CH 56

Chapter 56: Liberation Part 2

Shortly after returning to Scutari, I was summoned to the mansion.

Unusually, it was in the formal guest room.

I wondered if there were visitors, so I took off my armor, took a bath, and climbed the stairs of the mansion.

Waiting for me were only three people: Kalena, Cecily, and Sebastian.

"Shirou, you have truly served us well all this time," Kalena began with a tone reminiscent of a formal audience.

"As someone who claimed to be a reincarnator, I never doubted your words, but still, your performance exceeded our expectations."

Could it be...?

"As I mentioned when you saved me from the thieves, you will be rewarded after the inheritance of the Earldom is recognized, and I am officially entrusted with the Lord's authority."

"However, the subjugation of the labyrinth is complete. While it may take time for the capital to acknowledge it, the fact remains. You fulfilled the agreement. Therefore... as of today, at this moment, your oath is released."

With those words, Cecily knelt before Kalena and bowed her head.

I imitated her actions.

Kalena began a long incantation in a language I couldn't understand—perhaps the true language—then, at the end, chanted "Pedect!" Immediately, chains of light appeared around my neck, resonating with a metallic sound. They were connected to Cecily's right wrist, and then... shattered.

"Very well, I have witnessed it," Sebastian solemnly declared as a witness. Yes, this old man possessed a skill like mine that allowed him to see people's statuses.

"You should check for yourself," he prompted, encouraging me to open my status.

'Job: Adventurer (Level 15)'

I was liberated.

I had gone from a slave to being just Shirou Tsuzuki again. I had never realized how heavy this was until now.

"You are free, Shirou," Kalena said solemnly once again. Then her tone changed slightly.

"I won't ask you to forgive everything that has happened. It's unforgivable. However, on that note, I believe you to be a trustworthy person. And if, by chance, you are willing, I would be delighted if you, as a free individual, would continue to lend us your strength in the future."

Sebastian, who managed the Earl's affairs, spoke next.

"If you're willing, would you consider serving our house? I promise to welcome you with an appropriate position. Your power would greatly benefit our house and the people of our territory."

It sounds like a good deal, I think.

They deceived me, turned me into a slave, exposed me to danger, and after all that, they're asking if I want to work for them again. Nobles might be like this, but objectively speaking, it's an outrageous proposition. At least it would be in the world I came from.

I had always thought about getting back at them someday. I was sure of it.

But for some reason, Kalena's words didn't evoke feelings of resentment or anger in me this time.

I hadn't forgotten those feelings, but honestly, I thought maybe this was also an option.

Back when I had just become a slave, I remembered Kalena saying something like this.

"I've decided that I won't hesitate to use any means to protect my subjects. That's why, even if you don't like it, I'll make you lend your strength to me for now."

And she had followed through on that. She risked her life to complete the labyrinth subjugation.

And she wasn't even nineteen yet.

It reminded me of a line from "Gone with the Wind" by Scarlett O'Hara.

"I'll lie, steal, cheat, and kill as God as my witness, I'll never go hungry again."

It's infuriating, but in a way, it's a commendable determination. Is that why?

I don't know.

And I couldn't make up my mind right away.

When Sebastian mentioned the "people of the territory," the image of Leda-san selling flowers in her shabby clothes flashed in my mind.

Oh, right. I have to go see her.

"It's okay if you can't decide immediately. For the time being, you can stay in the guest room of the mansion, so take your time to think. Until then, we will treat you as a guest of our house."

***

It was already dusk, and I was out in the town.

And I was regretting it.

Even though I had met her twice, I hadn't asked how I could meet Leda-san again. I was too much of a fool, even for a beginner with dating skills level zero. Even a junior high schooler would probably laugh at me.

(Do you want her to laugh?)

Ah, thanks for the futile remark.

"Lina-sensei... Please teach me a way to meet Leda-san using your wisdom."

"That's harder than predicting next year's stock prices."

There's no need to vocalize it like that. Probably, there are no stocks in this world.

I headed back to the inn owned by Van for the third time, realizing that my belongings were no longer there. I wandered back to the central square, sat on a log, and absentmindedly looked at the calls of shops and stalls. Before I knew it, I was kneading clay.

The brooch that Carenna wore, with its curved design resembling a blooming flower, caught my attention. I thought it was nice, but maybe it would look even better if it weren't so big and flashy. The color, rather than Carenna's pale pink, was more of a combination of light blue and faint purple, and I imagined it being smooth and shiny like ceramic with a hint of glitter...

"...It's lovely."

"Do you really think so? Will she like it, or will she find it creepy?... huh?"

Surprised, I looked up to see Leda-san also surprised. Huh? What?

"Didn't you hear me call you? Were you that engrossed?"

She seemed a little disappointed, or rather, from where was she watching me?

"I had no idea Shiro-san possessed artisan skills. But here in the middle of the street, as it's getting dark, mumbling to yourself..."

"Um, it's not like that..."

Please, let's just pretend you didn't see it.

"It's getting chilly. How about we go to a food stall?"

"Y-Yes! Let's go, I'm going, can we go?" What kind of conjugation is that?

My mind was a bit scattered, but somehow, we met again. This must be a flag of luck.

The god of luck only has a forelock, so it can't be caught even if chased after, goes a saying from some country. But it doesn't matter how bald that god is right now.

Oh right, I still have one silver coin left.

"I'll treat you."

At Leda-san's recommended food stall, not one serving demon meat skewers, I put on a show. Don't repeat the bitter failure of the witch girl date, me.

She chuckled.

"You're being too extravagant, Shiro-san... but thank you."

Crap, is this what mature women do?

I savored the piping hot skewers in silence for a while.

Then, after Leda-san's gaze wandered between my pocket and what I had prepared for tomorrow, she casually spoke.

"...Is it a gift for someone?"

"Huh?"

I held onto the makeshift brooch I had stashed in my pocket earlier. My head heated up.

"I'm envious. Handmade accessories are sure to be appreciated."

"Um, well..."

"About that... the bouquet from before, was that perhaps for Lady Carenna?"

"No, no! It's not like that, really. Carenna-san gives off a pink impression, but for Leda-san, I was thinking more of a light blue or purple..."

"Ah, it's true that Lady Carenna likes pink. Ehh...?!"

Leda-san let out a strange sound. She hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.

"Ah..."

"Huh..."

My mind went blank, and I gulped nervously.

"Um, Leda-san, I was wondering if you would accept this..."

Leda-san turned bright red. I had never seen her like this before. We stared at each other, frozen in place.

"Youth is wonderful..."

Suddenly, the voice of the stall owner lady snapped me back to reality.

"I do think it's a good thing, but you know, customers who linger in front of my stall like this for too long... it's a bit awkward."

"I'm so sorry!"

With a speed that made it seem like she was as fast as lightning, Leda-san fled, and I hurriedly chased after her.