96
一先ず、レオルドはバルバロトとの剣術の稽古を終える。次はオリビアの元で優雅に紅茶を注いでいるギルバートとの体術だ。
(いつの間に母上来てたんだ?
それに、稽古の様子を見ても面白いのだろうか?
よく分からんけど、なんか母上楽しそうにしているからいいや)
呑気なことを考えながら、レオルドは柔軟体操を行う。
(そう言えばイザベルはどこに行ったんだ?)
今更ではあるが、レオルドは買い物に行く時に置いて来たイザベルの行方が分からなくなっており気になっていた。
しかし、いてもいなくても特に問題は無いだろうと判断してイザベルの事を忘れる。一応、イザベルは
柔軟体操が終わる頃には、レオルドの前に音もなくギルバートが立っていた。相変わらず、察知出来ない事にレオルドは悔しがる。まだ、ギルバートの領域へは遠い事に嫌気が差す。だが、同時に必ずやギルバートに目に物見せてやると意気込んだ。
「さあ、始めましょうか」
「ふふっ。奥様に良いところを見せたいのですか?
いつもより張り切ってらっしゃる」
「ふっ、そのようだ。俺は母上にどれだけ成長したかを見せてあげたい」
「既にお喜びでしたよ」
「そうか......ならば、もっと喜ばせるべきであろう!」
公爵家自慢の中庭がレオルドの踏み込みにより地面が陥没する。常人では捉えきれない速度でギルバートの懐に侵入したレオルドは拳を打ち込む。
ズドンッと重たい打撃音が鳴り響き、周囲の者が驚きの表情を見せる。見物していたオリビアもレオルドが躊躇うことなくギルバートに拳を打ち込むのを見て、驚きのあまり開いた口を手で隠していた。
「お見事でございます。しかし、まだ私には届きませんよ」
レオルドの拳はギルバートに受け止められており、止まっていた。すぐ様、身体を捻り回し蹴りを叩き込むレオルドだったが、ギルバートに受け止められる。
拳打も回し蹴りも受け止められたレオルドは一度距離を取り立て直す。腰を低くして呼吸を整え、ギルバートを睨みつける。すると、次の瞬間、ギルバートの姿が掻き消える。
ギルバートの姿が掻き消えたと同時にレオルドは側面を腕を盾にして防御の姿勢をとる。レオルドが防御の姿勢を取った瞬間にギルバートが現れて強烈な回し蹴りを叩き込まれる。
「連続でいきますぞ」
「口に出す敵がいるかっ!」
ギルバートの姿がまた消えるが、レオルドは動き出しており、ギルバートの攻撃を見事に防いでいた。見物していた者達は更に驚いた事だろう。
ギルバートの動きは警備を担当している騎士でさえ捉える事が出来ていない。しかし、レオルドは完全にギルバートの動きを読み取っており、最適な動きで攻撃を捌いているのだから、驚かない方が無理というものだ。
驚きの連続である周囲とは違い、レオルドは非常に冷静であった。ギルバートがどこから攻撃してくるかを的確に捌き、どこを攻めればギルバートが嫌がるかを完全に理解していた。
しかし、それでもまだ届かないのだ。それも当然である。ギルバートはレオルドの倍以上生きており、経験が違いすぎる。それに、伝説の暗殺者として裏社会に君臨していた男だ。そう簡単にレオルドが追いつけるはずがない。
ギルバートの強烈な蹴りを受け止めたレオルドは、痛みに顔を歪める。だが、受け止めたのだ。つまり、ギルバートを捕まえたという事。
「掴んだぞ、ギル!!!」
関節技に持ち込もうとするレオルドにギルバートは僅かながら焦る。しかし、レオルドの関節技は極ることはない。ギルバートが身体をコマのように回転させて、レオルドの手から抜け出したのだ。
「いやいや、お見事でしたよ。坊っちゃま。今のは焦ってしまいました」
「そうか。それならば嬉しい限りだっ!」
離れた位置に立つギルバートへと踏み込んだレオルドは拳を突き出す。だが、それは悪手であった。少しばかり、動きが大雑把になってしまったレオルドはその隙を突かれてしまう。
空振りしたレオルドの懐に侵入したギルバートは容赦なく膝蹴りを放ち、レオルドを宙に浮かせる。ギルバートはオリビアの前であるのに無防備状態となったレオルドを蹴り飛ばした。
「かっ......はぁっ......!」
二度、三度と地面に跳ねて転がるレオルドを見てオリビアは立ち上がり、地面に倒れるレオルドの元へと駆け寄る。
「レオルドッ!」
泥だらけになるレオルドを抱え起こすオリビアのドレスも汚れてしまう。しかし、オリビアは気にしていない。今はレオルドの容態の方が重要だからだ。
「ギルバートッ! 稽古だからと言ってここまでする必要がありますかっ!
