Kays Translations

Chapter 190: The Pride of Samuel Felker

“…..”

In the car driven by Isamu, the air inside the Black Katz was awkwardly tense.

The caravan was traveling just beyond the town of Felka. Samuel and Franboise, being guests, were riding in the most comfortable vehicle available—the Black Katz.

The unbearable atmosphere stemmed from these two, particularly one high-ranking individual.

“This is quite a comfortable ride…”

However, the cause of the tension, Samuel, showed no concern for the atmosphere, thoroughly engrossed in the vehicle’s ride comfort. In fact, his interest in the ride came only later. Before that, he was fascinated by every part of the driver’s seat—handles, pedals, the magically modified kinetic sphere, and so on.

“We cant disclose too much, but I believe the modification to the wheels is a significant factor.” 

Isamu responded, unable to completely ignore Samuel’s questions but careful not to reveal too much of the technology.

“Ah, the wheels, huh? Ill have to take a look during our next break.”

Samuel said, gathering information politely without getting upset by the vague answers.

Though Samuel had once regretted not being able to ride such a vehicle during his visit to the capital, he had said it was for a practical reason—so Isamu and the others could move through his territory with less suspicion. Isamu and the others were half-grateful, half-skeptical about whether that was truly the reason.

Three hours passed in that strange tension, and after sunset, they reached the town where they were scheduled to stay. Initially, Isamu had proposed leaving Felka the next morning out of consideration for Samuel, but Samuel insisted.

“I cannot delay your journey because of me. No extensive preparations are necessary; lets depart immediately.”

True to his word, Samuel had brought only one large trunk and boarded the vehicle, allowing them to reach the town as planned.

Anne-Marie was shocked by how little luggage Samuel had, as nobles—especially high-ranking ones like Samuel—usually brought excessive amounts of baggage. According to Franboise, Samuel often secluded himself for days in ruins like those within the restricted area of Kalenberg, accompanied by only a few knights, showing little concern for extravagant clothing. However, he always knew how to dress appropriately for the occasion, so he wasnt careless.

The inn they stayed at was the most luxurious in the town, and a whole floor had been reserved for Samuel, as was the case in every town he frequented. Isamu and the others were also accommodated in the top-floor suite, as the floor below was unoccupied, allowing everyone to stay at the same inn.

“I was worried when I heard that Samuel-sama would be accompanying us, but this might actually be more comfortable.” 

Isamu commented to Annemarie as he unpacked in the luxurious room, relieved to have some time before dinner.

“Indeed. I never imagined Id be staying in such a grand room without a reservation. And I thought Samuel would be much more strict.”

Annemarie responded.

Isamu laughed.

“Yeah, its hard to tell with his stoic expression, but he seemed pretty pleased with the ride.”

“Yes, I thought so too.” 

Annemarie replied, and they both smiled, remembering Samuel’s barely perceptible delight in the vehicle.

Later, during tea after dinner, Samuel spoke to Greg.

“So, you truly are descendants of Avalushi?”

*Ho ho ho, indeed, we are.”

They had briefly discussed the matter before departure, but the detailed conversation took place after dinner. Though there had been some hesitation about how much to disclose, they ultimately decided to share everything except the most sensitive secrets. Incidentally, Sarah had fled to the furthest corner of the room after realizing she was speaking to a marquis in person.

“To think theres such a use for non-attribute magic stones… I assumed you had led them to the Klaufeldt territory out of resentment for not being able to buy rights to the magic tools, but there was more to it.” 

Samuel commented.

“You didnt know either, Felker-sama?”

Isamu asked.

By the time the emergency assembly was called without his involvement, he had already realized he’d been partially left out. But it became clear that almost no information had been shared with him at all.

“Ah. It’s likely that no one besides the mastermind, Alexei, is aware. That young upstart has quite the nerve. If Matsumoto hadn’t been with the Klaufeldt family and noticed this, the situation might have been beyond recovery. Otherwise, success would have been almost guaranteed.”

Samuel crossed his arms, sighing heavily.

“No, they likely can’t even imagine the possibility of failure… Though by sheer coincidence, allowing Lady Annemarie the rights of a wanderer back then turned out to be a good move.”

Indeed, as Samuel said, if Isamu had possessed different skills, being with the Klaufeldt family wouldn’t have helped. By pure chance, everything aligned between them.

“I’d thought Matsumoto’s skill was potent enough to balance things out, so I let Klaufeldt have him to maintain equilibrium, given their lack of magic stones… It’s truly unpredictable what can become the trigger.”

“Wait, what?!”

Samuel’s casual revelation left Isamu and Annemarie stunned, and they couldn’t help but exclaim.

“What is it?”

“Wait—wasn’t it because my skill was too weak that you passed on me?”

Recalling the situation at the time, Isamu asked in disbelief.

“Ah, I only said that to appease the situation. However it looked to you, a skill that sees magic is hardly trivial, wouldn’t you agree? If you’d come to our house, our magic power would have been far too dominant, throwing things out of balance.”

Isamu and Annemarie stared, wide-eyed, as Samuel so casually revealed the truth.

