CCM 71 – Yo, Just When did the Both of You Became THAT Delicate?

Around the same time.

Deep into the Ald family’s estate – inside it’s master’s chambers.

[*Yaaawwwwnnnn*]

Euphias Ald fervently yawns as he lays his back down on to his grandiose looking seat.

[I am starving. Hey, you there.]

[Y-yes!!]

[Make something pleasurable to my palette. You have 10 minutes.]

[So-something pleasurable, you say…]

[Do I still have to spell out the rest for youl!? What are you slaves being alive for then!?]

Euphias then grabs the whip resting beside him and lashes it out to the female slave. His eyes do not contain even a bit of mercy as the whip falls to the servant’s skin. The way his wrist flick his whip let it hit as strong as it could be.

[…*moans* uhh….]

The female slave receives his fury without being able to do anything.

She could only endure as she tries to respond to his call while her tears are on the verge of falling.

[U – understood.]

She says before she moves her feet and moves out from Euphias’ chambers.

The girl’s expression that was full of despair.

Her eyes that seemed lifeless as if she’s already given up on all kinds of hope.

The appearance of the slave as she finds no meaning in living is something Euphias profusely loves.

Afterall, even Euphias knows that 10 minutes is not enough for anyone to prepare a desirable dish.

[Kukuku… I’m looking forward to how devastated she’ll be after ten minutes… How pleasurable it would be…]

[–What obnoxious taste. I can see that you’re still the same as always.]

It was then that a man wearing gray robes that covered all of his body appeared behind Euphias.

A long sword can be seen strapped on his back and his posture and mannerisms speak of the swordsman’s high level of mastery over the sword arts.

It was Doshi A (Comrade A).

Or so how he was called by the members of the SoA from last night.

It was said that he is only behind the party’s leader in terms of strength and is the undisputable number two of their group.

[A, huh… I believe I told you already to stop suddenly appearing behind me.]

[I haven’t appeared all of a sudden. I was already standing there for quite a few seconds already. It is on you for failing to take notice.]

[Hmph, what a cheeky guy. Just who do you think is providing for all of your finances and needs?]

[…Apologies for being rude.]

A obediently puts his hand on top of his chest and bows his head in apology.

He decided to stay low right immediately before the nobleman turned into something more annoying.

[…Regarding the slaves, I’d like to confirm but the homunculus that we have provided for you has suited your tastes, did it not?]

[Yes. Em had been really splendid.]

The most important factor regarding these creations are their combat abilities.

The combatant homunculi are said to be so strong that no middle rank adventurers could be their match.

High ranking adventurers, particularly of A rank, are not that common around the kingdom so these ones are perfect to serve as escorts and guards.

[To create such creatures… Just what does the lot of you from Saviors of Arceus trying to do?]

[Kukuku… What else. It’s all for the sake of saving this country.]

[……….]

Hearing A’s response, Euphias sighs as he mutters his response.

[Yare yare. You lot are really shrewd.]

And so.

[Uh.. uhm, master… Please..]

With fear clearly stricken to her face, the slave that had left earlier has now returned.

She’s holding a platter with both of her hands.

Behind the lid of the silver platter is — a tamagoyaki.

It is apparent how she did her best to faithfully fulfill the task she’s been entrusted.

Just how hard was it for her to carefully create this palatable dish in just 10 minutes?

It must have been tremendously difficult — that’s more the reason why it’ll be more appetizing to disdain and have it get ravaged further.

[You imbecile!! Who would dare to eat such garbageee!!!?]

[Kyaaa!!! Please forgive this servant!!!!]

The slave has laid herself down in a dogeza as she cries while begging for mercy. Euphias, who is looking down at such scenery, can’t help but feel really happy.

[What a piece of trash…]

A watches the two of them alone as he mutters a whisper full of disdain.

★

[I’ll be shooting now.]

We’re in Rastal village.

To be precise, we are in the plains outside the village.

Rei raises her right hand as she aims toward the training dummy in the far off distance.

I, together with lots of the villagers, are watching her and awaited for the event to unfold.

[Haaaaaaaaaa!!!]

Rei shouts at the top of her lungs as she unleashes her tremendous magic.

