WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 282: Brett Lloyd's Wish (1)
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A few months before Airen Farreira received an invitation from the Holy Kingdom.
Judith, staying at Kun's residence, was training as hard as ever.
No, that was not quite right.
Her body swung her sword out of habit, but her mind was a mess, filled with thoughts of Brett Lloyd, who would be arriving soon.
'What the hell is that idiot trying to do... What's taking him so long to prepare?'
It was strange.
It had not been long since she thought she had surpassed him, only to lose to him again.
Normally, she should have been beyond annoyed and furious by now.
Yet she did not feel entirely bad about it.
'If one loss is enough to make you lose heart, I'll kill you. If you win next time... I'll grant you anything you want, so train hard.'
It was a short letter she had written as though she did not care, simply to encourage him.
That one letter had given her lover tremendous motivation, causing his skills to improve by leaps and bounds. Remembering how he had said he would prepare a little before coming, unable to hide the joy on his face... made her feel a little happy.
'No. What kind of messed-up thought is that?'
Judith shook her head fiercely.
They had been together for less than two years, but they had known each other for nearly ten.
They had been rivals long before becoming lovers, and she knew Brett's personality better than anyone.
In her opinion, the wish he wanted was probably...
'Something that will embarrass me terribly... right?'
All kinds of thoughts flashed through Judith's mind.
Shouting, "I love you, Brett Lloyd! I can't live without you!" over and over in a crowded plaza.
Making an embarrassing display of affection in another crowded place.
Beyond that, she imagined every kind of humiliating and mortifying situation that shameless Brett might enjoy. The thought tormented her.
In the end, her face red as her sword, Judith let out a scream and swung her blade.
"Aaaaaaaargh!"
Boooom!
"Whoa, you startled me. What's gotten into you? Ah, right. Today's the day he arrives."
Kun, who had been meditating, snapped his eyes open at the sight of Judith bursting with energy like flames.
He had once trained only by moving his body and swinging his sword, but lately he had occasionally practiced still meditation like Ian.
Of course, he had no intention of continuing when something this entertaining was about to happen.
Grinning, he teased her.
"I train three hundred sixty-five days a year, but I think I'll take today off. Watching my disciple alone should be plenty entertaining. Yes, I cannot let an opportunity like this pass."
"Please shut up."
"Don't want to. Don't want to."
"I said shut up! Master or not, I'll kill you!"
"Ha ha! Do you even have the skill for that?"
Shwip
Shwip, shwip
Shwip, shwip, shwip, shwip!
Kun rose from his seat and moved.
He was so fast that descriptions such as lightning or a gale did not even come to mind.
Judith had Sword Master-level skill, but she could not think of any way to keep up with her insane master's movements.
'Damn it!'
Feeling something boil within her, Judith slowly closed her eyes.
She was irritated. At her lover and at her master.
But most of all, she was irritated with herself.
If she had been just a little stronger, strong enough to smack Brett over the head and send Kun flying, none of this would have been a problem.
And it was not just them.
Airen Farreira, Illia Lindsay, Ignet Crescentia, Ian, Julius Hyul, and every other swordsman on the continent rumored to be strong.
She did not want to lose to any of them.
Filling herself with determination again, Judith exhaled a hot breath and focused on her sword.
Or rather, just as she was about to do so.
Whooooooosh-
A Griffin, a legendary creature, landed gracefully in a smooth arc.
It was Cherry, a Summoned Creature bound by Kiril Farreira's Sorcery.
However, Cherry looked a little different than usual.
Its somewhat unkempt fur had been brushed smooth, and an ornament hung from its parrot-like head.
A fine ribbon was tied around its neck as well.
As Judith stared in bewilderment at the thoroughly dressed-up Griffin, Brett Lloyd hopped down from its back.
But he was not alone.
Hop.
"It's been a while, Judith."
Kiril Farreira, the continent's most promising Sorcerer.
Hop.
"Nice to meet you. I've heard much about you. I am Bill Staunton, Adan Kingdom's finest dandy and social specialist."
...A nobleman with a vaguely slick air about him, Bill Staunton.
Judith stared blankly at the two of them before turning to her lover.
Her eyes demanded an explanation.
Brett met her gaze with a smile.
"Judith."
"Huh? Yeah?"
"There's somewhere I want to go with you."
"...Where? Wait, who are these people? Weren't you coming alone? Why are..."
"Ah, well, the place I want you to come with me to has a dress code. You need some basic manners too."
"What are you..."
"Anyway, these two are here to help with that. Especially this one."
Brett looked at Bill Staunton. Then he continued.
"He's a master of styling, so you can relax."
"What? Styling? What does that..."
"Ha ha, it is all right. Do not worry. I will do my utmost to emphasize the strengths of your figure, conceal its flaws, and help you become even more beautiful while bringing out an elegant atmosphere."
"I'll help too, Judith. Shall we head inside?"
"No, no, no, what are you all doing right now... Aren't you listening to me? Hey! Hey!"
The pair quietly approached, took Judith by both arms, and dragged her toward Kun's residence.
It was remarkable.
They did not even spare a glance for one of the Continent's Three Great Swordsmen, someone every swordsman on the continent would dream of meeting, and simply went about their business.
Kun watched them in silence before bursting into laughter.
"What strange fellows."
"Kiril is a little like that. You know how Kiril is."
