"Bang!!"
"Idiot!!"
Shira, who was kicked over, had his entire face contorted from the pain in his abdomen.
"He's just a slave..."
"It has nothing to do with whether she's a slave or not!! How many times have I told you!! Don't cause trouble for me now!! Aren't the women those guys sent enough for you to play with?! You just had to go and cause trouble!!"
Looking at his father's gradually calming expression, Shira's face, which was originally contorted from pain, instantly turned pale.
His father was a person who didn't show his emotions easily. If the other party showed extreme anger, it meant that the other party didn't actually take the matter too seriously, but once he became serious, it meant that the other party was really angry. It was the same as the last time he secretly had a relationship with the other party's concubine. That woman was eventually given to a subordinate, and he was severely punished. He had multiple fractures and it took a long time for him to fully recover.
"I won't do it again..."
"Hmph! That's for the best! But before that, you go to the Royal Fist Temple to reflect properly!!"
"...Yes!"
Although he really wanted to refuse, Shira also knew that at a time like this, he couldn't refuse. He had no other choice but to bow his head and accept it with a dejected expression.
After waving his hand and having someone carry Shira away, Honest looked at the ground with a gloomy expression, in a daze. Of course, this was not for his son, who wasn't qualified for it. He was still young anyway, and if something really happened, he could just have another one. At this time, he was more concerned about whether to continue to act or to lay low for a while.
There was no doubt that the Imperial Guards were in a state of highest alert at this time. Every member of the Imperial Guards was staring with wide eyes, trying to find traces of the enemy. It could be said that if they continued to act at this time and made a mistake, it would be a place of eternal damnation. But...
The most dangerous place is often the safest time. The Imperial Guards' vigilance was a fact, but in reality, no one would think that the culprit would act again. After all, the more they acted, the more likely they were to be exposed.
"What should I do?"
By the time of dinner, Leone seemed to have basically returned to normal, but her red eyes were still pitiful. But maybe it was because of awkwardness, Leone didn't talk to him during dinner as usual. It was only after she finished eating and was about to clear the plates that she stood in front of Lancer as if she had made up her mind.
"Master! I... I want to learn martial arts!"
Leone knew that her request was unreasonable. After all, besides a very small number of slaves, most slaves were not allowed to use weapons.
"Master! Please believe that after I learn it, I will protect...!"
Leone was halfway through her explanation when she realized she couldn't continue. Protect Lancer? She had seen with her own eyes how Lancer beat Esdeath every day, and she had also seen Esdeath's combat power against outsiders today. How could Lancer, with such strength, possibly need her protection?
Leone, who was constantly pinching the corner of her clothes with her fingers, finally decided to tell the truth.
"I..."
But before she could say it, Lancer waved his hand directly.
"It's okay, the reason doesn't matter. And you really should find something to do. But when it comes to martial arts, I really don't know much about it..."
The only empty-handed moves Lancer knew were the two grappling techniques that an investigator had to know, and because he didn't use them much, they were more of a formality. However, he did think of a good target.
"How about I ask Esdeath when she comes tomorrow?"
"Huh? Teach this little girl? I don't want to."
Although Esdeath was only one year older than Leone, she had been hunting danger beasts since she was a child. After her tribe was massacred by foreigners, she walked alone in a sea of corpses and blood. At this time, the imposing aura that Esdeath exuded suppressed Leone to the point where she could barely speak.
"Then let's make it a 'deal'. I'll 'spar' with you every day, and you teach Leone a thing or two. How about that?"
In Lancer view, Esdeath might not even get her Imperial Arms because of his interference, let alone that he would be leaving in more than half a year. He didn't care about the other party's so-called 'repaying a favor'. This time, recruiting her was more to reduce Honest's effective strength.
And after hearing Lancer words, Esdeath was silent for a while. She even made Lancer think that she was going to refuse, but then she nodded.
"Okay! I understand. I agree! But————————"
The arrogance on her face disappeared, and it was replaced by contempt.
"My training is very tough. Can you handle it, little girl?"
"Of course I can!!"
This was probably the only time Leone had ever shouted at Esdeath?
And Lancer, who got the answer he wanted, also nodded.
"Alright then. I'll leave it to you for a while."
"Hmm?"
Although Lancer words were very simple, the sharp Esdeath clearly noticed the 'unusualness' in Lancer words.
"For a while? Are you planning to have me be this little girl's bodyguard?"
"Something like that... you could say that? After all, if something happens to Leone, you won't be able to fulfill your promise to me, right?"
Looking at Lancer smile, Esdeath suddenly felt that this usually quiet man might not be so honest?
But then she showed a strange smile.
"You didn't care before, so are you doing this now because you're afraid of retaliation from that white-haired kid? But do you think I'll just work for free?"
"You don't need to do it forever, just for a while."
After saying that, Lancer didn't say anything more, but this instead aroused Esdeath's interest.
"Are you saying you want to kill him directly?"
Unfortunately, Lancer didn't respond to Esdeath's question. It seemed that he didn't want to talk about this issue anymore. And after noticing that Lancer was ignoring her, she pouted.
After confirming once again that Esdeath was seriously teaching Leone, Lancer chose to go out. But walking on the road, he felt a bit strange. After all, in the 'plot', the two sides could be said to be sworn enemies, but because of him, they had become 'master and apprentice'?
It was really interesting to think about.
But after he finished laughing, he became extremely serious again. After all, the person he was going to see next didn't like him smiling foolishly.
"Knock, knock~!"
Accompanied by a very regular knocking sound, the familiar male voice came from inside the door.
"Come in."
After pushing the door open, Lancer saw Great General Budo sitting at his desk looking at documents.
"Is there something you need?"
"Yes! There is something I would like to report to you, Great General!"
At this time, Lancer eyes seemed to be sparkling...