Return of the Calamity-Class Death Knight
Chapter 358: SS 6

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Side Story Chapter 6: Hazel Ryan Bloom (1)

Hello. It's Theo. Nice to see you again.

How have you been while we were apart?

I got in huge trouble with Mom because of the Schnivalen Kingdom incident and was banned from going outside for two whole months.

But I wasn't too upset about it.

I got to see the Snow Flower Festival like I wanted! And with Uncle too!

Anyway, today is finally the day my house arrest gets lifted! Getting to go outside for the first time in two months!

It's been so long since my heart raced with excitement like this!

Today is going to be such a fun day!

"To think these high nobles would have such lax security! Thanks to that, our job went smoothly!"

...I was sure it would be a fun day.

But now I've been kidnapped and taken to a cave.

I'm not alone though.

There are other kids around my age here too.

None of them are from ordinary backgrounds.

They're all from pretty famous families.

"Finally, the foundation to rule this country has been laid! Everyone rejoice! Our great undertaking has been carried out successfully!"

The bald old man threw his head back and laughed loudly.

"Kahahaha!"

"Uhahahaha!"

It wasn't just the old man.

The people who seemed to be on his side all laughed the same way.

Looking at them, they don't seem like ordinary kidnappers.

The way they brought us here, and they're all wearing matching uniforms.

"Sob, sniff."

"Mommy... Daddy..."

Unlike the cheerful kidnappers, the children were sniffling and crying.

Well, even if they're from noble families, they're all young, so it makes sense they'd be scared.

Am I okay, you ask?

I guess I'm fine since this isn't my first or second time dealing with something like this.

Are you asking if I got into this mess again by disobeying Mom and going out?

No. This time it really wasn't like that.

Then why did I end up caught by these weird people?

Well, here's how it happened...

* * *

The day my house arrest was lifted.

I ran to Uncle first.

I wanted to tell Uncle the good news before anyone else.

"Uncle, my house arrest is lifted!"

But Uncle was nowhere to be seen.

I looked around the basement for quite a while.

"Young Master Theo, you've arrived."

Then, a shadow rose from the ground and transformed into Mr. Dominico.

I immediately grabbed the man and asked where Uncle was.

"Mr. Dominico, where's Uncle?"

"The master entered seclusion at dawn today."

"Seclusion?"

I cried out in surprise.

Usually, knights going into seclusion isn't particularly surprising.

They do it often for training.

But Uncle's case is a bit different.

He's so strong that he doesn't need to train.

There's only one reason why Uncle would go into seclusion.

"Did he find a way to become human again?"

"Yes, it seems he's found a new path."

My lips curved into a smile.

I grinned widely and asked Mr. Dominico again.

"Do you think he'll succeed this time?"

"I'm not sure. After all, he's continued to fail until now..."

This isn't Uncle's first time going into seclusion. But they all ended in failure.

It's amazing, isn't it? That there are things even Uncle can't do.

"If Uncle has gone into seclusion... I won't be able to see him for a while."

Originally, seclusion means locking yourself in a room where no one can reach you.

But in Uncle's case, he goes further and creates another dimension to confine himself.

So he becomes completely cut off from the world.

"He could have at least shown his face before going..."

"He suddenly entered seclusion at dawn, so it couldn't be helped. He said sleep is very important at a young age and didn't want to wake you."

"Tch, I'm not a little kid anymore!"

I protested, clenching my fists. Mr. Dominico smiled silently.

Somehow that made me even more annoyed.

"The master had a message for Young Master Theo."

"Really? What is it? What did he say?"

I waited for Mr. Dominico's words, full of anticipation.

"As you know, once you enter seclusion, you can't receive outside contact. Even if an emergency happens, I won't be able to come save you. I've prepared safety measures, but the best thing is for you not to cause trouble. So stay put until I come out."

"...That's it? Didn't he say anything about going somewhere fun after seclusion ends?"

"No, he didn't."

Tch.

I silently kicked at the ground with my toe.

