Part 3

Priscilla stopped talking and continued to pierce him with her unchanging gaze.

Having stated her theory, she was now waiting for a rebuttal, her attitude as she did so was as composed as ever, but hidden as its edges were a ferocity and vigor that would occasionally flare up.

They weren’t grand, easily understood emotions. However, they were certainly passionate.

This invisible storm of emotion was ****** into Al’s throat in the form of pressure, questioning what he would do next. If he did not choose his words properly, this pressure would quite literally pierce his throat.

The snowfall and their chit chat relating to it, that was all it took to land him in this situation.

He knew from the very beginning how risky it was to stay by her side, and all of that risk was now gushing forth.

“Where lies the difference between man and beast? What is it that separates me from the likes of you?”

The same words, with a small change midway.

Those words declared that Priscilla and Al were entirely different organisms, and seemed to be a sort of ritual to determine the difference that ought to exist between them, causing him to gulp.

He then moved his heavy tongue, and while swallowing his bitter saliva,

“The difference is, the opportunity to refine oneself.”

“――”

“Even beasts learn the connection between life and death. However, the difference between those who live in the wild where failure means death and we who live in more forgiving environments is the presence of opportunities, and whether or not one can act on them. Even though you were born as a sexy cutie, the reason you seemed to be omniscient and omnipotent…”

“― Good. I shall allow it.”

As Al chose his next words, the sharp sound of her fan shutting suddenly interrupted him.

With this sound came a few words from Priscilla, and in an instant, the pressure bearing down on his entire body dissipated. Immediately realizing that he had forgotten to even breathe, Al let the tension leave his shoulders.

Priscilla’s throat hummed with stifled laughter in response to Al’s grandiose reaction,

“Well, how about it. When pushed into a corner, your intelligence serves its purpose does it not? Predicting the future based on your past experience and your relationship with me, it desperately struggles to avoid the worst case scenario. But then, that is an ability beasts also possess. It does not serve as a difference between man and beast.”

“Your jokes are too harsh, princess… You’d be angry if I said that, huh?”

“Of course.”

Priscilla firmly asserted that she certainly was not joking. This caused Al to heave a truly deep sigh after which he started wiping off his damp back which was covered in cold sweat.

“Unlike beasts, humans have the opportunity to actively expand their knowledge. Humans have methods with which to do so. Simply put, read a book. I was not joking or anything of the sort when I told you to be more diligent.”

“So, you’re basically saying that the omnipotent aura you give off is because you read a lot of books.”

“Not even mineself was perfect at birth. There was quite a bit which I learned from ink and paper. In much the same way that one requires flame and a hammer to forge steel, one also requires writing to refine one’s spirit. If one were to lack either, they would only end up as a failure of a human being.”

“――”

“It is not as though I particularly wish to be surrounded exclusively by that which is beautiful. However, I am not so eccentric as to keep by my side those who would by their own negligence reduce themselves to ugliness.”

“… In other words, you’re telling me that you’re tired of my usual act, so you want me to keep refining new ones?”

“――”

The way Al splendidly simplified it momentarily caused Priscilla’s breath to halt. She then let out a small sigh,

“Haha, hahahaha! Well now, to think you would rephrase my words in such a hackneyed fashion. An act of all things! An act, you say! … Kuku, I see you are unwilling to concede your role as a jester.”

“Aaah, I’m glad I could make you laugh. However, princess, I’ve got a few things I’d like to say too. Although your words were so magnificent I kinda ended up getting convinced myself.”

As Priscilla laughed loudly, Al wracked his brain as he continued.

Carefully, but in a manner that wasn’t completely submissive, while remaining aware of who was at his core―

“I’m not your knight or anything, princess. I’ve sworn allegiance to you as your servant, but there’s no point in expecting anything more from me. That would be too heavy a load for the old man going back beyond the Grand Cascade.”

“Oh? Simply put, you do not intend to do as I say, is that it?”

“I do realize that I’d probably have my head taken off if I said that. That’s why I came up with my own compromise back in that chat about acting.”

