Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 116: Rio Felt and, Beginning of the Third Day of the Afternoon Feast pt2

After meeting with Rio, Liselotte returned to the ducal house of Cretia and then rested for a while in her own room.

Right now with only her trusted friend Aria in the room, Liselotte is completely flipping "Work Mode Switch" to OFF.

「U ~ h, so tire ~ d」

After changing her clothes into something that was easily moved in her room, she dropped herself as if falling on her soft bed.

As expected, Liselotte was tired from the hectic schedule and did things for the sake of attending the evening party in the capital in these few days.

"Good"

Liselotte who buried her face in the pillow showed a happy expression from the slight slit of her face peeking out from the pillow.

The people who knew his true face after he had unmasked a woman were very few in number.

Aria is one of the few humans.

After which, there was no change to his expression despite seeing the negligent Liselotte.

But then, Aria herself never showed such a huge reaction aside from a slight eyebrow when she looked at Liselotte side for the first time.

「Thank you for the hard work. Will you sleep for a while until the start of the evening party？ 」

Aria asked as she looked lovingly at her beautiful master who was loosening her guard.

「U ~ hn. I am good . I want to think of something for a while 」

The answer is a little slower than usual.

He picked up a pillow that was nearby and then hugged the pillow as he raised his face to look at the ceiling of his room.

「Is this about Haruto-sama?」

"Religion . I know a lot of things from our meeting a while ago. And that's it ……………. Hey……………"

Liselotte let out a tired sigh as she replied to Aria.

「Have you noticed some problems?」

「That's no problem. It seems that we will be able to maintain our good relationship from now on 」

Following after their meeting just a moment ago, Liselotte could feel that her relationship with Rio would remain like this even after this.

He's sure about that.

Of course, the matter of him knowing his biggest secret would put him in an unfortunate situation but, he judged that he did not have to worry about such things.

（First of all, the problem of me using a Japanese name for our product also acts like a kind of message to people who are in the same situation as me. Things like someone being suddenly moved from the other side were a bit of an unexpected case though

When Liselotte thought of such things,

「Alright, which points bother you?」

Aria asked in a clear voice.

「I was thinking of closing the distance with Haruto-sama a little more than now if possible but, the result is that our distance remains that way .....

Section 2

Liselotte sighed while letting out her complaints.

He had already marked Rio and really wanted to invite him.

It was not at all like just wanting to become a valuable contract partner to use Rio's services as an intermediary between him and his best liquor craftsmen.

His calm and intellectual personality while being a gentle person, received an education reserved for the nobles despite being commoners, he said, his battle prowess which would at least easily be able to master several trained knights with minimum number and unknown to the maximum, moreover, his artifact-class magic tool that could accommodate many things by manipulating the space――.

To be honest, he was too good to be left as just a hidden talent.

「The way he brought himself was obviously a big difference from the nobles and merchants who usually faced Liselotte-sama. Even the way he dealt with this situation was also different 」

「True. You can say that he is not the type of person who moves for things like status or money 」

After she changed her sitting position from her bed, Liselotte agreed with an expression of longing.

「But, seeing his inauguration as a knight of honor, the nobles who will come to interact with him from now on will continue to increase right?」

Rio's abilities and existence were exposed on a large scale among the nobles and royalty who attended the party last night.

Moreover, he even received the coronation of an honorary knight.

It would be even stranger if such an existence wandered around without being tied to any faction and had yet to receive an invitation.

But, even if he came from a small country when compared to Galwark kingdom.

Nevertheless he received the honorary knight title despite not serving under Galwark kingdom which in turn would strengthen the relationship between Rio and Galwark kingdom.

Even so, even though it would not be unusual for a country to suddenly appear to befall him, he needed to constantly think about his own actions with regards to the Galwark kingdom.

「Yes, I want to get closer to him for this reason. Geez, yet I was the first to discover the true value of Haruto-sama ..

Liselotte pouted her lips.

He had always refrained from sending invitations to Rio until now.

It was because the clear prospect of victory in dragging Rio to his ground was non-existent.

It was only natural that it was an invitation because he knew of Rio's character in the fact that he would definitely take some distance from her if she sent the invitation many times.

Thus, he left with the strategy of continuing to reduce their distance to make Rio lower his guard without sending an invitation.

However, the movement of royalty and nobles during this time was only slightly— Salah, it was not funny at all.

They would only increase the chances of Rio taking a long distance from the nobility and nobility for being fed up with them, since it would make things ugly if the game they were aiming at was taken from the side.

「But, he refused an invitation from the king. Thus he would not easily serve under anyone right？ 」

「I also include those factors but, the chances are not zero」

From now on, Rio will be involved with various royalty and nobles regardless of his own wishes.

It would not be strange if some of them even offered something that would satisfy Rio.

