Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 10: The Strong Arm
Sera’s defeat against Licia that spring had become a bitter memory.
Since that day, she had trained harder than ever with the goal of eventually overcoming her.
Yet Licia—the girl who had overwhelmed Sera—was herself being overwhelmed by a boy of the same age.
Once Sera recovered from the shock, excitement began to rise within her.
“I cannot believe there is a boy stronger than you. But Vayne and I will keep training until we surpass both of you.”
“You mean the boy who protected you?” Licia asked.
Sera’s cheeks reddened slightly. Licia immediately understood that her feelings for Vayne were not merely gratitude. Having experienced something similar herself, she recognised the signs quickly.
“I look forward to meeting all of you at the academy,” Sera continued. “Vayne, me, you, and the boy stronger than you. It will certainly be interesting.”
“The academy? What are you talking about?”
“The Imperial Military Academy, obviously.”
Sera laughed, believing Licia was joking.
“You are enrolling, aren’t you? Even the Special Class entrance examination should not be difficult for you.”
To Sera, Licia’s admission was self-evident.
But Licia had not decided.
“You truly have not made up your mind?”
Licia nodded.
“I understand the value of attending the academy, but it is not the only path available.”
“I know. Not every minister or great noble graduated from there. Even so, you should attend.”
“Why?”
Sera leaned closer with unusual seriousness and glanced toward Lessard, silently asking permission to speak plainly.
Before she could explain, a murmur swept through the hall.
The three of them turned toward the entrance.
Sera’s expression tightened when she saw the man approaching.
Ulysses Ignat—the noble known throughout the empire as the Strong Arm—had arrived.
Walking one step behind him was a girl whose beauty rivalled Licia’s. Ulysses exchanged easy smiles with several nobles before noticing House Clausel and approaching.
“Good evening, Baron Clausel. Lady Licia.”
His masculine face carried a bright, almost friendly smile.
Then he noticed Sera.
“And you are from House Riohard…”
“S-Sera Riohard.”
“Of course. I have seen you at several gatherings. Forgive me, but may I borrow these two for a private conversation?”
Sera’s entire body had gone rigid.
Simply standing before Ulysses exposed her to a pressure that made breathing difficult. She finally understood why so many nobles feared his strength and influence.
Although he had asked her a question, she could not answer.
“My apologies,” Ulysses said with a shrug. “It seems I frightened you.”
He looked toward his daughter.
“That is because you approached her carelessly, Father,” Fiona said. “You should apologise properly.”
She stepped forward and smiled at Sera.
The sight was so lovely that Sera forgot her fear and whispered, “Beautiful…”
Standing beside both Licia and Fiona made her feel as though she had wandered into a painting of goddesses.
“Forgive us for interrupting,” Fiona said. “May we speak with Baron Clausel and Lady Licia?”
Lessard rescued Sera from the situation.
“I enjoyed speaking with you, Lady Riohard. I hope you and Licia have another opportunity to continue your conversation.”
“Y-yes. Of course.”
Understanding that Lessard was telling her he would handle matters, Sera withdrew.
She left without learning why Ulysses had come.
“Now, then,” Ulysses said. “Shall we move to the terrace?”
“Will that not make everyone assume we are plotting something?” Lessard asked.
“On the contrary. They will assume I am berating you over the Baldor Mountains incident.”
That was already what many watching nobles believed: that Ulysses intended to blame the lord whose territory included the disaster site.
The group moved through the empty terrace and into a secluded corner of the garden behind a hedge. No one dared follow while Ulysses was present.
Once they were alone, he stopped.
“We have finally met, Baron Clausel. There is much to discuss, but first I must thank you.”
Ulysses bowed deeply.
Fiona bowed beside him.
Lessard hurried to stop them.
“Please, there is no need.”
“I disagree. You are a benefactor to both my daughter and me. I have waited a long time for the opportunity to express my gratitude directly.”
Only when Ulysses and Fiona finally raised their heads did Lessard and Licia relax.
“Thank you,” Fiona said. “I am alive because of the help House Clausel gave us.”
“Lady Fiona, Ren is the one who deserves your gratitude.”
“I know. But House Clausel provided the Thief Wolfen material that allowed the medicine to be made.”
Fiona bowed once more.