貴方ならば寸止めくらいは容易でしょう!
何故、ここまでしたのです!
答えようによっては私は貴方を許しません!」
ギルバートもついつい、いつもの癖でやってしまい、レオルドに容赦なく膝蹴りなど浴びせてしまった。しかも、レオルドを愛してやまないオリビアの前でだ。これにはギルバートもたじたじである。
すぐにオリビアへと謝罪をしようとするギルバートであったが、目が覚めたレオルドがオリビアを止める。
「は、母上。ギルを許してやってください。私とギルはいつもこのような稽古を行っているのです。つまり、日常茶飯事なのです。だから、ギルを責める様なことはしないで下さい」
貴方に何かあったらどうするの!?
今は怪我だけで済んでるけど、
お願いだから......心配させないで」
レオルドの身体に顔を埋めて泣き叫ぶように愛息子の事を心配するオリビアを見て、レオルドは酷く後悔する。
(ああ......こんなにも俺の事を愛してくれてるんだった。俺の配慮が足りなかったな......)
「すいません、母上。私が間違っていました。でも、どうかギルを許してやってください。ギルに無理を言ったのは私の方ですから」
「......わかったわ。でも、次からは気を付けてね?」
「はい、分かっています」
また泣かせてしまった事にレオルドは申し訳なくなる。もう泣かせないと決めていたのに、まさかこんな事で泣かせてしまうなんて。レオルドは次からは気を付けようと心に誓った。
Ch 96
First, Leolde finished  his sword training with Barbaroto. The next is physical training with Gilbert, who is elegantly pouring tea with Olivia.
(When did you get here, Mother?)
Besides, would it be interesting to see how they practice?
(I don't know, but it's okay that she seems to be enjoying herself.)
While thinking about it, Leolde did some flexibility exercises.
(Speaking of which, where did Isabelle go?)
After all this time, Leolde was curious about the whereabouts of Isabelle, whom he had left behind when he went shopping.
However, he decided that there would be no particular problem whether she was there or not, and forgot about Isabell. Since Isabell is an intelligence agent sent by the fourth princess, Sylvia, it would be better to be more vigilant, but since Leolde hasn't given her any such information, he has no problem leaving her alone.
By the time the flexibility exercises were over, Gilbert was standing soundlessly in front of him . As usual, Leolde  was frustrated that he could not detect him. He was disgusted that he was still so far from Gilbert's capability . But at the same time, he was determined to show Gilbert what he could do.
"Let's get started, shall we?""
"Hmmm. Do you want to show your mother what you capable of ?"
Y"ou're more enthusiastic than usual."
"Hmm, I see. I want to show mother how much I've grown."
"She was already pleased."
"Well, if it's ......,  she should be more than pleased!"
The duke's prized courtyard caved in as Leolde stepped into the ground. Leolde , who attacked Gilbert's at a speed that ordinary people cannot catch, and  strikes  with  his fist.
The sound of heavy blows rang out, and the people around looked surprised. Olivia, who had been watching, saw Leoldoe strike Gilbert with his fist without hesitation and covered her open mouth with her hand in surprise.
"Well done, . But you still can't reach me."
Leolde's fist was caught by Gilbert and stopped. In the end, it was a matter of time before Gilbert was able to catch him.
Leolde , who had been caught with both a fist  strikes and a spinning kick, regained his distance once more. He lowers his hips, catches his breath, and stares at Gilbert. In the next moment, Gilbert's figure disappears.
As soon as Gilbert's figure disappears, Leolde  takes a defensive posture with his arms on the sides as a shield. The moment  he takes a defensive posture, Gilbert appears and hits him with a powerful spinning kick.
