Chapter 50

"Hey, what's wrong with you being so quiet?"

The kidnapper, suspicious of Cordelia's thoughts drifting to Nini, called out to her in a harsh voice. When Cordelia turned her gaze towards the kidnapper, he took a step back as if intimidated.

"What's with that look? What do you want to say?"

"…I’ll ask you one last time. I’ve come to this place as promised. Will you return that golden cat to me?"

"Huh? What nonsense are you spouting?"

The kidnapper sneered. He held up the cage containing the lion cub, as if to show it to Cordelia.

"You can't bear to leave this one behind, can you? Then, in exchange for this cub, I'll kidnap you. You’re a bit of a brat, but your face and body aren’t bad."

"……"

The kidnapper's lecherous gaze was directed at Cordelia. What he intended to do with her after kidnapping her was clear from the looks on the kidnappers' faces.

(Then I don't need to hold back, do I?)

Satisfied with this thought, Cordelia adjusted the hem of her dress and slipped her arm into her skirt.

"What are you doing? Are you going to take off your clothes right here and get naked—what is that?!"

The kidnapper's gaze was fixed. The dazzling golden blade was smoothly drawn. Cordelia stood quietly, holding the beautifully shining long sword.

"Don't be ridiculous!! There's no way a slender woman like you could carry such a long sword!!"

"Is it a holy sword? Would that make sense to you?"

"Wh-What? You must be lying! Weren't the holy beast, the holy maiden, and the holy sword all just made-up stories to cover up the former crown prince's mistakes?!"

The kidnappers were taken aback. The holy sword in Cordelia's hand was a manifestation of the power of Leonhardt, the ancestor of the holy beast. Light as a feather and with an adjustable blade, it could easily be hidden in her skirt. In the dark night, the holy sword still shone with a brilliant golden light. Cordelia held it with both arms.

"O holy flame! Release the captive beast!"

"Hot?!"

With a roar, the golden flame scorched the cage's lid. The kidnappers, panicked, looked at Cordelia with fear, but the flame was actually produced by the lion cub itself.

Cordelia's incantation was just a few plausible words. The lion cub burst out of the burned cage with great force.

"Damn!! You let that cat escape—ah?!"

Golden flames erupted around the kidnappers, immobilizing them and plunging them into a state of panic.

"What the hell is this, damn it?!"

One of the kidnappers, ignoring the burning of his hair, broke through the flames. Smoke rising from his clothes, he charged at Cordelia with a sword—

"Let's end this here."

A cold voice and a sharp slash. Leonhardt swung his sword, cutting the kidnapper's sword in two.

"Wh-What?!"

A blow to the stomach. Struck by the flat of the sword, the kidnapper crumpled to the ground, unconscious and unable to move.

After confirming the kidnapper's unconsciousness, Leonhardt turned his sharp gaze and the tip of his blade towards the remaining kidnappers.

"If you intend to harm her, I'll take you on."

"…"

"Come at me, starting with the one who wants to be cut."

The kidnappers trembled under the intense killing intent.

(This is scary…)

Even Cordelia, who wasn't targeted by the killing intent, felt a chill down her spine. This was a different side of Leonhardt, the harsh and intense side of a swordsman, unlike his usual gentle and calm demeanor.

"Damn!! Don't be scared!! We outnumber them!! Let's attack together!!"

The kidnappers charged at once, but they were no match for Leonhardt. Without even engaging in a single exchange, their swords were deflected, and they were struck down one after another.

While protecting Cordelia from behind, Leonhardt wielded his sword without any danger.

"That's the end of it."

"Wh-What?!"

The last kidnapper was easily brought to the ground, and Leonhardt sheathed his sword.

"Cordelia, are you alright?"

Leonhardt took Cordelia's hand and carefully checked her body.

"Yes, thanks to you, I'm not hurt at all. You're incredibly strong…"

Even Cordelia, who was unfamiliar with swordsmanship, could tell how exceptional Leonhardt's skills were. She looked up at him with a mix of awe and admiration.

"It's nothing. Due to the influence of the ancestor, my physical abilities are higher than those of humans and even beastmen."

"That's right…"

But the brilliance of his swordsmanship couldn't be attributed to that alone.

(To you, it might be nothing, but…)

The elegant and magnificent swordplay, which seemed almost graceful, must have been a realm that ordinary people could never reach even after decades of practice.

(Not only in intellect but also in self-defense, you excel, Your Highness…)

She felt a mix of admiration and a slight pang of envy. She was once again reminded of the gap between herself and Leonhardt.

"Cordelia, what's wrong?"

Leonhardt, noticing her, called out to her.

"Did my killing intent earlier scare you?"

"No, not at all. Rather…"

Cordelia shook her head, becoming aware of her rapid heartbeat.

She recalled Leonhardt wielding his sword. While there was an instinctive fear, she felt an even greater sense of security and trust. And the sharp yet beautiful profile, different from the usual one he showed her, made her heart race.

"…You looked so cool, I couldn't help but stare."

Her face turned red as she muttered.

Even though she felt embarrassed to face Leonhardt, who had just fought the kidnappers and protected her, her heart was pounding uncontrollably at that moment.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry for troubling you—ah?!"

She was pulled close, and Leonhardt's body pressed against her cheek. As she felt the hardness of his chest, his hand circled her waist and embraced her.

"Your Highness? What's wrong?"

"…Don't look."

"Eh?"

When she tried to look up, her face was pressed against his body. For a moment, she saw Leonhardt's ear, which seemed to be blushing.

"I'm probably making a silly face right now, with my cheeks relaxed."

"Your Highness looking silly? That's impossible…!!"

The arm around her waist tightened, as if to hide his embarrassment.

"Please, don't look. …I've been praised for my swordsmanship many times, but this is the first time it's made me so happy."

"Your Highness…"

Leonhardt's voice was slightly higher, as if trying to hide his agitation. Cordelia's face turned red as she felt his voice and the warmth of his body.

(Your Highness can be embarrassed too…)

Leonhardt usually maintained his composure, even when their bodies were in close contact. Seeing this unexpected side of him, she couldn't help but smile.

(That's right. You can do anything, but Your Highness is only two years older than me. I've heard that many men are particularly passionate about swordsmanship. Your Highness must have a deep attachment to it too.)

Thinking this, a wave of affection rose in her heart as she looked at Leonhardt's blushing face. She wrapped her arms around his back, and the hand on her waist tightened—

"Meow!!"

A cute, slightly discontented meow. Cordelia, startled, saw Nini looking up at her. Nini must have come over after seeing the kidnappers fall.

Nini rubbed against Cordelia's feet, pushing her head against her.

"Meow!!"

"Nini, wait. I'll pick you up now."

Although it was for Nini's sake, she had involved her in the kidnapping incident. To reassure her, Cordelia picked up Nini.

"…Nini seems to be asserting, 'I won't let you have my master.'"

Leonhardt whispered quietly, so Cordelia wouldn't hear.

"Unfortunately, we'll have to put this on hold. First, we need to tie up the kidnappers."

He started to take care of the aftermath.

Thank you for reading.

The next chapter will be updated tomorrow, Tuesday, at noon.