Declaring this, Al walked towards Priscilla with determination. Standing close enough to be touched by the crimson woman sitting on the windowsill as she looked at him, he threw out his chest.

“In the end, I’m satisfied being your jester. So I’ll keep amusing you in all sorts of ways so you never get bored, princess.”

“――”

“In exchange, I won’t give up on the things I can’t give up on. That is the compromise between my role as a jester and that stuff about steel bookworms you like so much.”

There was no helping it if she didn’t like this, Al presented his opinion directly.

He didn’t know if Priscilla would fly into a rage or perhaps calmly release her killing intent, but even if that happened, there was no helping it. ― In that case, he just needed to bring her into the territory.

However, it soon turned out that his fears were completely needless.

“Very well.. ― If you are aware of your role as my jester, and possess a clear ‘vision’ of the future, I shall not object. It is only natural to leave gardening to the gardener.”

“… Are you sure?”

“How tedious… Surely you do not wish for me to take your head off by my own hand?”

“Nonono, as if as if as if, no way no way no way.”

Wildly waving his arm, head, and legs, Al pleaded before Priscilla’s suspicious eyes with no objection. What effects this would end up having was a different matter, but for now, it seemed as though Al’s attitude had earned him another day of life.

And in this manner, the conversation between Al and Priscilla reached its conclusion,

“… Buhaaa! I-I-I-I’m past my limit! That was so scary!”

“Woahwoahwoah, Schult-chan?”

With his face completely red, Schult heaved an exaggerated sigh as though he was glad it was finally over. Schult who had endeavored not to interrupt their conversation with a hand over his mouth raised his voice, “Excuse me!”

“The two of you have reconciled, correct? It’s okay now, correct?”

“Ohh, sorry to make you worry. Papa and mama are getting along just fine… Damuhin!”

“Fool, just who are you calling papa and mama.”

The instant he cracked this joke, Al ducked to dodge the sweeping fan strike that was sailing overhead. Al felt as though the top of his helmet had been singed, and Priscilla ignored his fear as she gently raised Schult’s jaw with said fan.

“I forced an unpleasant experience on you, but you endured it wonderfully. I shall personally reward you. What would you like?”

“U-Umm, uhh, can I ask for anything?”

“I shall allow it. Ask for all that you desire.”

“… Then, since it’s snowing and all, I’d like to go outside with you, Priscilla-sama.”

Schult’s face lit up as he announced this in response to Priscilla’s magnanimous words. In response to this, Al who was sitting on the floor nervously looked at Priscilla.

Having seen snow for the first time, Priscilla had expressed a great deal of disappointment. To ask her to walk out there with her servant was―

“Very well. This shall be my first time playing in the snow as well. It could be said that my ‘tension’ is rising.”

“Eh, seriously?! Then why were you in such a bad mood just now?!”

“I was merely explaining one of my principles. Come, let us go, Al. As my jester, you shall amuse me to the fullest even within the snow.”

Priscilla nimbly descended from the windowsill as she said this and turned around with a wave of the hem of her dress. Next to her, Schult stared at Al while smiling brightly.

“Al-sama, it must be fun! Have you ever played in the snow, Al-sama?”

“Playing in the snow, huh.”

Tilting his head in response to Schult’s question, Al took a look outside the window, at the scenery of the faintly accumulating snow. The sight of the area covered in a blanket of snow stimulated old, distant memories―

“Come to think of it, I don’t remember ever playing in the snow either. I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

“That is wonderful! For the three of us to experience this for the first time, it is miraculous!”

“A rather trivial miracle. But I suppose it is only fitting for something so stale as snow.”

As Schult showed his excitement, Priscilla stroked his head and then boldly set forth. Schult hurriedly followed after her, and Al tagged along while fiddling with his helmet.

Midway, Al stopped for a moment. He then looked out of the window, at the snow descending from the sky,

“―I don’t remember ever playing in the snow or anything, after all.”

Muttering this in a voice audible to no one, he continued to follow after the master and servant pair ahead of him

-End of chapter 4-

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