Sword Art Online - Volume 11 - Chapter 5.3

Part 3
A short bit after knocking on the door at the eastern corner of the dormitory's third floor, Humbert could be heard asking who's there from inside.
"Swordsmen-in-training Eugeo and Kirito. We have something to discuss with Swordsman-in-training Zizek."
He stated their names while trying to maintain his calm, but rough footsteps immediately rang out and the door violently burst open. Humbert, who glared at the two in turn with a scowl, cried out with a voice that might even be loud enough to pass through the atrium in the middle of the dormitory to reach the first floor.
"How rude of you, intruding without even any prior notice! It's obvious that you should request for permission for a meeting through a letter first!"
Without even giving Eugeo a chance to reply, Raios Antinous's placid voice immediately bombarded them from behind Humbert.
"Now now, aren't we all fellow comrades refining ourselves in the same institution? Let them pass, Humbert, though it is unfortunate we could not have any tea prepared for them, at this short notice."
"...Make sure you express your gratitude for Raios-dono's hospitality."
Forcing those words out through his lips, Humbert turned aside. While wondering just what sort of skit this was supposed to be, Eugeo entered the room with a bow.
"The heck was..."
Kirito who followed behind was about to have those same thoughts slipping out from his mouth, so he shut him up with a cough and walked in front of a couch set in the middle of the living room. The amount of space and arrangement was of course, the same as Eugeo and Kirito's, but the fixtures, such as the carpet spread over the floor and the pale curtains that wavered in the gentle spring breeze, were replaced with those of the highest grade.
Even the couch with its width of three mel had a silk finish with ample cotton, and Humbert sank in deeply upon sitting on its right edge. Raios could be seen sitting on the left edge, but barely sank in, resting his head upon it and his two legs stretching out onto the table, in an appearance as though he was sleeping.
On top of that, these heirs of upper class noble families were not wearing the academy uniform, but comfortable and thin long garments. Raios was bright red and Humbert was bright blue; that glossy luster was unique to high-grade silk from the south. The aroma drifting from the cups lined up on the table was probably green tea, a specialty from the east. After putting that to his mouth and slowly sipping it, Raios finally turned towards Eugeo.
"...And so, what business do you have with us in the evening of this rest day, my friend, Swordsman-in-training Eugeo?"
There was another couch before the table, but he seemed to have no intention of asking them to sit. While thinking that suited himself better, Eugeo looked down at the two with as strict a face as he could muster, and spoke.
"I am here regarding a somewhat distasteful rumor about Swordsman-in-training Zizek that reached my ears. Before disgracing the name of a friend at school, I believed it best to render some advice, though it may be presumptuous on my part."
Humbert's expression changed and was about to cry out something at that moment, but Raios held him back by moving his left hand slightly before curving his excessively crimson lips a miniscule amount into a smile.
"Really now...?"
He smoothly delivered his lines while steam rose up from the cup in his right hand.
"This is both outside and beyond my expectations. To think you could be so concerned about my friend's reputation. However, I regret to inform you that nothing comes to mind regarding that sort of rumor. Though I am ashamed of my ignorance, nothing would please me more than having you enlighten me on this issue."
"...I have heard that Zizek-dono was committing vulgar acts upon his own valet trainee. I do believe you would have some inkling of that!"
"How rude!"
Rising from the couch as well this time, Humbert declared loudly.
"How dare someone without a family name, with the air of some peasant from a remote village accuse me, the eldest son of a fourth class noble family, of vulgar acts of all things!"
"Now, don't get so riled up, Humbert."
Raios waved his left hand side to side and silenced his henchman once again.
"Even if there are differences in our birthplaces, aren't we fellow students under this roof now? You can't simply condemn everything as disrespectful, inside of this academy at least. ...That said, it would be a different story if that was merely slander utterly without basis though. Where have you heard that queer rumor from, Eugeo-dono?"
"I doubt you wish for your free time to be wasted away either, Antinous-dono, so do stop playing the fool. This is not without basis. I've heard it directly from the novice trainees who stay in the same room as Zizek-dono's valet."
"Oh? Is this how it is, then? Are you saying that Humbert's valet had formally entrusted you with a protest via the novice trainees of the same room by her own accord?"
"...No, that's not it, but..."
Eugeo involuntarily bit his lips. It was true that he wasn't here due to a personal request from Frenica, so it would be difficult to hold his ground if his claim was rejected as slander without basis.
However, as there was no way Eugeo could retreat in front of Raios grinning away in his slovenly posture and Humbert crooking his mouth in a loathsome manner, he sharply returned a question.
