Chapter 170: The True Nature of the Handsome Man (3/4)

It’s true that it’s rude to suddenly ask about someone’s status, but…

“Thank you very much, but it’s alright, Pioro-san.” [Ryouma]

How do I put this…

I think he’s really just curious.

I don’t think he’s trying to get information out of me so he can use it for some kind of malicious plot or something.

I think he’s really just stupidly honest about that curiosity of his.

And I don’t know if it would be more apt to say that his true character has been unmasked or if it would be better to say that he simply decided to reveal his true character, but either way, I more or less know his true nature now. And while earlier he was no more than a youth I took a liking to, I now feel a strange sense of familiarity with him.

“I don’t know what he thinks of crossing me, but I’m sure he won’t try to do anything that would incur everyone’s wrath, right?” [Ryouma]

You know that thrill when you look at something scary and yet want to look at it all the more precisely because it’s scary? Maybe that’s the reason why he’s doing this. Because of that it made me want to take a step of my own as well.

As such, I turned to Mr. Moulton and revealed some of my information.

“My battle skills are basically the sword skill and the taijutsu (martial arts). The both of them are at level 7.” [Ryouma]

“…” [Everyone Else]

As the air tensed, silence filled the room.

The reason behind the tension in the air was none other than the three adults who have taken to the role of being my guardians.

Everyone was silent. Only Serge-san was sweating buckets.

Fei-san acted like none of this was his concern, merely drinking his tea by the side.

I don’t know if it’s because Mr. Moulton simply hadn’t expected me to divulge my information just like that or if my level had gone beyond his expectations, but he showed a faint surprise on his face, beyond which was a clear expression of interest and excitement.

“Level 7. Indeed. There’s no way I could have predicted that.” [Orest]

“It could be a joke, you know?” [Ryouma]

“Fu fu fu… Your calmness is very unnerving.” [Orest]

He didn’t avert his eyes as he met my gaze.

Now then, how will he react?

Will he think me a liar?　Or will he believe me?

I’m not lying, but I am being very bold.

“Please rest assured. Even without the shields behind you, as a merchant, I could never misuse the information of my guests. Besides, if I were to act inappropriately, I’m sure the one to suffer will be me.” [Orest]

Mr. Moulton said naturally in a tone full of interest despite Reinhart-san and the others continuing to stare daggers at him.

“But if that’s the case, then levels 2 or 3 will certainly be too unreliable for you.” [Orest]

From the looks of things, it would appear that he’s decided to take my words as truth, but at the same time, he seemed really worried.

“What’s the matter?” [Ryouma]

“…Please wait a moment.” [Orest]

He stood up from his seat and brought back a new bundle of documents.

“This is a list of documents with some special circumstances…” [Orest]

“Special circumstances?” [Ryouma]

“Unlike the slaves listed on the normal list, these ones can’t really work. They’re either too old, too young, injured, ill, or are afflicted with some prognostic symptoms, but regardless, these are people that are unable to fully exhibit their abilities. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend them to customers, but there’s presently a level 5 swordsman on this list.” [Orest]

As he said that, he flipped through the document and showed me a page on which was written the information of a certain man.

“Ox Lord. 37 years-old. A man from the minotaur tribe who possesses a Twin Sword Technique with a level of 5.” [Orest]

After reading the section that contained the man’s history, I found out that the man was indeed fairly strong. At the same time, I also found why he has been included in this list.

As the story goes, Ox Lord was raised in the church’s orphanage until he was 15 years-old, after which he entered into a training school for gladiators to fight before an audience for their entertainment. After that, in his twenties, he rose to prominence and became a famous first-rate gladiator. In his thirties, he entered a competition consisting only of first-rate warriors and won, but…

After that his left hand was wounded in a match. The wound itself was small, so at first, it was believed that it would recover quickly, but the wound worsened, and eventually came to a point where everything from the wrist up had to be cut.

A note on the same page remarked that warriors of the minotaur tribe possessed a large stature and great strength. Gladiators depended on the favor of the public to make a living, so gladiator minotaurs often donned themselves in heavy armor and gaudily swung about heavy weapons as if they weighed nothing.

Ox Lord specialized in twin swords, however, which relied on hitting the enemy many times quickly, but he could still fully exhibit the great strength of the minotaur tribe.

He uses custom twin swords that are heavier than normal ones. He can wield them easily, so his attacks are both fast and heavy.

The ideal combination of power and speed that gives birth to a flurry of attacks akin to that of a storm.