Chapter 82 - Damn Reincarnation

Genos Lionheart

'What is he doing in there all day without even coming out?'

Ciel pouted as she glared at the keep. They had finally reunited after years apart, and she had wanted to eat together, stroll around the castle, or take a companionable walk through the mountains. But Eugene had gone into the keep ages ago and had not set foot outside.

Normally, he would have come down to the training grounds to practice rather than hole up in his room. Had his habits changed while he was away? He had not even come down to train.

Still, somehow, going to see him herself would hurt her pride. Ciel kept glaring at the keep, taking her frustration out on the innocent ground with repeated kicks.

'... They said he went in with Sir Genos...'

Could Genos be persuading him to join the Black Lion Knights? The thought suddenly occurred to Ciel, and she grinned without realizing it.

Genos Lionheart, captain of the Second Division. Though Ciel got along warmly with most adults, even she found Genos difficult to approach.

She was not alone in that. Alongside Dominic and Carmen, Genos ranked among the most skilled members of the Black Lion Knights.

That was why Ciel had made several attempts to get closer to him, but she had little to show for all her efforts. Genos had an austere personality, and perhaps because they resembled their captain, the knights of his Second Division made no effort to mingle with the other divisions either.

'... I'd rather he joined the Third Division than the Second, though.'

From her very first meeting with Eugene, Carmen had offered him the position of squire to the captain of the Second Division. Even Ciel thought it was an extremely appealing offer. Becoming a captain's squire—and not just any captain's, but Genos's, one of the finest fighters in the Black Lion Knights.

'The Second Division rarely stays at Black Lion Castle...'

Each division trained differently, but the Second Division's training was especially grueling and focused on practical combat. They were staying at the castle now for the coming-of-age ceremony, but ordinarily, they spent their days roaming the remote reaches of the continent.

So, given the choice, Ciel wanted Eugene to join the Third Division rather than the Second. There was nothing bad about that, was there? If they belonged to the same division, they would be together wherever they went. They could eat together every day, wear the same uniform, and undergo the same training...

Standing there, Ciel imagined Eugene in the uniform of the Black Lion Knights. After grinning to herself for a while, she turned away without lingering.

'Since it's taking so long, Sir Genos's persuasion must be working.'

In that case, she could not interrupt. A man as dry as Sir Genos would not let Eugene's eloquence sway him, and with Genos's skill and character, even Eugene would not be able to dismiss him.

What about Carmen, then?

'... Lady Carmen... Of course, she's a good person, but...'

In any case, the possibility that Eugene might warm to the idea of joining the Black Lions delighted Ciel. Even if he became Genos's squire at first, she could simply sweet-talk him into coming over to her division.

Ciel had boundless confidence in that sort of thing. With a sly smile, she walked away from the keep where Eugene was staying.

Not a single thought of her twin brother remained in this crafty girl's head. Why should she worry about a brother who had been with her since birth, whom she had lived with for eighteen years? It was not as though he had some terrible failing like Eward. He would manage the trial and reach the castle just fine.

The next day, Ciel hurried through breakfast and headed straight for the keep. Ordinarily, she would have had to train under Carmen's supervision, but Carmen had been attending a meeting of the Council of Elders since the previous day.

'Is there anything they need to discuss for more than a whole day?'

As far as Ciel knew, things had been peaceful for the Lionhearts lately. None of the many collateral-branch families had been misbehaving, and the barbarians beyond the southern border had been quiet for several years.

Under those circumstances, Eward was the only one who consistently drew the Black Lion Knights' attention. Even now, the Sixth Division's deputy commander was away from Black Lion Castle, keeping a dedicated watch on Eward in the Bosar domain.

'I don't know what's going on, but...'

It was not something Ciel needed to concern herself with right now. Had Eugene come down today? Filled with anticipation, she arrived at the keep.

Ciel blinked at the sight before her.

Genos was swinging his sword in the middle of the spacious training grounds. Eugene stood a short distance away, observing his movements.

Seeing that, there was only one conclusion she could draw. Ciel approached them with a radiant smile. Genos stopped swinging his sword and first glanced at Eugene to gauge his reaction.

"Why are you here?"

Eugene asked that instead of greeting her. It might have hurt her feelings, but Ciel felt no offense and merely smiled sweetly.

"You decided to become Sir Genos's squire, right?"

There was no doubt about it. Otherwise, why would the two of them be on the training grounds so early in the morning? Besides, Genos appeared to be demonstrating swordsmanship for Eugene.

"You made the right choice. Sir Genos is the most skilled member of the Black Lion Knights."