I'm already annoyed that I can't see Uncle for a while, and he only left nagging behind.

But I understand Uncle's worry.

I have caused quite a few... just a few accidents before.

"Alright. I'll stay put like Uncle said."

Mr. Dominico looked at me with suspicious eyes.

How unfair. No matter how many accidents I've caused, to not trust me this much.

"I'll trust Young Master Theo's promise..."

Suddenly, Mr. Dominico's expression changed. He looked at me and said:

"Young Master Theo, you have a visitor."

"A visitor?"

I felt something strange.

Most visitors to our family come to see Uncle or my other uncle.

"Young Lady Hazel from the Ryan Bloom family has come."

At those words, I immediately ran to the reception room.

In the reception room sat a girl with roll-shaped hair, legs crossed.

The girl saw me, put down her teacup, and lifted the corners of her mouth.

"Theodore Haksen, how can you keep a guest waiting like this?"

I can tell what expression I'm making right now without anyone having to tell me.

I must be making a very displeased expression.

I spoke through gritted teeth as if I'd met my mortal enemy.

"Hazel Ryan Bloom...!"

* * *

"To call a guest's name so carelessly, you need to learn etiquette from the beginning."

The girl, Hazel, said while flicking her hair with one hand.

How can every single action be so annoying?

"But I'll generously forgive you. Outstanding people are naturally more understanding..."

"I told you not to be rude."

The man sitting next to Hazel flicked her forehead with his knuckle.

It must have hurt quite a bit because Hazel grabbed her head and whimpered.

"Dad! Why are you hitting me!"

"Didn't you promise Dad? That you'd be polite when you came to the Haksen Duchy."

"But he came late first!"

"'He'? You should call him Big Brother Theo."

"No way! Why should he be my big brother! He was only born two months earlier!"

Hazel raised her voice in protest.

The man clicked his tongue briefly.

Let me introduce him.

That's Hazel's father and the Head of Ryan Bloom, family Marquis Michael Ryan Bloom.

He's someone who's had a long relationship with Uncle.

I heard he even traveled to the Empire with Uncle once.

That's really enviable.

I want to go play in the Empire with Uncle too!

"Young Master Theo, it's good to see you again."

Mr. Michael bowed his head briefly in front of me.

I waved my hands and said:

"I told you to speak comfortably."

"I can't treat my elder brother's family member carelessly."

Mr. Michael really respects Uncle.

That's why he acts so formally.

"Geez, don't use honorifics with him..."

Hazel glared at me as if she was very displeased.

But what can she do about it? When Mr. Michael has decided to act this way.

"But where is my elder brother?"

"Oh, about that..."

"The master has entered seclusion."

Mr. Dominico, who had appeared behind me, answered instead.

As soon as he saw Mr. Dominico, Mr. Michael frowned and asked again.

"My elder brother has entered seclusion?"

"That's right. I, who the master 'trusts' most among his subordinates, was allowed to deliver this news."

Is it my imagination? It seems like he put extra emphasis on the word 'trusts'.

"Ugh, just because you're by his side doesn't mean you earn his trust..."

"No matter what you babble, it doesn't matter. The fact that I carry out the master's orders most often doesn't change."

The two men glared at each other with frightening eyes.

Why don't they get along, you ask?

I've seen it firsthand, and Uncle was the decisive cause.

Both men have pride in their close relationship with Uncle, so they often clash.

Then one day, both of them came and asked Uncle directly:

"If an urgent situation arises, which of us two would you entrust it to?"

"Dominico."

I don't think Uncle seriously considered his answer.

I was watching from the side, and he was fiddling with something he was researching and answered carelessly.

But Mr. Michael seemed to be greatly shocked by those words.

He suddenly staggered.

"Then which of us two do you think is more excellent!"

Then he suddenly straightened up and asked this.

Uncle answered carelessly again.

"Michael."

This time Mr. Dominico swayed.

That's how the long-standing feud between the two began...!

