Published: September 9, 2025
This is Satou. Great incidents often begin quietly. And by the time you realize it, the situation has often become irreparable.
Still, I believe that as long as you don’t give up, truly irreparable situations are rare.
◇
After returning from the tea party, I heard a little about Miss Karina from Arisa.
Apparently, the pep talk Arisa gave her worked, and she’s been throwing herself into dance practice with a fierce determination.
“What did you say to her?”
“Hehe, you want to know? But I won’t tell~. That’s a maiden’s se-cret,” Arisa said, wagging her finger in front of her face before winking at me.
Her attitude was a bit irritating, but thanks to Arisa, Miss Karina seems to be taking the ball seriously. So I’ll let her off with just a pinch on the cheek this time.
“Leave the dancing to me~?”
“I want Master to see the results of Pochi’s special training.”
“Alright, I’ll dance.”
The youngest group begged me for a dance partner with sparkling smiles, but I couldn’t play along right now.
“Sorry, I have to go out with Liza now.”
Feeling a bit guilty at the disappointed kids, I promised them tomorrow would be free until evening, so I’d spend as much time as they want.
Arisa made an unnecessary comment, “That sounds like something a dad who can’t keep promises would say,” so this time, I really had to pinch her cheeks.
I’ll keep my promises. Absolutely!
“—Master, I’m ready.”
“Yeah, that outfit suits you too,” I complimented Liza, who unusually wore a skirt, then escorted the lady as we boarded the carriage heading to Lord Juleburg’s mansion.
◇
“What kind of warrior is unarmed!”
At the top floor of the mansion, guided by Juleburg’s servants, I was suddenly scolded by an unfamiliar middle-aged swordsman.
—Who is this guy?
“My apologies. This is our first meeting. I am Satou Pendragon, baron and retainer of Baron Muno.”
“Hmph! Know this: a petty noble who rose by his own skill but performs so poorly shall never be chosen as one of the Eight Swords of Shiga!”
I got that he was angry, but couldn’t we at least exchange greetings?
I looked again at the man who was visibly enraged.
He’s a level 42 swordsman, quite high-level. Coincidentally, he’s also 42 years old.
I think he’s also a candidate for the Eight Swords of Shiga, but he belongs to Parion Temple and is from the Parion Divine Kingdom.
It seems he’s recommended by the temple and isn’t a holy knight or a Mithril explorer.
His title is "Temple Knight"... but hidden titles visible only through AR include ominous ones like "Murderer" and "Assassin."
Given his somewhat disturbed, tense aura, those titles seem fitting.
His demonic sword has sinister effects like "stamina drain" and "weakening."
I was a bit wary because of the suspicious info and his origin, but he doesn’t seem connected to the Demon King followers called “Light of Freedom.”
While I was checking his info, he kept grumbling, but Liza stepped in before he could get angrier.
“Mr. Jizon, please refrain from disrespecting guests I invited.”
“Hmph, it’s because of such soft words that demi-humans defeat you.”
Lord Juleburg, the host, interrupted.
But the middle-aged man named Jizon shifted his ire from me to Juleburg, provoking him aggressively.
—He’s like a rabid dog.
At his age, he should calm down. Don’t they have the concept of ‘being mature’ in this world?
“Are you mocking me, boy?”
Juleburg’s voice grew fierce.
Most people here seemed hot-blooded; instead of stopping it, they were watching the situation with excitement.
—Damn muscleheads.
Well, since the atmosphere has soured, I stepped in to smooth things over.
If these two started fighting, we might miss out on the Omi Cattle feast. The chef here is reputed to be the best for meat dishes in the Royal Capital, so I don’t want to miss this opportunity.
I want to get some new skills and treat my kids properly.
“Hmph, if you’re a warrior, you should draw your weapon before talking—”