WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 226: You've Lost Your Mind (2)
──────
After leaving Krono Fencing Hall and returning to House Lloyd, Brett Lloyd had been busier than ever.
He had to undertake the heir’s education he had deferred while devoting himself entirely to training.
He studied the political landscape of the kingdom and continent, reviewed proper etiquette, worked on the learning and scholarship expected of a high noble, and learned every detail of his territory’s affairs.
Of course, he hadn’t forgotten his promise to Judith.
She had told him to come see her only after he had honed his skills to a level neither he nor his Master would be ashamed of. Otherwise, she wouldn’t meet him.
That meant his sword training had to remain as intense as it had been in Alkantrea.
There simply weren’t enough hours in the day.
Still, no matter how busy he was, Brett didn’t make unreasonable plans.
He was capable. He might not have been one of the continent’s greatest geniuses, but he had more than enough ability to handle a packed schedule.
That didn’t mean it was wise to overestimate himself and keep pushing without rest.
He needed to rest his body.
More than that, he needed to rest his heart.
That was why Brett Lloyd was drinking at an ordinary establishment instead of the lord’s castle.
A place like this suited him better when he wanted to escape his stifling routine and remember the time he had spent with Judith.
“Brett.”
“...?”
Someone he had never expected stood before him.
Bright blond hair, a handsome face, though not quite as handsome as Brett’s own, and a well-proportioned build.
After blinking twice, he looked to the side.
There was a beautiful woman he had never met before, though she somehow did not feel entirely unfamiliar, and the all-too-familiar Sorcerer cat.
He sobered up in an instant.
Only then did he begin to grasp the situation objectively.
‘I have no idea how they got here, but...’
First, he needed an excuse for this embarrassing sight.
Making his decision in an instant, Brett suddenly opened his mouth wide.
“Haaah... Maybe I drank too much. I can’t stop yawning. My eyes keep watering because of it, too.”
“...”
“...”
“Still, who are you? Why are you standing in front of someone else’s table...?”
“Brett.”
“...”
“...”
“Brett? What are you talking about? You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
“I heard you on the way over. You said you missed Judith.”
“I heard it too. You were drinking and crying.”
Lulu backed Airen up.
Brett fell silent for a moment, then continued making excuses.
“Well, ahem...”
“...”
“I think there’s been some misunderstanding. The person I mentioned was Yuris, not Judith.”
“...”
“And as I said earlier, I wasn’t crying. My eyes just watered a little because I kept yawning.”
“...”
“No, I already told you it isn’t me, so why do you keep insisting? I’m not Brett. I don’t even know anyone by that name...”
“Liar! You weren’t surprised at all when you saw me talking!”
Lulu pounded, or rather tapped, the table with her front paws as she spoke.
Brett flinched.
It was a sharp observation. There could not have been many people on the continent who would remain calm in front of a talking cat.
Unless they already knew about a Sorcerer cat, of course.
Even aside from that, he had reached his limit.
There was certainty in Airen’s eyes.
In Lulu’s eyes as well.
Even the unknown woman standing beside them looked utterly certain that he was Brett Lloyd.
‘They’re right, but...’
Brett checked the mirror hanging on the tavern wall.
His magical disguise was still perfect. He had spent a fair amount of money on it because he did not want the people of his territory to recognize him, and it had been worth every coin.
That meant he was fine.
He could just deny everything, then act as though nothing had happened when he saw them again tomorrow.
Just as Brett thought that and hurriedly tried to leave his seat...
“I have a letter from Judith. She asked me to deliver it to you.”
“What!”
His voice was loud enough to startle the other customers.
Silence fell over Airen’s group.
The same was true for Brett.
Halfway through standing, he looked around awkwardly, let out a low sigh, and sat back down.
After thinking for quite some time, he asked Airen, “You saw Judith?”
“Yeah.”
“You didn’t get in the way of her training or anything, right?”
“No.”
“Then why did you go there...?”
“So you admit it?”
“...”
“Brett, it’s been a while.”
Airen smiled and offered his hand. After hesitating, Brett sighed again and shook it.
He put a great deal of force into the grip, as if emotion had gone into it.
Of course, it did not affect Airen, a Sword Master, in the slightest.
Having gained nothing from it, Brett released Airen’s hand, looked over the group once, and spoke solemnly.
“This is what I think.”
“About what?”
