The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Adelhaite, with a slightly twisted smile, spoke to her escort who was following closely beside her.

“I have a few matters to discuss with these individuals, so please step back a bit and wait.”

At the princess’s words, the knight stepped away, easing the solemn and dignified atmosphere surrounding her somewhat.

However, it was only Adelhaite who felt a sense of liberation from the escort’s retreat.

Shione and I became even more tense.

Even if he was a guard, there wasn’t anyone by our side to share the conversation.

Nobles were already facing Shione, who was filled with rumors of incompetence.

What on earth could she want to discuss, that she even sent her knight away? No one approached; they merely glanced over.

This was a private audience, or what else could be considered a private audience?

Considering the royal figure who had awkwardly inserted herself among the archers happily chatting about bows, it was bound to be a serious matter.

“Um…”

Shione, her fists clenched tightly in intense anxiety, let out a quiet breath.

Though I couldn’t see her face standing behind her, the situation was clear as day.

Her expression was stiff, and her focus was all over the place.

She was doing her best to appear natural, but I could tell she was troubled inside.

I could almost hear the pounding of Shione’s heart from where I stood.

Watching Shione, consumed by overwhelming tension, Adelhaite finally confirmed that her escort had distanced himself and spoke.

“Count Shianella’s second daughter, Shione Shianella. Have we not met once before yesterday?”

“Yes, I believe we met at the banquet… when you were calling for Lady Peira Feiosha.”

Adelhaite nodded in response to Shione’s answer.

Then, as she silently folded her arms and studied her, Shione cautiously opened her mouth.

“Um… may I ask why you have come to see me, Your Highness?”

In response to Shione’s increasingly quiet voice, Adelhaite answered smoothly.

“Well, the reason I’ve come is… being the younger sister of the renowned Siabel Shianella from the Academy plays a part.”

A gentle hue began to swirl in Adelhaite’s pupils.

As the royal family of Aisiliah, known for their unique optical powers, began to activate, her eyes transformed into the mythical gaze of a dragon, piercing through the fates of all living beings.

Gulp.

Shione trembled upon seeing Adelhaite’s changed eye.

The princess smiled softly, as if to say she understood Shione’s reaction.

“I’m here simply because I wish to have a private conversation.”

“…With me?”

“Yes, and I also wish to speak with the young lady’s attendant.”

Adelhaite’s draconic gaze shifted from Shione to me.

The princess locked eyes with me again, obviously trying to see through my identity.

“…Tsk.”

Once again, Adelhaite clicked her tongue softly as if disappointed that she couldn’t see anything from me, just as she’d said yesterday.

Shione flinched at the click of Adelhaite’s tongue.

She approached me slowly, her gaze gradually moving down to the sword hanging at my waist.

“You made it clear yesterday that you are both a slave and an attendant. So what is the meaning of that sword?”

I was curious about why she didn’t ask earlier, but now she chose this moment to inquire.

Calmly, I answered her question.

“…I was ordered by Lady Ainel Shianella to serve as Shione’s guard, which is why I possess this sword.”

“There must be plenty of admirable knights in the Shianella family. Why specifically you?”

“Indeed.”

“Interesting… The head of the Shianella family wouldn’t have given an meaningless task. It’s not an ordinary instance to assign the guard of a young lady, after all.”

Adelhaite whispered in a way that suggested she was beginning to grasp the situation, wearing a strong, captivating smile.

“It seems you’re hiding something much grander than I expected.”

With those words, Adelhaite took a few steps back, taking in both me and Shione with her eyes.

She brushed her beautiful hair as she asked Shione.

“Do you know what kind of power the eyes of Aisiliah hold?”

“…I’ve heard they can penetrate the truths of the world and the abilities and fates of people.”

At Shione’s answer, the princess nodded leisurely.

“Knowing this makes our conversation quicker.”

As the princess’s hand, having just brushed her violet hair, came to a halt, her intense interest began to turn toward Shione.

Shione, sensing the change in the princess’s mood, grew tense once more and listened intently.

“How many destinies do you think a person can hold?”

“Destinies…?”

“Yes, destinies.”

“If we’re talking about destinies, I suppose… one.”

