Chapter 1 — A Family’s Journey

Part 1 — Grown-Ups

A bit after Saiga and company set out for Tempera Village, and well before their return... Lady Douve is having tea with Tahlan in front of her manor near the royal capital; Blois and I are guarding her, and Lain is also present.

“Say, Tahlan, have you improved since apprenticing yourself to Sansui? Should I have him train you more?”

“Oh, ho, I had thought you’d prefer to have more time with me.”

“Oh, my, do I seem like such a needy woman to you? I almost find that offensive.”

“Ah, my apologies. I let my ego get the better of me.”

It’s worth noting again that Tahlan is very much an Adonis. Basically, he’s faultless in both body and soul, and while he has no claim to his country’s throne, he’s very much a prince in his own right. It was understandable that Lady Douve would be smitten with him. Or rather, if she had ever found fault with Tahlan, I’m pretty sure she’d have pretty much given up on the idea of marriage altogether.

“Well... It’s perhaps more accurate to say that I desire more time with you,” Tahlan replied.

“That makes it sound like I’m being mean to you,” Douve retorted playfully.

“Not at all. To be wrapped around a woman’s fingers is every man’s dream...”

Neither Blois nor I, not to mention Lain, had ever seen Lady Douve in such a good mood. Even if she might have been in good humor for a short while, she often lost interest and her demeanor dampened as she grew bored. For Lady Douve to always be in a good mood in front of Tahlan... Frankly, it showed just how impressive of a man Tahlan was.

“Particularly so if the fingers are as lovely as yours.”

“You seem quite practiced at holding a woman’s hand. Perhaps that’s how you seduced the women of your homeland?”

“Not at all. You are the only — the only one I’d ever say such things to.”

“Oh, please... You’re so very practiced at taking my hand. To have you feign shyness at that...”

“Oh, indeed? Then what should I make about your lack of hesitation at letting me take your hand? It would seem you’re used to that.”

“Oh dear, quibbling...maybe you intend to do more than touch? Nibbling, perhaps?”

“If that is what you wish.”

Tahlan is caressing Lady Douve’s palm. There is nothing untoward happening, but the two of them exude a definite air of sensuality. I don’t know how else to put it, but it’s a very grown-up mood.

Could Lady Douve have been hoping for this sort of exchange from me and Blois? If that’s the case, that’s asking for way too much. It’s completely out of my wheelhouse.

“Your hand is like Sansui’s... Calloused and thick...”

“Does it offend you? A warrior’s touch?”

“I have no desire to be like that myself, but this is the bare minimum I expect from a man.”

“Just the palm?”

“You would have a lady speak the rest aloud? I’m not fond of shy men.”

“I find the prospect of your displeasure frightening. What must I do to avoid it?”

“To not know if it’s not said aloud, to think you’ll be told if you ask... That seems...awfully convenient.”

“You have me there.”

What’s remarkable about Tahlan is that he doesn’t seem to be bothered or to suffer when speaking to Lady Douve. While Lady Douve is enjoying putting him on the spot, he also seems to be enjoying their wordplay. I don’t have the faintest clue of how you’d end up with a man like him.

Even more of a mystery is how such a lady-killer has stayed single until getting caught by Lady Douve. Lady Douve’s extreme fortune in snagging a man like him is something even I, as an Immortal, can’t understand. Despite not even trying to look for what she desired, he just sort of fell into her lap. Is Lady Douve, in fact, the center upon which the world turns?

“It seems I’m no match for you.”

“Heh...”

It was like an act, but not an act; like a play, but not a play. They were simply holding forth without concerning themselves with an audience. It’s as though they’re engaging in a bit of amorous horseplay. Therefore, the natural end of this conversation will be when Tahlan finally concedes to Lady Douve.

“They’re so grown-up...” Lain says, watching the scene admiringly. It seems she has no problem understanding what’s going on between them, or in reading the mood of their interactions. She really is a sharp child.

“They’re so grown-up...” repeats Blois. She usually doesn’t speak while on duty, but even she can’t help but comment.

I, at five hundred years old, simply find the interplay interesting, but it’s perhaps a little too much stimulation for the young Blois and Lain.

Still, it’s quite a picturesque scene. A highborn couple, smiling as they sip tea, both lit by the sun’s warmth. It’s an idyllic picture of elegance, of happiness. A perfect moment without fault.

As someone who has served Lady Douve since she was a child, it’s as though I’m watching a spoiled younger sister bring home a perfect fiancé. Now, this is a metaphor, as there’d be no way I could handle having Lady Douve as a younger sister, but it feels like I’m an older sibling that’s watched her grow up.

Whether Lady Douve’s actual elder brother and father feel the same way is another question entirely.

“Ahem, Lady Douve. I hate to interrupt, but Their Lordships are heading this way.”

His Brothership and His Fathership are approaching, exuding an extremely bloodthirsty aura. Considering the two of them will generally attack anyone who even is suspected of approaching Lady Douve, there’s no way they’ll forgive a man who’s actually wooing her.

“Oh... Are their bodyguards with them?”

“No, just those two.”

“Ah, then it must be about that topic.”

The shouts of the two men slowly get closer. Since they’re on horseback, the thunder of the hoofbeats accompanies them. As an Immortal, I can tell where people are based on their auras, but I wonder how those two were able to figure out that Lady Douve was flirting with Tahlan. It could just be that they just convinced themselves that it must be happening, or perhaps it’s some sort of supernatural gut instinct.

Either way, it’s an annoyance.

“Say, Tahlan. I usually have Sansui calm Father and Brother, but would you like to try it today?” Lady Douve asks idly, casually throwing out a ridiculous proposal.

“...”

It’s probably not convincing from me, given that I do it all the time, but it’s extremely difficult to knock out a rider on horseback without injuring them. After all, they could just fall off the running horse. They might break bones in the process or, in the worst case, even end up dying.

“Are you certain?”

“Certain? Of course... Sansui does it all the time. Show me you can do it at least once.”

Even Tahlan had been caught off-guard by the request, but he answers Lady Douve’s ludicrous demand with a satisfied smile.

“Don’t worry, they won’t complain about a broken bone or two.”

“I see... My apologies for insulting the warrior house with my unnecessary concern.”

Sepaeda is a well-established warrior house, which is why they might just up and attack someone they didn’t like, but they also wouldn’t be able to complain if they were taken down by a counterattack. I don’t know if this principle shows their honor or lack of it, honestly. It may be a little late to wonder this, but how has this house lasted this long?

“Very well, then. Master Sansui, I will stop them today.”

“Very well. Be careful.”

Oddly enough, their values don’t seem to phase Tahlan in the slightest. It really is hard to gauge the people of this world.

“I’m off...!” Tahlan heads toward the two riders. His manner shows he’s both a tough young man and a giddy little boy.

“Mmm... Tahlan is certainly cute,” Lady Douve muses, staring affectionately at him as he heads off. Her gaze is admiring, and she sounds extremely happy.

Is that really okay? I mean, he’s still risking his life. He needs to try to take down two warriors with drawn swords without trying to kill them. What if he dies in the process...is probably not something she’s thinking. If she was capable of thinking about that, then she wouldn’t ask the things she does of Blois and me, either.

“Hey, Papa, will it be okay?”

“It’ll be fine. Tahlan is strong and Shadow Summoning is flexible. More than anything...”

Tahlan has gotten much stronger since our first encounter. His training under my tutelage has helped, but he’s also sharpened his skills since watching Ran and I fight. At his current skill he should be able to take them down without killing them.

“Diiiiie!”

“Go to hell!”

“Shadow Summoning... Dance of Leaping Stones!”

In front of the pair, despite them swinging their swords down at him from atop their mounts, Tahlan takes a moment to create duplicates. Using the back of its handsome progenitor as a stepping stone, the identical double leaps up above the horses.

“Grrr!”

“Raaah!”

The two riders simultaneously attempt to attack Tahlan as he draws back his sword in mid-air. But that means the two of them are looking upward. From the distance we’re at, we can tell that the leaping Tahlan is a decoy.

“Got you!”

The actual attack comes from two shadows that strike the two from below. The duplicates tackle the two on horseback and drag them to the ground.

“Gah!”

“Dammit!”

However, he’s made sure the two don’t hit the ground directly by having them fall on top of the shadows.

“Oof!”

“Guh!”

The shadows that absorb the impact from their targets falling off the horses disappear, leaving the two lords sprawled on the ground.

Tahlan himself, who had served as the stepping stone for his duplicate, draws his blade and points it at the fallen riders.

“Do you wish to continue?”

“...No.”

“You win... Seems you’ve improved.”

Calmer now, the two are able to admit their defeat. There’s nothing more shameful than refusing to concede, after all. They’re not in a situation so dire they’re willing to choose death if it meant refusing to give up. Having sobered up, the two decide not to further embarrass themselves.

“...Sansui, did you teach him that?” Blois, who had been watching his moves, asks me.

It was an attack that took advantage of reliance on eyesight alone, and there was nothing to call it but impressive. She must think it’s a style I taught him.

“Of course not. He came up with that himself.”

“I see... It wouldn’t work on the same foe a second or third time, but it’s impressive.”

It was good enough to impress Blois. And I think it’s a flexible style of fighting that Tahlan hadn’t bothered developing until now.

“Good job, Tahlan. Just as I expected.”

Having seen Tahlan’s visible increase in skill, Lady Douve smiles in satisfaction.

Part 2 — Completion of Term

“Well done, Tahlan. To restrain us without using lethal force is quite the feat.”

At Lady Douve’s estate, the tea party has restarted with His Fathership and His Brothership in the mix.

“I see you’ve trained hard under Sansui. The tactics using your duplicates are much sharper than before.”

They both seem irate, but not embarrassed. Apparently, they both fully intended to kill him, but were also willing to settle for another outcome. That’s all fine, of course, but I do wish they’d stop trying to murder Lady Douve’s suitors.

“I’ve already explained this to my sister, but... Sansui, Blois. You’re being relieved of your posts as her bodyguards.”

The news from His Brothership, the lord of the house, catches me, Lain, and Blois by surprise. He hadn’t said we were fired, exactly, but it’s still a shock.

We look to Lady Douve, but she only smiles gently in our direction. To people who don’t know her as well as we do, it’d look like a mocking expression.

“Instead, Tahlan will be serving as Douve’s bodyguard. Not alone, of course, but alongside other trustworthy individuals.”

“Having just Blois and Sansui alone as my daughter’s bodyguards was always a tall order. From here on out, we’ll be increasing the size of her escort.”

Even by the standards of this world, evidently it was a bit much to ask just the two of us to protect Lady Douve. It’s true that Blois and I are strong enough to actually pull it off, but it’s also true that we had our hands full the whole time.

“I’m afraid I don’t have the connections to gather such trustworthy individuals in this country...”

“You can recruit from those who’ve trained under Sansui. They may not have the cleanest backgrounds, but still, you may gather the ones you feel are suitable.”

“...As you command.” Tahlan responds respectfully, noting His Fathership’s serious demeanor.

I’m struck by just how thoughtful this family is, despite the recklessness they showed just moments before. All three of them always follow their word. That said, I do wish they’d behave more sensibly outside of that, though.

“Um... What will happen to Papa?” an anxious Lain asks.

“Worry not, Lain. We’ll do right by him,” His Fathership responds with sincerity. He therefore reassures Lain with the same earnestness he directed to Tahlan.

“First, Sansui, Blois. Thank you for your efforts up until now. You have our gratitude.”

“You honor me.”

“I simply did my duty.”

“The fact that my daughter is safe today is thanks to your efforts. As such, it’s now time for us to reward you in turn.”

He’s saying that we’re not being relieved due to lack of ability or because of any failures on our part. We know that this isn’t simple flattery. Both His Fathership and His Brothership don’t play word games of that sort.

“Blois, you in particular.”

“Yes, my lord?”

“Your role was particularly difficult. I don’t doubt your ability, but even then, it must have been a burden upon you. You’ve served us extremely well.”

His Fathership nods in a gesture close to a bow. His Brothership lowers his head in acknowledgment, as well. It’s a subtle gesture that could easily be missed, but it’s an unmistakable gesture of gratitude.

“...You honor me beyond words,” Blois says, intensely moved at the sight.

Of course, Lady Douve and I understand Blois’s feelings all too well. Blois truly did put all of her effort into her job. Having been near her all this time, we know it better than anyone.

“You’ve served loyally since childhood, and this marks the completion of your service. We have no intention of pressing more work upon you. You are no longer required to serve our house.”

“...Thank you!”

Blois can’t help but shed tears. She’s so overcome that she can’t even wipe them away.

“Sansui.”

“Milord.”

“Make sure you make Blois happy. I trust that you’ll be able to do so.”

“Yes, my lord.”

I have no choice but to concur with His Fathership’s request. Honestly, I’m not so certain I can manage it, but I intend to do what I can. It’s certainly true that Blois deserves happiness.

“However, we’d like you to continue working for us, Sansui. We don’t ask that you remain beholden our house forever, but five years’ service is too little for you to retire.”

“Of course.”

I understand what His Brothership is saying, and I’m of the same mind. I suppose I could be characterized as having worked for two generations of Sepaedas, but that’s because he just happened to succeed to the title shortly after I began, not because I’ve served a long time.

It’d be a problem if they asked me to serve them for the next thousand years, but getting let go now would be just as much of a problem. To achieve my goal of caring for Lain properly, at least until she’s ready to stand on her own, will probably take at least another ten years.

“Sansui will be formally assigned to serve as our master of instruction. You’ve served as my sister’s bodyguard for five years, so I doubt any would complain that it’s too sudden a move.”

“Your skill with the sword — even without your Rare Art — and your abilities as an instructor are both well proven. We’d like you to focus on teaching from this point forward.”

It’s a promotion, probably a really big promotion. It may very well be the best job I could hope for, given that my skill with the blade is my only asset. I don’t have any ambition to climb the ladder in the mortal world anymore, but their trust and being rewarded for my skills still makes me happy.

“I will do my best to live up to your expectations.”

Further, I think the actual job is better. I no longer have to guard Lady Douve and can just focus on teaching the sword. Up until now, she’s had me fight bandits to pass the time, but that seems like it’ll be a thing of the past.

“Sansui and Blois will be getting formally engaged, and as such it is necessary for you to meet her parents. We will provide you with time off to do so.”

“You’ve been working practically without rest until now. Think of it as a holiday and enjoy it.”

It’s an order that I truly appreciate receiving. Lain, Blois, Tahlan, and Lady Douve all look pleased. Of course, I’m happy as well, but there’s something that I need to ask about.

“My Lord, may I respectfully ask...”

“Don’t worry about Ran.”

His Brothership already knows what I intended to ask about. While she wasn’t here now, wouldn’t it be a problem if I was gone and Ran returned?

“That’s Batterabbe’s responsibility. It’s not anything for you to concern yourself with.”

I understand the reasoning, but I can’t quite accept it. After all, it’s my immaturity that left her alive.

“What are you implying, Sansui? That the kingdom will fall because you took a vacation?”

I can’t help but come to a realization at that moment. It is undeniable that, by thinking this way, I’m overestimating my personal importance.

“You are this kingdom’s greatest swordsman. You’re the most reliable among the aces, and I believe it’s impossible for you to fail. But still, there’s no reason to bear all that weight upon your shoulders. There’s no need to avoid failure at that high of a price.”

It’s a concern that far exceeded my role as a swordsman. I should have just accepted their order to take a break.

“Sansui, it may be the most reliable option to leave it to you, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t also hand tasks to other people,” His Fathership puts in.

“You may be the most powerful, but you aren’t alone. Take time with your family, at least as long as it takes you to visit your putative in-laws. We’ll make you work hard enough when you return,” says His Brothership.

“Father and Brother are saying this. Don’t embarrass me in front of them,” Lady Douve adds, a bit crossly.

I glance at Lain and Blois. They both look at me expectantly. I then look at Tahlan. He directs a very satisfied expression my way.

“...Prince Tahlan.”

“Yes.”

“May I leave Lady Douve and the sword lessons in your care while I’m gone?”

“Rest assured that I will work toward fulfilling those tasks with every fiber of my being.”

“Then... Respectfully, I’ll go visit Blois’s family.”

Part 3 — Liberation

“Sniff... Finally... It’s finally over...”

After taking our leave, Lain and I lead the sobbing Blois from the room. Having been relieved of her burden, she’s broken out into tears in sheer relief. Blois ordinarily isn’t one to cry, so the weight lifted must have been immense.

“S-So I don’t have to fight anymore...”

“Yeah, that’s right. You don’t need to constantly be on guard anymore.”

“Bwaaaaaaahhh...”

Her reaction is one perfectly understandable for a girl her age. I gently embrace her, and Lain also joins the hug.

“Sniff... Sniffle...”

The reason she’s crying this much isn’t because she hates Lady Douve so much or anything like that. Sure, it’s always been hard dealing with Lady Douve, no question. More than anything, though, serving as a bodyguard to a daughter of House Sepaeda was a source of tremendous, constant worry. If anything had happened to Lady Douve, Blois and her entire family could very well have paid the price. The same was true of me, who served as Lady Douve’s bodyguard simply to raise Lain, and I shared in her relief at the lifting of that heavy weight.

Still, it’s not that Blois and I were feeling the same thing, exactly. Although we received the same news, it didn’t have as much of an impact on me, since I don’t much value my own life.

“You’ve done well, Blois.”

Blois is an extremely talented swordswoman and mage, and there’s no doubting her ability. But unlike the similarly talented Tahlan, she’s not particularly fond of fighting or training. The hard training needed to meet the expectations placed upon her were entirely unwanted.

“Sniff, sniff...”

She had sacrificed so much to do her duty. What’s wrong with crying in relief now that she’s been freed from that?

Lain and I spent some time reassuring her of that fact.

“...”

Having cried her fill, she glances up from my shoulder, blushes, and shrinks back a moment. She then presses her face against my chest. It seems that she’s a little embarrassed.

Thinking about it properly, we’re going to get married. Getting married without any concern for the future...it’s sort of an end-goal for her. While it makes me feel a little guilty about the fact that I’m not going to age from here on out, if I hadn’t become an Immortal, I would have died five hundred years ago, so I want to believe that it’s not all bad for her.

“Hey, Sansui.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not dreaming, am I? That we’ve been relieved of protecting Lady Douve, and that we’re heading out to report our marriage to my family...”

It’s such an important thing to her that she can’t quite grasp that it’s real. I don’t think it’s that odd of an occurrence, myself.

“It’s not a dream, Miss Blois!” Lain answers before I can.

“Alright...”

Blois looks a little conflicted and seems a tad resentful toward Lain. I guess she wanted to hear it from my lips.

“You really did work hard, Blois. You don’t need to fight or train anymore.”

Understanding her feelings, I do my best to follow through. Brightening, Blois smiles happily.

“I see... So I can finally be like a normal girl...”

Then Blois and I both tilt our heads. Yes, Blois is now a normal girl. A noble girl getting engaged. Just what is a normal noble daughter in that situation supposed to do?

“...What’s wrong?” Lain asks, tilting her head in curiosity.

Here’s a dilemma that my daughter, who’s grown up as an ordinary girl in an upper-class household, can’t possibly understand. I can only thank House Sepaeda for making sure that Lain doesn’t have to deal with this. Blois and I barely resist the urge to rub at our temples.

“Um, Lain... As a normal girl what am I supposed to do, exactly?”

“Huh?” Lain seems at a complete loss.

No doubt she can’t understand why that would be a problem for Blois. It’s like if a noblewoman who hadn’t ever held a sword suddenly tried to pick up a blade. That Blois, who’s trained since childhood in blade and magic, wouldn’t know how to live as a normal noblewoman...is perfectly understandable.

“...Reaaally~~?”

Lain looks extremely disappointed. I wish she wouldn’t turn that gaze our way.

That it’s normal for adults to indulge in romance, to get married, and work hard at one’s job... That sort of thing is a sweet illusion reserved for children. The reality is that it takes an extraordinary amount of effort to achieve even one of those things.

“Frankly, I never had the breathing room to do anything like that...”

“Same for me. Thinking about it, we’ve really been living in such a small bubble...”

Blois and I basically have no connections outside of work. We’ve been living to protect Lady Douve; outside of that, we spent all our time training. We basically had no private time, and it was impossible for Blois to make normal friends. It was unavoidable at the time, to be sure, but now that she doesn’t have to train, she just doesn’t know what to do.

“You’ve done nothing wrong, Blois. It’ll just take time to get used to it.”

“You say that, Sansui... But this realization makes me want to cry...”

A swordswoman with such talent that the Royal Guard tried to recruit her... Just what was the point of her life until now?

“Don’t worry about it, Blois.”

“Sansui...”

“I mean, in my case, it’s been five hundred years of that!”

“Yeah... Um, right...”

Dangit, self-deprecation isn’t working. Sure, it’s a lot of self-deprecating humor, but it’s so far out of the realm of the ordinary that Blois couldn’t figure out how to react.

“Anyway, why don’t we just give it a try. While I can’t think of anything specific, we’re not in any hurry.”

“I can’t think of anything either... But I’d like to hurry a little bit...”

As lovers, as those with a lot of free time, we can’t figure out what to do. But since we’ve been liberated from our responsibilities, we want to do something. I can feel the panic welling up inside Blois.

“Hey, Papa, you can’t think of anything?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Reaaally~~?”

“I’ve been protecting Lady Douve since I left Master Suiboku’s side... Blois isn’t that different.”

“Then you just need to do what Lady Douve is doing.”

Blois and I soberly try to remember just what Lady Douve was doing in front of us. It was a difficult, bitter road.

“Can’t copy her...”

“Wouldn’t want to copy her...”

Neither Blois nor I can’t be that obnoxious. And even if we did ape her mannerisms, it’s hard to think that we’d enjoy it. Lady Douve’s the only one who could possibly enjoy that, really.

