After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 50
Chapter 50: Whose Magical Power is it?
“Hah!”
With the spirited shout, Gretel’s fist struck, causing the chest of the knight, who should have been wearing armor, to significantly dent. Then, a sweeping low kick hit another knight’s leg at an impossible angle.
“The enemy is unarmed! Stop hesitating and finish them off!”
Countess Granny roared, and despite being held back by others, three knights engaged Gretel. However, the countess didn’t realize… Gretel’s greatest strength lies in close combat, utilizing enhancement magic of the light element to its fullest.
She snapped the sword swung by the first knight sideways with a karate chop, evaded the second one’s sword with nimble steps, and delivered a powerful punch to his abdomen, sending him flying. In close-quarters combat, even Mom, hailed as a hero, couldn’t match Gretel. While Mom’s magical power is SS-class compared to Gretel’s S-class, the combat ability of S-class in light and dark elements is considered equivalent to other SS-class attributes.
Ignoring the third knight, Gretel rushed towards the count.
“You insolent brat! Take this!”
With the countess’s shout, rocks the size of adult heads came rushing towards Gretel, seven or eight in total. If it were just one, she might have dodged it, but with this number… even I, at last, clenched my fists.
“Hmph!”
At that moment, what happened was likely beyond understanding for anyone but me. In the atmosphere clouded with crushed rock powder, Gretel appeared, entwining her flexible and long arm around the count’s neck, attempting to strangle her.
—
Well, the subsequent events are “omitted.”
Evidence indicating collusion with Count Bergen poured out from the thieves’ village. The leader was coerced to confess not only to this single conspiracy but various crimes including kidnapping and smuggling.
Queen-sama, who is usually quite lenient, seemed to have no mercy for this. Count Bergen had his title stripped, and his territory confiscated. Since welcoming a strange son-in-law, he had been coldly treated and distanced. As a result, his eldest son, who had not been involved in any misdeeds, barely obtained the title of viscount and was left with about one-tenth of the original territory.
As there was no direct evidence linking the handsome son-in-law to the crimes, he wasn’t prosecuted. However, all the money he begged from Count Bergen was confiscated, and he was expelled. I wonder if he will continue living as a young swallow somewhere… well, I’m not interested.
“So, it’s finally settled. Gretel, Ayaka, good job.”
Beatrice praised the two concubines while personally preparing tea. It’s surprising to see the princess preparing tea herself, but it seems she enjoys such things. By the way, Mom and Sister Liese received rewards directly from Queen-sama, albeit discreetly.
“Oh, Lutz also did his best, I suppose.”
I suppose? I can’t help but think that, considering I was utterly useless in any rough work. Rather, I was more of a burden, relying on Ayaka-san to protect me. When I loosened up a bit, Beatrice gave me a somewhat embarrassed smile. Lately, I’ve found such gestures even more endearing… even though we engaged in an engagement by circumstances, I might be seriously falling in love.
While contemplating such things, I unconsciously extended my nose. When I noticed, Gretel was raising her eyebrows, glaring at me. Ayaka-san had her usual gentle smile, but there was something intimidating… her smiling face, in a way, made her scarier. Beatrice, realizing that I was frozen, changed the topic as if throwing me a lifeline.
“By the way, Gretel was amazing at that time. Indeed, S-class in light magic is invincible in combat.”
“S-Such…!”
Blushing, Gretel pushed up her cheek. Praised by the admired older sister role, it seemed like her previous bad mood had completely vanished… she’s really easygoing.
“Well, I knew Gretel’s combat ability was impressive, but I never thought Ayaka’s dark magic could fire so many shots.”
“I was surprised at that time. Even after using several times more magic than usual, I didn’t run out of magical power.”
Ayaka-san responded with a serious expression. She, too, was aware of the abnormal sensation due to the sudden increase in magical power.
“The amount of magical power is determined from birth. No matter how much Ayaka trains in magic, the common understanding is that while magical control may improve, the overall amount of magical power won’t increase.”
“Yes, I was taught the same. However, I have an idea of the cause for the increase in my magical power.”
“What do you mean? Ayaka-san, what are you talking about?”
In response to Ayaka-san’s slightly tilted head and her words, both Beatrice and Gretel widened their eyes in surprise. It makes sense; in a world where one’s value as a person is determined by their abilities as a mage, if there were a way to increase the amount of usable magical power, it would be akin to possessing a formidable weapon.
“The magical power I used belongs to this child.”
As she said this, Ayaka-san gently placed her left hand on her abdomen.