“Brett Lloyd, the high noble who will one day take responsibility for Lloyd territory, is impressive. But even more admirable than that is... Brett Lloyd, a true man with a pure and romantic heart, one who can shed a tear for the woman he loves despite his high status and immense wealth...”
“...”
“...”
“What do you think, Lulu?”
“Airen, I think Brett’s drunk.”
Airen shook his head at Lulu’s words.
Brett had always had a shameless side, but this was excessive. Airen even felt a little queasy.
Yet those feelings were nothing compared to Kiril’s.
‘What kind of person is he?’
Unlike Airen and Lulu, this was Kiril’s first time meeting Brett.
That made his erratic behavior even more absurd.
It was worse because of everything she had heard from her brother while they flew to Lloyd territory.
After hearing nothing but praise, seeing him act like such an idiot made the disconnect even greater.
This was not the person she expected.
What in the world did Judith see in someone like this?
All kinds of thoughts passed through Kiril’s mind. None were especially serious, but most were negative thoughts about Brett.
Then another man appeared, cutting through the disorderly atmosphere.
He was even larger than Brett and Airen.
Airen’s eyes widened as he called out the man’s name.
“Lance!”
“What? Airen, how did you... Lulu’s here too. What’s going on? Why are you here?”
“Hi, Lance!”
A member of Brett’s group.
No, Lance Patterson now stood as Brett’s equal.
His appearance surprised Airen once more.
Lulu greeted him happily, but her eyes darted around as though she could not adjust to the chaotic atmosphere.
Brett said, “Ah, I haven’t mentioned it yet. I was drinking with Lance.”
“Come to think of it, Lance wasn’t at the Fencing Hall. Did you...?”
“Yeah. I left because of my graduation exam too. I handled a few things after returning home, then stopped by to see Brett before setting out on a training journey. Ah, more importantly...”
Lance held out his hand.
With a grin, he offered his congratulations.
“...Congratulations on becoming a Sword Master.”
The complicated emotions on his face, ones difficult to read even with a Sorcerer’s eyes, vanished in an instant.
Or rather, pure and heartfelt joy washed over everything else.
Airen could easily guess why.
‘It must be because of the graduation exam. He must have a lot on his mind.’
Airen was a little worried, but he did not show it as he took Lance’s hand.
Then he remembered that he had not introduced his sister to either Brett or Lance.
“Huh? Where did she go?”
Kiril was nowhere to be seen.
Airen looked flustered.
She had definitely been standing beside him moments ago, staring coldly at Brett as if he were beyond pathetic.
It had been such a frightening look that even Airen had felt a shiver run through him.
Where did she go?
Had she gone upstairs to her room because Brett disappointed her?
His thoughts did not last long.
A little later, Kiril returned to the table with a brighter, kinder expression than ever before.
“Hello. You’re my brother’s classmates from the Fencing Hall, correct? I’m Kiril Farreira, the eldest daughter of House Farreira.”
“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Lance Patterson, Airen’s friend.”
“...”
“Brett? What’s wrong? Introduce yourself too.”
“...”
“Is it because of the disguise? No, you already revealed yourself, didn’t you?”
“...I’m Brett Lloyd, eldest son of House Lloyd.”
“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Kiril gave a lovely smile.
Her gaze was not directed toward Brett Lloyd.
Seeing all her attention focused solely on Lance Patterson, the eldest son of House Lloyd wore an understanding expression.
‘She has unusual taste.’
Naturally, dense Airen did not notice the mood at all. Neither did Lulu, since she was suddenly overwhelmed by sleepiness.
“I’m going to sleep. Wake me if anything fun happens.”
With those final words, the black cat slipped into Airen’s backpack.
Silence fell again.
“...”
“...”
“...”
“Um...”
“Um.”
“Ah, you go first.”
“Fine. Are we going to keep drinking here? No, are you going to drink more?”
At Airen’s question, Brett looked around.
Quite a few people were watching them. Partly because of Lulu, the talking cat, but the others did not look ordinary either.
It seemed impossible to drink quietly here.
Letting out a sigh, Brett rose from his seat.
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
“That’s a shame. I barely got to drink.”
“Today isn’t the only day. But did you really come just to deliver Judith’s letter?”
“Hmm, that too, but...”
Airen stopped speaking for a moment after stepping outside.
