Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 34: Older Brother and Younger Brother (1)
As the sun began to set, we returned to town. We borrowed a room in the lord’s mansion and carried the still-unconscious Gilbert inside.
Dolph, a priest, and the mercenary remained beside him.
I wanted to stay until he woke, but first I had to cook the dinner I had promised him. His question had surprised me, yet it also made me happy, as though he had promised to return.
We borrowed the kitchen of the town’s largest inn. With help from the cook and every employee, we gathered several large pots and began preparing stew.
After some time, several horses arrived and a commotion arose outside.
Peering through the doorway, I saw a large, powerfully built man in armor dismount with a black-painted shield. Lionel and his party had returned, apparently after containing the other group of undead beasts without incident. Relief showed on the lord’s face as he heard their report.
“Gilbert is here?”
The surprised, confused voice was followed by the sight of Lionel hurrying toward the mansion. He must have been going to Gilbert.
The lord left behind released a deep breath, then approached us. With a distant look, he spoke to no one in particular.
“Sir Lionel’s shield has been painted over… He’s become a Black Knight. I was distracted earlier and failed to notice.”
The surrounding residents and private soldiers lowered their heads in silence, their expressions difficult to describe.
In this kingdom and its neighbors, a knight’s shield bore his lord’s crest. Black paint proclaimed that its bearer had no master to whom he swore allegiance, and such men were called Black Knights.
Gilbert had already explained what happened, so I understood. For the townspeople, however, the meaning of the Order’s commander personally coming to their aid had suddenly changed.
The lord looked up, clapped his hands, and smiled.
“Now we must recover our strength. I’m treating everyone to a feast tonight! Eat well while we can!”
At the command of a man plainly striving to sound cheerful, we returned to work.
While I prepared stew, Barbara roasted barley and almonds in butter, then bound them with maltose syrup.
They were sweets for the town’s children.
“Flora, once you finish preparing, will you take some to Gilbert and the others with tea?”
“Of course. Everyone must be hungry, so I’ll also bring the bagels left from lunch.”
I prepared a kettle of tea and several light foods, then headed to the lord’s mansion.
In Gilbert’s room, Lionel sat beside the bed with his back to me. Dolph sat similarly on the other side, arms folded.
“Excuse me. I’ve brought you some tea.”
When I entered quietly, Lionel turned.
“Thank you. Are you Flora, by any chance?”
“…! Yes, I am.”
His sudden use of my name surprised me. I assumed Dolph had told him, but Lionel’s expression suggested otherwise.
“Forgive my abruptness. He’s been saying your name in his sleep.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Startled, I set the basket on the bedside table. As I understood his meaning, my face gradually grew hot. Gilbert slept peacefully, breathing softly, and Lionel’s gaze returned to him.
“In fact, he’s said your name eight times and mine twice…”
“You were counting?”
I raised my voice despite myself, then quickly covered my mouth. Lionel smiled helplessly and pressed a hand to his forehead. Though larger, he strongly resembled Gilbert.
“…Yes. I had so looked forward to hearing him call me ‘brother.’ To think you would hear it from him in his sleep first…”
Lionel spoke with faint sadness. He seemed quite different from the stern man I had once seen at a distance—almost endearing. Dolph smiled happily at the back of the room.