Encounter (4)
Duke Yohaiden hurriedly selected his men and departed as soon as he returned to the dukedom from Ramielli.
They had taken off their armor and donned dirty cloth clothes.
Although it was a sacrifice made for disguise, they looked so shabby that they could hardly be recognized as soldiers of Yohaiden.
In the secluded forest.
“……This should be the meeting place Zeke Clayman mentioned……”
Duke Yohaiden dismounted his horse and checked the map, lifting his robe.
According to Zeke, the spy planted in Lost Hope, the Guild Master, was supposed to be waiting here.
However, the lush green forest was devoid of any human presence, with only the occasional chirping of insects breaking the silence.
“Father, can we really trust that man? Look, the one who promised to wait in advance is nowhere to be seen. Isn't this too suspicious?”
Sedan Yohaiden, the second son who accompanied the Duke, frowned.
His face was smeared with soot, but he still exuded an air of nobility, proving that bloodline couldn't be ignored.
Sedan had been at odds with Zeke since Selena's mansion, so he didn't have a good impression of him.
Of course, he knew that Zeke saved his father and the knights from danger back then.
Moreover, when he heard the result of this sparring match—that Selena, trained by Zeke, had defeated an instructor of Ramielli Academy—he was so shocked that he almost choked.
But the memory remained vivid in his mind.
Those black eyes, gleaming with intense madness, were impossible to forget.
Therefore, when he heard that this operation was Zeke's suggestion, he was the only one who opposed it while everyone else nodded in agreement.
“As I thought, we should have been more cautious.”
“Are you still doubting Yohaiden's benefactor?”
Deep wrinkles formed on the Duke's forehead.
“But… this is too convenient. We're in a difficult situation because of them, and he appears as if he was waiting, bringing this information that no one else knows. Even a chance to eliminate Eustia… It's like an offer Yohaiden can never refuse….”
“Enough! You sound like you want Zeke Clayman to be a traitor!”
The Duke scolded in a stern voice. However, Sedan didn't back down and added,
“…It was none other than Father who taught us to never let our guard down in front of food that seems too delicious.”
A deep sigh escaped the Duke's lips.
“…Sedan, I don't know what makes you so uneasy, but if it weren't for him, both Selena and I would be dead by now. If Zeke had intended to trap us, he would have had ample opportunity to do so.”
“But…”
“Sedan, what is the motto of our family?”
“…Yohaiden never betrays those we consider our benefactors. The moment we forget loyalty, we are no longer Yohaiden.”
“Indeed. The debt of saving a life must be repaid above all else. If you ever utter another word of doubt about him, I will not forgive you, even if you are my son.”
“……Yes.”
The second son replied, still panting.
Although the Duke was not pleased with his attitude, he decided to end the conversation there.
‘Hmm… The Guild Master is certainly late. Did something happen…? He clearly said he would be here in advance…’
At that moment.
“Father, over there!”
Sedan shouted, and the Duke turned to see a figure riding a horse in the distance.
“Hmm, is that him…?”
The Duke narrowed his eyes and examined the approaching figure.
His gaunt face and emaciated figure seemed out of place for a Guild Master who worked among rough people.
Sedan's eyes narrowed further with distrust.
Of course, the Guild Master had lost a lot of weight and suffered hair loss due to the stress of being caught between Lost Hope and Zeke, but Sedan had no way of knowing that.
“Even now, don't you find it suspicious…?”
“Hmph… Don't be ridiculous. Being a spy within Lost Hope is no easy task… That kind of appearance is essential to blend in with them…”
Duke Yohaiden defended Zeke with effort, but he had to admit it was a little strange.
Gasp—
Gasp—
Pant—
The Guild Master was sweating profusely, breathing heavily as if he were about to collapse.
“D-Duke— Huff, Your Grace—Pant—I-Is that you?”
“……Indeed.”
“My a-apologies—Huff— Huff— I had to pack one more person's luggage in a hurry—Gasp.”
“Hmm…? One more person's luggage? What do you mean?”
“Yes, about that…”
Just as the Guild Master was about to explain, a thin, beautiful voice came from behind him.
“Hee… Guild Master… I came to give you an order, but where are you going in such a hurry…? My, my, what an interesting sight.”
“Eek!!!!”
The Guild Master let out a shrill scream and cowered on the ground.
Duke Yohaiden's face hardened.
Judging from their appearance and demeanor, they didn't seem to have come with good intentions.
Five figures clad in black.
The one who appeared to be the leader lowered the robe that concealed her face.