“Thaaat’s not ittttt~~. You just need to do what she was doing with Prince Tahlan earlier.”

Blois and I exchange glances. While I have a sour expression on my face, Blois blushes and looks a bit bashful. We can’t do that, either.

“Lain...”

“What is it, Papa?”

“We can’t manage that.”

“Don’t give up before you try!”

“Please don’t make us try it.”

Lain is pouting, but I really didn’t want to do that. That interaction worked because two beautiful people were doing it with a touch of playfulness. Blois is certainly beautiful, but I’m hardly an Adonis, and neither of us have the breathing room to be playful. Are we supposed to try anyway, even knowing that we’ll fail?

“...No, let’s try it, Sansui.”

Unexpectedly, Blois recovers from her shyness.

“Let’s try that ourselves! For our own sake!”

To reenact the scene we saw earlier on our own... I guess people want to try to recreate things that they admire in others. But I still don’t want to...

“Sansui...”

“Papa...”

I can feel their eyes boring into me.

Wait, since I don’t have anything to lose, why am I hesitating? If I stop here without doing anything, how am I going to teach my students without seeming like a hypocrite?

And more than anything, I should fulfill the wishes of my future wife and my daughter. Isn’t making them happy what I should do as a husband, as a father, and as a man?

“Alright, let’s do it!”

This is how we, without any relation by blood, become a family...!

I set up a table and chairs in my room, and thus recreated the setting for the tea party held by Lady Douve and Tahlan. Lain watches with intense curiosity, as Blois sits blushing in a chair.

“Mmm...”

Blois sure is cute. She is, without exaggeration or flattery, adorable. To be able to marry such a woman must mean I’m quite blessed.

“Miss Blois! Go on and say it!”

“Y-You make it sound so easy...”

“Just like earlier!”

“Mmmph... I-I can’t!”

Blois holds her head. She looks like she’s so embarrassed that her face is about to erupt into flames.

“I don’t know what I need to do or what I need to say...!”

I’m the same way, so I can hardly talk. Even Lain probably doesn’t have any specific suggestions.

“Just do the same thing they were doing earlier! ‘Say, Tahlan, have you improved since apprenticing yourself to Sansui? Should I have him train you more?’”

Wow, good memory, Lain. Could it be that she remembers everything, line by line? She really is smart...too smart to be my daughter. Though, I mean, we’re not actually related by blood, and I’ve left most of her education to House Sepaeda.

“Go on! Say, ‘Say, Tahlan,’ and smile teasingly!”

“Err, mmph... ‘S-Say, Tahlan’...”

“That’s not right! Try harder!”

We’re now just play-acting. I mean, given the character names are still the same, it’s completely play-acting. Lain seems satisfied with that, but is Blois aware of what she’s doing?

“S-Say, Tahlan, have you improved since apprenticing yourself to Sansui?”

She hasn’t noticed.

“Should I have him train you more?”

“Now, Papa! You say, ‘Oh ho, I had thought you’d prefer to have more time with me.’”

Why do I have to train myself exactly? But not saying that aloud is what it means to be a grown-up. I’m five hundred years old, so there’s no need to be pedantic.

“Oh ho, I had thought you’d prefer to have more time with me.”

I’m trying not to show my embarrassment in my expression or attitude, so I think I’m doing better than Blois. But it’s a line that doesn’t fit me at all. No matter how you look at it, they’re not words that come from my brain. They feel really weird coming out of my lips.

“Good job, Papa!”

“O-Oh, ohohoh...!”

It’s not a line suited to me, but the two of them seem to like it. Could it be that the two of them aren’t looking for me to seem like myself? I feel a little hurt by that, but even without thinking about it, I suppose that’s true. This isn’t the time to be myself; it’s time to show off!

“Miss Blois!”

“O-Oh right...! I-I would like more of this sort of time...”

“That’s not it! It’s ‘Oh, my, do I seem such a needy woman to you? I almost find that offensive.’”

Lain pushes on ahead, and she even seems a little angry. She may want us to take it seriously, but Blois really is. I guess this might be the difference in age. It seems like it’s all the same, but if I say that aloud, I’m pretty much stepping into old-man territory.

“Oh my... Do I seem such a needy woman to you? I almost find that offensive... S-Say, Lain...”

Evidently realizing the oddness of the situation, Blois is now embarrassed for another reason. At this rate, it’ll seem like she’s got a crush on Tahlan.

“Why don’t we stop for now?”

“Why?!”

But Lain seems really angry. She clearly has her own ideas.

“Then what are you going to do? How are you two going to flirt?”

Lain puffs out her cheeks in a pout. Regardless, keeping this up is cruel to Blois. As a father and as a husband, I need to try a little harder. Since I usually don’t fulfill my role as father or husband all that often, I need to put my foot down here.

“Hey, Lain.”

“What?!”

I wonder. Just what is a father and husband supposed to do at a time like this?

“What do you want me to do?”

“Don’t ask me that!”

I’m the very worst as both a father and as a husband. It’s not like we don’t get along. Actually, we do get along quite well, but we’re still not very experienced as a family. Though, what does it even mean to be an experienced family? Perhaps we need to start with a definition there.

Up until now it’s always been the four of us, Lady Douve included, with Lady Douve calling the shots. Phrasing it negatively, we were dragged around according to Lady Douve’s whims, but phrased positively, it means that we could get away with just following her instructions. Which is why we’re a bit awkward when given freedom to act...

“At the very least... Lain, this is mean to Blois, so please stop pushing her.”

“Boo.”

Of course, it’s not easy on Lain, either, but we need to stop and change tacks. No one’s going to be happy at this rate.

“In my opinion... I think it’s too early for me to imitate Lady Douve.”

“I think it’s forever out of reach.”

“When you say forever, it doesn’t sound like a metaphor... But that might be true. I’m not really suited for it.”

Blois and I have both reached the conclusion that this isn’t the way to go. It’s disappointing for Lain, who wants us to keep going, but I think there are definitely things we’re suited for and things we’re unsuited for.

“Then what’s the right way?”

A disappointed Lain hurries us along toward a solution. Both Blois and I also think we need a solution, and soon. But when we stop to think, there’s a long, lingering silence.

“Do we really have to hurry to come to a conclusion?”

“You’re right, we don’t!”

The conclusion ended up being to put things on hold, and Blois agreed with it immediately. Her expression is excited, but it seems she’s relieved to hear it.

“If you keep it up at that pace, you’ll be old before you know it!”

“That won’t happen.”

I caution Lain for her extreme statement, but it’s not convincing coming from me.

“That might be true...”

Blois, who had felt relief at putting things on hold, suddenly feels a sense of urgency. If I try to make age-related arguments, then I guess the other extreme is necessary as a counter. But I’m pretty sure if I said, ‘Yeah, you’ll be an old woman in no time~~’ it’d be a serious problem in and of itself.

“...Then why don’t we start trying tomorrow. She won’t be an old woman tomorrow, will she?”

“My teacher said that putting things off until tomorrow is what lazy people say! You have to start trying today, start trying right now!”

Lain learned a good lesson. Since Blois and I value hard work, her words are hard to deny. But if we try right now, we’ll just end up missing the mark.

“When beginners put in effort, sometimes they make things worse.”

“...Hey, Papa, don’t you want to be lovey-dovey?”

“I do. But I don’t know how to do it.”

I’d forgotten about my original goals over the last few centuries, but I first apprenticed myself to my master because I wanted to flirt with girls. While it ended up being a lot of effort for little gain, I do want to spend time being affectionate with Blois. I just don’t know what that means.

Blois is in agreement. She nods intently without a word.

“Papa, do you have no dreams? Things you want to do, things you want to see?”

I’d probably get yelled at for saying it, but as an Immortal, I don’t have a libido, so I can’t think of the right way to woo her. Of course, there had been times like this before... But those things just happened naturally. It wasn’t something I could just summon up on the spot.

“Blois is my bride, and you’re my daughter. Is that not enough?”

“Not at all.”

I try to pass things off with a nice line, but she sees right through it. Words are evidently worthless, so clearly I need to show it with my actions.

“What about you, Miss Blois?”

“I’d like him to be gentle, but I’d also like him to be forceful... What am I saying?” Blois answers honestly, then immediately regrets her words.

Why are we struggling to come up with what we’re supposed to be as a couple with a young girl and getting our proposals rejected?

“And what did you feel about that, Papa?”

“I wanted the same thing.”

“That’s totally wrong.”

I think that if Blois came on to me aggressively, I’d go with the flow and it’d work out pretty well. If anything, I’d prefer that outcome. I guess we’re both pretty passive.

“...Hey, Papa. Did you ever see your parents do that sort of thing?”

“I don’t remember, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have wanted to know.”

Putting myself in Lain’s place, I don’t recall ever wanting to see my parents be affectionate. No, more the opposite; I would’ve wanted to avoid that at all costs. My parents mostly linger in the far-off reaches of my memories. They didn’t have a bad relationship, but they weren’t particularly affectionate, either.

At the time, I don’t think I had any problem with that. If anything, it was the best solution. I’m pretty sure I would’ve ended up more rebellious if my parents were all lovey-dovey while I was struggling through puberty. As such, I can’t empathize with Lain’s desire to see Blois and I be affectionate.

“Mrrm...”

I can’t empathize with her, but I can understand. It’s still a hard problem for me to solve, though.

“Lain. I understand your feelings, but let’s hold off until tomorrow. Today’s just a day for celebrating.”

“Yeah... Yes. Given that I don’t have to fight anymore.”

“...Okay.”

I’ll repeat this, but we’re quite close. There’s no doubting that point when it comes to the three of us.

“Maybe I’ll have Lady Douve order you two to be all flirty.”

Don’t do that, Lain. I mean, it might end up that way in the end, but I really don’t want Lady Douve controlling that much of our lives.

Part 4 — Future

“My apologies to you all, but I will be returning temporarily to the House Sepaeda territories. Depending on the circumstances, this may take several months. I ask for your forbearance.”

Since I’m going to meet Blois’s parents, it of course means that my instruction is on pause during that time. I’d gathered the swordsmen under my tutelage to give them the news. Most of them seem unhappy to hear it, but none of them voice their frustration.

The instruction itself was done without charge, and it’s not like I’m going to be away for a long time. No one ended up doing anything stupid like asking me not to go meet her parents or saying that they were going to accompany us.

“Once I return, I’ll formally turn over the duty of guarding Lady Douve to Prince Tahlan and become House Sepaeda’s weapons instructor.”

Putting an end to protecting Lady Douve and formally focusing on my instruction... Most of them seem pleased by that idea, since it means that my instruction will now take priority. They might even be happy that I’ve gotten a promotion. It’d be nice if that was the case.

“As Prince Tahlan takes over as escort, he’ll need skilled subordinates... If there are any among you who’d like to volunteer...?”

It’s worth mentioning, albeit a bit late, that those receiving my tutelage are getting a small stipend from House Sepaeda. For the most part, it’s closer to just being given room and board, but they’re not without shelter, and they’re not starving. Still, that’s not exactly comfortable for them, and their social status remains rather low. They’re not even mercenaries at this point, closer to disposable fodder getting an allowance, and few of them are content with their current lot.

Of course, that’s not true of those who are actually Royal Guardsmen in disguise, but they’re only a small part of the greater whole. Immortals like me or my master can get by without food or water, but it’s ridiculous to expect that of ordinary people. Training with the sword doesn’t fill one’s belly. It’s odd coming from me, who struggles to even remember hunger or thirst, but no doubt all of them would be happy to be formally employed by House Sepaeda. After all, plenty of them came here with that goal in mind in the first place.

“As Master Sansui says, I’ve been tasked with protecting Lady Douve from now on. Still, I can’t possibly do it on my own; as such, I would like to borrow your strength. It will mean you become formal retainers of House Sepaeda, so I’d like you to consider it seriously.”

However, no one rejoices at hearing Tahlan’s pitch. Tahlan is plenty popular among the men, so they’re probably not hesitating at being subordinate to him. As such, they’re simply not all that excited at the prospect of serving Lady Douve. I can’t find a way to defend her on that front.

“Thank you for taking this on.”

“No, no, I knew this would happen. She’s extremely proud and holds others to high standards. She has a level of elegance that only oddballs like myself would consider approaching.”

Is that really just pride or something else? I can’t help but wonder. While Tahlan describes himself as an oddball, if anything, Tahlan’s the one who’s elegant and Lady Douve the one who’s an oddball.

“And gathering people is my duty. To be able to convince the most worthy among this group of swordsmen to join my cause...that’s an exciting challenge in and of itself. There’s no fun in walking a well-trodden road.”

Everyone looks intently at him as he speaks brightly. Like me, they’re all feeling a sort of envy toward him. He really does seem to be approaching this new work with relish. He shines in a way that one can only describe as regal.

“I’ll most certainly succeed, Master Sansui.”

To be admired by this man, to be involved with this man, to be able to help this man grow stronger... He’s the sort of wonderful person that makes me feel pride in all of those things. I admit, though, it’s a little disappointing that his assignment is to guard Lady Douve. I’d like him to be assigned to a task that’s a little more noble. But it’s true that he’s happy about it, and it’s also something His Brothership and His Fathership have decided upon. I’ll just stick to thinking it and not bother saying it out loud.

“I think it might be better not to succeed.”

Naturally, one of the students says out loud what I was thinking. Looks like my point of view isn’t that far off from the average person’s in this instance.

“You ought to keep such sentiments to yourself. You never know who might be listening.”

Tahlan goes a step further. He pretends not to hear, but instead offers some appropriate advice. Does even he still have some common sense lurking within? Which in turn makes me wonder, does he really love Lady Douve? I’m really not sure about that one.

“Errrm, um, Master Sansui?” one of the students says, trying to ask me a question.

“Does marrying Miss Blois mean you’re going to become a noble?”

“It seems so. I won’t be given any land, so it’s not all that grand.”

Some people clearly would like me to aim higher. If I, the strongest in the kingdom, end up as a noble without his own lands, it means the swordsmen training under me can’t hope for more than that. However, that’s simply because they’re not taking the work of the nobility seriously enough. Given that I haven’t been educated in governing a fief properly, I’d have trouble actually overseeing my own lands. It’s like telling someone who’s never held a sword in their life to teach swordsmanship.

By that logic, I really think Saiga’s in a hard spot. Though, maybe a lord of one of the Four Great Houses just ends up putting his signature on everything... That might just be a stereotype, though.

Anyway, since I don’t know what sort of work His Brothership and His Fathership do, I’m really not in any position to comment. Talking about things one doesn’t know about, based solely on one’s own imagination, is the sort of thing that the arrogant and the ignorant do.

“I couldn’t rule a fief or command soldiers, after all. I would much rather not be given work that I can’t manage.”

“In Master Sansui’s case, you’d charge in alone and kill them all by yourself. If you were asked to be a general, of course you’d decline.”

I feel like that was a bit of a casual putdown, but it was also true. Since I don’t need sleep or food, and can fight while taking weapons from my enemies, it’s easiest for me to go in alone and wipe them out by myself.

“But why do you ask?”

“If you were going to become a lord, Master Sansui, I thought I might ask you to hire me.”

Isn’t that nepotism of a sort? I guess that’s normal in this world, but I still can’t quite get over the optics of it. Then again, I was picked up on the side of the road, so I suppose I’m in no position to lecture anyone else. For that matter, picking Lady Douve’s bodyguards out of the students assembled here can be considered a form of nepotism, too.

“Yeah, same.”

“Yup, yup.”

For me, it seemed to come out of nowhere, but it seems there are a fair number of people thinking the same thing. It’s understandable that they’d prefer serving someone they know over a random noble they’ve never met, though.

At the very least, there’s the possibility of being hired by a patron worse than Lady Douve. While Lady Douve is hardly a model employer, she does, at the very least, hold on to the bare minimums expected of an employer. No doubt there are nobles who can’t even manage that in this kingdom. Since I’ve met the Domino Empire’s émigré nobles, I know that not all nobles are wonderful people.

Still, even His Brothership and His Fathership wouldn’t force them into House Sepaeda’s own standard army. As such, their employers would be nobles serving House Sepaeda, likely ones they’ve never met.

“There’s no need to worry about new opportunities, and no doubt you’ll be getting a letter of introduction from His Lordship, so I doubt they’d treat you poorly on that account.”

While it might sound a bit insulting coming from me, there’s no way that a subordinate noble will treat a swordsman introduced to them by their feudal lord with disrespect. There’s nothing to be gained from that, after all.

My students, like me, are all men who only have their blades to live on. Being the elite soldiers of some regional lord is perhaps what they’re best suited for, and they won’t push people around unnecessarily or drain their lord’s pocketbook too much by being employed there.

“Still, if you end up causing problems with the employer, I’ll go and settle the matter myself. Please remember your place and continue your training to avoid dishonoring Their Lordships’ names.”

I meant it as a playful warning, but Tahlan and the others look deathly serious. Did the fact that I beat Ran up in public or that I lined up a bunch of severed heads damage my reputation? That neither of those things are misunderstandings but instead simple reality is what makes this such a headache. Even I have to admit that I’ve earned my fair share of infamy.

“We are all aware that you’re a kind man, Master Sansui, but we are also aware of how loyally you’ve served House Sepaeda, and how you strive to keep your personal views out of your work. That is why your warning holds so much weight with the others,” a slightly tense Tahlan says, trying to reassure me.

Yes, well, it’s good that they heard my warning. I don’t want to be going around lopping my own students’ heads off, but if ordered to do so, I’d have to do it.

“A-Anyway... I will become House Sepaeda’s weapons instructor. So long as all of you continue working within House Sepaeda’s affiliated lands, we’ll always be connected. If called, I’ll answer, so feel free to ask for my help at any time.”

Another student raises his hand. He doesn’t seem to be cowering in fear, so I don’t think he’s still lingering on the previous subject.

“I’m happy to be introduced to an employer, but I don’t know if I have the skill to call myself one of your pupils... I’d like a few more years of training.”

This student’s words are touching. Personally, I’d be happy to help them along not just for years, but decades, indeed until the day they died. But that’s probably too much, and I doubt that they want that, either. It may be that they’re taking their efforts seriously, but being permanently stuck in training wouldn’t let them contribute to society, after all.

“That would be...difficult. You are all being fed by House Sepaeda, so you cannot go against their instructions. I understand that you’re not all confident in your current ability, but you also can’t avoid how others might see you in terms of skill.”

While they may think they’re weak, the world writ large thinks they’re perfectly capable on their own. And if they actually have that skill, then that’s not such a bad thing. As Master Suiboku’s apprentice, I feel the same way.

“Compared to Master Suiboku, I’m still a fledgling. I always feel a bit embarrassed when the Sacred Treasures compare me to my master in his younger years.”

I say that quite confidently, thinking to myself that we’re all of a similar mind, but my listeners seem displeased by my words. They were afraid of me earlier, and now they’re displeased. Could it be that I’m not actually all that admired by them? I find myself losing confidence in my ability as a sword instructor.

“Master Sansui... If you say that, none of us will have a leg to stand on.”

I didn’t mean it as self-deprecation, just as a statement of fact.

“I suppose you’re right... I’m now accepted as the kingdom’s greatest swordsman. No doubt if I slouch to make myself look less imposing, it’ll only just annoy people. If you are all struggling to have confidence in your ability, then the only thing to do is to continue training in your new jobs and gain the necessary experience. Training isn’t all about being tutored by your master.”

I decide to wrap things up in a simple way, because otherwise there’s no end in sight to all of this.

“I’ll be leaving tomorrow. You need not come see us off, so please focus on your training.”

Part 5 — On the Road

Having seen my students go off, I’m starting to understand how the Regent feels. When I was sent out to the world by my master, he’d certified that I’d reached a certain standard of ability. And in truth, I had the skill to be considered the most powerful man in the mortal world.

However, my own students aren’t that strong. While they have the potential to grow further, their lives are too short to put in anywhere near enough training. It’s certainly a bit vexing to have to send off students who I can train further in such an incomplete state. I’m still their master, and I have a responsibility to set them properly on their path in life.

Teaching them swordplay is one thing, but so is helping them figure out how to make the most of their lives. Which is precisely what my master wanted of me, and what I want to do myself. But it’s not like I can accomplish that perfectly for each and every one of them, and it’s not as though I have much experience in terms of that kind of work.

“Hrm.”

Therefore, I’m entirely reliant on His Brothership and His Fathership on all of this. I’m embarrassed by being so happy to focus exclusively on teaching. Of course, those two are people in a position of authority, so they had a certain amount of calculation in mind when they decided to recruit them. I just happened to follow those instructions, without any need to make a decision on my own.

All I can do is swing my sword, and that I take for granted that I only need to do that must be a problem. As an adult, I need to stand on my own and be able to think about things myself.

“Hrm.”

Think about what jobs are appropriate for my students as I teach them swordsmanship, and then teach them in a way that they can do those jobs... I know it’s something that’s a lot easier said than done, but just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean it’s something I should just give up on. Only teaching swordsmanship because I’m their sword instructor isn’t doing right by them. Indeed, maybe I should try doing jobs other than guarding and sword instruction.

“Papa!” Lain yells at me as I let my thoughts wander. “Why are you sitting there quietly thinking?!”

I’m currently inside a carriage heading for Blois’s family lands. Of course, Lain and Blois are with me.

“Sorry, I was thinking about my work. I can’t stop thinking about the futures of the people I’m teaching.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be off today?!”

“I know, I know, but...”

“Look, Miss Blois’s all dressed up! At least compliment her! You’re pretty, you’re beautiful, you’re cute!”

Ordinarily, or rather up until now, Blois had worn men’s clothing at Lady Douve’s wishes. But now that she’s finished with that role and is heading back to her family’s estate, she’s wearing a dress worthy of a young noblewoman.