For Eugene's benefit, Ciel lavishly praised Genos. It was not a lie. Dominic had Jigollas, the Crushing Hammer, and Carmen practiced the White Flame Formula. Genos, on the other hand, had no such special advantages, so it was fair to call him the best of the Black Lion Knights in terms of pure skill.

"... Hmm... Ciel."

Genos glanced at Eugene before speaking. Since they were both members of the Black Lion Knights, he did not address Ciel as "young lady."

"You seem to have misunderstood something."

"Pardon?"

"I have not taken Young Master Eugene as my squire."

Ciel's eyes widened. Clinging to her fading smile, she tilted her head.

"What do you mean? You spent so long talking with Eugene yesterday."

"That was..."

"And you're teaching him swordsmanship right now. Why would you teach him swordsmanship if you aren't taking him as your squire?"

He was the one receiving instruction. Genos could hardly tell her that. Though he had not drawn on his mana, what he had been demonstrating was Dead End, a technique from the Hamel Style.

Dead End! Linked with Asura's Frenzied Slaughter, it was a finishing technique that would drive the opponent to certain death. It emitted tightly woven strands of sword force like a spiderweb, restricting the opponent's movements with dazzling swordsmanship...

"I can receive swordsmanship lessons without becoming his squire."

Eugene answered with an indifferent expression. That was merely what he said. There was nothing for him to learn from Genos's Dead End. Eugene had countless techniques in his head that were more streamlined and geared toward delivering a killing blow.

Of course, that was no reason to belittle Genos's abilities. Even by the standards of Eugene's previous life, Genos was exceptionally skilled. But as long as his fighting was rooted in the Hamel Style, Eugene would inevitably have an overwhelming advantage against him in combat.

"Why?"

Ciel puffed out her cheeks.

"What do you mean, why? Have you eaten?"

"... Yes."

"I haven't yet."

"What have you been doing without eating all this time?"

"I was just about to eat. Sir Genos, let's stop here and go inside for breakfast. Or would you rather return to the main castle to eat?"

"... I'll go back and eat there."

Genos cleared his throat and put away his sword. Judging by the situation, Ciel would be joining them for breakfast, and he feared he might accidentally say something he should not.

What if he let the word "Senior" slip while Ciel was listening? Genos knew very well just how crafty and shrewd Ciel Lionheart was. Though she had joined the Black Lion Knights only two years ago, she had firmly established her position through her cheerful smiles and skill at handling people.

If he called Eugene "Senior" in front of her, she certainly would not let it pass as a harmless slip of the tongue. Genos did not want that young lady to seize on his weakness and manipulate him...

"Then I'll be eating alone."

"I'm eating too."

"Didn't you just say you already ate?"

"I only had a little, so it's fine."

"You'll get fat if you eat too much."

"Do I look fat to you?"

Ciel narrowed her eyes as she asked. While they exchanged those words, Genos cautiously slipped away.

"A little?"

"I've grown taller and put on muscle."

Snapping that retort, Ciel walked past Eugene.

Still, it bothered her. Though she had come to the dining room saying she would eat with him, Ciel barely touched the food. Instead, she cupped her chin in both hands. Despite her blatant, uncomfortably intense stare, Eugene continued eating without hesitation.

"... Is it good?"

"They cook well here."

"If you become a Black Lion Knight, you can eat that delicious food every day."

"You're really persistent."

"If I'm begging this much, couldn't you at least pretend you can't resist and let me win?"

"I prefer winning to losing."

"Who in the world doesn't?"

Ciel grumbled with a pout. Still, inwardly she gave up and stopped pestering Eugene. She was as stubborn as anyone, but Eugene was every bit as stubborn.

"... What did you do in Aroth?"

"Took you long enough to ask."

"Yesterday wasn't the right time to ask."

"What do you think I'll say?"

"That you were busy practicing magic."

"You know me well."

"Were you ever busy with anything else? You were friendly with Aroth's crown prince too."

"What's that got to do with me being busy?"

"Were you ever invited to social gatherings or parties hosted by the royal family? Or... did Sir Lovellian ever introduce you to any promising young mages?"

Eugene stopped eating and burst out laughing.

"Do you think I'd enjoy that sort of thing?"

"No."

Satisfied with his answer, Ciel smiled sweetly.

"Still, shouldn't you start getting some experience?"

"Why?"

"You and I will be adults soon. We'll be old enough to enjoy parties and social gatherings."

"Listen to you. You've behaved yourself so far, so once you're an adult, you intend to have all the fun you want?"

"That's not what I mean. But I think I'd have fun if I went with you."

"Why are you leaving your brother out?"

"He has plenty of people to spend time with besides you and me. He'll probably be incredibly busy starting next year. All sorts of prominent nobles, and even royalty from other countries, will want to be introduced to him."

