The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: My Knight (3)

"Ray—"

Though Sione seemed about to say something with a serious expression.

Unfortunately, I couldn't focus on her words.

Because five figures wearing deeply pulled-down black robes had appeared behind her.

When five such obviously suspicious characters suddenly appeared—

This could only be the situation I'd been worried about.

Without hesitation, I drew my sword and maintained vigilance while watching them.

Seeing me like this, Sione's expression hardened.

"...Ray?"

Well, she had seemed about to tell me something important, even calling my name.

While suddenly drawing a sword must be quite startling, I had no choice.

Her life could be in danger if things went wrong.

I immediately approached Sione and pulled her toward me.

Though I felt resistance from her, likely due to the sword in my hand.

But having read the seriousness in my face, she followed my lead without protest.

"Why are you suddenly acting like this?"

"Suspicious figures have appeared."

"Suspicious figures?"

"Look over there."

Sione turned to face the figures I was warily watching.

Her eyes met with those of the one approaching us first.

Then came the voice of the woman whose eyes had met Sione's.

"From the House Sianella crest carved on the carriage to that silver hair. Indeed, you are of House Sianella."

She quietly drew her sword.

A cold killing intent emanated from the well-maintained blade's edge.

"Though it's somewhat troublesome that you're the useless second daughter rather than the talented third child who would be easier to capture. Even if you are useless, I wonder what kind of being we might summon using you, who carries Sianella blood, as a sacrifice."

She pointed her sword toward Sione and me.

Clear hostility poured toward us.

"Aren't you all excited as well?"

She asked her companions.

"Let's quickly deliver her to the Sorcerer. Being of Sianella blood, we should receive no small blessing."

"It's been so long since we received a blessing, how exciting, fellow believers."

There had been a reason they'd given off an even gloomier atmosphere than Sione when she'd been shut away in her room.

Of course they'd be unsettling, being the type to spout such nonsense while praising demons.

Ignoring the fanatics' nonsense, I checked on Sione.

She wore a blank expression, as if unable to easily comprehend these people treating her as a sacrifice.

This wasn't good—with that dumbfounded look, she probably couldn't even swing a sword properly.

It would be better to have her step back while I tried to handle this somehow.

"Please step back. I'll protect you."

"Eh...?"

Good grief, really.

I'm telling her to step back so she can escape if needed.

It was exasperating to see her just opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish, frozen in place.

Thump.

I pushed her shoulder to make her step back.

Given the situation, surely she wouldn't complain about a shoulder push.

"To think the infamously incompetent second daughter would hide behind a male servant. What a sight."

The demon worshipper pointing her sword at us lifted the corner of her mouth in a sneer.

At the same time, her form blurred.

Whoosh!

The speed at which she kicked off the ground and approached me was beyond imagination.

...She seems to be around Sword User level in skill.

If I tried to dodge a Sword User's attack with just my physical abilities, I'd end up with a sword through my gut.

I began channeling the tiny amount of mana I had stored in my heart.

Spirit magic—one of my other talents.

Though I originally could use three elements, now only wind remained.

But that alone should be enough to handle an amateur like this.

I imbued my body with spirit magic.

As I felt a gentle breeze brush past my cheek, my body became lighter than ever before.

"Since you too belong to the Sianella County, don't expect an easy death!"

Her sword thrust toward my heart.

Such a linear attack.

This was characteristic of those who had reached the level of mana user through talent in mana alone.

Poor swordsmanship that couldn't even properly utilize their enhanced physical abilities.

I easily twisted my body to avoid the attack.

"How can a man...?"

Unable to believe that I had dodged a Sword User's attack.

She showed an opening for a moment.

I didn't miss that opening, instantly channeling mana.

All I needed was momentary acceleration.

As a whirlwind burst forth around me, I launched my body forward.

Thunk.

My sharp blade buried itself in the demon worshipper's neck.

Though she glared at me with an expression of disbelief until the end.

But I'd seen such expressions many times before, on those pierced by my arrows in the dungeon.

Nothing new worth paying attention to.

I retrieved my sword and pushed away her limp body.

No need for her to fall and block my movement space.

Only after I had dealt with the Sword User relatively easily did the remaining four draw their swords.

"...This has become troublesome."

Just that one thrust had drained nearly half my mana.

If all four of them were Sword User level fighters, even I wouldn't be able to handle them.

I looked back at Sione.

I could see her hands trembling slightly.

Seeing someone die before her eyes seemed to have completely paralyzed her with fear.

Well, for Sione who had spent years staring at the same ceiling in her room, such a scene must be quite shocking.

Even though she had a long blank period, I had hoped to borrow her strength since she was also a Sword User knight.

But in this state, what help could she be?

It was obvious she would only get in the way if she tried to interfere.

