“Father, are you really considering doing as Count Vermont requested?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Promoting the Evil God’s subordinates…!”
“…”
Heisig whispered with a stern expression.
The corners of Count Ariente’s eyes twitched, despite his feigned calmness.
Aslan Vermont’s request was to widely publicize the necromancer who tamed the Evil God and the dark knight who wielded an uncontrollable demon sword and spoke in a peculiar manner.
“I must do it, what can I do…”
“Father!”
But could this really be called a request?
How could a request be made right after supporting the restoration of the Ariente territory?
It was clearly an order.
To obtain support for the restoration work, there was no choice but to accept this request.
“This is a path leading to destruction!”
“Are you saying that Count Vermont is committing s*icide!? I can tolerate insults against myself, but insulting Count Vermont is something I cannot accept from anyone! Bow down, Heisig!”
“But…”
Grumbling, Heisig buried his head in the ground.
How did Father end up like this?
He was perfectly fine before, but ever since getting involved with Aslan Vermont, he had changed strangely.
“Of course, I know very well what kind of future will unfold if the rumors are spread as they are. Vermont will be attacked by all the forces, including the Emperor, and we won’t be safe from the flames either.”
Father! I didn’t know you could think on such a high level?
Heisig looked up at Count Ariente, tears welling up in his eyes.
Recently, he had been worried that his father might be suffering from dementia.
“However, ignoring the request of Count Vermont is out of the question. Even if the world fears and shuns him, he is a benefactor to us. The way to repay that favor is to somewhat distort the rumors.”
“Distort the rumors…?”
“Spread the rumors that the necromancer is a righteous Spirit Master and that the dark knight, who merely speaks in a strange manner, is a Sword Master!”
“…!”
Heisig’s eyes widened.
What! Are you saying you will distort it that much!?
“In reality, the necromancer is not handling fragments of Evil Gods but a great spirit! And the weapon used by the dark knight, despite its fearsome appearance, is just a Holy Sword! The 7th Holy Sword of Master Craftsman Jain hasn’t been found even now. Did he get his hands on it…?”
“Father! You know very well that such a thing is nonsense!”
“I know! It’s complete nonsense, and I know that!”
Count Ariente shouted, closing his eyes tightly.
Of course, it was nonsense that even a dog wouldn’t believe. But shouldn’t we do this?
The oppression that will befall Vermont is already vivid in his mind, and how can he just watch his benefactor walk the path to destruction?
For the sake of the gracious benefactor, he could very well become a laughingstock ridiculed by the world.
He didn’t mind being scolded by his benefactor for distorting the rumors.
Leading the benefactor onto the right path.
That was the true meaning of loyalty.
“Anyway, spread the rumors like that, and remember it!”
“Father!”
“This is the only way for both Vermont and Ariente to survive…!”
If it means avoiding oppression, he’ll spread anything!
Even if it’s absurd rumors that the necromancer and dark knight are growing up with warm love and education instead of undergoing cruel human experiments…!
With a firm look of resolution, Count Ariente clenched his fist.
***
In the midday sun.
With sunlight softly streaming through the window.
Julia groggily woke up from her sleep.
“Mm…?”
This hand, it’s big and warm.
As always, she had been smiling softly, rubbing her cheek against the familiar hand in her sleep.
“Hehe, so Julia shows affection like this.”
“…!?”
Startle!
Julia opened her eyes wide in shock.
The first thing she saw was Charlotte, looking over with a restrained smile.
“Huh?”
Julia’s expression became dazed.
Her pupils moved quickly as she tried to shake off the remnants of sleep and understand the situation.
Come to think of it, she had fallen asleep not in Aslan’s office, but in the carriage yesterday…?
So, Charlotte was here with her too…?
Then, she had just shown Charlotte that she wasn’t displeased with Aslan’s hand and had rubbed her cheek against it while pretending to be asleep…?
Julia’s face turned bright red in an instant.
“Huh? Ahh!?”
“Shh. Mister is asleep.”
“…?”
Thump.
Charlotte hurriedly covered Julia’s mouth to prevent her from screaming.
Julia quietly lifted her head to peek at Aslan’s face.
Oh. Really.
He’s sleeping with his eyes closed.
No, rather than sleeping, it looks like he’s dead…?
Startled, Julia quickly put her finger near Aslan’s nose.
Fortunately, he was breathing lightly.
“Hehe. I was surprised at first, thinking he was dead. He was sleeping so deeply.”
“Ah, that’s a relief… But it seems like I’ve never seen Aslan sleeping before. No, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him resting with his eyes closed.”
Julia whispered as she gently touched Aslan’s cheek.
So, this is how Aslan sleeps like a corpse.
She had always fallen asleep first, so she didn’t know.
He seemed like someone who never slept.
“Hehe. I’ve seen it before.”
“What? Really?”