"I'm going to gi  in succession.
"What kind of people talks like that?"
Gilbert's figure disappears again, but Leolde is on the move, successfully blocking Gilbert's attack. The onlookers were probably even more surprised.
Even the knights on guard were unable to catch Gilbert's movement. However, Leolde had completely read Gilbert's movements and was handling his attacks with the most appropriate movements, so it was impossible not to be surprised.
Unlike those around him, who were in a constant state of surprise, Leolde was extremely calm. He knew exactly where Gilbert was going to attack from, and he knew exactly where to attack to make Gilbert struggle .
However, he still couldn't reach him. It was no wonder. Gilbert had lived more than twice as long as Leoldo, and his experience was too different. Besides, he was a legendary assassin who had reigned over the underworld. There is no way that Leolde can catch up with him so easily.
Leolde's face contorts in pain as he catches Gilbert's powerful kick. But he caught it. In other words, he had caught Gilbert.
"I got you, Gil!
Gilbert is slightly impatient as Leolde tries to take him into an armbar. However,  his arthroscopic technique was not successful. Gilbert spun his body like a frame and slipped out of Leorde's hands.
"No,  That was brilliant, Master ,  but it was a bit of a rush.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it!
Leolde stepped toward Gilbert, who was standing at a distance, and thrust out his fist. However, it was a bad move. Leolde's movements were a little too rough, and he was caught in the middle of attack .
Gilbert atacked the bosom of Leolde, who struck out, and unrelentingly kicked him in the knee, sending him flying into the air. Gilbert kicked Leolde, who was defenseless even though he was in front of Olivia.
"This is ... "
When Olivia saw Leolde  bouncing and rolling on the ground two or three times, she stood up and ran to him .
"Leolde!
Olivia's dress gets dirty as she calling out to Leolde, who is covered in mud. But Olivia doesn't care , because right now, Leoldo's condition is more important."
"Gilbert!  why you need to go this far just because you're practicing!"
"you can easily stop it!
"Why did you go this far?"
Depending on how you answer, I will  judge"
Gilbert did what he always doing and kicked Leolde in the knee without mercy. In addition, it was in front of Olivia, who loved her son endlessly   Gilbert was  shocked by this.
Gilbert immediately tried to apologize to Olivia, but she stopped him.
"I'm sorry, Mother. Please forgive Gil. Gil and I have always practiced like this. In other words, it's an everyday routine . So please don't blame Gil."'
"What would you do if something happened to you?"
"You're only injured for now, but it'll be too late if something serious happens!"
Please don't  make me worry about ......."
Seeing Olivia worrying about her beloved son as she buried her face in  his  chest and cried out, Leolde  feel bad about it .
(Oh ......, she loves me so much. I guess I wasn't considerate enough. ......)
"I'm sorry, Mother. I was wrong. But please forgive Gil. I was the one who forced Gil to do what he did."
"Fine . But please be careful next time, okay?"
"Yes, I know."
Leolde felt bad that se had made  her cry . He had made up his mind not to let her cry again, but he never thought he would do it . He promised himself that he would be careful next time.
Eroge Reincarnation, Struggle of a Golden Pig Aristocrat Against Fate
エロゲ転生　運命に抗う金豚貴族の奮闘記
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/eroge-reincarnation-struggle-of-a-golden-pig-aristocrat-against-fate/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Romance Shounen Slice of Life
Adapted to Manga Age Progression Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Broken Engagement Butlers Character Growth Complex Family Relationships Cowardly Protagonist Crafting Dense Protagonist Domestic Affairs Doting Parents Elemental Magic Emotionally Weak Protagonist Empires Fallen Nobility Fantasy Creatures Fantasy World Fat Protagonist Fat to Fit Galge Handsome Male Lead Hard-Working Protagonist Harsh Training Kingdom Building Kingdoms Knights Late Romance Lost Civilizations Loyal Subordinates Magic Magic Formations Maids Male Protagonist Management Manipulative Characters Marriage Misunderstandings Modern Knowledge Monsters Naive Protagonist Nobles Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Sadistic Characters Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Time Skip Transmigration Underestimated Protagonist Weak to Strong Wizards
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4214gk/
名無しの権兵衛