But, while I’m sure that’ll get me yelled at, whether she looks good or not in her dress, her expression is completely that of a child. Given that she’d always had a serious, almost dour expression for as long as I’ve known her, seeing Blois have a relaxed expression that makes her look so much younger is a first for me.

“I told her before we set off.”

“Tell her multiple times!”

“Won’t it get old?”

“Miss Blois looks sad right now!”

I once again look at Blois sitting in front of me.

“Hehe.”

At the very least, she seems happy to me, even without reading her aura.

“Hehehe.”

It’s like she’s in a dream, like she’s floating in a euphoric cloud, as she’s being rocked back and forth in the carriage. No doubt she’s giddy at the fact that she’s in the midst of a girly event that includes wearing cute clothes and heading to meet her parents with her fiancé in tow. Doesn’t seem like she’s paying much attention at all to what’s going on around her.

“She doesn’t look very sad to me.”

“She’s sad!”

My daughter Lain ignores reality and pushes her argument on me. But I do understand what Lain wants to say. We’re finally going on a vacation and her father’s off thinking about work while her mother’s all giddy and excited. Of course that’s not going to be fun; it’s thoughtless, even by my standards.

“Alright... Well, then, what should we do?”

I’m hesitant to interrupt Blois when she’s already enjoying herself. She’s currently wrapped in the greatest amount of happiness she’s known in her life, and that happiness isn’t a mirage, it’s real. Since she’s living her dream, I can’t quite bring myself to wake her from it.

“Hey, Lain.”

“Yes, Papa?”

“Why don’t we do something as father and daughter?”

“And leave Miss Blois out of it?! Isn’t Miss Blois part of our family, too?!”

I know what she’s trying to say, and I think she’s grown into a really good girl, but in this case, isn’t it better to let Blois bask in her happiness? I don’t want to interrupt her joyful reflections.

“If we’re friendly without her, I’m sure she’ll be hurt!”

“I suppose...”

Dreams do eventually end. If Lain and Blois were being friendly while I wasn’t paying attention, I probably wouldn’t mind. If anything, I’d find the scene heartwarming. But what about in Blois’s case? Would she feel left out if Lain and I were doing father-daughter things?

“Do something romantic with her!”

“I’m not confident that I can.”

I felt this the other day, too, but I don’t have enough experience to be able to do it on demand. But, even then, I really do have to do something about this. For better or for worse, Blois and I are similar. If I do what I’d want her to do to me, it should be okay.

As such, I have to be aggressive and make a move on her. Take the initiative myself, instead of leaving it all to her. Making the moment right instead of just waiting for the right moment to arrive. I suppose I’m not really taking the initiative, since Lain’s telling me to do it, but let’s put that aside for now.

“Hey, Blois.”

I approach Blois, who’s still staring off into the distance, and take her hand.

“Since we’re on our honeymoon, why don’t we spend more time being intimate?”

“Oh... O-Of course!”

Noticing that I’ve taken her hand, Blois hurriedly tries to shake it free. It’s all very cute and pure, but I can’t let her go now. I decided I’m going to be aggressive, so I don’t let go of her hand. This isn’t as strange as it sounds. All I’m doing is taking my bride’s hand during our honeymoon.

“S-Sansui...”

Blois looks over at me affectionately. Fortunately, she didn’t try to free her hand with all the force at her disposal. If she had, I might have gotten hurt in the process.

“Papa... That’s great.”

Ah, it seems to meet Lain’s standards, as well. Everyone in our family’s happy with it. If there’s a problem, it’s that none of us knows what to do next.

“Hey, Blois.”

“W-What is it?”

“What should we do next?”

I went in aggressively and then promptly ran aground. We’re now in a bit of a stalemate.

“I-I think we’re good as we are, yes.”

“Alright, then. That’s good.”

“That’s not good at all!”

Blois has been cheerful all this time, but Lain is displeased. It’s become a bit of a difficult situation. Or rather, it’s been a difficult situation the entire time.

“Papa! Come on, you have something else, right?!”

“No, I don’t.”

I don’t have much in the way of desire, which is a problem at a time like this. Still, even before I became an Immortal, I probably would’ve ended up like Blois is now. I can’t blame everything on becoming an Immortal.

“Papa! Kiss Miss Blois!”

Finally losing her patience, Lain suggests something provocative. Perhaps she decided to put up an extreme example because she couldn’t think of something more appropriate.

“Kiiisss?!”

It goes without saying, but it wasn’t me who panicked. Blois, though, lets out an odd noise unworthy of a lady. She’s wearing elegant clothing, but there’s no elegance to her mannerisms. Not that that’s a bad thing; honestly, I found it endearing. I’d spent years working as a bodyguard at her side. So to see her lose her cool like this made me happy, realizing that she no longer had to put on a strong face.

“W-Wait, Lain! If we do that now, I’d die of embarrassment!”

“Oh c’monnnnn~! Lady Douve said that when you say things like that is when you most want to be kissed.”

“L-Lady Douve isn’t wrong! In truth, I do want him to kiss me! Or rather I’ve dreamed of that! B-But... But! It still feels a bit early!”

The two of them seem to be enjoying themselves in all their excitement, but I honestly would rather not right now. It’s not that I’m ignoring what Lain wants, but kissing my fiancee at a young girl’s behest is going too far, even for what little masculine pride I have left.

“This sort of thing, well... Or rather, um... Sansui’s a little scary, or rather...”

Seems like she’s just overwhelmed by her emotions and is having trouble putting together her thoughts, so she’s unable to explain such things to Lain, who isn’t old enough yet to understand them anyway.

“I’m sorry, Sansui... Could you leave the carriage for a moment... Right now, being with you... I feel my chest tighten, and it’s just too much for me...”

Blois seems to have lost her vocabulary as well. If Lady Douve were here, no doubt she’d look very amused.

“P-Please don’t look at me... I don’t want you to see me like this. I just need to calm down...”

“Ah, alright. Lain, I’m going to go talk to the driver. Could you stay with Blois for a while?”

Lain looks a little unhappy, but Blois is simply too excited, so she accepts this without complaint. In truth, Blois is having trouble controlling her emotions for the first time in her life, and no doubt she doesn’t understand what’s happening right now, either. As such, she needs a bit of time to herself.

“Now... Hello.”

“Well, it seems you’re having some issues...”

The one driving the House Sepaeda carriage is our usual elderly carriage driver. It seems that he has his own thoughts about the matter and there are tears welling up in his eyes after the conversation in the carriage. This driver, because he knows us so well, must have been moved by our interaction. Thinking about it, I’ve known him a rather long time, too.

“But I’m glad to hear that you all seem to be enjoying yourselves. Yes, indeed.”

“...Yes, I suppose.”

We really were holding back a lot more than I thought due to Lady Douve’s presence. I once again realize just how powerful a presence she is in our lives. We no longer have to purposefully go into dangerous territory or feed bandits to mountain wolves or anything of the sort.

“If possible... I’d like to give Miss Lain’s younger sisters and younger brothers a ride in this carriage.”

“Heh... Then I suppose we’ll have to hurry.”

“Yes... A person’s life is over so quickly,” the driver reflects rather insightfully. The man’s got so much more life experience than I do.

From inside the carriage came the auras of Blois, who’s still grappling with the giddiness of being on her honeymoon, and Lain, who’s a bit unhappy at having to witness all this. The driver, too, feels that presence from inside. That’s just how excited the two of them are.

“Lady Blois is certainly in a difficult position, having to be both a lover and a mother at the same time.”

“That’s... Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

She would prefer to slowly develop a relationship, complete with all the ups and downs of a budding romance, but Lain wants to see an ideal husband and wife right now. There’s definitely a gap in their perspectives.

“Master Sansui, pay no mind to this old man and treasure your time with your family. This is my job, after all.”

“Yes. My apologies for disturbing you.”

Part 6 — Curiosity

Returning to the carriage, I settle down next to Blois. Having noted that she’s calmed down a bit, I take her hand and ponder what to talk about.

Sitting in front of us, Lain’s emitting an awfully intimidating aura in my direction. It’s a bit harsh to say about someone so young, but right now Lain’s the one ruining the moment.

“So... This is maybe a bit late to ask, but Blois?”

“Wh...What is it?”

“What’s your family like?”

It’s definitely a little late to ask this sort of thing, and I briefly question my own character. I’m going to visit my fiancee’s family to inform them of our engagement, and I don’t even know what her family is like. For Lain, it seems to have been a different subject from what she expected, but one that interests her, so she offers no complaint.

“What are they like? I mean, just your ordinary local lord and his family.”

In my case, I’m only familiar with the heads of the Four Great Houses, but the way Blois is phrasing it, no doubt it means they’re not much different from normal people. I doubt they’ll be like His Brothership or His Fathership and try to kill me just for wooing Blois.

“My father is the lord and my mother is wife... I have an older sister who’s married into another family, an older brother who is the heir, and a sister who’s a little younger than I am. My older siblings evidently have children already, so I guess there’s a few more people other than that.”

Blois doesn’t seem upset that her fiancé took this long to ask about her family and explains this all rather calmly.

“When I was little, it seems we were in charge of a rather poor realm and struggled quite a bit. But when I became Lady Douve’s bodyguard, we were given a prosperous territory as a reward.”

“Oh, wow, so that’s what happened...” Lain says, reacting with surprise.

From her view, Blois being Lady Douve’s bodyguard was what she regarded as normal, so it must feel to her like she just got to see the truth lurking behind that reality. I mean, that’s true of me, too.

“It’s nothing surprising. Sure, it’s rare for a woman to be in the position I’m in, but it’s quite common for men. Besides, in terms of fighting for your family, Sansui’s doing the same thing,” Blois replies calmly. “Fortunately, I had talent and eventually had Sansui by my side. Now that I’ve fulfilled my duty and come out of it intact, it’s just another funny anecdote.”

Blois fought for her family and her efforts were finally rewarded. She seemed extremely relieved and all the tension had bled out of her body.

“Anyway, there shouldn’t be any problems with my family. My brother will be the heir, and I’m going to be marrying you, so there won’t be any complications.”

She smiles, noting that because both the issue of the family territory and the succession are decided, it’ll be a stress-free visit to see her family.

It’s true, I would find it hard to take my fiancé to see my family if they were really poor or if there was an internal struggle going on over who would inherit their wealth or titles.

“Um, say, Miss Blois. Are you sure they won’t mind me?”

“No need to worry about that, Lain. You’re a well behaved child, and I’ve already told them about you in my letters home, so they won’t treat you like a stranger.”

Lain looks anxious, perhaps worried about the fact that she’s adopted. Blois reassures her accordingly, but that raises another concern on my end.

“Hey Blois, just how much does your family know about us?”

Lain and I are hardly normal. In my case, I’ve been alive for over five hundred years, and in Lain’s case, she’s the last survivor of a fallen imperial dynasty. Of course, while I might be over five hundred years old, I’ve only been involved in the mortal world for the last five years or so, so I don’t have any real connection to anyone other than the Eight Sacred Treasures, who know me through my master. And in Lain’s case, we’ve already settled the most dangerous lingering issues. The only remaining thing is that in the future, Lain’s daughter or grandchildren will marry into the ruling family in the neighboring country.

Still, are these things we should tell Blois’s parents? Or do they already know? That was something I’d forgotten to ask. I really can be a bit careless at times.

“I believe the Lord Emeritus and Lord Sepaeda have already informed them. They’ve probably told them everything that needs to be said.”

That’s pretty impressive in its own right. I mean, even if it’s coming from the lords of the main branch of House Sepaeda, some of our situation can be pretty hard to believe. It’s not that I need them to believe it, but I don’t like the idea of them being skeptical, either.

“Say, Miss Blois. What do you think their opinion is about you marrying Papa?”

Even if they don’t mind Lain, there’s a decent possibility that they wouldn’t want to deal with me. I mean, at a glance, I’m just a poor foreigner, and my background is completely unknown, so I couldn’t exactly blame them if they object.

“Well... My parents... I only meet them every once in a while, and I mostly know them through exchanging letters, but according to the Lord Emeritus... They are kites who bore a hawk.”

Now that’s quite the expression. I don’t know if he’s praising them or insulting them.

“That means...this isn’t the best way to phrase it but... My parents are ‘normal’ nobles. Given the Lord of House Sepaeda backs Sansui unconditionally, no doubt they won’t think too deeply about it and instead choose to celebrate.”

Sure, it sounds a little materialistic, but they don’t really have the mindset to question what those in authority tell them. Though, really, just how little interest did we have in one another? I admit that I find that part of me less than pleasant. Hearing the stories about my master from the Sacred Treasures, I wondered why my master never told me anything about himself in our five hundred years together, but I guess I was never all that interested in the person I’d spent the last five years with.

“B-But anyway, Sansui! Aren’t you hungry?” Blois suddenly asks, as though she just remembered something.

“...Hungry...Hungry...”

I had just been invited to eat for the first time in five hundred years. Though I’ve worked for House Sepaeda for the last five years, I haven’t eaten once in that time, and no one’s ever asked me about that, either. I appreciated the lack of questions, but I guess that also meant that no one was particularly interested in that aspect of me, either. Or rather, thinking about it rationally, they probably just couldn’t imagine a human being could go five years without eating anything at all.

“Well, I haven’t eaten anything in the last five hundred years or so...”

“Of course! So, just in case... I prepared sandwiches!”

“Wow!”

At Blois’s remark, Lain’s excitement level climbs. I see, Blois made sandwiches for me... I’m certainly happy, but I can’t muster up much excitement.

Dangit, this is the sort of thing I was hoping for when I was brought to this world five hundred years ago. And the truth is, I’m pretty happy about it, but I’m not as excited as Lain or Blois. I’d already realized this, but I’ve abandoned too much. Given the circumstances, I should be happier and showing a bit more excitement.

I think about how I should’ve tried harder in my last life, and start feeling regret welling up. Perhaps I should have spent some time enjoying the mortal world before starting my Immortal training.

“Papa, are you crying from joy?”

“S-Sansui?! Y-You’re that happy?! F-For you to cry! You must be really happy!”

So this is what they mean by a generation gap... Well, rather, the reality is closer to a multi-century gap, in which case I suppose it’s to be expected. After all, a person from five centuries ago is pretty much like an alien. It’s taken five hundred years since my arrival in this world to finally feel a gap between myself and the locals. I really can’t help but feel a tinge of embarrassment.

“No, I just realized my life’s been so thin and hollow until now... No, I’m very happy. Let’s eat together.”

At the very least, five hundred years ago this is what I wanted. It’s not like I wanted to gather a harem like Saiga, but I did want to develop a relationship with a woman over a long acquaintanceship, become lovers, and eventually eat their cooking. It’s taken five hundred years of training, plus another five years of service to a cruel noblewoman, to accomplish that little fantasy dreamed of by a young man who’d never had a girlfriend. Was the outcome really worth that cost? If I were trying to reassure myself before I started training, what should I tell him?

I’m pretty happy right now, but my past self sincerely wanted this. Whether or not I would have wanted this despite all the effort it’s taken is another question entirely. I can’t help but shed tears over just how much pity I feel for that young man now.

“A-Alright! Here you go!”

With that, Blois hands me a sandwich. A fluffy sandwich appears from a basket-like thing that’s woven out of dry straw. The sensation of soft bread in my hands for the first time in five hundred years. The crusts have been cut off, leaving the bread’s texture to stimulate my fingertips. Amazing. Not eating for five hundred years makes the simple act of touching a sandwich send tingles up my spine. Beyond the soft bread, I can also feel the firmness of some sort of leaf. Is that cabbage or lettuce?

“...Sansui, please don’t be so moved by the act of just holding a sandwich.”

“Oh, sorry...”

Seems my emotions showed on my features, so Blois fusses a bit in response. True, it’s probably a little creepy to see someone deeply moved by simply touching rather than eating a sandwich. But thinking about it, my very first meal in this world is a sandwich prepared by my fiancee. Five hundred years ago, I would’ve reacted with a lot more emotion. No doubt the two of them are expecting that, as well. My salad days, which will never come back, are still enveloping the two of them.

As I grasp just what I’ve given up in exchange for my strength, I open my mouth to eat the sandwich...

“Wait, wait, Miss Blois! You should feed it to him!”

“O-Oh, that’s right!”

Lain proposes something romantic, but I don’t think sandwiches are well suited for that sort of thing. I mean, the sandwich I’m holding is pretty big. I don’t think feeding it to me works unless it’s cut into a bite-sized morsel. But it’s not like it’s completely impossible, so maybe I should avoid ruining that bit of playfulness.

“Alright, then will you feed it to me?”

“O-Ohhh! Yes! Yes! Leave it to me!”

Blois is so much cuter when Lady Douve isn’t around.

As I think that, I hand the sandwich to Blois. Her hands shaking from nerves, Blois takes ragged breaths as she moves the sandwich to my mouth.

“There! That’s it, Miss Blois!”

“Heh, heheh! This is easier than I thought!”

Lain and Blois are both trying hard. They’re enjoying this with all their might. Blois certainly dealt with a lot, but I guess Lain’s had a rough time of it, too. I feel the driver crying up front. I hope he’s still watching where we’re going.

“When I say ‘ahhhn,’ open your mouth, okay? When I say ‘ahhhn’!”

“That’s right, Papa! Make sure you accept Miss Blois’s sandwich!”

They’re both so adorable, my daughter and my fiancee. The me from five hundred years ago would probably look at this and think ‘Five hundred years of work and this is it?’ when compared to Saiga’s harem, but I am very happy. Watching the two, I wipe away my tears and open my mouth.

“I-I can’t... Lain, I’m sorry, but close your eyes!”

“O-Okay!”

“S-Sansui, you close your eyes, too!”

“Ah, alright...”

“No, I have to close my eyes, too...!”

Blois can no longer even muster up the nerve to say ‘ahhn’ and just presses the sandwich against my cheek. What is this? A ‘helping hands’ skit? It’s so old that it feels new. In hindsight, I’m glad it was a sandwich. If it was something like soup, it could’ve ended really badly.

“H-How is it?”

“That’s my cheek.”

“W-Whaaat?! Well, how about here?!”

“No, that’s the other way. That’s under my ear.”

“Ahhh! Ahhhh!”

“You’ve almost got it, Miss Blois!”

Though, since Blois has her eyes closed, can’t I just open mine? It’s one thing for Lain to have her eyes closed, but is there a point for me to keep my eyes closed here? But still... I guess I should play along a bit longer — or so I think.

Part 7 — One Night

“Things can’t stay this way!”

We’re not in some historical drama and have no need to stay inside the carriage, so we’re staying at the various inns located along the main highway. Of course, they’re less inns and more like hotels. Basically, luxurious spots that important people stay at on their journeys.

Thinking about it, Blois is the daughter of a regional lord, while Lain’s the last living member of an imperial house. In that sense, the only one who doesn’t belong here is me. Still, it’s not the first time I’ve stayed at a hotel like this, and since I’m going to become a noble, I think it’s okay.

“I’m going to go for it!”

Of course, in terms of dress code, my attire would normally be completely out of the question. But since this is Sepaeda territory, the Lord of the House made the arrangements, so no one complains about my attire.

Or rather, it seems my name and appearance are pretty famous within the Sepaeda lands. It’s uncomfortable being the center of attention, but I suppose it’s natural for people to take a peek at a swordsman known for massacring a large number of people.

“I readied some particularly risqué underwear for this moment!”

Sepaeda’s ace, the Sword Apostle. He’s on the small side with black eyes and black hair, wearing a kimono and sandals. Part of the reason I maintain this appearance is to advertise that fact.

His Brothership, His Fathership, and Lady Douve all want me to stand out, so they let me dress as I always have. Of course, I have no complaints about that, either.

“Heheh, I’m going to make that cool expression of yours turn beet red! You’re the one who’s going to be flustered tonight!”

“Miss Blois, if you wrap yourself up in that blanket, we can’t see your special underwear.”

So, we’re staying in a pretty nice room, but of course there’s only one bed, even if it’s pretty large. A double bed, maybe king size? It’s big enough for two or three people to sleep on.

“Blois, your shouting is going to inconvenience the other guests. If you can’t come out wearing that, go and put on something else.”

“Sniff... Don’t be so gentle right now...”

Blois, who intended to knock me flat with her special underwear, couldn’t overcome her embarrassment and is instead wrapped up in a blanket. Why is it Blois is so good at filling these sorts of roles? I mean she’d been the rather serious lady knight until now, but she’s ended up like a moe character in a light novel. I feel a certain sentimental nostalgia for the novels I used to read and the heroines that appeared in them, but actually facing this in person is a bit of a problem.

How did this happen? I mean, when we were both guarding Lady Douve, Blois was a superbly skilled swordswoman. I suppose in a way it’s because she’s trying to cut loose or, rather, that she no longer has to restrain herself.

“I mean, it’s not like you’re super-experienced either, right? I know that well myself. You spent five hundred years in those woods, right? So why...”

“You might yell at me for saying this, but it’s because you’re overreacting to everything. That ends up calming my nerves.”

Even me, a virgin, knows full well what Blois is thinking about. Not being able to sense that wouldn’t be a matter of being dense; at that point, they’re probably not a living thing.

Anyway, Blois wants to be lovey-dovey with me, but her inhibitions keep her from engaging. I suppose that can be chalked up to being young and inexperienced. Of course, it’s not that all young, inexperienced women end up this way.

“I want to be close, to be intimate with you. Which is why I don’t show a lot of anxiety or embarrassment in my actions...”

“That’s cheating...”

Well, what am I supposed to do about that, exactly? If anything, I feel like Blois is just being hypersensitive. I mean, sure, this is practically a honeymoon, but she still seems a little too worked up over it.

“To be a little bit on the harsh side, aren’t you just being a little too anxious? I mean, even if we had a hundred women in a similar situation as you, I bet you’d be the only one who reacted like this.”

“Papa, that’s mean.”

“Well, I can’t help it, you’re just so business as usual that it’s confusing. I mean, it’s your fault for being so one-sided in being nice to me!”