“Yes. Last time, when I was giving him a massage, I could see him with his eyes closed for a very long time. Aren’t you jealous!?”
“J-Jealous…!? Why on earth should I be jealous of that!”
Julia, feeling something strange, snapped back in response.
Well, seeing Aslan asleep is indeed a rare sight.
It’s fascinating because it’s uncommon, but that’s about it.
Just because something is rare doesn’t mean it’s precious, right?
Well, it’s nice to think that she could get some revenge on Aslan by poking his cheek as much as she wants.
It’s also not bad that she can occupy his usually busy right hand instead of his left hand.
And seeing his fierce gaze hidden, revealing a rather handsome face, isn’t too bad either.
But really, that’s all there is to it.
There’s nothing special about it! Really!
What’s so precious about an asleep Aslan!?
“Hehe, pretending not to be jealous, aren’t you?”
“What? Fine, let’s say I’m jealous. But did you know? Aslan likes mature physiques.”
“What!?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened.
“You can tell from how he embraces Dame Sylvia. Aslan likes big, curvy bodies. You don’t seem to have a chance, but I…”
“…”
Trailing off, Julia straightened her shoulders and smiled proudly.
Charlotte glanced down and then at Julia, her expression slightly downcast.
The difference in combat ability was clear at a glance.
“T-that’s still not known yet…!”
“Not known? I bet everyone except Charlotte already knows.”
“Hmph. Julia, you always act like you dislike him, but you’re actually quite interested in his preferences, aren’t you?”
“What? What are you talking about…!?”
Julia’s face flushed bright red in an instant.
Ah! She had been trapped!
She fell for Charlotte’s trap!
“I-I’m not interested! I just said that because Charlotte seems to be interested.”
“Can’t you be honest? You know, if you’re not straightforward, you might lose out. Didn’t I mention that before?”
“Lo-loss out… What are you talking about…?”
“Are you that shy between us? Be honest with me. Even though you say you hate him, you actually like him, don’t you? Am I wrong?”
“Ugh…!”
Charlotte approached slyly, slowly putting pressure on Julia.
Julia, trying to escape, leaned back but soon found herself stuck against the backrest, with no way to run.
“Let’s be honest, Julia. Hm? You’re not admitting it because of your pride. You didn’t like him at first, but now you’ve changed your mind and don’t want to admit it. Am I right?”
“Ugh! Stop pressing me! I get it! I’ll be honest…!”
Being honest is easier said than done.
Charlotte, she seems bright and innocent, so it must be easy for her.
But for Julia, it’s hard…
Being honest with herself is tough…
She didn’t even know her true feelings clearly…
But one thing was clear.
Should she say it or not?
Julia’s lips trembled as she struggled to decide.
“Well, I don’t exactly… dislike him anymore. I’ve realized that my prejudice led to a misunderstanding…”
“Ah, so you were just being stubborn because you didn’t want to admit the misunderstanding.”
“…”
Julia bowed her head, her voice trembling.
Silence was an affirmation.
Charlotte’s expression brightened significantly.
“Did you hear that, Mister?”
“…!?”
“Mister. You don’t need to pretend to be asleep anymore.”
“Huh? Ahh!?”
Charlotte whispered while tugging at Aslan’s shirt.
Julia’s mind went blank.
He wasn’t actually asleep…?
Did he hear everything?
Saying she doesn’t dislike him is practically the same as saying she likes him, right?
Saying she likes him is practically the same as confessing, right?
So, isn’t that like proposing to Aslan!?
If it’s that crazy Aslan, he might actually take it that way!
Julia’s mind went white as she panicked.
Charlotte, who had been laughing, suddenly stopped when she noticed Aslan.
“Ahahaha…! It was just a joke! There’s no way someone would be so good at pretending to sleep!”
“Charlotte!!!”
In a panic, Julia hadn’t noticed clearly.
Aslan was still lying there, looking like a corpse. Julia started to tear up as she understood what had happened.
How could she make such a joke?
She almost died of embarrassment…!
Charlotte, still laughing, turned her head towards Aslan.
The laughter suddenly stopped.
“Seriously! I thought my heart was going to drop! Hah, if Aslan had heard everything, I would have died of embarrassment.”
“What exactly did you say that was so embarrassing?”
“…Huh?”
A deep voice.
Julia’s head snapped around.
There, sitting with his usual fierce gaze, was Aslan, who was supposed to be asleep.
“Mister, did you sleep well?”
“Rather than sleeping, it seems I was briefly unconscious. But seeing that I feel refreshed, it looks like I had a comfortable rest.”
“Ah, Aslan. When did you come to your senses…? How much did you hear…?”
Julia gulped, nervous.
Aslan gave a meaningful smile and said.
“Well. When did it start?”
Julia’s mind went blank again.
Ah, should she just die?
