Leon Greyrat: The Second Son – Mushoku Tensei OC

Chapter 52 – We Will Be Reunited: A Guardian Fairy

Chapter 52 – We Will Be Reunited: A Guardian Fairy

— Leon Greyrat —

After getting our tent set up, feeding our two horses, and waiting for the other group to complete their own preparations for the night, it was then that the affairs concerning the dead were to be completed.

The atmosphere was sober, which was exactly what you would expect from a funeral.

Princess Ariel said some sweet words along with a Millis prayer, promising to fulfill her ambition they fought for, and then they were buried with earth magic.

Quite simple, especially for a princess’ retinue, but considering their situation, there was nothing else they could do.

Throughout the ceremony, I couldn’t help but notice the silver-haired girl with black glasses casting her gaze my way.

Come to think of it... she had been looking at me even before then.

Was she... suspicious of me?

She was a guard, after all, though it seemed she wasn’t one for words, since I had yet to hear her speak, so perhaps this was her way of showing her discontent?

I was unsure.

But I had also found my eyes drifting towards her.

Initially, it was because of her odd mana, but then, it was because she looked... somewhat familiar.

And the more I looked at her, the more familiar she felt.

Ah, but I should stop looking at other girls with Eris right beside me, right?

I was a loyal lover, after all.

Anyway, with night befalling the forest, and both of our camps prepared for the night, I then went to meet with Ariel in her carriage, which also seemed to double as her sleeping quarters for her journey.

Which led us to now.

I decided to have Norn and Aisha stay in the tent, not only because they were sleepy, but also in case any of the discussion became... unpleasant.

“I’d like to thank you once again for your assistance,” Ariel said, sitting on her bed. “And while I do know your name, Leon Greyrat, may I ask who is standing beside you?”

Eris, who was standing beside me, crossed her arms.

“Eris. Eris Greyrat.”

A flash of recognition danced across Ariel’s eyes.

I wonder... did she remember Eris as she is, or rather was, a noble of the kingdom?

Or was it from something else?

“I see,” Ariel nodded to her right. “And as for these two, this is my guardian mage, Fitz.”

The silver-haired girl, who had been staring at me for a while now, jolted upright before performing a small bow.

So... Fitz, then. An odd name.

Hmm... throughout my time around their group, while it was short, I had still yet to hear her speak...

Was she affected by her comrades’ deaths that much?

It didn’t seem that way, though.

And those ears... was she an elf?

I hadn’t seen any elves outside the Millis Continent except for Elinalise, Laws, and... Sylphy, but she was quite an impressive mix of races, if I remember correctly.

Looking to her left, Ariel continued, “And this here is my knight.”

“Luke Notos Greyrat,” the young man who looked similar to Paul said, smiling as he performed a bow. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

...I had a feeling he was saying that to Eris specifically, but I decided to ignore that for now.

“Well, now that we’re all familiar, I suppose I should ask once again,” Ariel said. “Will you help guard us until we reach our intended location?”

“That depends...” I said, raising my eyebrow. “Where is this ‘intended location’?”

After all, even if she was my chance to know more about Sylphy, if she wasn’t on our intended path, then guarding her was completely out of the question.

“The magical city of Sharia,” Ariel answered smoothly. “For I am to become a student of the Ranoa University of Magic.”

Well, would you look at that?

We were heading to the same place.

But...

“...Look, I don’t have anything against guarding you in principle, especially since we’re going to Sharia,” I said, sighing as I looked out of the carriage’s window, towards our tent. “...But I can’t just risk my sisters’ lives like that.”

Ariel nodded, “I understand, that is why I offered a reward as well-”

“I don’t need any damn reward,” I interrupted her.

Haa... dammit.

I really didn’t want to end up guarding these people but... I just couldn’t stop my curiosity.

“Instead... I need to ask if you know of someone.”

Ariel smiled at me, urging me her eyes to continue.

Was she expecting something like this?

It felt that way.

Fucking cunning nobles...

“I know from... sources, that she was in the royal palace as of two and a half years ago, and I planned to search for her after dealing with things here, but... do you know a Sylphy?”

