Chapter 203: Rude ; Punishment ; Curse (1/2)
Knowing that some of them would rather be elsewhere, I asked the girls if they would like to go back to the castle.
As such, I sent Siesta, Yuno, and Krul back to the castle, while Gabriel and Aruru claimed that they wished to stay by my side.
”So?” I say once we've all taken a seat on the sofas in the living room, ”Did Ari attempt to do something unbecoming to end up in such a state?”
Hearing my inquiry, Luctiana's expression changes to one of disgust while Alais' to that of disappointment.
”He really did, huh?” I say while frowning.
It takes her a moment, but Alais finally opens her mouths and says, ”Ari was rude to the maid…”
”Oh? What happened exactly?”
So, it's due to Saturnus that he's in such a state now, huh?
”He…” Alais says before pausing once again. Dissatisfied, I firmly say, ”Tell me.”
Probably realizing that it's better if she tells me everything in one go, Alais resolves any inhibitions she may have had and begun recounting what happened.
Apparently, Ari had thought of Saturnus even worse than savage because she ha introduced herself as my maidservant. As a result, he was bugging her on the way to the oasis
However, due to Saturnus practically ignoring his existence, he threw a fit, claiming that she was being rude and whatnot. This ultimately led to him reaching his arm out, most likely intending to 'punish' her for her unsavory behavior.
Of course, I had brought Saturnus over for no other reason than something like this occurring. Unexpectedly, she ended up as the victim, with Ari as the assailant instead of the others.
From that point, Saturnus made use of her equipment to lightly pierce Ari's chest before he limply fell to the ground and stayed like that ever since.
Once Alais was done recounting, I couldn't hold myself back from remarking, ”How idiotic. Did Ari actually believe that I would send a powerless girl over?”
”Besides,” I say while leaning back and squinting my eyes, ”Luctiana, you didn't stop him from doing all this?”
Realizing that I'm discontented by her actions, an anxious expression appears on Luctiana's face as she opens her mouth to say something.
However, before she can talk, another voice reaches my ears, ”She did try to stop him.”
Looking over at the source of the voice, I find Saturnus slowly walking inside before making her way to behind the sofa I'm sitting on.
”But, he didn't listen to her,” Saturnus continues.
”That's surprising,” I proclaim, ”After all, he seemed to be held by a leash the last time I saw Ari interact with Luctiana.”
”Leash,” Alais absentmindedly mutters as a red hue spreads across Luctiana's cheeks.
What, did I say anything strange?
”Anyway,” I state, ”I've been displeased with Ari's actions time and time again. Now, he has even attempted to make a move on my beloved maid…”
Realizing where I'm going with this, Alais's eyes widen while an odd look appears on Luctiana's face.
”As such, I've decided to punish him accordingly.”
The moment I'm done speaking, I pull Excalibur out of the storage ring before morphing it into the shape of a scythe.
”Wait!” Luctiana hurriedly says, ”As much as I hate what has become of Ari, I can't just let him die like this!”
”Oh?” I intone in a cold tone, ”Are you going to oppose me?”
The atmosphere in the room becomes tense as Aruru forms a few light arrows around her, while Saturnus tightens her grip on the strange equipment she carries around everywhere.
”No, no, no!” she hastily says as beads of sweat begin to form on her forehead, ”I'm sure that there is another suitable punishment that doesn't need him to die!”
Nice. Exactly the words I've been waiting to hear.
”What do you suppose is a suitable punishment, then?” I say while using Eye of Judgment to pressure her even more.
Luctiana grits her teeth as she attempts to think of a response to my inquiry.
Several moments pass, with her not coming up with anything. Bored, I raise Excalibur and say, ”It seems like there is none after all.”
”I-I will disown him!” Alais suddenly says in a worried tone, causing Ari's paralyzed body to twitch.
Nice reaction… But, it's not enough. I need more or what I have in mind won't work out that well.
”Disown, you say? I wouldn't want you to do that, Alais. After all, that would hurt you more than it would hurt him,” I say while slowly shaking my head, ”I highly doubt that Ari even cares.”
A small smile forms on my lips as I sense Ari twitching several more times. There is no need to show mercy. He brought this upon himself.
”Then,” Luctiana speaks once more, this time in a much more resolved, yet hurt tone, ”I will break my engagement with him. You can send him as far away from here. Is that enough?”
These two… Both of their proposals are ones that would hurt themselves. Alais did it out of her motherly love for Ari. As for Luctiana, it could be her lingering feelings or just can't bear to see an acquaintance die.
For her to make this choice with such little regret is an obvious sign of her having considered doing this in the past. That's not surprising, considering how disgusting Ari's attitude is. It makes me wonder what it was that attracted the two in the first place.