Then what am I supposed to do, exactly? I really can’t think any other way. I mean, even Lain seems to be at a loss. Just how else am I supposed to accommodate her? I guess I should discuss this with Lain.

“Lain, can you come here a moment?”

“Okay, Papa. Time to come up with a game plan!”

We’re probably going about this the wrong way.

“What do we do? I told my friends that I’ll probably get a new brother or sister during this trip!”

“Wait, Lain. Now Papa’s a bit worried about what sort of friends you’ve got. You’re going to tell me their names and ages later.”

“I-I can’t do that! If you get mad, Papa, you’ll chop their heads off! Don’t chop my friends’ heads off!”

I’m worried about the sort of friends Lain is hanging out with, but on reflection, my job is probably a bigger issue. I didn’t even realize Lain was having problems because of my work. True, it’d be scary to have a close friend’s father, even if he was just following orders, be a man who had gone and lopped off a bunch of heads. And, to top it off, Lain knows that the rumors are true.

I ordinarily keep track of her aura, so I don’t think she’s being bullied or anything. And not that I’m in a position to talk, but I’d imagine most people wouldn’t have the nerve to bully a child who’s the favorite of House Sepaeda’s spoiled princess.

The same goes for me, since in my case, “Your dad’s a murderer!” is actually, “Your dad lopped off hundreds of heads and lined them up for display!” The people around them would probably go out of their way to stop that sort of teasing. After all, the whole class could end up getting executed and gibbeted as mass punishment.

I, after all, embody the whole cliché about how killing a single man makes you a murderer, but killing a hundred makes you a hero. In the end, what I’m doing is still killing people.

“Alright, let’s put that aside for now...”

Getting away from fighting and going on vacation makes me face all of my shortcomings. It’s a good experience, but I need to focus on Blois. I’ve sworn to make her happy, after all. That’s not happening if things stay the way they are.

“I didn’t think Blois was such a pure young maiden. Seems like she’s really excited by the vacation, too.”

“So it’s about having the wrong mood, or the wrong situation...”

I think in this case it’s not that they’re wrong, it’s that it’s all too much for her. I mean, to go straight to a honeymoon with the co-worker she’d admired for years without putting in any of the steps in between... Though, I do think if I could get as worked up as her, my life would be more fun.

“Papa... You should be a lot more aggressive here.”

“How do you come to that conclusion?”

“I mean, Miss Blois really loves you, right? Then it’ll be fine! Just push forward!”

I’m really getting worried about what sort of friends my daughter is hanging out with. It’s an extremely immature way of looking at things. I can’t very well go and stomp all over Blois and her dignity.

“My teacher said that it’s nice to be aggressively wooed by your partner and then wanted by them!”

“I think it’s a little early for that sort of education for you, but... Even so, I can’t do anything while you’re awake, and then it’s a problem on my end...”

Five hundred years ago, I was still a dumb kid, and had aspirations of being like Saiga. It’s not like I’ve forgotten what I’m supposed to do here. I mean, in the five hundred years I spent in the woods, I sensed a lot of animals mating. Though there weren’t any monkeys... No, that’s getting off track.

Anyway, given that there’s a part of me that won’t get up, even if I was aggressive, Lain’s brother or sister won’t come to pass. Besides, there’s no guarantee that Blois would be happy with that.

“If I didn’t have the main character bonus, it’d just be assault, too.”

“...?”

“Anyway, Lain, you should go to bed. Leave Blois to Papa, okay?”

“I bet you’ll have fun tonight!”

“Err, yes. I hope so.”

No doubt Lady Douve would have really enjoyed this, but Lady Douve isn’t here.

But anyway, we put Lain to bed, and Blois and I move to a different room. As befits a classy hotel, there’s a whole suite available.

“Still... Isn’t it hard to breathe like that?”

“...Not really.”

I lighten her with my Feather Step and sit her down on the sofa, and she pops her head out from under the blanket. Since it’s a well-lit room, I can see how red her features are.

“Do you think I’ve disappointed Lain...?”

“I’m not sure about being disappointed, but I think she was surprised. I was caught off guard, too.”

“Yeah... Me, too.”

Dressing up and taking a carriage ride to meet the parents... Have her lover eat her handmade sandwiches and do things like hold hands... Then at the hotel’s luxurious bed, once the kid is asleep, put on sexy lingerie and get worked up... And end up in bed together...

I suppose it’s a sort of cliché. There’s nothing fresh or new about it, but if we’re going to do anything, perhaps that’s the least she wants to be able to do.

“This has been an awful day...”

Blois tears up. I can understand her urge to cry. I mean, it’s not like the journey’s over, either. Even once Blois calms down, she has to keep traveling on the same carriage as Lain and I, who have both witnessed her antics.

“In the end, you’re the same as always... I mean, you’re gentle...and I’m happy, but...”

“I see, I see... It’s my fault. I’m sorry, Blois. You wanted to have a more adult relationship, right?”

Blois sits huddled on the sofa, hugging her knees to her chest. Sitting next to her, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her close. Because of my low height, it doesn’t look all that great, but I’m still able to pull her to me.

“~~~”

“I’ll let go if you want me to... No, that’s not right. I won’t let go, even if you say no.”

“I-I see... Then I guess I have no choice...”

“Yes, it’s my fault, it’s my fault. So let’s just...okay?”

“Y-Yeah... I-If you could be a little more aggressive. Just a little bit more assertive.”

“So picky... Just how much did you dream about this?”

I move my arm from her shoulder down to her hips and pull her even closer. My figure hasn’t changed in the last five hundred years, but Blois sure has grown over the last five.

“You’ve grown up... No, you’ve become a woman, Blois. A beautiful woman.”

“R-Really! I’m...I’m beautiful?”

“It’s flattery, of course. In the last five years I’ve...become a bit more worldly.”

I lighten Blois with my Feather Step and change her position. The blanket’s come loose and I can see her risqué lingerie. Without giving her an opening to shy away, I pull her close. This is probably what Tahlan would do. Running that simulation in my head lets me be assertive.

As I’m sitting on the sofa, the floating Blois embraces me from the front.

“You’ve always been handsome. Not flattery... I’m just biased.”

Looks like acting like Tahlan’s working. Blois, blushing and still weightless, her long hair fluttering, closes her eyes.

I’m not such a boor as to talk about what happened next.

“Papa! Miss Blois! Am I a big sister now?!”

The next morning, an excited Lain peppers Blois with questions. I had figured we’d started over a bit after last night, and after having woken up and dressed in our finery again, but my daughter’s just way too curious.

“Is it a brother or a sister?!”

Perhaps because she hasn’t met any pregnant women, or because she hasn’t actually learned about the process properly, she seems to think that after a baby’s created the moment a couple is intimate. I mean, proper knowledge would be a problem in and of itself, so I keep that part vague.

But it seems Blois doesn’t want to discuss her memories of last night, and is hiding her flushed face with both hands. In spite of that, Lain keeps pushing. It’s probably a little too much to expect of a five year old to read the mood. I mean, she’s usually been good at doing that until now.

“Please, Lain...”

“Well, well?! Have you decided on a name?! If it’s a girl, can I name her?”

“Um, well...”

“Is it a brother, then?! A boy?!”

Lain keeps pushing. Should I smack her to put a stop to it? Just as I ponder that, a certain possibility comes to mind.

“Hey, Lain, did Lady Douve instruct you to do something?”

“Yup! I’m going to keep a diary of what happens during the trip and report it back to Lady Douve when I get home!”

Hearing those words, I distract myself with the knowledge that Lain knows how to read and write, while Blois begins to contemplate suicide.

Part 8 — Persistence

The Lady Knight, the Wind Magician, Blois. Full name, Blois Wynne.

She was the first to be accepted as a bodyguard by Douve Sepaeda, and is a highly talented mage and swordswoman implicitly trusted by Sansui Shirokuro. She is one of the most skilled combatants in the world, and despite her youth, the previous lord of the martial House Sepaeda regarded her so highly that he made her his daughter’s bodyguard.

“All of you. I have received a letter from His Lordship and the Lord Emeritus of House Sepaeda, so I’d like to inform you of the contents as members of House Wynne.”

Her father, Senve Wynne. As regional lord and vassal of House Sepaeda, he, of course, is given all sorts of information from Douve’s older brother, the current head of House Sepaeda. Of course, the information is considered classified and can’t be disclosed in public, but he had been given permission to share that information with Blois’s mother, older sister, older brother, and younger sister.

Those were the values held by House Sepaeda and a standard they always met: they always did right by their retainers. That, of course, included a proper explanation of Blois’s fiancé. The disclosure included a tacit apology for approving the engagement without input from her parents, as well as serving as a sign of trust in their discretion.

“Blois, who was serving as Lady Douve’s bodyguard, has gotten engaged and will be retiring from her position. Her fiancé is a fellow bodyguard of Lady Douve, a Shirokuro Sansui. They will also be adopting his adopted daughter, Lain.”

Or rather, they wouldn’t have given the responsibility of managing a territory to a family that couldn’t keep its mouth shut.

“No doubt you’ve all heard, but Shirokuro Sansui is a skilled swordsman, known as House Sepaeda’s ace, and is extremely trusted by the Lord Emeritus. With this engagement, His Lordship will be providing an appropriate noble title to him, as well.”

In truth, Senve Wynne had reacted rather straightforwardly to the information. Having understood the contents of the news, he was simply extremely happy.

“Further, Sansui is a practitioner of the Immortal Arts, a Rare Art, and as a side-effect of that Art is effectively immortal. While he looks like a young man, he is, in fact, older than the Arcana Kingdom itself.”

This was hard to believe. While his wife, who had been informed beforehand, showed no skepticism, his children were understandably a bit leery at hearing the word ‘immortal.’

“In addition, Lain, who will become part of our extended family, is the last surviving member of the Domino Empire’s imperial house, and her children and grandchildren are slated to marry the offspring of the Domino Republic’s supreme leader.”

But Blois’s parents are completely unbothered by any of this news.

After all, if the Lord and Lord Emeritus of House Sepaeda said that this was the truth, then they have no reason to doubt the message’s veracity. Even if it had been false, it wouldn’t have damaged their house in any way. As a vassal of House Sepaeda, they’re encouraged to think that way, and as such, both parents sincerely believed this information, rather than pretending to do so as a courtesy.

“This means our family’s future is secure!”

This sentiment was a perfect representation of Senve Wynne as a man. Despite being given information of enormous importance, his conclusion was rather small and minor.

“Yes, such a lovely match. Blois really is such a good daughter.”

His wife, Kette Wynne, wholeheartedly backed his sentiments. She, too, could only come to the same conclusions as her husband, and didn’t bother to think of the larger ramifications. They considered becoming in-laws with an Immortal or the last of an imperial house to be nothing more than gaining some important people as in-laws.

Of course, that’s an extremely important thing to consider for most nobles, but that it was all they could think of in response to the news came as a shock to both their daughters and their son.

“F-Father! Are you certain that’s wise?!”

“What do you mean? It’s a good match. Hetter, can you secure better terms than this?”

He was shocked that his father didn’t see the opportunity to accept the guaranteed last member of Domino’s imperial house, a girl guaranteed to become in-laws with the supreme leader of a neighboring country.

In response, the second son and heir, Hetter Wynne yelled at his father, “They’re certainly great terms! But Blois is marrying into his family, yes? Then it means that we’ll merely be in-laws of the Imperial girl! Can he not marry into our family instead?!”

If the third child of the Wynne Family, Blois Wynne, ends up becoming Shirokuro Blois or Blois Shirokuro or whatever, it’d lessen those all-important connections. Even considering that they’re not related by blood, there’s a world of difference between her being Lain Wynne or Lain Shirokuro.

“What would you do if that ends up upsetting the other party?!”

Senve’s words are, of course, perfectly understandable, and there’s really no room for argument. Given that this was decided by House Sepaeda itself, on behalf of House Wynne, a mere vassal offering additional terms would be entirely out of line. But to accept what had been handed down without any attempt at negotiation seemed to Hetter to be the height of incompetence.

“Blois is getting up there in years. If she misses this chance she may not get another one! Besides, the reason House Sepaeda has given us this land is thanks to Blois’s service! To meddle in Blois’s match, do you feel no gratitude toward her?!”

“That’s true, but...”

“Our current lives are all thanks to Blois’s talent and efforts!”

His mother nodded in agreement with those somewhat embarrassing but completely correct words. And in truth, Senve’s reaction is probably the one Blois would most welcome. But Hetter, the next heir to House Wynne, believed it was worth the risk of negotiations if it meant further opportunities for House Wynne.

“But Father...”

“Silence! This is a matter that the Lord of House Sepaeda has decided upon, and it is also my decision as head of this House! I will accept no argument against it!”

But the current lord completely rejected Hetter’s opinion. While they might get better terms through negotiations, it was also vital to protect their current way of life. That commonness completely rejected Hetter’s more ambitious views. Senve’s view wasn’t actually incorrect, so Hetter couldn’t muster a counter-argument.

“At any rate, Blois will be bringing her fiancé and his daughter to visit us. I will accept no disrespect on our family’s part!”

Angered by his son’s attempt to parlay the good news into a reckless demand, the father stormed out of the room. The mother follows him, leaving only the children.

“Silly brother. You knew Father and Mother would get angry at that sort of suggestion,” the youngest daughter, Lyra Wynne, says, chuckling at her brother. Her parents were certainly being simple-minded, but she also found her brother’s foolishness in calling out that simple-mindedness to be amusing.

“Quiet, Lyra! It’s something that needs to be said! It’s not like anything can be done about it once I’ve inherited the House!”

“Silly brother. You know full well what would happen if our poor father were to get greedy and try to get more after the lords of House Sepaeda have already rendered their judgment.”

It was true that even Lyra found her parents’ nonchalance to be a bit exasperating. But, at the same time, she didn’t consider the decision to fully back House Sepaeda’s decision to be the wrong one. True, her parents were reacting like simpletons, but that was the right reaction for simpletons to take. Frankly, it was the right way to think, given their talents and position. Perhaps believing everything with conviction might be questionable, but as ways of navigating the world go, it wasn’t a bad one.

“Dammit... If I could’ve become the head of the house just a year or two earlier...”

“You really are foolish, Brother. From the perspective of the heads of the Four Great Houses, there’s little difference between you and Father.”

Lyra’s words are also correct. Even if Hetter went from merely the heir to House Wynne to the head of House Wynne, House Sepaeda would still prefer the wishes of Blois over him. Blois had served them loyally and ably as Douve’s bodyguard. No one cared about the parochial interests of House Wynne.

“Besides, given that you can’t even convince Father, there’s no way you could stand up to Lord Sepaeda.”

“...!”

Lyra has her doubts, as well, but it had already been decided. Well aware that she had no say in the matter, Lyra searched for the best route available to her under the circumstances. Arguments and fighting were things dumb for men to do. If anything, their father was smarter on this front.

Get on good terms with Blois’s fiancé, make connections and marry into a better family than House Wynne... That was her current goal. Anything beyond that, she could think about once she got to know her sister and her husband-to-be.

“Still, I’ve never actually met Blois. I don’t know anything about someone who left home over five years ago... Chette, perhaps you know something about her? Perhaps you can tell me?” Lyra asked her eldest sibling, Chette Wynne.

At the time of Blois’s departure, Lyra was only about four years old. She didn’t know a thing about her talented older sister, and no doubt the others didn’t know much about her, either. Of course, she’d probably changed over the years, but if she could hear some old anecdotes, then at least it’d be an interesting subject of conversation.

“...Chette?”

“What’s wrong, Sister?”

Blois’s brother and sister saw that their eldest sibling hadn’t moved. She had already married and had several children, but she was stuck on processing a surprising revelation.

“The Sword Apostle is a Rare Art user...and immortal?”

Chette, Hetter, Blois, Lyra... Each had some sort of talent, and Lord Sepaeda was aware of that fact. Each of those talents was something that their parents lacked, which is why they were called kites that had birthed hawks.

But, their appearances were all inherited. That is, all of them have the beautiful noble features of their mother.

However... Like their aging mother, whose looks have faded with the years, Chette also has started to feel the effects of age on her looks...

“That...child...has been alive for hundreds of years?!”

This bears noting, even if it’s been something that should have said a long time ago. The reason Sansui Shirokuro never revealed his actual age was partly because no one would believe him, but also partly because if people did believe him it would cause an enormous fuss.

“Just how...”

Eternal youth, eternal life. It’s an enduring desire for humans. The fact that Sansui, a young man who looked like he was still in his growing years, has looked the same for five years...it was more than enough to lend credence to the idea that he was immortal.

“Oh dear, Chette might very well do something foolish. Brother, wouldn’t it be a good idea to send a note to her husband?”

“...Yes. Let’s have him pick her up right away.”

If anything, it had taken a surprisingly long time for this problem to occur.

“The secret to regaining youth. If I can just learn that...”

Part 9 — Gaze

“So these are your family’s lands. They look pretty prosperous.”

“Yeah~~. Though maybe not as much as the capital or Sepaeda itself.”

“Yes. They gave us nice lands, after all.”

It was a leisurely carriage trip, but since we were staying in-country, it didn’t take as long as expected. The three of us are moving along town with an escort. The view outside the carriage and the auras around us feel pretty normal. Lain seems to agree.

“Still, we seem to be gathering quite a bit of attention. Is there something that stands out? It’s not like Lady Douve’s with us.”

“Of course. This carriage has the seal of House Sepaeda on it. It’s probably an unusual sight here.”

Ah, I see, that makes sense. Until now I always thought that the attention paid to the carriage was because of Lady Douve. But the reality was that the carriage was the thing that was actually gathering attention. It didn’t matter who was riding it; if House Sepaeda’s carriage is being escorted, no doubt it draws attention.

“Still, um, well... Introducing you to my parents still is going to take some nerve.”

“Well, yes, I’m sure... But don’t be so tense. It’s not like you have a bad relationship with your parents, right?”

With that, I reach over and Blois’s hand. As I gently squeeze her fingers to reassure her, Blois turns away but accepts my touch. Meanwhile, Lain watches the exchange with a lively gaze. This’ll probably be reported to Lady Douve, but I’ll consider it a good thing, since both of them are happy.

“Y-You’re right... I’m sure my parents will celebrate our engagement.”

“Pardon, but we’re about to arrive at the estate,” the driver tells us.

True, I start sensing fewer people around us. And then the carriage begins approaching auras that are clearly welcoming us and watching for our arrival.

“...Wow. Your father and mother have really simple auras.”

I can even see their reactions in my mind before I lay eyes on them. Despite the fact that a princess from a fallen empire and a five hundred year old hermit are going to be their in-laws, there’s nothing complicated about their reaction.

“Welcome, Master Sansui! Thank you for coming to our estate!”

“Welcome home, Blois! It’s lovely to see you!”

As we get off the carriage, we’re welcomed by a couple that looked exactly as you would expect Blois’s parents to look. There’s not a hint of unnaturalness, like you would see if you were told Lain was my daughter. At the same time, at their remarkable nonchalance, I feel a certain discomfort but also relief that I don’t have to deal with certain complications.

I mean to be so thoroughly welcomed is a bit scary in itself, but I don’t really have a precise answer if asked how I would like to be greeted instead. Rather than think about my own reaction, I decide to celebrate the fact that they’re happy to see us. I’m sure Blois would prefer that her parents celebrate her engagement, too.

“Now please, come with us.”

With a warm welcome, we’re then taken into the estate. It’s only natural, but the servants are all extremely nervous. It didn’t seem like the sort of anxiety they’d feel over the arrival of a daughter of the house and her fiancé. The butler and the maids all have tense expressions, and while they’re maintaining their smiles, they also seem to be sweating bullets.

No doubt the parents have told them to avoid offending Lain and I. It’s a pretty obvious reaction, but there’s nothing really wrong about it. They’ll just have to accept it as part of their duties. That’s what it means to welcome important personages and what it means to work at an estate that welcomes important personages.

“First, I thought we’d start the day by celebrating the engagement, so I’ve gathered the entire family, including my one married daughter. A gathering just for family.”

“Don’t worry, Blois, everyone’s happy to hear of your engagement.”

Of course. As Blois has said repeatedly, there’s nothing to fault with this engagement. In the future they’ll be able to brag to other nobles that they’re in-laws of the supreme leader of the neighboring country. Even if they’re not related by blood, it’s still true. Even if no one celebrates it, they’ll still be viewed with envy and jealousy.

“Tomorrow, there’ll be a bit more of a hassle. I’m afraid I must ask that you accept it as part of our family obligations.”

“We’ll be holding a large party with the local noble families. I know you haven’t spent much time at society functions and that it may be a bit uncomfortable, but please try to bear it.”

The two seem to have sensed I don’t really enjoy such parties. It’s true that I don’t enjoy them, but it’s just a matter of dealing with it for a short time. It’s not like I have that much of an aversion to the trappings of the mortal world.

At the very least, it’s a lot more peaceful than the orders I get from House Sepaeda about chopping off heads and putting them on display. It’s perhaps a little vulgar, but it’s not malicious. They just want to show off a bit. It’s much more reserved than what Lady Douve got me used to, and I’m not that averse to playing along.

No, I’m thinking about this the wrong way, as though I’m above or apart from them. I’m still not all I ought to be.

“You really are a thoughtful daughter, Blois.”

“Indeed, everything is going swimmingly, thanks to you. We really do appreciate everything you’ve done.”

The important thing is that the relationship between Blois and her parents is a good one.

“Um, a pleasure to meet you!”

“Ah, so you’re Lain. I’m Blois’s father. You can consider me your grandpa from now on.”

“And please think of me as your grandma from now on.”

It means they’re happy to accept Lain as part of the family. It’s much better than if they were weirdly capable and had some sort of ambition for her. I’m not all that good at pretending, either, so this is worth celebrating. It’s good for everyone.

