Kays Translations

Volume 2: Girl and Monster

Chapter 14: Sudden Visit

Sponsored chapter (3/5)

"Lucius, that won't do."

Robel held a wooden sword to Lucius's throat.

"...I surrender."

Lucius lowered the wooden sword he held in his hand.

It was mid-morning, and Lucius and Robel were training in swordsmanship in the vacant lot behind the mansion.

"There's something lacking, you know. Try to move with more of a 'whoosh' feeling."

"...Okay."

It had been over five years since Lucius started training in swordsmanship with his father Robel. But honestly, Robel wasn't very good at teaching, or so Lucius thought. It all seemed to be based on intuition.

Lucius was ten years old.

Ever since the "Appraisal Ceremony" he had been seeking various teachings from his father in order to become an honorable baron.

Swordsmanship, spear techniques, and archery were all part of it.

There were many dangers in this world.

From monsters to people abandoning their fields due to poor harvests and turning to banditry, there were various threats.

Mere words and norms were not enough to protect one's territory.

Since strength was often necessary, nobles placed great importance on power.

Especially in the countryside, where central authority was weak, this was particularly evident.

In terms of the previous world's analogy, the Dragon family took on the roles of the police, ambulance services, fire department, government offices, tax office, agricultural cooperative, and judiciary. Of course, they didn't provide the meticulous administrative services like in Japan, but rather, the Dragon family and the villagers jointly managed the village.

However, Robel always took the lead in handling the more dangerous tasks.

"Well well, Lucius, you're as spirited as ever. Become a splendid lord, won't you?"

Suddenly, a voice called out.

Turning around, Lucius saw a villager from Silverheart Village.

She was an elderly woman who lived near the back of the mansion, in the central part of the village.

"Madeline-san, thank you, but I've had enough," Robel replied.

In the old woman's hand was a piece of bread wrapped in paper.

"Robel boy, this isn't for you. I baked it for Emily and Lucius."

"No, that's why I'm telling you to save it for the winter."

"The wheat crop was abundant this year, you know."

Ignoring Robel's words, the old woman disappeared towards the main gate of the mansion.

"Tch. Should I put an end to it?"

Lately, whenever it's time for lunch, the villagers come with something as an offering.

The visits from the villagers have become a recent sign of closure.

Lucius wiped his sweat and sat at the dining table.

The familiar faces were his father, Robel, his mother, Emily, and the maid, Matilda.

"Lucius-sama, please."

Matilda served bread and soup.

The bread was most likely baked by the old lady earlier.

"Thank you, Matilda-san."

Matilda's expression remained as stern as ever.

She had grown up, and the noticeable discomfort had decreased compared to before. However, there still seemed to be a lingering sense of distrust toward Lucius' words and actions.

"You too, Madam."

"No, I'm fine. It seems the scent doesn't agree with me."

Emily, who declined the serving, had a large belly.

The villagers' offerings were for Emily's sake.

"No, it's not good. It's an important time for the child in your belly. You need to take in some nutrition, even if just a little!"

Seemingly overwhelmed by Matilda's fervor, Emily allowed a small portion to be served on her plate.

"That's right."

"Don't push yourself too hard."

The child they had been unable to conceive for a while now resided inside Emily's belly.

Both the parents and the villagers were anxious.

As soup was poured into everyone's bowls and Matilda took her seat, Robel began speaking with a serious expression.

"Hey, Lucius, the wheat harvest seems to be ending soon."

Robel and Emily exchanged glances as a signal.

"Well, it is already midsummer. Is there something significant about that?"

"It means it's about time for you to consider having a Formula. Of course, it can also be during next year's harvest season."

A Formula.

Humans possess magical power but lack the ability to manifest it in the mortal realm. To manifest their magical power in the world, they need to make a contract with a monster born with a magical sigil. The contracted monster becomes a lifelong partner, and is called Formula.

"A Formula!"

Lucius's face brightened.

He had been eagerly anticipating making a contract with a monster.

To become a distinguished Baron, the existence of a Formula was indispensable. Just like his father, Robel, he had been longing to command a monster since that day.

However, he couldn't obtain his father's approval. Moreover, he was never even informed about when he could make a contract with a monster.

"Oh," Robel nodded.

"But does it have anything to do with the wheat harvest season?"

