Are you some grand duke of the kingdom?"

"W-what are you..."

"Despite being merely an attendant bound to the Sianellas, how dare you so easily speak words disrespecting Lady Sione, a noble lady of the Sianellas?"

"..."

"Bronte, do you want your disrespectful behavior to reach Lady Siabel and Lady Sione's ears?"

"...No."

"Then. Repeat after me."

Bronte began trembling.

Partly because he was completely caught up in the atmosphere.

And partly thanks to my warning words imbued with mana.

Though it was too little mana for Siabel and Sione to notice through the door.

My words, carrying just a tiny amount of pressure and killing intent amplified by the atmosphere, were enough to shake Bronte.

Besides, everything I'd said was true.

If he still made a fuss, I could just report it to Sione or Siabel.

I couldn't understand why this guy would repeat the same mistake even after I'd already warned him once in front of the dining hall.

This was Bronte's last chance.

"An attendant should act like an attendant."

"An attendant... should act like an attendant..."

"Your voice is too quiet."

"...An attendant should act like an attendant."

"Good."

Only then did I relax my expression and step back.

Bronte looked at me like he was sick of me.

Well, what are you going to do about how you look at me?

If you didn't like it, you shouldn't have gotten involved with me in the first place.

When I maintained eye contact with a bright expression instead of backing down, he lowered his gaze first.

Now that things seemed more conducive to conversation, I began asking what I'd wanted to know.

"Well then, Bronte. Do you know what kinds of monsters typically appear in the Beltrin Mountains?"

"...The Beltrin Mountains have orcs and goblins, and—"

"Bronte, your expression and tone... aren't they too dark?"

Someone might think I'm the bad guy here.

"Ah..."

"Smile. A smile suits you much better than such a gloomy expression, Bronte."

"Ahaha."

"That's better."

Bronte looked at me with a forced smile.

Just what was this guy's deal—though I could clearly read the meaning in his gaze, that much was fine.

I could easily overlook that much.

"Would you continue explaining?"

Bronte quietly nodded.

"The Beltrin Mountains mainly have goblins, orcs, and ash wolves."

"The monsters aren't as threatening as I expected?"

Goblins went without saying.

Even orcs and ash wolves weren't particularly high-level monsters.

When you hear orc, you might think of giant muscular pigs, but the reality was a bit different.

They were so stupid they'd often fall into pre-dug traps while charging ahead.

Far from being muscular, orcs could only boast strength from their fat, giant bodies.

As for ash wolves, if you took out the alpha of the pack with magic or arrows, the group would fall apart before long.

A knight of Siabel's level could easily handle taking down an ash wolf's leader.

"They aren't threatening... but their reproduction rate is monstrous. If we don't eliminate them regularly, they come down near the territory."

"Ah, that makes sense."

Their main issue lay in their reproduction rate.

It seemed they went out to eliminate them around this time when the population tended to increase.

Orcs and ash wolves were just at the limit of what I could handle while covering Sione right now.

At that level, it should be fine for Sione to go on the elimination mission to practice archery.

"Are there no other monsters?"

"Sometimes ogres or arachne appear... but those monsters only stay in the deep mountains, so unless you go looking for them, you won't encounter them."

"Hmm."

I nodded at Bronte's words.

Though both would be tricky opponents for me right now, well.

If we don't look for them, we won't see them.

I just need to focus on dealing with orcs and wolves.

This would be a good chance to build up Sione's practical archery experience.

While thinking this, my attention returned to Bronte, who was watching my reactions.

"Will you be climbing the Beltrin Mountains with Lady Siabel as well?"

"...Of course. I need to attend to Lady Siabel."

"Even though a mountain with monsters would be dangerous. Without sending other servants?"

"Lady Siabel doesn't particularly like unfamiliar servants... She said it would be better to have me by her side since it's not that dangerous."

"In that case... we'll be seeing a lot of each other. Since I'll be climbing the mountains with Lady Sione."

Saying this, I extended my hand to Bronte.

"Looking forward to working together?"

When I held out my hand for a handshake,

Flinch.

Bronte trembled.

"Looking... forward to it..."

Bronte and I shook hands again.

Thinking I might squeeze his hand again, he was quite hesitant about the handshake.

Just then, Siabel's door opened and Siabel and Sione started coming out.

Seeing Bronte's expression too stiffly frozen, I squeezed his hand.

"Ah...!"

Bronte looked at my face at my sudden action.

I showed him a smile while moving my lips.

Smile. Or else—

He caught my meaning before I could finish and lifted the corners of his mouth.

Only then did I release my grip.

After Sione came out first, Siabel saw Bronte and me shaking hands.

After confirming Bronte's faint smile, Siabel smiled at me and said:

"It seems Bronte has made a new friend. I look forward to working with you."

"Of course. Right, Bronte?"

Squeeze.

I applied pressure to his hand.

Feeling the gradually increasing strength, Bronte hurriedly said:

"O-of course, Ray."

See, isn't it nice when we get along harmoniously?

Now the world is turning properly.

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