Instantly, Jared drew the knife he had been hiding and lunged at the girl, pressing the blade against her neck. Pfeil acted similarly, and behind them, Yeny drew her sword and took a stance, ready to protect Olivier and the others.
“All three of you pass. Your swift decisions and actions are admirable as warriors. The blue-haired one’s movements were excellent. However, this girl here has the most talent but lacks training.”
The girl, unfazed by Jared’s hostility, evaluated their movements and even began to clap.
“Also, Jared—how long do you intend to keep that dangerous object pressed against your master’s neck?”
“Master, don’t joke—huh?”
Jared, about to retort, turned pale when he saw the girl smile. He removed the knife from her neck and took several steps back.
“Hey, Jared!” Pfeil exclaimed, his voice rough at Jared’s action.
“No, she’s not an enemy—probably. She’s my master.”
“What?”
It wasn’t just him. Olivier and the others also turned their gaze to the girl Jared had called master.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I am Almeida, the master of this charming disciple, Jared Murphy.”
“I—it’s been a while, Almeida.”
Jared knelt on the spot and began to bow, his body trembling slightly. No one spoke, and everyone watched the unfolding events. Olivier and Yeny were simply stunned by the appearance of someone who knew of a year or more of their lives that they were unaware of. Pfeil was intrigued by the person who had trained Jared. Rio began munching on baked goods again, while Hannelore, who had harbored no initial suspicion, smiled.
“It truly has been a while. Over a year now. Ever since Jared ran away from me.”
“What do you mean ‘ran away’?”
“…I don’t know the reason. No matter how much I punished him, he wouldn’t say why, and eventually, he left. Now, I have many things I want to discuss with Jared, but before that, could you introduce me to your lovely fiancées?”
“I—I’m sorry. This is my fiancée, Olivier Alway. And this is her mother, Hannelore Alway. The one with the sword drawn is my cousin, Yeny Daum. And this blue-haired man is Pfeil.”
Jared hastily introduced everyone. Almeida nodded with satisfaction and waved to them all.
“Nice to meet you, Almeida-chan.”
“Almeida-chan? It’s been a while since anyone called me such a cute name.”
Hannelore smiled at Almeida, who blinked in slight surprise but quickly returned to her smile, looking happy.
“Once again, I am Almeida, the magician who is Jared’s master. I’ve been here for a while, but nice to meet you all.”
“Since when have you been here?”
“What are you talking about, Jared Murphy? Almeida has been here ever since you leaned on Olivier’s shoulder and appeared here. Didn’t you notice?”
At Rio’s words, Jared and the others, except Hannelore, donned expressions of surprise for what felt like the hundredth time. Even Pfeil, who had been in the room the entire time, hadn’t noticed the slightest bit. Despite being wary of Rio, failing to notice someone present in the same room was a colossal mistake. If Almeida had harbored any ill will, they would all be dead by now.
“…Damn it.” Unsurprisingly, it was Pfeil who groaned in frustration.
“Everyone was too focused on Rio-chan, leaving you all open. But… it seemed like you, Her Lad, noticed, though you were smiling the whole time, so it’s hard to tell.”
Jared glanced at Hannelore, but she remained silent, her gentle smile in place. She was busily wiping Rio’s mouth and giving tea to the girl who kept stuffing her face with baked goods. Hearing that she could perceive magical power, perhaps Hannelore had seen Almeida’s magic. Whether she chose to ignore Almeida due to a lack of hostility or for some other reason, Jared truly thought she was a peculiar person.
“Still, it saddens me that my beloved disciple, whom I personally taught, hasn’t noticed me at all.”
“…I’m sorry, Master. But if you hide your presence, I can’t possibly detect you.”
“That’s true. Besides, you’re weak right now, Jared.”
Almeida laughed teasingly, but Jared couldn’t refute her. Jared didn’t consider himself strong. Knowing there were individuals like Rio the Dragon, Hareng, and his master Almeida whom he couldn’t defeat even if he stood on his head, he remained humble.
“Anyway, let’s put that aside for now— Rio-chan. Are you done punching Jared as much as you wanted?”
“Yes. I feel refreshed.”
“Then you made a promise with me, didn’t you? Come on, what do you have to say?”
“Ugh…”
Rio placed her sweets on the plate, her expression sheepish. She lowered her head towards Jared.
“Hey, what is it?”
“I’m sorry. I knew it wasn’t your fault that my older brother became my older sister. However, since I’d already mistaken it as a catalyst, I couldn’t help but lash out.”
“That’s fine. From now on, punch Hareng instead of me.”
“I already punched my former brother…”
“Then it’s settled! Next time, punch him for me too.”
“Understood.”
He had been targeted for an unreasonable reason, yet strangely, he felt no anger. Jared recalled that dragons, while not aging outwardly, were mentally equivalent to their appearance. He surmised that Rio, who adored her brother, wanted an outlet for her confusion and anger over him becoming her sister. Of course, the recipient of this anger had it rough. But with a mentality equivalent to an outward appearance of around ten years old, he didn’t want to complain further to a child who had apologized.
“I’m glad you two have reconciled. Here. Now, Rio-chan’s business is concluded. I’ve sent messengers to the Dragon Kingdom, so someone should come to pick her up soon, but what shall we do until then?”
“Please stay at the mansion.”
“Hannelore-sama!?”
While she thought it was unkind to turn them away, Hannelore’s generosity in so readily granting permission to stay was astounding. But it was too late for that. Considering Pfeil, who now lived in the mansion as if it were natural, was once an assassin who had tried to kill them, lodging a dragon girl might be less stressful.
“Thank you, Her Lad. And, if possible, may I also stay for a while?”
“Yes, of course. As Jared-kun’s master, we were saved by the power you bestowed. Please stay as long as you wish.”
“I’m grateful. It might be a while, but during that time— I will guarantee the safety of the mansion.”
Only Jared, who knew Almeida’s true capabilities, understood that as long as she was inside the mansion, no one could harm Hannelore or Olivier and the others. Even if Cornelia, who had not yet been apprehended, plotted something, or if a murderer candidate for Court Mage attacked the mansion targeting Jared, the family’s safety was assured with Almeida present.
“In that case, I shall protect you too. Dragons repay kindness. Hannelore gave me so many sweets, and Trane, who isn’t here now, is also preparing baked goods. I also troubled Jared, so I will protect this family with all my might!”
“Oh my, our home is secure now.”
Hannelore’s words were true. Yet, he couldn’t possibly say that, in terms of combat power, it was overkill.
“Hey, Jared.”
“Yes, Olivier-sama?”
“Ever since I met you, the mansion has become so much livelier. It feels like a lie compared to not too long ago when Mother and Trane and I lived so quietly.”
“I’m kind of sorry.”
Olivier watched them with a wry smile, causing Jared to smile back. Jared himself had never dreamed of living such a life when he first met Olivier.
“You don’t have to apologize. I don’t want you to get hurt, but as long as that doesn’t happen, I’m enjoying this everyday life.”
“I’m happy to hear you say that.”
Jared was simply grateful to Olivier, who found joy in this hectic daily life.
