Chapter 99

Aristeide-sama, who was unusually sharp with his words and sword, was met with a smile that didn't fit the atmosphere by the physician.

"Why, treating the sick and injured is a physician's duty, isn't it?"

"What makes you a physician?"

"Well, I have the qualifications. I can't just let my patients do reckless things, can I?"

The physician, who winked at the indignant Aristeide-sama, narrowed his eyes as he turned his gaze to me. Despite his gentle face, his eyes had a forceful intensity that made me feel the pressure from his purple eyes, and I clung to Aristeide-sama.

"I am responsible for dropping that here, but I didn't hear that you were here!"

Aristeide-sama, still holding me in his arms, retorted to the physician. His tattered cloak began to flutter unnaturally, and a vortex of magic power rose around him. Even though the Lagradragon was contained within a defensive barrier, the magic power inside the smoky crystal could run out at any moment due to its resistance. The Captain Blanche and the others, who were standing between me and the Lagradragon, watched Aristeide-sama and the physician with anxious faces. However, the physician seemed completely unaffected by the unusual atmosphere.

"Well, that's true. But you were on an emergency mission and couldn't contact us, so it couldn't be helped."

"That's not what I meant!"

Interrupting the physician's words, Aristeide-sama roared like a beast, warning him.

"Having you at the scene of an emergency means that even what should be protected cannot be protected!"

Then, he turned to the kingdom knights who were fidgeting behind him and roared again.

"Hey, you kingdom knights! If you don't want to get involved, take that thing and leave quickly!"

Aristeide-sama's golden magic power began to crackle and change color from gold to red. Through clenched teeth, he whispered, "Don't move from here, Melfi," and I was released from his arms. I stumbled but managed to stand on my own feet and looked up to meet Aristeide-sama's eyes, which had turned a deep crimson.

(His eyes are red?)

Aristeide-sama averted his gaze and silently turned to walk towards the Lagradragon. His magic power, now a deep, ominous red, spread like that of a mad beast. With each step he took, the ground shook, and I almost lost my balance. Captain Blanche and Lillian quickly supported me, but I was overwhelmed by the scene before me and couldn't even speak.

What was happening? Aristeide-sama's red magic power was overwhelming the absolute defensive barrier I had cast. Even though it was a modern magic barrier I was not used to, I had cast it in three layers, yet the outermost layer had already been broken, and the shadow of the Lagradragon inside the barrier was visible.

"Captain Blanche, the evacuation of the mansion's residents is complete, but, Your Highness..."

"Understood, Natalie. Come, Princess, let's retreat."

Natalie, who had been away from the scene, returned, and Captain Blanche took my hand.

"Captain Blanche, but Aristeide-sama said not to move."

"I've never seen it myself, but I've heard from Chaos. That is probably the state where His Excellency is 'serious.' He will release his magic power to the maximum, so staying here means getting caught in it."

"It's fine, he won't make such a mistake. Come, stand by me."

The physician beckoned to us as we tried to retreat. He dismissed the kingdom knights who had rushed in with a single word, "Get out." Captain Blanche, who muttered, "Why are you backing off here?" in a stern voice, glared at the kingdom knights, but they were only confused, looking back and forth between Aristeide-sama and the physician.

"Melfiela, have you heard why he is called the 'Duke of Mad Blood'?"

Since I didn't move, the physician slowly approached me.

"...Yes."

"He loves hunting beasts and bathing in blood! But that's because it's a duty given to him; he probably doesn't like it himself."

I don't know if he was trying to lighten the mood or if he was just being himself, but I was somewhat... quite irritated by the physician's unusually bright voice. This voice was exactly the same as that of the beautiful butterfly in the letter.

"Aristeide-sama is a noble person."

"I see, you think of him that way. How cute, both you and he. But, being mad with blood is not entirely wrong. The cruelty, well, even you might feel it if you saw it. In this state, he has no mercy and no boundaries."

The physician, with his beautiful golden hair and a face that somewhat resembled Aristeide-sama's, had clear, thoughtful purple eyes that were said to be those of a sage. Since the physician had not revealed his identity, I couldn't expose it. If he didn't intend to reveal it, I had to pretend I didn't know.

"I like Aristeide-sama."

The noble person I was to meet, my future brother-in-law.

"Even if he beheads a beast, is covered in blood, or burns a monster to ashes, Aristeide-sama is always kind, warm, and willing to hurt himself to protect others. But he is also more sensitive and easily hurt than anyone else."

Aristeide-sama, my one and only great older brother.

"I love such an Aristeide-sama, and that's why I want to protect him and stand by his side. But—"

But—

"But, no matter what the reason, I don't think I can like someone who provokes or belittles Aristeide-sama."

When I declared this clearly, the physician's eyes widened. At the same time, the red magic power that filled the area intensified, and the white pillars of flame that I had seen many times before sliced through the night sky.

