CH ss - 58

[Alfine: Road to Sword Master]

※Alfine’s POV

A few days after King Frederick’s death, I’m hiding in the mansion of the Henestrosa family in the royal capital as one of those who know about the death of the king.

To think we would thoroughly fell right into Vigo’s scheme and was made out to be the ones who assassinated King Frederick…

I was finally able to meet Finn again, but I couldn’t talk to him in this kind of situation.

The private room assigned by Cassandra, the owner of the mansion, is a luxurious room made for visitors and has a maid who takes care of my need.

Just that, I’m restricted from getting out of the private room by Cassandra. I’m basically put under house arrest.

When I asked the maid, who takes care of me, it seems that Finn, Noelia, and Cinzia are each given a private room and cannot leave their rooms freely like me.

From Cassandra’s perspective, her family might be made out to be a rebel in this situation, after all.

I have to put up with this much.

Since it was said that I would be restricted from getting out of the room until Frontier Count-sama arrives at the mansion, I’m sorting out my feelings for Finn in the meantime.

As I’m absentmindedly staring out of the window, thinking about Finn, the door is knocked and opened.

“I apologize to have kept you waiting. I have finally finished explaining the situation to the nobles in the last few days. I feel bad for having you to live like you’re under house arrest, but if you find any inconveniences, feel free to immediately tell the maids.”

The one who enters the room is the owner of the mansion, Cassandra.

I promptly get up from the sofa, get on my knee, and lower my head.

“Not at all, I have lived as an adventurer for a long time, so I got no problem. In fact, I find it to be quite comfortable.” (Alfine)

“I see, then that’s good. If I treat the Sword Master of the current generation badly, Lloyd might complain to me, you see. Oh yeah, our talk got derailed, but today I came to continue the previous talk.” (Cassandra)

Cassandra looks at the maid who is waiting in the corner of the room as though telling her to retire.

Receiving Cassandra’s gaze, the maid silently leaves the room.

The previous talk, meaning…

The one when she asked if I would live as Sword Master Alfine or as adventurer Al, huh.

But I should already have given the answer to that question.

In that case, it may be about the thing she whispered to me…

But what did she mean by that anyway?

“That face, looks like you’re confused about what I whispered. I thought that would be the case, so I came today.” (Cassandra)

“Rather than confused, I just don’t know what to say…” (Alfine)

What Cassandra whispered to me was, “If you live as the adventurer Al, live with the intention of devoting your life to swordsmanship. If you do, then everything will be fine.”

“From what I saw, the adventurer Al would be known as the ‘Godly Speed Swordsman’ in the future. Her sword skill should be ranked on the same level as that of Crimson Magic Swordsman Frick-dono. By then, with refined ability and character, you should be able to become a true sword master.” (Cassandra)

Cassandra says that if I practice swordsmanship as the adventurer Al, I can become a sword master in the true sense of the title.

“A true sword master, is it…” (Alfine)

Although I was given the title of sword master by subduing the demonic dragon Gae Briggs, to be honest, my swordsmanship was not strong at all, and my character was unfit for a person who was called a sword master.

By leaving the royal capital to search for Finn, I naturally came to think that way.

To go to the end of the path of the sword, huh…

Deep down, I slightly feel like it is the path that I should tread on after apologizing to Finn.

“Ahh, that path opened because of your previous declaration. I saw a future where you would end up taking your own life if you still have lingering regrets as Sword Saint Alfine, you see. That future would cast a dark shadow on my granddaughter’s future, so I’m relieved.” (Cassandra)

“I would end up taking my own life…” (Alfine)

That’s not impossible, huh…

If I had remained as Alfine, I’m sure I would think of taking Finn, who had abandoned me and ran away, back to my side, even by force.

However, I came to understand that it was a selfish and egoistical desire by meeting various people during my journey.

That’s exactly why I could confidently declared that I had abandoned the name Alfine and would live as the adventurer Al back then.

“But the fact that you’ve decided to live as the adventurer Al means that you have sort out your feelings about Finn-dono to some extent, haven’t you?” (Cassandra)

“Yes, well… I am going to apologize for everything I have done to him. Should he wish to punish me, I will accept it.” (Alfine)

I tell Cassandra the answer I came to during this journey.

“If you have that determination, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Besides, it seems you have some really good friends.” (Cassandra)

“Friends……” (Alfine)

“Yeah, the ones who really worry about you.” (Cassandra)

Cassandra’s words remind me the faces of Meila’s, Maribel’s, and Sophie’s.

For the longest of time, I thought that only Finn, my childhood friend, understood and worried about me.

However, that is not the case; when I look around properly, there are many people who are worried about me.

I just had never tried to face them all this time.

“Indeed. I have friends now. So, I am sure I am going to be okay.” (Alfine)

After hearing the advice from Cassandra, I feel like I can completely sort out my feelings about Finn.

“That is a good expression.” (Cassandra)

“You flatter me. Thank you for your advice.” (Alfine)

“Oh, right. I forgot to say that Meila and Maribel, and also a girl called Sophie are coming to see you because they’re worried about you. I can’t let you go out, so you gals have to stay in the mansion, okay?” (Cassandra)

After Cassandra went out of the room, the three people who I’m familiar with come in from the back door as though replacing her.