Chapter 217: The Thing I always Do


    The evening of the day Leticia was abducted.


    After she finished her shopping, Mia was dressed in a maid outfit.


    I wish I could wear a cloth that is easier to move in than this(desuwa).


    Even if it looks like that, the outfit was designed for ease of movement though.


    Well, there is no useining about this anymore. I will make do with this(desuwa).


    Yeah, do your best. Also, you should learn to fix your speaking habit already.


    (TLN: Reminder, she ended every of her sentences with Desuwa or Desuno)


    My speaking habit?


    Seeing Mias expression which tells me that she ispletely clueless of what I am talking about, I sighed.


    It seems that even now she still believes that how she talks is normal for a nobledy.


    Finne doesnt speak like you alright.


    There is no way that is the case(desuwa)! Im sure that it is only the tone that is different(desuwa)!


    This is so troublesomewell, you will see once you meet her.


    Hearing so, Mia said that she will be looking forward to it.


    It would be great if she doesnt receive any great shock. She trusts that grandfather of hers a lot after all.


    While thinking so, I open the door to my room.


    Inside, Finne was waiting for me.


    Wee back. Al-sama.


    Yeah, Im back.


    Awawawawa..!! The real one(desuwa)! Such divine beauty(desuwa)? Shes so dazzling that I cant look at her directly(desuwa)!


    For the record, my status is higher than her, you know?


    You are different, Prince. How should I say it, youck the aura, ah-!? That hurt! Please dont pull on my ear!


    I felt like I was being made fun of so I pulled Mias ear.


    From now on she will be acting as a maid serving inside the castle after all. I have to properly teach her the hierarchy here.


    Remember this well. Now that you are a maid, you have to make your conversation partner happy even if you have to lie.


    I, I understand..you are really tall(desuwa), Prince.


    Is that you trying topliment me?


    You are a little taller than me(desuwa)! Its not a lie(desuwa)!


    When I tried to pull her ear again, Mia promptly took a distance.


    The heights of me and Mia are not that different. Even if such a person tells me that I am tall it only sounds sarcastic to me.


    Seriously, if she keeps this up, anyone can tell that she is not a normal maid with a single nce.


    When I thought that way, Finne started to giggle behind me.


    Is it that funny?


    Yes, very. Pleased to meet you, I am Finne von Kleinert. May I ask for your name?


    .de.


    De?


    She doesnt use [Desuwa] at all(desuwa)!!!!!!?????


    Mia who received a huge shock had her mouth hanging open like her soul was trying to leave through it.


    Aah, so shes shocked after all.


    Well, the thing she has been believing in up until now just copsed in front of her eyes after all.


    D, did I perhaps say something rude earlier!?


    No, she just noticed that she has been misunderstanding something until now, thats all.


    Misunderstanding?


    It seems that the old man who raised her up told her that it is normal for ady to finish her sentence with [Desuwa] you see.


    [Desuwa] is it.I dont use that at all though.


    *GAN*!


    Mia who was cornered even further copsed on the spot.


    She then muttered something as though her spirit was crushed.


    E, Even though he told me that it is how a truedy speaks..Ojii-sama is a liar(desuwa)!


    Well, everyone can make a mistake. You can take this opportunity to fix it.


    Eh? You are going to have her fix it? I think that it is a very cute way to speak though..that would be regrettable.


    Cute(desuwa)? You dont think that it is annoying(desuwa)?


    Is that so? I dont mind it at all you know?


    Saying so, Finne grins.


    She is not trying to lift the mood. It seems she really thinks so.


    As expected of Finne huh.


    Hearing Finnes words, Mia stood up.


    She then went in front of Finne and kneeled to her as she took her hand.


    My name is Mia! I will follow you for the rest of my life(desuwa)! Finne-sama!


    It would be exaggerating to follow me for your entire life but thank you, Mia-san. I will be in your care.


    Yes! I will definitely protect you with my bow(desuwa)!


    She just said that she would dedicate her bow for my sake just earlier but it seems that her target of loyalty already changed.


    Well, since I am going to leave her at Finnes side, it should be fine.


    As long as she has loyalty toward us then it would be fine.


    That being said, Mia will act as your escort from now on. Finne.


    Yes. Thank you. But..what about your escort, Al-sama?