(I can't let my barrier get in the way.)

With the red, ominous magic power as fuel, the flames were as bright as the morning sun, almost blinding. I understood that Aristeide-sama intended to burn the Lagradragon along with the magic barrier. I activated the remaining smoky crystal barrier and, cutting off Captain Blanche's hand to release the spell, ran forward.

"Princess?!"

"It's fine, this place is safe!"

Aristeide-sama's back, facing the dragon alone, was both close and distant. The red magic power seemed to reject me, but I ignored it and grabbed his left hand.

"Aristeide-sama"

"Melfi?!"

"I can't tell when to release the barrier. I'll release it when you give the signal."

Aristeide-sama would definitely object, so I spoke quickly before he could say anything.

"I've cast a protective barrier around the important people. The residents of the mansion have been evacuated. Aristeide-sama, let's do this together!"

For a moment, Aristeide-sama's red eyes wavered. The magic power was raging, the mad Lagradragon was in front of us, and the white flames were incredibly hot. But I wasn't afraid at all. I intertwined my fingers with Aristeide-sama's left hand, and he gripped back tightly.

"Melfiela... you are truly adorable."

"Huh?"

"You are so adorable that I can't let you go no matter what."

"Such a thing, I can't afford to be let go now."

From inside the barrier, the Lagradragon's murky yellow eyes were watching us. This was the front line of a life-or-death struggle, and Aristeide-sama was always in such places.

"Listen, Melfiela. Three, two, one. When I finish counting, release the barrier and cast a new one around us, can you?"

Aristeide-sama had one smoky crystal left on his belt. I would release the barrier and use this to cast a new one. The magic array was from Odilon's modern magic. I can do this.

"Yes, I can!"

"Good, then let's go... three, two, one."

The moment I released the barrier, the Lagradragon's wild roar echoed, and it spread its tattered wings and came towards us.

"Yees La Volcanoid!"

"Let no magic or attack pass through! Absolute defensive barrier, activate!"

Aristeide-sama's red magic power swirled, and white flames rose like a tornado into the sky. The Lagradragon lost its balance from the force of the flames and was swallowed by the white glow. The heat was intense, but my barrier managed to protect us from burns.

"Is it almost over?"

After some time, Aristeide-sama murmured, released my hand, and gripped his sword. The white flames dissipated into the sky, and the red magic power around him suddenly disappeared. A black shape, barely recognizable as the Lagradragon, remained where the white flames had been. It crumbled and fell apart at the casual swing of Aristeide-sama's sword.

"...I'm quite tired."

Aristeide-sama, who said this and turned to me, had his eyes return to their usual gentle amber.

"Thank you for the hunt."

I threw myself into Aristeide-sama's chest and hugged him tightly (the armor was hard).

◇ ◇ ◇

"I am truly, deeply sorry!"

In front of me, sitting in the middle of a deeply cushioned long chair, the most noble person in this country was bowing. The noble person, who was bowing deeply and apologizing continuously, was met with a cold gaze from Aristeide-sama, who was sitting next to me with his legs crossed.

"The apology is too lukewarm. Do it again."

"Aristeide... big brother, I'm already more remorseful than ever before."

The noble person, who had plopped down on the floor, spoke in a voice that was about to cry. But Aristeide-sama, without flinching, shook his head.

"It's only natural. You infiltrated the mansion as a physician and tested whether Melfiela was suitable for me. How can you criticize the engagement you approved? Even ten years of repentance wouldn't be enough."

"But you're bad at love, and I was worried if you could handle it."

"This is fine! If you stick your nose in any further, I'll really cut ties with you."

"Wait! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I won't do it again!"

The noble person, who had crawled over and clung to Aristeide-sama's leg, pleaded. The noble lady sitting elegantly across from me sighed ungracefully at the sight.

"I'm sorry, Melfiela."

"N-no, it's fine."

The noble lady, with her lustrous auburn hair tied up and wearing an orange dress with wide cuffs, had a pained and apologetic expression.

"The Sage would be shocked to hear this. This person is incredibly indulgent with family. Testing people without revealing his identity is despicable. And he's in a position where no one can object. I've scolded him many times, but it was 'too lukewarm.' But, please don't cancel the marriage just because he's going to be your brother-in-law. Please, I beg you."

"Y-yes."

Ten days after burning the mad Lagradragon.

My cold had fully recovered, and Aristeide-sama, who had also been recuperating, had recovered on a sunny afternoon. In a well-lit room of the Eglantine Palace, a part of the royal palace in the capital of the Kingdom of Langdias, where the king and his family resided, I was receiving apologies from the noble couple.

The comic version of Volume 5 was released on 3/30, and the novel version of Volume 3 was released on 3/31.

Also, you can win goodies from the Gluttony Lady lottery (online lottery). The lottery will be available from 3/30 to 4/30.