Chapter 145 - Chapter 144: A Man Without Resolve
The first day of the first month of the year.
It has been about three weeks since the new year began.
It is a season where even waking up in the morning is painful, but there is no choice but to get up.
After all, today is the day for the meeting with the Marquis Leventein (old man).
Originally, the Marquis (old man) comes to the Royal Capital twice a year, around the end of summer and the end of winter.
Last summer, a meeting with Mika was scheduled with that intention, but the meeting was cancelled.
The reason was that the Marquis (old man) decided not to come to the Royal Capital.
I do not know why he cancelled it.
"Oh, what a pity. I was looking forward to the day I could meet the Marquis. Well, the Marquis is surely too busy for someone like me to even imagine, so it can't be helped."
"Please accept my deepest apologies, Mika. It was a sudden change of schedule. When your father arrives, I will definitely set up a meeting with you."
"Huh? No, no, no, don't go to such trouble. I know the Marquis is very busy."
That was the exchange that took place between Mika and Cleiria last summer, and it turned out exactly as predicted.
The Marquis (old man), who could not come in the summer, came to the Royal Capital not at the end of winter, but right after the new year began.
However, he shortened his usual stay of about one month to about two weeks, making a visit on a tight, bullet-schedule (schedule).
On top of that busy schedule, Cleiria managed to squeeze in a meeting between Mika and the Marquis.
(Even if it was just social pleasantries (lip service), I shouldn't have said those unnecessary things...)
But it is too late to regret it now.
The day of the meeting has arrived.
Ah, I want to eat sushi.
Mika slowly gets up from the bed.
"Faaah..."
As he let out a huge yawn and got off the bed, the alarm clock (Fee) floated softly onto Mika's shoulder.
"............ There is surprisingly little magic power."
It is not half the maximum amount... but the amount of magic power is not something you would expect from just waking up.
It has been a long time since my magic power has not fully recovered even when I wake up, but this is the first time it has been this low.
"............ 'Limiter Off', 'Absorb'."
Even though 'Absorb' can easily recover it, it feels a bit unpleasant.
Could it be that I am sick?
"............"
Mika scratched his head a bit and stood up, then began to change clothes.
"Good morning."
With Fee still on his shoulder, he greeted in a half-asleep voice and entered the dining room.
But Mika froze there.
"Oh, good morning, Mika-kun."
"Good morning, Mika-sama."
For some reason, there were maids in our kitchen.
Kistil and Nerisfeene were wearing black and white maid outfits with plenty of frills.
"............ What are you doing?"
He couldn't help but stare and muttered the question.
"What do you mean?"
"We are preparing breakfast."
The two answered with puzzled expressions.
No, that's not what I meant.
"Why are you dressed like that!?"
"Oh, this?"
Kistil smiled brightly, beaming happily.
"We finally finished Nerisfeene's part, so we could prepare matching sets."
"We decided to start wearing them from today, Kistil and I talked about it."
The two were giggling happily.
Mika almost collapsed, propping himself up against the wall to support himself.
There had been something slightly concerning about how these two treated Mika from before.
Kistil acted like a servant, and Nerisfeene seemed to serve Mika.
Each had their own circumstances, and Mika chose to help the two, but not seeking any return.
He had always told them to treat him normally, but it seemed it never reached them.
The two noticed Mika's state and came before him.
"Um... does it not please you? Mika-sama. ...Does it not suit you?"
Nerisfeene asked Mika with teary eyes.
"...Isn't it cute? Mika-kun?"
Kistil's expression darkened as she asked, looking dejected.
"U..."
No man could refuse being told such things by two beautiful girls.
Kistil has a gentle atmosphere, is omnipotent in housework, and has incredible tolerance; an older sister type.
Nerisfeene wears an ethereal aura, is a straightforward and serious active Saintess.
Honestly, if anyone at the academy found out I was living in such an environment, I might get stabbed.
[Heal] would fix it quickly though.
"I-it suits you. It is cute. I admit that!"
Mika realized his face was turning slightly red and looked away.
It was too embarrassing to be looked at straight in the face!