「Rejecting direct invitation from His Majesty. The problem is he's not moving for status or money obviously. Although his majesty is half pushy by using his authority as some he must do .....

「That's a bad move. Today's problem is an exception. Because His Majesty has to do that and even give the honorary knight title to Rio-sama 」

Section 3

Although there were a few more on the list of what was required, so he would be dragged by the state even if his actions of protecting Miharu and the others himself were because he was aiming for a big one, so he was going to be dragged away by the state even if his actions were to protect Miharu and the others himself was because he was aiming for a big one, some say that Rio's achievement is also the Achievement of Galwark kingdom.

And in terms of giving the honorary knight title to Rio means that Galwark kingdom is participating in the case of protecting Miharu and the others.

Although Takahisa is the first on the list for the right to claim their protection as a family for Masato and Aki, the, there was no difference in the order between Takahisa and Satsuki in terms of Miharu's protection since she was only her friend.

Although the maximum priority was Miharu's own will, it would be insurance when the matter became complicated.

「In addition, I feel I should at least try to invite her sooner or later, but I want to at least have some cards in my hand」

Humans are creatures of contradiction as long as they move based on profit and loss.

Therefore there is a need to me their emotions such as offering some sort of advantage to change the other party.

But, the matter of Rio moving without thinking about profit and loss had already expanded.

If for example someone else is trying to invite Rio――

「Maybe it will be more interesting if you just go from the front and try to seduce it with your appeal」

Aria suddenly muttered those words.

「S-Woo her?」

Liselotte looked at Aria with a shocked expression.

「Yes, because almost all of those who move towards men who leave their names in the historical record are a woman」

She did not know whether Aria was joking or not since she said those words in a flat tone.

「Herbs …………. . Is that"

Liselotte let out a voice filled with suspicion.

A certain strong point of a woman is to be a weapon for building relationships with men. [TL: You know, in an adult way ……. Snusnu by animesuki language]

Many women agree with that.

（Despite that, it seems that no one is using seduction against Haruto-sama. It seems Cosette bravely tried to approach him but the result was not favorable）

The treasurer Liselotte not only helped her in the strict Rikka work or the prefectural governor's job, everyone was also a woman as they were basically doing housemaid work.

Those cream plants were taken directly by Liselotte purely based on their natural disposition without caring about their status so their abilities and personality went without saying.

Once hired, they will be placed under rigorous training one at a time and learn the necessary knowledge to do their job.

To make matters worse, everyone of them consisted only of women or girls who were in their prime age, they were basically composed of different types of beauty

Naturally there was a precise reason why he was gathering not only girls with pretty faces but also strong.

Whether it was as a noble or as a merchant, the majority of Liselotte's negotiating partners were men.

If he could make a strong point of the girl standing out from their abilities, it would definitely give him an advantage in the―― negotiation

Section 4

In that case, he did not need to be tricked if the alluring words of the girl were enough to give him an advantage against his negotiating partner, it was Liselotte business policy.

Although it is not at the level that the negotiating partner will conduct the ual abuse beyond the threshold, when he finds that there are some girls among his treasurer who are favored by his negotiating partner, who is, that the treasurer would naturally be in charge of those negotiations.

While there is no clear evidence whether the move helped the business or not, the business strength of Rikka's company is unmatched by any other company.

Therefore Liselotte placed her greatest trust and pride in the servants working under her wing and she could feel relieved to welcome Rio, her important guest.

Even if Rio was a young man who was at the peak of his puberty, there was no way he would do bad things to girls who were around his age.

Because he might even fall in love with one of his servants—

So he held on to his vague hope.

But, his faint hope turned out to be only hope.

Well, he shouldn't be too hopeful for that because it's a good offer.

「Maybe Haruto-sama already has someone occupying his heart?」

「She seemed to be very close to Cosette and Natalie among my right-hand room stewards. Since the girls are the ones who often lead Haruto-sama.but, the chances of succeeding by using seduction are too low 」

「Yeah, it's a natural」

Liselotte nodded at his words.

Because it was not like Liselotte who was unable to understand the sign in case she had an interest in the girls among her servants.

「In this case, it's Liselotte-sama's turn to come and seduce her」

Aria suddenly dropped such atomic-scale bomb comments.

「M-Me?」

Liselotte involuntarily let out a confused voice.

「Among us all, aren't you the one who is actually closest to Haruto-sama」

「EH? EEEH？ Well that's true, even so …………. . The side of the treasurer is .......

Liselotte muttered those words in a weak tone while having a question mark on her face.

「Please be confident. You will not be able to use your own charm as well as possible if you keep such doubts 」

Liselotte was encouraging Aria who showed a troubled expression.

「As far as I know, you are my best employer. You are wise, have a noble heart, and have high self-esteem. And you are the type of woman who can stand side by side with men 」

「T-Thank you very much …………. 」

Liselotte thanked Aria's praise with flushed cheeks.

