Maseki Gurume – Vol 5 Chapter 9 Part 4

It’s Ko-Fi’s Supporters’ chapter (95/115), enjoy~

ED: Lonely-matter

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Part 4

 

Soon the sun was setting, and the night was falling.

Elena had forgotten to check on something, so she took Grint with her as an escort to the Ishtalika battleship.

But none of the important people were there.

When she asked a royal knight, she was told that they were having a feast in the island’s center.

So the two of them made their way through the dark forest.

“I apologize for having you accompany me.”

“No, it’s part of my job, so don’t worry about it, Elena-dono. By the way… are you not concerned about Krone-dono anymore?”

Grint suddenly asked.

“That girl seemed to be living independently already. …She has already left her parents. If that’s the case, then maybe I should leave her too.”

She was able to see that her daughter had grown up more splendidly than she had imagined.

She also got a glimpse of how well Krone and Ain get along, and there’s nothing to worry about. It bothered her that she had hidden the truth from Heim, but she would not be punished for praying for her daughter’s happiness.

“Is that how it is? I still don’t understand.”

“I believe that Grint-dono will understand when you have a child with Shannon-dono.”

“Hahaha… I have high hopes for the future.”

Then Grint’s expression changed as if he was thinking back.

“But I’m not convinced.”

“What’s the matter with you all of a sudden?”

“About Krone-dono. I’m sorry to say this in the presence of Elena-dono, but I don’t understand why she chose ‘that guy.'”

“Do you mean ‘that’ guy’ is the crown prince of Ishtalika?”

“Yes. He is not a bad-looking guy, and he seems to have some intelligence. But His Highness is far superior to him.”

Elena heard the complaint and tilted her head as if she was troubled.

The situation of the Roundheart family is a well-known story in social circles. The younger brother, Grint, was better, and the older brother, Ain, was not fit to be the next head of the family.

This is a story that has been told many times, and from the point of view of Grint, who is the one in question, the emotions he feels for his brother are probably even greater.

In a word, Grint unconsciously looks down on Ain.

“It is said that the monster called the Sea Dragon is as big as an Ishtalika battleship. But there is no way a single person can defeat such a monster.”

“…Although it’s certainly doubtful just by listening to it.”

“I know, right? Just because he’s the crown prince doesn’t mean he should be raised up──.”

A moment later, as Grint was talking behind Ain’s back, Lily landed from a tree on the side of the road where they were walking, and said with a voice.

“Fufu, shall we take a look then?”

Elena couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t always appear normally.

“What the hell are you doing? Where did you come from?”

Grint was surprised but quickly drew his sword and prepared.

“This is called a tree, don’t you know? I just came down from the top of this tree.”

“Don’t stir things up… Can’t you just make a normal appearance?”

“Elena-dono? Do you know her!?”

“──She’s the woman who was sneaking into the castle.”

“I-is that so? I thought I recognized you, but you’re one of Prime Minister Warren’s people!”

“Oh, yes, yes. I don’t care about that right now. Do you want to see it or not? Hmm?”

She took out a knife and scratched out around her neck. She might have been bitten by an insect or something, but it wasn’t the kind of thing someone would use to scratch an itchy spot.

Her hand was dexterously rubbing her skin in an action that made people uneasy just by looking at her.

“What’s the point of coming out of nowhere… and asking if I want to see it or not?”

“…Huh? I think the two of you were talking about Ain-sama’s untrustworthy skills!”

“So, what are you going to show us?”

“You don’t think Ain-sama is the one who did it, do you?”

What the hell is this girl talking about?

Lily smiled and looked at them like that, but it didn’t answer the question. By the way, Elena, who is mentally exhausted, can not afford to be nice to Lily.

“As . I . Said! What are you going to show us about the crown prince?”

“Hyiaaaa!? H… hyiiiii!?”

As Elena pulled the cheeks of her former subordinate on both sides, Grint panicked.

“It’s indeed not a good idea to mess with the people of Ishtalika.”

“Don’t mind her! After coming down from the blind spot, she is laughing and playing like this!”

“Fuee… Ewena-shamaa, lwet me gooo!”

Elena’s hand left Lily’s cheek as she heard her unspoken voice.

“It’s okay, but you have to explain it to me.”

“…Phew, that was good energy… Elena-sama.”

Lily’s cheek turned a little red from the pinch, but she seemed to be in a very happy mood as if she were about to perform a dance.

“Why are you happy?”

