在狠狠线噜噜噜

Chapter 51: Reconciliation ①

Translated by AmaLynne

Edited by AmaLynne

「…nn, nmm.」

「Erica-sama, Erica-sama. Are you awake?」

Erica woke up in the carriage that was rattling and clattering along.

Sam was relieved.

「Huh? I…」

「It appears to be a mild concussion. Doctors examined, nothing serious.」

「…what about the duel?」

「I won.」

「…I knew it. I vaguely remember.」

An hour had already passed since the duel.

Sam and Erica were on their way back to Royal Capital in a carriage provided by a merchant.

Sam, who had no need of money, slaves, or trouble after that, gave the merchant the boys and girl for free.

In return, he was able to borrow a sturdy and fast carriage.

The formalities had already been completed through the guild, and the Dolganas were now the property of the merchant.

What would happen to them in the future was none of Sam’s business.

「I am glad you are safe.」

「―――don’t you laugh?」

「Why?」

Sam tilted his head, not understanding the meaning of the question.

He had no idea why he would laugh at Erica.

But Erica’s face contorts and she covers her eyes with her arms.

「I made a big show of fighting a duel, and the result was like this. If it weren’t for you, I would be a slave right now.」

「That’s impossible. The other side lost by foul play. The result is the same.」

In the end, Sam won the battle by making Dolgana and the others surrender, but there was no doubt that he would have lost the battle by foul play even if he had not fought.

They were the ones who thought they were great because they were viscounts, but such things have no place in the Adventurers’ Guild.

Either way, they still lost foul.

Sam just couldn’t forgive them for hurting Erica, so he took action.

Erica was never going to be a slave.

.

「―――I’m sorry.」

「Hmm?」

Sam could not believe his ears at Erica’s all too sudden apology.

It was the first time Erica had apologized for her stubborn attitude ever since they first met.

However, he did not understand the reason for her apology.

「What’s wrong?」

「You’ve saved me from a lot of misery.」

「I don’t need an apology. I did what I did because I wanted to. But from now on, let’s act with a little more forethought.」

「Yes.」

Sam felt no need to say anything more to Erica, who responded honestly.

The once aggressive Erica was now quiet and reflected on what she had done.

If so, Sam would not unnecessarily add more bitterness to her words.

(But why the sudden change in attitude?)

「You know…」

「Mmm.」

After listening to her for a while, Erica opened her mouth to me in a small voice.

「You know, I was jealous of you.」

「Jealous? Me?」

「It’s not a surprise. Because you are the only disciple of my sister Ur and the heir to everything…」

「Erica-sama.」

「I was frustrated. I didn’t want to admit it. That’s why I was so unreasonable with you… sorry.」

Tears stream down her cheeks from her eyes, which she hides with her arms.

「I don’t mind.」

「But I do care. I’m a fool, I dueled with a stupid nobleman, and now I’m in this mess. I, I feel sorry for myself.」

Erica began to sob quietly.

Sam could only pretend not to notice.

「I couldn’t believe it when I heard that my sister had died, but you inherited everything, and I lost my goals and everything. I knew I was taking it out on you, but I wanted to blame you.」

「It’s understandable, since you just lost your family.」

「But you’ve lost people you care about, too.」

「Ur was the love of my life.」

「Then what I did sucks. I did a terrible thing to someone who is suffering the same way… I’m sorry, I’m sorry!」

Sam gently squeezes Erica’s hand as she weeps ragged tears.

「It’s okay. I was more blessed than Erica-sama to have been with Ur for all these years. I was able to say goodbye. That’s all I need.」

「I’m sorry, I’m sorry!」

Holding Erica’s hand as she continued to apologize, Sam calmed her.

Sam understands how it feels to lose someone you care about.

Especially for Erica, a very important member of her family.

She had spent more time with Erica than with Sam.

There was no way he could blame her for taking it out on him out of grief.

Sam was glad that she spoke her mind.

He was glad that he was able to come to terms with Erica.

(―――Ur is loved by all.)

Thinking of his late master, Sam continued to comfort Erica.