Well, but now isn't the time to worry about those two.

I also have an opponent I need to settle things with.

I sat across from Hazel and asked:

"What business brings you to our family?"

"You should be grateful I came to visit. Do you know how many nobles beg just to see me once?"

Hazel said, lifting her chin slightly.

Mr. Michael is a tremendous powerhouse called a Grandmaster.

Thanks to that, the Ryan Bloom Marquis family enjoys tremendous influence.

Besides, Hazel is quite popular too.

She's famous for her doll-like appearance, and there are countless nobles who want to arrange engagements with her in advance.

Though I absolutely cannot acknowledge it.

What's pretty about this wicked girl? Our aunts are much prettier.

Especially Aunt Athena once received a marriage proposal from the king.

She rejected it on the spot though.

No, that's not what's important right now.

"You should speak properly. Ryan Bloom can freely enter and exit our family because of Uncle and Mr. Michael's connections."

While they might have dozens of people a day, we have hundreds coming from across the continent.

Normally, even the Ryan Bloom Marquis family would have to wait a long time to enter our family.

But because Mr. Michael is Uncle's acquaintance, they can ignore all those complicated procedures.

"Ugh."

Unable to find words for my point, Hazel closed her mouth.

This wicked girl is always like this.

She tries to beat me in everything. She wants to prove that she's superior to me.

Hazel loves her father too much. She thinks her father is the best.

But that father acts like he'd give up his liver and gallbladder when he stands before Uncle, so she can't stand it.

So she wants to beat at least me to feel superior.

"...I was joking. There's no way I'd come to see you for that reason."

"It didn't sound like a joke."

"Our family is preparing a social gathering this time. Only nobles under 15 like you and me can participate."

"Sounds like you're changing the subject."

At my point, Hazel's face turned bright red.

"...It's a gathering for friendship among young nobles like us. I'd appreciate it if you participated too."

To completely ignore it so cleanly after being hit right on target.

She's definitely not a girl to underestimate.

"You'll come, right?"

Hazel asked with an expectant face.

Just from her eyes, I can clearly see her intentions.

She's probably planning to beat me in front of a gathering full of peer nobles.

She's always done that.

It might be fun to accept the challenge, but wise people don't go to dangerous places.

"I appreciate the invitation, but it'll be hard for me to participate."

"Don't tell me you're scared of crowds? You're not a coward."

This girl.

I was irritated but held it in. It would hurt my pride to fall for Hazel's provocation.

"It's not that. I just got my house arrest lifted today. I need to be careful for a while, and I don't think Mom would allow me to participate in a social gathering."

At the mention of house arrest, Hazel's expression became blank.

She seems angry that her carefully made plans have come to nothing.

"...Do you think you can avoid my trap with that excuse?"

Now she's even boldly admitting it's a trap.

Hazel is definitely stupid.

"Follow me. I'll get permission right away."

Huh? Get permission?

There's no way she has that kind of power.

I followed Hazel in bewilderment.

And I immediately found out what plan Hazel had.

"Mother, is this spot cool?"

"Oh my, such small hands but so skillful."

As soon as we arrived at Mom's room, Hazel stuck to her like a leech and started massaging her shoulders.

Oh no, Mom.

You usually dote on Hazel a bit too much, but I didn't expect you to fall for it this easily.

"I want to go to a social gathering with Theo. Could you give permission?"

"A social gathering?"

Mom's expression hardened slightly.

As expected, she doesn't like me leaving the house right after my house arrest is lifted.

"I'll ask like this. Please? Theo and I really want to go."

Hazel kneaded Mom's shoulders firmly.

Mom giggled and eventually gave in to Hazel's request.

"Since you're asking so earnestly, I can't refuse. You two have fun."

"Really? Thank you!"

Hazel hugged Mom tightly.

And from behind Mom's back, she looked at me with a triumphant expression.

Wow.

Her skill at buttering up my mom is extraordinary.

I admit it.

This time, I lost to Hazel.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]