I Kidnapped the Hero’s Women

"How strange. Do you perhaps give off some sort of pheromone, like the one that makes children follow you around, Master? How do you manage to lure them like this...?"

"By saying it like that, it sounds like I’m doing something unhealthy."

"The hidden intention is unhealthy. It may seem like pure goodwill on the surface, but you’re probably hoping that when these children grow up, they’ll come to you with affection, aren’t you?"

"Ah, do you think I’m that calculating of a person?"

"I don't think you do it intentionally. It’s probably your instinct, Master."

"..."

On the way back to the mansion, I was completely at a loss for words after Silvia’s unexpected sharp jab. Instinct, huh. It was hard to deny.

"Why don’t you just give up?"

"Give up? Suddenly on what?"

"I mean, why not accept the position of National Secretary quietly? It seems like you already have affection for Master beyond just the interests. I don’t think life at the Imperial Palace would be that difficult for you."

"…Are you serious?"

"It was a joke."

"…"

Of course, she would say that. There’s barely any benefit for the head of a noble family like me to marry an Empress who isn’t even the heir.

Although it’s about taking a wife, no mere count can rise above the imperial family. So, the position I would receive wouldn't be equal to the Empress but would instead be that of National Secretary—a position far removed from absolute power.

In contrast, the responsibilities I would bear would likely number in the dozens. If my lifelong goal wasn’t to "marry the Emperor’s sister," it would be hard to find any reason to marry.

"Of course, if we had enough discussions, it wouldn’t be impossible... but for now, I’m not considering tying the family to the imperial family."

"I’m relieved to hear that. I thought that once a woman who had admired you since childhood showed affection, you’d rush into marriage without thinking. But, I’m glad to see that you still prioritize the prosperity of the family."

"..."

Of course, that’s the case. My number one priority since the moment I reincarnated has always been a peaceful life.

As I cleared away the dangers to my life along the way, the family inevitably grew exponentially. But really, the two best tools for creating peace are power and money, right?

There’s something I’ve built up until now, and I won’t throw it all away.

By the way, Silvia, today it feels like she’s letting all the complaints she’s been holding in for so long come out at once. Did I make her mad?

"Do you have something against me today? You’re a little sharper with your words than usual..."

"Oh my, that's not it."

"…"

[Evil God, ‘Kali’ strongly advises you to stop being so sensitive and reprimands you.]

At that moment, Silvia instantly deactivated her aura and reverted to her childlike form, snorting through her nose.

It was clear she was trying to avoid the situation, her intentions laid bare. But seeing the innocent twinkle in her eyes made my rising anger subside, and I started wondering if I had been too sensitive.

"Hmm... Maybe it’s just my imagination."

"Exactly."

Silvia shrugged and responded. As I looked at her little feet moving in shoes that didn’t fit, a sudden shocking realization hit me like a smack to the back of my head.

'Wait a minute. The Emperor’s sister, who also suffered from the side effects of mana erosion, managed to avoid them by awakening her aura. Does that mean the Emperor’s sister also reverts to her younger self when her aura is deactivated...?'

Why hadn’t I thought of this crucial fact earlier?

As soon as I saw Silvia turn younger, I should have realized it! I gritted my teeth, chastising myself for not catching it sooner.

‘Maybe I should kneel and beg...?’

If I kneel and beg, will she deactivate the aura for me? What if I offer to become the National Secretary as a condition for deactivating the aura?

What would I do?

If it came to that, I guess I would accept my fate and become National Secretary.

For the family’s sake, it would definitely be more advantageous to tie ourselves to the imperial family.

It looks like I have no choice but to accept the future where I work like a dog for the imperial family.

"Ugh!? What was I just thinking?"

"What’s wrong, Master?"

"I almost got caught in the Emperor’s sister’s scheme... that was a terrifying plot..."

"...?"

[Evil God, ‘Kali’ commends your mental resilience against mental erosion.]

A chill ran down my spine.

I had almost started accepting the idea of becoming National Secretary without realizing it. That was definitely part of the Emperor’s sister’s plan.

She wasn’t trying to persuade me with words. She was slowly eroding my mind, trying to change my perception from within...

I couldn’t help but admire her terrifying methods.

