First Encounter
After I got a quick rundown of the Journey from Lisa, I headed to the training grounds, where a Journey member was waiting for me.
There stood a girl with jet-black hair, staring at me with a slightly displeased look.
...You're late!
Pretty sure I got here on time.
Wow. Just... wow. I've been waiting, obviously.
Showing up five minutes early is common sense, isn't it?
If you'd arrived five minutes ago, we could've skipped the chit-chat and started training right on time.
A Journey Captain should be prepared for that kind of thing, no?
Or what, are you one of those "the lower ranks wait for their superior" types?
If you're the kind of boomer who believes in that outdated nonsense... Wow. Just... wow.
Uh...
Relax. I'm very tolerant.
I get along just fine with a talking lizard, a memory-impaired mess, and a control freak.
So don't worry. I won't blame you just because you're a bit... lacking. After all, I do understand the virtues of compassion and empathy.
That's what we nobles call "noblesse oblige."
You’d better be grateful.
Watching Bell smile like nothing was wrong reminded me of what Lisa told me before I came here.
She's rude?
"Rude" doesn't quite cover it. If I had to be accurate...
...
She's a piece of work.
For real?
You're in for a quite of a ride.
She was right.
From the moment we met, this girl—this problematic Journey member—spoke down to me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Anyway, no point in wasting more time.
I'm Bell Rhys, second daughter of the Rhys family. I'm currently stationed at Candle Square for the time being.
But don't get the wrong idea. I'm not some pushover you can boss around.
Unlike the others, I'm here because of the Rhys family oath. The Firstborn's Duty.
Until the firstborn officially inherits the family, they must serve at Candle Square.
...That should've been my sister's role, not mine...
But whatever. You don't need to know the boring details.
Point is, I'm here because of that oath.
So don't expect me to show the same "devotion and service" the other maids do.
Now, what can I offer you...
Well, if something terrible happens to you in the near future,
and your pitiful little life comes to an end...
I'd be more than happy to help you wrap things up.
...What?
As the heir to House Rhys, I also serve as the groundskeeper of the NOA cemetery, which is our family's sacred duty.
So if you ever need a proper burial, I can make sure you're laid to rest in a sunny corner of the cemetery.
I'll even provide a top-class gravestone worthy of a Journey Captain.
A peaceful rest might be a better choice than a life full of misery, after all.
If that day ever comes, be sure to let me know.
Got it?
...So basically, if I'm planning to die anytime soon...
You want advance notice?
Exactly.
Thank goodness you're not completely hopeless. I was starting to worry you lacked the cognitive skills to understand basic conversation.
Anyway, about this whole Journey training thing—
I'm not interested in sweating under the sun or getting dust on my clothes.
I refuse to participate in anything that involves physical exertion.
What I'm saying is... You should prepare a more elegant curriculum for me.
Alright. I've seen enough to understand exactly what kind of person this Journey member is.
And, I now know that standard methods are not going to work with her to continue the Journey.
...And that's why Lady Alicia sent you a message. To make things easier for you.
I didn't want to use it unless I had to. But now it's clear—I'll need a special measure.
Bell... You've heard what people say about your attitude...
Haven't you?
Hmph. What, that again?
Yeah, yeah, I've heard it a million times. From the lizard down at Candle Square, to random brats in the street.
And guess what?
Say it all you want. I don't care.
Not even a speck. I'm not changing.
Alright then. Before we start our training for the Journey...
We'll begin with attitude correction.
You seriously didn't hear a single thing I just sa—
Bell Rhys!
KNEEL!!
WH-WHAAA?!!
The moment I shouted her, Bell dropped to her knees.
If there were a world championship for kneeling, she just scored a perfect 10-10-10 and took the gold.
From now on, I suggest you listen very carefully to what I say.
W-w-wait a sec! What did you do to me?! Why did I just kneel...? I didn't mean to!
Whoa... This actually works...
"Those fulfilling the Firstborn's Duty must obey all commands from the Journey Captain."
This is another oath of House Rhys—the Duty of Obedience.
...Though I doubt Bell even knows about it.
You see, no Rhys has ever joined the Journey before.
But if the Captain speaks the person's full name and issues a command, they are bound to obey.
In some ways, it's less an oath and more of a curse, really.
That's why Lady Alicia asked me to share this with you.
She trusts you to use it wisely.
Wh-what is this sorcery?! Magic? A spell? A curse?!
Doesn't seem like any of those...
Hnggh...! D-do you even realize what you're doing right now?!
The House of Rhys is not to be trifled with—not even by NOA!
You really think I'm just going to let this humiliation slide?!
This is outrageous! I'm quitting the Journey right now...
Bell Rhys. Three laps around the training ground.
Now!
W-w-wait! Wait a second!
Ahhhhhh!
As Bell, with ghost-pale look, took off running, I decided it was time to tell her what Lisa had mentioned earlier.
*Huff Huff* A hidden oath...? *Huff Huff* No one's ever told me about—Hahh...!
N-not even... *huff huff* my sister told me...!
Believe me, I take no pleasure in this.
Forced discipline goes against my teaching philosophy.
Th-then just stoooop!!
Oh, but the training has already begun.
And judging from your stamina, you need it.
I-I told you already! I'm a hexcaster...!
I'm not built for physical endurance...!
Bell Rhys. Three more laps.
Uuuaaaaah! Stop! Make it stop!
P-please! I'm begging you!
PLEASE, I BEG OF YOUUU!!
After completing a total of twenty-five laps, we finally reached a dramatic and heartfelt agreement built on mutual respect.
I will... take training seriously...
I will... watch my mouth...
I will not try to escape mid-session...
See? You can do it if you try, Bell!
Don’t let me down!
Looking like a soggy dishrag, Bell leaned on her staff and staggered back home.
Hmm. That went better than expected.
It felt good to know we didn't rely solely on the Duty of Obedience, but managed to spark a real change from the heart.
...I'll curse you for this...!