Chapter 33
The strange animal, upon closer inspection, resembled a Doberman.
Four long, slender legs.
Intense, piercing eyes.
Pointed ears and sharp teeth.
“Kieeek!”
Its bark sounded a bit odd, but this was another world, so it was understandable.
Dogs talking wouldn’t be out of place in this world!
But the way to handle a dog is universal!
“Stay!”
The magic word: stay.
A word that could control any trained dog, anytime, anywhere.
As expected, the creature stopped its charge and stood before me, tilting its head curiously.
“Hey, you! Is it okay to lunge at people like that?!”
“Kiing?”
Oh, now it looks like a dog!
Of course, that’s not an insult.
Calling a dog a dog is acknowledging its identity, right?
Well, uh, maybe not?
“Anyway, where did you come from?! Huh? Who’s your owner?! I need to give them a piece of my mind!”
“Keeeng…”
It lowered its head dejectedly, lay down, and looked up at me.
This dog seems to understand everything I’m saying…
Are dogs in this world highly intelligent?
“And you too. Just because your leash is off doesn’t mean you can lunge at people. You’re supposed to coexist with humans! Even if you don’t mean any harm, people get scared when you charge at them with those scary teeth! Got it?!”
“Whine… Keeeng…”
It wiggled its butt as if protesting, and it was kind of adorable.
No matter how big they are, dogs have their own unique charm.
Ugh~ I’ve always wanted a dog~
“You’re such a cute little guy. Go back to your owner now. And don’t scare people anymore, okay?”
“Kiing, whine! Woof, woof!”
It seemed to instinctively understand that my lecture was over.
It perked up and ran back in the direction it came from.
It must be happy to be running around freely.
Hehe… Does its owner not take it for walks?
That’s not right! If you’re going to own a big dog like that! Huh?!
You need to walk it two or three times a day!
Ugh, humans…
“M-Master…? What was that just now…?”
“Ah, someone must have lost their dog. Haha, he was a good boy. I hope he finds his way back to his owner!”
Well, if it was being neglected or abused, it would be a different story.
But the dog seemed clean and well-cared for.
Yeah, I’m sure its owner had their reasons!
“Hey! We found the monster here!”
“But why is it so docile…?”
“L-let’s take it to the Commander…!”
I hear the Knights’ voices in the distance.
“Oh, they caught the monster. It’s safe now.”
“Uh…”
Everyone suddenly falls silent.
“Wait, didn’t Roa scream earlier?”
“Eh? Ah, um…”
“Are you okay?”
“Y-yes…”
Something feels off.
“What’s wrong with everyone?”
“…Nothing, Master.”
“Ah, nothing.”
“Wahaha! Master Yuri, you’re amazing!”
Huh? What’s so amazing?
Lia sometimes says the strangest things.
“Hey, Celia. Are you done examining the seaweed?”
“I’ve collected the samples. I’m sending them to the laboratory.”
That girl really loves collecting samples herself.
She could just order her subordinates to do it.
Maybe she believes that collecting samples is part of the research process?
“Anyway, shall we head back in? Roa, you wanted to have a walk in the garden, right?”
“Ah, y-yes… But we don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
Ah, right.
She was probably worried about the monster.
“Then let’s go back and relax. It’s vacation time! We’re supposed to eat, sleep, and have fun!”
I give them a puzzled look as they continue to act strangely and head back towards the villa.
***
We spent a week relaxing, playing, and indulging in delicious food.
It’s been a while since I last experienced the luxury of being waited on hand and foot.
And now it’s time to get out of bed.
Today, Dustin has to return to the Imperial Palace, and Celia is heading back to the academy for her research.
“I’m going to stay at the villa a little longer.”
“Really? Then this is goodbye.”
“Don’t… don’t say such sad things…!”
Wait, it is goodbye, though.
Why is she suddenly tearing up?
“Uh, hmm… then I’ll see you in three weeks?”
Well, a positive farewell is better than a negative one.
“Yes… take care… and eat properly…”
“Hmm, I’ll try.”
Well, I’ll be stopping by my family’s estate, so my parents will take care of me.
“Ah, since you’re going home, I prepared some local specialties. I’ve loaded them onto the carriage, so please give them to your mother… and father…”
Why is she blushing when she mentions my parents?
“Okay, okay, thanks.”
“Sob… I’ll… I’ll miss… miss you, Yuri…!”
Don’t run off like a tragic heroine!
Anyway, after her tearful farewell, Roa disappears.
Now it’s time to say goodbye to the others.
“Celia, are you sure you’re not coming? Mother will miss you.”
“Tell her I’ll visit during winter, Master.”
“Hmm, okay. Lia, what about you?”
“I’m going back to the dormitory.”
I thought they would all insist on coming with me. This is unexpected.
“Dustin? You said you had to go back to the Imperial Palace, right?”
