I Got Caught Hunting Powerful Monsters in Secret Even Though I’m Just a Commoner, Which Led to Beautiful Girls From Noble and Royal Families to Come After Me - 39

Chapter 39: Factions and Hot Springs

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Percy Family Conference Room

“My sincerest gratitude to everyone for gathering here.”

Henry spoke in front of a large audience. Many nobles were seated around the conference table, each with varying expressions —some looked angry, some looked nervous and some had a blank expression on their faces. 

The nobles gathering here were part of Henry’s faction. 

Henry then continued on. 

“As everyone is already aware of, a commoner with the name Kanato disrespected Geese, the eldest son of Marquis Murray.”

The moment Kanato’s name was mentioned, the nobles in the conference room perked up their ears. 

“We were overlooking his existence at first. We treated him like a mere filth entering the sacred place where only nobles could enter. However, considering the recent incident, I believe we can no longer tolerate him any longer.”

Seeing the nobles agreeing with him, Henry had a smug look on his face. He puffed his chest out, feeling proud of himself. 

Feeling excited because everyone was agreeing with him, Henry spoke again, albeit his breath was a bit heavier this time. 

“He abandoned the commoner’s rightful role of supplying food for us and dared to enroll in Central Magic Academy. He’s enjoying the privileges reserved only for nobles even though he’s only a commoner! He dares to intrude into our holy territory with his dirty boots!”

Upon hearing Henry’s passionate speech, one of the attendees stood up, feeling moved by Henry’s speech. 

“That’s right! There’s no way my son would lose against a lowly commoner! That commoner must have cheated! There’s no other explanation! Because… Because…”

The person who seemed to be Geese’s father paused briefly, trying to regain himself. 

He took a deep breath and exclaimed. 

“My gentle son is a Level 5!!!!!!!!!!!”

Everyone nodded in his agreement with him. 

“I agree. The possibility of that commoner cheating is high.”

“That’s right. I agree.”

“Maybe he’s actually connected to that organization? Genesis?”

“Ma-Maybe he’s a spy sent by people trying to destroy us, nobles, from the inside?”

“If he’s connected to Genesis then we need to eliminate him quickly!!”

Amidst the flying speculations, Henry spoke. He could barely contain his laugh as his eyes narrowed into a smile. 

“That’s right. There’s a high possibility that commoner is related to Genesis. After all, Genesis is the organization that tried to assassinate Her Royal Highness.”

Everyone’s focus was on him. Henry then spoke in a low voice..

“As I feared, it seems this kingdom has been too lenient with the commoners. We need to be stricter! We need to make sure they will obey us!”

After Henry said so, he frowned. He whispered quietly.

“Maybe we can raise the tax rates for the commoners significantly.”

Though Henry’s voice was but a whisper, every noble in the conference room smiled broadly, so much so that their mouth might get split open. 

“What a brilliant idea.”

“Indeed. We need to raise the tax for the sake of the kingdom. Definitely not for us, nobles~”

“If they want to blame someone they better blame that rude commoner, Kanato!”

“Ahahaha! As expected from Henry-sama! You’ve thought things through!”

While everyone was praising him unanimously, he continued on. 

“That man, Kanato, has a very beautiful and adorable younger sister. Rumor has it that he really cares for his sister.”

“”Oooh…””

“Going against the noble is a serious crime with heavy consequences. How about we make him taste the pain of having his own sister reduced into a slave?”

Outside, the witching hour cast a gentle glow upon the Percy’s residence, creating an ethereal mood. 

However, the conference room was filled with a malicious aura. 

X　X　X

At a Villa in Leiden

“-!!”

“Elena-sama! Please pay more attention to my movements!”

“Ye-Yes!”

Elena-sama’s attack was easily blocked by the weapon I summoned. She was sent flying by it. 

How many times has it been now?

Although I could feel Elena-sama’s movements had improved since we started training in this villa, but she was still lacking something essential. 

While Elena-sama was lying on the ground, I began to explain.

“Elena-sama, your movements tend to become duller when you think your opponent is stronger than yourself. While I can see an improvement, but when I’m near you, your concentration suddenly drops.”

“…That’s Kanato’s fault though..”

“Did you say something?”

“Nothing….”

Elena-sama’s cheek flushed in red. She seemed to be breathing heavier compared to before. 

Considering how long we had been training, it was only natural for her to be exhausted. But still, it was a bit concerning that she was still breathing this heavily even though she was lying down on the ground to rest. 

Unconsciously, I turned my attention elsewhere and there, I found Luna-sama staring at me intently. 

Hmm…. I wonder what’s wrong… She’s been sending a very heated gaze my way while I’m practicing with Elena-sama…

Well, I’m still under her surveillance anyway. It’s not strange for her to watch me so intently. 

I turned my attention back to Elena-sama, who was still lying down. I approached her and reached my hand out to her. 

And then…

“Onii-sama!  Jeff-sama and Mia-sama have finished with their training!”

“O-Oh. Alright.”

The one bursting out confidently from the door was Rina. Elena-sama took out my outstretched hand and stood up. She then acknowledged Rina by smiling at her. 

Rina quickly jumped into me and Elena-sama, pulling us all into one big hug. She rubbed her face against ours, acting spoiled. 

I gently patted her head to give her the affections she asked for. 

“Shall we end it here for today? What about Jeff-sama and Mia-sama?”

“They went to the hot springs first.”

“I see.”

“Hehe… Onii-sama! Let’s join them too! It’s a hot spring with a rejuvenating effect for your skin! Onii-sama’s skin will become beautiful if you soak in there too!”

“No, I’m a guy so…”

“Fufu~ There are many hot springs around this villa! We have plenty to choose from! Elena-sama, you’ll join me and Onii-sama in the bath too, right?”

“Of course.”

It was our usual conversation. Nothing was amiss. I bathed with Rina almost everyday and sometimes Elena-sama joined us too. 

However…

“Kanato-san.”

“Hm?”

“I heard it wrong, right?”

By the time I realized it, Luna-sama had come close to us. She was glaring at me with a very frightening expression on her face. 

Rina tilted her head to the side cutely, genuinely confused and on the other side… Elena-sama began to break out in cold sweat as if she had just suddenly remembered something grave.

Seeing Elena-sama’s pale face, I also came to a realization.

I never thought how other people would view our casual conversation. We had grown accustomed to this so much that I didn’t second guess it but the fact still remained.  Elena-sama was the eldest daughter of the Fibel family. Rumor said that she would inherit this family. She had a very bright future. She was a very composed and aloof person. Someone like me, a commoner, wouldn’t be able to approach her under normal circumstances. 

And yet, we were talking about taking a bath together. 

It wouldn’t pose any problem if we were alone but Luna-sama was here. The eldest daughter of Duke Lennox, the family who always maintained neutrality. Of course the situations were not the same as usual. 

Just like Elena-sama, I started to break out in cold sweat too. 

“Hm? Onii-sama? Elena-sama? What’s wrong? The three of us are going to soak in the hot springs together, right?”

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T/N: Luna-sama going to join too?! ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´-