Chapter 42

This story is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictitious and have no connection to any real entities.

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040＿Training

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When I opened the front door of my mansion, Annelise jumped at me. I caught her soft body and touched her OPPAI. It wasn't intentional; my hand just happened to be there, and so did her OPPAI.

"Master..."

Behind her, Rosalina and all the other servants were waiting.

Even though it was late at night, they had been waiting for me to return.

"Annelise, and everyone. I'm home."

The chorus of "Welcome back" from everyone. I never realized how good these words could feel.

"I'm fine. I made it back home safely."

I encouraged the servants to go to bed.

"Mondalque, I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I need to talk to you. Please wait in the living room."

"Understood."

I looked at Annelise, who wouldn't let go of me.

"Annelise, it's late, so you should go to bed too."

"I want to be with Master."

"...Alright. I'll go to the living room, so can you let go of me?"

"Can't I stay like this?"

Ugh. If you give me that cute look, I can't say no.

"Alright."

She's like a child.

"Rosalina, you should go to bed first."

"I want to be with Master too."

She won't listen to me. My slaves are a handful.

I took Annelise and Rosalina to the living room, where Mondalque had prepared some herbal tea.

The caffeine-free herbal tea helped relax my tense body.

"It's good, Mondalque."

"Thank you."

I encouraged Mondalque to sit down and told him I had become a baronet.

"Congratulations."

Is that something to celebrate? I guess it is in general. Am I not normal?

"Master, congratulations!"

"Congratulations, Master."

Annelise and Rosalina were happy for me, but it felt like a landmine... Can I see the future where the duke uses me like a puppet?

"I apparently need to hire one knight and five soldiers by the end of the year. I've only been here for a short time and don't know anyone suitable, nor do I know what kind of people I should look for. Do you have any leads, Mondalque?"

"I haven't been here long either, but I do have one lead for a knight."

"Really? What's he like?"

Leaning forward, I listened to his description. Mondalque cleared his throat once, and I sat back down, sipping the herbal tea.

"He's from the same country as me and was originally a knight. He ended up here in Kelniff for some reason."

If he was a knight, he must have received proper training. If he's a good person, I'd like to hire him.

"What's his character like?"

"He's a serious person. Perhaps too serious, which can make him inflexible, but he's trustworthy."

I don't mind serious people, but there's a limit. Too much seriousness can be harmful.

"I'd like to meet him. Can you arrange it?"

"Understood. I'll contact him."

I hope this person works out. Most explorers are already under the thumb of other dukes and nobles, so if things get desperate, I can ask Zeigen for help.

"Also, I don't understand anything about the nobility. I was told to read these documents, but I don't think they cover everything. Can you tell me what you know about the nobility?"

"I'll do my best to help you, though I'm not sure how much I can contribute."

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

Since it was late, we decided to have a more detailed discussion after I returned from the castle tomorrow.

Well, I should take a bath and rest.

Annelise wouldn't let go of me. Rosalina didn't follow me to the bath, but Annelise did. Of course, we bathed together. We washed each other's bodies, and I took the opportunity to touch Annelise's body thoroughly.

I'm glad I changed my enchantment to the highest MIN value. I felt my rationality supported by MIN.

Rosalina was waiting outside the bath. She could have waited in the room, but it was cold, so I guess she didn't want to.

When we went to bed, Annelise was on my left, and Rosalina on my right. This was usual, but tonight they were clinging to my arms.

They were very scared and anxious when I was taken away by Balkan. I feel bad about that.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Yes."

"Yes, Master."

I used my arms as pillows for them and stroked their hair.

I won't leave these two behind. Even if we have to run, I'll take them with me, so they can rest assured.

"Ugh..."

I was on my knees, breathing heavily.

This is all Balkan's fault.

"Get up. Stand and swing your sword."

I was forced to swing my sword. This is what it means to be given no choice.

It was right after we decided on the crest with the herald. Balkan, with a terrifying expression, grabbed my shoulder as I was about to leave.

I was suddenly handed a sword and told to strike Balkan. This has been going on for about three hours...

"Water... please..."

"You don't drink water during training."

Are you from the Showa era's sports training?

"Break... please..."

"You won't get stronger if you take breaks."

You can get stronger by leveling up!

This guy is a complete Showa-era sports coach. No, he's from the pre-war military.

Am I really going to be killed by this guy...?

I must have passed out at some point.

"!?"

When I woke up, my whole body ached. It's been years since I had muscle pain.

My arms were trembling, my legs were shaking, and I felt intense pain when I tried to move.

"You're awake. To fall from such a simple thing is pitiful."

You're not a normal human, you monster.

"You'll die on the battlefield if you're like this."

I don't want to go to the battlefield.

"Train harder. If you do, you'll survive on the battlefield."

Do you actually care about me?

"Let's continue."

What!?

By the time I got back to the mansion, it was night. My body was in so much pain that it took a long time to get home.

I'll beat Balkan one day. I'll definitely beat him and knock him out!

It's frustrating, but this is a good opportunity to improve my sword skills, which I lack. Relying on levels alone could lead to a plateau. I'll use this unexpected sword training to build strength beyond levels. Then I'll beat that monster and make him lick the ground.

"Master, welcome back."

"Welcome back, Master."

"I'm home."

The two of them supported me as I almost collapsed.

"What happened?"

"Are you okay?"

"I was just trained by Balkan. I just have severe muscle pain."

Mondalque approached silently and bowed.

"The bath is ready. Please go in."

"Thanks."

A capable butler knows what to do. I wanted to take a bath to ease my muscle fatigue.

With their support, I made my way to the bath. They helped me undress. Annelise undressed as usual, while Rosalina went outside.

If I reached out, I could touch Annelise's smooth skin. The devil (right hand) and the angel (left hand) were at war.

"Master, what's wrong?"

Annelise looked puzzled as I stopped my right hand with my left.

"Nothing. I'm just in pain all over."

"Is that so? Then I'll support you."

Boing. Squish.

Her OPPAI is touching me! Two large OPPAI are supporting me. The soft skin, the feeling of her OPPAI, invaded my mind.

They washed my body, and Annelise was more proactive than usual. No, no, no. My son is getting too excited and might explode.

"Master... I'll wash the front."

"O-Okay..."

She washes me carefully with water since there's no soap, but I'm really struggling when she washes my son. What do I do with this energy that's about to explode!?

I know! I'll think about something else!

I'll think about the crest I decided on today.

The duke's crest featured two dragons facing each other and holding a dragon pearl. The marquises and earls under the duke's command had one dragon with some accent. Viscounts and barons often used designs with wolves or tigers. The knights, who were minor nobles, often used swords, spears, and shields.

I used a wisteria plant. In Japan, my family's crest used wisteria. The heroes wouldn't know my family's crest, so I made it different but with wisteria hanging on both sides.

No noble used wisteria in their crest. The herald didn't even know about wisteria, and it was said to be quite rare for a noble to use a plant in their crest.

After getting out of the bath, I gave the crest design to Mondalque. It seems the crest will be displayed at the gate of the mansion. It will also be used on the armor of the knights and soldiers, among other things.

Also, I'll make soap. I remember the materials from a science class, so I should be able to make it.

Bathing without soap is no good. Soap is necessary for a clean life.

Day 18 of my reincarnation was a tough day, but it ended well...

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