“Because Elena-sama touched me. Then let’s go to the square in front of the building. Lloyd-sama suddenly said that he was going to have a preliminary match, and Ain-sama was going to practice with his sword.”

Then she walked off without answering.

“R-really?”

“It’s true. I mean, it’s time to put your sword away. I have a phobia with sharp objects, you know?”

“Oh, really?”

“No, that’s not true. I love knives and stuff.”

Elena, as expected, was no match for Lily when it came to talking lightly.

When she said one thing, she was quickly taunted by two or three, and before she knew it, she was giggling and enjoying her reaction.

“Oh, I can see it now…”

Lily said and slowed down her walking speed. She stopped behind a tree and looked at the square.

There were tables and chairs that had been taken out of the main conference room and placed in the square.

The square had been transformed into a simple outdoor party hall, and the bustling voices of many knights could be heard in addition to the important figures.

“His Majesty, Ain-sama, as well as Olivia-sama and Katima-sama… Well, it seems like everyone is here.”

──Nuhahahaha! Dill! You’re tired already!

“That voice just now… no way.”

When he heard Lloyd’s voice, Grint’s body slumped forward.

“It seems to be Lloyd-sama and Dill-kun who are dueling right now.”

Following Grint, Elena also turned her attention to the square, looking curious.

 

◇ ◇ ◇

 

──The sound of sword fights pierced the ears.

There was a fierce fighting spirit in the air that covered the area.

“Hahaha! What is it? Are you done?”

Lloyd’s sword fights drove Dill into a corner in a matter of seconds. To Grint, who was watching from behind a tree, Lloyd’s overpowering of his own overpowered opponent made him look like an inhuman or something.

“Guh… uh…”

Before long, Dill dropped to his knees. His father in front of him is completely unharmed, and the only sign of fatigue is his slightly ragged breathing.

As soon as the game is over, Katima’s words are delivered to Dill.

“Hey, Dill! You’re losing-nya! More like this… Do it like this-nya!”

“Katima-san? What are you trying to do with all this pawing around?”

“Shut up-nya! Dill! Go again-nya!”

“…Don’t push him too much.”

If she uttered some incomprehensible advice, the last thing she would do is give up her patience.

Ain, who sat next to Katima, looked dumbfounded at his aunt. However, hearing Katima’s voice, Dill raised his body once again. There was no signal to start, and Dill stepped forward with great force.

“Haaahh!”

“You’ve done well to stand up! That’s my boy!”

He didn’t have the slightest clue what he was talking about. The big sword swung down with unbelievable speed and knocked out Dill with great force.

“…As expected of the father…”

The knight is excited about the current attack and defense.

Dill was easily knocked down, but his defense and passivity at that moment, and the way he still had room to spare, were objects of admiration even for the royal knights.

This is the next stage of the battle under the night sky.

“This is the final blow!”

Katima suddenly got up from her chair and grabbed Ain’s clothes.

“Why are you tugging on my sleeve?”

“Ah, um! Ain-sama! If you want, I can go and accompany Lloyd-sama!”

“No, it’s not that I don’t want to be his opponent, it’s just that I’m not happy with the mess ── Katima-san is pulling on my sleeve. I think I’d like to see a match between Chris and Lloyd-san, though.”

“No-nya! Ain has not done any real work during this meeting, so you’ve got plenty of energy-nya.”

“Are you trying to pick a fight?”

Hearing their conversation, Krone, Olivia, and Chris all let out a chuckle.

“It is the duty of a superior to avenge his subordinate’s loss! And that’s where Ain comes in-nya!”

“It’s not wrong, but if you say so, Chris will be the first.”

“Nyaaaa! This nephew of mine is a real stickler for details! Now, move out!”

Snap! Snap! Katima kicked him in the leg.

As for Ain, who was kicked, there is no pain. It’s not painful, but it’s very irritating.

He wanted to take out his roots and hang Katima on a tree, but he resisted the urge, went to get his training sword, and looked at Lloyd.

“Looks like I’m next.”

“Mm…? Hahahaha! I’ve been waiting for you, Ain-sama!”

The royal knights, who were watching nearby, were even more excited by Ain’s appearance.

Some raised their arms and called out for Ain, while others cheered for him to win.

“Your Highness!”

“Lloyd-sama is exhausted already!”

“H-hey you guys! Why aren’t there any of you cheering for me?”

“Lloyd-san, let’s begin!”

“…What is this feeling of defeat? But I will not be defeated by your sword!”

 

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