Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan - volume 11 Page 2
Stella was indignant about her father’s actions,
– Ikki, there’s no need for you to go along with it anymore. Let’s ignore him!
She proposed to Ikki.
But, he shook his head while spilling a wry smile,
– Ahaha… well, the one who said to try it until he was satisfied was me. I can see the location of the store if I check it with my cell phone, so see you later.
He started running to chase the back of Sirius.
The distance was of 10 kilometers when he checked the map of his cell phone.
It wasn’t a great distance since Ikki ran 20 kilometers every day.
Ikki immediately went ahead Sirius and shook free from him.
(He’s agile as expected…! Here I──)
Sirius didn’t think of anything and tried to tackle the marathon.
He had a secret plan. And that was──
– Here it is!
Sirius turned sharply from the main road into a narrow alleyway. Yeah. It was a shortcut.
(By passing the town area diagonally and running at the shortest distance to『Bonnie’s House』, the distance will be reduced by almost half! An unknown route that it’s not in the GPS!)
A road that couldn’t be used by travelers who were searching for a road with a cell phone in a hand.
Not to mention that Sirius was the King of this country.
He knew all the things about his country thoroughly.
He had the locational advantage.
Therefore, he was convinced.
– This match is mine――――――!!
◆◇◆◇◆
Several minutes later──
Kurogane Ikki was the first to arrive, he came back to the castle with a bundle of taiyaki in hand.
– Alright. It’s Ikki’s victory.
– Good work. Ikki-san.
– Thank you very much.
Ikki gave his thanks to Astraea and Stella who blessed him for his victory──then Ikki asked.
– And, umm, where’s my father-in-law?
Sirius hadn’t comeback yet, even though he should have taken a shortcut.
Astraea answered that.
– Don’t worry. It seems that Dandalion-san protected him from getting lost in the town area some time ago.
Yeah. Sirius was confident about his locational advantage, but he overestimated himself.
Sirius was part of the royalty.
He had been around the castle, but he had never experienced going through unknown alleyways.
It was impossible to say that he would go through the complex town area and head to the aimed place.
The result. He naturally got lost and puzzled, then sent an SOS to Astraea by phone and got saved moments ago.
– *Long sigh*, he’s sooooo pathetic! And embarrassing! And pathetic!!
Stella was at wits’ end because of her father’s repeated disgraceful behavior.
– You said pathetic twice, huh?
– Two times isn’t enough! He cheated completely and he even lost entirely in the end!
– It’s just that my father-in-law cares a lot about Stella.
– Still, there’s a limit, no? A limit! You know what? I’ll absolutely not going to talk to him while I’m here!
– C-calm down…
Ikki tried to calm down the enraged heart of Stella.
He felt regretful that he was the cause that a fissure was done in the parent-and-daughter relationship… honestly, the easy-to-understand-affection of Sirius was enviable for Ikki who wasn’t blessed with a father-son relationship.
But Astraea addressed to such Ikki.
– Fufu. Ikki-san is kind, isn’t he? You are worried about papa even when he’s treating you like an enemy. But don’t care about it, alright? That person isn’t going to be discouraged with this much. Dandalion-san told me through a phone call not long ago that『A draw in the competition was decided for the time being』. … If you asked me, the one who knows papa the most, then the『Trying to do as much as you want』may have been a bit careless〜.
– Ha, hahaha…
Why even a draw? He didn’t understand the irrational argument of Sirius anymore.
Ikki could only return a strained laugh to this.
– But… I was the one who said so. … Besides.
– Besides?
– If the time comes when Stella and I have a child, I think that I’ll treasure that child more than my life, I’m sure of it. Wouldn’t be shameless to just accept such a thing and not fight for such an important and precious being?
That’s why, it didn’t matter what he tried, he would respond to them all.
Astraea smiled to Ikki who told such determination of his.
– I feel that Stella-chan chose a really good man. Well then, please do your best to the very end. I’ll be cheering for you.
And then, she turned around.
– Where are you going?
– I’m going out to meet papa. I’m sure he must be losing his nerve.
With that said, Astraea left the courtyard giving slightly quick steps.
Thus, her small back disappeared──at that moment.
– Kurogane-san! You did a great job!
「「「A great job!」」」*
*TN: They just repeat the “desu” at the end of the previous line.
Several voices struck his earlobes from behind.
When he turned back, young girls dressed in apron dresses were gathering there.
– You are…?
– We are the maids serving the castle!
– We brought cold drinks to thank you for going along with the selfishness of King-sama.
– Please have a change of clothes as well!
Saying so, the girls presented plastic bottle drinks and sportswear.
Ikki thanked them, saying「Thank you. This helps a lot」
The current season in Vermillion was summer, but it was cooler than Japan.
He felt uncomfortable wearing the jacket fully soaked in sweat; his throat was dry too.
Ikki, who depended on the kindness of the maids, put the bundle of taiyaki on the ground and took off the wet coat.
