Chapter 49

In my previous life, I had an older sister, and I was the second daughter in a family of two sisters.

That is to say— the youngest!

In Esfera, I have Serius—my older brother. However, even though I have my own issues, this is not the kind of sibling relationship where I can be spoiled, act selfishly, or fight with my brother like I did with my older sister.

My parents—Father and Edgar—are different from the parents in modern Japan. For one, I am not directly related to them by blood, and there is also the fact that same-sex marriage is allowed for the King of Esfera. But the biggest difference is the gap between royalty and commoners. Just meeting them outside of dinner is a challenge! And especially Father!

Therefore, they feel more like the King and his consort rather than my parents.

And if I were born as a princess in such an environment, I couldn't remain as the youngest child.

—But there's one more thing.

There was a significant difference.

In this new life, I have Alec! I have a cute little brother!

Here, I have to work hard as the older sister!

...However, when I compare my previous life to this one, I spent more time as the youngest. It hasn't disappeared from my mind.

—So, there is someone who brings out my youngest child spirit!

It's Uncle! I used to be a bit of a handful and caused trouble!

Even if I try to reflect and keep my distance, he is already ingrained in my mind as a reliable adult. Especially in situations like this, the sense of relief when Uncle appears is immense!

It's all good now that Uncle is here.

Ah, I feel like tears of relief are about to come. Maybe my tear ducts are still sensitive from crying earlier. My shoulders and face, which were tense, have already relaxed.

Sir Sil is a man. Standing and supporting me is heavy. I sat down while holding Sir Sil.

"—This area is surrounded by us. If you surrender and drop your weapons, we will guarantee your lives."

Uncle's voice, with his soldiers behind him, echoed through the "Room of Air."

"But if you refuse, we will use force to subdue you."

In response to these words, the soldiers simultaneously raised their weapons in a threatening manner. It was a perfectly synchronized, well-trained movement. I think they are the private army of the Duke of Knightfell, but they are no less skilled than the royal guards.

"—Choose whether to surrender or not."

The arrival of Uncle, a strong reinforcement, had completely changed the situation in the "Room of Air."

I was so focused on Uncle that I didn't notice it immediately, but at some point, the troublemakers, including the two "Servants," had stopped moving. Looking at them, only the "Servants" seemed to be in good condition, while the other enemies were barely standing.

Hmm, even the "Servants"...

The younger "Servant" had a deep slash wound on his left arm, probably from Clifford's attack.

Clifford—was relieved. When his wrist was grabbed, he was probably angry, but his back looked normal. The blood on his white clothes hadn't increased in the visible area.

He was protecting me, who was holding Sir Sil, with his sword. His expression was hidden.

...Where are Derek and Rust?

I looked around.

—They are both safe! They are near the... tombstone in the "Room of Air." They had moved from where Sir Sil and I were originally.

Derek and Rust were close to each other. There were fallen enemies around them. Did they fight together?

They don't seem to be injured... I think the red stains on their clothes are from the enemies.

Derek is giving a stern look to Uncle, who came to help.

Rust... is wearing a mask, so I can't see much. He seems to be fine physically. Also, he was the only one not paying attention to the entrance. Through his mask, Rust was looking down at the tombstone with Ideria Esfera's name carved on it.

—Even if there are some points of concern, our allies are safe.

Situation confirmed.

Yes! I made a mental victory fist. Even with the Uncle fever subsiding, and thinking calmly, the only clear remaining effective force among the enemies is the two "Servants."

Moreover, even if the "Servants" are strong, one is injured, and the number of soldiers Uncle has brought is overwhelming. They would choose to surrender... right?

Thanks to closely watching the "Servants," I noticed that the younger "Servant," whose face was still hidden by the hood, exhaled and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly!

He's still determined, even though he's injured!

—Wait, does Uncle know that the enemies include "Servants"? I'm not sure. If the red-haired young man is connected to Uncle, he might have told him... but just in case.

I shouted to Uncle.

"Duke of Knightfell. Those two are 'Servants.' There's no need to fight them!"

After shouting, I realized that "those two" could be ambiguous. I need to provide more details! I was about to continue when—

"Yes, Your Highness, I appreciate your warning."

Uncle immediately narrowed his dark gray eyes and smiled. At the same time, he gave a gesture to the red-haired young man. ...Uncle doesn't seem surprised? The red-haired young man is capable! He had already informed Uncle about the "Servants"!

