The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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For a while, Ainel, who had been teasing me, finally called in a priest to check on my condition.

The priest, with a cautious expression, blessed me for waking up and carefully channeled Divine Power into me to conduct an examination.

“Your consciousness is clear, and your body has significantly improved. However, given the toll from the last battle, you might experience fatigue and lethargy for a while. It’s important for you to rest thoroughly.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Considering the mana I had squeezed out by twisting and wringing my heart, my physical condition wasn’t bad at all.

Ainel, seemingly more satisfied with the priest’s assessment than I was, nodded her head.

“That’s a relief. In that case, it’s best to inform them that the Baron has awakened but refuse any further visits. Just let them know outside.”

“Of course, Count.”

The priest, with a notably humble demeanor, bowed and slipped out of the room, leaving just Ainel and me behind.

“I’m glad the Baron’s condition isn’t too bad. Do you have any idea how many people were worried sick because you couldn’t open your eyes?”

“I caused quite a concern, didn’t I?”

“And especially, it looked as though your family’s Special Assault Brigade and the Ordinary Soldiers were attending your funeral with long faces. You should have seen how they were acting. It seems the Baron managed to capture their hearts beautifully.”

“There was a lot of worry, but… it seems my efforts paid off after all.”

Just like our knights and wizards from the Baron family.

Among them, both the Special Assault Brigade and the Ordinary Soldiers owed me many lives. Moreover, the cavalry from the brigade, who had ridden alongside me into battle, seemed to hold a considerable fondness for me, even if they didn’t show it openly.

Yeah, that’s what they say about Barons.

“So, how about the Special Mission Team?”

I should get their reactions too; they’re dear to me.

Ainel replied with a small, smiling expression.

“Well, the Special Mission Team was placing bets on when you’d wake up, fully confident that you wouldn’t kick the bucket on us.”

“Really…?”

They had always been itching to share their crazy experiences every time they returned from the Demonic Realm.

It’s like they enjoy doing insane things and flaunt their bravery. I worry for them in such strange ways.

“However, it was crystal clear that despite their antics, deep down, each of them wanted you, their Deputy Commander, to wake up and show your face again. The Baron is one of their idols, after all. And I felt the same way.”

So, Ainel spoke with a serious expression, weighing heavy words.

“You saved me from death as a true guide. It must have been hard on your heart, thinking it might be over for me.”

Ainel, who had been attributing the title of ‘guide’ to me based on the information acquired from the Demonic Realm, had seemingly succeeded in reading my abilities just after Shione and Adelhaite.

“Well, Ainel has experienced it firsthand.”

There was no way a master like her would take my evasions at face value.

And since Shione and the princess were already aware of it, I could consider Ainel a staunch ally. So there was no need to keep it tight-lipped when the situation called for trust.

I threw her a question without confirming or denying anything.

“How’s the Count’s health?”

“So you’re not outright denying it now?”

While saying that, Ainel shrugged, indicating she wasn’t eager to dig deeper.

“My body is not in such bad shape for something torn at my toenail. It has healed well thanks to the priests sticking around for a few days. I only have some scars left. The only disappointing thing is that I can’t handle mana like before.”

“…You mean you can’t handle mana like you used to?”

“It means the vessel for the mana in my heart has shattered. I guess after pushing myself too hard while gravely injured, it couldn’t hold up any longer.”

Her calmly stated conditions were certainly not a minor issue.

‘Damage to the vessel is a grave matter.’

Mana typically gathers in the heart, pulsating with vigor and vitality. Each knight has a vessel that absorbs and harmonizes the collected mana, which comes from a mix of natural talent and a bit of effort.

If the vessel becomes cracked, it means they will never reach their full potential throughout their lifetime. Living with the curse of always losing mana through that tiny flaw is a harsh fate.

‘If the vessel has shattered…’

Even if managed to somehow stick it back together, it meant the end of her path as a knight.

‘…Ainel can no longer wield a sword?’

To put it bluntly, it means the knight who once bravely faced off against dragons and other gluttonous beings no longer existed.

Seeing my expression gradually morph into one of horror, Ainel shook her head as if she expected that reaction.

“There’s no need to pity me, Baron.”

“But—”

“I’ve already slain a dragon with my own hands and faced demons far stronger than what I encountered atop the Count’s castle walls. In the end, I even split that bastard in half.”