“I’ll follow Master…”
“Yeah, goodbye.”
“Yes… I’ll see you after the break.”
“Good, work hard.”
I pat his head, and his cheeks turn bright red.
“Ugh…”
I quickly withdraw my hand, and he looks dejected.
“Anyway, I’ll see you all after the break. Don’t forget to eat properly while I’m gone~”
Roa, being thoughtful as always, has prepared separate carriages for each of us.
One for the dormitory, one for my estate, and one for the Imperial Palace.
This girl, she acts indifferent, but she takes good care of us.
“Alright, I’m off~”
I give them a brief farewell and climb into the carriage.
They’re not children.
I’m sure they’ll be fine.
It’s not like we’re parting forever. We’ll see each other in three weeks, so I don’t want to make it a big deal.
“Master, take care…!”
I don’t want to be like him, making a scene.
I simply wave goodbye until the villa shrinks into the distance.
The others must be leaving as well.
“Hmm, it’s about half a day to our estate from here. I’m tired. I think I’ll take a nap.”
And when I open my eyes, the carriage is already entering our estate.
I had a good dream.
In my dream, I finally awakened my status window and rose to power, conquering the continent.
Hehe, such a pleasant dream… I even have tears in my eyes…
Why don’t I have a status window in real life…?
“Milady, we’ve arrived!”
Lost in my gloomy thoughts, I don’t realize we’ve reached the mansion entrance.
It’s good to be home.
My parents, informed of my arrival, are waiting for me at the entrance.
“Ah, Mother, Father. It’s good to see you.”
As I step out of the carriage and greet them, my mother pulls me into a tight embrace.
“You’ve worked hard, our daughter. Was it difficult?”
Hmm… sorry to interrupt this touching moment, but it wasn’t difficult at all…
It’s only been six months since I started at the academy.
And you guys were the ones who pushed me to go!
“You’ve done well.”
Why is my father saying that too?
This is clearly a tactic to prevent me from complaining about the academy and blaming them!
I would look like the bad guy if I started complaining now!
“Wait, what are all those bags?”
“D-did you… get expelled?”
From the academy that’s notoriously difficult to get expelled from…?
What do they think I’m doing at the academy?
And I didn’t even bring that much luggage!
“No, it’s… local specialties from a friend.”
Well, she’s more like a girl who has a crush on me, but…
I can’t tell my parents that.
“Oh my, these specialties… they’re from the Greenton territory.”
“What?! Your friend is from the Greenton family?!”
“Ah, yes… the youngest daughter of the Greenton family.”
“Th-that notorious youngest daughter of the Greenton family?! You’re friends with her?!”
Hmm, as expected.
My parents even know about her because of her infamous reputation.
Sorry, Roa.
I don’t think I’ll be able to give them a good impression of you.
You’re already on their bad side.
“Let’s go inside, Mother, Father.”
“Ah, yes, let’s do that. Let’s not stand here and chat. Let’s sit down and talk!”
“It would be lovely to have tea with our Yuri and hear all about your time at the academy.”
“Uh, hmm, okay.”
Ugh, I hate tea parties.
After the coachmen unload the luggage and depart, it’s just me and my parents in the drawing-room.
“So, how did you become friends with Lady Greenton?”
“Hmm… she’s a good kid. She’s been very kind to me.”
“That’s impossible…”
Hey, I’m the one who met her. Why are you so quick to judge?
“We were invited to the Greenton estate once, and she was a very bold and arrogant young lady.”
“Yes, she seemed quite ruthless for a young girl.”
What did she do to make my parents, who rarely speak ill of others, say such things…?
“What happened…?”
“Well, one of their servants made a minor mistake, and she flew into a rage and punished them severely.”
“I heard that servant was publicly humiliated and then fired.”
“And once you’re fired from the Greenton family, you can’t find work anywhere else…”
Oh… well…
That does sound like something Roa would do.
She was quite ruthless towards the other female students.
And I witnessed her being harsh towards the servants at the villa on several occasions.
Of course, I scolded her every time.
“Hmm, but she listens to me.”
“I’m worried she might suddenly turn on you.”
“I don’t think that will happen.”
I chuckle, imagining Roa gazing at me adoringly and meekly replying, “Yes, Yuri,” to my every word.
It’s fun being with Roa.
“I-is that so?”
“Yes, it’s not nice to gossip about your daughter’s friend. Let’s stop this, dear.”
“You’re right. So, tell us all about your time at the academy, Yuri. How have you been?”
Hmm… well…
Dustin became the Imperial Knight Commander, I befriended the next Saint, Celia is excelling in her studies, and I’m rumored to be their master, causing a lot of misunderstandings…
I have no idea how to explain all that.
“I’ve just… been doing well.”
It’s too complicated to explain.
It’s best to just give a vague answer like “I’m doing well.”
Thank for the chapter 🥰