「Although I said to seduce her, I do not mean in the way that you ensnare her by using your lady charm」

Section 5

Aria said that to him while waving her head in denial.

Not in any way did he tell Liselotte to use the honey trap on Rio.

Aria was fully aware that Rio was not the type of man who could be defeated in such a manner.

「Sometimes, there are some people who are really hard to move with such tactics. And he must be that type of person 」

Liselotte was secretly listening to Aria's story.

「Actually, pulling it with your charm as a person without any advantages and advantages is a better tactic. Let Haruto-sama know you as a person named Liselotte Kretia. Because you have the charm to get people to gather around you automatically. It was the same case for me 」

Aria told him that as a fact.

「My apologies for my warning. But, in my simple idea, facing it in direct confrontation was even more important than unskilled trickery for an opponent like Haruto-sama 」

Aria bowed deeply as she said that.

「…………. . Correct . As you said 」

Liselotte smiled wryly as she sighed.

"Thank you . I seem a little too impatient. Thanks to you, I managed to regain my composure 」

Liselotte thanked Aria as she smiled calmly.

（It looks like I have no choice but to face it with my sincerity at this point. I will continue to deepen our personal relationship while maintaining our contractual relationship）

As Aria had said, it was possible to become closer to a person like Rio, walking honestly without thinking about things like profit and loss was the right choice.

Although Liselotte had always been in contact with others as a noble or merchant, she could build a personal relationship for a long time.

（Actually I want to reward him with a problem today but, he will definitely reject it if I give it to him normally.

One day I will tell Haruto-sama that I was saved when I was in a troubled situation）

He wondered how long it had been since he had faced someone this way except for his parents and relatives.

When he thought so,

（Maybe because I am Rikka）

Liselotte closed her eyes as she lay on top of the bed while a nostalgic smile peeked at her face.

☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

On the other hand, Rio was walking alone in the hallway of the royal castle after his meeting with Liselotte.

（Maybe Satsuki-san went to where Miharu and the others are. ）

Section 6

Rio's steps became slower as he thought of the opportunity.

The place where Miharu and the others were staying was the room where Takahisa was staying.

They might have been having a pleasant talk even as he walked towards that place by now.

He wants to go to Miharu's place as well.

Back then, she was encouraged by the urge to go to the room where Miharu was and confess everything.

But, after taking a deep breath to calm the blood flowing towards his head, Rio then headed to the room where he was assigned.

He definitely had something he wanted to convey to Miharu and the others, but, there were many things that he also had to convey to them.

But, if he were to acknowledge the truth just like Miharu and the others by ignoring TPO, he could easily imagine that it would only leave Miharu and the others confused.

So, he couldn't be impatient.

（I will tell them about future plans tomorrow. And I can't use tonight. Until then ………………. ）

What and how he should inform them of the matter.

Rio had already decided after much consideration.

Naturally, he would personally tell Miharu about it.

But, conveying things to him properly was rather difficult.

Therefore, Rio felt the need to write a letter.

For Aki and Miharu, who greatly influenced her previous life, and naturally towards Masato as well.

He's gonna give it to them tonight.

His confession.

He would choose a time when it was just the two of them.

He will succeed if there is none.

Maybe he would hate her if she told him the truth.

Because what he did was a very selfish act.

Even so, he decided to move forward.

He won't hold back now.

（Because I have always escaped from him until now …………. ）

She will be no different from when she was Amakawa Haruto unless she confesses her love to Miharu.

After doing some self-reflection, Rio quickened his pace as his mind worked out what he should write in his letter.

☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Galwark Kingdom is a country that holds a tenacious spirit not to give up on terrorism.

Apart from zero damage by the group of thieves last night, it might be a gesture to hold an open meeting, so they decided to hold a third day of the evening party which would also be the last day.

Many soldiers had been set up to potential places where people would come and go, they were deploying a very tight defense network around the windows, around the exits and entrances that were the route for the thieves last night.

Even if the thieves forced their way in to break through, it was simply impossible for them to reach the place.

Not much was needed to introduce the attendees as tonight was the last day of the evening party and the ceremony of lifting the curtains became simpler compared to the previous two nights.

They decided to announce two important things instead.

「Our Galwark kingdom has walked with negotiations behind the door to form an alliance with our neighbor, Saint Stellar kingdom. With first daughter Lilyana, their ambassador 」

The place became quiet as they heard Francois' words.

But, it was followed by a great noise right in the next moment.

It seemed that it was the first time every noble and noble in the place had heard of it.

Although Saint Stellar kingdom is the main power in the eastern part of Strahl region, lately they tend to break away from diplomatic relations with other countries.

As the country formed a defense alliance with the neighbors who were also the main force, Galwark kingdom, even the royalty and nobles who showed no interest in politics were greatly shaken by this announcement.

