Chapter 80: Special Request (6)
Marzen's top master, Philip Portville, is a stoic person.
Unlike Rupe Charveau, who is strong against the weak and weak against the strong, Philip's such attitude does not discriminate.
He doesn't force a smile when meeting high-ranking individuals, and he shows a stern expression even in front of commoner children.
But there were times when he showed a gentle smile, and that was…….
‘When meeting a promising young swordsman!’
Rupe Charveau, still unable to hide his horrified expression, stared at Harang.
Then he turned his head and looked at Philip Portville.
He hadn't seen wrong.
An undeniable familiarity was evident in the old swordsman's expression as he looked at the young Mercenary.
‘But, why?’
He couldn't accept it.
This didn't make sense.
It was an incomprehensible situation.
If that bumpkin named Harang was promising enough for Philip Portville to acknowledge, he couldn't possibly be just a Wooden Plate Mercenary.
It would only make sense if he had at least reached the Expert stage and received a Silver Plate, or if he was from another famous swordsmanship organization.
Of course, what Rupe Charveau was thinking was of no concern to them.
Harang, having received Philip Portville's greeting, replied courteously.
“It has been some time. I have been adapting well to Marzen. Has the head of Portville been well?”
“Hmm? You, you've changed quite a bit, haven't you?”
“Changed?”
“Yes. Before, there was something…… Hmm…… What's the right expression? I'm not sure. Anyway, there was something awkward about your attitude when dealing with people, but now…… it's very smooth. It's good to see.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“But it is strange. I thought you'd have no interest in anything but the sword. Is there a reason you've suddenly started paying attention to such things?”
“Ah, that is……”
Harang, after glancing briefly at the Viyan family, continued to speak.
“As today's gathering is extremely important, I am putting more effort into my speech and demeanor than usual.”
“An important gathering, you say…… Judging by the atmosphere, it feels like you're meeting your lover's parents for the first time. Is my guess correct?”
“Precisely.”
“Hah!”
Philip Portville let out an exclamation of admiration.
Within it swirled complex and subtle emotions such as slight anger, sadness, regret, and envy.
It couldn't be helped.
He had made all sorts of efforts to obtain that jewel-like man, and yet, he had not achieved the desired result.
He had even lost his grandson's life in the process, so encountering him in such a place naturally left a bitter taste in his mouth.
However, such emotions disappeared after a short while.
Even if they didn't disappear easily, it was right to forcefully cut them off.
‘He was a man I couldn't have embraced from the start.’
A monster who possessed swordsmanship superior to his own despite being only in his early 20s.
Probably, even if the entire family attacked, they wouldn't be able to handle that young man.
Since such a being had shown mercy and saved his life once, it was right to bury the grudge at this point.
Rather, maintaining the best possible relationship would be beneficial to the Portville family.
Having thought this far, Philip Portville courteously addressed the Viyan couple.
“My apologies. It feels like I've unnecessarily intruded on an important occasion. I am truly sorry.”
“Ah, no. How could you say such a thing……”
“No. It is my mistake. To cause such a commotion at the first meeting between a daughter's lover and her parents, I have no excuse even if I had ten mouths. I will compensate you separately later, so please don't feel burdened.”
“……!”
The Portville family head's unexpectedly generous response.
At this, the Viyan couple couldn't help but glance sideways at Harang with blank expressions.
Just a few minutes ago, they were being utterly humiliated because of Rupe Charveau, and now the atmosphere had reversed like this…….
But it didn't end there.
Philip Portville, who they thought had finished speaking, was still standing his ground, and his eyes, unlike before, contained a fiery blaze that could pierce through an iron plate.
The Charveau family's Ruffian, Rupe Charveau, who met that gaze, flinched.
Sweat pouring down his forehead and back, he barely managed to open his reluctant mouth and ask.
“E-E-Elder? D-D-Do you perhaps have anything to say to me……”
“Anything to say?”
“Yes, yessir……!”
“That's rather what I wanted to ask you.”
“Wh-What, what do you mean……”
“I mean, don't you have anything you want to say?”
“……I'm sorry, sir?”
Rupe Charveau apologized with utmost humility.
Of course, he didn't think he had done anything wrong in the slightest.
It was merely an act compelled by Philip Portville's prestige, so his apology was directed solely towards the family head.
Therefore, Philip Portville was not satisfied.
Shaking his head with a firm expression, he strode over and grabbed Rupe Charveau's shoulders with both hands.
“Heeik!”
And.
Swish!
After forcibly turning his body towards the Viyan family, he said this.
“Apologies are made to those who deserve an apology, not to me.”
“……Yes?”
“Isn't that so? If one has ruined someone's most private and precious occasion for no particular reason, one should feel ashamed and remorseful. How can one merely bow one's head to this family head to escape the situation and try to leave?”
“…….”
“Am I wrong?”
“You are…… correct, sir……”
Rupe Charveau's insides churned.
This reality, where he had to offer an apology to beings he usually ignored and despised, was unbelievably shameful.
But it couldn't be helped.
Meeting the gaze of Philip Portville, a giant whom even the elders of his family couldn't treat carelessly, he flinched.
Eventually, his incredibly stiff neck bowed towards the Viyan family.
“I am…… sorry. As I have unintentionally ruined your precious time, I, Rupe Charveau, apologize.”
“Your words are a bit short.”
