Chapter 136 (1) - A Depressed Kendo Player Possesses a Bastard Aristocrat |
Golden Boy eventually agreed to join Sentinel, even though he whined about not wanting to.
It wasn't like I had made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
Even though I said it was mandatory, I was going to respect his decision.
It was entirely Golden Boy's will that he chose to join.
He had been putting on airs about not wanting to, but as soon as I turned around, saying, “Fine,” he grabbed me by the pants leg.
…If he was going to be like this, why bother resisting in the first place?
He was just a good-for-nothing who hung around the training grounds without a single friend.
Maybe his pride was hurt when I offered him a chance to join.
He was a frustrating guy, to say the least.
“Well, about that… you maniac.”
Golden Boy, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly spoke up.
I was about to flick him on the forehead, but his timing was impeccable.
I lowered my hand and replied,
“What is it?”
“Did I just sense a murderous intent from you…?”
“You’re imagining things.”
“Am I?”
That sharp bastard.
As I clicked my tongue in annoyance, he asked,
“What should I call it? A club? A group? Anyway, how many people are in this… Sentinel thing?”
“Just you and me, for now.”
“Oh~ So you’re saying I’m your first recruit?”
He puffed out his chest, his eyes gleaming with pride.
I don’t know why, but it pissed me off.
Just as I was about to flick him on the forehead again, he must have sensed the danger because he quickly changed the subject.
“So…! How many people are you planning to recruit?”
“Hmm?”
“You must have some idea of who you want to bring in, right?”
“Of course.”
Excluding Golden Boy, since I had just recruited him, I was thinking of gathering about ten people.
First of all, Lucy and Ariel would definitely join.
Margaret didn’t say anything, but I got the feeling that she wanted to join us.
“Even with those three, there will still be a lot of empty spots.”
“Just be quiet.”
I had a way to recruit talented individuals.
Of course, since it was a group that included a princess, a duke, and a duchess, there would be no shortage of students who wanted to join, but…
I wasn’t looking to play power games.
I wanted skilled individuals who could watch my back in a crisis.
Fortunately…
I had my hands on a net that could catch all those people at once.
I nodded leisurely.
“…Do you really have a plan?”
Perhaps because of my vague answer, Golden Boy looked at me suspiciously.
His gaze was so impudent that it was hard to believe he was a commoner.
I flicked him on the forehead again.
*Flick!*
A satisfying sound rang out, followed by a muffled yelp.
Ignoring him as he writhed on the floor, I muttered,
“Speaking of which, I think it’s about time they showed up.”
“Ugh…”
“I should get going.”
I stood up and brushed myself off, then looked down at Golden Boy, who was sprawled pathetically on the floor.
I held out my hand to him.
“Get up. There’s somewhere we need to go.”
“Huh? Why me all of a sudden?”
“Weren’t you worried about the empty spots? I was just about to go meet some new members, so I thought it would be good for you to come along and show your face.”
“Sounds like a pain…”
“…Are you saying you want me to hit you again?”
He grumbled, but he took my hand and stood up.
“Yeah~ So, where are we going to go and put our new recruits in their place?”
“Recruits?”
“You said I was the first one you recruited, right? Doesn’t that make me the most senior member?”
“Is that how it works…?”
“Of course it is! Even a few hours’ difference creates a senior-junior relationship!”
“Hmm…”
“Alright~! I’m gonna work them to the bone!”
He grinned, lost in his delusions of grandeur.
I didn’t know what kind of future he was imagining to be so happy about, but I was sure he would be cowering in fear once he met the other members.
But I didn’t bother to point that out to him.
A man’s gotta have his dreams, right?
He was going to have a hard time soon enough.
I might as well let him enjoy his delusion while it lasted.
I chuckled and started walking.
The voice that followed me was full of foolish anticipation.
Poor bastard.