［Stage 3-4] Who is your master?
My mornings start early. There are many different training regimens I need to undergo to maintain and strengthen this robust physique.
“Phew…199, 200…there.”
Even doing one-armed push-ups with weights has become second nature.
I’ve doubled the number of reps since enrolling.
Judging by the fatigue in my body, I could still increase the load without issue.
“Alice. Add some more weights…”
As I say that, I remember that she, who always supports me, is no longer here.
With no choice, I lower my feet and finish up.
“…Why didn’t you tell me anything, Alice?”
It’s been a day since Alice disappeared.
We waited for her all of yesterday, but she never came back.
I came to the training room, trying to spend time the same way as when she was here, but…all I feel is emptiness.
I only know one thing about why Alice left me
the line “I hereby resign from my position.” written in the letter she left behind.
That was her answer to my written inquiry.
She has rejected being my sword.
That much is an undeniable fact, etched into my heart.
“Ougasama!”
Lifting my gaze at the call of my name, I see Reina standing at the entrance, breathing heavily.
I wonder what could be the matter.
It’s rare to see her this agitated.
“Father is summoning us.”
“Father? I thought he was in the capital.”
“He seems to have been contacted by Duke Andraus, and has hurried back…”
“…Understood. I’ll head there right away.”
Without even wiping the sweat, Reina and I make our way to Father’s study.
Normally I wouldn’t do this, but time is of the essence now.
Father doesn’t know that Alice has disappeared. But the timing of his return, and the reason we’ve been summoned…
…My unease doesn’t subside, and I quicken my pace.
“Father, excuse me.”
I enter the room without waiting for permission, and there is Father, with a solemn expression.
“Ouga. Read this.”
Without preamble, he hands me an invitation letter.
The wax seal looks familiar.
To Lord Gordon Vellet
The party we previously invited you to has now been changed to a special format.
If you wish to bring merchandise, please inform the reception desk.
If you wish to enjoy shopping, please come prepared with sufficient funds.
Additionally, we have acquired a new star swordsman for our Andraus family party.
I can assure you that we will provide an enjoyable time.
Juke Andraus
“This was handed to me directly. …Most likely, the ‘special format’ refers to a slave auction. While I’ve been invited before, this is the first time.”
There have long been rumors of the Andraus family engaging in human trafficking.
But right now, Father’s words go in one ear and out the other.
There is one point I cannot overlook.
“Ougasama! This ‘new star swordsman’ they mention…!”
“…Yes, without a doubt. It’s about Alice!”
“…It seems there is information I’m still unaware of. Can you fill me in?”
“…Yes, the thing is–“
I explain what happened with Alice’s disappearance while Father was away.
“I see. Then, as you both suspect, this swordsman they refer to is likely Alice.”
“The timing of this party’s change of format…the possibility is high.”
Then, that means Alice has somehow fallen into the hands of Duke Andraus…?
It’s an outlandish idea, but if they knew her true identity, it wouldn’t be that difficult to trap her.
There is a deep-rooted feud between Andraus and Alice.
And if Flone has discerned Alice’s identity as Chris-Ragnica from their ship battle, that wouldn’t be surprising either.
I never even considered that possibility.
Alice never acts alone without my permission.
Alice is the strongest, so I didn’t need to worry.
My unconditional trust in her became complacency, a vulnerability they exploited.
If that’s the case, then the letter she left also makes sense.
In that case, the course of action I must take is clear.
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“…Father.”
“Wait. I understand what you want to say. But this is undoubtedly a trap to lure you out, Ouga.”
“Even if I know it’s a trap, I’m going.”
It seems the Andraus are desperate to meet me.
I don’t know what means they used to capture Alice, but if I miss this opportunity, Alice may be brainwashed by Flone’s dark attribute magic.
In the first place, the fact that Alice became a target is a mistake born from my own carelessness.
“As Alice’s master, this is something I must do.”
“Even if it’s difficult?”
“Yes. Even if I’m stopped, I’ll still go with you.”
My gaze meets my father’s, but realizing I won’t back down, he lets out a heavy sigh.
“…I understand. I’ll allow you to accompany us.”
“Thank you, Father. When is the party scheduled?”
“…Tonight. Andraus must have changed course the moment he realized you wouldn’t be attending, in order to lure out Alice.”
