Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 34. Older brother and younger brother①
As the sun began to set, we returned to the town and borrowed a room in the lord’s mansion, where we carried Gilbert, who was still unconscious, inside.
Mr. Dolph, the clergyman, and the mercenary were by his side.
I wanted to stay with him until he woke up, but more than that, I had to cook the dinner I had promised Gilbert. I was surprised by his words at that time, but I was happy because it was as if he had promised me that he would return.
We rented the kitchen of the largest diner in town, and with the help of the cook and all the employees, we gathered several large pots and pans and began to cook the stew.
After a while, the sound of several horses’ hooves was heard and there was a bit of a commotion outside.
I peeked through the doorway and saw a large, well-built man in armor, carrying a black-painted shield, dismount from his horse. Looks like Sir Lionel and the others have returned. It seems that the containment of the other side has been completed without incident. The lord’s expression as he listened to the report showed relief.
“Gilbert is here ……?”
A voice that sounds like a mixture of surprise and confusion is heard, and soon a figure is seen running hurriedly towards the mansion. He must be heading to where Gilbert is.
The lord, who was left behind, exhaled deeply and then walked towards us. Then, he spoke to no one in particular with a somewhat vacant look on his face.
“Sir Lionel’s shield has been painted over… I guess he’s become a Black Knight. I was distracted during the day and didn’t notice…”
At these words, both the residents and the private soldiers around all hung their heads in silence and with expressions that were hard to describe.
In this country and the surrounding area, a knight’s shield bears the crest of his lord. A shield painted black is a sign that the knight has no master to whom he swears his allegiance. That’s why they’re called Black Knights.
I knew what was going on because Gilbert had told me the story. But for the people of this town, the meaning of what they had thought was that the Commander of the Order of Knights coming to help them himself had changed slightly.
The lord looked up, clapped his hands, and smiled.
“Now, we need to regain our strength. Everyone, I’m going to treat you to a big dinner tonight! Let’s eat well while we can!”
At the command of the lord, who was clearly trying his best to remain cheerful, we returned to preparing the food.
While I was preparing the stew, Barbara was roasting barley and almonds in butter and hardening them with maltose syrup.
Apparently, they are snacks to be distributed to children in the town.
“Flora, when you’re done preparing, will you bring some to Gilbert and the others, along with some tea?*
“Alright! I’m sure many of them are hungry, so I’ll bring the rest of the bagels from lunchtime.”
I prepare a kettle of boiled tea and something light to pick at, and head for the lord’s house.
When I went to the room where Gilbert was sleeping, I could see Sir Lionel’s back sitting in the chair by the bed. On the other side of the bed, Mr. Dolph was sitting the same way with his arms crossed.
“Excuse me. I’ve brought you some tea.”
As I quietly entered the room, Sit Lionel turned to me.
‘Oh, thank you. ……. Are you Flora, by any chance?”
“…! Yes, I am.”
I was surprised when he suddenly called my name. I thought It was Mr. Dolph who had told him, but looking at his expression, it seems that he did not.
“No, sorry for the abruptness. He’s been calling your name in his sleep for a while now.”
“ I’m sorry…?!”
Surprised, I placed the basket of tea and snacks on the bedside table, but my face gradually heated up as I processed what he said. Mr. Gilbert was sleeping peacefully, breathing softly. Sir Lionel’s gaze returned to his face.
“In fact, he’s called you eight times, and me twice. ……”
“Are you counting?!”
I accidentally raised my voice a little and quickly covered my mouth with my hand. Sir Lionel had a troubled smile on his face and was holding his hand to his forehead. Although he was a size larger, his face looks very much like Mr. Gilbert’s.
“…Yeah. I was really looking forward to hearing you call me brother. To think I’d hear it from you in your sleep first…”
Lionel-sama said this with a somewhat sad look on his face. He looked a little different from the stern-looking man I had seen from afar before; he now looked charming. Mr. Dolph was smiling happily in the back of the room.