I Thought Your Friend's Sibling Wasn't a Girl? - Chapter 92

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 92
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Putting everything else aside, if one considered only the substance of the matter, the new assignment Yugin had explained wasn’t particularly difficult to understand.
“After the incident at the Academy, a special audit was conducted on the Protector Families. Most cooperated, but one family—the Page Duke House—refused to produce their Protection Stone when asked.”
“For what reason?”
“They claimed it was a domain beyond the Imperial reach. That rule still holds weight, unfortunately.”
The Page Duke House had refused the special audit sent to verify the condition of the Protection Stone.
They sent their own investigation results and behaved as though that should satisfy everyone, and the Emperor, enraged by this, decided to dispatch new personnel.
“Why us, specifically? Isn’t there the Direct Knights and the Imperial Knights?”
“Probably because of you and Aiden.”
“……Me as well?”
“You’re both direct descendants of the Protector Families. Of course, we’re also among the knight brigades least likely to leak information. At any rate, our official mission is to deliver the Consecration Item requested by Earl Arl to them.”
Most of the Protector Families’ members belonged to their own houses, but within the Lux Knight Brigade, two people had chosen an entirely different path, and that was why this assignment had come down to them.
At his words, Olivia perfectly understood why Yugin had decided to include her in this mission. It must have been an imperial order, without doubt.
Aiden, too, seemed aware of this fact; though his expression was a mess, he raised no objections to the task. As long as they belonged to the brigade, they couldn’t refuse an imperial command.
The members all accepted the assignment. There was no problem up to that point.
The real trouble arose when Yugin finished his briefing and sent the members out.
Or more precisely, when he sent everyone out except Olivia.
Bang!
“Make yourself comfortable.”
“……Is this really all right?”
“What is?”
Olivia stared at the Commander’s Office door without answering. Beyond it, a commotion was still unmistakably audible.
There was no doubt that the banished Aiden was making a racket out there.
“Ah, that. It’s fine. Standard fare.”
‘If that’s standard, we have a problem.’
Olivia repeated to herself the thought she’d had before entering this place, and quietly sipped the tea placed before her. The aroma of the herbal blend drifted pleasantly past her nose.
The Commander’s Office door was quite sturdy and thick. No matter how much of a scene someone made outside, much of the sound didn’t seep through to the inside.
It was peaceful. Even though Aiden was clearly raising a fuss beyond the door, watching Yugin move with consistent composure and leisure, Olivia felt that peace spreading to her as well.
The blazing sunlight warmed the interior of the Commander’s Office thoroughly. Beyond the window stretched a clear blue sky unmarred by a single cloud.
Yugin broached the subject around the time Olivia’s teacup was nearly empty as she drank in silence.
“Have you given more thought to what I proposed before?”
“If you mean a proposal……you asked me to awaken my Authority. I still don’t understand it well. What’s what, or whether I really did use my Authority at all.”
“No, it’s certain. You possess the talent, and there is a presence that has answered to that talent.”
His words sounded like a Zen riddle. He simply spun his speech in circles without saying anything clearly.
Olivia felt her irritation rise at his attitude.
“When exactly was that?”
“That’s something you must discover for yourself—otherwise there’s no true meaning in it, is there?”
“But you said it was urgent.”
“Even if it’s urgent, one cannot rush enlightenment.”
“Isn’t a little guidance different from obstruction?”
“It’s not yet the time for guidance.”
‘What a stubborn ox!’
Olivia had observed Yugin for quite some time now. With over three years spent together, it was fair to say they had developed a fairly deep bond.
He was her commander and her first trainer, and he was the advisor she had sought whenever she fell into worry.
That was why Olivia felt comfortable with Yugin. They had done quite a lot together, and in doing so, had come to know each other quite well.
She knew him well now. He was a very upright and principled person, and precisely because of that, once he took hold of something stubbornly, he would never give it up, not even unto death.
“Really won’t tell me?”
“Hmm.”
“Really, Master?”
“It’s been quite a while since I discharged you.”
“That’s cruel.”
Displeasure crept into her expression unbidden.
Of course, she understood well enough why he was being this way.
But still, couldn’t he have given a hint at least? Her master had always been exceptionally unreasonable.
‘……But why is he so quiet?’
She expected some response, but as soon as Olivia turned her gaze toward Yugin, she saw it.
A pair of violet eyes fixed intently on her. And then—
“Hahaha!”
His violet eyes crinkled, and his face broke into a brilliantly warm smile she had never seen before.
His eyes curved into crescents, and a pleased smile bloomed at the corners of his mouth. As his radiant silver hair caught the sunlight, sparkling, and merged with his smiling face, the whole world seemed to brighten.
“……Don’t laugh.”
“Ha, sorry. Your expression is just……”
“What’s wrong with my expression?”
It was just a normal expression. As Olivia tilted her head in confusion, the smile that had been resting on his face deepened even further.
Yugin’s movements were unusually restless. He rubbed his face several times, and repeatedly clasped and unclasped his hands.
Yet his gaze never left Olivia.
“You’re quite cute, you know.”
“……Pardon?”
Yugin rose from his seat and closed the distance between himself and Olivia in a few strides. Bemused, Olivia stared blankly at him as he approached.
When he bent forward, tension seized her—but only briefly. The weight at Olivia’s waist lightened as he drew out her sheathed Defensor and set it quietly on the table.
It was the Defensor.
The violet eyes still bright with a smile were visible up close.
“Since my cute student has asked, I suppose I can’t simply ignore it.”
“……So you’ll help? Really?”
“This time only. And only for the duration of this mission.”
“That’s more than enough!”
She couldn’t say why, but Yugin had changed his mind. Olivia knew exactly how precious an opportunity this was, and without hesitation, she seized his offer.
“I’m truly grateful!”
“……So am I.”
Watching Olivia beam with delight, a flicker of satisfaction crossed Yugin’s face before it quickly faded.
* * *
Winter was drawing near—it could be felt in the air now.
Earl Arl’s Territory lay in the north of the Empire. As they climbed higher, the days grew colder, and a stronger winter atmosphere pervaded everything.
The trees that had given shelter to those seeking shade throughout the lush summer were now dropping their dry leaves, crisp and brown.
Because of this, the members who had set up camp were busy clearing leaves to prepare their campsite.
“Autumn camping is always this problem. You have to be so careful that not even a single ember flies.”
“That’s true. Honestly, without the Magic Tool, I wouldn’t have even tried to build a fire.”
Still, after the Demon Eradication War, the world had advanced considerably, so it was fortunate that they could kindle a flame even in autumn like this. Sena lightly tossed and caught the Magic Tool that suppressed the spread of flames as she finished organizing the campsite.
Once everything was in order, evening had arrived.
The members were scattered near the central campfire, each taking their rest. Sena inspected her sword, while Luca sat with eyes closed, meditating and calming mind and body.
The cart containing the Consecration Item sat quietly among them.
And it was precisely when everyone was at rest that Olivia’s new training began.
“Olivia.”
“Yes, Commander! I’ll be right there.”
Olivia sprang to her feet the moment Yugin called her.
Yugin was genuinely dedicated to her training. Olivia grasped the hilt of the Defensor at her waist once, firmly, then released it and immediately moved to follow Yugin.
Or rather, she tried to.
Click.
“……Senior?”
“Where are you going?”
“As I’ve mentioned before, I’m receiving separate training from the Commander.”
“Why do you two always go off alone?”
‘Well, because it’s an arrangement between me and the Commander alone.’
“Don’t you think that’s unfair?”
Aiden, his face twisted with displeasure, grabbed Olivia and began to whine.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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