Chapter 76

The first day back in Weatherwood without Lou.

I was scolded by the housekeeper.

"Did you get involved in some dangerous situation again? I told you to just deliver the letter and take a good rest before coming back. And this time, you even came back injured!"

"That's not the important thing right now. Lou betrayed us. From now on, the housekeeper will have to cook."

"…That sounds like a serious issue. Tell me more about it."

More about it.

Where should I start? I can't reveal my past, so I combined the facts to create a plausible lie.

"I found out that the Duke of Berkeleygraiton is after our family's egg. Lou ran away because he was afraid of the Duke."

"What? Tell me more."

More details….

I vaguely said it was thanks to Malicop's advice.

The housekeeper's expression darkened instantly, as if he trusted Malicop's words even if he didn't trust mine.

"Weatherwood will be in danger."

"Right."

"…You must have heard from Westwintree, but the Weatherwood family has been operating with the help of Malicop, who was the former master's close friend."

"I know."

"Especially after I learned the truth about the 'egg' a few days ago. I asked Malicop about the truth of Weatherwood that I didn't know. He said that the 'egg' is not the heir but a relic of the former master, and it was disguised to protect it from outsiders. The will itself was a lie."

Indeed, that was the case.

"I don't know the clear reason for protecting that strange egg… but if that's the task given to me, I will accept it without complaint. Please take care of Miss Daisy as well."

I nodded in agreement.

"Of course."

A late summer night in Weatherwood.

When I lay alone in bed, looking up at the ceiling, the time I spent with Lou and Queen Island would float up in my mind like a mist.

When I carefully compared the Lou from 14 years ago and the Lou now, they were different in many ways but also the same.

'Back then, she was a princess who wouldn't lift a finger, but now she not only cooks but also brings ingredients from the outskirts…'

But her cold smile and brazenness remained the same. And her being a great magician.

'Was she softer and more playful when I first met her? She's still playful, but now she seems more sensitive and prickly.'

Maybe she's going through a second puberty. At 179 years old, it's not impossible to have two.

'I want to see her and give her a piece of my mind…'

Thinking about her made the night pass a little faster.

The second day back in Weatherwood without Lou.

I illegally occupied Lou's mansion.

After a simple lunch and the given rest time, I silently entered the mansion. The first person to greet me was—

"Hehe. Welcome. Sit here, and I'll bring you some tea."

A maid dressed as a bandit… no, a member of the Berryd Let.

I was shocked by the sight I had never seen before.

A beard that covered more than just the chin.

A cute ribbon in the middle of the beard.

Bulging shoulder and leg muscles.

A maid's dress that looked like it would burst at any moment!

I almost lost my mind from the aggressive appearance, but I managed to regain my senses thanks to the butler assassin who appeared late.

"What are you doing?"

The butler assassin replied with a nonchalant expression.

"I just followed your request and made her a maid."

"Maid's don't laugh like that."

"Is that what you were wondering about? I know. But I didn't teach her that. More importantly, I obtained information about Berryd Let."

It was definitely from the bandit maid.

"Hmm. Let's talk about that later. I have to leave Westwintree again. I need to bring back my master who left the house, so I'm very busy."

"Is that so? It's an important matter. I understand."

"Did you handle the Jin situation well?"

"That woman knows nothing. She was completely useless as a butler. She had a lot to learn."

Nodding, I met the butler assassin's eyes, and he had an unusually serious expression.

"And this time, I obtained information about the master that you don't know."

Why? I'm not really looking forward to it. I asked indifferently.

"What is it?"

"The master… is a swordsman."

Is that so.

"And a very good one. It's rare to find a swordsman who is also an excellent magician. I think the master is a much bigger deal than we expected."

That's true.

The Calaphin of Rogui.

I ignored the butler assassin's request to settle the debt since I had brought useful information.

'I've been living with Lou, but I don't know anything about her.'

In other words, Lou has been very good at hiding herself.

The third day back in Weatherwood without Lou.

After two long days of deliberation, I formulated a new plan.

"I need to bring Lou back, Housekeeper."

The housekeeper and Jin, who were sipping thin potato soup, looked at me.

"Bring her back? Do you know where she went?"

"Yeah. She went to the Northern Continent Alliance. So, give me some travel money."

The housekeeper's expression turned cold at the mention of money.

"Is there a reason to bring back someone who left on their own? We can hire a new cook. It will cost some money, but—"

"No. Food is something we can manage, but no amount of money can get us a magician of Lou's level. Without her, it will be hard to protect the Weatherwood family."

"But you're here."

Are you suggesting that I should also take care of the mansion's security as a part-time maid? That's a terrifying thought!

"Housekeeper, you might not know, but Lou found the assassins who were watching Weatherwood. I'm not that meticulous."

The housekeeper wiped his mouth, slightly surprised.

"Is that true?"

"How great Lou is, Jin, the former heir of the Berkeleygraiton family and an excellent swordsman, knows best, right, Jin?"

Jin, surprised by the sudden mention, nodded calmly.

"If it's true that the Duke is after the Weatherwood family… then you're right. We will need Lou's strength."

"Wait a minute. Why does everyone think we will have a physical war with the Berkeleygraiton family?"

"Because he keeps sending people."

Sighing deeply, the housekeeper rubbed his temples and waved his hand.

"…This is something we need to think about more. Let's finish our meal first. We have a lot to do this afternoon."

That evening, after all the day's work was done, Jin came to my room.

"Senior."

I looked over her, now even more like a butler, and was satisfied with her training progress.

"What about the homework I gave you?"

For a week, sleep without any thoughts at night and don't read the black magazine.

She looked very confident, having followed it every day.

"I've been doing well. But I have a favor to ask, so I came to you at this late hour."

"What is it?"

"Please take me to the Northern Continent Alliance."

No, if I take you, the housekeeper will go crazy.

…That's what I should say. But my lips moved in a different direction.

"Why?"

Jin, uncharacteristically hesitant, answered.

"I've heard that there are many swordsmen in the Alliance who use a completely different style of swordsmanship from the Empire. I want to broaden my horizons by following you."

Is it all because of that sword again?

I recalled Jin's face, who had invaded my mental world and talked about teaching.

[To protect those I trust. To be able to win like you, please teach me.]

You leech.

Your single-mindedness and focus on your goal are the complete opposite of Andert.

Andert was also stubborn. I don't know how they got along in the same family.

[To protect those I trust. To be able to win like you, please teach me.]

Stop it.

[To protect those I trust. To be able to win like you…]

Stop it, I said…

[To protect those I trust…]

Damn it. Fine, fine! I'll teach you!

"Sure."

Jin, with a bewildered look, asked cautiously.

"…Are you really allowing it?"

"Why? Are you surprised by how cool I am?"

"Yes."

"Me too."

I didn't expect to be worrying about such a trivial matter.

But I don't really know what teaching means. I have more to think about. For now, if I show Jin the Northern Continent as she wishes, something will come of it.

The fourth day back in Weatherwood without Lou.

I declared to the housekeeper that I would take Jin to the Northern Continent.

"No."

Of course, I was immediately rejected.