Heat and sparks can be seen from the ray of light that’s coming out of her hand as it pierces right through the training dummy.

But it doesn’t end with just that.

Even the trees and bushes behind the dummy have been scorched and disintegrated to ashes.

[Hahaha…]

I can’t help but laugh with a bit of bitterness.

Isn’t her growth rate too much?

That doesn’t look to be the same magic she’d been using earlier at all.

[W-wow…]

It seems like it came as a surprise even for Rei.

[That’s a middle tier magic… I can’t believe I was able to cast it almost immediately…]

[Congrats. But since it’s you Rei, I know you can still get a lot stronger than this.]

[That’s kind of bad… I’m already too happy with just this much…]

Rei had always been the type of girl who prefers to explore outside than stay indoors.

That’s why her new found power and abilities will definitely make her feel satisfied.

[Thank you, Arios! I hope we can further train with JUST BOTH OF US from now on!]

It sounded strange specially how Rei emphasized a particular phrase in there but before I can mention it, Kaya already reacted as if she’s putting up a fight.

[Ara, Rei. Arios-san would be training me along as well. I hope you aren’t forgetting about that?]

[Aren’t you strong enough already? Shouldn’t he devote more time to such a tender and delicate lady like me….]

[What are you saying? Aren’t I just a tender and delicate girl in front of Arios-san too…?]

–There they go again.

Why does it feel like Rei and Kaya always had to have this kind of argument everytime they see each other?

They seem energetic and lively about the topic so I guess it isn’t so bad…

[Uh, uhm… Arios-sama…]

I turned around towards the direction where my name was suddenly called from.

It was Ehm.

Seems like she went out as well to watch our training here in the plains.

She’s currently wearing a long sleeve which hides her crest.

With this, the villagers would not be able to tell that she is a slave so even if the Ald family complains, they won’t be treated as accomplices.

As for Viin, I don’t have him summoned here. Otherwise, the situation would be a lot more outrageous as it is.

[What’s up, Em?]

I asked Em why she called me all of a sudden which she responded with while her cheeks slightly reddened.

[Uhm… Please fight me as well….]

[Eh? Are you sure, Em?]

Would it really be alright for her to fight?

I can’t really be sure about that judging just by her appearance though…

[Em-chan, what are you saying.]

Maeri tries to reprimand her with a bitter smile on her face but I feel different seeing such an unusual expression from Em.

The girl is fully determined.

–To the point that… I can’t afford to deny it.

[…I can’t contain it anymore…]

Em whispers as she lowers down her head.

[There’s something different in me. There are horrifying voices that continually whispers and drowns my heart… and I can’t contain them anymore…]

[Horrifying voices, you say…]

*flashback*

–“…Still, even though we aren’t able to verify what comrade A had said, chances are high that the sword saint Arios Makuba holds the homunculus”–

*end of flashback*

The words of the member of SoA resurfaces in my memories no matter how much I hate it.

A homunculus — are the horrifying voices she is referring to relates to how she’s created?

But to be honest, I have no clue how she was created at all…

However.

I can see how serious this girl is regarding this matter.

That’s why.

[Then be it. GIve me your best shot.]

[Yes…]

Em nodded in response and at that moment-

[Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….]

An aura that I am rather familiar with emitted itself from Em’s body.

It’s the same aura that was emitted from that jet black jewel, the shadow stone.

And right then, a wave of darkness erupted from her body.

[Waaah!!]

[What is this!?!?]

The villagers around us are starting to panic.

I’d be lying if I say I am not caught off guard too.

This malicious intent. This uncomfortable appearance.

It’s getting more frightening than what I had imagined.

[uuUUooAAAAAAA!!!!]

In an instant, the girl already has a sword in her hands.

It appeared so suddenly like it was already right there from the start.

It all happened so fast that before I knew it, Em’s already shrouded by a jet black aura. It is dreadful aura oozing of despair that’s hard to imagine from a young girl full of innocence.

[Please… Sword Saint…. Arios-sama… I… Stop my raging heart…]

Em mumbles her words as tears heavily fall from her eyes.

[Yeah… Leave it to me.]