The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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In the end, I was dragged to the office by Ainel.

I tried to give Shione a pleading look for help, but she couldn’t say anything to Ainel and ended up sending me away.

Ainel’s atmosphere was quite intimidating, and given how I looked completely deflated in front of her, there was no escaping it.

Creeeak. Clunk.

As soon as I stepped into the office, Ainel closed the door.

“Now, let’s cut to the chase and get to the point.”

She spoke while sitting cross-legged on her leather chair in front of her desk.

“Servant, Ray. What kind of sorcery did you use to defeat Arachne?”

“…It was exactly as you know. I offered my left arm to Arachne, and while it was biting down on it, I plunged my sword into its head to bring it down.”

Swoosh, swoosh.

Ainel’s hair waved as she shook her head.

Closing her eyes tightly, she slowly lifted her eyelids.

Inside her closed eyes was a swirl of annoyance and irritation.

“That’s not the answer I wanted. I must have clearly mentioned it. I inspected the wound where you stabbed Arachne to confirm the injuries left by the melted and scorched flesh.”

“…You don’t mean to say I used magic, do you?”

Considering Ainel was practically a sword master, she could probably sense a lie just by listening to my heartbeat.

However, I thought if I tried to deny it once, maybe she would let it go.

Indeed, Ainel remained silent, listening to my words.

“Moreover, the fact that you confirmed the damage to Arachne’s head with your own hands is beyond my comprehension.”

I poured out my feelings.

To be honest, it puzzled me.

I didn’t understand why Ainel was so keen on checking the wounds I inflicted on a dead Arachne.

While it could be justified to examine the magic residue, still openly confirming the specifics of my wound on that spider seemed excessive.

“Your swordsmanship, as observed before I bought you, was neat and refined compared to other slaves, but that was only when compared to other slaves. Your skills back then were merely effective against lowly pests like street thugs or goblins.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Ainel began to tap her index finger on the desk out of habit.

“Whence you, during your time with the Marquis family, protecting Shione alone and killing off the cultists. I heard that even among them, there were sword users of considerable skill.”

“…I threw myself to protect Princess Shione, and the Lord favored me.”

“Stop with the nonsense. Claiming you killed a sword user just because of luck granted by the gods is absurd.”

Ainel let out a snort at me.

In a flash, her finger that had been tapping the desk stopped.

“How could a mere man with such lackluster sword skills bring down women who are sword users? Just as I was wondering, you also caught Arachne.”

“That is…”

“Right, I could somehow pass on the archery. Before I bought you, the merchant told me about your impressive archery skills.”

Ainel propped her chin up.

The cold aura of a knight that stood on the boundary between a sword expert and a master began to press down on my shoulders.

“However, now that we’re talking about Arachne, how could I possibly let it go without a thorough investigation?”

Ainel’s words began to prick my ears sharply.

“A mercenary who has spent his life on the battlefield would be likely to be killed if he were to fight Arachne alone. They cannot harness mana.”

“Yet here you are, having never stepped foot on a battlefield, born into a lowly existence, knowing only how to wield a sword somewhat decently. Still, you took down Arachne while protecting Shione.”

“If I hadn’t hidden anything from you, how could you have achieved such an extraordinary result?”

Ainel uncrossed her legs and stood.

“The seventh slave of the iron bars, Ray. Speak the truth.”

She walked slowly towards a sword hanging on the wall of the office.

“Even if Shione is a daughter who does not quite meet expectations, I can’t have someone like you, who has so many secrets, by her side.”

A chill began to rise around my neck.

The aura of Siabel warned me of the precarious state of my body.

It’s unfair.

It was frustrating to think that a swordsman who hadn’t fully achieved the sword master level had my life in her hands, and I could only watch helplessly.

I really didn’t understand why all the people from Shianella were so excessively picky, as if they couldn’t tolerate my presence.

Realizing I couldn’t keep any more secrets about my magic, I thought it was better to confess before her sword was drawn.

In the end, I started to reveal the truth.

“…If I may speak freely, will you lower your sword?”

“That depends on you.”

I took a breath and began to answer calmly.

“I can wield magic. I used the power of magic only to protect Princess Shione.”

As expected.

Ainel seemed to have already somewhat guessed I could use magic.

She merely nodded slightly without showing any other reaction to my words.

“When did you begin to wield magic?”

Ainel tilted her head and locked eyes with me.

“Don’t think about lying. I can see through it all.”

I nodded.

For someone like Ainel, a knight of her caliber would easily see through any lie I might attempt to concoct.

Even after denying it a few times, it seemed she wouldn’t let me off the hook, so it was best to speak honestly now.

“I couldn’t use it while I was stuck in the iron bars, but as I spent more time with Shione, the mana and magic I could wield increased.”

This answer seemed unexpected, as Ainel’s eyes widened a little more.

“That means…”

“Literally. I began to wield magic since I entered this Count’s house.”

“Hmm.”

Ainel stroked her chin, lost in thought.

Watching her in silence for a while, it wasn’t long before I noticed her interest shifted back from her solo thoughts to me.

“Show me your magic.”

“Understood.”

I cast the spell as I had previously done for Siabel.

In the confines of the office, I performed it on a small scale, but distinctly demonstrating my ability to wield magic.

Flames danced in the air creating a curtain, but the elemental fire would burn things at my will, so there was no worry of causing a fire.

As the brief magic ended, I saw a flicker of disbelief on Ainel’s face.

No, she hadn’t reacted at all when I mentioned I could use magic.

So why was she like this now?

“A human male wielding magic worthy of fairies and elves?”

“…Do you know about this magic?”

“The Shianella family has a deep connection with the guardians of the Great Forest. Your magic resembles the powers wielded by the children of the Great Forest.”

As soon as she said this, silence fell.

It seemed Ainel had realized that my magic was not just a regular kind but spirit magic.

In this world, only fairies and elves are said to wield spirit magic.

She seemed even more surprised that I had stumbled upon such a coincidence.

I felt as if she would be trapped in her own thoughts indefinitely at this rate, so I decided to catch her attention.

“I’ve disclosed all the hidden abilities. What do you plan to do with me now?”

“Well.”

After a moment of observance, Ainel suddenly moved with startling speed.

Swish!

Before I knew it, the sharp blade drawn from its sheath was aimed at my neck.

“What shall I do?”

Holding the bright blade to my neck, Ainel approached me step by step.

“Without even a collar around your neck, and no shackles on your wrists and ankles. You lack any binding magic, yet here you are.”

“Shall I consider you a danger, thinking you’re an exception to all exceptions, and kill you?”

“Or should I allow you to remain, just as you are, staying by Shianella’s side? Such a dilemma I face.”

That was when it happened.

[Quest Formed.]

「Proof of Loyalty」

「Ainel Shianella wishes to confirm your loyalty in her own overly aggressive and peculiar way. Demonstrate your loyalty to her in a manner just as peculiar as your eloquence to gain her recognition.」

「Reward: Enhanced Physical Abilities」

「Failure: None」

Although I was taken aback by the sudden threat, upon seeing the quest, I realized Ainel’s blade bore no intent to kill.

There was nothing specified for the penalty in case of quest failure.

And the explanation claiming it would all be conducted in an overly aggressive and peculiar manner confirmed that.

In truth, Ainel probably already knew.

How much loyalty I had shown despite using my arm to protect Shione, even while wielding magic.

It seemed she still wanted to hear that through her own ears.

I simply needed to tell her, in her own way.

Just as peculiar.

“I ask you this. Are you loyal to Shianella?”

“…That’s half right and half wrong.”

Ainel’s eyebrows twitched.

“My loyalty is directed primarily towards Princess Shione, whereas Shianella is merely a secondary object of my loyalty.”

