SWDYHTITYDHMP Chapter 204

Characters in this chapter:

1. Sapphiras Perfectio, former 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge
2. Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier
3. Leonce Peard, Percival’s classmate under the same master

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“Come to think of it, Belisario is adamant on not entering the sword-fighting tournament. If he did, he’d definitely win.”

“That’s true. Harvard was always pestering him to enter. If I had been pestered like that, I would have given up.”

“It’s amazing how unfazed Belisario is, but his guts are also impressive, aren’t they?”

……Redhead, you’ve become the talk of the town amongst your peers. Of course, he doesn’t get involved anymore.

“Well, if Belisario doesn’t enter, we might have had a chance to win.”

“No doubt!”

With that, Leonce and the others laughed. Thanks to them skillfully changing the subject, the tense atmosphere dissipated, but Percival, who seemed to have noticed, had a blank look on his face, so I lightly tapped him on the arm to tell him I didn’t mind.

I somehow thought that their walk around town would have gone more smoothly without me, but if I said I was going home now, Percival might have said he wanted to come back with me. That would have made Leonce, who had invited me, feel awkward. I pretended not to notice anything and let it go.

Maybe because I didn’t say anything, the person who had created this awkward atmosphere continued to glare at me. What’s more, she joined the conversation with a smile when her friends were looking, and then glared at me when they looked away, which was quite dexterous of her.

As for me, it doesn’t hurt or itch being glared at, so do as you like. Besides, I have no idea why I should be treated like an enemy by someone I’ve just met.

If there is a possibility, it’s possible that she is aiming to become Percival’s partner, but Percival and I have already sworn an oath to each other in the temple. That said, vows aren’t eternal, so if for some reason our ties were to be severed, it’s not impossible that she could become his partner.

But……

I glanced over at her, and she was still glaring at me so the other three couldn’t see. I think that’s a problem.

Although there was a silent intimidation from the female knight apprentice, Edita Fielder-jyou, I think, aside from her, we had quite an enjoyable time browsing the market and food stalls.

As expected of a joyous occasion for a great country, the excitement was quite impressive. In my previous life, there was no such happy event during my lifetime. Above all, there were wars everywhere, and to top it off, the appearance of the Calamity Dragon had made the whole continent uneasy.

The square where the street performers were performing was so crowded with people that I wondered where they all came from.

“It’s a huge crowd, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, they’re famous performers who travel all over the world. It’s been a few years since they’ve been to this country.”

“Have you seen it before, Leonce?”

“Yeah, I saw them once when I was a child. They even have horses and bears who perform.”

“Eh,? Bears too? That’s amazing.”

I understand horses, but how do you train a bear to perform?

It’s no wonder people gather to get a glimpse of them, considering they’re famous and rare.

As I was pushed along by the restless people, I suddenly lost sight of Percival and the others.

“Aha~, we got separated……”

I was looking elsewhere for a moment when this happened. Moreover……

I cast a quick glance diagonally behind me. Of all people, I was with Edita, the female knight apprentice. This could not be more awkward.

I got out of the way of the crowd and looked for Percival’s blonde hair, but I couldn’t find him. I’m short, so if I got lost in the crowd, it would be difficult for Percival to find me.

We hadn’t decided on a meeting place in case we got separated, and it was almost impossible for us to meet up in this situation. They probably knew that too, so they wouldn’t try hard to look for us, but would just enjoy the excitement and then head back to the academy.

I thought about quickly returning to the academy on my own, but my meagre conscience stopped me. Even though she was an apprentice knight, she was still a female student. It wouldn’t be very commendable to leave her behind in the middle of the crowd like this. I should bring her back to the academy properly……

“……I don’t know if you’re a good magician or what, but you’re really brazen, aren’t you? Going out with your friends, and you just follow them around with a nonchalant look on your face. You really have no common sense.”

Even though she glared at me, I was trying to be considerate towards Edita, but she openly expressed her disgust. With Percival and the others gone, she showed her true colours.

“If you hated it that much, why didn’t you just say no in the first place?”