I swung my sword once to clear off the blood and took my stance.

"...A man who killed a Sword User. We should avoid being careless."

Two women sprang forward first.

Judging by the speed at which they kicked off the ground, these two also seemed to have reached the level of Sword User.

...I'd used half my mana taking down one careless Sword User.

And now there were two more Sword Users.

The stress was already overwhelming as I tried to figure out how to overcome this crisis.

Feeling my head throbbing from stress, I channeled mana once again.

Once more, I imbued my body with spirit magic.

As half of my remaining mana drained away in a chunk, my body became even faster.

"Quickly secure the Sianella!"

A Sword User's physical abilities surpass those of normal people.

Even that crazy fanatic's mindless straight-line attack was troublesome for me to deal with due to its power and speed.

As she swung straight down aiming to split my head, I turned sideways while deflecting with my sword.

Clang! Screech!

Our blades collided, and the thug's sword slid along the path created by mine.

"...Shit."

The impact from clashing swords nearly made me lose my grip.

Even now my hand was numb and my wrist screaming in pain.

If I'd been even slightly late in twisting to deflect, I would have lost my weapon and had my heart pierced.

I cursed this weakened body of mine.

I immediately dove into the demon worshipper's space.

Thud!!

Her fist buried itself in my stomach, making my insides churn and my head spin.

But even so, I managed to thrust my sword.

"Gah...!"

With a death cry, her body went limp.

After quickly dealing with one and catching my breath while checking my surroundings, I saw the other Sword User bypass me and head toward Sione.

Damn it—though Sione had drawn her sword against the fanatic, she was clearly facing off with an awkward stance.

Someone's trying to kill her right in front of her eyes, yet she's so hesitant about swinging her sword.

This idiot is really something else.

"...Damn it."

I immediately gathered every last bit of mana I had left.

If she fought awkwardly swinging her sword like that, Sione would end up losing.

I needed to kill in one strike somehow.

As my mana emptied completely, I threw my sword.

A fierce whirlwind burst forth as my sword flew at terrifying speed.

"Guh!"

Thanks to the sword that buried itself in her chest after piercing her defenseless back, the demon worshipper threatening Sione perished.

Feeling intense fatigue from mana exhaustion, I immediately approached Sione.

"Are you alright?"

"I-I'm fine, but you—"

Her pupils trembled wildly, having witnessed someone being run through by a sword right before her eyes.

She's not even okay herself, yet she's worried about me?

"Please endure a little longer. It will be over soon."

I quickly retrieved my sword and prepared to face the remaining two.

The two left appeared to be regular swordsmen rather than mana users.

Normally they would be opponents I could handle somehow.

But my current state of mana exhaustion was concerning.

My legs were starting to tremble, and the feeling of powerlessness washing over me was quite dangerous.

"Damn Sianella!"

I approached while deflecting the demon worshipper's clean but unremarkable sword strike.

Though my arms trembled from the earlier impacts even just blocking such an attack.

I had to force my body to move somehow.

Aiming for the neck.

After deflecting, I immediately slashed her neck decisively and turned to face the last enemy.

When intense fatigue hit me like a wave.

Thud.

My legs, already shaking from mana exhaustion, finally gave out.

At the worst possible moment.

"Damn you... I'll tear you apart and use you as a sacrifice."

Just as the last enemy approached to thrust their sword at me.

Thunk.

The sound of something sharp piercing flesh rang out.

"...A Sianella spawn that deserves worse than being torn apart."

She stared at Sione, who had pierced her heart, with intense killing intent.

"I'll wait for you in hell."

Her body finally collapsed as she breathed her last, and Sione came to me, crouching down to check my condition.

"...Ray, how are you?"

"...Just simple mana exhaustion."

"You faced Sword Users...! Are you sure it's only mana exhaustion...?"

Sione's eyes trembled wildly.

As I observed her, I noticed her sword hand shaking unnaturally.

Only then did I see that Sione wasn't just worried about me—she was curled up as if she'd committed a mortal sin.

It had been too much hostility for someone who'd been shut away in her room.

The act of killing someone must have shaken her moral foundations.

I quietly embraced her.

"You don't need to feel such deep guilt over this."

Sione flinched at my words.

"...I killed someone with my own hands."

"They were demon worshippers—enemies of humanity."

"The servant who fought and got covered in blood for my sake... I who proclaimed wanting to be a proud knight of House Sianella couldn't even help him."

"But in the end, you saved me. If not for you, Lady Sione, I would be lying cold on the ground now."

I quietly patted her back.

"You said you wanted to become a proud knight of the Sianella County."

"..."

"At least to me, Lady Sione who protected me appeared more admirable than any other knight."

Sione silently pulled me into an embrace at those words.

And I indulged her childlike need for comfort for a moment.

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