“…”

“I’ve accomplished all that a knight can achieve, so there’s no point in holding onto regrets.”

It was only after hearing Ainel’s words that her original form came back to me.

Her fierce and sharp demeanor had softened upon losing her sword, and the weariness hidden behind her smile was proof of losing her mana.

“Even though I’ve lost my mana, I’m still alive and breathing. The Count already has outstanding warriors like Shione and Siabel. I’m still the head of the Count’s House, so I just need to continue in that role. I’m not here to seek pity from my benefactors.”

With that, Ainel slowly rose from her seat.

“Thank you for saving my life. That’s all I wanted to convey.”

As I regarded her quietly, it was as if she were telling me not to worry.

With a familiar stance, she crossed her arms and started to wiggle her index finger.

“It’s about time the Baron took a break; I’ve been rambling on too much. Set aside your worries about the complex matters outside for now and rest easy. Once it’s known that you’re awake, Shione will rush in and share all kinds of stories with you.”

“I’ll get out of bed soon and visit the Count. With happy news, no less.”

So, I tossed a tidbit back at her.

I remembered there was a certain item capable of recovering the shattered vessel.

I couldn’t afford to lose a human weapon like her in a place like this.

And it seemed I had a good guess about who might have that elixir.

“Heh.”

At that moment, Ainel, standing briefly at the door, smirked and tossed the line out.

Ainel and I seemed to be dreaming a shared dream.

“Please ask my daughter directly when you want to talk about that later with Shione.”

*

Once Ainel departed, silence filled the room as I began to reflect on my own body.

‘…For something drawn out of line, there’s nothing particularly broken.’

Tania had warned me. That like Ainel, my vessel could also collapse.

But the mana residing in my heart remained, steady and noble as always.

Except for the fatigue that remained, almost unscathed. It was evident I could only head one way.

‘I dreamt.’

I distinctly remembered that someone I met in a dream had looked out for me in an unusually vivid manner.

I recalled the World Tree, Eriantina, with whom I conversed in my dreams.

—My blessing is filled with the Divinity I’ve accumulated thus far. Child, the fact that we meet again signifies you’ve become capable of wielding Divinity. Hence, it could be said that you’ve found yourself in a situation where it had to be used.

Thanks to pulling in the Divinity secretly left behind by the World Tree when saving Ainel, I found myself reunited once more with the Great Forest.

—My life-giving Divinity will twist fate and shield your body, so there’s no need to worry.

The World Tree’s monologue was firmly imprinted in my mind while I remained hazy at the edges of consciousness.

—However, without two strokes of luck, this will be the last time, so listen closely.

Indeed, the World Tree had promised to protect my vessel and body.

—Keep a priest knowledgeable in doctrines and faith, yet untainted by them by your side.

Those priests entwined with angels certainly had their hidden agendas.

But for now, I should keep someone easier to deal with beside me.

—If connections are made, it will allow you to assess the dead god’s Divinity, usurped from their weak Divine essence.

Extract whatever I can use from them.

‘Divinity, huh—’

To rescue Ainel from death.

This unreasonable power allowed the glutton and the guardians of the temple to have multiple chances.

While I contemplated this unfamiliar power that held potential beyond mana as I settled into a deep rest, the sun set and night arrived.

As soon as word spread crazy fast about my awakening, it seemed I had a guest eager for a meeting.

“Ray, finally…!”

Bursting in as if having just returned from braving the northern cold winds, Shione’s disheveled hair and haunting dark circles under her eyes spoke of the many worries she had faced lately.

And yet, upon locking eyes with me, her once-dark gaze brightened like the depths of the sea.

I thought of today’s Ainel. I played around just like that, signaling not to worry.

“Shione, I heard everything. You slept beside me while holding my hand, looking longingly.”

“…I heard no one was allowed to meet Ray today. Am I not the first? Wait, that’s not the point.”

“…?”

“Did someone see you taking care of him? I told everyone not to let anyone in!”

“…Seeing how panicked you are, it seems things weren’t so innocent after all.”

What’s up with Shione?

What on earth did she get up to that made her this anxious?

As I tried to pry it out, she began to sweat profusely wondering.

“W-who told you all this?”

“Ainel said she saw it happen firsthand.”

And upon hearing that,

“Ah—”

Shione sighed in a short breath.

I couldn’t let her response slide without a question.

What kind of mess did she get mixed up in this time?