"...I believe the two of you are denying it in that case? That Humbert-dono is committing unbefitting acts upon that valet trainee named Frenica?"
"Fm, unbefitting? That is such an odd word to use, Eugeo-dono. How about using what is more easily understood, by saying that it violates the academy regulations?"
"......"
He grinded his teeth once again. Even if those regulations applied only on academy premises, their importance was close to the same level as the Taboo Index or the Empire Fundamental Law to students and none should dare to break them.
Even Humbert wouldn't violate the academy regulations; Eugeo knew better than to consider that as well. That was the very reason he couldn't forgive them. Anything goes as long as it wasn't against the regulations, their acts were grounded in that belief even if they didn't voice it out. Taking in a deep breath of air, Eugeo continued the dispute.
"But still... but still, even if it's not forbidden by the academy regulations, are there not things that elite swordsmen-in-training must not do to the novice trainees they mentor?!"
"Oh my, now Eugeo-dono, what exactly are you implying that Humbert here had done to Frenica?"
"...Th-That's..."
As he couldn't bear to make Tiezé and Ronye explain in detail and thus, hadn't heard the specifics of those «unbefitting orders», Eugeo could not give an immediate reply. With that, Raios spread his hands out in an exaggerated motion and spoke while shaking his head left and right.
"Oh dear, even I can't bring myself to accompany you any further. ...How is it, Humbert, has any of what Eugeo-dono spoke of rang any bells to you?"
The instant Raios asked in that manner, Humbert, who was leaning forward while glowering at Eugeo until now, put the weight of his back onto the couch with a thud and cried out.
"Not at all! I have absolutely no idea what he's talking about! In the first place, there is no damned, no, there is simply no way I could have done any vulgar act on Frenica... after all, that girl has never refused even once!"
Stroking his grey hair from front to back, the second-ranked swordsman-in-training showed a venomous smile.
"Well, I did order her to aid with several trifling tasks, though. I'm sure you too, recall the match which, though I find it shameful to admit, ended as a draw, Eugeo-dono; I mended my ways after that and devoted myself to training. Perhaps due to restraining from any practice that would create those unattractive muscles up until now as well, it was inevitable that my body would ache. Hence, I had to reluctantly ask for Frenica to massage and relax my body when I got the chance to take a bath every evening. In addition, it would be troubling if her uniform were to get wet, so I had the generosity to permit her to undress herself to her underwear. I certainly have difficulties understanding just which part of this is supposed to be unbefitting, vulgar behavior!"
Gazing in a daze at Humbert, who was chuckling away through his throat, Eugeo noticed the birth of an unfamiliar emotion deep in his heart.
Was treating a human like this with courtesy, and even attempting to persuade him actually necessary?
Wouldn't a single strike on him from a wooden sword without any questions asked suit him more than words?
His right hand twitched, wanting to thrust in with a wooden sword and challenge a duel here and now, after which Eugeo noticed his waist was empty. Taking in countless deep breaths of air to compose himself, he let out a voice as restrained as he could muster.
"...Humbert-dono, do you believe that an order like that... could really be permitted? True... true, there are no corresponding clauses within the academy regulations, but that should be because there was no need to explicitly forbid it. To actually order your valet to undress, just how shameless could you..."
"Hahaha, hahahahaha!"
Suddenly, Raios, who had been silent for the past while, raised the ends of his lips and let out a wild laughter. It was as if he was waiting for those words from Eugeo; that was what it seemed like.
"Hahaha! To think those words would come from your own mouth, Swordsman-in-training Eugeo-dono, hahaha! After all, haven't you yourself undressed night after night, for that large male commoner when you served as a valet trainee, Eugeo-dono?!"
"That was a peculiar story indeed! To think you would accuse others of being shameful when you were so fond of getting naked yourself, ha-ha!"
Humbert immediately went with the flow as well, laughing in his shrill voice.
Eugeo's entire body trembled uncontrollably as the impulse earlier assailed him once again. The moment he was about to voice out a curse that would barely fall short of violating the academy regulations, Kirito made a noise by making a kick with his heel from behind, making him narrowly recover his senses.
His mentor, Gorgolosso, certainly did order him to remove everything except his underwear once or twice a month. However, that was to confirm how his muscles were and to point out the training he lacked, without even a single trace of dubious implication. But even if he were to refute it that way, Raios and Humbert would probably get ahead of themselves even further and mock not only Eugeo, but Gorgolosso as well. That was why Eugeo tried his best to hold on and quietly spoke after managing to regain his calm somehow.