“I’m sure it might be a short stay, but thank you for having us, Father, Mother.”

Blois’s parents are reaching out to us in friendship. It’s only proper that we respond in kind.

“...Haha! Then, if you’ll come this way!”

“Yes, everyone’s looking forward to welcoming our new family members!”

Seeing my attitude, they seem sincerely reassured. In truth, my reaction is probably what they were hoping for. The two of them lead us through the estate, their steps light.

“Hey, Papa. Miss Blois’s mama and papa are really nice.”

“Yes, they are.”

Even seeing my appearance, they didn’t show any intolerance or distaste. Part of it is probably because I’m pretty famous by now, but they probably wouldn’t have had any sense of revulsion even if it wasn’t. I try not to think about the possibility that they simply don’t notice it because they’re too caught up in the potential advantages.

“Phew...”

Blois herself is extremely relieved. That’s understandable, since she couldn’t know how they’d react until she actually saw them. We’re all putting on a friendly face and acting in accordance with the whims of people far higher up than us, but even then there’s always the possibility of an unexpected development. Even if she said she was fine, no doubt there was a part of her that was anxious.

“Now, may I present our family?”

“We would have liked to invite the grandchildren as well, but for today it’s just our daughters and our son. Of course, Lain is the exception.”

Things have proceeded so smoothly that it’s almost anticlimactic, which is why I’m caught off guard by the woman’s intense gaze. Everyone in the room other than Blois’s parents turned their attention to that woman. The man who appears to be Blois’s older brother, the young girl that seems to be Blois’s little sister, Blois herself, even Lain, and of course, my own eyes...are all fixed on that woman.

“...”

I feel an intensity in her gaze. She stares at me so fervently that I’m almost sure she could kill me with that look. Just her eyes are intently focused on me, while she shows no other expression and says nothing.

“Then allow me to introduce them in turn. This is our eldest, Chette.”

“She’s married and is such a dutiful daughter that she’s even given us several grandchildren.”

“...”

The parents are the only ones who don’t notice the mood, and proudly introduce Chette, who stares silently at me. Just looking at her face or, rather, if you ignored her gaze, she’s a beautiful noblewoman, but she stares at me with bloodshot eyes.

“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Chette. I am Sansui Shirokuro and this is my daughter Lain. I’m extremely happy to have the fortune of being engaged to marry the daughter of such a notable house.”

I steel myself and step forward, bowing and introducing myself. Seeing my actions, everyone’s quite impressed. Well, other than her parents.

Looking at me, Blois’s older sister...

“...!”

For some reason, she takes off her lace gloves and touches my cheeks with her bare hands. It’s clearly not something a noblewoman should be doing. And her gaze grows more intent, as though surprised by what she felt from her touch. Somehow there’s even more intensity behind her stare.

“Five hundred years old... Five hundred years... This skin...?!”

Oh, wait, is this...? Yeah, it’s a bit late to consider this, but is she in shock at the fact that I’m immortal? I mean sure, I have smooth, moist skin, but surely this is a bit over the top?

“Hey, that’s not fair! Chette’s getting all the attention! Please introduce me as well, Father, Mother!” Blois’s little sister, as though to change the strange mood, hugs me. In contrast to her childish actions, her expression is extremely tense. No doubt she’s trying really hard to forestall any problems.

“Haha! Now, now, that’s hardly the way to behave, Lyra! Master Sansui seems at a loss.”

While a little less natural than his sister, the brother also addresses me in the same fashion. He tries to put on a debonair air and offers his hand for a shake.

“I’m Hetter, Blois’s elder brother. The slightly unmannerly young girl is my sister Lyra. No doubt she’s excited at meeting such a famous warrior. Please forgive her.”

“Not at all. I’m flattered.”

I naturally get away from Blois’s big sister and shake her brother’s hand. I try to relax my features, but Hetter and I both remain tense.

“...Such smooth skin, like a baby’s...”

I’m on the receiving end of an envy that I’ve never felt before, and I try desperately to change the subject. I avoid making eye contact with Lady Chette as she mutters to herself.

“I hear that you met with the supreme leader of the Domino Republic when you were in the Caputo Lands. If you don’t mind, could you tell me a little about him?”

“Oh, that’s not fair, Brother! I want to hear stories, too!”

We put together a little skit to try to make it through.

Looking at the three of us...

“Now, now, don’t pester him too much.”

“Yes, no doubt he’s tired after a long journey.”

Blois’s parents, who go far beyond not being able to read a room to just completely lacking situational awareness entirely, gently chide Hetter and Lyra. No, that’s not it. The one that’s causing me problems is Lady Chette! Please notice. If possible, let us leave the room. Honestly, her gaze is really scary.

“Chette...?”

“Young, nubile skin...”

Blois is at a loss at just how different her sister is from her memories, while Lain clings to Blois, holding back tears. Yes, that’s right. There’s just something scary about her!

“I’m sure it pales compared to House Sepaeda, but we put together a welcome banquet of our own.”

“If there’s anything missing, do let us know.”

Trying to build a more peaceful atmosphere, we move to the dinner banquet. Of course, a dinner banquet means food. House Sepaeda trained me in basic table manners, and I’ve certainly pretended to eat in the past. I also actually ate on the journey here, and it’s not as though I’ve never used a spoon or a fork, so I was managing just fine.

“...”

However, Lady Chette’s gaze was a much bigger problem than anything to do with table manners. Everyone other than the parents were afraid of the oldest daughter.

“A-Ahem! Master Sansui, I hear that you and Blois have met Domino’s new ruler, Fuushi Ukyou?”

“Yes, though it was a very brief meeting.”

“It was the same for me. In the end we’re only bodyguards... I believe the people of House Batterabbe spent a fair amount of time with him, though.”

As Hetter tries to make conversation, I jump in. No doubt the Domino Republic is a subject of some interest. I decided to drop a story I heard from Tahlan, who had served as Ukyou’s bodyguard.

“I serve as an instructor for the prince of the Magyan Kingdom and for the heir to House Batterabbe, and I’ve heard a few stories about Lord Ukyou from them.”

“Ohh? What sort of man is he?”

“Evidently he is a man full of a sense of duty, worthy of shouldering the burden of a country. Someone who will do anything it takes to survive for his people.”

Of course, evidently that’s actually a prerequisite required to wield the Holy Chalice, Elixir. At the very least, I don’t have that sort of strong will myself. Further, I don’t have the chops to want to shoulder something as large a country. In that sense, he’s a much stronger man than me.

“Considering that he’s a man who brought down an entire country, I’ve heard he’s quite an intense person.”

“I see... I hear he’s extremely young?”

“A little older than Blois, I believe. As a ruler... He’s very young.”

“...I see. That young.”

No doubt he’s actually interested in the subject and not just asking to change the conversation. He is, after all, one who regards himself as the lord and master of an entire nation. Unlike the Arcana Kingdom, he’s pretty much a dictator, and to a noble lord’s heir, he’s probably something of an idol.

“According to Lord Sepaeda, Lord Ukyou is a man who combines the decisiveness to know when to go to war and the strength of character to know when to withdraw. Moreover, he’s a man who would willingly face down death for the sake of peace.”

“...I see, so that’s according to His Lordship.”

Of course, depending on how you look at it, you could say he’s a coward who started a war then bowed his head in apology when it looked like he was going to lose. Still, when facing a mage who functions like a bomber, he really didn’t have any other choice. It was a wise decision.

“So Master Sansui and Blois are acquaintances with foreign princes? That subject is of more interest to me!”

Lyra works to keep the conversation from lapsing. For my part, I know more about Tahlan than Ukyou, so I try to change the subject in that direction...

“Mister Sansui...”

I’m cut off as Lady Chette opens her mouth. Her presence is such that it silences any dissent and she cuts right through everyone else.

“Pardon my inquisitiveness, but I am told you’re an immortal who has lived for five hundred years?”

“Y-Yes...”

“I have seen you before. Since I only saw you from afar, no doubt you didn’t notice me, but it was when you first took on the role of Lady Douve’s bodyguard.”

There’s quite a bit of evidence that’s necessary to believe I’m five hundred years old. No doubt, from the parents’ point of view, it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not.

But having seen me in the past, it’s a huge issue for Lady Chette. After all, I look like a child. If it’s been four to five years, then normally I should look a lot different, like Lain and Blois do. The people I’m with, like Lady Douve, don’t seem to have really noticed because I was always with them, but having heard I’m five hundred years old, it seems there’s something that’s bothering her.

“I had heard there was a child who protected Lady Douve along with my sister... I never imagined it would have been someone who was five hundred years old.”

“Haha! Indeed, so unexpected!”

“If anything, I’d love to hear how you stay so young.”

The parents, who still think we’re having some peaceful banter, have an almost frightening level of purity. While her mother is asking the secret to my youth as a joke, Lady Chette’s watching my every move with a glare that could kill.

“As for how... We Immortals are Rare Arts users who wield ki. The reason our growth and aging stops is part of the process of learning the Immortal Arts. It’s not a specific skill or technique.”

My own memories from five hundred years ago are pretty hazy, but I’ve never put any effort into not aging. If I had to describe it, it’s that I naturally wound up this way as I put in my training for my Immortal Arts and my swordsmanship. Obviously immortality itself isn’t exactly natural.

“If you possess ki rather than mana, as you spend time in deep woods or high mountains far away from society, you eventually become one with nature and are freed from the shackles of time.”

It sounds odd as I’m saying it, but this sounds like the teachings of some weird cult. But since it’s the truth, I can’t help it.

“It’s not convincing as I say this while eating this delicious meal, but by cutting off all my connections with people and not eating or drinking, even once I’ve come down from the mountain or left the woods, time appears to remain stopped for me.”

“Ah ha, so it’s not that you can use a technique that makes you younger?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Hetter tries to come to a conclusion, and I jump right on. That’s right. I have no power to make others younger. While my master might be able to wield that sort of power, I haven’t learned it. Further, even if I were to learn it, I’m sure it’d take an enormous amount of time to master. At the very least, I won’t be able to learn it while she’s still alive. Further, Immortals don’t age, so there’s no real need to actually learn a technique that restores youth or makes people younger.

“Oh, a pity.”

“Now, now, you’re still plenty beautiful! If anything, you’re more alluring than you were when you were young!”

“Oh, dear, not in front of the children.”

Compared to how happy the parents are, Lady Chette continues to glare daggers at me. Lain looks like she’s about to pee herself.

“Lain, are you not feeling well?”

I then come up with a brilliant idea. If Lain’s not feeling well, then we can end this banquet.

“Um, no, I’m okay, Papa...”

“No, no, you look pale as a sheet. It looks like she’s tired from the long journey. I’m afraid I’m going to have to go put my daughter to bed...”

Everyone other than Lady Chette nods at my proposal. It’s true that Lain’s not feeling well, so no one’s going to fault me for putting an end to this banquet.

“Yes, go take care of that.”

“Oh dear! Poor thing.”

The parents, who are just treating us with ordinary care, react normally. I mean, our engagement’s already settled. If they take any moves to hurry things along here, all it’ll do is buy unnecessary hostility. Of course they’ll be worried about Lain’s health. If anything happened, I’d hate it, but it’d be a matter of life or death for this family.

“Father! We should call for a mystic, just in case!”

“I agree, Father! We shouldn’t risk her health over dinner! I guess that’s the end of the banquet!”

Everyone’s hearts came together as one and the banquet came to an end.

Thank you, Lain. You’re such a good daughter. Also... Sorry about that.

Part 10 — Sisters

“Hey, Blois. Your sister seems a little bit mentally unstable, doesn’t she?”

After a mystic came to check up on Lain, we got a diagnosis of stress and put her to bed. Blois and I are now in the guest room talking.

Frankly, that fixation of hers is ridiculous. Immortality must be extremely attractive to women of a certain age, but surely there are limits. Her obsession was off the charts.

“It’s odd... Chette didn’t used to be like that...”

“Well, but that was over five years ago, right? I’m sure your memories are also a little whitewashed. And five years is enough time for there to be changes...”

Of course, I feel a bit sad saying this. But in that case, whatever else I said to Blois would be hollow.

“I think she’s probably worried about her skin... But I’m pretty sure that’s all due to her lifestyle. If she improves that, I’m sure her skin will get healthier.”

“Specifically?”

“Get enough rest regularly. Balanced nutrition. Get enough exercise. Don’t eat too much meat, don’t drink too much, get plenty of vegetables... Also, less stress.”

Humans don’t get better just by taking, applying, or injecting medicine. More important than any sort of medication, it’s lifestyle choices that show up in health. As such, unhealthy lifestyles are akin to a lack of training. Of course, I’m aware that my advice is easier said than done.

“I’m sure that’s impossible as a noble.”

“Yeah, I agree. In which case, she needs to come to terms with it.”

I mean, really, it might be easier to just find a Rare Art for that. I wonder if such a Rare Art, one that manages a person’s health, actually exists. If there is, no doubt it’d be extremely valuable.

“I mean, it’s not that I don’t understand your sister’s feelings...but it just seems a little extreme.”

“Yeah. Why is she...?”

She might very well be making things worse by abducting virgins from the peasantry and bathing in their blood. That’s the sort of intensity I was getting from her. This was the first time anyone’s reacted that strongly to my immortality in this world.

“She’s married, right? Are things not going well with her husband?”

“Could be... I’ll check, but I don’t want to see Chette like that.”

“But that’s enough from us for now. Why don’t we hear from her as well? Come on in,” I call over to Blois’s younger sister hiding behind the door. Seems like she’s here to provide us some information.

“...Wow, you found me so easily. Guess the kingdom’s greatest swordsman can see right through my hiding.”

Blois’s little sister looks quite young. She’s older than Lain, of course, but she’s still much younger than I look. Despite that, her expressions have a playfulness and intelligence beyond her years. That she’s making a point of showing her intelligence is also clear.

“I came to give you two a little warning, Blois, Sansui. I’d prefer if you’d avoid interacting with Hetter and Chette.”

She clearly has something that’s bothering her in that regard. Well, honestly, it’s true that I’d rather not get involved if I could avoid it. But while I understand about Lady Chette, I’m a bit confused about Hetter.

“Because both of them hate you, Blois,” her little sister supplies.

The youngest sister’s statement was rather intense. At the very least, it came as a shock to Blois. It comes as a surprise to even me. But there doesn’t seem to be anything behind Lyra’s words. At the very least, she’s not lying.

“Having been away for so long, I’m sure you’re not aware of the dynamics. Well, of course, Father and Mother also aren’t aware of them, either.”

“B-But why?! Didn’t we get these lands because I was working as Lady Douve’s bodyguard?! Why would they hate me?!”

“That’s why. That’s why they hate you, Blois.”

I didn’t understand the logic. At the very least, I don’t know why they’d hate her when they haven’t even seen her in so long.

“I’m told that Chette has always been extremely beautiful and the center of attention at society gatherings. Not only was she beautiful, but she had an elegance to her manners, which is why she was able to marry so well. Hetter was always very smart, and I’m told he was looked at as a promising heir to the family. This isn’t from a family point of view, but Lord Sepaeda’s view, so I’m sure that’s probably a trustworthy opinion.”

While Blois and I only know how to fight, we both know that Lyra is a lot wiser than her years would otherwise indicate.

“And Blois, well, you’re a supremely talented swordswoman and mage. Because of that talent, you became the bodyguard to House Sepaeda’s only daughter. It just so happened that the noble in charge of this territory was brought up on charges of serious corruption, which is why House Wynne was given a step up to this territory. Do you know what that meant for Hetter and Chette?”

“They didn’t celebrate?”

“We celebrated. At least, I did, as did Mother and Father. I mean, ever since I can remember, I’ve been helped by the fruits of your sacrifice, and do you really think Father and Mother have anything like secret ambitions or anything? It’s just that Hetter and Chette twisted themselves into odd knots.”

Lyra continues to recount what happened to the beautiful eldest daughter and the smart son.

“It goes without saying, but Chette’s husband was the best she could hope for based on House Wynne’s standing at the time she got married. Obviously, no matter how beautiful she was, there was a limit to how high up she could marry. And Blois, your talents bore fruit after Chette had already given birth.”

At that, I finally understood. It seems Blois understood as well. But surely that’s just misplaced anger.

“Yes, thanks to Blois, our House rose in stature. Meaning that, relatively speaking, Chette’s husband’s House lost standing. Of course, that means that Chette gained some authority within that House, and no doubt they appreciated her all the more. But Chette didn’t feel that way. She felt that if House Wynne had risen faster...she could have...”

“But...”

“This is her throwing a tantrum, so don’t let it bother you. Anyway, Chette’s recently feeling the effects of age on her skin, so she’s worried she’s going to lose the only thing that sets her apart from everyone else. No matter how beautiful she is, she can’t stand up against newer, younger women as the center of the society scene. It’s hard for her, given that she wants to be the center of attention all the time.”

She sounded exasperated. The youngest of the daughters is clearly thoroughly disgusted with her eldest sister.

“Beautiful, elegant... A woman anyone would kill to have by their side. Sure, that’s valuable, but it’s also temporary. A flower’s life is short. Isn’t that true, Sansui?”

“I won’t deny it, but people aren’t flowers. They’re a different thing entirely.”

“That might be. But, well, don’t you think that her panic is misplaced? She’s long past the stage of her life where all that matters is for her and her alone to be beautiful. What she should be doing now acting as a mother to raise her children. She doesn’t understand that, and clings to her past glory instead. It’d be funny if it wasn’t so sad.”

It’s close to a form of self-hatred. The youngest daughter had nothing but contempt for her eldest sister as a woman, and she was embarrassed that they were related. Perhaps she mocks her because that’s the only way she can cope with that reality. She’s struggling with it, as well.

“Then what about Hetter? Why does he hate me?”

“That’s even simpler. Hetter intended to improve our lands once he inherited them from a less than average father. He probably does have the talent to make that possible. But that problem was solved in a way that didn’t involve him or his efforts at all.”

To be given a prosperous territory due to his younger sister’s work... Hetter couldn’t stand knowing that.

“Being treated like a child, he was never allowed to take part in governing the old territory even as the heir. But Blois, you were even younger, but you managed to get our family a better territory. Thanks to you, our family’s life got much better overnight. And then the peasants of this territory, because he replaced a greedy, corrupt lord, welcomed our less than average, but clean and fair Father with open arms. Don’t you think that’d result in him developing an inferiority complex about you, his younger sister?”

It’s understandable, but it’s not something that one can accept. It’s completely unjustified resentment.

The revelation really hurt Blois. She had thought her family was happy because their lives had gotten better thanks to her work, but they had taken the fruits of her work, then hated her for it.

“Hetter’s in a panic. His younger sister’s one of the most skilled warriors in this kingdom, receiving high honors and rank, and is about to retire from that. Meanwhile, he’s still stuck as the heir to the territory. No doubt because he’s so smart, it’s harder for him to bear.”

It’s not that they hold anything against her, or that they’re mad at her.

They just don’t like her.

“I’ll put it out there, but whatever Hetter decides to do, this territory has a bright future. Just running it normally brings in enough tax revenue. Though, Hetter evidently has problems with Father’s governance.”

Unlike Chette, there was something pitiable about Hetter. No one’s done anything wrong, but he’s still suffering.

“But even if Hetter takes over the reins, it won’t change that much. The conditions are good here, so success is expected. No matter how hard he tries, he won’t get any credit for it. His life will just be about that, and there’s nothing beyond that for him to accomplish. Hetter will die as a regional lord without leaving his mark on the world.”

With that she turns and looks at me.

“Unlike you, Sansui.”

“You say that, but...”

“I’m sure it doesn’t seem like such a big deal for you, who’ll still be around even as you become a rumor or a legend and all of the people telling your tales die out.”

As a simple truth, my master was known as the ultimate swordsman two thousand years ago. But the only ones who still remember that fact were the people of Tempera Village. Leaving my name in this country’s history isn’t a big deal from my point of view. Even once this country is gone and everyone forgets about me, I’ll probably still be training with my master.

“But this is a matter of life and death for Hetter. His younger sister, Blois, has carved out a place for herself in the world with her own talents, which is why he thinks he needs to accomplish something beyond that.”

That’s a harsh reality.

“Hetter is the only son, so he’ll be able to inherit the House without any problems, and as such, he can’t leave this territory. If he had even one older brother, then he could have gone and made a name for himself with the Royal House or with House Sepaeda.”

What would Saiga or Shouzo think if they were here? What would they think, having made their names, at the very least in this era, and now being considered aces that take on vital missions for the kingdom?

But that has nothing to do with Blois.

“That’s enough for now.”

I stop Lyra.

“I understand their feelings, but if they’re going to keep hurting Blois with their misplaced resentment, then I won’t hesitate to step in, even if they are her brother and sister. And you...I know you’re her little sister, but...you should show some concern as well.”

“My, my, I’m jealous. Blois, no doubt your name will go down in this kingdom’s history. The partner of House Sepaeda’s ace. As a woman, I’m completely jealous.”

She’s both oddly obstinate yet refreshingly honest. It seems like she really did come here to try to help, in her own way.

“Hetter’s a pretty logical thinker, and he hasn’t fallen so far as to take it out on someone who doesn’t deserve it. He hasn’t seen far enough along to his own end, and he’s still got hopes for the future. He’ll just hit you with his competitiveness, to try to show everyone that he can do better, even though he can’t. But the problem... Well, it goes without saying, but it’s Chette. Frankly, she’s too much for me to handle.”

I agree wholeheartedly.

“I’ll ask just in case, but there really isn’t magic that makes you younger?”

“There might be, but I can’t use it.”

“I see... Well, if there was, that’d be a problem, so probably better to keep it that way. I mean, it feels like it’d end up being even worse if you did.”

This girl is even more unnatural in her mannerisms compared to her appearance than I am. Could she actually be a reincarnation of someone? Could it be that it’s not a little girl inside her but someone else? That, or she’s actually an old woman who’s regained her youth?

