Chapter 28
“Oh? Who’s this? Leon, isn’t it? What brings you here?”
I visited the underground arena.
Familiar faces came into view one by one.
“I came to see whether you’re all still alive and kicking.”
“You really are a strange one. A slave coming back of his own free will is a first.”
“A real man knows how to bury old grudges as memories.”
“Damn, you bastard. You’re a real man, huh?”
“May I come in?”
“Of course. The manager will be thrilled to see you.”
I entered the arena to a warm welcome.
The familiar layout. It was the place where I had stayed the longest since coming to this other world.
Maybe that was why. It felt like visiting my old unit after finishing my service. Even though I had only just left the arena, nostalgia was already creeping in.
“What the hell? Isn’t that the blackie?”
“Yeah, yeah. Nice to see you too.”
“Damn, look at you all dressed up. You look like a different person. What’s that outfit? The colors are sharp.”
“Ah, this? It’s the uniform worn by apprentice knights of the Edelhyde ducal house.”
“What? You became a knight?”
“I’m still only an apprentice.”
The gladiators burst into exclamations of surprise.
“Wow, who would’ve thought a knight would come out of our arena.”
“You got dragged off by that noble lady and came back looking sharp. The little squirt’s even got a woman on his arm now.”
“See? Didn’t I tell you? I said this blackie would amount to something. I knew it from the very first match.”
“Bullshit. Didn’t you say he’d be dead before long?”
The gladiators bickered noisily.
Vivi whispered from the side.
“You sure are getting doted on.”
“The past tends to be prettied up.”
They weren’t really being nice to me out of genuine affection, were they? It was just that I was wearing an apprentice knight’s uniform, so they couldn’t act casually.
Still, what could I do? A magnanimous guy like me had to let it slide.
I ignored their squabbling and entered Bardic’s office.
“I’m here.”
“Oh, Leon! You’re here at last! Nothing happen while you were gone?”
“Quite a lot did, but I’m fine for now. How about you, sir?”
“Don’t even get me started. After you left, the audience numbers dropped like crazy! Even that punk Alex left…!”
“Alex left?”
What was that supposed to mean?
Alex was the arena’s star gladiator. That was why Bardic treated him especially well, so how could he just leave the arena?
Did he sell him off too?
“The very next day after you left, he came by and said he suddenly wanted to go off on an adventure or something.”
“Wasn’t he supposed to be retired as an adventurer?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. The star gladiator leaves overnight, and the audience drops off too…. So, Leon? Why not come back now, if only for a little while?”
What the hell was this guy talking about?
When he was so excited to sell me for a big pile of cash, what was this all of a sudden?
“Vivi, if the young lady sold me again, how much do you think I’d fetch?”
“She absolutely won’t sell you. This is the first time the lady has shown interest in something. Unfortunately.”
“There you have it. Unfortunately.”
“Oh dear.”
Bardic was sincerely regretting the past. But I didn’t feel sorry for him in the slightest.
He had ignored me even when I desperately clung to him. I would never forget what happened that day.
I left Bardic behind and headed to the training ground. That was the main purpose of today’s trip.
In the quiet, deserted training ground, Dovan was sitting there, his face as red as ever from drink, just like the first time I saw him.
“Master.”
“Hmm? Oho! My disciple is back!”
“I came to give you the reward I promised.”
The liquor I bought at the tavern was meant for Dovan. A wise man who invested at the low point deserved a proper reward.
“What do you mean, gift? For a master, nothing is a greater gift than seeing my disciple make it!”
“Is that so? If you don’t drink it, I guess there’s nothing I can do….”
“And would I ignore my disciple’s sincerity like that? Give it here.”
Dovan snatched the bottle from my hand as if stealing it away. He pulled out the stopper and downed the liquor straight from the bottle. He was drinking as if he meant to empty the whole thing.
Vivi whispered to me.
“Is it really okay to give him alcohol as a gift? He seems like someone who shouldn’t be drinking.”
“Living short and intense, doing what you want, eating what you want—that’s not a bad life either.”
“Hm, I suppose that’s true.”
While Vivi and I were talking, Dovan had finished off the entire bottle. To think he drained such expensive liquor in one go.
Should I say he doesn’t know how to drink, or that he likes liquor that much?
As long as he’s happy, I guess anything goes.
“Hmm? Who’s this! Isn’t this my disciple?”
…Or maybe not.
***
After taking care of everything, I left the arena.
Since I’d already repaid Dovan, it felt like I’d finally gotten around to clearing a homework assignment I’d been putting off, and that put me at ease.
After leaving the arena, I took a leisurely stroll through the streets.
My first taste of freedom.
The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the air, people walked along the streets, and the market was full of boisterous noise.
When I blankly looked up at the sky, there it was: a pure blue sky.
It was an ordinary everyday scene that held nothing special at all. And yet, to me it was more unfamiliar than anything, a dazzling sight that was almost enough to make me cry.
“Ha….”
A short sigh escaped me.
Did they know? That this boring, ordinary daily life was a miracle someone else would gladly risk their life to grasp?
I need to work harder.
For the sake of the me who’ll be running again tomorrow, I shouldn’t leave any regrets today.
“Want a snack? My treat.”
“Food bought with someone else’s money always tastes the best. I won’t refuse.”
Vivi and I bought lunch and snacks at the market and went sightseeing around the city.
We went here and there.
For me, who hadn’t been able to roam freely even once since coming to this other world, everything was a new world—pure fantasy.
