“The tea is exquisite.”
Luciana savored a sip of the steaming cup of tea.
The bitterness highlighted the sweetness.
A vivid fragrance seemed to envelop her entire body.
It was a superbly brewed black tea, unlike the usual.
However, the maid who had skillfully brewed this fine tea waited with her head bowed, merely anticipating the next command.
A stark contrast to the ever-responsive butler, whose chatter had vanished, leaving the room engulfed in an awkward silence.
‘…Dull.’
She knew.
This was the typical demeanor of servants and maids.
It was Hans’s boisterousness that was, in fact, the anomaly.
– Hmm? It’s rare for you to compliment me. I thought you were sparing with your praises, at least in this area. Does this mean my tea-brewing skills have improved significantly?
Surely, Hans would have said something like that, brazenly taking credit for work done by a demon maid, just as he had boasted before.
– Woof!
That was the moment.
Pride, resembling her own, surged within Friede as he abruptly stood up.
His silver tail wagged joyfully.
– Knock, knock.
Simultaneously, a knock sounded in the previously silent room.
“May I enter, Lady Luciana?”
The voice seeking permission from beyond the door undoubtedly belonged to the loyal butler who had said he would be taking a day off.
“Come in.”
Another maid was present.
Solemnity was a virtue required of a member of the Speda family.
– Ahem. You have returned earlier than planned.
But adding a greeting would be acceptable.
“Yes, I’ve completed all my tasks and have just returned. Although I regret cutting my leave short, I’ve come across a piece of information so crucial that I felt compelled to report to you immediately.”
Hans’s eyes curved gently.
His smile was ever-present, showcasing the same loyalty as always.
But what was this critical information he needed to relay?
“Perhaps it would be best to discuss this without the presence of others?”
At that moment, the maid’s eyebrows twitched.
And not only that.
“You remain unchanged. Hasn’t the head butler advised you multiple times? In the North, it’s considered virtuous for servants to follow their masters silently.”
Without permission, she straightened up and reprimanded Luciana’s butler.
A slight frown creased Luciana’s brow.
As far as she remembered, this maid was from the Pomme Ducal family.
At first glance, the maid seemed loyal, criticizing the behavior of a butler who sought a private audience with his lady.
Yet, her face bore evident envy towards Hans, a man of lower noble status from a baronial family.
…Hmph. What makes her any better than Hans?
Victory in the martial tournament.
Loyalty that saved the master’s life.
Contribution to the defection of a high-ranking demon noble.
Even after uncovering Levain’s despicable plan to invade Speda’s stronghold just days ago and thwarting it in collaboration with her, the achievements Hans had amassed were not something that could merely be compared to any maid.
Her gaze drifted to the warmth she felt in her hand, still clutching the tea cup that hadn’t cooled down.
…Correction.
Hans might brew tea better.
“Ahaha. Sorry, but staying quiet isn’t really in my nature. I’ll keep it in mind, though.”
“Keeping it in mind isn’t enough; action is…!”
While Luciana’s attention was momentarily elsewhere, the maid, who had been voicing her displeasure, suddenly fell silent. Only the back of his head was visible from here, but it had moved closer to the maid.
The ticklish breath that shouldn’t have been audible reached Luciana, who had instinctively raised her mana.
“I understand, shh.”
The maid, momentarily dazed, soon nodded slightly, her neck flushed a light shade of red. This sight irked Luciana.
…Engaged to Liza, yet behaving so frivolously.
“What are you doing? My butler has returned, your role is over. Leave.”
Sharp icicles seemed to grow in her voice. Hans was merely being polite, surely without any ill intentions.
Yet, the sight of her friend’s partner dazzling others with his radiant charm, unwittingly captivating unintended targets, was particularly displeasing.
‘It’s for Liza’s sake.’
Sensing her displeasure, the startled maid quickly bowed.
“Then, I’ll take my leave!”
Only those who could withstand the Speda family’s atmosphere remained as its servants and maids. The Pomme family maid quickly sensed her superior’s discomfort and vacated the room promptly.