Fitz jolted upright, her mouth widening in surprise as Ariel’s smile deepened.

Even Luke’s lips were curling up.

Did they actually know her?

“She may go by Sylphiette,” I continued, their reactions spurring me on with a feeling of hope. “And, let’s see... she’s good at magic, can cast spells silently, has the prettiest hair, and is super cute-”

I was interrupted by Eris elbowing my side, looking at me with a pout full of disappointment and jealousy.

Well... I guess I deserved that, but I needed to get the point across.

Mouthing a ‘sorry’, I returned my gaze to Ariel, only to see that she was looking at Fitz with a wide grin while the silver-haired girl in question was... covering her blushing cheeks with her hands.

...What?

What was going on here?

Wait... the feeling of familiarity... those ears... her silent spellcasting.

“Leon and Eris Greyrat,” Ariel said firmly as she looked back at us with a serious expression, her previous smile removed from her face. “I will allow you into a close secret of mine, but it is important that this is not revealed to anyone else. Understood?”

I felt an odd sort of pressure descends around the room at her words.

It wasn’t the pressure from the strong.

I could cut her down in an instant if I wished, either by a wind blade or my sword, but nevertheless... I still felt a pressure.

Was this... charisma?

It seems Philip wasn’t the only person with a terrifying tongue around.

Meeting her gaze, I nodded seriously, and pinching Eris’ side, I made sure she did as well.

“Good,” Ariel nodded. “You can take those off now... Sylphy.”

Eris’ eyes widened at the name as Fitz removed her glasses, revealing a pair of familiar red eyes as she stared at us with a small smile.

“Sylphy...” I whispered, stunned.

Quickly overcoming my initial surprise, my lips curled into a wide smile.

She was right here... but what the hell was with her hair?

But she was safe... thank goodness.

Sylphy’s lower lip trembled as her eyes became watery, and a second later, she dashed towards us, jumping into Eris and I’s arms.

Ah... and now she was crying.

“Leon! Eris!” she sobbed, hugging us closer. “I... I missed you!”

“I’m here... It’s okay,” I said, patting her back.

I was glad.

So, very, immensely glad that she was alright.

Out of all the people I needed to get for everyone to be together, Sylphy was who I was expecting to cause the most problems.

After all, for her to be in the royal palace, either she was captured by royalty or a high noble after her teleportation, or she had been teleported directly into the palace.

Both situations would be troublesome.

But here she was... right in front of me...

“I... missed you too,” I said, resting her chin on my shoulder as I patted the back of her head. “I really did...”

Eris, having gotten over her shock, also wrapped her arms around Sylphy, returning the hug as she lightly patted her back.

“I... missed you too... obviously...” Eris mumbled.

Right, these two were quite close back then.

After all, in terms of friends who were girls... they only had each other.

But Eris had grown, becoming close friends with Minitona and Tersena during our time in the Great Forest, and Sylphy...

I then looked over at Ariel, who was watching the scene with a soft smile, alongside Luke, who was simply nodding with a content expression.

...It seems like Sylphy had grown as well.

I’m glad.

And if Ariel was able to protect Sylphy from the terrors of the royal palace, I’d have to thank her.

“I can’t believe I met you so soon, Sylphy,” I muttered, gently stroking Sylphy’s hair to calm her down.

Wiping off the last of her tears, Sylphy separated from us enough to look up at me, giving me a sweet smile.

“Yes, it’s me... Sylphy. Your Sylphy,” she said happily.

‘My Sylphy’?

Okay, maybe Ariel didn’t protect her from everything.

She accentuated her point by staring into my eyes as her cheeks gained a faint blush, telling me that those words meant everything they implied.

Dammit, Sylphy... just what did that perverted royal palace do to you?

Well, at least that answers the question of if she still liked me.

I was glad, definitely, and there was a certain ring with a green gemstone burning a hole in my pocket, but...

I was still hesitant.

After all, we had been separated for three and a half years now, and the last time we met, she was only nine years old.

“...He seems quite amazing,” Ariel said after everything was over.