She had dark gray hair, jet-black skin, and jade-colored, serpentine eyes that slanted upwards.
“Father!!!! This is a t-trap!!! As I suspected, Zeke Clayman! That damn bastard! Everyone!!! Draw your swords!!!!!”
Sedan roared.
At his command, the Yohaiden knights hurriedly drew their swords.
Clang!!!
Clang!!!
Clang!!!
The sound of metal scraping against metal as swords were drawn from their sheaths echoed through the forest.
However, the woman merely stretched her lips into a smile, seemingly unfazed by any sense of danger.
“Hmm? Who might you be…? Hmm, that silver hair… Ah, and next to him, you're Sedan Yohaiden, right? You have such a handsome face, I remembered you… So you're the Yohaiden Knights? What an unexpected catch.”
“You… Are you with Lost Hope…?”
Duke Yohaiden muttered, drawing the sword from his waist.
The woman's eyes widened at his words.
“You know our name…? Oh, hmm, could it be you? The ones who wiped out our guys last time…?”
A wave of unrest spread among the knights.
Seeing their reaction, the woman's smile widened.
“Haha! I was wondering who killed those guys back then, but it was you all along…? Well, even though you're not combatants, you weren't easy to deal with. You're quite skilled for your looks. Now then, entertain me.”
The woman's demeanor changed as she drew a bladed whip from her back.
The thick killing intent she emanated sent shivers down the spines of the Yohaiden knights.
‘Zeke Clayman… Did you truly deceive us…?’
Duke Yohaiden's sword trembled with a sense of betrayal.
The setting sun reflected off the finely crushed mana stones embedded in his blade.
* * *
Zeke had intended to head straight to the meeting place after Selena and Yuri's sparring session, but then he realized he hadn't brought any weapons.
Of course, Soi had delivered bread to him that morning, but he didn't think it would be enough to last him two weeks.
So, as he was leaving the academy, he grabbed Soi and carried her out like a sack of potatoes.
“Eh…!? Instructor, it's class time…! I can't miss class! My scholarship!”
Soi Spoon, a dirt spoon who valued every single attendance point, was dragged away by Zeke without warning.
She yelled at the top of her lungs.
“There are no attendance points for the next two weeks, so it's fine.”
“…Oh, I see… That’s a relief. But where are we going now?”
Soi asked, suddenly regaining her composure.
“Hillace Bakery.”
“Huh? Our bakery? Why…?”
“To make some bread. The baguette you made before. The one that doesn't go bad easily. I'll be gone for a while this time, so I need it to last about two weeks. Oh, and it would be great if you could make one extra as a spare.”
Soi gaped at Zeke's words.
“Instructor.”
“Hmm?”
“If you make bread that doesn’t go bad after two weeks, it won't be edible, will it?”
“Don't worry. I can eat anything.”
“But…”
Soi furrowed her brow.
Asking her to make bread that wouldn’t go bad for two weeks…
This annoying instructor always sought her out only when he needed something, and it was always something difficult.
Still, as a baker, she couldn’t help but consider his request.
Soi ran several simulations in her head.
She had to shake her head.
To make bread that lasted that long, she would need to spend a considerable amount of time observing and researching.
However, Zeke was asking for such bread right now.
She couldn't bring herself to lie and say she could make it, not with her pride as a baker on the line.
“Two weeks is impossible.”
“Is that so? Hmm, but it's a pain to go without a weapon…”
Zeke pondered what he could take instead of bread and then looked down at what he was currently holding.
It was a bread-making machine. Soi Spoon.
‘Come to think of it, Soi Spoon's swordsmanship only improves through real combat…’
The nature of her ability was too rough.
To control it, she ultimately needed real combat experience.
However, the difference in skill between her and Zeke was too great.
She would just clam up and wouldn’t be able to train her abilities properly.
And having her fight to the death with her classmates was out of the question, as someone might get seriously injured.
‘I'm going to wipe out all the notable Lost Hope bastards this time... If there are no witnesses, it's an assassination. So it doesn't matter if Soi stands out… I'll be with her… I can even carry her…’
Besides, Soi was the heroine of this world.
Both the story and the nature of her abilities pointed to Lost Hope as her ultimate adversary.
‘As expected of the heroine, she needs to show that she can crush her enemies with her own hands, right?’
A sinister grin spread across Zeke's face.
“W-Why are you looking at me like that, Instructor…?”
Soi shuddered, feeling a sense of foreboding from Zeke's sudden ominous smile.
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