“He’s quite meticulous, isn’t he…?”
“He’s so desperate to get his hands on Ouga. But how will we proceed? Charging in head-on would be far too dangerous.”
My father’s words make sense.
Juke-Andraus is surely prepared to confront me.
And he must have heard of my capabilities from Flone. He won’t be foolish.
Plus, if I simply barge in, I could end up harming other nobles as well.
And the fact that my father has been unable to punish him despite reconnaissance means Andraus is cunning and elusive.
If I make a misstep and incur their wrath, my father could lose the trust of the other nobles.
Is there a better way…?
“How about posing as a slave?”
Reina’s clear voice cuts in.
She traces a line on the Andraus invitation.
“Bringing merchandise… This must mean slaves. Slaves won’t be displayed openly, and the chances of infiltrating through a back entrance are high.”
“I see… That’s an idea.”
Reina’s plan would indeed allow for relatively safe infiltration.
There are risks of mistreatment, but as Andraus’ guest, a slave from the Vellet household would likely not be treated too roughly,
as any damage would lower their price.
If such a thing is done to the goods of the Vellet family, there is no telling what kind of punishment they would receive.
The slave manager would have thought of that.
“Let’s quickly prepare slave-like attire. We should also change your hairstyle.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Please get women’s clothing as well, Dear Father.”
“Absolutely not. Reina, you’ll wait here.”
“No, I will follow whatever decision Ouga makes. If you won’t let me, I might just tell Mashiro and the others that you’re trying to go in alone.”
I’m at a loss for words. That’s a trump card I can’t ignore.
“I have enough combat experience and ability to be useful… or am I just a burden?”
“…Alright. But promise me you won’t sacrifice yourself, no matter what.”
“Of course. I won’t squander the life you and Ouga have given me.”
If it were Mashiro or Karen, I would have flatly refused. But with Reina, I can still get her to safety in the worst-case scenario.
Mashiro and the others said they’d stand by my side, but they’re still too fragile to even protect themselves.
This time, it’ll just be Reina and me.
It’ll be fine. We’ll finish this while Mashiro and the others sleep, and reclaim our normal days.
“Is everything settled then?”
My father and I nod in response.
“Unfortunately, we can’t expect support from the kingdom. If the Holy Knights get involved, the party will be called off immediately.”
In that case, Alice can’t be saved.
Tch… When the enemy is so formidable, it makes things so difficult.
“So it’s truly just the two of us.”
“That’s why we’ll prepare as much as possible, to increase our chances of success.”
The decisive battle will be at night. Until then, the three of us will refine our strategy.
The sun has set, with only the moonlight guiding our path.
With every jolt of the carriage, we wince as our bottoms hit the hard metal floor.
“I never imagined they’d even prepare a cage like this.”
Reina chuckles, her appearance a stark contrast to her usual self.
She’s wearing a messy black wig over her tied-up hair, and a tattered shirt and holey pants that don’t fit her.
Most notably, her hands are cuffed behind her back, and her feet are shackled, making it impossible for her to walk freely.
She looks like a rural slave girl being transported.
I too am wearing a brown, long-haired wig, and a shabby, half-torn outfit. Of course, I’m also bound in handcuffs and ankle shackles.
The only difference is the item I’ve hidden in my pocket, which I couldn’t bear to leave behind.
“Ah, the uncomfortable seating is the downside.”
“I miss riding in the carriage with Dear Father.”
“Same here.”
The metal floor is hard, making our bottoms ache.
How grateful I feel for the comfort of our usual carriage ride.
“And unfortunately… the smell is quite strong as well.”
“Since the slave is not wearing clothes with the scent of detergent, we’ll have to bear with it.”
Reina forces a wry smile, but she must be feeling the same level of foul odor as me.
The slaves’ clothes and wigs have been intentionally covered in sand or dipped in muddy water to make them look more slave-like.
In my past life, this would be unhygienic, but in this world, there is the all-purpose healing magic of [Recover].
As Reina said, let’s endure it until we can rescue Alice.
“You two, we’re almost at the Andraus household now.”
The servant from the Vellet household driving our caged carriage informs us that we’ve reached our destination.
The party venue this time is the Andraus household’s mansion.
… Well, the chatter ends here.
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