“He is!” I said proudly before shirking back. “I mean... yes, you could say that.”

Smirking at my embarrassment, Ariel continued, “If I hadn’t seen him with my own eyes, I would call your story a fairy tale. But alas... he is quite talented. And handsome too.”

I felt a pang of anxiety at that.

The princess wouldn’t... feel that way about him... right?

But Leon was amazing... and he was handsome...

Uuu~ I knew it was bad for those two to meet!

Narrowing her eyes, Ariel turned to face me.

“So? In your opinion, is there any way to get him on our side?”

Frowning, I slowly shook my head.

As much as I truly wished for Leon to be by my side... that was simply not like him.

“Leon, he... he always didn’t like politics, and when he was forced to when he was in Roa, he always made sure to keep his family out of it. So it’s... well...”

“Unlikely,” Ariel finished, releasing a sigh. “And to think I had found the first person that could give us a fighting chance against my brother’s forces, and he hates everything about nobility... Though considering our current situation, I don’t blame him.”

She then massaged her temples, as if trying to relieve a headache, before Luke spoke up.

“Do you think... he’s with the Boreas family?” he said, rubbing his chin in thought. “While they ended up being quite a useful distraction, they were originally our enemies before the Displacement Incident.”

“But the Boreas family as he knew it has been deposed,” Ariel said with a raised eyebrow.

“Perhaps he is helping them regain their titles?” Luke said. “After all, wouldn’t that Eris Greyrat be an acceptable heir? He could be trying to take over the family.”

“Hmm... do you think so, Sylphy?” Ariel asked, turning to me.

“No... unless he’s changed, that doesn’t sound like Leon,” I said, shaking my head. “For the Boreas... he would probably help them survive, but not with anything concerning nobility. And Eris... he wouldn’t marry her for power.”

It hurt my heart to say that, but it was true.

After all, I had seen the flush on my friend’s cheeks as Leon pulled her close, as well as the familiarity at which he did so.

Not even mentioning the warmth with which they spoke each other’s names, the obvious trust they shared, and the fact that they were sharing a tent-!

“Sylphy,” Ariel said softly, interrupting my train of thought.

Ah... I was getting irritated.

“S-Sorry,” I bowed my head. “But... no. Leon is likely not involved in politics. I can ask him tomorrow if you’re worried about it.”

Ariel nodded her head. “That would be wonderful, Sylphy.”

Stretching her back, she slowly let out a yawn, “Huam~ Well, after such an eventful day, I think it’s time to get some rest, don’t you think?”

Luke bowed respectfully, “Of course, my lady.”

“And Luke?” she said, narrowing her eyes. “Don’t sneak into Misha’s tent, okay? I doubt she’s in the mood for those activities after today, no matter how much you try to convince her.”

He waved off her concern, “Of course. I am a gentleman, after all.”

I watched with a blank stare as he exited the carriage.

While Luke Notos Greyrat was a friend of mine, and many considered him to be handsome, he was what I would call an ‘enemy of all women’.

The complete opposite of a gentleman.

Was that... something in the Greyrat blood?

Did I have to worry about more than just Eris with Leon?

No... he was adopted, right? So I should be okay...

Shaking my head, I then got up to follow him.

“Ah, Sylphy,” Ariel said, reaching for my hand. “Will you stay with me tonight? We do have some stuff to talk about, after all.”

Ah... right.

With Ariel pulling me to sit back down on the bed, I averted my eyes as the princess undressed herself, changing into her nightgown as she began speaking to me.

“So... it seems that Eris and Leon are together,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Y-Yes...” I responded, that feeling of worry returning in full force.

“And I don’t know if you noticed, but they were both wearing matching rings,” she continued. “Ah, and can you undo my bra for me?”

They were... weren’t they?

Following the princess’ request, I swallowed down the lump that had formed in my throat.

Leon and Eris... were they... married?

I know that they’re already sleeping together... and if that’s the case...

“Just how far have they gone...” I whispered.

Ariel gave me an apologetic smile before turning off the lamp and crawling into the bed.