    Well, I have some ideas about that. For the time being, I want to guarantee your safety first. Mia, you have to stay by Finnes side as much as possible. In the worst case, there might even be a Dark Elf left in the castle after all.


    The possibility is certainly low.


    Dark Elves is a race that participated in the war 500 years ago. Their ability can not be inherited by blood. In other words, the current members of their race are those who survived for the past 500 years. Moreover, because of the danger they post, they are being hunted by every country including the adventurer guild.


    In other words, their number is small. In this incident, one can say that the Dark Elves appeared in quite arge number. Furthermore, it is hard to think that they can still remain undetected in the castle.


    However, we have to be cautious. After all, they have infiltrated us once already.


    Roger that!


    Finne. Use Mia properly for me okay.


    What do you mean by that(desuwa)!?


    Literally what I said. This time you cant rely on distance alone. You need to use your head too.


    I am not so confident in that regard as well though


    Finne appeared to have shrunk for a moment.


    Well,pared to Sebas and Lynfia this is certainly anxiety-inducing but this will also serve to have our enemy let down their guard even further.


    That is what is important right now.


    I will follow up for you as much as possible.


    When I said so, the door was suddenly knocked.


    When I gave a reply, the door opened.


    Standing there was Alois.


    Your Highness Arnold. I heard that you wanted to see me.


    Yeah, sorry for this. Alois.


    Alois has been staying at the castle to study under various people working at the castle.


    He showed results and one of the Imperial Knights even praised his sword skill. It was a sword skill that is so serene that it was unthinkable that it belonged to a child.


    Forgive me for bothering you. It has been a while. Finne-sama, and.


    My name is Mia. It is an honor to meet with the Hero of Gers who repelled 10,000 imperial soldiers.


    Thank you. I havent done anything to earn such praise. However, I am trying my best so that I will not be ashamed to have such rumors attached to me..Is this an opportunity for me to show the result of my effort? Your Highness Arnold.


    Well, something like that. Sorry, but there are not that many people that I can trust. The castle is currently haunted. I have no clue of who is working behind the scenes. I can predict the actions of some of them but there are some enemies that I cant read at all.


    Enemies is it.do you mean yourpetitors in the session war?


    Alois asks for my confirmation.


    Alois is not a fool. Im sure that he already knows. However, he wants to hear it from my mouth.


    No. its the enemies of the Empire. It was clear from when the Saint was abducted that there is a traitor inside the castle. And, this is bitter to say but we can notpletely identify them yet, there is no evidence either. Im sure that they are waiting for a chance tounch their attack.


    So we have to prepare ourselves for that?


    Yeah, thats right. As far as I am concerned, only the people in this room are the ones that I trust enough to make a move for me. Of course, there are some that I trust outside the castle too but I cant move them right now. Only the people in this room will have to prepare in advance for what ising.


    Leos aides can be trusted as well but it is doubtful if they will fully obey my order. With theirplete loyalty to Leo, many of them are finding me unpleasant.


    In that case, there is no choice but to rely on the people I can personally trust.


    I am honored. To receive your trust is the pride of the house of Simmel, Your Highness.


    Even if you dont take pride in something like that, you will have more chances to acquire the thing that you can be proud of in the future. Thats why we cant allow the Empire to be ruined first. The Prime Minister and many talented vassals are at Fathers side but there are ces that even they cant reach.


    We need someone who can act with a certain degree of freedom that is not tied to a position.


    As long as there is no one like that on our side, I have no choice but to do it myself.


    Well, in the end, it is what I always do though.


    Certainly. So everyone here is to do what Al-sama always does. Is that correct?


    Thats right. Sorry, but I will have to put you to work now. We are short on hands you see.


    When I told them so, both Finne and Alois nodded at the same time.


    However, only Mia was tilting her head.


    Uhh..the thing that you always do, what is it?


    I make a bitter smile at Mias question.


    Certainly, Mia will not understand. Even if she has seen it, I have never exined it to her after all.


    Thats why I grin and tell her.


    Secret maneuver.


    Hearing my words, Mia had an expression like Ahh, I see now on her face.


    Tomorrow is thest day of the festival. If they are going to move then it will either be tomorrow or the time that the VIPs will be heading back.


    Well, either way, we only need to stop them from behind the scenes.


    Dont think that you can get away scot-free after you betrayed the Empire.


    I will serve the consequence of their actions right at their faces.


    With such determination, I started exining to them our future course of action.