Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 268: Prelude to a Nightmare
The prepared room was small. There were no luxurious furnishings, but it was well-cleaned and had a sense of cleanliness.
“This is nice. This is the spirit of hospitality.”
Claudia said with satisfaction, patting the bed. Naturally, no dust floated up.
“You see, even if the bed is luxurious in a noble’s house that only cares about appearances and doesn’t pay attention to substance, there could be fleas crawling all over it.”
“The bed is where men and women bounce around.”
“That’s right.”
As Claudia exchanged jokes with Lutz, she looked around the room.
“Simple and clean, with a touch of character. For example, hanging a small painting over there…”
Having said that, Claudia suddenly lowered her tone.
“Oh, right. Karin-san intends to renounce her title, doesn’t she?”
There was no point in thinking about mansion improvements. Not only the mansion but also the entire estate still had room for development, but it would be meddling to bring it up now.
“I’m sorry, Lutz-kun. I’ve run out of ideas. I wonder what to do now.”
“Hmm…”
Lutz closed his eyes tightly and groaned. There was no need to worry; the answer was already there. All that remained was to acknowledge it.
“I’ve done everything I can. If that doesn’t work, then I guess I’ll have to give up.”
He was confident that the finest sword would be completed. It would be frustrating to give up now. However, faced with Karin’s desire to let her brother rest peacefully, he couldn’t force his way forward.
The desire to make the finest sword was purely for Lutz and the others’ sake; it wasn’t requested by the client this time.
…It’s frustrating, damn it.
Being stubborn as a craftsman could easily turn into mere selfishness. Lutz stopped himself from becoming a brute; he couldn’t trample on a girl’s feelings.
“Sorry for getting you guys involved in men’s affairs.”
“Don’t be so sentimental. Haven’t we expanded our connections like this before? We’re in this together.”
“Even so, it’s important to express gratitude when it’s due. It might not seem like us, but I think the secret to a happy marriage is never forgetting to express gratitude to each other occasionally. Ah, that’s really an unfitting line, forget I said it.”
Scratching his head to cover up, Lutz spoke, but Claudia wouldn’t overlook or miss a chance to tease.
“It’s great to see a man I’ve fallen for desperately squeezing out words, even though he knows it’s not going to impress me.”
“Stop enjoying things in bad taste…”
Lutz chuckled weakly. At the same time, he felt a little relieved. Wasn’t it impossible to get the sword? He had vaguely understood that for a while. Declaring withdrawal felt like a burden off his shoulders. At such times, how grateful he was for the presence of those who would share worries and laughter with him.
“The remaining problem is whether Gerhardt-san will agree or not.”
“Let’s first talk to Josel-san. If Gerhardt-san starts causing trouble, the two of us should be able to handle him.”
“Even after all that, it’s still uncertain.”
“I think we’ll be evenly matched in a head-on fight, but in terms of resources and combat experience, there’s a difference. We don’t know what that person will do, and that’s frightening.”
“Why don’t we ask Keith-san to back us up?”
“Good idea. Since he’s been involved this far, let’s have him see it through to the end.”
Regrets, resentments, and frustrations; someday time would heal them. Looking back later, it was too naive a way of thinking.
He was destined to be involved in trouble with the sword. It was also a path he had willingly chosen.
Commander Victor of the Fourth Knight Order welcomed an unfamiliar guest in his familiar office. It was Leonard’s sister, Karin. Keith and Lutz were also present. Keith was here to guide them, and Lutz was here to report that he had given up on making the sword. It wouldn’t do to cooperate and then cancel the plan without saying anything and simply leave.
“I’m going to renounce my title and would like to ask His Majesty the King for his support…”
“I see.”
The girl had a dignified face with a blend of strength and kindness, and Victor immediately liked her on first impression. Since he hadn’t been able to do anything for Leonard while he was alive, he felt he should at least help his relatives.
Victor tapped the table with his finger as he answered.
“So, in essence, you’re renouncing your nobility and want money as compensation, is that it?”
It was an extremely straightforward manner of speaking, without any sugarcoating. For those who knew Victor, it was nothing out of the ordinary, but Karin was wide-eyed and bewildered.
It wasn’t wrong, but was it okay to just answer “yes” straightforwardly? As Karin hesitated, Victor, in his typical impatience, continued the conversation.
“It’s a family of national merit. His Majesty won’t just say ‘thanks’ and leave it at that. Let’s somehow negotiate and pull out a thousand gold coins. I’ll take a tenth as a success fee, is that okay?”
Victor abruptly started talking about money and shares. Some might find this attitude unpleasant, but Karin, on the contrary, judged him to be a trustworthy man. This type would take responsibility for the job they proposed themselves and wouldn’t demand more later.
“Yes, I leave it to Your Excellency.”
“The King will probably try to detain you, whether that’s his true intention or just for show. You can still turn back now, but are you sure about this?”
To be honest, the doubts weren’t completely dispelled. There was no guarantee that she wouldn’t regret it, whichever path she chose.
…Regrets, resentments, including those, are my decisions, my life.
Karin held out the letter to Victor with both hands. It was the application for renunciation of her title.
“Understood,” Victor said, touching the letter with a serious expression. At that moment, there was a loud bang as a knight rolled into the room.
Normally, barging in without permission during a guest’s visit would be punishable, but Victor, seeing that something serious was happening, didn’t rebuke the knight.
“What’s the matter!?”
He asked.
Seeing the knight, Keith’s face drained of color. With the imprint of ’13’ on his shoulder, he was one of the knights who had been investigating around the village.
No way, please don’t.
As Keith’s worst fears raced through his mind, his heart pounded fiercely, and his breathing became difficult. But his prayers were in vain as the knight shouted, unable to bear the burden alone.
“We’ve found the Orcs’ nest! There are five or more giant Orcs!”
Everyone shuddered at the contents, and the room fell silent.
The attack of the giant Orcs, who had already claimed the lives of their comrade Leonard, their brother Leonard, their superior Leonard, was just the beginning.
Ad
