The Sub-Heroine’s Butler Is a Vicious Bastard

97. Declaration (3)

A table in a cafe full of tension.

At that time, when everyone was holding their breath, Arlot kicked off his chair and stood up vigorously,

After taking a deep breath, he looked directly at Hannah and opened his mouth

“I’ve been with Schmitz for half my life. “I feel nothing but sorry and gratitude to Schmitz, who worked so hard to nurse me when I was sick.”

Arlot’s words his his, which seemed to be spoken with great difficulty, were filled with power.

I can’t even fathom her sincerity in it.

“If Schmitz really wants to… If both Hannah and Schmitz want, I can actively help them get married.”

“…What I’m curious about is what Mr. Arlott thinks of Mr. Schmitz. “I want to hear the emotions inside, not a sense of moral obligation…”

“I like it.”

Arlot answered without a moment of hesitation.

I stared blankly into her confident eyes.

“If you ask me whether I like it or not, of course I like it. But this feeling I have is difficult to put into the word ‘good’. It’s a precious feeling that I accumulated while living with Schmitz for a very long time… “

Neither Hanna, Evan, nor I could say anything to Arlot’s declaration.

The emotions she contained were not simply shallow emotions such as preference or excitement.

The kind of deep feelings that can only be achieved through long-term, deep relationships.

And I also had the same feelings as her.

‘I can’t see Arlot as her romantic partner. Even so… I value Arlot very much.’

Until now, she had never once looked at Arlot as the object of her love.

However, this is not a matter of not liking Arlot,

It was almost like a kind of self-loathing that someone like me couldn’t take the seat next to her.

That’s why I was able to understand her feelings to a certain extent-

“-Of course, this is a feeling that Hannah, who hasn’t seen Schmitz for less than a year, doesn’t know.”

“…It’s fun, hehe.”

Arlot pushes Hannah away with a fierce glare.

Despite her sharp reaction, Hannah just smiled leisurely.

… She may be wearing a relaxed mask and crying on the inside.

What is certain is that Hannah’s strength she was suppressed by Arlot.

“As expected, it’s not an ordinary servant-master relationship.”

“Of course. “I value Schmitz as a person.”

“Of course I think so too. Of course, Mr. Arlot.”

“…Yes?”

She cracked Arlot’s expression, which had always been cold.

In the midst of a fierce war of words, she suddenly portrays her feelings for Arlot in a positive light.

While everyone was puzzled, Hannah looked at Arlot and me with a slightly mischievous expression.

“We are all equal human beings and citizens of the empire, so it’s a natural proposition, right? This applies not only to Mr. Schmitz, who is being courted, but also to Mr. Arlott, who may become his sister-in-law.”

… How dare you smile and proudly say ‘sister-in-law’ in this kind of atmosphere.

Hannah regains her own pace again and gently presses.

As expected, she was a veteran among veterans when it came to interpersonal relationships and conversations.

“That’s what I think. He talked lightly about marriage, but on the other hand, he coveted a person named Schmitz to the point where he lightly mentioned important issues in his life. … “I would like to hear Mr. Schmitz’s opinion on this.”

Hannah smiling brightly and turning her gaze to me.

Arlot and Evan also stared at my face.

… What should I say here?

‘There are so many things to worry about… ‘

Although he was putting on a calm face, he was screaming on the inside.

The situation was like having to choose between Arlot and Hannah.

Let alone the gap between the game, which is broken anyway, and reality…

‘I’m not ready to connect with someone yet.’

Now I recall forgotten quest records from the past.

‘How to return home’ given as a reward for Quest #0.

Because it was about catching the final boss with Arlot.

In other words, there was a high possibility that I would not be able to remain in this world forever.

In such a situation, if you have an emotional interaction, such as dating someone and getting married…

I think it’s something I shouldn’t do to myself or to someone who would become my lover.

There was a reason why I hid my emotions and created a sense of distance from people.

When I remained silent, Hannah gently held my hand on the table as if she was okay.

“Sorry. It shouldn’t be a problem that can be asked suddenly like this. “It would be difficult to say anything in a coercive atmosphere.”

“… Thank you for your understanding.”

The iron rule I have kept since possessing the body of Waltz Schmitz.

My first principle is to not give affection to anyone beyond a certain level and to live only for Arlot’s happiness…

After coming to the academy, I became close to many people and was shaken.

The problem in front of me was not one to rush to a conclusion while my mind was in a state of confusion.

“I’m sorry.”

“…No, Schmitz should also take time to think.”

Arlot gently wrapped my shoulder.