"But, as I always say, the two of you are---"
"Yes. We are not servants. This is just work clothes, you know?"
Kistil cut off Mika's words before he could finish.
"............ Work clothes?"
"Yes, Mika-sama. When doing housework, clothes inevitably get dirty, so you need work clothes that don't mind getting dirty, right?"
"Well, that is true..."
No good!
I cannot retreat here!
"Then, if you say they are work clothes, don't wear those fluttery clothes that are hard to move in, but more---"
"I think that is an opinion fitting for Mika-kun, but I don't like efficiency above all else."
I felt like I was called an efficiency nut!
"I think it would be fun to do housework happily too."
"The suitable work clothes depend on what you value, Mika-sama."
Naturally, the two were conspiring together.
Conspiring to persuade Mika.
"Nerisfeene has always worn a nun's robe, right!? Such fluttery---"
"Indeed, the nun's robe did not have frills, but the skirt length is not that different, and these work clothes are perfectly fine."
Damn it.
They seem determined to push through with "work clothes."
(Well, the idea that maid outfits are work clothes is correct, but there is no need to make such hard-to-wear clothes for home...)
However, even if Mika says it is inefficient, they say they do not value that, so he has no second argument.
It is because what one values differs from person to person.
(I thought they were buying black and white fabric often for shopping, but was it for this...?)
I had wondered what they were using it for, but they didn't tell me.
Mika also thought, "Well, whatever," and did not dig deeper.
Now, the bill has come due.
(To think they could make maid outfits (such things) themselves.)
Many people can do needlework, mending things a bit.
But how did they make a whole outfit, especially one covered in frills, by hand?
If I say it could be simpler, I might be called an efficiency nut again, but...
"...Please, just don't wear them outside."
They will think I am a maid fetishist. ...I don't hate that, though.
Against such empty resistance from Mika, the two replied,
"Yes!"
with cheerful voices.
■■■■■■
Mika had various individual discussions with Kistil and Nerisfeene.
I have told Kistil many times not to worry about money.
She could not overlook her father "selling" her in that brothel district, so Mika took the means of "buying" her, but Mika did not intend to buy Kistil.
Kistil is free, that is what I meant.
But when I talk about this, Kistil looks terribly sad.
Because of that, I cannot say anything stronger than that.
As for Mika, he only intended to temporarily protect Kistil.
Eventually, Kistil will be able to stand on her own again.
Until then, it is rehabilitation.
He is providing a place where she can think about her own affairs and future with peace of mind.
That is all he intended.
But it seemed Kistil did not wish for that.
Perhaps because her heart is weak, she seeks security by becoming "Mika's property," but it seems that is not all of it.
Mika has also told Nerisfeene that it is enough for her to live a normal life.
Eventually, he intends to sort out various problems and let her live in a church or convent again, so Mika's house is just a temporary lodging until then.
It seems she spent her days praying to the gods every day at the church, so doing the same here is fine.
It seems she did volunteer work like cleaning the church every morning, so he told her it would be fine if she helped Kistil with that much effort.
At first, Nerisfeene was surprisingly unaware of life outside the church.
That is natural, of course, for Nerisfeene was an orphan.
She went from an orphanage to a convent, then became a Saintess and started living in the Great Cathedral of the church, but she had never even gone out properly in the first place.
But after coming to Mika's house, taking care of Kistil, and learning various things, she has become very accustomed to this life.
It is grateful that she learns housework while helping Kistil, but she has become a bit too worldly, or rather, too poisoned by Kistil.
Saying it this way makes it sound like Kistil is solely at fault, but in reality, it is likely a synergistic effect.
Kistil treats Mika as her master and serves him like a servant.
Nerisfeene is even worse; she seems to worship Mika as if he were a god or something.
She tries to serve Mika as if serving a god.
And the two became friends.
Very, very close friends.
They became that way.
Of course, their common topic was Mika.
Kistil told Nerisfeene about what Mika had done for her.
How he had helped her many times when she was in trouble.
How he had given [Heal] to her mother without asking for anything.
She had said her mother seemed like a saint.
Nerisfeene also told Kistil about what Mika had done for her.