As Kali said, my strong mental resilience and insight had done their part. I nearly walked straight into a wedding without realizing it.

But I knew this wouldn’t be the last attempt. Who knows when the Emperor’s sister might strike with another mental attack?@@novelbin@@

It’s best to stay alert and prepare for it.

"Today is the day the Super-Powerful Sword comes back! Today, the Super-Powerful Sword is resurrecting...!"

From early morning, Charlotte’s singing echoed throughout the mansion. Thanks to her, everyone in the mansion knew that today was the scheduled day for the Super-Powerful Sword’s repair completion.

Watching Charlotte full of excitement pacing by the front gate, I couldn’t help but smile.

'It’s just the scheduled day, so it might not even arrive today...'

Then, I wondered what would happen if the Super-Powerful Sword didn’t come today. Jacob's forge was experiencing an unprecedented boom, with orders booked up to ten years in advance.

While the Super-Powerful Sword could be repaired without a reservation due to its special nature, it was still subject to the completion of other ongoing tasks in the forge. So, if the current work took longer, the repair could be delayed.

"It would be kind of funny if Charlotte, believing the Super-Powerful Sword is really dead because the repair was delayed, started crying in distress..."

[Evil God, 'Kali' shudders at your cruel thoughts but secretly agrees with them.]

It’s a common desire, wanting to see a cute child cry over something trivial as if they lost their whole country. I would have liked to see the cheerful Charlotte cry even more.

"Here’s the Super-Powerful Sword, Count..."

"Welcome! And it’s not the Super-Powerful Sword, it’s the Super-Powerful Sword!"

"Ah, yes, right..."

Jacob, who always handles things efficiently, wouldn’t delay the repair of a priority customer’s sword.

The carriage stopped in front of the gate, and Jacob, carrying a large wooden box, got out. Just as I was about to step out and open the door...

"Sir, sir! The Super-Powerful Sword is here! Open the door!"

"..."

The door slammed open, and Charlotte rushed in, calling for me.

Had she learned the secret art of teleportation? Just moments ago, she had been by the front gate. How did she get here so fast?

I let out a dry laugh as I was dragged out by Charlotte, holding my hand.

"How’ve you been, Jacob?"

"Hahaha... Of course, Count..."

"…"

Jacob’s voice sounded like that of a dying zombie, his hunched back, dark circles under his eyes, and trembling hands. The guy who used to look like a well-dressed gentleman now looked like a proper blacksmith.

"Super-Powerful Sword! Let me see it! I want to see if the repair is done well!"

"Pl-please wait a moment."

Charlotte clung to the wooden box, pestering Jacob relentlessly. Unable to resist, Jacob hurriedly unsealed the box and opened it.

From within the box, a holy white light radiated out. Charlotte’s eyes widened.

"Huh?"

"Here it is. The repair is done. Now I’ll be off..."

"Wait! This isn’t my Super-Powerful Sword!!!"

"..."

Inside the box was a sword of pure white, a beautiful weapon that looked like a holy sword. It was undoubtedly a sword worthy of being called a holy sword.

Come to think of it, the sword Jacob had worked on at the beginning looked like this, right?

"This is the Super-Powerful Sword..."

"But it looks different! My Super-Powerful Sword couldn’t look this plain! The Super-Powerful Sword should look much cooler and stronger!"

"Well... it was like that when I first started working on it, but strangely, over time, it lost its black color and eventually turned out like this."

"Waahhh...!"

Jacob scratched his head awkwardly, and Charlotte, who had been about to cry, started bawling uncontrollably.

I never expected to see Charlotte cry like this...

"Waahhh! My Super-Powerful Sword! Waaaaahhh! My Super-Powerful Sword..."

She wailed pitifully, clutching the white holy sword.

At that moment, the beautiful holy sword, something a handsome blonde knight might carry, turned pitch black as soon as Charlotte touched it. It then returned to the shape of the Super-Powerful Sword we knew, looking like it had crawled out from the depths of hell.

"Wow! The Super-Powerful Sword is back!"

"..."

"..."

Charlotte clutched the Super-Powerful Sword tightly, and both Jacob and I were left speechless, dumbfounded.

It looked like the sword had met the wrong master...