Yet, Luciana’s mood remained sour.
Normally, she might have offered a word of thanks for the effort, but somehow, she wasn’t in the mood.
“Lady Luciana?”
“…Go ahead with the information you brought.”
Her voice came out more brusquely than intended, her demeanor cold.
But soon, she relaxed.
While others might have been intimidated by the atmosphere, he remained smooth, his smile unwavering.
“Ah, yes! First, please take this.”
He produced a paper ticket from his pocket, handing it over with a flourish.
“Isn’t this a Colosseum ticket?”
“Exactly! You recognized it.”
Of course, she would. Though she had participated in the martial tournament as a competitor this year, she had been an eager spectator in her youth.
“…The martial tournament is already over. What use do I have for this?”
“The Mercenary Guild has booked it this time. It happens to relate to the information I’ve brought you, so perhaps attending would be beneficial?”
‘After all, they’re just mercenaries. Compared to the martial tournament, the quality is bound to be lower.’
Luciana thought it meaningless as she prepared to express her refusal.
‘Wait, attending as spectators? Just Hans and me?’
Her mind raced to a quick conclusion.
A date invitation!
…Impossible. Hans was engaged.
The warmth that surged from a hint of excitement cooled as quickly as her tea, replaced by a sobering chill. It was merely a means to convey information. That was all.
“I’ll listen. After all, the information you’ve brought can’t be worthless.”
Still, hiding her uplifted spirits proved difficult. She accepted the ticket with an effort to remain composed, and Hans smiled warmly.
Unbeknownst to her, any trace of displeasure had long since faded from her elegant brows.
***
In the Colosseum’s special reserved seating, separated from the noisy crowd, this spot was truly prime real estate.
“It’s always quite atmospheric, isn’t it?”
“Appropriate for your ladyship, I’ve prepared the best seat.”
Below the open balcony, young mercenaries were competing in the arena.
“How is it?”
“They contribute to the North, to some extent. It’s hard to add anything to that.”
Luciana cloaked her words in ambiguity, but the boredom in her eyes was apparent to me.
Was it my tea that lacked flavor, or had the current mercenaries’ performance lost her interest?
Only she knew the truth.
“Let’s hear about the crucial information from the academy.”
Luciana quickly got to the point, her gaze shifting from boredom to faint anticipation. It was a kind of trust.
“You wouldn’t have brought me useless information and arranged for such a grand setting just for the two of us unless it was worthwhile.”
I responded with a smile instead of words.
As expected.
I believed Luciana’s insight would recognize the significance of choosing a Colosseum special box seat, a space beyond the reach of even the manor’s ears, servants, and maids.
“I personally sought information from the Thieves’ Guild. Combined with what I heard from Bathory, the results were intriguing.”
This time, leveraging the name of Bathory and the Thieves’ Guild.
“Lady Luciana, have you heard of the Calamities?”
Information exclusive to this world, known only to me.
“…Calamities?”
Her perfect lips mimicked my words, slightly agape.
“Yes. Entities with the potential to bring ruin to the Manhett Empire.”
A mid-boss speaking of the final boss, the irony almost made me chuckle.
Luciana’s expression contorted instantly.
“Your boasting is too much. You would not speak so if you understood the mighty power of the Empire.”
“Of course.”
“No, it seems you do not know. Have you forgotten that the Empire’s strength includes my father as well? It’s not something to be said lightly.”
Luciana’s critique was as sharp as her deep trust in the Swordmaster.
‘After all, who would think the Swordmaster could lose.’
It’s a thought that remains vividly in my mind.
With a roar that boosts everyone’s morale, dominating the enemy commander Levain.
Anyone who has witnessed his unique presence alone in the chaotic battlefield would scoff at the reality of my words.
But the opponent is the final boss.
A disaster because it’s ‘irresistible’.
“There’s no denying that the Duke possesses extraordinary martial prowess. However, even he faces a realm beyond his reach.”