That without Mika, she would surely still be in that suffering now.
Furthermore, she even told her about having wings of light and flying in the sky.
She said he must be someone sent by the gods.
(...Yes, this is entirely my own doing.)
There is not a single thing to blame on others (people).
It is all the result of my own actions.
(Then what should I have done!? Are you telling me to abandon them!?)
I cannot help but retort, but that might be one correct answer.
Normally, people abandon them and give up.
Whether they want to or not.
Normally, people do not suddenly pay out a huge sum of four million Rats for a friend, nor do they use [Heal] even if they have a sickly family.
Because they do not have such large sums of money, and cannot use [Heal].
Normally, even if there is a cursed person, they do not remove the curse.
Because curses cannot be removed.
This "now" is the result of Mika's thoughtless actions of "I could do it, so I did it."
Mika insists on temporarily protecting Kistil and Nerisfeene for a reason.
Regarding Kistil, it is because he has a strong aversion to the fact that he "bought her with money."
If he accepts Kistil here, he feels it would be like admitting that.
But actually, this is a pretext reason.
In truth, there is a more fundamental and selfish reason that exists properly.
And Mika himself was aware of that.
That is, "I do not want to bear that much responsibility."
I helped because they were in trouble.
That is fine.
But I am not ready to bear the responsibility for their entire lives thereafter.
Selling daughters is annoying, and I have money, so I will pay for it.
I can remove curses, so I will remove them.
Doing what can be done in the moment is fine.
After all, good deeds feel good.
If they are in trouble temporarily, it is fine to protect them.
But everything is just a temporary fix, and I have not considered bearing the life of one person.
It is the same as work.
A limited scope is my scope of responsibility, and I will take responsibility up to that point.
That is the level of thinking with which he behaves freely.
That is the current Mika.
There is nothing to it; no matter how many times he is reincarnated or reborn, the base is "Kuhashi Ritsu, forty-seven years old, unmarried."
A man who takes responsibility for his work, pretends to be an unmarried noble, but has escaped the great responsibilities of "marriage" and "family."
Even if he is suddenly told to bear the lives of two girls, he pulls back his hips.
No matter what nonsense he spouts, the root is "because I am a coward."
At least he is aware that there is responsibility, so that is better.
After that, he just needs to make up his mind.
■■■■■■
The Leventein Marquis's villa.
Escaping from the two maids who were diligently trying to take care of Mika, he came for the meeting with the Marquis.
To be honest, Mika's mental strength is already zero.
Meeting with the Marquis (old man) in this state is difficult, but he has no courage to break it off.
He struggles to somehow patch things up so as not to be noticed as exhausted inside.
"Thank you for your precious time amidst your busy schedule."
"There is no need to be so stiff. I am the one who should apologize for the summer."
Just as much as Mika, the Marquis (old man) seems to be accumulating fatigue.
But he remains sharp as ever.
What is lacking is only the aura to intimidate the other.
(...A tired Marquis (old man) is easier to meet with. From now on, I should confirm the busy schedule timing and squeeze it in then.)
Usually, he stays in the Royal Capital for about four to five weeks, but this time he shortened it to half, two weeks.
It must be an extremely tight schedule.
"I hear you have been visiting the Fifth Knights Order of the Kingdom Army recently?"
The Marquis (old man) asked, drinking tea, having heard information from somewhere.
Did he hear it from Cleiria, or did Mustajif report to the Marquis (old man) from the escort knight?
"Not to the extent of 'often'. I am receiving instruction on how to handle short swords (short swords)."
"I see."
The Marquis (old man) made a somewhat difficult face.
Well, this person always makes a difficult face, though.
(...Is something wrong?)
The Marquis's army and the Kingdom Army are, for the sake of it, jointly defending the border.
I do not know what kind of division of labor there is, but is the relationship subtle?
"Well, it is fine. If anything happens in the future, consult with Mustajif."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Does he mean to say to go to the knight of the Marquis (old man)'s house, not the Fifth Knights Order?
(But there is no expert like Ozendorwa, is there?)
If so, Mika would prefer to receive instruction from the Fifth Knights Order.
