Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 14

EP.14 It’s a Given that Things Get Twisted from the Start

“Huh?! You met Lady Elga there?!”

“Shh, shh. Your voice is too loud.”

Let’s not forget this is the library. Be mindful of noise!

Tisha let her out sighs. Thankfully, there were hardly any students reading books in this sorcery section of the library.

Even the librarian in charge of the 5th floor was momentarily absent. Thanks to this, no one objected to Tisha’s loud voice.

“I, I’m sorry. Anyway, why did you meet that person all of a sudden?”

“She happened to be on the same floor. She was reading a book for similar reasons as me…”

“Did she threaten you or demand an apology perhaps?”

“Huh?”

“You mentioned you collided with her last time.”

At Tisha’s inquiry, Kyle lowered his head.

“Indeed, there was such an incident yesterday, but that wasn’t the reason.”

“Then?”

“It’s just… I exchanged a few words with her.”

“What kind of words?”

Tisha, demanding more than necessary, stared at me. I felt a strange sensation from her, but I deliberately nodded.

“Actually, my sister was an academy student in the past. But there was an incident back then, and Lady Elga’s brother was injured.”

“Really?! Your sister injured a member of the Duke’s family?”

Even for commoners, let alone nobles, there could be nothing more dreadful.

The next destination after the Emperor was directly the Duke’s house.

To injure someone from that lineage was enough to topple an entire family.

However, from Littorio’s perspective, there were two issues.

One thing, for starters, is that the cause of that incident lies with none other than Duke Littorio’s son.

Another thing is that the opponent is none other than Jonathan Family.

‘It’s a damn good thing. If it were elsewhere, Duke Littorio would have definitely taken action.’

The ones who became the ancestors of the Baron Jonathan family are people from the north.

They fought fiercely against the Empire, causing immense losses to the Empire.

If the damage had been severe enough, would the Emperor have ‘personally’ intervened?

With persuasion from the Emperor, they eventually nodded in agreement.

They wanted to continue fighting inwardly, but as the Empire no longer had the will to fight, their enthusiasm waned.

Thus, they quietly lived in their hometown.

‘That’s the beginning of our Baron Jonathan. And in that beginning, there is the Emperor.’

It’s where not anyone else but the Emperor personally persuaded and bestowed titles.

Though they are merely Barons, the populations are not even two thousand in total. It’s evidence of achievements that no one in the Empire has achieved.

No matter how much evidence there is, even the Duke Littorio cannot dismiss it lightly.

Thanks to that, Duke Littorio remained silent, hiding his discomfort this time.

“Fortunately, Duke Littorio graciously overlooked it.”

“Really fortunate! I had no idea such a thing happened!”

It’s something naturally unnecessary to know about in the north, far from the Academy.

Having only been here for a few days, it’s impossible to have heard gossip among students.

“Still, it’s better to be cautious just in case.”

“For now, yes. So, even though it wasn’t my fault, I politely apologized. I apologized once again on behalf of my sister, my family, and my lineage.”

“I see…”

There are those whose pride prevents them from even making such an apology. Moreover, if it’s not even their fault, having to bow their heads is even worse.

So, there are plenty of people in the world who can’t even properly apologize.

But Kyle easily managed the humiliation of his pride.

It wasn’t for himself but for his family and lineage that he humbled himself.

‘As expected, he’s a good person. A truly good person…’

She ended up finding much less material than she had thought, but listening to Kyle’s words, Tisha felt oddly delighted.

“Come to think of it, did you find the materials you wanted?”

“Ah… I did find some, but not a lot. It seems that because perception of sorcery isn’t favorable, it was pushed back in priority even in the library, according to the librarian.”

“That’s unfortunate. There are definitely good aspects to sorcery.”

“That’s what I’m saying! I don’t understand why sorcery is seen so unfavorably! When sorcery first appeared, they said it was a dangerous act that defied the laws of the world! But now, everything other than sorcery is considered useless…”

Hmm, I think I pressed the wrong button here. Afterward, Kyle had to endure Tisha’s passionate outbursts.

“…So! I’ll work even harder! Someday, I’ll definitely reach a level where sorcery and I stand shoulder to shoulder, achieving such greatness!”

I wonder how the magicians would react to hearing that. Probably not mockingly, but perhaps advising against speaking nonsense.