Not just the Swordmaster.
The Imperial Knight Commander, the Wandering Swordsman, the Divine Archer…
And even the forgotten king who was tricked by me and gave up his relic.
The Empire’s strength is more than overwhelming.
But there’s something beyond the reach of these existing champions.
That was the final boss.
I added another word to her still displeased expression.
“Do you have any guess why the Saintess appeared, Lady?”
“…Impossible.”
And then.
In history as well.
The appearance of the ‘Saintess’ was almost the only way to overcome such irrational beings.
Of course, not all Saintesses fought against disasters.
But it’s true that whenever a formidable ‘evil’ appeared, a Saintess emerged.
‘…That’s the setting.’
That was the basis for Rine, the protagonist of ‘Under the Chandelier’, to be revered as the center of the world and its most precious existence.
“Ah, Batory’s testimony was quite enlightening. Among the demons, that Demon King is called the disaster of dominion… But I don’t think a Saintess would appear just because of a single Demon King.”
In a few years, everyone will know.
The Demon King, who boasted unprecedented difficulty and scale, was just a part of the disaster.
“Hmm.”
Luciana, with her chin propped, closed her eyes for a moment, seemingly organizing the vast information I had provided.
“Indeed, there was a reason you left the mansion. Had someone else heard, you might have been imprisoned for blasphemy.”
“Ahaha… Lady Pommel might have reported me, for all I know.”
She opened her eyes narrowly and spoke.
“Hans, I will ask. Is the Demon King, and that disaster, a threat to the North and Speda?”
“…Yes. Someday, it will certainly be so.”
“Then my duty is clear.”
-Wow!
-Strike hard! Do not falter, red hair!
Among the roaring cheers of the spectators, she met my eyes and retorted.
“To those who dare to draw swords against the Speda family, what choice do we have but to exclude them?”
-Swish.
A pure and immaculate silver-white sword, resembling her hair, was covered in a neat aura.
“However, my power is insignificant.”
Contrary to her negative words, what overflowed from her were eyes of firm will,
‘Ah…………….’
My heart throbbed fiercely.
How can I express this feeling right now?
How can I describe my most beloved, who is so brilliant?
No description was sufficient to capture her in front of me.
With my poor vocabulary, to express even a fraction of the iceberg.
No, even a single piece of ice if I must.
Noble, serene, and elegant.
That tone, only those who have heard it directly could feel.
The bravery of not losing competitive spirit and hostility even when facing a great enemy.
And yet, not losing her dignity, the elegant figure only Luciana could show captured my heart.
Soon.
She sheathed her sword and extended her hand to me.
“So, will you help me? My hands are not enough to clean up all of them.”
“I have been disloyal. It is my duty to anticipate and pave the way before my lord has to express her intentions directly.”
Quickly, I knelt on one knee and placed my right hand under my left chest as a sign of loyalty.
“The lord only needs to command her servant. I will always follow Luciana’s will.”
“Your advice is always helpful, so do not spare it. Even if it’s harsh, I will accept it gladly.”
At her words, I sneakily looked outside the balcony.
-Clang!
A young man armed only with light armor blew away the sword of a mercenary in black iron armor.
“The winner has emerged! The victor, Oparn!”
Just in time, the duel for the academy admission rights came to an end.
“I will faithfully follow your command. As Lady Luciana said, one cannot win alone. So, I plan to find comrades.”
“Comrades. You might be capable of watching my back, but such people are hard to come by.”
I know.
Luciana’s high standards and realm made it difficult to choose equal comrades.
“Just there is a suitable candidate. A friend from the North, with fairly remarkable martial prowess.”
But there will be plenty of opportunities ahead.
Not only in our homeland, the North, but also at the academy, there will be an abundance of talents to recruit as allies.
For now, introducing Oparn to her would be satisfactory.
Now that the academy admission is just around the corner.
I once again resolved.
I will not let my favorite character adorn a side of tragedy.
I will change the academy, the very place of that scene, with my own hands.
Cliche Novel 