"I share the same opinion as Your Highness. I want to avoid fighting the 'Servants' as much as possible."

"Yes... That's right."

I nodded.

Not fighting and making the "Servants" surrender... ideal! I failed at it! So, how will it be done? I have no plan, but Uncle will! Uncle will do something!

Even now, I can feel the tension building up!

After I shouted, the younger "Servant" was about to move, but stopped as soon as Uncle spoke. I think he decided to see how Uncle would act.

—Following Uncle's instructions, the red-haired young man, who had left the "Room of Air," returned.

Leading a young girl by the hand.

She looked about twelve years old, with fluffy silver hair and gem-like blue eyes.

She's so beautiful! The light blue dress suits her like a fairy. From her attire, she seems to be a noble... an invitee to this pre-ball?

The girl, placing a hand on her chest, slowly moved her head from side to side. Her expression darkened at some point. There was a slight sense of discomfort. Maybe she can't see?

"Um... Duke. Are there really... servants of our house here? ...I smell blood. Is Emilio injured? Has something bad happened?"

"Miss Tahren. Unfortunately, I don't know the face of your servant. He seems to be wary of me. If you call out to him, he might respond."

"Yes..."

The young man led the girl forward. One more step, and she would step on a fallen enemy. ...Indeed, she can't see. If the young man hadn't guided her, she would have taken another step as if there was nothing there.

Why did Uncle bring her to such a place...

"...Emilio? Are you here?"

The sound of teeth grinding was heard. From the hooded "Servant."

"—Yes. I am here."

He—Emilio—responded to the call. The girl's face seemed to regain some color.

"Emilio, I'm glad... Are you injured?"

"..."

No response. The girl's color faded again.

"What were you doing here? Is your task done? Emilio?"

"..."

Emilio, called a "Servant," didn't answer. Instead, Uncle spoke.

"—It seems there is something he finds difficult to tell you, Miss Tahren. I need to speak with Emilio. You will have a chance to talk to him later. ...Come, this way."

The girl, with a reluctant expression, was led out of the "Room of Air" by the red-haired young man.

Miss Tahren... Tahren is that Tahren. It's a special place historically, so the lord who governs it is called the Lord of Tahren, not a Duke. The Lord of Tahren is an independent noble title. She wasn't on the guest list for the pre-ball, though. Normally, the Lord of Tahren would be in his territory... Ah, the Council of Lords!

Anyway, bringing an unrelated and young child to such a place... Uncle! Even if she is close to the "Servants," it's not right to bring someone who can't see! She must have felt the smell and the strange atmosphere. She must have been scared.

"O..."

"—Scum."

Emilio—the "Servant"—threw away the sword he was holding, along with his words.

My voice, which was about to call out to Uncle, was completely drowned out.

The burning gaze of the "Servant," who had dropped his weapon and surrendered, was directed at Uncle.

Uncle's expression didn't change.

"To gain two things, one must not approach with half-hearted resolve. Otherwise, one must give up one of them. Without resolve, you risk leaving your 'Master's' side, 'Servant.' You are indeed strong, but if your 'Master' is taken as a hostage, you are no better than a new recruit. —Especially, a 'Master' without awareness is like an infant."

"!"

"Know that your anger should be directed at yourself, 'Servant.' If you are so agitated, serve your 'Master' without ever leaving their side. —Without giving any opportunity for others to exploit."

It's a difficult way of speaking, and I need to digest it... Hmm, so Miss Tahren, that beautiful girl, is this "Servant's" 'Master'? From her reaction, she seems to be unaware... So, unaware? Is that how the 'Master'-'Servant' relationship works? It's a mystery.

But if they are, the 'Master'—the girl—was with Uncle.

So.

"A 'Servant' whose 'Master' is taken hostage is powerless. Even if their eyes are gouged out and their limbs are cut off, they will not fight back. It's a tactic that the devil used against us 'Servants' in the past."

The other "Servant," a man with pitch-black eyes, muttered.

—That devil?

"Therefore, do you hate Esfera?"

Uncle knows who he is talking about.

"No, Duke of Knightfell. I don't feel anything. Originally, this tactic doesn't work on a 'Servant' without a 'Master.' ...Do you know? Many surviving 'Servants' who witnessed the devil's actions changed their minds."

