Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter Eighteen: A Night That Was Not Settled at All
Afterward, Ren left his room to complete a task Mireille had given him. A little later, everyone gathered for dinner.
Proper protocol apparently required Licia to eat first and the Ashton family afterward. Licia ignored that rule and invited everyone to share the table, though she periodically fixed Ren with the watchful gaze of a hunter.
(If I’m careless, she may actually abduct me.)
Thinking something so disrespectful about his liege lord’s daughter, Ren finished eating early.
“I’ll go check on everyone’s horses.”
It sounded like a responsible excuse, so he left the table.
Ren had never cared for a horse in his life. He merely looked them over and offered some hay. Watching them eat happily was surprisingly pleasant.
“What am I going to do?”
There was no proper stable, only a temporary shed. Ren stepped outside and looked up at the night sky, once again remembering Licia’s stolen underwear.
“No. There isn’t really a choice.”
Returning it was practically impossible. Earlier, his sense of ethics had prevented him from thinking calmly, but now disposal was the only realistic option.
He would burn it.
Ren deeply regretted using the Thief’s Magic Sword so recklessly and swore never to repeat the mistake. Just this once, he hoped the world would forgive him.
“There you are.”
Licia’s voice interrupted his resolve.
She waited outside the shed, wearing the white military-style clothing rather than her dress. Ren’s cheek twitched.
“Is this… after-dinner exercise?”
“Exactly. Since you understand, this will be easy.”
“You’ll need another bath if you work up a sweat this late.”
“I don’t mind. I cannot sleep well unless I bathe before bed anyway.”
Her carefree smile looked almost magical beneath the moonlight. Then she tossed him a sword, just as she had that afternoon, and he wanted to look anywhere else.
“Wait! Lord Weiss will be angry if we do this!”
“Too bad. I already have his permission—and your parents’.”
“What?”
Had Licia talked the Knight Commander into it? She had persuaded even Baron Clausel to let her travel to this remote village, so Ren should not have been surprised by her ability to get her way.
His parents could hardly refuse a request from their liege lord’s daughter.
(I made a mistake by coming outside.)
Then a solution occurred to him.
(I only have to refuse the sword.)
Without his acceptance, the duel could not begin.
“If you don’t take it,” Licia said, “I’ll stay longer than planned.”
Ren’s answer became obvious.
“Actually, I was just thinking that I needed some exercise.”
“How strange. That answer irritated me a little. Why are you so determined to reject me?”
(I will never tell you.)
He gave her a dry smile. Her displeasure eased slightly when he picked up the sword.
“If I win, you must tell me the reason. And you’ll come to Clausel with me.”
“What happens if I win?”
Licia narrowed her eyes.
“Then I’ll come back to this village!”
The light vanished from Ren’s eyes. Either outcome meant defeat.
His grip slackened in despair, but Licia immediately attacked. She believed she had caught him defenseless, yet Ren blocked her strike without difficulty.
“How did you stop that? You looked completely drained!”
“I don’t know what you expect me to say.”
Besides the original difference in their abilities, Ren had already become familiar with her style. Even a single fight had taught him enough to respond more efficiently the second time.
(Why does she have to beat me?)
He understood that Licia possessed exceptional ambition. The real problem was her intense hatred of losing.
Deliberately throwing the match would not work. She was skilled enough to notice, and angering her might result in an actual abduction.
“Why do you want to defeat me so badly?” Ren asked as their swords clashed.
“I told you! I hate losing. And as the White Saint, I refuse to lose to a boy my own age!”
“What does the White Saint have to do with it?”
“It grants me an aptitude for the sword and exceptional physical ability! I can use Sacred Magic too. Losing despite all that is incredibly frustrating!”
The White Saint was effectively three gifts combined into one: sword aptitude, enhanced physical ability, and Sacred Magic.
Sacred Magic was particularly powerful. It combined healing comparable to white magic with holy magic’s effectiveness against undead, curses, and poison. It also possessed unique abilities and could strengthen the caster or party members. Event battles involving Licia had been far easier in the game because of it.
“From now on, I’m fighting seriously. I will defeat you!”
Licia’s movements changed.
A brilliant light enveloped her for an instant. Her speed rose sharply, and the strength behind her blade felt as though it belonged to another person.
(Sacred Magic.)
It was a blessing of the Main God Elfen. Because it was separate from Physical Ability Boost, the effects could overlap.
Licia’s natural enhancement was probably Physical Ability Boost (Minor), like Ren’s. She was still young; as she matured, it would likely grow to Moderate and then Major.
(Now she really is strong.)
Ren’s expression sharpened.
“You could have used that earlier!”
“I know! But Weiss would have scolded me if I used it without permission.”
Which meant she had secured his permission this time.
(He indulges her far too much.)
Ren was irritated that they had discussed the duel without him. He tightened his grip and finally stopped holding back.
Licia, who had begun to gain a slight advantage, widened her eyes.
The final exchange ended in an instant.
Before Licia could raise her sword to defend herself, Ren stood directly before her with his blade pressed against her neck.
“I win.”
They were so close that she could have felt his breath or counted his eyelashes.
“I… haven’t lost yet,” Licia whispered.
Whether from tension or embarrassment, her face trembled slightly and moisture gathered in her eyes.
Ren’s cheek twitched.
(There must be a limit to how much someone can hate losing.)
He lowered his sword and stepped back. This time, Licia did not pursue him. She remained stunned by how suddenly the match had ended.
Applause sounded from nearby.
“You have improved again, boy.”
