The Sleeping Devil

Vol. 3 - Chapter 9 - Habit of Picking Up

In the forest just after entering the Beriard territory, amidst the scent of trees and soil, trying to compose themselves, they spoke to Sergio holding the reins behind.

"I heard about the trip and thought it was about enjoying sightseeing."

"Is that so? So, you're enjoying the journey while sightseeing, right?"

Is it really sightseeing when they mention sightseeing? Still, they only have memories of magic classes and slavery-related incidents.

They settled a temporary contract with Sara and decided to return to the outskirts of the Beriard territory where they camped. It seems there's a system for lending for a few days if a down payment is made.

Sara, unusually for a noble's daughter, claimed she could ride horses, so when Sergio bought one in town, she collapsed on the spot and then muttered something while riding the horse.

Upon reaching the camp, Sara almost fell off the horse again but was supported by a knight as she entered the tent.

"Now then, once again, I am Sergio Beriard, the lord of the Beriard territory. This is my eldest, Didier, and this may be the second child, Sheriel, who might become your master."

Sara removed her hood, introducing herself as Sergio did, but she collapsed as if fainting or suffering from anemia.

She bowed her head like a commoner, trembling, stiffening her entire body.

"Lord... Please forgive my immense impoliteness."

"I don't recall any specific impoliteness, but it would trouble me a bit if Klayla collapses."

"I am truly sorry! I am prepared for any punishment! But please, just for Klayla..."

"Well, let's first see how Klayla is before deciding what to do. I won't forcibly take you back, so please don't worry."

From Sara's perspective, having the lord suddenly appear and potentially take her back to her fleeing hometown might make her seek mercy. Unfortunately, there's no mercy in the Beriard family. I thought it might be best to take the children I protected yesterday to the northern region as their caretaker, so I didn't oppose it much.

Sara, lifting her face suddenly, froze again when our eyes met. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. Her round eyes were fixed on my hair.

"Staying somewhere and working might not bring peace to your mind, right? Maybe returning to town once and sorting out your feelings properly would be better."

"I appreciate your concern..."

"If it's acceptable with someone with this hair, I'd be glad if you considered the contract positively."

Sara desperately furrowed her brow, trying not to let tears overflow from her moistened eyes. I've been seeing girls cry since yesterday, and it's starting to weigh on me. In my dreams, I was called a useless, flawed daughter, but now I feel like I'm just a villain making people cry.

No, I want to believe Mia's tears were tears of relief.

"As you've come as a temporary maid for me, you'll learn to work under Mary. Although she's of lower nobility than Sara, will you follow her?"

"Of course."

Since I received a positive response, I'll leave it to Mary from here. I instructed another maid to guide Sara to have breakfast with the servants while we also got breakfast prepared for ourselves.

"So, did you just bring them along? You guys pick up everything, don't you?"

"Like Noah and Julius."

"I was the one who picked them up. There was a little girl crying because of someone who couldn't even properly perform a baptism ceremony."

"Oh, I heard someone picked up a cat, right?"

I called Julius to the tent where we were, and he immediately started bantering with Didier. While I'm happy they're getting along, I'm starting to worry about Julius's sharp tongue.

"When there's a class, I think it's fine for you to wait with the other servants. Is that alright with you?"

"I don't mind. I assume the servants have heard from Sergio by now."

Not understanding the conversation, I glanced at Sergio, who seemed to have heard it anyway and explained about the request for a teacher.

"I've told them not to talk about Sheriel and Julius. It would be troublesome if Marcel barges in again, right?"

"Indeed. Then Julius, you'll soon have the freedom to roam the castle! Let's take a walk sometime; even the noon garden is beautiful."

"Sheriel, are you getting too close to Julius? What's so good about him? He's neither kind nor interesting, is he?"

Didier glared discontentedly at Julius, who smirked slightly, seemingly triumphant. It's difficult to say what's appealing about him...

"At first, maybe because I didn't think of him as a person? Besides, it's natural for people to be drawn to beautiful things, isn't it?"

"Hahaha! So it's still his face... or rather, is this all about the face!? You're still about the face despite being surrounded by such good faces!?"

"I-It's not just about the face! The teacher is knowledgeable in magic and everything else. He's generally caring and always helps me."

"...Wait, Julius looks stunned, so cut him some slack."

Despite starting the conversation, Didier laughed until he struggled to catch his breath. Julius stood frozen, holding a piece of torn bread.

"Teacher, that's not it. I genuinely respect him. It's not because he's a cat or beautiful."

"Sheriel, maybe let's be quiet for a bit?"

"Yes..."

Julius smiled at me warmly, leaving me no choice but to fall silent. Admittedly, my excitement did surge when I thought of him as a cat. But the truth is, whether it's the feline form or Julius's human-like appearance, it's undeniably due to his exquisite beauty. Despite living in the Beriard household full of good-looking individuals, his striking, almost unearthly beauty is still unfamiliar. Recently, I've noticed moments where he seemed tired or exhibited more human-like traits, finally allowing me to acknowledge his humanity. However, it's probably better to keep that realization to myself.

"Hehe, Julius, shall we arrange an engagement between you and Sheriel?"

"What are you saying, Father!"

"Well, I don't need any engagement. Besides, I don't have a penchant for little girls."

"Oh, what a shame. But aren't you still a child yourself?"