“……I am sorry. Truly sorry. I, Rupe Charveau, third son of the Charveau family, beg for forgiveness for today's transgression. I would be grateful if you would show mercy.”
Only then did Philip Portville wear a satisfied expression.
However, that was not the end.
The old ginger, perhaps having decided to completely break the Charveau Ruffian's spirit on this occasion, even invited him to his own dinner table.
Rupe Charveau's complexion turned deathly pale at the prospect of having to dine alone with him.
Sheratiya Viyan, seeing this, thought to herself.
‘It's very…… very satisfying. But…….’
She glanced towards her parents.
They still looked dazed.
Even so, what she felt was their attitude towards Harang.
Their aggressive questioning, which could be called rather rude, was no more.
Seeing her parents' demeanor change as if they were addressing a superior, Sheratiya wore a gloomy expression.
The side of them she least wanted others to see.
And that wasn't even the end of it.
Mrs. Viyan, who had kept her mouth shut, overwhelmed by the atmosphere, belatedly threw a question at Philip Portville.
“U-Um…… Lord Portville?”
“Hmm? What is it.”
“Um, that is…… If it's not rude, may I ask about your relationship with this, Harang…… Mr. Swordsman? P-Perhaps…… are you teaching him the sword separately, something like that?”
Sheratiya closed her eyes with a faint sigh.
The intention was too obvious.
If Harang and Lord Portville's relationship turned out to be stronger than expected, she would show a 180-degree change from her attitude so far.
She hated that so much.
“Hmm.”
Whether he knew of such an atmosphere or not, Philip Portville paused for a moment.
Stroking his beard with his right hand, he looked up slightly and continued to think deeply, then said this.
“To say I teach him the sword would not be correct. Rather, to say I learn from him would be more fitting.”
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
“It might be an embarrassing answer…… but for now, those words seem most accurate. Isn't that so, Harang?”
“…….”
“Haha, it seems you're at a loss for words. No need to ponder. I didn't say it to hear your answer. But…… I'd like you to promise me this. How about visiting our family occasionally when you have time? Even late at night is fine, like before.”
Philip Portville, his eyes shining, spoke suggestively.
Harang readily nodded at his expression, which seemed to allude to their secret sword fight from before.
Philip was the best sparring partner apart from Hagio, so it was well worth making time.
“I shall do so.”
“Haha! Good. Very good. Ah, dear! I've taken up too much of your time.”
“It's, it's alri……”
Jibrid Viyan spoke, but Philip Portville shook his head.
“No. The old man will be going now. Ah, Rupe, you follow me…… Then I'll be waiting, Harang.”
“Take care on your way out.”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
Thus, the tumultuous situation was finally completely settled.
Only the Viyan couple, Sheratiya, and Harang remained at the table, the four who were there initially.
Of course, the gazes from all around watching them were like It did bother me, but..., that was much easier to deal with compared to when Rupe Charveau was causing a ruckus.
However, Sheratiya Viyan couldn't help but feel even more uncomfortable than before.
“Ahem, hem…… I didn't realize you were a swordsman acknowledged by the head of Portville.”
“That's right. Why didn't you say so earlier?”
“Oh my, doesn't that mean he's a very serious young man? Hoho…… Oh dear! Your glass is empty. Let's have a drink first. Let's have a drink and then talk again. Hahaha…….”
“Hohohoho…….”
“…….”
An outwardly very bright atmosphere.
However, the daughter's expression, seeing the masks plastered on her parents' faces, couldn't help but harden.
* * *
‘This is the worst.’
After the meeting with her parents ended, Sheratiya Viyan thought as she walked the streets of Marzen's Inner District.
Harang wasn't the problem.
On the contrary, he was perfect.
From his attire to his etiquette, culture, and even his handling of Rupe Charveau who had interrupted…… he couldn't have been more splendid.
It was no exaggeration to say he had performed 300% of what she had expected.
That's right.
The problem lay with her, and with her parents.
That was the cruel truth.
Click, click.
Sip, hoooo……
Entering an alleyway, she lit her tobacco pipe with a Magic lighter.
The hazy smoke spread and mixed with the night air's breath, disappearing into the sky.
Sheratiya stared blankly at the sight, then turned her head towards Harang, who was still standing beside her.
Thank you. It's fine now, you can go.
That was what she intended to say to him, and once those words were spoken, their relationship would return to being strangers.
But before those words could come out, Harang's mouth opened first.
“Would you like another drink?”
“……What?”
“Ah, was that rude? If so, I apologize. But……”
“But?”
Sheratiya asked, and Harang paused for a moment.
It was a very brief moment, but for some reason, it felt long to Sheratiya.
Of course, that silence wasn't eternal.
Eventually, words flowed from Harang's mouth again.
“I learned that it's rude to just leave a lady who looks like she's in a bad mood.”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
“Did I make some mistake?”
Pfft, Sheratiya let out a laugh.
Anyone could see it wasn't something he thought of himself, but rather like he had memorized a line he was coached on.
It was highly likely the work of the person who had perfected his coordination for today.
Therefore, she had to check.
Deliberately hardening her expression, she threw a question at Harang.
“Who was the person who told you that line? Is it a woman you know?”
“No. It's an elder I know…… Is that a problem?”
“No. No problem at all.”
Shaking her head, she finally smiled.
And continued.
“Let's go. There's a place I frequent.”