Beside me, Vivi kindly acted as my guide.
“What’s that place?”
“It’s a general store. They sell all kinds of things needed for everyday life. Shall we stop in for a bit?”
“Shall we?”
When we opened the general store’s door, a clear chime rang out to welcome us.
“Welcome!”
Along with the owner’s cheerful greeting came a strangely warm air, carrying the mixed scents of dried herbs and soap.
The inside of the shop was a veritable treasure trove.
Colorful baskets hung from the ceiling, and all kinds of odds and ends were packed densely along the walls.
From softly scented candles to jewelry women would probably love.
They really had everything here.
This is basically a medieval Daiso.
As I slowly browsed the display shelves, I spotted a small wooden box in one corner.
When I opened the lid, a faint lavender scent tickled my nose.
“What is this?”
“It’s an ointment. Usually used when your hands are dry or cracked. Judging by the scent, it looks like they mixed in fragrance oil.”
So it’s like hand cream.
I dabbed a little on my fingertip; it felt pleasantly moisturizing, and the scent wasn’t bad.
Should I get this as a gift for the ladies?
They’re kind people who take care of me without looking down on me just because I came from slavery.
Their hands probably never get a break, with all the washing and scrubbing they do every day.
When else would I be able to repay them? I picked it up without hesitation.
I should buy one for Helena too.
Since she’s always swinging a sword around, her hands are bound to get beat up. She’s helped me a lot, so I got one for her as well.
“I’ll take this one.”
Vivi suddenly thrust out her arm. A bracelet was resting in her palm.
I never said I’d buy you one.
When I sent her a look, Vivi explained with complete calm.
“Weren’t you getting gifts for the maids?”
“Yes, but….”
“What am I wearing right now?”
Vivi fluttered the hem of her maid uniform as if to show it off.
“A maid outfit.”
“Exactly. I’m wearing a maid uniform. I’m a maid. So you’re not planning to leave me out, are you? On a date, no less? I’d die of loneliness.”
“What the… Fine, do as you please.”
“Thank you.”
Now that I’d chosen everything, I was about to pay.
“Should we get a gift for the young lady too?”
Renoa suddenly came to mind.
“That’s a pretty clever idea. But I strongly recommend it.”
“Why?”
“Because that would make one more for me.”
In other words, if I bought Renoa a gift, she’d probably throw it away immediately, which meant Vivi would end up with it.
After all, a young lady of noble birth would probably just consider something from a commoner’s general store like this trash, right?
I was thinking of not buying one because it seemed like a waste of money, though.
Still, who knew? She might get mad if I didn’t buy something just for her.
It never hurt to be careful. Even if she threw it away, it would be much better if she did it herself. And anyway, it wasn’t my money.
“What would be good?”
“Well, I’ve never really thought about what kind of gift the young lady would like. She’s not very materialistic.”
“I guess jewelry’s out?”
“There’s already so much jewelry around her. They’re set with expensive gems, too. I can’t really recommend it.”
“Hmm….”
Just as Vivi said, she already had more than money could buy.
What on earth should I give her to get yelled at less?
Then the display case in front of me came into view.
A pressed-flower bookmark, made by sticking wildflowers or leaves onto stiff paper and sealing it with varnish.
Among them, the one that especially caught my eye had a four-leaf clover in it.
When sunlight streamed in, the green of the leaves shone fresh like a jewel.
“A bookmark, huh. Not bad. The young lady often stays holed up in her study reading, after all.”
“Right?”
I chose the bookmark. I didn’t think Renoa would like it, but it was better than nothing.
“Do you maybe study how to win over women’s hearts? I’m getting a little creeped out.”
“For a slave, flattery is life itself. You have to win over men’s hearts too, not just women’s.”
If you lived as a slave too, you’d understand.
***
I bought gifts for the others at the general store and headed to the mansion.
There was still time before sunset, but there was nothing else to see anyway, and rather than rush, it was better to take my time coming back.
And so I arrived at the mansion.
In front of the main gate stood a carriage that hadn’t been there even at lunchtime.
“Did we have a guest?”
But the pattern on the carriage door looked familiar.
The owl perched atop a book is the Edelhyde emblem.
Was Renoa going out or something?
“…Let’s hurry inside.”
Vivi’s voice had hardened, stiffer than usual.
She led the way with quick, rushed steps, every bit of her impatience showing.
For Vivi, who was naturally easygoing, to be in such a hurry.
Feeling puzzled, I readjusted the paper bag in my arms and followed her.
And the moment I stepped through the mansion’s door.
‘…Heavy.’
The air pressed down on my skin like lead. The mansion was usually quiet, but now it was suffocating.
The servants were all out in the lobby. At this hour they’d normally be working in their own areas, but they were all whispering with frightened faces.
Among them, I spotted a familiar figure from behind.
“Nina.”
“Huh? Gah. L-Leon, you’re here.”
Nina jerked around in shock. Her face had gone white.
“What are you all doing here? Did something happen?”
“Ah, well, you see…”
She fidgeted restlessly, her lips moving. Her gaze kept darting toward the hallway across from us.
“She’s come again. Her Ladyship….”
“Her Ladyship?”
Just as I was about to ask again.
-SMACK——!!!
A chilling cracking sound tore through the silence, as if a whip had been cracked.
“You wretched thing…! So you’ve decided to drag Edelhyde’s name through the mud!”
On one side of the hallway, between the parted crowd, I could see Renoa being beaten.