Episode 35

“…Th-that means lolicon—”

“I’m not a lolicon! Age can be dozens older—it’s just that I prefer women who look more… childlike! In the past, Lady Alicia was very much to my taste, but she’s grown quite a bit since then… so I don’t have the same enthusiasm as before.”

“…I-I see.”

What kind of face or reaction was I supposed to have when he said that?

Rebert let out a serious sigh, but I couldn’t say anything.

“If only Alicia were twenty centimeters smaller and had a smaller bust… Well, in Lady Alicia’s case, I feel her chest size barely passes.”

“……”

It was the right call to send Alicia out into the hallway. She’d mentioned before that she was a bit worried about her bust size…

I barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief that Alicia wasn’t there before Reberto, looking exasperated, put his hand to his forehead.

“Besides, I’m not the sort of man destined to remain as head of a viscount’s household. From now on I plan to achieve more victories and aim even higher.”

“…Is that so?”

So that means he’s not going after Alicia, then.

“That is why. Regarding Lady Alicia, for the sake of the family I want her on the surface, but only on the surface. I’d rather be out hunting monsters than doing blacksmithing.”

“I see.”

“So, I want you to do your best.”

He gave my shoulder a little pat.

He’s a noble, so who knows how much is true, but what Reberto said didn’t seem like a lie.

“Could you keep this a secret from Lady Alicia too?”

He put his index finger to his mouth and winked at me.

“…Ah, understood.”

“Is that so. So, how much for one of these swords? I’d like to try using one a bit…”

These were swords further refined for the next market. With more elaborate decorations on the grip and such, their appearance and overall vibe had changed from before.

They were several ranks above the ones we sold to Ivas previously.

I was thinking of selling them for about 50,000 to 80,000 gold.

“Well… I’m thinking around 80,000 gold.”

“Oh, I see. All right, I’ll buy it.”

…Oh, really? That’s quite a price, but as expected of a noble.

He immediately agreed and took 80,000 gold from his wallet. The wallet, however, was an item box that could hold a certain amount of items.

Truly a noble.

After I handed over the sword, Reberto patted my shoulder.

“So then, let’s keep the earlier matter a secret between the two of us.”

“…Yes, understood.”

“Also, next time I might bring materials and request weapon crafting, so I’d be glad if you could handle it then…”

“Understood, I’ll be waiting.”

“Oh! Is that so! Then don’t be so formal. You’re the future son-in-law. Rather, I should be the one showing you respect.”

He threw his arm around my shoulder, patting me… This guy is much more approachable than I expected.

“…Well, but—”

When I tried to deny it, Reberto looked sad. …He slumped like an abandoned dog, and I reluctantly continued speaking to him.

“All right, Reberto. Let’s get along from now on.”

“Ah, nice to meet you!”

He suddenly smiled happily and headed toward the door that led to the hallway.

“Lady Alicia. Our conversation is over.”

Rebert opened the door and called to Alicia. Alicia seemed to notice immediately when she looked at Reberto’s waist.

“You wanted a sword?”

“Yes, he seems to be quite a skilled blacksmith, so I thought I’d take one of his swords as a reference.”

Reberto smiled broadly.

Then he turned his gaze toward me.

“I have no intention of losing, Faik. My love for Lady Alicia is stronger than anyone else’s.”

“I won’t give up either… I love Alicia.”

When I answered Reberto like that, he flashed a combative smile and walked outside.

After Reberto left, I looked at Alicia and saw her cheeks bright red.

“Are you okay, Alicia?”

“Ugh…!? Y-yeah… I’m okay.”

She said that, but Alicia’s face remained flushed.

“There are other suitors, right?”

“…Yeah.”

…I see. If that’s the case, there might be encounters like this in the future.

Reberto was a reasonable person, but there’s no guarantee others will be the same going forward.

…I have to do my best for Alicia’s sake too.