50-Episode 46: Envy, the Strongest Onmyoji





 After the school festival, the usual routine returned.

 Morning.
 As I was walking with Yifa along the street in the school to go to my lecture, three boys dressed in a familiar outfit walked in front of me.

 They're from the school knights.

 Were they training in the early morning? They held up a mock sword and seemed to be sweating.
 I'm not particularly friendly with them, so I was going to pass them by, but they recognized me and Yifa.

 And the next thing I know, they're kneeling to Yifa.

""Princess!"

Huh!

 Yifa lets out a startled cry and hides behind me.
 I was stunned, but they didn't seem to mind, and they looked up and started blabbering something.

The other day, we were very pleased to be given an excessive amount of praise by the princess for her help. To be frank, it helped! Thanks to the princess, I was able to buy a gift for a lover who was almost out of love with me!
I was able to pay for that liquor store I was paying for!
I could double that at the city's gambling den!

Oh, I see....

 Behind me, Yifa, who is scared of the knight's spirit, mutters in a small voice.
 I mean, what's a princess?

'What are you doing? You guys,

 Amu, who was passing by, looks at us with a questioning look.

 Then the three knights suddenly stand up and straighten their backs.

"Vice Commander Amu! Good morning!
Miss, you're looking good today!
It's a beautiful day!

Amu, you're not going to...
'I'm not in the Order! These guys are just saying what they want!

 Amu loudly denies it.

'These guys are going to recruit new members by pretending that I'm actually the deputy leader of the group since the leader of the group lost,' he says. And because of that, some people will start to believe it! I'm bothering you too!
Yes....

 What's up with the chivalry?

 It's just what it is.
 I make an afterthought smile.

I mean, thank you for helping Yifa out with the last one. But, um, we're both in a little bit of trouble, so could you be reasonable?

 When I said that.
 The three knightly men began to blatantly get their attitude bad and click their tongues.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
You're so close to both the princess and Miss....
You are.... A womanizer....

 I can feel my face twitch.
 What's the difference in response...!

Don't do it, boys.

 A wild voice was heard suddenly.

''Da, Commander........''

 The three knights scowled.
 Darius, the head of the school's knight corps, who had appeared before I knew it, chided the trio.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. You should reflect on that.''
Ha!
Ha!
Ha!
Hmm.

 The Commander, apparently satisfied with his work, turns to me.

"You are Lord Yifa's master, aren't you?
'Yes, yes. Yes, but.
'Hmmm ... not quite the heroism of a knight, but not too badly in the eyes.
Ha, ha...

 Doesn't this guy make fun of me in a roundabout way?
 The commander starts talking, despite my thoughts.

The situation was brief, but I heard about it. You seem to be a fine master.
....
'Usually ... even slaves who are allowed to own money don't spend it very often. On the contrary, it is the slave who refrains from even eating, desperately saving up money even though he is emaciated, and dreaming of one day buying himself back. It is such a horrible situation where life and death are in the hands of others.... I have never heard of a slave who gives gifts to his own master.
....
That trust is also chivalry. Never, ever betray that.
...er, uh, yes.

 I couldn't help but nod my head because he said something nice, though.
 When I think about it, it's kind of annoying to be told something decent-looking by the first of these idiots.......

 Darius turns to Yifa this time and kneels down lightly.

''Princess.''
Yeah, you too?
"All of our members yearn to be real knights. Therefore, I ask you to forgive us. I ask you to forgive us for this training as a rehearsal for the service of a real master.
You can call it training or this.

 I can't help but interrupt him.
 It's just a joke.

 Yifa, half hidden behind me, says, "Oh, I don't know, it's just weird and I want you to stop.

It's just that I'm not comfortable with this, and I don't want you to do it.
Guffaw...!

 The leader paused as if he were vomiting blood (just a pose), then quickly stood up, waved up at the group members and raised his voice.

Let's go! You guys!
Ha!
Ha!
Ha!

 And with that, the Knights of the Order left.

What was that all about?
Now.....

 That's all I can do to answer Amu's questions.

 Some of them are supposed to be noblemen, but what are they doing?
 If people found out that they were playing knightly games with a slave as their master, they would be called back from their parents' home.
 They deserve to be called a bunch of a**h*les after all.

''Wow, they're not bad people, but it's just that...''

 Yifa says something that isn't a follow-up at all.

 He's not a bad person, huh?
 I'm not sure if that's true, as far as the leader is concerned.
 It's a good idea to have a good time with them.