"My case is unrelated to this situation. What is certain here, is that valet trainee for Swordsman-in-training Zizek has not been going against orders even while going through intolerable experiences day after day. If I don't see any change for the better from now on, I would have to consider requesting the instructors to conduct an investigation, so kindly keep that in mind."
Please do as you like; those words came from behind as Eugeo quickly left Raios's room, accompanied by laughter.
No sooner had the door closed behind him did Eugeo clench his right fist with the intention to strike the wall, but he then noticed that if he were to do that with the physical strength he had built up, he might make a dent in the wall—or in other words, lower the building's Life, and reluctantly lowered his arm. Damaging the academy's facilities or fixtures was a clear violation of the Taboo Index and in the first place, it would be the very example of anger venting. He felt a slight longing for the Gigas Cedar that was practically unyielding, regardless of how many times he struck it with that axe filled with resentment from one thing or another.
As a modest substitute, he made noises wrecking his shoe soles as he started to walk towards his own room on the west, and Kirito spoke from behind.
"Take a moment to calm down, Eugeo."
The moment that familiar voice reached Eugeo's ears, the insides of his head, burning red like a fireplace, cooled down a little and he took a long breath. Easing his pace, he walked by his partner's side.
"...But still, that was unexpected. I totally thought you would explode before I would."
Towards Eugeo's words, Kirito showed a broad grin and hit his left waist.
"It would have turned bad if I had a sword. It's just that... like I said earlier, they might have something else planned, so I managed to hold myself back and look at the situation somehow."
"That reminds me, you did say something like that. I completely forgot about it... —So, what do you think?"
"Leaving Humbert aside, the provocation from that bastard Raios was definitely on purpose, Eugeo. He probably took Tiezé and Ronye conveying Frenica's story to you into account and planned to impose the maximum punishment onto you if you went too far in your remarks towards Humbert back then, as disrespectful behavior. We really can't look down on the craftiness of that upper class noble, huh..."
"In other words... the reason why Raios left Humbert's actions alone was because he predicted that I would come protest, huh... What a disaster..."
Eugeo stopped in the middle of the corridor and strongly bit his lips.

"This is all due to me humiliating Humbert in that match, isn't it. And you've always said nothing good would come out of reacting to their provocation too..."
"Don't blame yourself so much."
Kirito placed his hand onto Eugeo's right shoulder and let out a rare comforting voice.
"In any case, the first official match will be here soon. We've got no choice but to beat those guys if we want to represent the academy, so we'll earn their resentment sooner or later. But seeing as that bunch had such a huge laugh about it, they should be satisfied for the time being. Just in case Humbert were to continue humiliating Frenica, we might want to prepare a letter in advance, to immediately request for an investigation from the instructors at least, though."
"...Yeah, that's right. But if that really happens, us bawling in front of those guys like a couple of babies might have been more persuasive."
Lightly patting Kirito's hand to show his gratitude, Eugeo finally released the tension in his shoulders.
Both Humbert and Raios were strong with the sword, and even their grades in the academics were good. They received an abundant allowance of Shear gold coins from their families every month, were able to buy as many clothes and personal accessories as they wanted and if they were to get fed up with the dormitory's meals, they could eat whatever they liked in the restaurants outside the school every night if they wished. It certainly was enviable from the point of views of Eugeo and Kirito who get by somehow with the money saved up from the time they were guards in Zakkaria.
And yet, why do they view Eugeo as an enemy, ridiculing him at every turn and trying to make him surrender? And consequently, what do they intend to gain from it? He did realize that the world wasn't full of good people, that there were unkind ones around at least, but still—even if they were noble and commoner, they were both fellow people born in this Human World.
This was what the Axiom Church taught. That the Human World made by the God, Stacia, was affiliated to «Good» and the Land of Darkness ruled over by the God, Vector, was affiliated to «Bad». If that was the case, no matter what sort of human it is, they should possess a good heart as their base. Yes, even if it was Raios or Humbert.
If they were to cross swords not in a haphazard duel, but on the grand stage of the official match instead and show each other all of their skill and power, they would definitely come to terms with several things. —Definitely.
Thinking about such things while opening the door to his room and entering it, Eugeo declared before his partner disappeared off somewhere.
"Hey, Kirito, the sacred arts examination's over, so I'll have you accompany me for lots of practice from tomorrow onwards!"
"What, you're certainly fired up, aren't you."
"Aah... I have to get much, much stronger, after all. To teach Raios and Humbert that the sword isn't as generous as to let them win without any practice."