"Teacher, are you really just fifteen!"

"Here we go again..."

Although I'd heard his age before, perhaps due to thinking of him as an old man in cat years, combined with his composed demeanor, I had imagined him to be much older.

"But Julius does look older, doesn't he? He lacks youthfulness."

"Is that so? I hardly sleep, so it's like living twice as long as others."

"Huh, what do you mean by 'hardly sleep'?"

"If feeling tired, just apply self-healing. Didier can do it too."

"Teacher! That's not the issue! Please, get some sleep!"

I've often wondered how someone could grow so well with such a diet, almost like doping through magic. Sleep is important. Without giving the brain and body rest, even the autonomic nervous system could go awry.

Wait, do people in this world even have an autonomic nervous system? Would it not be a problem if magic can heal?

"I'll try to sleep when I have time."

Julius's ethereal smile made me suddenly anxious, as if he might vanish at any moment. This wasn't the time to be inviting someone to a dark auction. I should refrain from getting involved in Sergio's whims from now on.

Despite my uncharacteristic loud voice, I arranged to have swordsmanship lessons during our post-meal time. Julius and Didier would join, so it should be somewhat manageable.

"Didier and Julius, try a mock battle. Meanwhile, Sheriel, try to land a hit on me."

"But Licht..."

"Licht is already participating in knight training."

What on earth... I thought I'd have a break if one person was free, but it turned out Sergio's Spartan training began. After this, it's just sleeping in the carriage. Reminding myself of that, I propelled forward.

"Hey, Sheriel, aren't you getting a little too strong?"

"Hmm, you're skilled in swordsmanship too. Maybe we should tailor magic training more towards combat."

"Both of you, stop being distracted and focus. Should we prepare punishment for whoever gets hit?"

Desperately engaging, I seemed to be the only one focused, while the three of them managed to hold a conversation. Taking advantage of Sergio being distracted by the other two, I aimed for his supporting leg with my sword. Even though he wasn't looking at me, he effortlessly dodged it, then turned away while still carrying his sword, then I aimed for Sergio's hand.

Thwack! I landed a hit on the hilt, instantly turning towards Sergio, only to find his sword flying out of his hand. I did it! But the moment I thought that, my own sword was skillfully kicked up with the tip of his foot.

"Great job! Now, it's hand-to-hand combat."

Eek... I'm still only seven years old.

To strike arms or the head with a kick, I needed to jump high first, but even then, the impact wouldn't be substantial. With my weight still light, it's difficult to break a neck by trapping it. So, instead, I delivered a blow to the upper body, swaying the axis before landing and simultaneously disrupting his footing.

Judging the center of gravity, I swung to align Sergio's legs, but instead of reacting, I ended up getting knocked back without him even flinching.

"Wow, Sheriel, you really have a sense for this."

"Ugh... my ribcage feels a bit..."

I got up and stretched from side to side, feeling my bones crackle and pop, but soon the pain and discomfort disappeared. Didier and Julius seemed to be engaged in a serious duel, but they wore smiles and exchanged what seemed like provocative remarks. Didier's attacking style seemed provocative and sly, reflecting his personality. And Julius, whom I didn't think would suit wielding a sword, handled it skillfully as if he was accustomed to it.

"Well, whether you two have good or bad compatibility... that's enough. Julius, let's spar. Didier, if you don't take this seriously, you'll lose to Sheriel."

"What are you planning to do with Sheriel, Father?"

Thinking it might be a break, Didier and I observed Julius and Sergio's sparring. Perhaps Julius had lost the ease he had moments ago; even his faint smile had disappeared.

"Yeah, it might be the family background; he's very well-mannered. But does he have practical combat experience? Julius will continue to get stronger."

Sergio, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying landing multiple strikes on Julius. If the blades weren't dulled, it might have been a bloody mess by now. I realized he'd refrained from striking me directly, considering my safety up until now.

As the speed of their swords escalated to a point where I couldn't follow without enhancing my vision, Sergio finally disarmed Julius, signaling the end of the training.

"How was it? My training seems somewhat useful, right?"

"Yeah... as expected from the kingdom's top knight."

It was the first time I'd seen Julius panting. I'd assumed he was more of an indoor type, but it seems he was quite inclined towards combat.

Didier was standing next to me, sighing disapprovingly.

"Hey, do I have to train up to this level too?"

"It wouldn't sit well to be surpassed by your sister, right?"

"No, I'm more of a strategist, so I'll leave the combat to Sheriel."

Wait, wasn't he vehemently against swordsmanship training before? Suddenly this?

I don't dislike swordsmanship, in fact, I find it enjoyable, but I can't shake the feeling of being pressured into something.

"Brother, my rib actually snapped earlier, you know?"

"Sheriel has a good self-healing ability, right? It's better to have the skills to protect yourself in case something happens, so you should consider training in swordsmanship."

"That's true, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. But still, isn't it impressive that I, as the lord, am doing this?"

Oh no, this is terrible. Didier sacrificed me to avoid swordsmanship training.

Looking at Julius, he was casting a bold cleansing spell on his clothes. He seemed refreshed, his hair swaying as usual, keeping his distance, as if nothing had happened.

"Let's change clothes too; we might catch a cold."

When we returned, the tent was already tidied up, and preparations for departure were underway. Using a spacious platform for changing, we cleansed ourselves one by one and then set off towards Klayla.