His hand moved.

"—A 'Master' is a curse!"

Spitting out the words, the pitch-black "Servant" threw a series of projectiles. The target was—Uncle!

The soldiers were quick, but Derek was the fastest. He deflected the first projectile with his thrown sword. The second and third were blocked by the soldiers. The "Servant" seemed to be trying to break through the entrance, and the soldiers prepared to intercept.

But—his target was the opposite.

Me. Or maybe Sir Sil? After seeing Sir Sil's rampage, the "Servant's" goal had changed. To take Sir Sil's life.

I tightened my grip on Sir Sil's arm.

"Protect the Princess!"

Uncle's command rang out.

—Our eyes met. It wasn't Sir Sil. —I am the target. The pitch-black eyes of the "Servant" were filled with a strong light. He wasn't giving up. He wasn't planning to die. His resolve was to escape from here.

To take the princess hostage to escape alive...

If that happens, Uncle might order the soldiers to stand down.

The "Servant" tried to close the distance to me and made a loud sound. Clifford stood in his way from the side.

I can't just sit here. I pulled Sir Sil and tried to move...

Clifford's battle with the "Servant" came into view.

Moving recklessly would be worse—

I lowered my half-raised body.

"Clifford! Capture this one alive!"

The "Servant" who knows something about Sir Sil. Normally, it would be difficult to defeat him, even if he fought with all his might. —But Clifford can win.

He can capture him without killing. I can trust him.

"—Understood."

Clifford's lips curved into a sly smile.

"Alive, huh? You underestimate me!"

The "Servant's" fierce attack began.

The soldiers couldn't get close to us—

The level of both Clifford and the "Servant" was that high. Even I could tell that trying to help would only get in Clifford's way.

The battle was evenly matched—slightly in Clifford's favor.

This "Servant" seemed to be holding back against Emilio, the other "Servant," consciously or unconsciously. There were also times when he supported Clifford by targeting Sir Sil.

—He wasn't fighting Clifford with full strength.

But now, the "Servant" was unleashing his full combat skills. With his experience and leadership, he seemed more skilled than Emilio. He might be one of the strongest "Servants."

Even while fighting Clifford, he was trying to avoid him.

His goal was still me. The "Servant" aimed to reach beyond Clifford.

He didn't need to defeat Clifford to capture me.

An unpleasant thought crossed my mind.

A "Servant" is powerless when their 'Master' is taken hostage.

If I were captured, and the enemy knew that I and Clifford were in a 'Master'-'Servant' relationship, they could make Clifford stop fighting. ...Not just that. They could indirectly control the 'Servant'—make Clifford fight on their side.

Now, they could even make Clifford and Uncle fight...

A high, unpleasant sound echoed.

Clifford's sword flew through the air.

"Clifford!"

It was too far to retrieve. Moreover, the "Servant's" sword was already about to strike. I resisted the urge to close my eyes.

Clifford leaned back and pulled away. He kicked something with his foot.

—The sword.

Emilio. The young "Servant" had thrown it away.

It bounced off the stone floor like a living thing.

Clifford grabbed the sword with his left hand.

...From this moment, Clifford's movements changed.

He was still strong, but even more so than when he was fighting with his right hand.

It felt like all the wild, animal-like aspects of Clifford that occasionally show up were unleashed.

...It's toxic, Father's words echoed in my mind.

Being too strong might be toxic.

A bloodthirsty, fierce beast growling—overwhelming, terrifying.

Beautiful but frightening. Overwhelming.

Just watching made my throat dry.

The battle wasn't over, but the outcome was clear. The "Servant" was on the defensive, barely able to block the rapid attacks. The chaos on the "Servant's" side became more apparent.

Then—like when he dealt with Rust, Clifford's sword was pointed at the "Servant's" neck. Last time, it was a near miss. This time, it seemed like it would cleanly cut through. The change in Clifford's fighting style made it seem that way.

The "Servant" groaned and collapsed.

Clifford threw the sword in his left hand to the stone floor. There wasn't a single scratch on the "Servant's" neck. Clifford had stopped short and struck the "Servant" on the side with a hand strike, knocking him unconscious.

—The silence that enveloped the "Room of Air" wasn't just because the enemy was defeated.

Clifford turned to me. After the battle, he was unharmed. The stains on his clothes from my