And then,
「「「Kyaaa――――!!!!」」」
Shrilling voices were raised by the maids all of a sudden.
– W-what!?
The maids whispered into another’s ear as their eyes sparkled, looking at the surprised Ikki.
– You saw them, right!?
– I saw them! I saw his abs!
– He’s a hosomacho*! ! A good-looking guy and a hosomacho, he’s too perfect!
*TN: Thin man with well-defined musculature.
– Kurogane-san! Since you have sweated this much, the new clothes will get dirty very fast. There is a shower in our lodging house close by, so why don’t you wash off your sweat!?
– Together with that, would you like to have an afternoon tea with us? We want to know more about Ikki-san〜♪.
(Ah, this development is…)
Ikki felt a déjà vu with the expressions of the maids that surrounded him.
A situation that turned into a regular sight after defeating《Hunter》at the academy selection battle.
Like the schoolgirl fans that supported him.
He was accepted by the people of the country of Stella. That was a happy thing for Ikki, but――from his experience, the development after this had been decided.
– This is too much〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜!!!!
Just as he thought, Stella, who was nearby, raised an angry voice and put herself between Ikki and the maids.
Then, a reprimand flew towards the maids.
– H-how on earth do you girls have the nerve to promote infidelity to the boyfriend of the princess when you are the maids serving the imperial family!!!!?
However, the maids weren’t perturbed at all with the reprimand of Stella, but rather they returned very unfaithful smiling faces.
– Eh? But since King-sama has such impression of him, isn’t marrying something impossible?
– I think it’s weird to claim ownership of Ikki-san when you aren’t even engaged in the first place〜.
「「「That’s right」」」
The red hair of Stella began to wear a pain light because of the objection of the maids.
– Oh dear… to think that the maids of my family were truly audacious…. It makes me happy you’re seriously picking a fight with《Crimson Princess》….
Her voice trembled. Her flaming hair increased its color saturation. Ikki sensed that this was getting bad and,
– C-calm down, Stella――
He prompted her to control herself, but that didn’t reach Stella’s ears.
Stella let fire overflow from her whole body and howled.
– Bring it on, army of adulterers! If you want a fight, then I’ll give you what you’re asking for! Come, I’ll fight you all at once!!
– Kyaa! Hime-sama burst into flames!
– She’s a muscle-brain! A muscle-brain just like King Sirius! Like father, like daughter!
– Who’s a muscle-brain!? I’ll forgive your foolhardiness by taking care of you directly! Don’t run away from this──────!
– Nooo──────!
「「「Nooo──────!」」」
The maids escaped like baby spiders scattering in all directions and Stella ran after them.
Ikki bewildered with what’s the deal with them because a strife about him occurred suddenly.
To such Ikki,
– Ahahaha! Stella’s boyfriend is so popular, isn’t he!?
– He gives the impression of a playboy.
Familiar voices addressed him.
Lucid and cheerful voices that resounded like flattering him.
The owner of those voices were,
– Tilmitt-san and Miriallia-san…!
◆◇◆◇◆
Tilmitt Gracie and Miriallia Lazy.
The two girls that appeared in the courtyard were Stella’s classmates and Blazers that were aiming for the reward that was placed on the head of Ikki by Sirius the other day.
– Come to think of it, the ones that you met during the turmoil were these two?
Lunaize Vermillion, the First Princess of the Empire of Vermillion and the older sister of Stella, got where Ikki was together with those two girls and asked him.
Ikki returned a nod to that question.
– Yes. That’s right.
– Oh no, he’s the bad boyfriend from that time. I did want the money though.
– We’re sorry?
Did she really think that I was bad?
He had a considerable doubtful attitude, but Ikki returned a “don’t worry” to the apology of the two.
– It’s not necessary. Thanks to everyone, the tension I had at that time disappeared before meeting my father-in-law. I’m rather grateful to you.
– Ahaha. You’re thanking the opponents that were running after you to kill you. Are you out of your mind?
– But he matches up well with Stella-chan. Isn’t that right, Luna-ane?
– Yup. I agree.
– Isn’t everyone being calmly rude!?
Tilmitt shook her head and said「not at all」to Ikki who spontaneously protested,
– Aren’t we praising you〜? Look over there.
He glanced at Stella who was having fun with the maids… rather than chasing them around.
– Because you’re the reason that was able to change Stella. … I couldn’t believe from the time she was here that she would even get jealous like any other ordinary girl.
– Yup, yup. An unimaginable side of Stella-chan than when she was here.
– Is that so?
– It sure is. Stella-chan was always sulking, looking bored.
– She got annoyed when she couldn’t find an opponent with the strength that could compete with her. That’s bad, isn’t it? To have that kind of bad behavior that is so frequent at that age.
– Like a chuunibyou?*
*TN: Behaving in a way characteristic of teenagers going through puberty.