“But, wait, is Chette really the first one to corner you about this?”

“Yeah. Chette’s the first one. I think... Most of the people around Sansui just don’t care about youth or eternal life. Both His Lordship and the Lord Emeritus both knew Sansui himself well before they knew about his immortality. In a sense, they have a certain amount of respect for him. And then there’s the Regent, who’s already accepted her age...”

“I see... I’m jealous. You all constantly interact with people at the top, it seems,” Lyra says, then laughs self-deprecatingly.

True, about the only people I’ve interacted with who weren’t at the top were those émigré nobles, Nuri and Hari. All the rest were people who were in the top echelons of this kingdom, all with the talent and skill worthy of being there. And none of them had the sort of complexes that Lyra’s been dealing with. Of course, there must be frustrations and concerns that those at the top deal with in their own ways.

“Anyway... For Chette, both Hetter and I will keep an eye out for her. I think it’s best not to see her without Father or Mother with you. Honestly, she’s...worse than usual.”

Yeah, she’s like something out of a horror movie. I mean, I can hardly talk as an Immortal, but she’s the first monster I’ve met in this world. She could be the star of that movie without any special makeup or effects. That’s just how intense her gaze was.

If I ran into those eyes in the dead of the night, I might very well kill her out of terror. Of course, that’s not something that could actually happen, considering the amount of training I’ve done, but if Ran saw those eyes, I’m sure she’d react by punching her. And in that case, I really couldn’t blame her.

“For now, Chette’s husband will be coming by tomorrow, so let’s push everything onto him. Until then, try not to leave this room... Oh, and I wanted to say,” Blois’s precocious sister added with an almost envious look.

“Blois, thank you for all of the work you do. It’s thanks to you that I’m able to live such a nice life. Is it hard serving Lady Douve?”

“...Yes. It’s very hard. But Father and Mother...and you, as well...you’re all happy as a result. That’s why I bore it until now.”

“I see...so it really is hard. Thank you. I really do appreciate everything you’ve done. And, what about the Sword Apostle, Shirokuro Sansui? Are you happy you’re engaged to him?”

“...Yes, I’m happy.”

“Ah, I’m jealous... Congratulations. Make sure you find happiness, Blois.”

With the gentle sibling exchange that Blois had been seeking done, Lyra left the room, as though apologizing for the family’s reaction to all of Blois’s sacrifices.

Part 11 — Farce

“Well, well, you’re as young as the rumors say.”

“Yes, I envy you.”

“My, Miss Blois is quite beautiful as well. She’s usually quite dignified, but today she’s also very lovely.”

“You’ve gone from your ordinary role standing beside Lady Douve to being a gentlewoman protected by your husband, I see.”

“Still, this means House Wynne’s future is quite secure. Oh, how I envy you.”

“Ah, you flatter us...”

“We would like to maintain cordial relations with your family...”

And so conversations that sound like they have meaning but have no actual content fill the party hall. A large number of guests have gathered here to try to curry favor with Blois’s parents while lavishing praise on both Blois and I. Lady Douve had typically been the recipient of that flattery until now, so I have to admit, I found it uncomfortable to be the target.

“...Hey, Sansui, just how many of the people here are actually celebrating our engagement?”

“Blois, that’s a rabbit hole you don’t want to go down. But, well... Your parents, the guests, they’re all happy. That I can guarantee.”

“I see... Yes, I suppose that makes sense.”

Blois, dressed like a princess, is a bit on guard. No doubt the fact that her older sister and older brother, who should be celebrating her engagement, has her on edge. Still, I do my best to reassure her.

“Your parents seem quite proud of you.”

“True...”

“Miss Blois, you’re very beautiful!”

“I see... You’re such a sweet girl, Lain.”

This may not be the best way to phrase it, but one shouldn’t be worrying about whether or not the people around you are genuinely celebrating your happiness. You need to think about it with the roles reversed. Can you sincerely celebrate the marriage of a relative you see only on rare occasions if they invite you to their wedding reception? It’s wrong to expect others to do something you’re not capable of doing yourself. They’ve taken time out of their busy lives to come and at least go through the motions of celebrating. One shouldn’t expect more than that.

I mean, given that we’re not Lady Douve, do we really want other people being jealous or envious of us? Personally, I’d rather not be involved at all. After all, an Immortal really shouldn’t be going out into high society, anyway.

“Just accept the praise and move on. I think it’s okay to do that at this sort of occasion.”

“I suppose... I see that you’re dressed the same even at your own engagement party...”

“Nothing that can be done about that, I’m afraid.”

I’m still in my rough kimono woven from fine fabric. This is what I’m most comfortable in, and I can’t very well wear anything else at this point, but my mode of dress is completely at odds with the general atmosphere. Of course, from a different point of view, it means I stand out from the crowd. This is essentially another part of playing a role. I’m still under Lady Douve’s orders to dress this way.

“It’s not worth worrying about. I’m sure for our wedding I’ll be allowed to wear something other than this casual kimono, so let’s just bear with it for now. I think we can be forgiven for being excited and basking in a sense of superiority on an occasion like this.”

Usually, Blois is under constant strain, what with being worked to the bone. Surely she’s earned the right to be a little ostentatious at a party like this. We can leave playing host to her parents, and just soak up the praise and attention.

“Ah, so you’re the famous Sword Apostle. Your exploits are well-known even here.”

Just as I think that, I end up being the center of attention. I feel a certain number of envious gazes from off in the distance, but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem if I stay polite and approachable. Besides, it’s an event where I can’t help but be the target of some jealousy.

“That’s all due to the generosity of His Lordship, the Lord Emeritus, and Lady Douve. I have nothing but gratitude for the three of them.”

“No, no. Surely there are many who have unjustified complaints and discontent with those of the main branch of House Sepaeda. You and Miss Blois defended Lady Douve from all that hostility with just the two of you. No one can doubt your skill.”

There were plenty of times where Lady Douve willingly courted trouble, so in that sense, the number of actual attacks that stemmed from resentment was surprisingly small. But it’s not worth going into that, so I stay silent.

“You are now not simply the pride of House Sepaeda, but of the kingdom itself. I should like to hear tales of your exploits.”

“Yes, that’s right. The tale of how you lined up the heads of the enemy in the capital is perhaps a bit graphic, but...”

“I should certainly like to hear your tales. Anecdotes from the man known as the kingdom’s greatest swordsman...that’s an opportunity that doesn’t come often.”

And so people who wanted to hear my stories started gathering around me. Even Blois’s parents seem really interested in the subject.

“Well... As you can see, I’m but a country bumpkin, so I was never at Lady Douve’s side at any great parties or the like, but if you wish to hear stimulating anecdotes... I’m not a particularly gifted storyteller, so I may not be able to satisfy your expectations, but I can try.”

How do I phrase this... These people are bored. It’s a world without television or the internet, so of course they’re going to have a lot of free time on their hands. Thinking about it, I’m sure the stories we have about serving the daughter of House Sepaeda make for an excellent source of entertainment.

“Then... Allow me to tell the story about the disturbance with the Domino Republic that occurred near Caputo. I was tasked by House Caputo to deal with the matter of the émigré nobles, so I will tell you what I can about the matter.”

Surprisingly, a large number of guests were listening to me with serious expressions.

“As retainers of House Sepaeda, I’m sure you’re all familiar with the sorry state of the émigré nobles that had sought refuge from the Domino Empire...”

I don’t know if I should be allowed to describe them this way. Even if it’s for the sake of telling an exciting story, should I be grouping all of the émigré nobles into a single group? Perhaps I simply hadn’t met those among them who weren’t awful people.

Still, the nobles of Domino have already been exterminated on a country-wide scale. If I were to say anything that went against the prevailing narrative, I’d probably put Blois in an awkward position. It’s better to just talk about them contemptuously and go along with the accepted wisdom.

“The justly famous prince of the far off Magyan Kingdom, Magyan Tahlan... He had come to our kingdom’s Caputo territories to test his skill, and he behaved as he always did, with honor and dignity. As the prince of a foreign kingdom, he is a man that even I, a fellow man, can view fondly. As for Lady Douve, well... Pardon, I got side-tracked. At any rate, he is a wonderful individual, possessing every virtue that a man could hope to possess.”

The fact of the matter is, he’s gifted in all sorts of ways. It seems he had felt a sense of inferiority because he didn’t have the Royal Aura, but that seems to have mostly resolved itself since he’s been in this kingdom. Lady Douve sure has incredible luck.

“No doubt the émigré noble couldn’t restrain his jealousy of the man, and so he sent his underlings to try to entrap him. But this was a man who had distinguished himself as the greatest swordsman in his kingdom. He defeated the underlings without using his Rare Art, and instead humiliated the émigré noble.”

The women and girls let out a sigh. No doubt in their minds they’re drawing up the ideal man, but the real Tahlan surely surpassed even that. He was nearly flawless in body and soul, with handsome features that had to be seen to be believed.

“However, the émigré noble then became desperate to entrap the prince, using every dirty trick at his disposal. Under those circumstances, it was understandable that Prince Tahlan would grow wary of our kingdom. Having grown to distrust the law of a foreign land, he desired instead to be defeated by the sword as punishment, and asked for the kingdom’s strongest swordsman.”

It’s pretty embarrassing to describe myself that way.

“Which is why I ended up being brought in. Lady Douve and her retinue set off for the Caputo lands, where I wound up matching blades with Prince Tahlan. I can only describe Prince Tahlan’s skill with his Rare Art, Shadow Summoning, and his skill with the blade, as most impressive. Among the opponents I’ve faced, he was certainly one of the most skilled.”

I feel an enormous amount of envy directed my way. From multiple people, at that.

“His Rare Art crafts shadow duplicates, a technique that he wielded with skill. When used by a master swordsman like him, one goes from facing one opponent to multiple master swordsmen in a blink of an eye. These master swordsmen were all of the same skill level as he, and as they were shadows, they did not fear death. His tactics in commanding an army of deathless master swordsmen was far beyond the ken of your average mage or knight. That was proved by the émigré noble’s henchmen. No matter how many banded together, they could never come close to defeating him.”

For a magic user, Shadow Summoning is a difficult art to deal with. While magic has enough power to easily kill a single human, he can create infinite numbers of those humans. He can freely use them as walls or as suicide attackers. Even a mage as skilled the Regent probably couldn’t defeat him at close range.

“And yet, I was Lady Douve’s bodyguard, and the one regarded as the kingdom’s most skilled swordsman. I wielded my Art and succeeded in subduing Prince Tahlan without harming him.”

Thinking back on it, Lady Douve really had assigned me a difficult task. To defeat a master swordsman of that skill without harming him...that’s a hell of a tall order.

“Once that was done, what awaited was a trial held by a hex artist. I witnessed the proceedings as one of Lady Douve’s escorts, but... The hex arts are truly harrowing to witness. His Art was impressive, of course, but more so was his ability to turn others to stone without so much as batting an eye... Even the memory of it gives me pause. As for the panic of the émigré noble, I’m afraid it’s far too vulgar to speak of in polite company.”

I don’t take much pleasure in describing the hex artist, Douverb Saive, as though he were a malign presence. But I know that’s probably what he would want, and that it was the role that was required of him at that moment.

“Once the trial was finished, Prince Tahlan finally revealed that he was a prince of a foreign land, and we discovered that he was also the elder brother to a fiancee of House Batterabbe’s heir, Magyan Sunae.”

Which makes me wonder, is Saiga trying to woo Ran at the moment? I honestly feel like that might be for the best, but adding a berserker to the harem... That goes beyond yandere into far scarier territory. A simple spat could escalate really quickly into a crime of passion, and the only ones who could stop her at that point would be Saiga and Zuger...

“As for what happened to Prince Tahlan after, I believe I’ll be able to provide a happy epilogue to that story soon.”

The nobles all seem thoroughly entertained and satisfied with my story. I suspect they’re going to retell this story with relish down the line, or perhaps they’ll just boast about having spoken with me.

“My, my, that’s quite the story. Almost difficult to believe.”

A noble said those words with a touch of jealousy coloring his tone. He was a little older than Blois’s older sister and brother, but young for a noble. True, it’s not exactly a story that’s easy to believe. I understand that, but to say that out loud at a time like this?

“It’s a world that’s far beyond the dreams of a mere country noble like myself. I should like to see it for myself some day.”

Switching between disrespectful and outright insulting...well, he was just your average noble, at least. At the very least, he didn’t have a disquieting presence like Blois’s sister. He probably doesn’t like the fact that people younger than him, like Blois and I, are being praised and flattered by everyone. I sympathize a little with his feelings, and I wouldn’t mind letting him get away with it normally, but Lain’s listening to this exchange and we’re direct retainers of House Sepaeda, so I can’t just let it slide.

“I agree, and I’m afraid I’m not confident that I could tell it in a way that would be believed. After all, I’m an ignorant, uneducated man, who’s never studied the finer things in life. I don’t know how much I was able to convey with my simple words.”

“Well, I should very much like to see your exploits in person.”

House Sepaeda is a martial house. It’s just not allowed to simply let an insult or challenge pass. As such, I can’t just let this sort of talk go unchallenged.

“My exploits must all seem rather fantastical. No doubt they’ve all been exaggerated in the retelling.”

“Yes, such is the case with rumors... Often the subject of the rumor finds themselves embarrassed to hear what’s said about them, is that not so?”

“The fact that I beheaded all of my opponents in a battle, or that I defeated master swordsmen and knights without killing them... I suppose you can’t believe it unless you see it for yourself, yes?”

The people who had been standing between me and the taunting noble naturally step away. They seem to have decided that I seemed displeased, felt the danger, and were moving away from it. Since I’m speaking with that tone, I suppose that’s only natural.

“Y-Yes, you’re right... I should like to witness your skill myself during my lifetime.”

“You say you’d like to see my skill, but this is an occasion for celebration. I would prefer not to taint it with blood.”

“Y-Yes, of course! A pity.”

He thinks that it’s just a threat, an empty threat, and that I can’t really do much in reality. But, what if I actually did cut him down for insulting me? He begins to feel that fear.

“Well, well, it’s fortunate that Lady Douve isn’t here. If she were present, then... No, it would be disrespectful to speculate. Well, then... As entertainment for this happy occasion, would you care to spar with me?”

Hypothetically, if I were to laugh away his insult and do nothing else, I’m sure Lady Douve would end up yelling at me somewhere down the line. After all, this is House Sepaeda’s territory. Everyone here is a vassal of House Sepaeda. He’s casting aspersions on the exploits of the bodyguard that his own liege lord holds in high esteem. That’s just not something that can be forgiven.

“S-Surely you’re just playing!”

“Yes, it’ll just be a bit of play.”

Lady Douve has no compunctions about ordering me to kill those who deserve it. Indeed, she does so as a form of play.

“Pardon me.”

I move with Flash Step into the nobleman’s flank. I pick out the moment when the people around me go from surprise at me vanishing to turning to the man I had been glaring at and reacting in surprise as they see me standing next to him. Confirming that I have everyone’s attention, I grab the nobleman and lighten him with Feather Step, lifting him into the air as I flip him upside down.

“W-Whooooa?!”

For those watching, it must appear as though I’m showcasing an enormous amount of strength, far beyond what my body should possess. In reality, I’m actually making my opponent lighter, but there’s no way for them to know that. The victim himself doesn’t seem to be aware of it, either.

“Defeating an enemy without killing them is actually quite difficult. I’m still going through quite a bit of trial and error.”

If you knock them out in an instant, most of the time they’ll respond by saying that they were caught off guard, or that their opponent cheated, or that they could win in a rematch. The truth is that being caught off guard is proof of insufficient skill, not being able to see through an enemy’s techniques is a sign of insufficient skill, and thinking you have a chance against an opponent who knocked you out is, too, evidence of insufficient skill.

All of those excuses are caused by a lack of sufficient training, but the lack of training also makes it hard to accept reality.

“It’s not advisable to defeat an opponent, to knock them out, before they realize what’s happened.”

I take the nobleman, who is panicking at being upside down and floating in the air, flip him back around, place him on his feet, and restore his weight. As he wobbles, I place a flattened hand against his throat in a way that everyone can see.

“I’m starting to think that it’s important to take the time to communicate their defeat to them in a way that anyone can recognize.”

“Is he going to kill him now?” After confirming that everyone watching has weighed that possibility in their minds, I return to Blois’s side with a Flash Step. If someone had been looking away for a bit, no doubt they wouldn’t have any idea of what had just happened.

Still, everyone saw me suddenly vanish and suddenly appear. They were all looking back and forth, trying to figure out what had happened.

“Since it’s just play, I’ll end it here.”

“...I-Impressive,” the nobleman, now pale, manages to croak out the words as the blood drains from his features.

I’ll say this again, but I’d like you to appreciate that it didn’t escalate past this. Everyone here has witnessed part of my Rare Art, the Immortal Arts, and seems to have concluded that the tales of my exploits weren’t all made up.

For now, I am able to put the matter to rest without hurting anyone. Even if the results get back to Lady Douve, His Brothership, or His Fathership, there won’t be any problems for me or the noble. I also hope it’ll wash away some of the gorier parts of my reputation. Even I care about my reputation, at least to some extent. I don’t want people thinking I did those bloody things because I enjoy them.

“Wow... Very impressive!”

“Yes, literally faster than the eye could see!”

Blois’s parents offer me nothing but unstinting praise. There’s something about their purity I find reassuring. Honestly, the looks of envy and hatred directed my way have actually grown more intense from earlier. There were a fair number of people who thought I was showing off my strength and bragging about it. I can’t help that people might see it that way. At the very least, there’s some part of the display that is about that.

“No, no... It’s just a little bit of entertainment. I might have ruffled someone’s hair a bit, or kicked up a little dust. I apologize for shocking everyone by moving without warning. Please forgive me.”

I’m not so petty that I’ll be annoyed by that sort of look. Besides, if I were to show displeasure here, it would defeat the purpose of trying to solve this without making a fuss.

“Well, well, it was certainly an impressive display.”

The one taking a very humble attitude and praising me is Lady Chette’s husband. Lady Chette is standing next to him, glaring at me with her bloodshot eyes, but since she’s smiling with the rest of her features, she’s canceled out the sheer fright I felt in her presence.

“I’m very happy to witness even a part of the fighting skills of the kingdom’s greatest swordsman.”

“I’m afraid I may have been a bit reckless.”

“I’m quite proud of the fact that we’re going to be related.”

While the comparison might be setting the bar extremely low, he seems a much more normal person than his wife. The children, who appear a little older than Lain, are standing off to the side, and I sense that the couple seem to have a pretty good relationship.

“My son and my daughters are also quite happy about the kingdom’s greatest swordsman joining the family. Come, introduce yourselves.”

“A pleasure to meet you!”

Having witnessed my throw, their eyes glitter with admiration as they looked at me. They seem sincerely in awe of my strength, despite the fact that I didn’t look that much older than them. Their expressions have a very childish joy to them.

They wanted to shake my hand, so I let them. They’re probably going to boast about that to their friends. Kind of late for me to notice, but I’ve become a celebrity of sorts. The most popular subject is the whole gibbetting, I’m sure.

The display seems to have been so impactful that it’s sticking in everyone’s minds. I suppose that can’t be helped, since that was the original intention, but it’s still a bit of a bother. I once again curse my recklessness. I should never have opened my mouth and uttered the word gibbetting.

“I was very surprised at how strong you are!”

“You really are the strongest in this kingdom, aren’t you!”

“You don’t look that much older than us, but wow!”

I hate to point this out, but I’ve lived over five hundred years. While my looks are one thing, I am, in fact, much older than anyone else. I felt a certain guilt at their sense of admiration.

“It’s rare to be able to spend time talking with you, Blois. I know you’ve spent a long time serving as Lady Douve’s bodyguard, but I suppose you’ve now come to a point where you can live as an ordinary gentlewoman?” Lady Chette’s husband asks Blois, oblivious to my actual age.

“Yes. Lady Douve wishes for that outcome as well.”

It seems Blois had seen him at society functions, but it wasn’t as though they were in a position to share long conversations while Blois was serving as a bodyguard. This is evidently the first time they’ve spoken in such detail.

“And I suppose this young woman is Master Sansui’s daughter?”

“Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Lain!”

“Yes, nice to meet you as well. I look forward to being family with you.”

It seems he’s not aware of Lain’s origins. Based on the fact that my nephew- and nieces-in-law don’t seem to know my actual age, it appears that Lady Chette hasn’t shared that knowledge with them. That’s good, because it’s better that the number who know is kept to a minimum. I think I’ll leave that up to Blois’s parents and Lady Chette’s discretion. But still, her eyes are scary. She keeps watching me with an intensity that feels like she is about to stare a hole right through my skin.

As part of the host family, however, the brother-in-law needed to entertain the guests, and since Lady Chette stayed at his side, she went with him. It seems that Lady Chette can maintain her reason while at a society gathering. That’s a serious relief.

“It’s only for a little while longer. Just grin and bear it.”

Watching my reaction, Blois offers her reassurance.

“...Thanks.”

I feel like we’re actually interacting like a married couple, and I muster a small smile.

Aside from my little sparring match, the engagement announcement party went by without incident. Lain seemed a little tired by the end, but evidently it was still better than being continually exposed to Lady Chette’s gaze.

“Thank you for dealing with that so skillfully. I appreciate it.”

That Hetter came to speak to us after the party wrapped up was honestly a bit of a surprise. Even if there’s an advantage to avoiding drawing my ire, there’s no real advantage to him engaging in a conversation with me. Then again, it’s not like I had any reason not to speak to him, either.

“No, no. It was still the method of a ruffian who only knows the way of the sword. I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant to watch.”

“Please don’t say that. His words were an insult to House Sepaeda. If you didn’t go out of your way to restrain him, it could have developed into something much worse.”