Upon hearing that, Kirito nodded with a grin.
"Well then, should I teach you just how intense training can get, Swordsman-in-training Eugeo-dono?"
"That's what I hoped for. ...Then, see you at dinnertime."
They both lightly raised their hands and returned to their individual rooms to change, but his partner stopped while turning around and spoke with a serious look.
"Eugeo. No matter what those guys tell you when I'm not around, be careful not to get heated up like earlier."
"I-I understand that. Stay cool, right?"
Upon voicing out that which had both the meaning of keeping one's composure in the Sacred Tongue, and that of a parting phrase, Kirito made a bitter smile, seemingly embarrassed, while replying with the same phrase.

Perhaps satisfied after laughing so much, Raios and Humbert paid no attention to Eugeo throughout the practical swordsmanship exercises in the morning and the specialized lessons in the afternoon the next day. Even Humbert, who sent him a scowl filled with resentment each time their faces met until the previous week, persevered in completely ignoring him.
Of course, Eugeo felt considerably relieved, but the problem was whether he mended his ways towards Frenica or not. He had jointly written and signed an investigation request letter addressed to the academy's management the previous night with Kirito. If it was tendered, an official hearing would be conducted with both parties on both Raios's and Eugeo's sides, but even those two should want to avoid that, considering how much they valued their prestige.
Just as the boring empire history lecture—after all, incidents that really could be classified as incidents rarely ever happened—ended, Eugeo parted with Kirito, who went to the library to return a book, returned straight to the swordsmen-in-training's dormitory and waited for Tiezé and Ronye so as to deliver the progress of the case.
Before long, while the four o'clock bell rang at its scheduled time everyday, those two came and started on the cleaning up after an energetic greeting. Eugeo sat on the chair in his room, having nothing to do, and obediently looked over the gallant figure of Tiezé laboring away.
He offered his help in cleaning more times than he could count previously, but was flatly refused with a "This is my important responsibility!" every time. Thinking back, he recalled that he had told Gorgolosso the same thing himself, so he reluctantly tried his best not to make the room too untidy, but the girl wasn't satisfied with that either, always having the strange complaint that there wasn't enough to clean up.
Bustling around with a long cloth mop in hand, Tiezé finished cleaning the living and bedrooms in thirty minutes and entered Eugeo's room, closed the door behind her and snapped the heels of her leather shoes together.
"Elite Swordsman-in-training Eugeo-dono, I would like to report! The cleaning for today is complete!"
It seems Kirito had returned without him noticing too, with Ronye's voice faintly audible beyond the closed door. Leaving the relaying of information there to his partner, Eugeo answered Tiezé with a short acknowledgement.
"Yes, good job. Thanks as always."
"No, not at all. This is the valet's duty!"
He quietly held back a smile that almost unintentionally formed at that routine reply.
"Erm... I apologize, but could I talk to you about a little something? There's no need to stand up, so have a seat."
Upon voicing that out, he recalled that this room only had one chair, the one for the writing desk. The moment he said "Then over here", Tiezé shook her head with a "No, I'll keep standing", so Eugeo interrupted with a "Then, how about over there?" with his finger pointed at the bed by the window side.
Tiezé opened her eyes wide for an instant and nodded with an indistinct blush on her face this time.
"Ye-... th-then, please excuse me."
She trotted close to its edge and softly sat down.
Sitting on the same bed as a girl wasn't a violation of the Taboo Index or the academy regulation, was it, Eugeo confirmed in his mind before sitting quite a distance away, and after turning only his upper body towards Tiezé, he started on the main topic with the most serious face he could make.
"About Frenica's case... we went to complain to Humbert yesterday. That guy probably doesn't want to blow it up any further either, so I doubt he'll be giving out anymore of those unbefitting orders. I'll make him apologize properly as well soon, so..."
"Really?! ...I'm so glad, thank you very much, Elite Swordsman-in-training Eugeo-dono. I believe Frenica will be glad to hear this as well."
Faced with a suddenly smiling Tiezé, Eugeo spoke with a wry smile.
"You're already done with your work, so just call me Eugeo. But still... there's something I have to apologize for too. I mentioned it a little yesterday as well, but my duel with Humbert was the origin for the case this time, and it might have been a scheme to impose punishment onto me for disrespectful behavior when I went in to protest... In other words, Frenica got mixed up in the conflict between Humbert and me. I would like to properly apologize to her as well, so could you get me an opportunity to do so...?"
"...I... see..."