There are not many monsters like that.
"Speaking of the Fifth Knights Order, what was the name of the Knight Commander?"
The Marquis (old man) asked in a casual tone.
(He is quite fixated on the Fifth Knights Order. Moreover, asking me about it?)
It is something that can be found out immediately by checking.
Incidentally, it would not be strange if this information was conveyed along with the news that I was visiting the Fifth Knights Order.
Is there a need to read too much into it?
"It is Lord Ozendorwa. I heard he is from House of Earl Solnitax."
"Oh, that is right. The third son of the Earl of Solnitax, was it? I have heard he is quite a user."
"Yes. He is a busy man, so I usually cannot meet him, but I receive instruction from him occasionally."
"Oh? Directly?"
Ugh...
The part where he is receiving direct instruction from Ozendorwa seems to have caught something in the Marquis (old man).
"I am handling short swords (short swords), so it is not direct sword instruction, but a little advice on mindset and movements..."
"Fumu. I see."
Was this somehow the correct answer?
Or rather, it is bad for the heart.
Let it end soon.
It seems Mika's wish reached the heavens, as there were no more tense scenes after that, and the meeting ended.
Virone, who was Cleiria's escort knight, had safely finished his labor, and Mika was told he was currently "tempering his stubbornness with hellish torture."
When he went out into the hallway, Mustajif was waiting in front of the reception room.
"Then, please continue to strive."
"Yes. Thank you for your time."
Mika bowed his head, sighing inwardly, "Finally, the troublesome meeting is over."
"By the way, there is a celebration for His Majesty's twentieth year on the throne this summer. Have you heard?"
"...Huh?"
Suddenly asked such a thing by the Marquis (old man), a voice devoid of tension leaked out involuntarily.
It seems it was too early to let my guard down.
He quickly tightened his resolve again.
"Oh, no, I did not know."
"I see. Since it is a good opportunity, you should attend as well."
....................................................
....................
Huh?
(Attend... as well?)
............ Attend what?
I could not understand the content of what the Marquis (old man) was saying at all.
"For details, ask Cleiria later. Then, see you again in the summer."
Saying that, the Marquis (old man) left with Mustajif and the escort knights.
Mika remained frozen and could not move from the spot for a while.
■■■■■■
"My Lord. Are you taking that boy to the commemorative party?"
Mustajif asked while following behind Rubalwarus.
He had felt that Rubalwarus seemed to like the boy named Mika, but taking him to a party seemed like going too far.
"It seems that the surroundings of Mika Noisheim have become a little noisy lately. It seems necessary to show it to both inside and outside."
"Show?"
Rubalwarus's voice was serious.
Mustajif also understood that he was not dragging him around for show or whimsy.
"I have a very large 'debt' to him. I have chosen not to settle it deliberately. Do you understand why?"
"A debt, you say...?"
It is usually unacceptable for the head of the Marquis's house to speak of a "debt."
Normally, one would let them hold money or anything and settle it quickly.
And this "debt" is undoubtedly the matter of saving Lady Cleiria.
The meaning of not settling that "debt"...?
"I had expected him to grow to a certain extent, but he seems to be exceeding expectations. If so, it was worth leaving the debt (・) un (・) set (・) tled (・) (・) (・) (・) (・)."
So, Rubalwarus smiled.
Mustajif could not quite understand what Rubalwarus was thinking.
But it seemed Rubalwarus had deliberately left the "debt" as is to maintain the connection with that boy, Mika.
"If we take him to the party, the surroundings will understand whether they like it or not. Who is the patron of that boy."
That is to say, it will be publicized that Mika Noisheim is someone allied with the Leventein family.
"My Lord, are you going that far with that boy?"
"Hahaha, I did not know how it would turn out. I thought it would be excellent even if I could recruit him as a mere mage."
Rubalwarus spoke so happily, but his eyes were not smiling at all.
"...It is still too early now. There is still not that much value yet."
Rubalwarus muttered, glaring at the void.
"In some cases, I might even settle it with a (・) big (・) in (・) ter (・) est (・) added."
Thus, Rubalwarus smiled with a grin.