When she looked up, her eyes met Licia’s.
Both girls had thought the same thing when they first saw one another across the party hall, and they thought it again now.
(I have never seen anyone so beautiful.)
Neither spoke the thought aloud.
A night breeze moved through the garden.
The platinum-feather ornament in Licia’s hair swayed. So did the uncut Star Agate pendant at Fiona’s chest, its stone carrying an unusual reddish colour.
Both girls opened their mouths at once, but Ulysses resumed speaking before either could begin.
“Regarding the winter incident—are the two of you listening?”
“Yes. Forgive me, Marquis Ignat,” Licia said quickly.
“I’m listening too, Father.”
Ulysses explained that Fiona had also been rescued by Ren.
“My daughter tells me that Ren Ashton saved her life and that she finally thanked him personally.”
Lessard lowered his head.
“I apologise that such an incident occurred within my territory.”
“Stop. It was beyond your control.”
“Nevertheless—”
“I was the one who failed to foresee the danger. Had I been wiser, Fiona would never have been placed in that situation.”
“If even you could not predict it, Marquis Ignat, then no one else reasonably could.”
“Then by your own argument, Baron Clausel, you bear no blame either.”
Lessard closed his mouth with a bitter smile.
Ulysses continued.
“Do not be overly modest. I know you are capable. At this rate, House Clausel will rise considerably within a few years.”
“What are you referring to?”
“You think I have not heard the rumours? Merchants from neighbouring territories have begun gathering in Clausel.”
“More merchants have indeed been passing through, but I have done nothing remarkable.”
“Then what of the new road near the Baldor Mountains—the route merchants have wanted for years?”
“I only wished to make travel between the surrounding territories easier.”
“By cutting through an entire mountain?”
Lessard remained calm beneath Ulysses’s scrutiny.
Once complete, the road would connect the territories beyond the range with the former Given territory. Merchants travelling through the region would naturally use it, and the effect would extend to territories linked by magic ship.
“Several nobles have recently contacted us,” Lessard admitted.
Ulysses laughed.
“And you are not seeking commercial advantage?”
His smile sharpened.
“You have already begun negotiating, have you not? Reduced trade taxes in exchange for recognising Clausel’s new road as a protected transit route, perhaps?”
“Nothing has been finalised.”
“You truly are difficult to read. A mere baron has independently brought higher nobles to the negotiating table.”
Licia had heard none of this.
She looked up at her father in astonishment.
“I am sorry,” Lessard said to her. “The matter became large, and I did not wish to burden you with unnecessary concern.”
“Father…”
“I cannot allow Ren to carry every responsibility for our future.”
Even Ulysses clearly admired Lessard’s achievement.
Licia’s surprise became pride. Her father was strengthening their position and enriching the territory through his own ability.
The conversation continued while the nobles inside assumed Ulysses was reprimanding Lessard. In reality, Ulysses repeatedly expressed gratitude, with Fiona bowing beside him.
Eventually, Lessard mentioned Asval’s horn.
“Asval’s horn? That is intriguing.”
“We have been uncertain how to handle it. Acting without consulting you seemed disrespectful.”
“There is no disrespect, but I appreciate your consideration.”
Ulysses folded his arms.
“Who owns it?”
“House Clausel currently holds it, but I believe the rightful owner is Ren. Unless the crown demands it as an offering, of course.”
“Then there is no question. The horn belongs to Ren Ashton.”
With both Ulysses and Lessard recognising Ren’s ownership, no lesser noble could reasonably dispute it.
Only the question of how to use the material remained.
“Leave that to Ren,” Ulysses said. “I will see what can be arranged. The horn may be suitable for creating equipment.”
“Then I place the matter in your hands.”
“Gladly. I have more useful acquaintances than my appearance suggests.”
Nothing about Ulysses’s appearance suggested otherwise, but Lessard and Licia politely refrained from saying so.
Ulysses’s tone then became thoughtful.
“There is one strange point. I do not believe it was coincidence that the horn reached the Ashton village.”
“I share that suspicion,” Lessard replied.
His eyebrows moved for only an instant.
He did not reveal what he knew about the Ashton ancestry.
Ulysses noticed the reaction, but because Lessard was Fiona’s benefactor, he chose not to press him.