Adelhaite nodded again.

“Indeed, unless we’re speaking of those commonly referred to as heroes, everyone typically has one destiny. Even heroes can boast only two or three variations at most. Funny enough—”

Gulp.

Shione swallowed hard.

“It appears you possess dozens of destinies.”

“…Are you talking about me?”

“Yes, your destiny uniquely branches from a great root, creating numerous roads.”

I paused to contemplate Adelhaite’s words.

Shione’s destiny, as described by Adelhaite… I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was somehow linked to me.

From the moment I began to twist Shione’s fate, which she otherwise would have remained just sitting in a room, to the various ways I’ve intervened in her life since then.

Even while I was wrapped up in such thoughts, Adelhaite continued with her uncompleted words.

“What’s even more interesting is that your many destinies are still changing. Wouldn’t you like to strike up a conversation with me on that?”

Still changing destinies.

This likely referred to Shione’s fate, which was bound to twist further through future quests.

This princess is quite something indeed.

As I pondered over the altered state of Shione as I became involved with her through Adelhaite’s words, this time she turned her attention directly to me, her draconic gaze glaring fiercely.

“However, this is not the end of it. Despite drawing the powers of the eyes, there are still those who can’t see anything.”

Shione turned her gaze, quietly observing me, and asked.

“Young lady, won’t you share what you know about that attendant?”

Shione’s expression shifted to one of bewilderment.

A natural response.

When asked to share information about me, whom she couldn’t read, she must have had no idea where to even start.

Shione hesitated, stammering over her words, until finally forming a thought to speak.

“…Shione?”

In an instant, her expression turned cold, and she promptly sealed her lips again.

What on earth was happening?

Somewhere along the line, Shione’s eyes began to shine keenly, mirroring a battle-ready Siabel Shianella, scanning her surroundings as she whispered.

“Why is magic present right now…?”

At Shione’s whispered inquiry, I furrowed my brow.

This wasn’t just any place; it was within the royal castle of Aisiliah.

Especially at this moment, filled with high-ranking priests and numerous knights.

What kind of nonsense is this? Shione’s ancestral powers were at stake.

The powers of extermination.

For anything related to demons and magic, this ability guarantees a sharp perception, even if the energy feels weak and insignificant.

Given that Shione was speaking this clearly while sober and not in a drunken stupor like last night, it seemed she wasn’t just playfully whispering.

With Shione’s overly sensitive reaction, I had nothing to lose from remaining vigilant.

In that moment, as Shione’s appearance changed abruptly, Adelhaite tilted her head in confusion.

“Young lady, what’s wrong?”

Just then, a nefarious figure emerged from behind Adelhaite.

With a horrid expression, she placed what appeared to be a black orb into her mouth.

From that woman, who had just swallowed the orb, a thick aura of a true demon burst forth, not the faint residues of magic.

How could something as simple as swallowing an orb trigger such a sudden outburst of magic?

In this urgent scenario, setting aside my complaints and questions, I centered my mana and flicked the hilt of my sword with my left thumb.

“Ping!”

As the bright blade glimmered in the sunlight, I moved forward.

Always prepared to counter an enemy’s attack, I sharpened my stance to protect the princess’s back.

Feeling the princess’s draconic gaze following me, I circulated my mana throughout my body, awakening the slumbering limits of my form.

“…Huh!”

And there, my sword drew forth.

Bathed in sunlight, the blade shone brightly, carving a determined line from below to above.

Clang!!

The dagger of the monstrous attacker clashed with my sword as it lunged toward Adelhaite.

At that moment,

[Quest has been formed.]

“First Historical Change.”

“Today, the first event that will lead the world to destruction begins at the coming-of-age ceremony of Princess Adelhaite. Originally, she was to embrace the curse of a demon through this strike, but with your intervention, she has evaded that curse. Will you ride upon the bent history and write a new tale, or will you conform to the doomed fate of destruction? The choice is entirely yours.”

“Reward: Transformation of History.”

“Failure: Severe injury to Shione Shianella, severe injury to Adelhaite Aisiliah, acceleration of destruction.”

What on earth is happening here?

Magic has erupted in the garden out of nowhere!