Tiezé shook her red hair as she lowered her face as though she was pondering about something, but she soon looked at Eugeo and gently shook her head.
"No, it's not your fault, Elite... Eugeo-senpai. I'll simply convey your words to Frenica. Erm... m-may I sit a little closer?"
"Eh... s-sure."
Eugeo nodded nervously and Tiezé's cheeks flushed red as she shifted herself, close enough for him to faintly feel her body warmth. Looking towards the wall in front, her voice flowed out as a whisper.
"Eugeo-senpai, I tried thinking as hard as I could before I slept last night. About why Elite Swordsman-in-training Zizek-dono did those horrible things to Frenica, how he could do those things when he felt neither hatred nor resentment for her. ...Kirito-senpai said that nobles must maintain their pride. But... I actually knew. That there are some among the upper class nobles that, erm... toy with the women who live on their own land to satisfy their own whims..."
Tiezé suddenly raised her face and stared into Eugeo with those eyes that reminded one of an autumn forest, wet after a long spell of rain.
"...I'm scared. I believe I will succeed the Shtolienen family not long after I graduate from the academy, and end up accepting a groom from a noble family of the same rank or one higher. ...What if the person who becomes my spouse turns out to be someone like Zizek-dono...? When I just think of what would happen if it turns out to be the type of person without pride and nonchalantly menaces others around... I get... so scared that I..."
Eugeo held his breath and looked back at Tiezé's cloudy eyes.
He was aware of Tiezé's feelings but at the same time, those words couldn't help but to draw attention to the difference in social status between the girl and himself. Compared to Tiezé Shtolienen, the eldest child of a splendid name-bearing sixth class noble family, Eugeo was a child of peasants without a surname—not to mention the third son.
In a small, remote village like Rulid, as there was a limit to the harvest from the fertile land, they could not increase their numbers infinitely. The one to succeed the house and fields was almost always without exception, the eldest son, with the second son, third son and so on—though it depended on their Sacred Task—not even permitted to marry, often growing old without a partner. If he hadn't met Kirito, even Eugeo would have spent his entire life swinging an axe every day on «cutting duty for the Gigas Cedar». Just like his predecessor, that old man, Garitta.
He was living and mingling with many nobles in Central Centoria at this very moment, but he did not know what would happen a year later if he failed to become the representative swordsman for the academy. It would be fine if he gained employment in the Imperial Knight Order or the guard squadron of some big city, otherwise, he could only return to Rulid and work under his elder brothers. At the very least, it was certain that he had absolutely no prospects of inheriting a noble family.
That was why when Tiezé clung onto his right arm while he stayed silent, it was startling enough to take his breath away.
"Eh... Tiezé...!?"
The girl born of a sixth class noble family stared into Eugeo's widely opened eyes from up close. From the grey uniform hung a faint smell that reminded one of solbe leaves.
"Eugeo-senpai... I, erm... have a request to ask of you. You must definitely represent the academy, win the swordsmanship tournament and participate in the Four Empires Unity Tournament."
"Th-That's... of course, it's my goal, but..."
"Erm... well..."
Tiezé was at a loss for words for an instant, then continued with her face as bright red as her hair.
"I-I heard that if you get a high placing in the Unity Tournament, you will be inducted as an aristocrat for life, like Azurika-sensei from the novice trainees' dormitory. Erm, then... I really shouldn't be saying this, but... if you don't become an integrity knight, please...... become my... my......"
Any further words seemed to have been lost before they were voiced out, as Tiezé shivered with her head lowered downwards; Eugeo gazed down at that small head.
It was only this time that he understood what Tiezé was talking about, though it took some time. Swallowing down his saliva, a tiny voice of his own reverberated in his head.
—I'm aiming for the Unity Tournament to become an integrity knight and meet with Alice once more, that's the only reason—
However, he could not tell Tiezé that. Even if it ends up being a lie, he felt it not right to brush aside the earnest wish of a sixteen years old girl, who was probably frightened by her uncertain future for the first time in her life... not to mention her being his own valet trainee.
Raising his left hand, Eugeo awkwardly stroked Tiezé's head as he spoke.
"Yeah... I got it. I'll definitely look for you after the tournament ends."
Tiezé's shoulders quivered uncontrollably upon hearing that and she timidly raised her face before long.
A smile, resembling a flower bud in early spring, appeared on her cheeks glistening with tears and Tiezé moved her modest lips.
"...I will-I will get stronger too. Strong enough to be like Eugeo-senpai... to be able to say out those proper things that must be said."