Chapter 35 - Not So Calm Days in the Mansion

- Viscount Hogomori's Residence, Inclira Kingdom –

- Hero's room, Guest Quarters -

- 5 days ago, 0715hrs, local time –

 The morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over the land, its light filtering through the gaps in the heavy curtains that shielded the room from the outside world. A gentle breeze drifted in through the slightly open window, carrying with it the soft chirping of birds, a natural melody that signalled the start of a new day.

And yet, the occupant of the room—a certain Japanese teen—remained fast asleep, undisturbed by the peaceful morning atmosphere. The air inside was neither too warm nor too cold, just the right balance for a deep and comfortable slumber. However, the tranquillity didn't last.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"HIIIRROOO!! IT'S BREAKFAST TIME, YOU DUMMY! YOU'RE MAKING US WAIT!!"

A loud voice shattered the morning stillness, followed by a relentless pounding on the door. The unmistakable voice belonged to none other than the court mage, her irritation evident in every syllable. She didn't let up, fists slamming against the locked door in a desperate attempt to rouse the sleeping teen.

"GET UP ALREADY, OR I'M ASKING THE COUNT PERMISSION TO BREAK THIS DOOR DOWN!

The forceful knocking continued, each strike growing louder as she refused to be ignored. If the peaceful sounds of nature weren't enough to wake Hiro, then sheer determination—and possibly some magic—just might.

Just as the relentless knocking seemed on the verge of escalating into something more drastic, the door finally creaked open. Standing in the doorway, a dishevelled teen with tousled black hair rubbed his drowsy eyes, his expression a mix of exhaustion and mild irritation.

"Ughhh… it's not even that late in the morning… just let me sleep…" he mumbled, his voice thick with lingering fatigue.

His posture slouched slightly, one hand still pressed against the doorframe for support as if standing upright required more effort than he was willing to give. The cool morning air brushed past him from the hallway, contrasting with the warmth of his room, but even that wasn't enough to fully shake off the remnants of sleep.

His half-lidded eyes, barely focused, flickered toward the impatient girl before him—her stance practically radiating frustration. And yet, all he could think about was crawling back under his blankets.

Florentina, however, was far from amused. With a sharp tug, she pinched and pulled his ear, eliciting a wince from the groggy teen.

"You do realize that in a noble household, punctuality is expected, especially for breakfast? Now, get moving!" she scolded. her tone firm yet laced with a hint of exasperation.

Kurogane sighed, rubbing his sore ear before reluctantly falling into step beside her. His yawns came in intervals as they made their way down the hallway and descended the grand staircase toward the dining area. Awaiting them at the table were Viscount Suzukaze, his daughter, and Princess Lunamaria, all seated in quiet anticipation. Though, the viscount isn't much amused by Kurogane's antics.

"This is the third time you've been late to breakfast, Sir Hero… By the goddess! Do you care to remember that some of us have important matters to attend to?"

Kurogane, still caught in the haze of sleep, rubbed his eyes once more before giving a sluggish nod. "Yes, sir…" he mumbled.

"Goodness… what could have possibly made you sleep this long?" the noble sighed, exasperation evident in his tone.

Before Kurogane could respond, Princess Lunamaria elegantly raised a hand, drawing their attention. "Sir Hogomori, I believe I can answer that," she said with practised grace. "Lately, I have seen the Hero practising swordsmanship in the dead of night from my window. That would certainly explain his current drowsiness."

"I see…" Viscount Suzukaze murmured, only to pause as the maids entered, gracefully serving their meals.

However, before he could continue, the sight before him made him pinch the bridge of his nose in exasperation—Kurogane, still hopelessly drowsy, had slumped forward onto the dining table, using his crossed arms as a makeshift pillow.

The Viscount let out a sigh before facepalming, while Princess Lunamaria stifled a chuckle at the scene. "Your Highness… please, do educate this brazen hero on proper etiquette next time," he said, clearly unimpressed.

The princess, still amused, gave a small, knowing smile. "It is as you say. Perhaps I should have taught him manners as well. Though… he does carry himself properly back at the palace. I wonder if the relaxed atmosphere of this mansion has made him a bit too comfortable."

"It does seem that way," Viscount Suzukaze mused, his gaze softening as he regarded the slumbering hero with a fatherly warmth. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke again, this time with quiet curiosity.

