Chapter 118
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 118
* * *
The moment I returned to my room, I wanted to examine the diary first, but unfortunately, I didn't have time for that.
Karen had delivered a message from Lute.
He wanted me to come watch him spar with Lloyd, the Count's son.
"Of course, let's go."
There was no reason to refuse, and I was curious to see how Lute wielded a sword, so I immediately followed Karen along with Victoria.
The sparring match was taking place at the Knight Order Training Ground.
Knights, hired hands, and spectators alike were crowded together in throngs.
Had Lloyd invited everyone to show off that he was receiving instruction from Lute?
Foolish Lloyd. He doesn't even know his own future.
"Yoanna Kiris is over there," Victoria whispered.
At her words, I turned my head.
Beneath the shadow of the Knight Order Building adjoining the training ground, Yoanna stood surrounded by her maids.
I was genuinely curious which of her brother or Lute she would cheer for.
"The Duke is this way," Karen said, leading me toward where Lute was.
"Ah."
At that moment, my eyes met directly with Yoanna's, who had been using her maids as a shield.
For some reason, Yoanna's face flushed red and then drained of color.
Looking more closely, I recognized several of the maids around her—they were the ones who had been with the Head Maid in front of Ordel's Room.
I smiled brightly at them and then continued following Karen.
I could hear what sounded like an angry voice from behind, but what could I do about it?
I wasn't frightened in the slightest.
Lute was preparing in a room inside the building.
I left Karen and Victoria, who said they would wait outside the door, and entered alone.
I had never seen Lute dressed in a light shirt and boots before.
"Oh, how interesting."
As I circled around him, Lute burst into laughter.
"What, do I look handsome even dressed like this?"
"No. It's that you don't look like a swordsman even when dressed this way."
With just the shirt on, Lute's physique was strikingly evident.
Broad shoulders and a straight back, a slender waist and firm thighs.
His build was excellent, his posture impeccable—compared to the Holy Knight Seth in the same shirt, he was every bit his equal.
Yet no matter how I looked at him, he simply didn't have the bearing of a swordsman or knight.
Seth, in the identical shirt, carried a refined presence, but Lute was different somehow.
"You're draining the spirit of someone about to spar with such remarks."
Lute drooped his eyes in disappointment.
"I said you don't look like a swordsman, not that you're ugly. You're handsome."
"I said you don't look like a prosecutor, not that you're ugly. You're handsome."
It would be no exaggeration to call Lute Sheary the most beautiful man in the world—surely a simple shirt couldn't diminish that face.
If anything, he seemed to radiate light even in just a shirt.
"Ah, now I feel energized. I think I can actually go all out—I mean, spar properly."
...A beautiful man's radiant smile could look ominous under the right circumstances.
I pretended not to hear his slip of the tongue.
"And the reason I don't look like a swordsman is probably because I don't have a sword, wouldn't you say?"
"Oh? Now that you mention it, the match is right around the corner, but where's your sword?"
There was no sword at his waist, in his hands, or anywhere else in the room.
Even though I'd known him for several months now, I'd never once seen his sword in person.
"I keep it in my subspace. The temperature and humidity are perfectly regulated there, so it's much better than carrying it around."
"You can control the temperature and humidity of your subspace?"
"Most people can't, but I can. And you've already experienced the magnificence of my subspace before."
"Huh? When?"
"Every night when we drank together."
Wait—was he talking about the wine?
Was he seriously carrying around a portable wine cellar?
"The versatility is incredible."
"Indeed. Actually, I brought plenty of fine wine this time to make you happy, but...."
"Really?!"
Could there be better news than this?
My palate had become so refined from Lute's selections that the Count Kiris Mansion's wine no longer satisfied me.
To be honest, it was quite disappointing.
I'd been wishing for better, and now he'd brought more wine for me.
Truly, Lute—he glowed with the radiance of fine wine itself.
"Yes. But unfortunately, our High Priestess isn't feeling well, so we can't drink this time."