It seems he really does appreciate it. I also fully agreed with his reasoning. Further, he appears to really want to engage in a detailed conversation with me.

“Blois, I’m sorry...but I’d like to speak to my future brother-in-law. Can I borrow him?”

“...Alright, big brother.”

Though hesitant, Blois gives her permission. I’m sure she’d rather be on good terms with her brother if at all possible. I feel the desire to do what I can to fulfill her wishes, so I go to Hetter’s room and sit down across from him.

“I wanted to be able to have a frank conversation with you. I heard you tended not to stay up particularly late, so forgive me for pulling you aside so early.”

“No need to be so formal. After all, I was just a bodyguard, and it’s not as though I’m going to take any particular position in the future. Unlike you, I’m just a swordsman.”

Yes, I’m just a strong swordsman. It’s not like I’ve been promised any special role in the future, nor do I have anything in the way of subordinates. Sometimes people mistakenly think I have some kind of authority, but if I did, I would have killed Ran a long time ago. The kingdom’s greatest swordsman...to put it simply, that’s all I am. Ordinarily, that’s not something to be envied.

“I’m sure you’re well aware of the atrocities I’ve committed. Of course, they were all people who deserved to die, and I was simply following Lady Douve’s orders. But...I’m still only capable of harming people.”

It’s not false modesty; I’m simply stating the truth. Honestly, other than the fact that Lain is living well, it’s not as though I’ve got a particularly luxurious lifestyle. I’m not getting paid enormous sums of money and spending that money on all sorts of decadent indulgences. I do have some savings, but that’s because I simply haven’t had the time to spend the money up until to now.

“...You have me. When you put it like that, all the issues I have left sound like petty resentments.”

As I thought, he has a certain amount of self-awareness. He wants to vent everything he’s accumulated, but he knows that’s also an embarrassing thing to do.

“There’s no point in hiding it, so I’ll state it knowing full well how bad it makes me look. I...I’m extremely jealous of you.”

To admit that you’re carrying around unsightly resentments... It’s something that takes a lot of courage.

“No, if I’m honest, I also feel that toward my sister, Blois, as well.”

I feel a bit guilty over having already heard about this from his youngest sister. In fact, it seems she’s got him completely nailed down. Wow, Lyra really is impressive.

“May I ask why?”

“Yes...I’m this family’s only son. When I was born, I was guaranteed to inherit the family title. Which is why since I was a child, I always thought about how I would govern our lands.”

This sounds like a familiar story. Of course, there’s nothing strange about it.

“Unlike Blois, I had no talent with magic. To say that I had no talent doesn’t mean I don’t have any mana at all. I just have very little.”

That’s worse in a way than not being able to use magic at all. At least, as a magic or Arts user.

“Still, a feudal lord has no need for magic. So, as a way of giving up on my dreams of magic, I threw myself into my studies.”

Yes, it’s a familiar story. He had no talent with magic, so he studied to learn how to govern his territory. It’s a backstory similar to one I remember reading in the distant past. Of course, it’s pretty disrespectful to think of him in that way.

“It sounds immodest for me to say this of myself, but I received a lot of praise for my intelligence. Even the previous Lord Sepaeda spoke highly of my ability.”

That’s impressive. That said, House Sepaeda’s become the baseline for comparison in my head, which sounds a bit like my perceptions on these things are extremely narrow.

“But...my father wouldn’t allow me to participate in governing. Of course, I was only about ten or so at the time.”

Well, of course. No matter how smart they were, no one would let a ten year old govern a territory. He seems to sense that I was a bit flabbergasted that he had needed to be informed of that at the time, and offers a dry chuckle. It seems it’s a form of self-deprecation, as though he, too, thinks it was a foolish thing to expect in hindsight.

“I’m now a father to children as well. If my own son came to me and asked to let him take over some of the management of our lands, I’d have to laugh and turn him down. And, while my father is quite plain, he’s also quite serious. Even when we were at our old, poverty-stricken estate, he still managed it according to tradition and ran it fairly despite its poverty.”

Hetter probably thinks his father might have done with making an improvement or two, but that his father had still done more than a good job.

“When I was a child, my dream was to have my father accept my ability and to make improvements to our feudal estate. But...three things came together to put an end to that dream. Those being that Blois had talent in magic and sword, that the lord who used to govern this estate was found to be corrupt, and that Lady Douve was seeking someone with good looks to serve as her bodyguard.”

This was the same as the story I’d heard from Blois and Lyra. Even with Blois’s talent in magic and blade, if the timing hadn’t been right, they wouldn’t have been given the new estate. I don’t know if that was fortunate for Blois or not.

“I know now just how absurd my attempts were in hindsight. A poor estate wouldn’t have had the funds to undertake any improvements, and I would have ended up living a life of frustration and irritation. It may sound contradictory, but it’s because we now govern a prosperous estate that we have the room to make improvements.”

This should be good news, but Hetter himself seems conflicted. As for me, listening to this story, there was a different shock for me. Everything that Lyra had said was completely right. His younger sister sees completely through him. It makes me wonder if he really is all that smart.

“...Of course, I appreciate all that my sister has done. It’s thanks to her service that we live a good life. But...I can’t help but wonder. That Blois, who is younger, who is less mature than I am, is appreciated by both my mother and father, and has contributed far more to House Wynne’s advancement.”

“I’ll be honest. To have my fiancee’s efforts be thought of that way is extremely disagreeable. That said, I do understand your feelings on the matter.”

I’m sure he couldn’t say it to Blois directly, but he admitted it to me out of sincerity and honor. There’s part of me that doesn’t quite grasp just what sort of sincerity and honor that is. I’d like him to consider what it feels like to be the man told by his future brother-in-law that he’s jealous of his wife-to-be’s accomplishments.

“My apologies...”

He does seem self-aware about it, at least.

“As a man, I’m afraid when I was younger I still wished to make a name for myself as a warrior. To have my younger sister actually accomplish that...I, the son and heir, who was supposed to protect his younger sister, ended up being overtaken by her.”

I’m sure it was hard for him as an adolescent. I can understand why he’d struggle as a teen. But I do have to question the fact that he’s still carrying around all that baggage.

“Ordinarily, Blois’s talents would have nothing to do with running a noble estate. However, my sister became the favorite of the infamous Lady Douve. As a result, I ended up with a resentment that I didn’t know how to deal with. The fact that we’re highly regarded is all thanks to my sister’s efforts. That I could marry well is thanks to my sister. And during that time, all I could do was continue my studies and carry myself in high society as a proper heir should.”

Even as his sister was making sacrifices for the family, he had yet to accomplish anything. Yes, I can understand why that’d be frustrating as her older brother. I could sympathize with him on that front.

“...But now, my sister will be marrying you, and will be retiring from her service as a warrior. When she left the Wynne household, she was still a child. She will, at last, find some security for herself. It’s not that I don’t have any lingering resentments, but...I remember when she was but a baby. Which is why, more than anything, I want my sister to be happy.”

He’s conflicted in his heart, but he’s grateful that his sister has overcome trying circumstances and understands that she’d made sacrifices for her family, which is why he wants to leave her future to me. He wants me to make her happy. If not for his whining at the beginning, it would be pretty moving. Yes, I can read people’s auras, but as a husband I’d rather just hear the pretty parts. Does no one think that silence can be golden in this world?

“Yes, I’ll do everything in my power.”

“Thank you, I leave her in your hands.”

With that said, he starts switching over his mindset. It seems he’s gotten the weight off his chest and has found closure for his own complexes.

“I’d like to make a name for myself as a lord and have the Wynne name known for that as much as for my sister’s martial exploits. I’ll make this estate so prosperous that people will hear of it at House Sepaeda itself,” Hetter says, motivating himself.

But, having heard Lyra’s projections for the future, the only thing I can say is good luck. Just like how no matter what I accomplish, I won’t advance any further, he, too, is already at his peak. I feel bad for thinking this as he’s motivating himself to compete against his sister, but I doubt anyone will hear of him at House Sepaeda.

A smart new lord has made a prosperous estate even richer... That won’t make him famous, because there’s nothing interesting about that. He’s dreaming of the future and is full of hope. He’s motivated to make his name even more famous than his sister, but even if he accomplishes everything he sets out to do, he probably won’t obtain what he most desires.

“I see...I’m afraid with my ignorance I can do nothing but cheer you on, but I pray for the sake of the people of your estate that you succeed.”

As a simple fact, what I said to him at first was the unvarnished truth. He has the ability to make a lot more people happy as the lord of an estate than I do as a swordsman who just happens to be really strong. Even if he only makes modest gains, those are worthy accomplishments if they make the people of this area happy. Even if his efforts aren’t appreciated by the people, that’s still not a bad thing.

But, his wish will remain unfulfilled. No matter how skilled he is as a governor, his ambitions came to an end the moment the family came to this estate. His healthy spirit of competition is badly misplaced. My opinion of the motivated young man in front of me has fallen lower than Lyra’s.

“I wish you the best of luck.”

But, silence is golden. Since I feel that way, I think it best not to reveal the truth to someone else.

Part 12 — On the Verge

“No, no, I need more training.”

The morning after the party, I engage in training as I reflect on my actions.

House Wynne’s garden is quite expansive and the trees are well maintained. Lit by the morning dawn, I swing my wooden sword to rid myself of unnecessary thoughts.

Everything should be like training. Training’s value is in maintaining it. Special training and cramming are far removed from true strength or learning. Effort is a lifestyle choice, and its lack isn’t something that can be compensated for temporarily doing extra work.

“Humbly. Deliberately.”

I didn’t do very well yesterday. I looked down on others under the guise of observing them. I think I held many of them, from my brother-in-law Hetter on down, in contempt.

“First, I need to reflect on my own deficiencies.”

They had gathered to celebrate our future. To try to imagine what they truly felt based on the mere fact that I could read their auras is completely graceless and tacky. Anyone would find that sort of treatment disagreeable.

Worse, I’ve let myself be too prejudiced against them from the start. Like Blois, after learning that Hetter and Chette didn’t like Blois, I think I ended up feeling a bit of a persecution complex.

“So long as I live, I might make people angry. But if I notice I’m doing it, I should do my best to fix that.”

That was true of my view of Hetter himself, as well. He does have his share of ambition, but all he wants is to work hard and be recognized for his efforts. To think of him as not knowing his place for it, just how conceited am I? I let Lyra’s opinion of him influence my own. Even if she didn’t intend to do so, she had colored my perceptions.

“Errm...”

As I reflect and continue my practice, I feel someone with an enormously powerful gaze approaching me. Because I’m an Immortal, I can feel the presence of people through their auras, but given the sinister nature of this gaze, I think even a normal person would feel it, too. It’s approaching from behind, but I can tell who it is without turning. It’s Lady Chette.

Because her obsession with my youth has given her insomnia, she hasn’t been sleeping well, and she seems even more entranced than before. That she needs to be the center of attention...honestly, she really needs to expand her own horizons a bit.

“Immortality... Eternal youth...”

Even exposed to her gaze, my swings don’t falter. That’s a result of my training. I should think of it as a good thing.

“Soft, supple skin...”

I think Blois’s older sister is driving herself into a corner. I suppose one could say she’s extremely protective of her dignity as a woman, but surely being obsessed just with that is a serious problem.

“Why don’t I...? Why do people other than I...?”

While I’m currently dealing with psychological pressure, I’m still able to maintain a perspective wide enough to maintain awareness of my surroundings. I should celebrate the fact that I’m able to maintain my training under these trying circumstances. It’s the fruit of my long years of training. The atmosphere right now is honestly stranger than actual combat is.

“But I’m trying so...so hard...to stay beautiful, to stay young...”

I really shouldn’t let myself get distracted with those thoughts. At this rate she’s going to try to strangle me from behind. How can I restore her to something resembling sanity when she’s busily converting her envy into outright hatred? I don’t have the necessary techniques to deal with this situation. That’s a sign I don’t have enough training.

What would my Master...what would Tahlan do at a time like this?

“If it won’t be mine, then...”

Oh boy, she’s getting too close. I can’t ignore her any longer. Let’s stop practicing and try to talk to her.

“Good morning, Lady Chette. It’s a little cloudy today, but the weather seems nice.”

“A five hundred year old immortal... I also want...!”

Her hands clearly start reaching for my neck.

“Whoa! I guess you’re still half asleep this morning!”

I cut off the conversation and unleash a Ki Wave into Blois’s sister’s head, putting her to sleep by knocking her out. I’m not very good at talking people down, but I’m quite good at shutting them up through physical force.

“Are you alright? I’ll take you back to the manor immediately!”

Fortunately, there’s no one else around. I make my excuses to no one in particular, then lighten her with Feather Step to carry her back to the house. I pretend to be in a great hurry as I make my way back inside.

“So, that’s what happened this morning.”

“Maybe she’s sick?”

Lain gave her frank opinion after I returned to my assigned room and explained the situation to Blois and Lain. True, it is an illness of sorts. Or at the very least, it’s bordering on illness, and if it progresses she’ll eventually need to be admitted to a hospital.

“Chette’s that far gone...?”

“It’s not your fault. But...yes, the symptoms are pretty bad.”

Blois, Lain, and I are brainstorming in the guest room. Of course, it’s not an issue of life or death for us. We’re not going to stay in this manor for long, so we just need to bear it until we’re ready to return to the capital. But, if we did that, I don’t know what would happen to Lady Chette. I don’t feel right about just leaving her as she falls further into her spiral of obsessive depression.

“I’d like to somehow lighten her spirits but...is that possible?”

“Yeah. I mean, there’s nothing that can be done about a person aging, anyway.”

“You’re the one person here who’s not allowed to say that. You’ve overcome aging, after all,” Blois says critically. True, I don’t age, and that’s the cause of her sister’s manic jealousy.

“Overcome it... It’s not like I wanted to overcome aging, you know...”

Overcoming it makes it sound like I’m afraid of aging. I’ve never been afraid of aging. After all, I stopped aging before my growth phase ended. However, having a man who doesn’t age say ‘You’re beautiful no matter how old you get’ would just be pouring fuel on the fire. I’d probably have to drag someone like the Regent here to make those words convincing.

“You know, looking at your Master, Suiboku, are you sure there’s no technique for rejuvenation?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, even if he is an Immortal, your Master is just a little too small, isn’t he?”

You know...I never actually thought about that. I always thought that Immortals were all like that and that’s the sort of man my master was, so I never had any reason to question it.

“You know, by that logic, doesn’t that mean my Master’s been rejuvenating his body regularly? I don’t think my Master would do that...”

“That’s true, but look at him physically; he doesn’t look like he’d be able to swing a sword. His arms and legs are too short. Maybe it’s not a technique for rejuvenation, but surely there’s some way for him to adjust the shape of his body.”

“Even if there is, it wouldn’t mean anything if he couldn’t use it on someone else. Besides, it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t use it.”

Regarding this sort of thing, I’d have to check with my master or Eckesachs to be sure, and even if I did learn the answer, it wouldn’t solve anything.

“Besides, even if there is a technique to make other people younger, it wouldn’t be a solution. I don’t think a person without ki would stop aging, and they wouldn’t be able to stand living forever if they didn’t have the mindset of an Immortal.”

“True. In terms of mental states, you’re probably the oddest one of all... I mean, five hundred years of practice swings...”

I do think it’s pretty odd that people can become immortal just because they possess ki. But as a once normal person, I have to wonder, just what would you do with immortality? I mean, I suppose if you’re something like an artist or a mathematician, then sure, there’s no amount of life that would be enough. Same for someone seeking to master a path like the sword.

However, for someone who just wants to maintain their current state or remain at the peak of their youth, living forever would probably just result in them slowly wasting away.

“No, it’s the other way around. It’s because I spent five hundred years doing practice swings that I was able to bear it all those years. If I had done nothing but lay around, then I probably would’ve killed myself within the first ten years.”

Honestly, unending youth isn’t a problem that should be solved. Lyra seems to have already realized this, but once you achieve a means to regain your youth, you’d just end up focused on that forever. In that sense, it’s not a very constructive thing to do.

“Why does she look so scary all the time... She’s so pretty.”

Lain’s words probably sound like sarcasm. Lady Douve has said it before, but a flower’s prime is short. Chette is still beautiful, but that beauty will keep aging and fading.

“Your sister is really in a bad way. If this continues, she might very well end up dying.”

If we leave her like this, the insomnia and the mania might eventually lead her to commit suicide.

“...Yes, I can see that from looking at her.”

“At the very least, if she’d sleep properly, her health would improve quite a bit, and her complexion at least would get a lot better.”

I must have been the trigger that made her fear of aging spiral out of control. In that sense, it’s my fault. But there’s nothing I can do about it.

“Maybe we should give her some sedatives and call them rejuvenation pills?”

“How much will that solve?”

“It might help a little bit?”

“Then there’s no point...”

Dangit, and here all I wanted to do was enjoy my time off with my family. Why do I have to deal with someone even more dangerous than Lady Douve?

“Then... Why don’t we start by telling your parents everything?”

I can’t help but feel it might already be too late to take action, but I think I’ve ended up driving her into a place where I need to take some corrective action for her sake. It’s odd to say this about myself, but I’m bad at lying. If Lady Douve asks ‘Did anything happen while you were over there?’ I’d have to answer honestly.

If she were to do anything directed at me that can’t just be swept under the rug... I’m a direct retainer of House Sepaeda, so even if the attempt ends in failure, Lady Douve won’t let it pass. That goes the same for His Brothership and His Fathership.

“Considering the worst case scenario... We should tell them everything up front. I’ll apologize for knocking her out.”

“...You realize we’re talking about my mother and father, here.”

“...I mean, if you say so, Papa.”

Neither Lain or Blois seem to be expecting much out of my plan. It’s true; if they haven’t noticed that their daughter has that unnatural expression, I do have to ask if they could even see what’s in front of them. That said, talking it out with the head of House Wynne is still the right thing to do. At the very least, that’s what it means to do things in the House Sepaeda style.

“Besides, while I don’t sound convincing when I say this, Blois, your dad is a man House Sepaeda’s Lord Emeritus regarded as worthy. Let’s try trusting in his judgment.”

Part 13 — Resolution

We then left our room and went to see the parents. It’s almost time for breakfast, and the parents are talking with Lyra and Hetter.

Lyra and Hetter both seem relieved that Chette isn’t present. At least, that’s the impression I got from the scene. I feel guilty about dropping a bomb onto this gathering, but it still needs to be said.

“Oh, hello there, Sansui! Blois! Little Lain! We’ve been waiting here. Though we still have a little time.”

“Yes, why don’t we have a bit of tea? Do you take sugar?”

Just a glance at our expressions should tell them that we didn’t come down here to have breakfast with everyone, so I don’t understand why they don’t notice. At the very least, Hetter, Lyra, and even the maids that are preparing tea and breakfast seem to have noticed.

“Oh, I heard that Chette fainted while in the yard. Evidently you helped her?”

“Sigh, that’s probably because she stayed up all night again. She’s always been like that, ever since she was a girl. She hasn’t even fixed that, despite the fact that she’s a mother now...”

“There’s something I’d like to tell you concerning her,” I say.

That she’s suffering from sleep deprivation is true. At the same time, there’s a fact that they don’t seem to be aware of.

“Do you know why she’s suffering from insomnia?”

“Chette is a grown woman, married, and with children of her own. I’m sure she has plenty of problems to deal with. But she’s also at an age where she needs to be independent from her parents. We plan to wait until she comes to us for help.”

“Yes, I don’t think we’re causing her any problems about the status of our House...but even then, there might be something else bothering her.”

At this moment, everyone but the parents felt the exact same thing. ‘Why don’t you notice?’ We even felt a bit of fear at their obliviousness. I didn’t even have to read any auras; it showed in everyone’s expression.

“Well... Ahm... The fact is...”

I can’t just start out by saying ‘Your daughter tried to strangle me this morning.’ Let’s start from the beginning.

“You’re aware that because I look young, Lady Chette asked me to teach her the secret to appearing young, yes?”

“Oh... Of course.”

“Well, at that time, I realized that Lady Chette is...well, envious of my youth. And to be quite frank...she’s been struggling to come to terms with it.”

“Really?!”

“Oh my!”

It was here that the parents finally reacted with shock. Everyone has the word ‘Finally!’ etched on their foreheads, but they don’t seem to notice.

“I believe she’s suffering from depression as she struggles to cope with the reality that she’s growing older. That’s probably the cause of the insomnia. As an Immortal, I can feel her moods through her aura, and her emotions have gone from just jealousy to outright hostility. I said that she fell asleep earlier...but the truth is that I stopped her before she could attack me.”

“Oh no...”

“That’s...”

“I want to deal with this peacefully before it gets to Lady Douve. I’d like to ask you for your help in figuring out a solution.”

At that, the parents finally stand up and hurry to the room where Lady Chette was sleeping. All of us bite our tongues at the fact they’re finally in a bit of a panic and follow them. In the worst case scenario, I’ll just have to knock her out again.

“Dear...”

“Yes, I leave it in your hands.”

The only one who entered the room was her mother. Her father stood in front of the room, bitterly regretting the fact that he didn’t notice what was happening to his daughter. I admit, I also have to wonder how the heck they missed such obvious signs of madness.

“Chette, wake up.”

“Mother...”

We can hear the conversation inside the room. Everyone other than her father and I look a bit wary as they hear her voice, but I realized something by reading the auras in the room. While she hasn’t come to her senses, the overwhelming hostility was no longer there.

“Tell me, have you been having trouble sleeping? I heard you fell asleep in the garden.”

“...”

“Something upset you, didn’t it? You always did have trouble sleeping after something hurt you.”

The conversation was very much one between a mother and daughter. While Chette was already married and had children of her own, it didn’t change the fact that she was still a daughter.

“...Um, you see, Mother. Everyone looks at other girls now, not me.”

“Oh... That must be hard for you.”

“Yes... No one ever looks at me any more. They don’t look at me and say, ‘she’s cute,’ or ‘she’s pretty.’”