"I commend his determination to grow stronger… but even so, I cannot help but wonder—what drives him to push his limits so relentlessly?"

Princess Lunamaria hesitated, her delicate chuckle carrying a faint hint of awkwardness. She knew full well that the truth behind Kurogane's motivation was not something she could discuss freely. By the King's decree, the existence of Jaeger—the man who had been unintentionally caught in the hero-summoning ritual, only to later defect—was to remain confidential from other nations.

More than that, she understood the implications of revealing such knowledge. Jaeger was not merely a rogue factor; he was an undeniable threat to Kurogane. The memory of their brief yet decisive clash was still fresh in her mind—Jaeger's counterattack had ended the battle in mere seconds, effortlessly overwhelming the so-called hero.

For the past week, the thought had haunted her. Was Jaeger an enemy of her nation, or was he something else entirely? Even as uncertainty clouded her thoughts, she could not deny the grudging admiration she felt toward him. A warrior of such terrifying skill, despite lacking the blessings of the goddess she had devoted her faith to—it was both unsettling and awe-inspiring.

Yet, amidst these thoughts, she recalled a quiet night when she had spoken at length with Kurogane. His ideals, his unwavering vision for peace, had stirred something within her. He spoke of his desire to protect not just the kingdom, but the people within it, and how their support gave him strength and his willingness to stop the demons spread fear to their hearts.

"Especially yours," he had said to her with such sincerity that she had been momentarily speechless. The memory made her cheeks warm slightly. To think that the hero himself valued her support so deeply… it was something she had not yet grown used to.

However, a lingering doubt gnawed at the edges of her mind—one she could not shake no matter how hard she tried.

For all the scriptures and divine teachings, for all the sermons preached by the Archbishop, not once had anyone ever described what the [Demon Lord] truly looked like. No records, no testimonies, no depictions—nothing. Even more troubling, no one seemed to question this absence of knowledge.

She had tried to press the matter, daring to ask the Archbishop himself, but his response had been unsettling. He spoke with unwavering conviction, insisting that knowledge of the [Demon Lord]'s appearance was a curse in itself—one so terrible that not even he, a chosen vessel of the goddess, dared to know. The weight in his voice, the fear behind his carefully measured words, only deepened her unease.

Why was something so crucial shrouded in such secrecy?

Even with this ambiguity—this unsettling mystery—she refused to let it shake her resolve. Regardless of what lay ahead, she wanted Kurogane to emerge victorious. She didn't want to see him suffer under the weight of failure, nor did she wish for him to carry a burden heavier than what he already bore.

He was fighting for a world that was not even his own, standing on foreign soil to protect people he had no obligation to save. For that alone, he deserved to triumph. And more than anything, she didn't want to see his heart grow weary beneath the strain of an uncertain war.

Lunamaria had been so lost in her thoughts that she barely registered the conversations around her. The clinking of utensils, the murmur of morning chatter—it all blurred together. Yet, a familiar voice kept echoing in her ears, faint at first, until a gentle shake on her shoulder snapped her back to reality.

"Your Highness!" called Florentina, her tone laced with mild concern. "Are you alright? You seem rather… distant."

Lunamaria blinked rapidly, quickly regaining her composure. "I-I'm fine! It's just some morning grogginess… haha…~" she responded, her voice maintaining its usual grace, though the slight awkwardness in her laugh did not go unnoticed.

Florentina eyed her for a moment before exhaling in acceptance. "If you say so." With practiced elegance, she carefully set down her utensils, a subtle sign of her meal's completion. "Miss Sicily and I will be heading to the market to gather supplies for our upcoming quest. In the meantime, I entrust you with the task of keeping an eye on that," she added, gesturing toward the sleeping teen sprawled out on the table.

Lunamaria followed her gaze and found Kurogane, his head resting on his folded arms, completely undisturbed by the lively atmosphere around him. Florentina's unamused expression only made the sight more ridiculous.

"Y-You mean Sir Kurogane?" The princess asked, already feeling a sense of foreboding.

"Yes. That," Florentina repeated flatly before rising from her seat.

As if the situation weren't enough, Viscount Suzukaze also stood, adjusting his attire as he prepared to leave. "I'll be in my study. There are land surveys and paperwork that require my attention," he announced before excusing himself.