“If I’d said it outright then, it might have disrupted things that would otherwise have fallen smoothly into place. Though if the value of non-attribute magic stones were as high then as it is now, I’d have had quite a dilemma.”

“I had no idea…”

“Nor did I…”

“I hadn’t mentioned it. Very few within the household know; even Franboise was unaware.”

“I had absolutely no idea…”

Samuel gave a brief chuckle, looking at Franboise’s stunned expression.

“Well, the past is the past. The real issue is what’s ahead. I’ll offer my support, but first, what’s your strategy for seizing Avalushi’s magic giant golems?”

“…………”

Though everyone else was reeling from the revelations, Samuel moved past it without hesitation, pressing forward.

Samuel didn’t elaborate further about himself, but the Felker family, to which he belongs, has long maintained the kingdom’s balance.

The Felker lineage has often produced individuals with powerful magic-related skills, enabling them to act both against foreign enemies and within the kingdom to prevent any one noble or faction from becoming too powerful. In recent generations, with the royal family ruling justly, the pro-royalist faction has grown strong. Although the Felker family is technically anti-royalist, they don’t truly align with any side. Their loyalty has always been solely to the kingdom.

“Hm? Is my assistance alone not sufficient?” 

Samuel tilted his head slightly, noticing the continued silence of Isamu and the others.

“Oh, no, not at all! We intended to succeed on our own, so with the support of Your Excellency… and Franboise, I’m confident we’ll manage.”

Isamu replied, though he’d never actually seen Samuel use magic. The sheer density of Samuel’s magic aura he’d witnessed earlier, however, was enough to suggest he was indeed a human weapon.

Isamu and his team prided themselves on their combat skills in small numbers, thanks to their mastery of ancient magic and original magic tools. However, powerful magic like the kind used by Franboise or Eleonora of the Eriksen family, which could cover vast areas, was both a boon and a potential game-changer.

After hearing Isamu’s response, Samuel gave a small nod, satisfied, while Franboise let out a pleased “hmph,” pleased to have been acknowledged by name.

“Then the real issue lies in fighting Zun itself after we seize the target…” 

Samuel mused.

“Yes. We’re unsure of the capabilities of that so-called first generation, but its size and power are reportedly one and a half times greater than Avalushi’s magic giant golems ” 

Isamu responded.

“Indeed. Its only flaws are its massive magic stone consumption and the strain on its operator. Other than that, its performance is a complete upgrade over our second generation.” 

Greg added, speaking of the first generation golems of Avalushi.

“Well… so the enemy has superior numbers and power. No wonder Alexei is feeling so confident. What is your plan, Matsumoto?” 

Samuel asked Isamu with a clear distaste when mentioning Alexei.

“Apologies, but for now, we’re only considering using the captured magic golems, our tools, and magic to the fullest… We can’t fight head-on, so we thought we’d conduct a probing attack to gauge their strength before devising a full strategy.”

“…It’s not exactly commendable, but given the circumstances, that may be all we can do.” 

Samuel replied, frowning slightly but nodding.

“Mya~ahh~” 

At that moment, Orihime, who had been curled up on Isamu’s lap, stood up and stretched, flicking her tail against his nose as if to say the conversation was dragging on.

“Oh, sorry, princess. You’re right; we’ve got you here and the other cats from Avalushi too.” 

Isamu said, apologizing as he gently petted the back of her head.

“Nyah.”

“Meeow.”

“Nii!”

“Myaa!”

Orihime meowed in response, and nearby, Lucy, Kiki, and Leo joined in.

“Ah! How absolutely adorable…” 

Annemarie, as expected, was nearly overwhelmed with delight at the sight

.

“Oh, Matsumoto. Is this adorable creature here your familiar?”

Samuel, who had been observing the scene, suddenly asked Isamu, as if the thought had just occurred to him. Franboise visibly twitched at Samuel’s choice of the word “adorable.”

“I had been curious about it even at the Wanderer’s Gate. But I figured that saying something at that moment might complicate things, so I dismissed it as just a familiar.”

Isamu, too, had been a bit curious as to why no one had commented on him holding a cat back then. In a world where cats were practically unknown, it would naturally stand out.

Surprised to realize that this was due to Samuel’s intervention, Isamu answered the question.

“Well, I suppose you could call her a familiar, and that wouldn’t be wrong. She’s saved us from danger many times. But for me, Orihime is an irreplaceable family member. In my world, many people live closely with animals like that.”

“Family, you say? And she’s even saved you from danger? How wonderful. Adorable and capable—truly splendid.” 

Samuel replied, his use of the word “adorable” again causing Franboise to twitch.

“Nya~”

“Meow.”

“Nii-nii.”

“Myaa!”

As if unaware of Franboise’s feelings, the cats approached Samuel. Orihime rubbed her tail against his legs, Lucy boldly leapt onto his lap, and the siblings Leo and Kiki strolled across the table, rubbing their cheeks against his right and left hands.

“Ha… ha-ha… HAHAHA! Wonderful, truly wonderful! Hahaha!”

And so, yet another noble head of a prominent family fell completely under the spell of Orihime and her fellow cats.

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