novelraw Chapter 168 : Chapter 168
Chapter 168 : Chapter 168
Chapter 168 - How to Walk Side by Side (2)
After a brief commotion, the topic of conversation thankfully returned to its proper track.
“……In any case, I thank you again for Your Highness the Princess’s favor.”
“Of course, you should-”
“…….”
I felt like my dignity as a human had been chipped away a little in the process, but oh well.
“By the way, Young Master, don’t your other armaments need replacing? If you wish, I can arrange for other weapons as well.”
“Hmm.”
As Regina said, it was true that the armaments I was using had either been used for a relatively long time or had been lost altogether.
First of all, I couldn't retrieve the 『Fortress Kill』, which I had bought for a rather expensive price, after landing a blow on Salvatio during the last Exchange Meeting.
‘Should I ask for a replacement for the dagger?’
After all, during the last semester, I had focused on shoring up my weak points rather than maximizing my strengths, so my dagger skills had also shown considerable growth.
- Dagger Proficiency [A-]
: The level of proficiency in dagger skills.
: Currently at a [Senior Knight] level of dagger proficiency.
At this level, it would be difficult to turn the tide of battle against the First Astros with dagger skills alone, but I could use it as one element of combat.
Anyway, next up was the 『Spellbinder』…
『Spellbinder』
- Grade: Epic (Unique)
- Durability: 500/500
- Attack Power: 75
- Unique Ability, [ Spellbinding ]: Consumes 3 durability to deflect an enemy’s magic.
: A sword that allowed an old knight to stand against mages, who are called the natural enemies of knights. It is very well-maintained.
Actually, the specs of 『Spellbinder』 itself weren't bad. Its main advantage of countering mages was solid.
‘But just like in
『Spellbinder』 was fundamentally a weapon that could be obtained in the very late-game stage, the Enlight estate.
By that point, the player would have several excellent weapons with various additional effects plastered all over them, and because of this, 『Spellbinder』 wasn't in the spotlight despite having a decent effect.
And I was in the same situation now. If I wanted, I could pay a small price and ask Regina to get me a better weapon.
However.
“For now, I would appreciate it if you could arrange for the dagger only. As for the sword… I would be grateful if you could just look into it for now.”
“Is that so?”
“I think I need to give it a little more thought.”
“Well, if you say so, Sir Confucius."
That was my conclusion.
For now, I would continue to use 『Spellbinder』.
‘Hmm.’
To be honest, it was a decision that I wasn't entirely convinced of even after making up my mind.
There was a reason. The plan to target Grændal this time wasn't just focused on killing him.
Due to its special nature, even if I obtained a sword with superior abilities, there was a high possibility that I would end up focusing on swordsmanship itself, so there was no need to switch to a better sword.
Of course, I would also need time to get used to a new sword.
But come to think of it, that might have been an excuse on the level of ‘it became that way because that’s how it turned out.’
The real reason that had taken root in my heart… well. It wasn't something I could just ramble on about.
It's just that the kindness of a person, which I felt for the first time after falling into this world, carried more weight than I thought.
That's all I could think.
After all the talk had ended, the meeting was about to wrap up.
The teacups were already showing their bottoms, and the topics we had prepared for the plan and brought up had all run out. Around that time.
At that point, there was one thing I wanted to ask Regina.
“It feels strange for me to say this as the one receiving, but isn't your support a bit excessive?”
If I thought about it, I had certainly shown her quite a few things so far. I had thoroughly screwed over Crown Prince Claudio, and in various other incidents, I had proven my usefulness.
‘……Even considering that, it seems too much.’
Just the unique grade weapon 『Desperado』 I received this time was an example.
The unique grade was a top-tier weapon that, even in the original game, you could only obtain by reaching the very late game.
It was a position that was hard to reach unless they were god-tier weapons ranked high among the artifact grade weapons.
‘In terms of the world's lore, they were weapons used by high-ranking Senior Knights to Master Knights.’
Due to that characteristic, the price would have been incomparably more expensive than the 『Fortress Kill』 I had previously purchased, and it would have been difficult to obtain as well.
Of course, given her position as the princess of a nation, it wouldn't have been a very difficult task, but it went without saying that it was a troublesome matter in many ways.
Also, since Regina hadn't seen my martial prowess directly, investing so much in me, who still held the title of a student, could be felt as excessive.