Lunamaria's subtle flush deepened as the realization struck her—soon, she would be alone with Kurogane in the mansion. Of course, there were still servants present, but the grand halls would feel significantly emptier without the others.

"O-Okay… I will," she managed to say, though her voice carried a trace of hesitation.

Florentina immediately noticed the faint blush dusting Lunamaria's cheeks, a telltale sign of her growing awareness of the hero. Yet, she kept her thoughts buried, unwilling to voice the unease curling in her chest.

"Why does it feel like they're getting closer so quickly?" she mused, her steps slightly heavier than usual. "As if they're… fated for each other?"

The thought unsettled her more than she cared to admit. It wasn't that she held any animosity toward the princess—far from it. But the idea of Kurogane being drawn toward someone else, no matter how natural it seemed, gnawed at her.

As Florentina walked alongside Sicily, the latter cast a curious glance in her direction, noticing the brief shadow of a frown on her usually composed face. It wasn't like Florentina to let her thoughts show so openly, and that slight furrow in her brows immediately caught Sicily's attention.

Before she could ask, Florentina suddenly shook her head as if trying to physically dispel whatever was troubling her. Then, without hesitation, she clapped both hands against her cheeks—a loud smack echoing down the hall.

Sicily yelped, practically jumping in place. "Wha—?! Tina, are you okay?" she exclaimed, clutching her chest in shock. Her wide, startled eyes darted between Florentina's slightly reddened cheeks and her unbothered expression, utterly baffled by her sudden outburst.

Florentina exhaled sharply, regaining her usual confidence. "I'm fine! Just… needed to wake myself up," she said hastily, waving off Sicily's concern. But as they continued walking, she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible.

"Get it together, Tina… Being jealous over something so trivial won't make him like you…" Yet, despite her self-scolding, the uneasy feeling still lingered. Florentina stormed ahead, her steps brisk and purposeful, leaving Sicily scrambling to keep up. The elf lady blinked in surprise, momentarily thrown off by Florentina's sudden urgency.

Meanwhile, back at the dining hall, Lunamaria found herself in a small dilemma. Kurogane was still fast asleep, slumped over the table, occasionally mumbling nonsensical things in his sleep—some of which made her stifle a giggle. She debated whether to let him rest or wake him up, but ultimately, the sight of him dozing in the dining room nudged her decision.

With a gentle touch, she placed her hand on his shoulder and shook him lightly. "Hiro, you can't just sleep here. Breakfast is already served, and you should eat before it gets cold~," she coaxed, her voice carrying a soft, almost maternal warmth.

"Mhmm… five more minutes…" he muttered, shifting slightly but refusing to lift his head.

Lunamaria sighed, a playful glint flashing in her bright blue eyes before she leaned in just slightly. "Dear me…" she mused, her tone shifting to something more teasing. "And here I thought you'd be excited about breakfast today. The kitchen prepared an 'Omelette rice' dish, just like the one from your world… What a shame~"

In an instant, Kurogane bolted upright, his drowsiness vanishing as if it had never existed. "Huh!? Where!?" His eyes lit up with childlike excitement, scanning the table eagerly.

Lunamaria giggled at his reaction, gracefully gesturing toward the plate that had been placed slightly further away—just out of reach to keep him from accidentally ruining it while he slept. His face brightened even more as he carefully pulled the plate closer, eyes gleaming with nostalgia.

Without another word, he clasped his hands together in front of the meal. "いただきます! (Itadakimasu!)" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with gratitude before he took his first bite, savouring the familiar flavour with evident delight. As he ate, Lunamaria found her gaze drifting toward him every so often, almost unconsciously.

His appearance was undeniably distinct from the people of this continent—jet-black hair, dark eyes that held an unfamiliar depth—but that wasn't what truly drew her in. There was something else. Something more.

It was the quiet charm he carried, not just in his demeanour but in the way he approached the world. No matter the challenge, he pressed forward with an unshaken resolve, his spirit brimming with a rare and hopeful energy. He was kind—not just in passing gestures, but in a way that felt genuine as if he carried the burdens of others with no expectation of gratitude. And somehow… somehow, she found herself drawn to that. "I must protect his kindness… even if I—"

"Luna?"