Before them, the city unfolded once more, and happy-faced people passed along its streets.
After watching them for a while, he quietly muttered, “...It’s a good territory.”
“Hm?”
“The atmosphere is nice. I’ve traveled to many places, but I don’t think I’ve seen another where people look as happy as they do here.”
“Hm. That’s only natural, considering that, as a high noble, I never forget my duties for even a moment and work day and night for the people of my territory...”
At that moment, Brett felt the back of his head grow hot.
He knew whose gaze it was.
With a faint smile, he stubbornly continued.
“It’s thanks to my respected father, Lord Philip Lloyd, and my loving mother as well.”
“...”
Brett glanced behind him.
Kiril stood there, unable to say anything. He could not help smiling before looking back at Airen.
“What? Are you interested in my parents?”
“Yeah.”
“I see. They’re not here right now, though. They went to the capital on business. They probably won’t return for a week.”
“Then I’ll wait.”
Airen answered immediately.
While traveling with Kubharu.
While reading various history books in Durkali and listening to the insights of Karakum and Tarakhan.
Even as he continued to think and worry about countless things afterward, the difficult question had not been easy to solve.
What could he do to make the world a better place?
Was subjugating demons truly all he could do?
‘If the parents of someone like Brett are willing to help, I feel like they could help me find an answer.’
It was not simply because the territory had such a pleasant atmosphere.
Airen looked at the middle-aged man behind the magical disguise.
Brett had made himself look a little ridiculous today, but he was still Airen’s most dependable friend.
When Illia had lost her way, Judith had suffered, and Airen himself had wavered, Brett had remained a steady center.
If the parents of someone like Brett...
By the time Airen finished those thoughts, they had arrived at their destination.
Brett removed his magical disguise and strode forward grandly. The guards and knights in the castle saluted him with crisp precision.
“This is the majesty of Brett Lloyd, a high noble.”
“...”
“...”
“Sorry. I drank a lot for the first time in a while, so I’m a little drunk.”
Brett said it playfully and closed his eyes.
A moment later, something besides Aura slowly flowed from his body like heat haze.
Surprised, Airen asked, “Don’t tell me you expelled the alcohol from your body?”
“That’s right. It’s a byproduct of wondering how to Manifest Aura more naturally and without strain. Thanks to it, I gained the upper hand in drinking contests with Father.”
“...”
“How about it? Shall we spar?”
Brett abruptly reached into his magic bag.
Then the Blue Sword appeared, its blade an icy blue.
Airen nodded.
As expected of swordsmen, before they knew it, they were standing in the center of the training grounds. Several knights watched them with interested expressions.
“Please.”
“Please?”
“There’s something I’ve been thinking about lately. I thought sparring with you would help a lot... That’s partly why I came here.”
“Christopher Knight?”
“Yes, Young Lord?”
At Airen’s words, Brett suddenly called over a knight.
The knight quickly approached and saluted.
Then the eldest son of House Lloyd said to him, “This person is Airen Farreira, the Continent’s Renowned Sword Master.”
“...!”
“And that incredible Sword Master is currently asking me for swordsmanship advice.”
“...”
“Don’t I look impressive?”
“You do, Young Lord.”
“I’m joking. Sorry for saying something strange.”
“It’s all right.”
“You answered that it was all right. So you did think it was strange.”
“...”
“That was a joke too.”
“I know.”
Christopher Knight saluted again and stepped back.
Airen looked embarrassed, while Kiril, standing some distance away, shook her head.
Lulu, who had woken up at some point, shook her head as well.
Lance Patterson did not.
With a serious expression, he stepped between Brett and Airen.
“Sorry, but could I face Airen first?”
“...”
“...”
“I know I’m far inferior. But...”
Lance did not finish his sentence.
He did not need to.
Airen Farreira looked at Brett Lloyd.
Brett nodded and stepped back.
In an atmosphere that had suddenly grown heavy, the young Sword Master took his stance.
“Shall we begin?”
“Yeah.”
Lance Patterson answered briefly and took his own stance. An unmistakable fighting spirit seeped from his body.
The spar began.
It did not last long.
“...I lost.”
Lance sheathed his sword and stepped back with an indifferent expression.
But no one believed he was truly unaffected.
“Good. This time, it’s my turn.”
That was why Brett faced Airen with more energy than usual, as though nothing had happened.
A little later, the second spar began.
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