We hear her sobbing through the door. Ordinarily, a noble manor should have a fair amount of soundproofing, but even through all of that, we could clearly hear her crying from the hallway.

“I put so much effort into doing my makeup, I put effort into how I walk and how I smile, but no one says that I’m the prettiest.”

“Oh, but I know. I know that you’re always trying very hard.”

“I’ve studied a lot so that I can be interesting to talk to...”

“Yes, I know. As the oldest, you never do show weakness in front of your brother or sisters.”

It should have been obvious upon reflection. But in this case, everyone has only just now realized what she has been struggling with. Even if she was a talented beauty, regardless of just how beautiful an idol she was, one that could melt men’s hearts and set women aflame in jealousy... For all of that, like Blois and her other siblings, she had to put in an enormous amount of effort to make the best of her talents.

What she’s losing from age is the result of a lifetime’s worth of effort. Her beauty is the culmination of years and years of tireless work. She wasn’t just born with a pretty face, but had spent years refining herself.

“Oh, Mother...is it all over for me? Am I no longer the girl everyone admires?”

“Of course not, Chette. You were and still are...the most beautiful girl in the world.”

At the very least, I felt embarrassment. We were so exasperated at the fact the parents hadn’t noticed her change that we believed they didn’t understand a thing about their daughter.

We were mistaken. No, it was her parents, and only her parents, who understood better than anyone the tireless effort Chette had put into being beautiful. Which is exactly why they could show empathy for her.

I feel her heart slowly find peace, let go of her pains, and then fall into a restful slumber. Though I think I could have done that even without the ability to read auras.

“I’m...a useless fool. I didn’t notice my own daughter’s pain.”

Blois’s dad, while downtrodden, clearly understands the situation. There’s a part of me that completely agrees with his sentiment. But, given how things have played out, I can’t speak ill of him. All of us who believed that Lady Chette was just a woman who was obsessed with beauty could do nothing but remain silent.

“...This is going to sound like an excuse, Sansui. My wife and I, when we heard of this match, we were truly happy. So happy that we lost sight of our oldest daughter.”

The optimism and joy that had permeated him when he was relaxing in the breakfast room had completely vanished. As his expression showed, Blois’s dad felt a deep gratitude toward me.

“I’m sure you’re much more familiar with Lord Sepaeda and the others than we are. As such, I’m sure you know just how much they love Lady Douve, and just how much they’re loyal to the concept of duty.”

“Yes, they’re very strict in that regard.”

“It’s a general argument, but even if Blois had no talent whatsoever, if a powerful member of House Sepaeda had ordered us to hand over our daughter, we’d have had no right to deny that request. We might be called noble, but that’s the limit of our power.”

With my knowledge of just how rotten the Imperial nobility had been, his example was a disturbingly realistic one.

“In that sense, House Sepaeda is still a merciful master. If that weren’t the case, even if the timing was fortuitous, they wouldn’t have offered us this estate in exchange for our daughter. If they had simply said they were going to make our daughter their daughter’s shield, then all we could do was nod.”

Hearing those words, Hetter’s expression fell.

“Which is why I sent my daughter to them. To be honest...When I sent her out, it felt like I was holding her funeral.”

That was the average judgment of an average noble. Even being average, the father understood what his brilliant son Hetter did not. As a noble, he understood what he was doing. It was a commitment, a dedication, that was far more important than mere talent.

“Which is why I worked as hard as I possibly could. It was an opportunity that my daughter had earned for us by risking her very life. I knew I needed to do everything I could to protect it. Even if it seemed average to Hetter, I stuck with doing things the same way each year without changing a thing. And as a result... I’ve somehow managed to keep this estate without having it taken away from us.”

What House Sepaeda had given him was not the right to manage a prosperous estate, but the opportunity to become the lord of a prosperous estate. Blois’s dad has finally voiced all of the concern, worry, and stress he’d built up over the years of treating his assignment as a precious opportunity.

“My wife and I always read the letters Blois would send us. No matter what they said, I couldn’t help but think they might be her last words, and I could never really focus on understanding what she was telling me. Whenever I got a glimpse of Blois serving as Lady Douve’s bodyguard, I couldn’t help but think that would be the last time I ever saw her. In the end, no matter what the rumors said, I couldn’t believe that my daughter would survive to see out the end of her duty.”

It was then that I finally grasped the reason why Blois’s parents had been so nonchalant and lackadaisical. Their heads were full of the realization that Blois would live to retire. Their hearts were filled with the overwhelming relief that Blois had safely completed her service.

“No matter what rumors we heard of Blois or of you, Sansui, we couldn’t relax. Of course, we weren’t always thinking about Blois. I had my work to worry about, and there were also the other children.”

I finally felt the commitment and sense of duty that defined House Sepaeda from Blois’s dad. The belief that a bodyguard should go into the job fully expecting to die in the line of duty was the sort of commitment that underlined my trust of House Sepaeda.

“But even then, I was always worried about when we’d get the bad news, that she’d return as a silent body, or that we wouldn’t even have a body to bury... But that’s all over now. Blois won’t die in battle. That simple fact has given us so much joy...”

He had never lost his sense of urgency. He had always been tense. He may have been plain, but he was still a father and a lord. The sight of him confessing all of this as he wept, to me, was the very model of a dignified adult.

“Father...”

“Blois, forgive me. Forgive me for handing you, not even an adult, but a mere child, over to House Sepaeda...”

Blois’s dad is a man who, because he was average, had perfectly normal reactions to his burdens. It must have been so very difficult for him until recently. A heavy burden was gone. They had one less thing to worry about. That was why Blois’s parents had been so extraordinarily cheerful.

“Father...I...I...those words are enough for me!”

Blois’s words, too, came from the bottom of her heart. In the end, for Blois, it was enough that her parents were truly, unabashedly happy for her. It was enough that her parents, despite my presence and Lain’s presence, which added various complications, were fully and without reservation happy for her.

“Sansui... I know it’s thanks to you.”

Now it was my turn.

“No doubt you protected Blois. I’m sure you worried about Blois even as you were protecting Lady Douve.”

Those words were a formality of sorts. He had constantly said he was thankful for me. Now, the words just happened to include tears. Now his ecstatic happiness had turned to relief.

Which is why I returned a simple, plain answer.

“Rest assured. From now on, I’ll make Blois happy.”

“Thank you... Thank you...”

Blois’s dad wiped away his tears and changed the mood of the room. He turned to face Hetter. The Hetter who had been jealous every time he’d heard news of his younger sister. The Hetter who had never imagined Blois would die.

“Hetter... I’ll take this opportunity to tell you bluntly.”

“...Yes.”

“I could never have left the estate in your hands.”

It didn’t change the fact that Blois’s dad was average. No doubt this had been the first time Dad had so clearly described his feelings about Blois. Meaning, this was also the first time Hetter had thought to seriously consider what his father was telling him.

“...I now understand why.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s because you didn’t have the commitment, the commitment to put down roots here. Here, in this land that was gifted to you not by some ancestor you never met, but your little sister. The little sister who you knew as a baby, who sacrificed everything to obtain it...!”

The plain, unassuming father lectured the extremely talented son, but it was clear which one of them was right, and no doubt those with authority in House Sepaeda knew it as well. Which is why, despite acknowledging Hetter’s talent, they never pressured Dad to turn over the reins to Hetter. It’s why they left it up to Dad’s discretion on when to step back.

“Let me also say this. I’m sure you have talent. But there’s no need for talent to govern a feudal estate!”

I think about the term ‘governing cheat.’ I think about the fact that there were stories about such things. It reminded me that those things were, in the end, just stories.

“If talent was necessary for running a feudal estate, then the Lord Emeritus of House Sepaeda would have never given this estate to me! What’s needed to govern a feudal estate is restraint! The restraint to remember that this land isn’t ours, but rather that it’s been entrusted to us by the Crown and by House Sepaeda!”

“...As you say, Father.”

It was probably because he was extremely moved, but the words that came out of Dad’s mouth were extremely weighty. Hetter, who was on the receiving end of those words, seemed like he was getting pummeled by them.

“You didn’t have the commitment to protect the land entrusted to us by House Sepaeda and pass it on to the next generation! Even I could tell that you didn’t want to rely upon the land that your sister had given us!”

“It is as you say...”

“You only thought of these lands as a stepping stone to something greater! You dreamed that if you were to do well here, House Sepaeda would give you something greater, didn’t you?!”

“...Yes.”

He did want to improve the estate. Hetter wished to truly produce results. He felt that he could make this land better. I don’t think that’s a bad thing for the estate. But that’s just my opinion as an amateur.

“...I am, as you well know, a plain and average man. I couldn’t find the words to communicate this to you, my brilliant son.”

Without an opportunity like this, Blois’s dad could never have communicated his true feelings and passion to his son. Blois’s dad cursed his own lack of talent. He probably felt that no matter what he said, Hetter wouldn’t be convinced by his arguments.

“If the worst were to come to pass... At that point, I would have left it to Lyra’s husband. You would have gone to House Sepaeda itself to serve... I don’t know what you’re hoping for, but even if you were to make a name for yourself, nothing will change. All that would be waiting for you there is more work.”

The father conveys a harsh reality to his son, the son that believes in his own future. Those words were ones I understood well. Even I, the most powerful man in the kingdom, am limited to protection and to instruction. That means that, in the end, what I was doing wasn’t much different than any other swordsman.

“Lyra probably doesn’t, but surely you do remember, yes? The life we had in our old estate. The life that couldn’t, even on the best day, be called comfortable.”

“...Yes. Even the most flattering description wouldn’t call it good.”

“Yes. My average work there was recognized and I was given this land. But my work as a lord didn’t change much. All that changed was our location.”

They went from being poor to being rich. That itself was a very large change. At the very least, Dad didn’t dismiss it as trivial. But how he worked didn’t change much, either. If it had, no doubt someone else would have been given the job.

“Even if you have talent, if that’s for working as an administrator... The difference is only in terms of scale. That should just be left to people who were born to the right position.”

Those words felt like they went against the teachings of skill being all-important to House Sepaeda, but I knew they weren’t.

“Throw away your desire to outdo Blois. Forget that you have talent and knowledge. You were born to be the heir to House Wynne. Fulfill that role. To be able to fulfill that responsibility...is what it means to have skill.”

To be well-known, to leave your name in the history books...all of those things must be discarded as trivial.

“If you are truly skilled, then no matter what job you do or where you do it, you’ll be able to do your best work for this kingdom. Listen carefully. House Sepaeda’s belief in skill above all else...is about removing those who can’t fulfill their roles. It doesn’t mean that those with ‘skill’ will always climb to the top.”

“...I swear I will carry those words with me.”

It’s resolved. Everything’s sorted.

If Blois’s dad had been as capable as the Lord Emeritus of House Sepaeda, this probably wouldn’t have gotten so complicated and tangled up in the first place. But still, as head of House Wynne, Blois’s dad had solved all of his family’s problems. That is, in a sense, what House Sepaeda means by ‘skill.’

Part 14 — Ill Portents

“A feudal lord has no need for talent.” There is a kind of wisdom in those words. Well, sure, a feudal lord is like a prefectural governor. While there’s some prestige associated with the title, they are, in the end, still just one out of many within the kingdom. Arcana isn’t in some kind of period of upheaval, so it’s just a matter of doing bureaucratic and administrative work.

It might not be the most tactful way of phrasing it, but even on Earth, that sort of position was often hereditary. That means that it doesn’t take a genius to do that sort of work. Sure, they need a certain amount of education, but so long as that person was able to put in the effort and take the job seriously, that’s all that’s really needed of them.

One could understand why Blois’s dad felt that the ambitious Hetter didn’t intend to do the job seriously. I mean, Hetter himself admitted as much. Thinking about it, neither Blois nor I have seen anyone who could really be called preternaturally gifted in a role that didn’t involve combat, despite all of the politicians we’ve met all having had the right attitude and commitment to their jobs. Even when it came to the awful nobles of the Domino Empire, it wasn’t that they were lacking in talent. Looking at them, one realized that their problems went far deeper than just a lack of ability.

In the end, all Blois, Lain, and I should’ve done in the first place was trust in Blois’s dad. We should’ve trusted the man who, despite being average in ability, had been an entirely competent feudal lord.

“I’m sorry, Blois.”

“Forgive me, Blois.”

Lady Chette, who finally woke up around noon, came with Hetter to apologize. They came simply to say they were sorry to their sister.

“You finally brought a lovely partner home and all I could think about was myself...”

“No, it’s alright. No doubt your life in high society brought its share of stress.”

Blois is more than happy to forgive them. Given how bad things were earlier, the improvement was more than enough reason to rejoice.

“My apologies for my offenses, Master Sansui... I was so disrespectful to you, my sister’s future husband. I’m not just ashamed, but outright contrite.”

“Please don’t let it trouble you any further.”

Lain and I felt the same way. I mean, this isn’t a fairy tale, so I never expected everything to get fixed just by laying everything out in the open. I should’ve just gone ahead and told her parents that their eldest daughter wasn’t in her right mind. Honesty is the best policy, I guess.

“I don’t care what you think of me, Master Sansui. But I beg that you don’t think any less of Blois because of me.”

“Of course not.”

In the end, humans are multi-faceted creatures. It’s true that there’s a part of Lady Chette that’s obsessed with beauty, but there’s also another part of her that’s genuinely happy to see her younger sister bring home a fiancé after a long absence.

“I appreciate your magnanimity...”

I’m just glad the problem’s been settled.

“However, if you’re ever taught how to restore someone’s youth, please send me a note.”

“...Yes, if I ever have the opportunity.”

“Thank you so very much.”

The madness briefly returned to Lady Chette’s eyes, but it passed quickly enough. Would Lady Douve eventually look at me like that? Oh boy, that’s just another thing to add to my list of potential future worries.

“Blois... I don’t know how to make it up to you.”

It’s Hetter’s turn to apologize.

“No you needn’t...”

“I knew that I needed to be grateful for all you’ve done for us. I knew that, but I let my jealousy get the better of me. Even if I understood it on an intellectual level, deep down inside, I just kept resenting you.”

I’m sure your younger sister getting all the fame and glory isn’t easy to deal with, and I can understand Hetter’s feelings and his belief in viewing talent as being the absolute, most important thing in the world. Ultimately, though, Hetter doesn’t have enough self-awareness. It didn’t occur to him that Blois was in a dangerous line of work and that she was at constant risk of death. He might have known it in an abstract sense, but it was never an important consideration for him.

“You have an immense amount of talent with the sword and with magic. And to top it off, you were taken in by House Sepaeda and distinguished yourself so much that your exploits were well-known in this remote corner of the land... I was just so envious of you.”

He himself hadn’t been able to make use of his talents, so he envied his sister who was making the most of hers. No doubt he had convinced himself that she was using her talents to their fullest and had a fulfilling life in service of House Sepaeda. The reality is that, even with her talents, Blois still suffered. She had to protect Lady Douve with her life, and while she wanted to indulge in the same things every teenager was interested in, she clamped down on those desires and threw herself into her training to survive. Blois’s mom and dad had understood that fact, but Hetter, her brother, had not.

“I thought you were living a glorious life because you had talents geared for combat. Unlike Father or Mother, it never crossed my mind that you were risking life and limb every day...”

“It was my role, Hetter. I was just doing my duty, fulfilling my duty to the best of my ability.”

“If we’re going to talk about it in those terms, I wasn’t able to fulfill my duty at all. I did nothing. Not my role, not my duty, and not even the simple act of appreciating your sacrifice. Forgive me.”

Because he had put his talent above all else, he didn’t understand concepts like danger or even commitment. He had believed that because Blois had talent, she would be fine, and didn’t bother to think any further than that.

“Say, Lyra... When did Chette start falling into her depression?” Blois’s father asked.

“You know... Honestly, I didn’t notice at all, either,” her mother said.

“Father, Mother... Chette’s suffering and obsession started right after the two of you spoke to us about Master Sansui,” the youngest daughter answered with a touch of exasperation.

“Really?!”

“Yes, that’s when she fell into that state.”

“So why didn’t anyone tell us?!”

Everyone present couldn’t quite contain their astonishment. I mean, just how overjoyed at Blois’s news were they that they’d completely missed all the clues? Honestly, even I can’t get a good handle on it.

“Lyra, next time please tell your father about this.”

“Yes. There’s also plenty that your mother doesn’t notice, either, dear.”

Seems that the parents really trust Lyra’s judgment, in contrast to how they feel about Hetter. Seeing the gap in trust, Hetter can’t keep the disappointment from his face. Lyra, noticing Hetter’s expression, decides to fan the flames a bit more.

“Oh, well, all’s well that ends well, right? I mean, I think all of the important problems are solved now. I’d honestly given up on Hetter, but Father was able to resolve that cleanly.”

It’s actually quite reassuring to hear Lyra describe all the “important problems” as resolved. If there really were problems so serious that they couldn’t have been dealt with this easily, I doubt House Sepaeda’s lords would have sent us here on vacation. The problems facing House Wynne, in the end, were problems that Mom and Dad were capable of solving. Being able to solve the family’s problems showed that they were good parents. I need to make sure I learn from their example.

“Lyra... You...”

Hetter seems to want to try to argue against Lyra.

“Oh come now, Brother, isn’t that perfectly natural? After all, the only thing you’d do is rebel against Father. Of course I’d worry about you as your sister.”

“Urk...”

“You understand now, right? That Father was right and you were wrong? I mean, despite the fact that being the lord of this estate was your eventual destination, you were so obsessed with this abstract notion of becoming more famous than your younger sister. Even Father noticed that you weren’t ready to take over as the lord of the estate.”

It might have been different in an age of war, but in an age of peace, well, his ambitions would just cause problems. If Hetter really wanted to surpass his sister in fame, then he should have renounced his inheritance and gone to the capital. Not that he’d be guaranteed to succeed if he had.

“In that sense, Blois and Master Sansui are as impressive as their reputations suggest. I can see why House Sepaeda puts their complete trust in them. They understand their place. It really is important, isn’t it? Knowing one’s place? Restraint?”

Blois, Lain, and I all nod in complete agreement. Those on the bottom of the totem pole have their own jobs to fulfill, and what’s most important is that they do those jobs properly.

“That’s something you didn’t have, Brother, knowledge of your own place. No sense of restraint.”

“That’s enough...”

“Oh? I think it’s a good lesson for the bright heir who wouldn’t listen when his sister tried to warn him while also maintaining her own restraint.”

Lyra keeps pushing; judging, probably correctly, that she can get away with saying anything she wants at this moment. This was, in its own way, how this family got along with each other. It’s actually quite heartwarming, though it does remind me a bit of Lady Douve.

“You can’t trust people without restraint. You can’t trust people who don’t understand their own limits. It’s a lesson you really needed to learn, Hetter.”

“Grr...”

“Besides, for you to try to compete with an ace, a person who’s on equal footing with your beloved New Emperor, Fuushi Ukyou... Well, that’s completely lacking in restraint, moderation, or any sense of your limits. They’re so remarkable that they’re fully trusted by the King himself, despite all of them being foreigners. Are you really so stupid to think you can compete against a 500-year-old Immortal?”

Blois nods in intense agreement. Because she’s been fighting by my side for such a long time, she’s probably more aware of how important it is not to compare yourself to people beyond your reach.

“That’s right, Hetter. As Lady Douve’s bodyguard, I have had the opportunity to meet the aces and the Chairman of the neighboring Domino Republic... People with my level of talent are hardly unusual.”

The reason Blois has been valued for so long by House Sepaeda is because she meets the minimum standards of things like looks, swordsmanship, magical ability, and the like, while also being trustworthy.

From House Sepaeda’s point of view, finding someone with Blois’s level of talent is easy enough. The reason she was where she ended up is because they found those talents, then started narrowing that field down by weeding out those without restraint — the ones who wanted to rise above being a bodyguard, and the like. That’s because a bodyguard, more than any regional feudal lord, needed to be committed to the idea that they’d sacrifice their life in the line of duty. In that sense, Blois’s dad was right to feel like he was sending his daughter off to her own funeral.

“Now, can we stop with all of this? We’ve had plenty of depressing things to talk about for one night!”

“Yes, indeed! Why focus on all this when we finally have the whole family together?!”

Blois’s parents put an end to the subject at hand. I can understand that. Their daughter is finally free from a dangerous assignment and both House Wynne and Blois seem to have bright futures. I can see why you wouldn’t want to be dealing with troublesome topics while having lunch.

“Yes, indeed! Then...!”

As an Immortal, I’m good at reading people’s auras and the air around them. That’s why I’m in shock at what lies before me. I feel the greatest danger I’ve ever felt in my life.

“...Hey, Sansui, what’s wrong?!”

“Papa?!”

Blois and Lain react with alarm as I freeze with a look of shock upon my face. They’ve never seen me look so tense in their lives.

“...Ahm, well. Mother, Father, as an Immortal I can read the weather, you see... It seems there’s a storm coming. Just in case, I think it best that you take precautions — if not against the rain, then at least against the wind.”

“Oh dear!”

“Yes, that’s quite a problem. Let me issue the proper instructions to my servants, then. It’s best if nothing happens, but better to be prepared than not.”

Just as the parents start issuing instructions to the servants, the weather outside goes bad. It’s not that it’s started raining or that the wind’s suddenly howling, but rather that the sky abruptly goes from light to dark. Thick clouds almost completely cover the sun and envelop everything in a darkness that’s as black as night.

Mom and Dad are just impressed that I’ve successfully predicted a storm coming, but the others have noticed just how strange the situation outside was. This wasn’t normal, not in any way.

“Um... Master Sansui. May I ask what’s going on?” Lady Chette asks me with a look of deep concern. She’s probably frightened by the fact that there’s suddenly thick clouds blocking out the sun, yet there’s not a drop of rain falling from the sky.

“A storm is here. That’s all.”