First Summer, Day 2

“This… this is……!”

Veros’s reaction upon receiving the rare book I had been searching for was similar to the game.

♡Roy Veros: Th-this is! Isn’t this the first edition of Akamis’s Black Sea?! You’re giving it to me? Thank you!

It’s a book with no title written anywhere.

He must have researched Black Sea extensively, as he got excited the moment he saw the book.

In the game, a 2D pixel character would jump up and down with sound effects in joy, so I expected him to do the same, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen.

“Mr. Veros, we’re in a library, you need to be quiet.”

I warned him in a low voice.

I wanted to pay him back in the same way someday, and today is that day. It feels satisfying.

“It’s Akamis’s Black Sea!”

Despite my admonition, he paid no attention.

“Why did you bring this? Could it be……”

Unable to bring himself to ask for it directly, he let his words trail off.

“No, I’m selling it.”

“……Then how much……”

“About 10 million gold?”

“……”

“I’m joking.”

In the game, where I was always short on money, I couldn’t sell it to him, which was disappointing, but now I’m rich.

Looking at my substantial gold reserves, I said:

“I’ll just give it to you. It wasn’t worth much anyway.”

I’ll keep it a secret that I paid 100 gold for it. Since the original cost was 1 gold, it’s not a lie.

“……Thank you. I didn’t expect to receive it like this.”

“It should go to someone who needs it. But is that book really that interesting?”

I asked out of courtesy.

“Good question.”

“……”

And I should not have asked that question.

Seizing the opportunity, Veros explained how amazing and interesting this book was.

♡SYSTEM♡

‘Roy Veros’s’ favorability has increased!

Ding!

A notification rang as his explanation ended.

“Do you now understand the true value of this book?”

“……Yes. It’s a book that, despite being centuries old, still has a profound influence on modern literature. Wow, it really is an amazing book.”

I couldn’t understand half of what he said, but if I admitted that, he would probably keep talking until I did.

♡SYSTEM♡

You have achieved favorability level 4 with ‘Roy Veros’.

♡SYSTEM♡

[Librarian’s Knowledge Repository] has been unlocked.

Ding! Ding!

‘Knowledge Repository!’

This was the corner where Veros would provide trivial facts about the game.

♡Roy Veros: Without sufficient dignity points, you become a shaman instead of a mage. It’s surprising when you look at the mage in this mansion.

He taught things like which stats to raise to see certain endings, and so on.

‘I wonder if it will be similar this time.’

I thought while looking at Veros.

“It seems news of the lady’s adoption into the Cromwell family has reached the imperial family.”

“Is that so?”

“This is when rumors really start to circulate. The Duke has also made donations to the temple.”

He seems to be providing information different from the game.

Veros offered to look after the lady for a day as a token of gratitude, and I gladly accepted his proposal.

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

Until now, I had either stayed in the office with Cromwell or been watched by the guards he assigned (the guards are in the library with the baby), so while I had rested, I couldn’t do what I really wanted.

A nap.

First, I returned to Anastasia’s bedroom and took a nap.

After waking up, I went to the kitchen with a refreshed body and ate apple pie (a menu item added to the servants’ table after Cromwell bought apples in bulk), then took a walk to aid digestion.

“There’s really nothing to do.”

Without Anastasia, it feels like I’m getting paid for nothing.

Sure enough, people looked at me curiously as I walked aimlessly.

Some even glared with prejudiced gazes…..

‘Maybe I should find some work like in the game.’

Receiving such piercing stares naturally led me to seek places with fewer people.

—!

After walking for a while, I heard the sound of metal clashing against metal.

I had unknowingly entered the training ground.

‘Maybe I’ll watch for a bit.’

I had been curious about how knights duel.

Going deeper, I saw Cromwell and Michael with their swords crossed.

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

“I look forward to this!”

As if proving Cromwell’s judgment that Michael needed rest was correct, the young boy standing before him was in much better condition than before.

The touching swords carried a slight trembling, excitement, and tension based on finally facing someone he had admired.

—You know Michael is sixteen, right?

Suddenly, Lorelai’s concerned face flashed in his mind.