The conversation continued in an awkward atmosphere.

The war of words surrounding me between Hanna and Arlot has come to an end to some extent,

We spent time sharing productive feedback on today’s joint training.

… Most of the feedback came from Hannah saying, ‘I think of Arlot as my sister-in-law. So, I will definitely protect it and show you,’ she said with determination.

At least I could ease the worry that Hannah wouldn’t protect Arlot.

The war of nerves with me at the center had just entered a new phase.

* * *

A snowy mountain with a harsh snowstorm.

In front of a small bonfire in a cave in a snowy mountain

There was a large man with white hair who seemed to resemble a mountain.

Wild clothes that look like they are wearing bear skin and scars here and there.

He is about 2m tall and has a middle-aged face full of scars.

There was only one person in the world who had these characteristics.

A person who people call the best person in the world.

A man who went from being a commoner to being recognized simply for his strength and was appointed as the Grand Duke of the North.

It was Eral de Lokni, the head of the Eral family, the Grand Duke of the North.

“It’s no big deal. “I can’t believe I traveled all the way to this far away place.”

The Northern Grand Duke, who was looking at the cave entrance, suddenly said.

There was no one standing at the entrance.

However, after a few seconds, a faint human shape appeared.

The body size of a middle school student and short brown hair.

Even though he looks young, it’s hard to believe he’s an academy student

The man contained within it was like the ocean

Her name is ‘Peshacrid Celestina’.

Dean of Savior Academy,

She was a woman who was praised as the best person in the world, along with Eral de Lochni, and was called an archmage.

“It’s been a long time, Rockni.”

“I don’t have time to chat with you.”

“Oh my, you’re so sad.”

Celestina approached the bonfire with bouncy steps.

She looked closely at Rockney,

Finally, she frowned slightly.

“…They say the war situation is not very good. It seems to be true.”

“The offense is fierce. I am holding on, but I wonder how long it will last.”

Rockni muttered like a sigh.

His face and body, which had many wounds to begin with, were covered with red scars here and there.

That means it is a scar that appeared recently.

Even though he was said to be the best man in the world, was he helpless against the advance of a large army that reminded him of the crowds of people?

“Celestina, we’re both busy, so let’s keep things simple. “I have to go out soon.”

“All right. The reason I came here is because of the students. Mr. Rockney’s children are also attending the academy, right?”

“…Could it be related to my daughter?”

A strange energy flowed from Rockni’s body

The ferocious force like that of a wild beast immediately clamped down on Celestina…

Nevertheless, she smiled as if nothing had happened.

“It’s not like that. I’m just saying I’m doing well. I was recently promoted from the lower level to the intermediate level… It’s devastating.”

“Hmm, it’s natural. “Because she is my daughter.”

“This time, I plan to take first year students and deploy them to a village close to the front lines.”

“… “What?”

Eral Rockni’s eyebrows furrowed.

It was not a feeling close to displeasure or anger like before, but a feeling closer to doubt.

Even though they were 20-year-old adults, the academy students were still plants in a greenhouse.

In a situation where most of the children of nobles are there, are you taking them to the front line?

It was a crazy strategy to uproot valuable talent because it was not enough.

The Northern Grand Duke’s reaction was based on such thoughts.

“I’m not saying we’re driving those kids into danger. I just felt the need to face the situation.”

“Don’t talk in circles.”

“Well, okay. We are planning to take students on a field trip to a village near the front lines. Of course, we plan to provide security at the academy level.”

“… “It’s a field trip.”

The Northern Grand Duke quietly touched his chin.

It would have been the opposite if you jumped directly into the front line and crossed swords…

If you could see the horrors of war with your own eyes in a relatively safe place –

At least we can escape from the plants in the greenhouse.

“I heard there was an unpleasant incident at the academy recently.”

“Oh my, I tried so hard to cover it up, but how could someone far away know?”

“I want you to prepare thoroughly to avoid backlash. My daughter must be there too.”

“I definitely pay attention to that part. However, I plan to take some casualties.”

Rockni smiled deeply at Celestina’s words as if they were nothing.

“Haha! That eccentric personality remains the same. But isn’t that a bad thing as an educator?”

“What the empire wants is not an idiot with a diploma, but an officer who must protect the country.”

“That’s fun.”

The Northern Grand Duke raised the corners of his mouth as if satisfied,

Celestina also looked at him and smiled.

A middle school student with a cute appearance and a muscular middle-aged man with a ferocious face.

The two people, who were completely incompatible, looked at each other and smiled for a long time.

It was the moment when the front line of the empire was decided as the academy’s learning center.