– Yeah, like that.
– Now that you say that…
Because of the conversation between the two, Ikki remembered the time when he had just met Stella.
Certainly, when he met Stella, she had a thorny aura. That may have been the worst way of meeting with her, since she didn’t hide the dissatisfaction and irritation regarding her surroundings. She thought she was able to put her ability in order due to a single word: talent, and so she gave up as hopeless the ones surrounding her that couldn’t stand side by side with her, without getting along with anyone, as if considering that it was a good thing to be by herself.
When he thought about that time… it was true, she had changed a lot.
The aura she was cladded in calmed.
If that change was brought because of meeting with him, then that was a very welcoming thing, then Ikki――
– Well, in other words, the stubborn tomboy who flew to a country where her chuunibyou aggravated in the end couldn’t win against the《Intetsu》of Samurai-sama’s nether region!
He coughed violently like vomiting blood.
– W-what are you saying so suddenly, Tilmitt-san!?
– What? I’m saying that you dispatched stubborn tomboy’s membrane with your you-know-what.
– Rodeo-like?
– Hey, what are you trying to say!!?
– You still don’t know? You’re still feigning ignorance, huh. It’s very occult when a healthy man and woman live in the same room and they are lovers on top of that. Isn’t that right?
– Hey, hey, how far have you honestly gone with Stella-chan? Will you tell me with honesty?
– About that? The other party is the Princess but, and her ass? What about her ass?
– As…!?
Ikki became speechless due to Tilmitt and Miriallia who got near him with eyes shining in curiosity.
It was universally known that girls of this age were suckers for love affairs.
But,
– Leave these vulgar topics for another time, you perverted damn kids.
Lunaize remonstrated the two girls by hitting their heads lightly with one of her palms.
– Ouch!
– Ack. Isn’t Luna-ane worried about it?
– I’m not. I don’t want to know what my sister does with her boyfriend. Besides, while we have the simpleton Stella, Ikki is a dependable man, which is rare nowadays. It is impossible for him to lose to lust and commit the sin of having premarital sexual relations with the princess of a country. Am I right?
– O-of courze… ahaha…
Ikki endured the feelings of guilty as if feeling exhausted while lying and laughing.
But it couldn’t be helped.
At that time, how to say it, because of a prior oath and his pride as a man, he couldn’t think of anything but Stella and that anything and everything would end up getting better no matter what it would take.
He couldn’t help it.
The fate he couldn’t escape from.
That’s why he didn’t regret it.
Yeah, while Ikki excuse his inner thoughts, Lunaize spilled just a few words.
– However, that tomboy, who thought that probably nobody would have her as a bride, came back as a fine woman. I’m going to let the cute girl fly…
She said with an expression full of affection and tenderness to her little sister. But,
(Huh…?)
Why?
That expression of Lunaize… was gloomily reflected to Ikki.
As if she casted a shadow.
But that was for an instant.
It was faster than Ikki making the thought of his own intuition go around,
– Umm, by the way, Ikki.
Lunaize ended the idle talk and shifted the topic about why she came here.
– Not only I brought those two along with me. I was also thinking of getting them to train with Ikki.
– Train?
– Yes. According to my guess, Stella and you can defeat anyone of Kledelland, but that can’t be said for the other three. That’s why I want to attempt strengthening their capabilities as much as possible before the matches.
– I don’t feel like losing a tag fight.
– You’re weak on 1 VS 1〜. After all, Miria-chan is a sniper.
I see, Ikki actually understood the concerns of Lunaize from the impression he felt when fighting with the two.
Certainly, when he took on them at the same time, it was exceedingly difficult to follow the weaknesses of both of them, but when evaluated as knights on their own, there were many points that should be improved from Ikki’s perspective.
Besides, Ikki’s own challenge, the strengthening of the two that would also『Lead Vermillion to victory』was essential. There was no reason for Ikki to refuse this proposal.
– Since it has become to this, please allow me to cooperate without fail.
It was hard to raise their overall strength because they only had one week until the matches, but… surpassing the rivals by going all out to win the battles wasn’t necessary.
Pulling victory towards himself with a bad hand was《Worst One》’s specialty.
… Both Tilmitt and Miriallia were able to secure a blessed foundation.
They would be able to master their secret weapon to boggle the minds of their opponents from now on.
Lunaize gave her thanks and said「I’m counting on you」to Ikki who consented readily,
– One more thing.
She referenced the second thing about why she came here.
– In fact, I was just contacted from the headquarters of League. It seems that in the outskirts of Vermillion──
But, at that time.
An alarm notifying an incoming call sounded from a pocket of Lunaize.
To this, Lunaize cursed, saying “who the hell is the guy calling at this hour?” and took out the cell phone. Then she stared in wonder, as if she was a bit surprised, when the name of the one who called was displayed,
– Excuse me.
After she said those two words to Ikki, she answered the call.