Unlike magic, which forms the basis as something substantial, such as mana, sorcery is based on human belief, something intangible. That’s why sorcery is referred to as witchcraft in the world. Because no one knows how human emotions will be exploited. If Ian were here, he would probably have listed the reasons. Thanks to that, Tisha’s inner world would have been overturned once again.

But Kyle was neither as clueless as Ian nor did he have any intention of speaking recklessly.

“It can be done. Hang in there, Tisha.”

Unless you’re a sage or a hermit, it’s beneficial to give some encouraging words in life. It’s foolish to tire yourself out by puffing yourself up for no reason.

Such behavior is honest, not due to an inability to lie or any other reasons, but rather a lack of social skills.

That was Kyle’s thought and his code of conduct.

‘But wasn’t there a book here in the second library that would further develop Tisha’s sorcery?’

A fleeting recollection of a narrative-style description passed through his mind. He didn’t read the entire serial, so he wasn’t sure, but Ian probably discovered it. Revealing it to Tisha would definitely progress their relationship.

Handing over the book could serve as a good opportunity to get closer. He even pondered whether to use this moment to inform Tisha.

“Let’s go. Kyle.”

“…Alright.”

However, Kyle decided to keep quiet about that matter for now.

It would be quite suspicious for someone who hadn’t been at the Academy for long to suddenly search for rare books.

It would be much better to wait until later in the semester to search for it, showing that he frequents the library regularly before doing so.

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Elga, who rushed to her room in a hurry, gasped for breath.

Soon, she slumped onto the chair, exhausted.

“Haah…”

It felt like something was draining out of her, yet at the same time, it felt like something inexplicable was filling her up.

Even she couldn’t quite understand what this sensation was.

One thing was certain: this sensation was caused by someone.

‘You will become Duke Littorio.’

It wasn’t just a passing joke. It was too serious to be considered mere flattery.

Initially, she only held the title of Lady, without any real power.

Flattery would only lead to more losses than gains.

Yet, Kyle said he would become a duke himself.

“…Ahaha.”

Laughter escaped her lips uncontrollably. It was a laughter she couldn’t suppress, one that burst forth.

Elga laughed like that for quite some time.

Then, as if possessed by something, she suddenly stood up.

The direction Elga headed was none other than where Leto was.

At this time, he would likely be swinging his sword in the training ground.

Not particularly skilled in swordsmanship, but it was his duty to fulfill.

To ensure there were no gaps in escorting the Lady.

“Leto.”

Elga, arriving at the training ground, quietly called out his name.

Startled, Leto, who had just put down his sword, approached her.

“Lady… Elga?! Weren’t you reading books in the library?”

“That’s right. But something came up, so I finished the book early and came here.”

“You should have waited in the library. I would have gone there.”

It wasn’t a statement made as a friend or something more. Leto only saw Elga as the Lady he should serve.

That’s how he was taught and how he accepted his education.

For Leto, born as the nephew of the Littorio Duke, it was his natural destiny.

“…Leto.”

“Yes, Lady Elga.”

“May I ask you something?”

“Please do. I will answer sincerely.”

“Can you answer any question I ask?”

“Of course. It’s my duty to answer Lady Elga’s questions…”

“Don’t answer recklessly. Think carefully before you answer.”

Leto also had some degree of insight.

It didn’t take long for him to realize that Elga standing before him was slightly different from usual and that the words she was saying were quite important.

“…Please ask.”

“What do you think should be the next Duke of our Littorio Dukedom?”

At Elga’s question, Leto flinched and hesitated.

It was a question that had been asked many times before, but suddenly ceased to be heard at one point.

Yet today, that question resurfaced and echoed in his ears once again.

“…I’m not sure.”

“Are you really not sure? Or is it that you simply don’t want to know?”

“I am lacking in so many aspects to provide an answer. Please understand that I am unable to answer due to my lack of knowledge.”

Elga remained silent for a while, gazing at Leto with an inscrutable expression.

It wasn’t until several minutes had passed since she spoke that she opened her mouth again.

“Leto. You’re… mine.”

“Lady Elga.”

“You’re my friend. Someone who exists solely for me. Even so, you don’t know? You can’t answer?”

“… ”

This time, Leto fell into silence.

Minutes passed, and an uncomfortable silence settled between the two.

“I… ”

Finally, Leto broke the silence, but his words were enough to shatter Elga’s heart.

“I really don’t know.”