“Normally, you should have read the atmosphere and turned it down yourself. You just followed him around just because he invited you. Any normal person would realise that you were getting in the way. You’re getting carried away just because you can do a little more magic than most people. Do you think everyone will accept you kindly? If so, that’s pretty arrogant. Seriously, I’m disappointed that someone like you is Percival’s partner.”

I can’t say that……I had no intention of getting carried away. I can’t deny that I get pretty carried away when it comes to magic. That being said, I have no intention of holding back.

Anyway, why should I be told that she’s disappointed in me? Maybe she thinks that I’ll back down quietly if she says it forcefully because I look weak.

Can I leave her here and go back to the academy?

“Has anyone ever said you have a bad personality?”

“Nah……!”

“Because you do, don’t you? I understand that you couldn’t say it in front of your friends that you didn’t want me to accompany you. But why did you say something so insulting to me as soon as they were gone?”

Edita must have been surprised by my unexpected rebuttal, as she was blank-faced for a moment before frowning.

“This is the first time we’ve met, isn’t it? I think it’s very rude of you to behave like that.”

“……Why are you acting so arrogantly? You ruined Percival’s future. Because of you, Percival gave up on the path of a knight that was supposed to be promised to him. An adventurer, that’s not what Percival trained his swordsmanship to become.”

Yes? What?

“Percival could have become the personal guardian knight of the Crown Prince. No, he definitely could have. And yet……”

After saying that, Edita glared at me like I was the nemesis of her parents.

“You can become an adventurer on your own and go wherever you want. But don’t drag Percival into your careless life!”

That’s a pretty harsh thing to say, but what does this person think an adventurer is?

I have a lot to argue against, but first I want to confirm something.“Hey, did Percival say that he gave up on the path of a knight?”

“Yes, he did.”

Wow, that’s amazing. You said it without any hesitation. You seem to be acting boldly, thinking that it’s just me and you, but if I ask Percival, that lie will be exposed right away. In the first place, Percival doesn’t talk about such important things to just anyone.

“Percival wouldn’t say something like that.”

“That doesn’t matter. I know because I’m aiming for the same path! Percival has always worked hard to become a knight!”

Not that it matters, but I know that Percival is studying hard every day to improve his swordsmanship, and making tireless efforts. But I don’t think Percival’s aim is only to be a knight.

“I’m sorry to say this, but Percival is not the kind of man who will change his beliefs so easily. If he really wants to be a knight, he’ll bravely forge his path to becoming a knight without worrying about me. Don’t you dare speak Percival’s mind. It’s unpleasant.”

Edita seemed surprised for a moment, as if she didn’t expect me to argue with her, but the next moment he raised her hand, her face red.

Oh, you’re going to hit me to shut me up?

Naturally, I had no intention of just letting myself be hit, so I crouched down to avoid the forceful slash of her hand.

“Why did you dodge?”

“Why……I mean, normally you would avoid it. But rather, why did you think I would let you hit me so obediently?”

Even though it was a slap from a young lady, she’s training to become a knight, so it would hurt quite a bit.

“I think hitting someone to shut them up is no different from any other vagrant, though. I don’t think it’s appropriate behaviour for someone aiming to become a knight.”

Enraged, Edita grabbed me by the collar.

Well, we only just met today. Of course I don’t know anything. It would be more reckless to say I know. Even so, she’s a pretty hot-tempered young lady, but now that I think about it, she probably bumped into me on purpose in the hallway.

“Are you satisfied after taking away Percival’s future and my dreams?”

“Ha?”

“I’m sure you are. You’ve sacrificed Percival and are getting everything you want.”

I have no idea what you mean by dreams and sacrifices.

I had completely given up on trying to understand her and was looking off into the distance when for some reason Edita suddenly shut her mouth and hurriedly let go of her hand.

Oh, has she finally realised her own incoherent behaviour?

“Sapphiras!”

“Nn?”

I turned around after hearing my name being called, and Percival was pushing his way through the crowd and coming towards me.

No, no, isn’t that too obvious!

 

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melon: What’s with this crazy b*tch, so annoying urgh.