048: Nero's Confidence
It was early winter, but a warm one. It hadn't snowed yet. For Nero, this was originally good weather to rest at home, but she had purposely come out. Surely, she had a reason for doing so.
In the crowded square, almost everyone's gaze was captured by the arriving silver-haired man. Nero, who had hurried over, also fixed her eyes firmly on that person not far away.
Novia, her teacher, also four years older than her. Four hours, twelve minutes, and twenty-three seconds since parting at the palace, his outward appearance seemed no different at first glance. However, from her teacher's body, she seemed to sense a slight difference... Was it because of the silver-haired maiden behind him?
To be honest, although the specific face couldn't be seen clearly due to the mask, this silver-haired maiden, based on presence alone, stood out so uniquely among all the people Nero had met. It wasn't just that presence, but the non-human aura emanating from this person.
Presumably, generally speaking, most people's eyes would be involuntarily drawn to this silver-haired maiden. For Nero, however, it was an inner displeasure. She felt this person's aura was like declaring sovereignty, just like the 'Spear' her teacher used.
That spear her teacher used, though merely an inanimate object, gave Nero the feeling it was actually alive, which was why she loathed it so.
By the way, who was this silver-haired maiden? She hadn't heard Martha or Paul mention such a person during the trip to Antioch before, and her teacher hadn't left Rome recently either. How could he be accompanying someone out of nowhere?
Just as Nero was observing meticulously from head to toe, she suddenly noticed the silver-haired maiden taking off her mask and saying something to her teacher. Then her teacher turned towards her.
The golden-haired maiden clearly saw the change in the silver-haired maiden's expression: from initial impassiveness, it loosened slightly, eyebrows drooping, trembling slightly like a pitiful small animal. She seemed to be making an important decision. In the expression Nero saw, she felt the silver-haired maiden vaguely conveyed absolutely this meaning—
"Hmm hmm, isn't this Teacher? Who is this? Silver hair!" Nero instantly stood beside the two, blinking with a smile and patting the silver-haired maiden's shoulder. "Is she your acquaintance, Teacher? Or a hired guard?"
"This is Albion, my friend. You should greet her. This is my disciple, Nero."
Faced with Nero's sudden appearance, Novia didn't show surprise, simply introducing them normally.
"Is that so! Hmm hmm, Greetings! Lady Albion."
Nero said loudly, but careful listening would reveal the last word 'Lady' sounded somewhat flat. It wasn't that she deliberately expressed dissatisfaction, but she smelled an odor—the scent of dried blood, emanating from her teacher.
She liked the warm scent faintly mixed in the air, because this scent always clung to Novia.
Whenever she smelled it, Nero found herself calming down inexplicably. The reason was unknown; perhaps her teacher used magecraft, but she never asked, simply feeling this was fine.
"...Hmph, I already knew."
Albion snorted quite haughtily, then put her mask back on.
This Albion really disliked her, Nero sensed instantly. Because a person's blink rate, manner of speaking, even the pitch of their voice, all truthfully conveyed inner emotions. On this incredibly light being, although these were extremely scarce.
But she could read it. This Albion had the desire to kill her.
However, Nero also had the desire to kill this Albion, because the scent of blood on Novia emanated from this creature's mouth.
This creature called Albion actually harmed her teacher? And drew blood by biting? Why doesn't she just die, this creature.
For an instant, Nero felt somewhat breathless. She suppressed the murderous urge to kill this Albion, stop her breathing, sever her neck and torso, chop her entire body into pieces.
But she also understood this creature must hold some importance to her teacher, otherwise he wouldn't keep her by his side. If she acted recklessly, it would cause loss for her teacher. So, Nero forcibly interlocked her fingers and spoke with a calm attitude.
"Albion here is perhaps unaccustomed to this place, as it might be her first time here."
"Human, who gave you permission to address me by name!"
A visibly displeased Albion said coldly, arms crossed.
"Eh? So Lord Albion is not actually human? Mmm, I see. Well, habits would be different then. Teacher, you must understand."
Nero laughed merrily, casually observing the haughty phantasmal species before her. Thinking of this creature's previously pitiable attitude and now its forced haughtiness, she found it rather amusing.
"Oh, right, I just remembered I have something to do. I won't disturb you and Lord Albion any longer, Teacher."
Nero pressed her forehead against Novia's abdomen, then looked up at him. After quickly saying this, she let go, glanced at Albion, and then consciously left, already imagining the look of gritted teeth on that fellow's face.
What's the big deal? Just a tool being used by Teacher. No matter how much he values it, it can't be more important than me. After all, Teacher controls me with poison...
Nero also understood this thought was strange, absurd. She understood it better than anyone.
People would absolutely say I'm crazy. Can't be helped.
Meanwhile, Novia was staring straight at Nero, not Albion.
"Nero."
"...Y-yes."
Hearing Novia's call, the girl turned around and nodded, her voice stiff.
Nero thought her thoughts had been exposed. Her heart pounded meaninglessly. As for her flushed cheeks, the strong sunlight probably hid that.
However, Novia wasn't considering such things. He spoke to her:
"I've always thought this: your songs have the power to make people happy. They should be sung for more people to hear. So, keep doing your best."
Watching the two gradually leave, Nero lowered her golden, silk-like slender eyelashes and pondered Novia's words.
After all, regarding the effect of her concert at the previous Triumph ceremony, while no one said it outright, she had a good idea in her heart.
"...It's probably better to resist the urge to kill that creature. Let her be smug for just a few more days."
She suddenly muttered softly. Her fingers gathered magical energy, retrieving the golden laurel wreath she had placed on Novia's head during the Triumph ceremony. Gazing intently at the laurel, she gently stroked it and placed it on her own head.
I am the most important person in Teacher's heart. Nero held absolute confidence in this. This fact would never, ever change.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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