“Here, let’s talk about it,” she said, patting beside her. “Just like when you had nightmares.”

Getting under the covers to join the princess, I let her hands wrap around my waist as she pulled me closer, resting her head atop of mine as I faced away from her.

“Now... I’m guessing you are still in love with Leon?” she asked.

“Yes... more than anything,” I said, nodding slightly. “But...”

“He already has Eris,” she finished for me, squeezing me slightly.

Ah... I wanted to cry.

Just how far have they gone?

And, more importantly... would they leave me behind?

Leon said that he loved me, and I believe him, but what kind of love was it?

And to what extent?

If it wasn’t the romantic type of love... could I turn it into that?

And what about Eris?

Would I want to hurt her like that?

Would I be able to?

She was much more... mature than me, especially in the breast department.

Maybe Leon liked that more?

He obviously would.

Even Luke said he could feel no attraction to me, so why would Leon when he’s already promised to-

“Sylphy,” Ariel calmly whispered, running her hand through my hair. “Let’s calm down for now, and think about this rationally.”

With her words breaking me out of my depressing chain of thoughts, I brought a pillow closer to me to squeeze as I basked in the princess’ gentle touch.

“...Are you worried?” she asked softly.

I nodded, not trusting myself to talk without releasing the floodgates of my tears.

“About what?” she continued.

“...W-What if Leon doesn’t want me?” I said, my voice wobbly. “And... he already has Eris, so...”

Ariel tightened her hold on me.

“While I am not an expert on romance, especially regarding men, I am quite good at reading people,” she said. “And Leon... the way he looked at you... that wasn’t the way someone looks at a friend.”

“R-Really?” I asked, turning to her.

Despite my best efforts, I felt a warmth blossom within my heart.

A warmth of hope.

If Leon was looking at me as a woman, then... could my dream become a reality?

“Well... I can’t be sure,” she said, sighing softly. “But even if he’s not... we can just make him fall in love with you.”

My eyes widened before I suddenly looked away from the princess’ blue eyes.

“H-How? When I’m like this...” I said, looking down at my childish body.

Remembering how pretty Eris looked, and how she had truly grown into a woman, I felt another pang of jealousy.

How round her rear was, how defined her breasts were, even covered by her coat, and then her strong yet soft-looking thighs... how could I compare to that?

“You’re cute, Sylphy. Even if that Luke can’t see it, I’m sure Leon can,” she said, kissing my nose. “And for how we do it... well, we’ll just have to scheme him into your grasp.”

I looked back at her, seeing her lips quirked up in a confident smirk.

“Let’s consider it practice for when I plan to take over the royal palace.”

We stared into each other’s eyes for a moment before simultaneously breaking into a fit of giggles.

Ariel... she really was so kind.

I was really glad to have her as a friend.

Calming down from the hysterics, I once again voiced the other concern that was plaguing my brain.

“But... what about Eris? If they’re together... I don’t want her to hate me... and I don’t want her to be left all alone...” I mumbled.

“Right, she was your friend too,” Ariel nodded. “But... who says he can only have one wife?”

I tilted my head. “You mean...?”

“You becoming his wife alongside Eris, is what I mean,” she said. “After all, my father had many concubines. Though I doubt you want such a relationship with him.”

I narrowed my eyes in thought and a bit of frustration.

In my dreams, there was never another person.

Eris was there, sure, but she was always a close friend of ours, nothing like a wife.

And even though if a few of my more ‘exciting’ dreams had both Leon and her together... that was just fantasy, spurred on by the princess’ overenthusiastic descriptions of her conquests.

But considering how close those two are... this might be the only option.

But it’s still frustrating!

“Just think about it, okay?” Ariel said, closing her eyes. “You have tomorrow to talk to your long-lost lover. There’s no need to make any tough choices right now.”

Nodding my head, I turned around, snuggling under the covers.

“Thank you... Ariel,” I said as I closed my eyes.

She squeezed me tighter.

Hopefully... things will work out tomorrow.

After dreaming of meeting Leon for so long... I didn’t want to let him go now.

Especially not if he truly loved me in the way I hoped for.