Chapter 40

"Sorry for the wait~

I'll push forward and bring the story to the window scene in about three more chapters!

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A week has passed since I came to the Essex manor.

The shoulder that was injured no longer hurts much. It only feels a bit stiff, but it has recovered to the point where I can move it as I used to.

Uncle couldn't leave his territory for long, so he set off for Essex Castle early this morning. Chris said he would stay here for a while, but Uncle objected.

In the end, they both left, saying they would come back.

Now I am waiting for someone at the Essex manor.

The late king has arranged for a reliable person to be my bodyguard. To the public, it is said that Uncle is worried about me and has hired a bodyguard.

It seems like things around me are getting more serious.

'Lord Noah, the bodyguard has arrived.'

'Yes, please show them in.'

The maid informs me of the bodyguard's arrival while I am in the parlor.

The man who enters almost simultaneously with the knock has a sharp gaze.

'You're Lord Noah?'

'Y-Yes, I'm Noah Ignis. Nice to meet you.'

The man with long silver hair comes over to me and stares intently.

No, I'm sure he's just looking at me normally. His sharp gaze makes it seem like he's glaring.

Since he was chosen by the late king, he must be a good person. I have to convince myself of that to endure his piercing gaze.

He's scary. If I met him on the street, I would definitely avoid making eye contact.

He's not bulky, but his agile movements remind me of a feline.

He plops down on the sofa and crosses his legs, then says,

'I'm Quincy Que, assigned to guard you by Lord Senoh. Call me whatever you like. Also, I'm supposed to teach you defensive magic. Any questions?'

He glares up at me, and I feel intimidated. To avoid looking down at him, I sit on the sofa opposite him.

I hadn't heard about the magic before. However, it does make sense to have the same person as both a bodyguard and a magic teacher for efficiency.

'So, can I call you Mr. Quincy?'

'Don't be ridiculous. There's no such thing as a teacher for a bodyguard.'

He said I could call him whatever I like!

'In that case, I'll call you Quincy in general. When you teach me magic, I'll call you Mr. Quincy.'

This man looks to be around my age, but the aura he exudes is extraordinary. Since he will be my bodyguard and teach me magic, I want to trust and respect him.

Building such a relationship won't happen immediately, but starting with the form is important.

'Also, please call me Noah. You're the one protecting me, after all.'

Quincy chuckles at my words.

'You're unexpectedly stubborn. But I don't dislike it. Alright, I'll take this job.'

'Huh?'

As I wonder, the parlor door opens, and Luke comes in.

'Phew, that's a relief. I knew you'd be fine, Noah, but I'm glad Mr. Que agreed!'

Luke, looking relieved, comes to me and stares intently. His gaze traces the area around my shoulder wound and returns to my face.

'Sorry, Noah. I couldn't protect you.'

'Luke...'

'But next time, I'll definitely protect you. With Mr. Que, we'll be unstoppable.'

Luke was also assigned by the late king to protect me.

Even when I didn't know, he must have been watching over me from the shadows.

Yet, because I got injured, he feels responsible.

'I'll be more careful. At the very least, I want to be able to protect myself. So, Mr. Quincy, Luke, please take care of me from now on.'

As I say this, Luke's usual smile returns.

Indeed, Luke isn't himself without that smile.

'Alright! If there's anything I can do, just let me know!'

Quincy also grins and says,

'Yeah, I'll protect you properly.'

'By the way, what do you mean by "taking the job"?'

When I ask about my confusion, Luke answers with a wry smile.

'Mr. Que said he would decide whether to take the job after meeting you, even though the late king asked him to.'

His attitude and the way he refers to the king with no respect at all. This man doesn't seem to change his behavior just because he's in front of important people.

If he can refuse a request from the late king, his position in the kingdom must be high. But he doesn't look like it.

'Noah, you did well to talk to Mr. Que normally. Most people shrink back from his sharp gaze.'

'Shut up. I was born this way!'

Quincy barks.

'Mr. Que looks so young, but he's over forty. He's a monster in every sense.'

'Don't just blabber on!'

Quincy tries to kick Luke's shin, but Luke dodges nimbly.

Are you kidding me?

I wanted to say, but I held back.

However, Quincy looks so youthful, almost like an elf.

'Really. I saw him snap when some important person called him a kid.'

'You!'

By Luke's account, many people have misjudged him and suffered for it.

When Quincy tries to stand up, Luke, realizing it's not a good idea to push further, nods in agreement.

Who is Quincy, really? His patron is the late king, but he doesn't look like a knight at all.

More like a rough soldier.

'A mercenary, perhaps?'

'...Do you know something about me?'

It seems I hit the mark.

However, Quincy might be misunderstanding something.

I definitely feel like he's glaring at me now.

'No, but you didn't seem like a knight or a soldier.'

'Then, you must have used the skill Yuse... Lord Senoh mentioned.'

I shake my head frantically.

I see, things I don't want known can be revealed by this skill.

Until now, using the skill didn't reveal anything to others. From now on, I might face suspicious looks like this.

'I didn't use the skill. It's just a guess.'

'Do you really think a regular mercenary can refuse a request from Lord Senoh?'

That's true. I hadn't considered that.

But Quincy's aura does resemble that of a skilled and rough mercenary.

'Impressive, Noah! You have a good eye! Mr. Que is...'

'Hey, enough chitchat.'

That's enough. Quincy stops glaring at me. Even knowing he's not an enemy, his gaze is still intimidating.

I still don't know exactly what kind of person he is, but thanks to Luke, I feel like I've learned a bit about Quincy.

'If he's on our side, there's no one more reliable! Right?'

'Whatever. We're going to the magic guild. Let's go soon.'

That's right.

I'm going to the magic guild to conduct an experiment to imprint my status on the guild card.

I won't be returning to the Essex manor for a while.

The manor is in the first ward, and it's not suitable for daily commutes to the guild in the second ward. Uncle and Chris are also not here, so I'll be alone.

I'll be staying at Tristan's house in the second ward again.

I thank the butlers and maids who have taken care of me for the past week, and I leave the Essex manor.

2015/01/12 Revised"