CH ss - 29

[Alfine: The Frontier Count Lloyd]

※Alfine’s POV

“Thanks to the information you provided, we managed to confirm the existence of the facility in Abyss Hole. Although there was a problem with your conduct, I judged your achievement of providing the information was greater.”

An armored middle-aged man with a fearless expression opens his mouth while sitting on a chair.

The owner of the voice is the Frontier Count who governs this territory of Youg Hannotes, Lloyd.

This person is the Hero Lloyd, huh…

It’s the first time I meet him, but I sure feel like he is a veteran swordsman with a lot of experience in actual battles.

If hadn’t become a frontier count, he might become the Sword Master preceding me, huh.

Lloyd in front of me is the person who ended the Great Invasion 20 years ago and is also called the ‘Hero’ in the Royal Capital; there is no one who does not know his name in the kingdom of Hartford.

Three days after we reported the existence of the facility to Guild Master Arnold, the Frontier Count Lloyd himself came to Abyss Hole with a fully armed knight order.

Considering the distance from Youg Hannotes and the maintenance of the road, they must be hurrying on a very strict schedule.

The nobles of the Royal Capital said that Frontier Count Lloyd was a war maniac, but…

He seems to be more reliable than the Royal Guard Knight Order, which is unlikely to be useful in an emergency, right?

The knight order led by Frontier Count that was hurrying over in a strict schedule to arrive in three days didn’t seem to be even a little bit tired, and I saw them still participating in the search activity before coming here.

If it was the Royal Guard Knight Order, I’m sure they would have turn useless in a couple of days.

I can’t think of Gile as the type who set out to the forefront to begin with.

“I am awarding this to Al and Meila. This is your reward. Take it.”

The knight standing beside him receives the leather bag from Lloyd and presents it before us.

“Our lord is very understanding in regard to adventurers, so you can accept it without reservation.”

The knight presenting the leather bag is a person called Meiss, the knight captain of the knight order led by Lloyd.

Rumor has it that he was a great adventurer who participated in the breakthrough unit with Lloyd.

Since he is a person with such a personal history, of course he doesn’t show any gap, and contrary to his gentle countenance, he is wrapped in an air of tension.

It seems that even Meila next to me didn’t think that we would be called by the Frontier Count Lloyd, the lord of the territory, and perhaps because of tension, she looks down and keep silent unlike usual.

I think that being silent will make the other party uncomfortable, so I decide to open my mouth instead,

“Since we have received a pardon for my sister’s conduct, receiving this reward is—”

“You are called Al, right? Your sister – Meila’s conduct is not praiseworthy, but I judged that her resulting achievement exceeds that. Just think about the reward money as an additional gain to that achievement.”

“H-haa, is that so?”

“Adventurers have unstable lives, so no matter how much money you have, it won’t be enough.”

Lloyd loosens his strict gaze and urge me to receive the leather bag that Meiss has.

He’s different from the nobles of the Royal Capital who were stingy with the request fee.

According to the rumors among the nobles, he is a former adventurer, so maybe it’s because he has the experience from that time.

“I understand. Then, I will accept this money.”

“Ahh, buy a better sword. I heard from Arnold’s report—”

Lloyd confirms that I received the leather bag and he tightens his relaxed eyes again.

This presence… is he measuring my skill, I wonder?

If he come here from there in an instant, it will be quite troublesome to dodge.

“It seems that you are quite skilled in swordsmanship.”

“It does seem so. I also got curious when I listened to that story.”

I wonder if Meiss is also measuring my skill.

Two experienced veterans, huh… It would be quite difficult if they come at me seriously.

The drops of sweat that come out of my forehead due to the presences directed by the two of them fall down to my chin.

“My sword skill can’t possibly match up the two of you who ran through the Great Invasion. I think you overestimate me.”

“Well, we can see whether that skill is real if we test it——”

The moment Lloyd mutters so, the presences of the two that are directed at me changes to killing intent that holds overwhelming pressure.

They’re coming—!?

Being aimed with killing intent, my body reacts on its own, it jumps out of the spot, pulls out the stilettos that are on my waist and take a stance.

“A-A-A-AAAAAAlll!! Put them away!? Put those swords away quickly!? My younger brother has been rude. He’s still a child who doesn’t know much about the world, please forgive his rudeness!”

Seeing me suddenly pulling out my swords, Meila bows to Lloyd and co with ghastly pale face and begs for forgiveness.

EH!? T-they’re not moving!?

I certainly felt the other party put their hands on their swords though!? Why are they not moving!?

“Hou, that movement. A guy with beastly intuition, huh. You surely are an interesting guy. According to Arnold, you don’t seem to have a magic talent, but you have the finest qualities as a swordsman.”

“He’s not at all inferior to Frick-dono and perhaps exceed him. He’s also very sensitive to presence.”

I’m taken aback by the appearance of the two people looking at me with a grinning face.

I felt like they were trying to kill me, but in reality, their hands weren’t even on their sword.

“W-what on earth do you mean?”

“Well, Al-dono is really skilled. I think that if you gain more experience, you will eventually become a swordsman who will make a name for himself. Meila should also raise her head. You don’t have to worry; it was just a prank.”

Meiss gently rises Meila, who is rubbing her head on the floor and apologizing.

A prank—!?

That means, the killing intent a while ago is just a fake killing intent!?

“Al, I remember your name. I will invite you to my mansion once this search is over.”

The face of Frontier Count Lloyd who smiles grinningly looks more like a ‘child who found something interesting’ than a ‘Hero’.

It’s nice seeing this side of Lloyd, I thought he was just a totally strict guy and an idiot parent.