Alan averted his gaze, bent his knees, and sat down.
He looked down.
In his line of sight was a plate on the table, already arranged with the lunch Sylphie had prepared for him—all his favorite foods.
He had felt embarrassed before, feeling like a 'young master,' and had cautiously told Sylphie that she didn't need to do this, that he could do it himself.
But she had refused with a smile.
"Alan… you seem very troubled with the Silent Sword lately. I only know magic, so these simple things are all I can do to help. I know what you're thinking, but it's alright."
"This is my 'payment' for the dresses you bought me."
At this moment, Alan wanted to look up and thank Sylphie, but after blinking, he just picked up a piece of bread, his neck stiff, without raising his head.
Half a year ago, after writing Sylphie's name on that piece of paper, for some reason, he now always felt a strange sense of 'fluster' whenever he saw her face. He always subconsciously avoided her 'burning' gaze.
He could no longer see her as just a child.
Damn it!
But thankfully, Sylphie didn't seem to have noticed that he had once again indulged Eris in skipping class. It seemed his 'strategy' of taking her to change her clothes and comb her hair, while deliberately not changing his own, was correct.
A perfect 'alibi.'
This way…
he wouldn't have to look her in the eye and explain.
That was much harder than advancing to the Saint-rank in swordsmanship.
Beside him, Rudeus glanced sideways at Alan, 'observing' his expression the entire time, a satisfied smile on his lips.
Then his expression froze.
Because…
he felt a 'scorching' gaze.
From his side.
He whipped his head around.
In his line of sight, Eris had adopted the exact same eyebrow-raising posture as Alan and was looking at him, her eyes narrowed.
Rudeus couldn't help but shiver.
Wait! Young Lady?! Are you going to compete over this too??
But then he realized that the situation wasn't what he thought.
Because in the next instant, Eris spoke.
Her voice was loud and clear!
It was an explanation.
And also a top-down, 'commanding' statement of 'fact.'
"I went to the stables to sleep today! I didn't go find Alan! Look, my clothes aren't even wet!"
As she finished, with a soft slap, Alan covered his face, then rubbed it helplessly, which earned him a proud look from Eris. She crossed her arms, very pleased with herself for having perfectly recited Alan's instructions.
See, Alan, I explained just like you said! What do you think! Cool, right!
And Rudeus and Sylphie, who had personally witnessed the siblings practicing on the rooftop that morning, both turned to look at Eris in astonishment.
What a perfect alibi!
The one who had watched Detective Conan and the one who hadn't were both speechless.
Alan rubbed his face for a long time, then looked up at the two of them, about to explain something.
In his line of sight, Sylphie's ears twitched.
As if sensing his gaze, she immediately turned to look at him.
Alan was taken aback, and the words on the tip of his tongue were forgotten again.
Because…
the wind moved.
The morning wind after the autumn rain, carrying the damp smell of earth, caressed the curtains in the dining hall, making them sway and dance.
Sunlight fell on the table.
He didn't know if it was because the morning sun after the rain was particularly bright.
But at this moment, Alan actually saw a rainbow of colors in Sylphie's pupils.
They were magnificent reddish-brown pupils.
And within those pupils, light and shadow danced with the swaying curtains.
It was…
Sylphie's characteristically soft voice sounded by his ear.
"It's alright."
"Alan."
She smiled, her eyes crinkling, and pointed to the plate in front of Alan.
"Let's eat… the soup is getting cold."
Alan looked at her, then quickly averted his gaze.
He looked down at the soup in his bowl.
But his mind was still replaying the image from a moment ago.
Within her eyes.
It was…
his own face.
"Don't look at the expression! Feel the killing intent! Expressions can be deceiving, movements can be feints, but killing intent does not lie! Understand?"
Splinters of wood burst from the wooden sword!
Alan looked into Eris's eyes, which were right in front of him. Her wooden sword was pressing down on his, making a creaking sound under the immense pressure.
But the wooden sword in Alan's hand remained motionless.
It was as if… only Eris was attacking.
Eris looked into Alan's eyes and bared her teeth in dissatisfaction. "I am trying to feel it! But I can't feel anything!"
Hearing this, Alan paused, then, as if realizing something, his eyebrows shot up.
He looked down at the wooden sword in his hand, avoiding Eris's gaze.
And then…
Killing intent!
It billowed out!
Eris's entire body went rigid. A layer of goosebumps spread up her arm from her wrist.
Her intuition for swordsmanship was extremely sharp. In that instant, she felt an indescribable 'chill' invade her from the wooden sword in front of her.
It was viscous.
And cold.
She couldn't help but shiver. With a clatter, the wooden sword fell to the ground.
She subconsciously looked into Alan's eyes.
He raised his gaze and met hers.
His 'expression' was the same as always.
In an instant, the 'cold' feeling receded from her body.
Eris subconsciously looked up at the setting sun.
The sunlight was still warm.
It instantly dispelled the chill.
"Remember this. This is killing intent."
Eris nodded blankly.
"But why couldn't I feel it just now?"
Alan's mouth twitched, and he glanced silently at Eris.
"…That's my fault. I probably didn't release any killing intent just now."
"Huh?"
Ghislaine, who had been watching from the side, couldn't help but shake her head. She walked over, took Alan's sword, and turned to look at Eris.
"Shall I practice with you?"
"Okay!"
Alan stepped aside and walked over to Rudeus, who was reading a book.
"Have you really given up on swordsmanship completely?"
Rudeus didn't look up. "I am practicing, Lord Alan~ But only enough to stay fit. Besides, we have you for swordsmanship, right? Why do I need to practice?"
Hearing this, Alan stroked his chin and thought for a moment.
It does seem like he doesn't really need to practice swordsmanship… In the original story, did Rudeus's swordsmanship ever come in handy?
Not much, it seems.
The only time that left a deep impression was…
His face stiffened.
The one time Rudeus 'showed off' his swordsmanship in the original story was… when Ariel chose to entrust her companion, Sylphie, to Rudeus. He and Luke had a sparring match at the gate of the house. That was Rudeus's shining moment in swordsmanship.
Unfortunately, Luke's Sword God Style was only at the intermediate rank, and his Water God Style was even at the elementary rank.
Looking at it that way, it really wasn't very necessary…
He was thinking this subconsciously, but then he suddenly paused.
He looked around.
"Where's Sylphie?"
Hearing this, Rudeus finally looked up.
He looked at Alan with a squint, his gaze幽幽.
He waited until Alan's scalp began to tingle before he slowly spoke, still keeping his eyes fixed on Alan's face.
But the moment he opened his mouth, Alan had already reacted.
"Whenever Lord Sauros and Lord Philip are not at the mansion, and Eris comes to eat with us in the servants' dining hall, doesn't Sylphie always take leave in the afternoon to have 'tea' with the lady of the house?"
As he spoke, Alan looked up at the window on the second floor above.
There was no one there.
Sylphie had gone to make up for the missing 'companionship.'
She was thoughtful and considerate, projecting her own feelings onto others.
She was afraid that Hilda would feel lonely.
Join my patreon For Early access to Chapter : patreon.com/TheWorldGod
Tiamat 200 Chapter (Final)
Honkai 610 Chapter
Lobotomy 110 Chapter
MushokuTensei 490 Chapter
'Pure Evil' Simulator Chapter Ending
Crossover Fic Blapterue-Eyes Chapter Ending
Harry want to be Hero 200 Chapter
A Clever Life in the Naruto World 180 Chapter