Weiss approached with several knights behind him.
“To defeat my lady so completely even after she used Sacred Magic… As expected of the young hero who slew a Thief Wolfen alone.”
“I’m not a hero.”
“Hah. You sound displeased.”
Ren did not deny it. Learning that permission for the duel had been granted without his knowledge had naturally annoyed him.
“We were astonished as well!” one knight said.
“I once served in the imperial capital, and I have never seen a child as strong as Lord Ren.”
“Indeed! One day, he may become a symbol of House Clausel and the entire faction surrounding it.”
A knight recently stationed in the village smiled proudly.
“I told you that Lord Ren was truly formidable.”
Weiss turned to Ren.
“Forgive me, boy. As these men have said, you are strong. I wanted my lady to understand the full extent of that strength.”
House Ashton served House Clausel. When Weiss said it was for Licia’s sake, Ren had little room to complain.
“My lady,” Weiss continued, “you now understand his ability completely.”
Licia said nothing.
“You are strong. However, this boy reached his present level in an environment far less favorable than yours. That also means you may catch up if you devote yourself to even greater effort.”
(She’ll probably pass me before long.)
“When we return home, train harder than ever.”
“I understand.”
Licia looked at Ren.
“I’m sorry I arrived so suddenly, but today was an invaluable experience.”
“Yes… I suppose it was educational for me too.”
“If you came to Clausel, we could do this every day.”
“Unfortunately, that is a separate matter.”
Licia smiled at his continued refusal and returned to the manor, presumably to bathe and rest.
“I truly apologize,” Weiss said. “Please forgive us. I will make certain the baron knows how generously House Ashton treated us.”
“We didn’t do anything special.”
“You did. Isn’t that so, men?”
The knights agreed that the encounter had been good for Licia. Training against them no longer seemed to challenge her.
“Had circumstances allowed it,” Weiss said, “I would have liked to remain several more days and ask you to spar with her.”
Ren strongly preferred otherwise.
“However, we must depart tomorrow morning.”
The early departure surprised—and delighted—him.
“You have other business?”
“Yes. My lady persuaded the baron to permit this visit. In exchange, she accepted duties beyond delivering news of House Ashton’s reward. We must tour the surrounding villages and calm the unrest caused by the recent monster incident.”
That was part of the ruling family’s responsibility. Licia had wanted to meet Ren, but she had offered Baron Clausel useful work in return.
(She really is admirable and honest at heart.)
Her astonishing competitiveness had simply made the day exhausting.
Weiss bowed and departed with his men, only to return moments later beside Licia.
“May Weiss and I visit your room later?” she asked.
“What for?”
“I want to know how you normally train. Weiss is curious too. Will you stay awake with us for a little while?”
“Of course.”
Ren answered without hesitation. The stolen item was still in his room, but he only had to dispose of it before they arrived.
He returned inside with an outwardly calm expression. Once Licia and Weiss were out of sight, he sprinted to his room.
Ren opened the wooden box in his desk and looked toward the burning fireplace.
He would burn the contents at once.
“Ren, you’re back, aren’t you? I’m coming in!”
Roy’s voice came from outside.
Roy still could not leave bed unaided, but with someone’s help he could travel through the manor in a simple wheelchair. The unexpected voice made Ren freeze.
His resolve did not waver.
There could be no further delay.
(The whole box, then!)
He hurled it into the fireplace.
The box struck the burning wood with a dry crack and was immediately swallowed by the flames and ash.
Victory.
A few seconds later, Ren answered his father with a triumphant smile.
“I heard you’re meeting with Lord Weiss and the others! They invited me as well, so Mireille brought me.”
Mireille pushed Roy’s wheelchair into the room.
“I’ll prepare something warm to drink,” she said. “Will you help me?”
“Certainly. Father can welcome Lord Weiss while we’re gone.”
“Leave it to me!” Roy said.
Ren accompanied Mireille to the kitchen. Together they prepared tea and a small late-night meal.
After carrying everything back, Mireille suddenly looked apologetic.
“I forgot the knife.”
“I’ll fetch it.”
Ren hurried back to the kitchen.
Left in the room, Mireille caught an unusual smell. She approached the fireplace, picked up the tongs, and pulled out the box Ren had thrown inside.
“Oh dear. Did he accidentally toss this in while playing?”
The box had been engulfed in flame, yet a reddish-brown liquid now coated its surface. Exposure to the air hardened the substance around it like wax.
“Ren doesn’t play with boxes,” Roy said.
“Perhaps not. But when you were small, you used to throw Little Boar bones from beside your desk.”
“Now that you mention it, I did. Hitting the place you aimed for was fun.”
“Yes, yes. But this box cannot be burned.”
“The paint gives off unhealthy smoke, doesn’t it? In exchange, it makes the wood difficult to ignite.”
Mireille nodded and carried the box toward the door with the tongs.
“I’ll put it in the storehouse.”
“I’ll scold Ren—no, I’ll repair it with him once I can move again. Put it at the back until then.”
“That would be better. We can teach him about this kind of coating.”
Thus, the box Ren believed he had destroyed was carried into storage.
He did not cross paths with Mireille in the corridor. When he returned and found only Roy in the room, his father merely said she had gone to take care of something.
(It vanished quickly. Has it already burned completely?)
Ren looked at the fireplace and relaxed when he could no longer see the box.
He would not learn that it had survived for quite some time.
Weiss arrived several minutes later, followed by Licia. Once their late-night conversation began, Ren stopped thinking about the box entirely.