“Is it fine to say that in front of me?”

“Since you mentioned that you could see through all lies.”

“How entertaining.”

Ainel chuckled coldly.

“Then how will you prove your loyalty to Shione?”

“My loyalty is evident in all my actions, isn’t it?”

I paused for a moment to think.

No matter how much of it was due to the quest.

Just how much I had struggled and sacrificed for that princess.

“When the demon worshippers attacked Shione, I fought until my mana was nearly depleted to protect her.”

“In the Beltlin Mountains, I shielded Shione and rolled down the slopes to evade the rushing orcs.”

“I even risked my life against Arachne to keep Shione safe.”

A smile gradually crept onto Ainel’s lips.

That look in her eyes.

It was the same look Siabel had when she witnessed my magic.

“Moreover, the most important thing is…”

I couldn’t skip on this last part.

“If my loyalty to Shione wasn’t that significant, I could have simply fulfilled my role as a servant.”

“I could have just left her alone after she shut herself down due to comparisons with others.”

I had poured so much effort into bringing Shione back to life from being just a ‘person’ to a ‘human.’

I’m confident it would have been impossible without substantial dedication.

For the situation back then was truly dire.

She now roamed the world with bright, shining eyes, yet previously, Shione lay upon her bed, staring at the same ceiling day after day.

Ainel must surely know that I had created a small miracle.

As I reflected on Shione, I couldn’t help but notice that despite all the hardships, I had certainly built up significant time with her.

And then, thinking about Shione, one thing I suddenly wanted to point out to Ainel.

I looked Ainel straight in the eye and said.

“Therefore, allow me to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Why is it that despite Shione being beside you, you didn’t even bother to greet her?”

At my words, Ainel’s previously joyful expression turned cold.

“Are you trying to give me unsolicited advice?”

“No. It’s not advice; it’s a sincere suggestion.”

Though even I felt like I might have said something unnecessary, well, what’s done is done.

There’s no putting spilled water back into the bottle.

“Don’t you think it’s inappropriate to ignore the noble Lady Shianella and only converse with a mere servant like me?”

“……”

Ainel had shown more interest in me rather than Shione, who was right beside her.

As a mother, could it be right to ignore her own daughter?

Although it may have been complicated, Shione had deep pride in being a member of the Shianella family.

And the one leading that family was her mother.

Regardless of their twisted relationships and forgotten feelings, it’s likely that she still held respect for her parents.

Even now, I could still see Shione’s faint expression, having to silently witness such blatant disregard.

“On this occasion, I dare to ask you that you never overlook or disregard Princess Shione. At least—”

Matching Ainel’s frosty gaze, I continued.

“Family should at least greet each other, shouldn’t they?”

As soon as my words finished, a sound like air escaping came from Ainel’s mouth, who had been staring blankly at me for a moment.

That sound sparked laughter in her, beaming brightly, a sudden shift from her usual cold aura.

Why was she laughing like a madwoman all of a sudden?

I patiently waited for Ainel’s laughter to settle down.

“You’ve gained quite a loyal servant in Shione, unusual as she is.”

Ainel sheathed her sword once more, returning it to the wall.

She settled back into her chair, crossing her legs.

“You wished to see Shione’s new self in full.”

Ainel lifted a luxurious piece of stationery from her desk and showed it to me.

“About that, you needn’t worry.”

“…What?”

“Just as you said, I’ve already made plans to take Shione to the upcoming 1st princess’s coming-of-age ceremony this fall.”

With her chin resting on her hand, Ainel spoke, adding a sly smile.

“Having avoided appearing in the social gatherings for years, I suppose it’s time to clear up the lingering rumors.”

“Oh….”

It struck me how much time had passed since I last roamed mountains hunting monsters.

Thinking of Ainel’s words, my mind began to whirl with the upcoming carriage rides toward the capital and the responsibilities awaiting me there.