As she spoke, Ciel leaned toward Eugene.

"He might even be the first of us to get married. This is a secret, but there's a young princess in the maritime kingdom of Shimuin. She's a long way down the line of succession, but she's still royalty."

"So?"

"She might marry Cyan. Nothing's been decided, of course. It's just something the elders are pushing for."

Ciel lowered her voice.

"And it's not just Shimuin. You know the Kingdom of Ruhar? Its princess is another of Cyan's potential marriage partners."

The Kingdom of Ruhar... The moment he heard the word "princess," Eugene could not help imagining something he had no desire to imagine. Moron's descendant. A princess who resembled Moron... He pictured Moron with long hair and a lovely dress. At the same time, he pictured Gargis in formal attire covered with dangling frills.

"How horrifying..."

"What's horrifying?"

"Nothing. So, how old are these princesses?"

"The princess of Shimuin is our age... and I think Ruhar's princess is nine now?"

"Are you saying Cyan is going to marry a nine-year-old little girl?"

"What does it matter if she's nine right now? She won't be nine forever."

"I'm not putting up with that. Cyan marrying someone ten years younger? That's robbery even heaven wouldn't forgive."

"You don't like younger partners?"

Ciel asked with sparkling eyes.

"... I think it'd be better if they were reasonably close in age."

After saying that, Eugene could not help feeling a profound disconnect. He had reincarnated, but if he counted from his previous life, he was over three hundred years old.

'To be close to my age... they'd have to be an elf... or a dragon...'

No. Just because he had lived three hundred years ago did not mean he should consider himself three hundred years old. Hamel had died at thirty-eight in his previous life. In that case, someone around fifty... Carmen, Theonis, Anisilla, Melkith.

Eugene stopped thinking.

"I don't think age matters."

"Why are you changing your answer?"

"People's hearts are like reeds swaying in the wind."

"Still, if that was your first answer, you prefer someone around your age to someone younger, right?"

"Is that really important?"

"When are you going to get married?"

"I don't plan to."

Ciel's expression crumpled.

"Why not? Marriage is something to be celebrated."

"... Aren't we too young to be discussing marriage already?"

"If Cyan gets married before you, you'll be losing to him."

"Why would getting married later than Cyan mean losing to him?"

"Why am I getting married?"

The dining room door flew open. Eugene turned his head, unsurprised. He had sensed Cyan's presence before the door opened. Ciel, however, had not, and could only stare at Cyan in surprise.

"Why are you here so soon?"

"Do you have a problem with me getting here soon?"

Breathing hard, Cyan looked like a beggar. He had spent an entire day wandering the forest, fighting illusions, monsters, and knights. Forget sleeping—he had not even eaten or drunk any water.

"... I thought you'd be wandering around for days."

"What do you take me for?!"

Cyan shouted and staggered toward them. After all the suffering he had endured to reach Black Lion Castle, he had not received so much as a proper word of congratulations. The family head and the elders were still gathered around the round table, holding their meeting.

That much was fine. But hearing that Eugene had reached the castle early the previous day had made Cyan seethe. He had thought that even if Eugene had had an easier time than him, he would have arrived around dawn at the earliest... Yet he had reached the castle less than an hour after landing in the forest...!

"See lots of ghosts?"

"... Don't talk about ghosts."

"So, did you get over them?"

"... I can cut down people, monsters, and demonic beasts with a sword, but I can't cut down ghosts."

"Technically, ghosts are undead. They're monsters. Why can't you kill them? Isn't it just because you're too weak?"

"... Undead and ghosts are different. The ghosts I'm afraid of... No, I'm not afraid of them. The ghosts I dislike are different from undead."

Mumbling that excuse, Cyan sat beside Eugene. Eugene pinched his nose at the foul, complex mixture of odors wafting from him.

"You smell rotten."

"I know, so be quiet. I'm going to eat, wash, and sleep."

Grumbling, Cyan picked up his utensils.

But he did not get to wash and sleep as he hoped. Just as he was hurriedly finishing his meal, an attendant abruptly arrived with a message.

"A guest will be arriving shortly. Please make yourselves presentable and come to the warp gate."

"... A guest we have to go out to greet?"

Cyan asked with a despairing expression.

"I didn't hear anything about a guest coming."

Ciel also looked puzzled as she spoke. At her words, the attendant's expression stiffened slightly, and he bowed his head.

"We received no separate notice about the guest either. Perhaps... the visit is connected to the meeting at the round table."

"Who is it?"

Ciel asked, rising to her feet.

"Auxiliary Bishop Kristina of the Holy Empire."