Chapter 48: Surprise Visit.
Chapter 48: Surprise Visit.
"If that were all, you’d simply agree to it and try to keep your distance from her, but I’m guessing you can’t... Because... You knew her parents, didn’t you?"
"...."
"How did you—?"
"I was just guessing... Looks like I was right," and without NovelPhoenix knowledge to boot.
"But still, I’m surprised my lady would let you stay here without us knowing."
"Your lady? You mean Roseline?" Silvester said.
"You know her?" Natalie asked.
"Well yes, honestly we’ve been good friends on the battlefield against the demons. She even tried her best to help me when Meren was in danger." Silvester smiled lightly.
"I never thought you were both retainers of hers." Silvester chuckled.
"Oh, I’m a retainer. The young master here is her—"
"What?" Silvester stiffened before springing up and grabbing Osborne by the shoulder.
"Did she force you or something?" Silvester asked, looking troubled.
"What makes you think that?" Osborne let out a quiet laugh.
"Knowing that vicious woman, I find it hard to believe she actually found someone willing to put up with her." Silvester shook his head lightly.
"Well, if you’re sorry, then there is one thing you could do for me."
"Oh? Sure, mention it." Silvester chuckled.
"Please teach me your swordsmanship," Osborne said.
"..." Silvester’s face paused for a moment.
He looked into Osborne’s eyes and saw that he was indeed serious.
Silvester let out a sigh. "I’m sorry, but that’s impossible."
’What...’ Osborne’s expression hardened for a moment.
"Might I ask why then..." He said.
"Look, it’s not that I don’t want to teach you, but my swordsmanship isn’t exactly something someone like you can learn." Silvester scratched his hair a bit.
"I practice a righteous sword path, one extremely hard to learn, even more so for someone like you."
"And what do you mean by that?"
"Young man... My eyes aren’t exactly for show." Silvester said, his eyes turning serious.
"The moment we met, I saw it. You’re someone constantly being burned by the flames of hatred and revenge. While you keep trying to hide it, with time, if you’re not careful, that toxic flame will eventually consume you..."
Osborne turned silent.
Natalie was silent, yet inwardly she felt troubled. Unlike Silvester, she had an idea as to what was the reason for this.
She couldn’t help glancing at him for a moment.
"Haaa..." Osborne let out a sigh after some time. Honestly, he didn’t expect to fail here. Since the original protagonist easily got Silvester’s mentorship simply by showing himself.
To think that when he put in the effort, he would fail not because of his effort but because of himself.
Osborne didn’t deny what the man said. Even now, his heart burned with hatred towards Roosevelt. Only by keeping this very flame bright would he be sure he wouldn’t lose momentum midway.
As for getting burned by the same flame that fueled his exploits, if that was the price it took to make them pay for what they did to him, then he didn’t mind it in the least.
"Then I guess this is where we part ways," Osborne said. He began walking away, back towards the carriage.
Just because he failed didn’t mean everything was over. He still had to keep on trying; otherwise, all his efforts up till now would be to no avail.
"Wait..." Silvester placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
Osborne turned around to see what he wanted to say.
He watched quietly as the man got down on one of his knees again.
"While I can’t teach you my swordsmanship, if you’d permit me, Young Master Osborne, I’d like to become your very own sword."
"It’s the least I could do since you saved my daughter’s life." He looked up with a stern yet sincere gaze.
"Y-Young Master..." Natalie didn’t know what to say.
For such a man to offer up himself like this.
"You’re sure you won’t regret it? Aren’t I being consumed by a burning flame like you said?"
"Which is why I wish to help put it out. To do that, I’d need to stand by your side. So please, permit me to help you, just as you’ve helped me." Silvester said.
Natalie was silent, yet inwardly, she hoped he would agree, since having someone like him on his side was more than a blessing.
"Fine, I’ll accept your allegiance," Osborne said.
Silvester nodded before getting up.
"You and your daughter will have to come back to the estate with us. I can’t have you living all the way out here."
"Understandable." Silvester nodded. "But, young master, might I ask if you have another helper stationed around here?" Silvester asked.
"None that I recall..." Osborne said, his expression turning moody.
"It would appear you’ve been followed..." Silvester squinted his gaze.
"Is it possible for you to apprehend them and bring them before me?" Osborne said.
"Say no more." Silvester grinned before his figure vanished in a gust of wind.
Shortly after, Silvester returned, forcing someone on their knees in front of Osborne, her feline face filled with frustration and hints of apprehension.
"Clawdeth... What are you doing here?" Natalie asked with an unhappy expression.
"I see... So the little wench couldn’t stop me on her own, so she sent you." Osborne squatted down, pressing against both of her cheeks.
Clawdeth angrily shook his hand off. "Tsk~, I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about." She denied his claim.
"You can deny it all you want, but once we return to the estate, we’ll see if you can deny it then," Osborne said calmly.
"Could you possibly knock her out? It’d be a hassle if she caused a fuss on our way back," Osborne asked Silvester.
"As you wish, my lord." Silvester nodded.
"Wait! Wait!" Clawdeth tried to resist, but one chop from Silvester was all it took to knock her out.
The last thing she saw as her vision darkened was the annoying face of the man she hated, not even bothering to spare her another glance.
"Natalie, please help him gather his things. I’ll have the coachman procure a carriage," Osborne said before lifting Clawdeth’s unconscious body onto his shoulder.