"Hey now, you're going to become a distinguished Baron, right? You should also consider the livelihood of your subjects. You can't just go meet a monster by yourself as a child. Parents can't take time off during the busiest period of the harvest. And the nobles responsible for managing the taxes from the harvest can't afford to be occupied elsewhere."

"I see."

Lucius understood it on his own.

"But I wish I had been told at least when I could make the contract. If I had been properly informed, I could have made various preparations."

"Yeah, that's true. It's because of incidents like that."

"Incidents?"

"When children reach the age when they can make a contract, some of them foolishly go to meet monsters without thinking ahead. It happens every year, regardless of their noble or commoner status. That's why we often don't provide specific information about the timing."

"That does sound plausible."

"Right? So, here's the plan. We won't have practice next week. Instead, we'll go to the forest together to obtain the Formula. There's a little surprise in store."

"A surprise?"

"Well, you'll find out soon enough."

Robel laughed like an mischievous, excited boy.

◆ ◆ ◆

Five days later.

At night, Lucius was reading a book alone in his room.

He flipped through the pages and diligently summarized the key points in his notebook, biting his lip.

The title of the book was "The Development of Avalotis Kingdom and the Involvement of Codes and Laws." According to Matilda, it was a bewitching book that could lull people to sleep in just three pages.

By the time he finished summarizing the necessary topics in his notebook, there was commotion downstairs.

Voices of Robel and Emily conversing with someone could be faintly heard.

—A visitor at this hour?

Even though they were rural nobles, it was common for people to visit their father for work. In fact, precisely because they lived in the countryside.

Most of the visitors were from the houses of their subjects. Merchants, officials, and other nobles would come directly to Robel, who was the lord, whenever there was something to discuss.

"Well, whatever."

Lucius reached out to grab a new book.

At that moment, he heard the sound of someone coming up the stairs.

—Could it be Matilda?

There were times when he was called to meet visitors. Especially those who knew that Lucius was the first person in history to possess four magical cores. They were eager to catch a glimpse of him.

As expected, the door to Lucius's room opened.

"Oh, I'll be going now."

As Lucius was about to get up from his seat, an unfamiliar voice resounded.

"Lucius Norris Dragon! I won't lose to you!"

—Huh?

When he turned to face the voice he had never heard before, a girl about the same age as Lucius was standing in front of the door.

Her long hair, a pale aqua color, swayed as she stood in a defiant pose.

Contrary to her hair, her eyes were a deep blue, filled with intense hostility as she glared at Lucius.

Although she was completely off-limits as the opposite sex, her appearance was already well-formed for a ten-year-old, giving the impression that she would become a beauty who would turn heads in the future.

"Um... who are you?"

"Ah, I can't forgive you! How can you not remember? I'm Olivia Norris Windsor!"

"No, seriously, who are you..."

At night, while reading a book at home, Lucius suddenly found himself in an argument with an unknown girl.

He had no idea what was going on, but it was indeed happening.

"Huh? Olivia Norris Windsor?"

Lucius had no recollection of the blue-haired girl in front of him, but the name sounded familiar.

Especially the surname.

He had come across it many times in books. He had heard it numerous times while accompanying his father on official duties.

It belonged to the Count Strauss Norris Windsor, a prominent noble who governed the northern region of the country. He was also a close associate of Lucius's father, Robel, and a noble who presided over the "Appraisal Ceremony."

And only those directly descended from Count Norris Windsor could bear the name Norris Windsor.

Lucius recalled that the daughter of Lord Strauss had participated in the "Appraisal Ceremony."

If he remembered correctly, her name was Olivia.

"Could it be that you are Lady Olivia, the daughter of Lord Strauss?" Lucius asked.

Olivia's irritation grew even stronger.

"Why do you have to confirm it to know? We met during the 'Appraisal Ceremony', didn't we?"

"Well, you see... it was only once when I was three years old."

Normally, very few memories from the age of three would remain. Although Lucius had memories from his previous life, it was still seven years ago. He couldn't possibly remember every person he had met.

"...Did you really... forget?"

Olivia, with her shocked expression and aqua-colored hair, asked.

"Oh no, I just remembered now. But more importantly, why are you here at my house?"

"I don't know!"

Olivia slammed the door shut and stomped down the stairs.

"............"

Lucius, completely bewildered, was left staring blankly.

More chapters coming soon.

You can support faster releases and read up to 20 chapters ahead on Patreon!

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter