Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 26: Fear
“Leonhart! Don’t you feel anything for putting Edgar, the next marquis, through such an ordeal!?”
Benedicta, while patting Edgar’s back as he sobbed, yelled out.
“Feel something? In fact, I’d appreciate it if you were grateful that I handled it so gently.”
“G-grateful!?”
“W-what are you saying!?”
Benedicta and Arthur looked at me with wide eyes, their faces showing clear fear as if they had encountered an unknown monster.
“It’s a simple matter for me to kill Edgar if I wanted to.”
“K-kill…!?”
Edgar, who had been crying, shuddered violently at the realization.
His attitude seemed to say he had just discovered this fact, and it almost made me sigh.
“Listen, Edgar. It’s many times easier to kill you than to burn off your pinky finger. Be thankful I only dealt with you using your pinky.”
“Hiiiii!?”
Edgar clung to Benedicta, screaming.
“Leonhart, you—”
“Firstly!”
I deliberately interrupted Arthur’s words to speak.
“This all started when Edgar picked a fight with me unilaterally. Furthermore, Edgar ignored previous warnings and pursued Celia. I only punished him for that. This whole incident is Edgar’s own fault.”
“Y-you! Are you saying that a mere slave is more important to you than the next marquis!?”
What are you talking about now…?
“Mother, don’t ask the obvious. By the way, Celia is more important to me than you or Father. Haven’t you already discarded me? Why do you think you shouldn’t be discarded too?”
“…………”
“Such… such a thing… You’re crazy…”
Arthur fell silent with a pained expression, while Benedicta clearly showed fear towards me.
Edgar? If it’s Edgar, he’s burying his face in Benedicta’s plump belly.
“Leonhart, do you resent me for removing you from the line of succession?”
“No, Father. I don’t resent it. I have no interest in the position of marquis.”
“I see… But hypothetically, if I were to lay hands on your slave, what would you do?”
Arthur asked a strange question.
I thought he might have lost his mind, but his expression was entirely serious.
“I would eliminate you. Without a trace.”
“I see. Leonhart, I understand your stance well. You may leave…”
“Yes, Father. Excuse me.”
I left Arthur’s office.
◇
“Phew…”
After Leonhart left the office, I, Arthur, let out a heavy sigh. I had considered the possibility, but it seemed I had managed to escape the immediate danger.
Yet, the look in his eyes when he looked at me. It was as if he was gazing at a mere pebble by the roadside.
Despite being looked at in such a way, I was not filled with anger but with fear.
And then, I recalled Dominic’s advice.
“Master, Leonhart is a prodigy. You could even call him a monster. For the next head of the family, Leonhart would be the best choice.”
I had thought it was just the old man’s pity for Leonhart, who had been removed from the line of succession. But now, I finally understood the meaning behind calling Leonhart a monster.
The overwhelming presence he exhibited for just a moment, even to someone like me who lacks any innate talent.
Leonhart, who could only use fire magic, should be easily defeated by me, who can use water magic.
Fire cannot defeat water.
Ad
The elemental conflict proves that.
Yet, Edgar lost.
He was overpowered by sheer strength.
Surely, if I were to oppose Leonhart, the result would be the same.
The difference was that overwhelming.
I was made to feel, deep in my heart, that I could not win.
And that abnormal mentality of showing no interest in the marquisate. If necessary, he would likely burn us all to the ground.
I am afraid.
I felt fear.
“Benedicta, Edgar, from now on, you are to have no further involvement with Leonhart and his slave.”
“Father…”
“You!? Are you really going to back down after being so thoroughly humiliated?!”
Benedicta barked at me, but her voice trembled. It was just a facade.
“Yes, I’m stepping back. I will have no further involvement. Benedicta, you’re actually scared too, aren’t you? You should follow that fear.”
“But, you are the Marquis of Clarvain! With your power…”
Ad
“Leonhart showed no interest in the marquisate. My power is of no use to him. If it becomes an obstacle, he will quickly eliminate it…”
“Such…”
“Father, what about my finger…?”
Edgar… Is he still fixated on that?
“Give up, Edgar. Don’t show any more interest in that slave. Next time, it wouldn’t be surprising if you’re killed.”
“Killed…”
Edgar was stunned. His face showed he never even dreamed he might be killed.
“Sigh…”
Is the heir this dull?
The Clarvain Marquisate might be finished.
No, first, dealing with Leonhart is the priority. I don’t want to be involved with him any further. But I don’t want to incur his displeasure either.
For that,――――.