Cromwell hadn’t reminded her about today’s duel.

She had been tired from walking around all day yesterday. There was no need to worry her by informing her of such a minor schedule.

The duel began immediately.

Michael’s sword had become more nimble than before.

Unnecessary movements still existed, but compared to the days when he would just charge in with brute force, there was noticeable improvement.

‘Still, not yet.’

He was weaker than Cromwell.

There was room for growth.

Cromwell thought about how he himself had been at that age.

Though not old, he had roamed the battlefield with his father, who was the oldest in his memory.

“You need to focus……”

Michael noticed that he was mechanically swinging his sword despite having him right in front.

He looked somewhat upset.

Thinking about it, it’s understandable. While Michael was giving his all, Cromwell had enough leisure to reminisce about the past.

It would be natural to feel frustration at the difference in experience and strength, but…..

Michael was the most talented in the knight order and had potential.

He increased his speed and intensified his attacks.

‘That was dangerous just now.’

Cromwell thought as he deflected the attack to the side.

He didn’t want to drag this out.

Cromwell gathered his aura and raised his sword high.

He was clearly about to attack.

“……!”

“……”

If only it weren’t for those brown eyes that caught his attention.

If only it weren’t for Lorelai stumbling.

Their eyes met.

As if she knew this was a space she shouldn’t enter, she tried to leave, but her body, already exposed to the aura, couldn’t follow her brain’s commands.

Cromwell reflexively lowered his guard. As a result, the aura surrounding his body naturally diminished.

Not missing the opening, Michael aimed quickly and accurately for his neck.

Slash—

Blood flowed from his neck.

“Huff……, I, I won……”

Michael barely exhaled the breath that had risen to the top of his throat.

If someone had seen only the end of the duel, they might have guessed Cromwell had won, given how strained Michael looked.

Michael was out of breath and barely declaring his victory, while Cromwell hadn’t even broken a sweat.

There was only a shallow wound where the sword had touched, with a little blood flowing.

Still, a victory is a victory.

Michael withdrew his sword. Knowing that Cromwell hadn’t lowered his aura to let him win, his eyes shone with joy.

“Where were you looking……”

To solve his question about why Duke Cromwell had uncharacteristically lost focus, Michael turned his head to where the Duke’s gaze had fallen.

“Miss Lorelai!”

Michael called out to her in a surprised voice.

His immediate impulse to run toward Lorelai showed the qualities of an excellent guard, but Cromwell stopped him.

“Congratulations. Return to duty next week.”

Not knowing why he had held Michael back, Cromwell spoke.

“……Yes, sir!”

Cromwell sheathed his sword.

As though that action reminded him of something forgotten, Michael hurriedly went to clean up.

Roughly stopping the bleeding on his neck with his hand, Cromwell approached Lorelai with wide strides.

Seeing her pale face, an anger of unknown origin rose to the top of his head.

“What on earth were you thinking……”

Civilians should not come near duels involving aura. He had clearly blocked the entrance, so how did she get in?

But Cromwell soon realized that Lorelai was in no state to hear such words.

“Blood, there’s blood……”

As if his words weren’t reaching her ears, Lorelai swallowed and spoke.

“……”

The reactions of people who witness great power for a moment are usually similar.

Either they are terrified, or they follow him.

If pressed to categorize, ordinary people like Lorelai would be the former, while fellow knights were often the latter.

But she was neither.

Even with her face turning blue, her warm brown gaze looked at him with concern.

“Don’t you know civilians shouldn’t come to the dueling grounds?”

His voice came out softer than before.

“I did hear about it, but……”

Lorelai barely continued speaking.

Fear… was certainly present. But she steadfastly continued her words.

“Is your neck alright, no, this isn’t right……”

“Is this the time to worry about me?”

Cromwell asked with a slight frown. Her condition was more serious than his, and Lorelai must have known that.

“B-but……”

Lorelai spoke incoherently.

She should worry about herself.

That thought came naturally when looking at her.

“……You’re injured.”

As if not understanding why he would say such a thing, she murmured.

He should have said the formal words that this much was fine, but Cromwell just looked at Lorelai with a slightly surprised expression.