"...!"
That's too cruel. How can you give something and then take it away like that...?
"I can't allow that look in your eyes. You only had soup this morning because you weren't feeling well—there's no way you're drinking alcohol. Rest until you're fully recovered."
His gentle, kindergarten-teacher tone left me unable to argue back.
My illness wasn't really from feeling unwell—it was from the influence of Evil.
If anything, drinking might actually help!
But I couldn't exactly say that!
"So if you want to drink, finish your business quickly and leave this mansion. For some reason, the source of that illness seems to be this estate."
Huh...? What? How did he know? No one else figured it out.
"Did you think I wouldn't notice?"
Lute Sheary let out a soft laugh and cradled my cheek in his hand.
"I watch over you far more than you realize. How could I not know?"
His thumb gently brushed beneath my eyes.
His rough fingers moved with such tenderness, as if afraid I might be hurt by them.
The way he touched something precious was almost unnervingly gentle.
"So let's finish this work as quickly as possible and leave this place. Then we'll return to the peaceful Sun God's Temple. I'll give you plenty of wine then."
Lute Sheary fell uncharacteristically silent after finishing her words.
She stared at me intently before sighing and taking a small step back.
The hand that had left my cheek gently grasped my hair.
"I really hate it when the High Priestess is in pain."
She whispered so softly it tickled, then lowered her head and pressed her lips against the handful of hair she held.
My cheeks flushed hotly—something I'd never experienced before.
"Why are you kissing someone else's hair? I mean, I washed it thoroughly, but who knows what might be on it."
Feeling embarrassed for no reason, I grumbled while gently extracting my hair from Lute's grasp.
"Did you go somewhere to learn how to ruin the mood with your remarks?"
"As if we were ever in a position to set a mood in the first place...."
"Yes, exactly that kind of remark."
Lute clicked her tongue and took another step back.
"Sigh, what can I do? I'm not unaware that the High Priestess lacks tact. I suppose I'll just have to endure it."
I felt like I'd heard that complaint frequently in my past life, and here it was again.
"Duke, it's time."
Just then, Karen knocked on the door from outside.
After acknowledging her, Lute pulled gloves from her back pocket and slipped them onto her hands.
"This is the first time I've seen the Duke wield a sword. I'm looking forward to it."
"Oh, when you say things like that, it makes me want to live up to your expectations. I'll do my best so the High Priestess won't be disappointed."
Lute's momentum as she tightened the glove straps was formidable.
Had I just made an already dangerous person even more dangerous?
I felt slightly worried, but what did it matter? If anyone got hurt, it would be Lloyd, not me.
"Wooooow!"
As we headed to the training ground, those waiting there let out cheers.
Thinking about how those faces full of anticipation would soon be filled with shock made me feel a little sorry for them.
"Oh, the Holy Knight Commander is here too?"
Just then, Seth approached my side. He definitely hadn't been here when I first arrived.
"The Duke's swordsmanship isn't something one can easily observe. It seems like a wonderful opportunity in many ways."
Seeing Seth's blue eyes gleaming with anticipation, it was clear that Lute Sheary was indeed skilled with a blade.
"Come, High Priestess, this way."
Lute then took my arm and led me somewhere.
"...Duke? What is this?"
The center of the elevated platform with the best view of the training ground.
Yuri and the Duke's knights were standing guard around what looked like a plush chair.
Surely not....
"Your health isn't good, so don't strain yourself standing. Watch comfortably from here."
Forced into the chair, I looked around.
My eyes met those of the bewildered spectators, then Yoanna Kiris in shock, in turn.
Most striking was Lloyd, standing in the training ground waiting for Lute Sheary.
His face had gone deathly pale, as if shocked by the reality that he would have to perform his sword dance before me while I watched from above like a spectator.
This is really....
"Oh my, thank you."
This is absolutely perfect.
I absolutely won't miss this opportunity to make Lloyd eat his words.
I leaned back comfortably in the plush chair, grinning widely.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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