CH 66

Chapter 66 - Detached from the world

After the bearded man who was most likely the leader of the group became as motionless as a frog under a snake’s stare…

The unity of the rogues quickly dissolved.

Lou gave them one more glare, and they scampered away like spiders.

All that was left was the bearded man, hunched over and paralyzed.

The man grunted in terror…

“Uh-uuuuuu…”

“Big brother, stop it! He’s already pitiful.”

What a surprise!

The woman whom the man kicked in the stomach earlier was shielding him.

Lou ignored the woman and said to the man in an inarticulate voice:

“Hey, Beard. The woman you attacked is defending you. Think about what that means.”

“Aw-aw…”

“If you ever commit violence against women again ――― you know what will happen, right?”

Lou drew his index finger to the side and mimed decapitating him.

Then he pointed his chin at George and the other male students and added.

“Forgive these guys, too, alright?”

Beard looked at Lou with eyes widened, and he nodded gingerly.

Lou nodded back and turned back to George and the others.

“You guys, I don’t mean to sound like this bearded guy, but if you don’t size up the person you’re talking to, you’ll get hurt…No, if you can’t protect a woman, don’t lead her around!”

George and his company were stunned and speechless when Lou’s “Psh!”

But Lou prompted them sternly.

“Hey, guys, what’s your answer?”

“U-u…Understood!”

“I’m sorry.”

“I-I get it.”

While George and the other students were replying…

Donnie, who was kicked in the leg by Beard, clutched his stomach and wobbled, but managed to get up.

The expression on his face was still pained as he replied in a hushed voice.

Lou nodded, smiled for a second, and suddenly reached out his hand toward Donnie.

Before anyone could register what was happening, his hand glowed.

With speed that could only be described as divine, he activated the magic.

Nadia, who had been watching Lou, could not believe her eyes and ears.

It took no time at all for him to activate the magic, plus there was no chanting.

Amidst everyone amazement, the dazzling light from Lou’s hand softly enveloped Donnie’s body.

“Wo-wow!”

Trapped by the pleasant sensation, Donnie cried out dumbly.

“Does it still hurt?”

Lou asked Donnie without changing his expression.

Donnie’s eyes widened at his question, and then he moved his body fearfully.

Then, with a look of surprise, he shook his head, “Bun-bun.”

“A-aahhh…It’s not painful anymore! T-Thank you so much!”

Donnie, who had been wobbling moments ago, stood up firmly and…

He bowed deeply to Lou.

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“Hey! You didn’t even do anything, but with just a glare, you scared them! And that magic is amazing!”

Nadia didn’t address Lou ‘Sensei’ anymore.

The way she treated him was like a lover.

Nadia used to play ‘pretend innocence’ with men for scheme purposes.

However, for the first time in her life, she was being … she felt a soft spot for Lou from the depths of her heart.

Afterward, Lou…

He firmly warned George and the other students who were still stunned.

Then, he and Nadia were once again on their way to the Kingsley Company

“Of course you did. You saved me from that horrible devil, so a rogue is no problem for you, right?”

Nadia claped hands with Lou and intertwined their fingers tightly.

She reminded him of the time when he had saved her.

’I’m very happy!’ was all over her face.

“I knew my instincts were right.”

Lou reacted to Nadia’s mumbling.

“Pardon?”

“Nnn, it’s nothing. I’ll tell you later.

While clasping Lou’s hand, Nadia walked slowly through the commercial district with a smile on her face.

Before long…

The Kingsley Company’s capital branch, which Lou and Fran had visited before, came into view between the rows of shops.

“Here?”

“Yeah, this is it?”

For a commoner, let alone a nobleman, an introduction was necessary to do business with this kind of business.　

But Lou opened the door and walked in without hesitation, as if he had been here once before and knew the place well.

“E-Excuse me, can you do me a favor?”

When Lou’s voice trailed off, an employee turned around and asked, “What?”

Nadia started to feel amused again.

I’ve never had so much fun with a man for as long as I can remember…

She felt that this was the very first time.

I’m in trouble…

I even get excited when I’m with this guy.

He’s so interesting!

Fortunately, the female clerk at the shop who answered at the door remembered Lou.

The image of a tall, thin man with black hair and black eyes left a huge impression on the female clerk’s memory.

“You, you, I believe you’re…”

“Yeah, it’s me, Lou, Lou Brandel. Is Marco here?”

“Yes, the manager is here, I’ll get him now.”

The female clerk smiled at him and disappeared into the back of the store.

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Five minutes after the female clerk disappeared into the back of the store.

Marco Fonti, the head of the branch, appeared.

“Lou! What can I do for you today? Uh…”

Marco whispered in Lou’s ear.　

“…I’m gonna need a little more time with that thing you asked for some time ago.”

After all, the ‘armor’ was a special order item that could not be divulged easily.

Nadia looked at Marco curiously as he whispered in Lou’s ear.

“Hey… Lou and Marco-san, is it?”

Marco was flustered when he found a beautiful girl staring at him intently.

“No, no, nothing! It’s just a private conversation. So, Lou, who is this young lady?”

“Ah, Marco. It’s not me who’s shopping today.”

Lou said, and introduced Nadia again, the protagonist of today’s shopping.

“This is my student.”

“Girlfriend!” 

“――― Huh?”

Nadia suddenly interrupted Lou’s introduction.　

“No, I’m not just his student, but girlfriend! I ――― My name is Nadia Charlois, Lou’s girlfriend.”

“What! Lou’s girlfriend? ――― But he’s…”

Marco was stunned by Nadia’s ‘girlfriend declaration’.

“Yes, I’m Francesca-sensei and I’m Lou’s girlfriend.”

“Ye-yeaaah?!”

You’re a student at the academy.　

Is this okay?

Marco then clapped his hands as if he remembered something.

“Oh, by the way, Charlois…that…”

“That’s right. I’m the daughter of Viscount Charlois.”

Just then.

A question dropped from Lou.

“Nadia, would you mind explaining to me what you just said?”

“Huh? What I just said?”　

“Yeah, girlfriend ・・ what do you mean?”

What!

Lou had no idea what Nadia had meant by her bold declaration.