The gentle call of her name pulled her abruptly from her thoughts. Unbeknownst to her, Kurogane had leaned in closer, his face mere inches from hers. His dark eyes, filled with concern, held a quiet curiosity—searching, as if trying to understand the emotions flickering across her expression.

"Y-yes?" Lunamaria's voice wavered as she instinctively tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, revealing the growing warmth on her cheeks. Her blush, faint at first, deepened as she met Hiro's gaze before swiftly averting her eyes. "W-what is it, Hiro?"

"You've been lost in thought lately. Is something on your mind?" he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.

"N-no! Everything is perfectly fine! It's just—" She faltered, her words catching in her throat as she found herself staring into his eyes once more. A heartbeat later, she quickly looked away, her flustered voice barely above a whisper. "You're too close…"

Realizing their proximity, Hiro stiffened, his own awareness surfacing as he hurriedly leaned back, placing a more respectable distance between them. An awkward silence settled between them as he hastily resumed his meal, his movements just a little more careful than before.

Unbeknownst to them, the head maid observed the scene with undisguised delight, her presence hidden by her masterfully honed [Presence Erase] and [Concealment] skills. Like a young maiden enraptured by the pages of a romantic novel, she clasped her hands together, barely containing a giddy squeal. Oh my! Such innocence! Such charm! How utterly delightful! This feels just like the stories I so dearly adore. I must commit every detail to memory!

Yet, as she revelled in their budding romance, a sudden recollection stilled her excitement. A particular court mage with fiery red hair and an unmistakable glint of envy in her eyes came to mind. A sly smile graced her lips. A love triangle, is it? How utterly enthralling… Perhaps my lady should have a place in this tale as well…

Soft laughter escaped her, her imagination running wild with visions of delicate rivalries and tender moments. But before she could indulge in further musings, a familiar touch on her shoulder snapped her back to reality. She turned her head slightly to see the robed man from before, leaning casually against the wall.

"Still hopelessly enamoured with romance, I see," he mused, amusement lacing his tone beneath the shadow of his hood.

"Wha—Grey! I thought you were still gathering intelligence on the second hero!" Mariabel exclaimed, startled by his sudden return.

Grey strolled in casually, unfazed by her surprise. "Oh, that's already taken care of," he said, brushing off her concern with ease. "I found a collaborator in Nelimista—one of the palace maids. Seems she places more trust in the second hero than—" He halted mid-sentence, his gaze shifting to the young man seated at the table.

Hiro, caught mid-bite, stiffened awkwardly, his face reddening as he glanced at Lunamaria, whose own blush deepened.

"—than that kid."

Grey's tone carried a hint of amusement, but it quickly faded as he continued. "She also mentioned something... peculiar. One of Hero August's legacies—his journal. Apparently, the second hero was able to translate it with ease. Not just decipher it, but read it fluently, as if it were his native tongue."

His voice darkened, his usual confidence giving way to something more unsettling. He hesitated.

Grey never hesitated.

In all the years Mariabel had known him, no revelation, no mission, no threat had ever made him falter. But now, there was something in his demeanour—an unease that sent a chill through her.

She took a step forward, her expression unreadable, yet her voice calm and unwavering. "Grey… tell me. For the safety of this nation."

A long sigh escaped him. Though his face remained shadowed beneath his hood, she could see it—the faint tremor in his breath, the fear lurking in his eyes.

"The second hero…" Grey finally spoke, his voice scarcely above a whisper, as if saying the words aloud would make the dreadful truth irreversible. "His name is Jaeger. A soldier—no, more than that—a Lieutenant Colonel. A man forged in war. And the son of Archmage Talisman… a history I uncovered in the sealed Archive, buried deep within the forbidden library of that nation."

He exhaled slowly, as though the weight of his revelation pressed upon his very breath. "He wields technology beyond our comprehension—so powerful, so unthinkable, that even Nelimista's strongest knights…"

Grey swallowed, his throat dry. "They couldn't stop him from defecting to the demon nation."

The room fell deathly silent.

Mariabel felt the air grow thin. Her breath hitched, and her chest tightened as if an unseen force was pressing down on her. Her fingers curled into fists, cold dread creeping up her spine. A whirlwind of disbelief, fear, and something far worse—helplessness—surged through her.

"What…!?"