Another example would be the fact that the busy princess, who would be swamped with work due to the chaotic political situation, was taking the time to come out and meet me personally.
Anyway, to my words, the princess raised the corners of her lips and asked me back in turn.
“Hmm, in what way did you feel that?”
What could I say to that? I only spoke of what I had felt so far.
Judging from Regina's sly expression, it seemed she already knew the reason.
“So- are you feeling so grateful that you can't bear it?”
“Let’s just say so.”
“Huhu, I like how you're getting more and more insolent lately.”
“…….”
Hmm.
It wasn't intentional, but am I starting to speak more casually?
Regina seemed to be enjoying my reaction, but the glare from her guard knight was quite sharp.
“It’s true that from my perspective, it’s an overinvestment, and I can tell you the reason. But before that-”
Regina took a sip of tea and then gave a concise gesture to her guard knight.
Having watched Regina for a long time, I could understand some of the meanings, and that one meant ‘stand back’.
Knights were monsters who surpassed the limits of humans, and the princess's guard knights were among those close to the pinnacle.
If they wanted, they could listen to this conversation even while standing back… but they probably wouldn't.
That was the habit of those who had dedicated their bodies and souls to the princess.
Anyway, only after clearing the vicinity of ears did the princess open her mouth again.
Her burning violet eyes met mine, and with her characteristic heart-stirring smile, she said.
“Well, it’s a simple logic. I like you very much, Sir Confucius, and so I just want to have you.”
“…….”
“This support is also an act to win your favor. Does this answer your question?”
Honestly, I couldn't help but be half in doubt about the words that came out of Regina's mouth.
The Regina I had seen from the side so far, and the one I had glimpsed in
‘An act to win your favor’ might be true… but couldn't it also be an act to lower my guard?
That was the conclusion I couldn't help but reach.
No, rather, this was the more rational inference.
‘To be honest, from Regina’s perspective, there are too many reasons to be wary of me.’
As if he had suddenly fallen from the sky, a guy who had been a failure until middle school was now sweeping through the academy.
He spouted groundless and contextless nonsense, but those words all accurately predicted future events.
And even, he perfectly guessed the identity of her arch-enemy.
It was certain that I was a person who was helpful to Regina, but I was also showing an ability that she couldn't help but be wary of.
I was fully aware of that fact, so I had no choice but to be suspicious.
“-she says. Honestly, you don't quite believe me, do you, Young Master?”
“No, of course not.”
“Stop with the unbefitting lies. In the world of lies, I am several moves ahead of you.”
That was also a fact that couldn't be denied.
“Believe it or not, this is my true feeling. And it’s not just because of the ability you have.”
It’s not just because of the ability I have.
“If that is the case, what other aspect has Your Highness the Princess taken note of?”
At my words, Regina's lips curled up into a wide grin.
It was a smile that instinctively gave me a sense of foreboding.
“I thought you could walk side by side with me, in the same direction. If I had to say… towards the abyss.”
“……Is that so.”
“Yes. It's nothing new, but as a person, I've fallen as far as one can fall. I'm steeped in all sorts of trickery and schemes, and I've come to a point where I don't feel much even if people die.”
“…….”
I could feel something was strange.
There was no pretense in Regina's words, too much so.
Was it the feeling that she was showing herself in an excessively raw state?
But why?
“And, I feel like you are falling in a similar direction as me. That's all there is to it.”
Falling, huh.
“-Haha.”
I let out a small, dry laugh upon hearing those words.
Because I thought it wasn't exactly wrong.
I had already grown accustomed to harming people and plotting schemes.
It wasn't just the pain of death that had been repeated over those thousand-plus deaths.
‘I see.’
If I had to count, I could say that I had killed thousands of people by now.
And that would have dulled my senses. It would have made it so that I couldn't instinctively feel the abnormality of my actions.
This was the result.
“You're not wrong.”
The words that flowed out after the laugh were somewhat sincere.
That's because the reason I was seeking cooperation from Regina now was the same.
She wouldn't put any restrictions on me, even if the methods I used were inhumane, even if it meant taking someone's life.
Rather, we would discuss together how to achieve our goals effectively.
Well… yeah. I admit it. Regina's expression was quite exquisite.
We were falling in the same direction, and maybe that's why we could rely on each other.