Section 7

"SILENCE!"

The place became quiet with the voice of a male MC.

After confirming their silence,

「Progress in a favorable direction as it is now. Therefore we decided to take this opportunity to announce this matter to the people in our neighboring country as well. If everything goes well, this issue may be announced officially 」 soon

Francois smoothly added another statement.

After that, the noise descended on the venue for the second time.

That did not mean that the atmosphere hovering within the hall was of anxiety, it gave more of a feeling about something they expected despite being bewildered by such good news.

The royalties and nobles who were at the venue started to show a hint of excitement and then a clap of hands that was a harbinger as if they were expecting the formation of a new alliance that reverberated within the venue.

Then Alright, after that, let's move to the ceremony of opening the curtains. Next is the relic of the honorary knight. The one who would become the new knight was the one who made the greatest contribution in repelling the thieves from last night, Lord Haruto. He received the alias "Black Knight" directly from His Majesty the king of 」

The MC explained the situation in a clear voice and then the nobles in the place started to look at the stage with curious expressions.

「It seems that the collection of thieves last night is a beautiful ya」

「Well he was like dropping six thieves who were as strong as ordinary knights alone」

「It …………. . Justjust wonderful. I really regret the fact that I could not see it with my own eyes 」

The story of Rio's action last night was spread inside the venue.

「LET'S WELCOME TO THE BLACK KNIGHT, LORD OF HARUTO!」

"YES!"

Rio retaliated quickly as he moved to the edge of the stage where Francois was standing.

Circling around Rio's body was a black knight ceremonial outfit with a simple white pattern engraved on it.

It was something that was lent to him to receive his alias, the black knight.

Despite being nothing more than a temporary outfit, Francois decided to give him the official outfit of a black knight after a night party.

Miharu and the others looked at the back of Rio from behind the stage door.

Although the presence of Miharu and the others at the night party was decided arbitrarily, they finally decided to attend the party that night as a form of gratitude to Francois who let them go to the royal palace.

The three Satsuki, Takahisa and Lilyana tightly protected the three Miharu, Aki and Masato right by their side.

And then, it was decided that they would make a simple introduction for Miharu and the others after making the investment.

In that case, Francois warned the nobles and royalty from refraining from greeting Miharu and the others because they did not know the courtesy of the evening party.

「Haruto-anchan is very cool …………. 」

Masato looked at Rio who received the investment ceremony with sparkling eyes.

「Please say that in front of Haruto-kun later, okay. He will definitely be happy 」

Section 8

Satsuki told Masato with a mischievous smile on her face.

"Yes of course!"

Masato nodded excitedly.

「His face back then was something worth seeing. I want to save a photo of him if there is only a battery left on my smartphone but .......... 」........

「Sa-Satsuki-san」

Miharu showed a troubled expression to Satsuki who muttered those words.

At the same time they were standing some distance away from him.

「Knight B-Black ........ Fuck！ I would be ashamed to die if I was the one who received such an embarrassing title but that title sounded cool」

Hiroaki was looking at Rio with a complicated expression while grumbling like that.

「What are you talking about, Hiroaki-sama?」

Flora asked with a question mark floating on her face.

「Ah, it's nothing. The man's alias is a bit too ……………………. I even wondered if I should be jealous or pity him 」

Hiroaki spoke with a troubled tone.

「Haa ....」

Flora tilted her head in confusion.

「By the way, the people there who are friends of the heroes are also people who live in the same world as Hiroaki-sama right?」

「N? Ah, right too. Next to brother and sister, the rest were probably their friends in high school. CEH, fucking riajuu * 」[TL *: Fulfilled people, in short someone like me]

He looked at the change in topic offered by Flora and then spoke in a slightly irritated tone.

「Uhm, is there some kind of bad news even for Hiroaki-sama?」

「Ha ~ h？ Not likely. It has nothing to do with me because I am not even their acquaintance 」

Hiroaki replied with a fed up expression as if it was not interesting at all.

「What's Flora? Do you want to welcome them？ 」

Hiroaki asked as he looked at Flora with a bored face.

「Ah, no, just that. I was just thinking about how the people in Hiroaki-sama's world are spending their lives …………. 」

Flora recounted her feelings while observing Hiroaki's reaction.

Section 9

「Nothing special at all. It's kind of doing a bad make-believe-friend game. Relationships are only on the surface at most. I'm sure it's a muddy situation for the male and female hero as well 」

Hiroaki spoke in a wet voice.

"Is it so……………… . . 」

Flora muttered those words while looking at the conversation of Satsuki and the others.

But, Flora who noticed a completely different atmosphere from the one described by Hiroaki did not say anything more.

Meanwhile, Rio's achievements in repelling the thieves and protecting the friends of the heroes were greatly admired, the birth of a new honorary knight was celebrated grandly.