Chapter 28

One day had passed since the wyvern was defeated. Leord was now sitting in front of Gilbert and the knight who led the knights of Zeato, along with his deputy.

In the study prepared in the mansion where Leord lived, there was a desk and chair, and a bookshelf covered an entire wall.

Now, Leord was sitting in the chair in the study, looking down at the two knights kneeling before him. His expression was that of a cold nobleman, but inside, he was in a panic.

(What's happening? When I was unusually called to the study by Gilbert and told to sit, I sat down, and then Gilbert came with two knights, and they suddenly knelt! What!? What's going to happen now?)

"Stay as you are and listen. My lord, Leord, is very angry about the wyvern's defeat."

(Huh? Me? I'm not angry at all?)

Leord glanced at Gilbert, and Gilbert, misunderstanding something, nodded as if he had understood Leord's intention.

"You, due to the knights' negligence, the mansion was half-destroyed, and the servants working in the mansion were also harmed.

What do you intend to do about this responsibility?"

"We are very sorry. Due to our lack of strength—"

"Shut up!!! Your pathetic excuses are enough. Why did you launch an attack without waiting for reinforcements from the capital?"

"W-well, we judged that we could defeat the wyvern without waiting for reinforcements from the capital..."

"Hmph. That might be half the reason, but the other half is that you didn't want your negligence to be known."

"That is absolutely not—"

"It seems you have a misunderstanding, but I have already informed the capital. You have only strangled yourselves."

"Wh-what...!?"

"I have also written to Lord Beluga. It was initially decided that only the knights who had neglected their patrols would be punished, but it seems that was a mistake."

"Please! Please forgive us!!"

The knight who had been kneeling raised his head and started to rub his forehead on the floor. Yes, it was a dogeza, a familiar gesture to the Japanese.

Leord, who had memories of living in Japan, spoke up, wondering if there was anything he could do.

"Hey, Gilbert. Since the mansion was only slightly damaged this time, why don't we forgive them?"

"My lord, Leord. While there were no casualties this time, if you hadn't been here, Shelia would have become the wyvern's prey. Considering that, I believe the punishment is justified."

"Well, that's true, but in the end, there were no victims..."

"True, but we cannot overlook the process just because of the result. Even though no one died, those who were harmed must have suffered mental trauma."

(Ah... That's right. At the very least, Shelia faced the fear of possibly dying...

If we had waited for reinforcements from the capital, Shelia might not have been attacked by the wyvern. Given that possibility, it's hard to argue.)

"I'm sorry. I misspoke. The mental suffering of the victims must have been immense. Forgive me, Gilbert."

"No, if you understand, there's no need to apologize."

Gilbert was impressed by Leord's wise judgment. In the past, Leord would have stubbornly stuck to his own opinion, but now he understood Gilbert's point.

"Um, what will happen to us in the end?"

The knight who had been doing dogeza asked Gilbert with a fearful expression.

"Your punishment will be decided by Lord Beluga. Wait until you receive further instructions.

However, if you try to run out of fear of punishment, I will chase you to the ends of the earth and kill you. That's all."

(Ahhh!!! What an incredible killing intent! I managed not to wet myself, but he... he...)

Gilbert was clearly very angry with the knights. He released an extraordinary killing intent along with his terrifying words.

Leord, who was used to Gilbert's occasional killing intent from their regular sparring, managed to control himself.

Leord turned his gaze to the two knights who were directly hit by the killing intent. They were knights, so they didn't wet themselves, but their faces were pale, and they were shaking their heads like broken toys.

(Ah, hang in there! Be strong!)

Leord encouraged them in his heart but didn't say it out loud. The two knights were taken away by Gilbert and left the mansion.

Leord, who was left behind, tried to return to his room from the study. Then, he noticed Shelia, who was acting suspiciously in front of his room.

(What's she doing? Maybe she came to make the bed, but she doesn't want to enter my room?)

It was a negative thought, but in reality, it was different. Shelia had come to thank Leord for saving her from the wyvern.

(What should I do, what should I do? Grandpa told me to come and thank him, but I get nervous when I try to say it...)

Unaware of her nervousness, Leord tried to speak to her without startling her.

"What are you doing there?"

"Ah!?"

Shelia, startled, jumped about a meter. Feeling guilty for startling her, Leord immediately apologized.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"N-no! Lord Leord, there's no need for you to bow!"

"Is that so? Well, if you say so."

(Ah, my heart is racing. But this is a chance! I have to thank him for saving me!)

Shelia, who had been startled by Leord's sudden voice from behind, saw this as the perfect opportunity to thank him and called out to him.

"Um, Lord Leord!"

"Hm? What is it?"

"Um... Thank you so much for saving me the other day!"

"Regarding that, I already received your thanks from Gilbert. There's no need to worry about it."

"No, that won't do. Even if my grandfather told me to, I have to say it myself."

"Hmm... I see. Then, I will accept it."

"Y-yes!"

"By the way, are you okay? Can you still work?"

"Yes. I have no injuries—"

"That's not what I mean. Mentally. After what you went through, it might be better to take some time off to recover."

"Eh? But if I do, I'll be a burden to others—"

"I bet everyone will understand. I'll give the order to Gilbert, so take some time off. Got it?"

"No, but—"

"This is an order as your master. Understand?"

"Y-yes."

"Good. Then, that's all."

Leord was satisfied that he had said everything he wanted to say. Thinking that Shelia disliked him, he quickly left her presence.

Shelia, who was left behind, wondered if she was in a dream and pinched her cheek. Feeling the pain, she realized it wasn't a dream.

"He was so kind..."