"That Bill fellow is the same. He seems out of his mind, but his skills look rather impressive for someone like that, and his talent seems even greater... In any case, he is an interesting one."
"Is that so?"
Brett looked slightly surprised.
Kun rarely showed much interest in anyone besides Ian and Judith. It was unusual for Kun to say this much.
However, the subject quickly changed.
Grinning like a mischievous child, the old man asked the young man in his prime where exactly he intended to go.
Brett did not hide it and answered immediately.
"I'm planning to go to a ball."
He recalled what Kiril had told him.
What had happened at House Lindsay last year, before Airen and Illia became lovers.
Imagining the romantic, giddy atmosphere of that time, Brett muttered inwardly.
'Sword-swinging dates are nice, but...'
Sometimes, he wanted to enjoy things the noble way too.
* * *
Gerbera Kingdom, one of the strongest nations in the central continent, was peaceful as ever.
Demonoids had become noticeably more common lately, and rumors claimed that a real demon stood behind them. More and more countries were suffering actual harm as a result, but that was someone else's problem.
Having spent one hundred sixty years solidifying its foundations, Gerbera Kingdom still enjoyed peace without major trouble.
"Whew, quite a crowd."
"It can't be helped. It's a ball hosted by a duke."
Meanwhile, a ball was being held at the kingdom's only ducal house.
Since ancient times, parties hosted by high-ranking nobles had attracted those hoping to gain a share of the benefits.
Of course, many would have attended even without such intentions.
No one could refuse a ball hosted by a duke with a special love of the arts, so nearly every nearby noble, aside from those with urgent matters, had made their way there.
To enjoy leisure. To socialize.
And finally, to find their destined partner.
Young men and women, dressed to the nines, were knocking on the gates of the ducal house.
"Wow, it's dazzling."
"Is that one of those magical devices that came out of Runtel Kingdom?"
"I think so. Wow, it's actually moving without horses?"
"Even the wheels look different. It moves incredibly smoothly."
What did men pay attention to in order to impress someone they liked and show themselves off?
There would be many factors.
However, nothing was as immediately apparent as money. Not only the gatekeepers thought so. Most people did.
In an age when the boundaries of status and class were growing increasingly blurred, immense wealth was the surest means of proving one's ability.
That was why those attending the ball usually dressed in luxury brands or adorned themselves with expensive jewelry and Wristwatches. Recently, another item had joined that list.
Transportation.
Beyond the ordinary luxury horse-drawn carriage, there were premium means of transportation powered by magic.
Rosellio Spenser, the youngest son of House Spenser, arrived in a Runtel-made magic carriage, proudly aware of the attention surrounding him.
'It was worth buying.'
To be honest, he had overextended himself.
To obtain this magic carriage, so difficult to make that it was hard to find even in Runtel Kingdom, Rosellio Spenser had poured all his wealth into it.
Even that had not been enough, and he had needed to ask his father for help.
As a result, despite being the son of an earl, he would have to live frugally for some time. Still, he had no regrets.
The gazes of passersby who looked as though they might fall over backward in surprise.
The expressions even the ducal gatekeepers, who had welcomed countless nobles, could not hide.
Most of all, the burning gazes of ladies who kept glancing at him while pretending not to look!
It was thrilling. This was the joy of attending a ball.
'It seems I will be the star of the night.'
Rosellio Spenser, the first owner of a Runtel-made magic carriage in Gerbera Kingdom.
He carefully controlled his expression as he imagined a ball filled with talk of him.
Some found him ridiculous, but others were tempted by the wealth displayed by the earl's son.
However, the public's interest in Rosellio Spenser did not last long.
Something more dazzling, astonishing, and mysterious was approaching.
Something that seemed as though it had emerged from myth or legend.
"Huh? Uh..."
"What is that?"
"Is that another magical means of transportation made in Runtel?"
"No, it doesn't feel like that..."
'What?'
Sensing the commotion, the earl's youngest son turned his head. His expression darkened.
Who was taking away the attention that should have been his?
What could they possibly have arrived in?
That thought vanished in an instant.
It could not be helped.
A Griffin carriage had arrived through the air, moving far more smoothly and elegantly than his own Runtel-made magic carriage.
The sight was so bewildering that it left no room even for jealousy. As Rosellio Spenser and everyone else stared in shock, the passenger inside finally emerged.
'Brett Lloyd!'
'The eldest son of House Lloyd... I heard he was close to a Sorcerer. So he arrived in a Sorcery carriage!'
'A magic carriage alone is something one might see only once in a lifetime... Today has been quite a sight.'
'But who is beside him? A woman?'
Brett Lloyd had reached the realm of Master in his early twenties and become, without question, Gerbera's most eligible bachelor.
Beside him, Judith stood hesitantly. Judith was not yet renowned throughout the continent.
The gazes directed at her were filled with confusion. The women's gazes, in particular, were especially fierce.
"Ugh...!"
Judith was flustered.
Standing awkwardly in such an unfamiliar place while wearing an equally unfamiliar red dress, she felt terribly embarrassed by her appearance.
All those stares were hard to endure too.
Glancing at her lover from the side, she spoke quietly.
"Sorry. I can't do this. Really, ah... I really can't stay here. So..."
...Could he please choose a different wish instead?
Brett turned his head.
His face was stern, so tight it seemed not even a needle could slip through.
After looking at Judith for quite some time, he spoke.
"If you didn't want this, you should have won."
"F... uck..."
Judith's face turned redder than her dress.
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