SSS-Rank Hunter Reborn: Private Tutor to the Count's Bastard Son

[I've never had such blasphemous thoughts, not even once!]

[We're nothing more than servants of the king, nothing less, nothing more.]

[If those two ever think that way, I'll take care of them myself.]

Three spirits with their heads pressed to the ground.

After a moment, the other two spirits lifted their heads at Spiky's words.

[Huh? Wait, hold on.]

[Why would we...?]

No answer came back. Soon, watching the spirits bickering among themselves, Silvan chuckled softly. Then he turned to Irona and spoke.

"Irona, these guys don't seem to be lying."

"But trusting the words of spirits at face value..."

That point was valid too. Unholy creatures tend to speak lies rather than truth most of the time. Then the spirits spoke up again in unison.

[Please wait a moment, Your Majesty.]

[We'll figure out a way to prove our loyalty.]

The spirits began conversing in serious tones.

After thinking for a moment, Silvan turned his head elsewhere.

"What do you think, Ferda?"

Irona's gaze followed his as well.

Ferda stared intently at the grayish evil spirits.

For an evil spirit to devour a caster's body, as Irona had said, there had to be a mismatch in status. In other words, the spirit's rank had to be higher than Silvan's.

'But...'

The three spirits were Hero-grade. The difference between them and Silvan was far too great. Maybe if Silvan grew stronger later and devoured the three spirits, but the opposite could never happen. The size of their vessels was completely different from the start.

The conclusion was clear. Ferda opened his mouth to answer.

"I agree with Silvan. If they really were after his soul or body, they would've started with some suspicious contract, or targeted him right after he awakened as a necromancer."

When a different opinion emerged, Irona's eyebrows twitched.

Just as she was about to part her lips to argue.

"Irona."

Silvan called her name. Then he held out his left palm.

"The spirits say this should put you at ease."

On his palm was a single marking. A simple design of three lines crossing through a golden circle.

Seeing this, Irona's eyes widened.

"The Mark of Obedience...!"

That was a type of oath. It was a method used to completely subjugate familiars with their own consciousness, but it wasn't exactly easy to pull off.

First, you basically had to be at least one rank higher than the familiar, and to make the oath, you needed the familiar's consent too. That's why you usually had to offer appropriate compensation or sacrifices, coaxing and pleading before it could barely be accomplished.

But the familiars were the ones asking for the Mark of Obedience to be placed on them first?

It was natural for her mouth to fall open.

"They said they'd do this a hundred times if it would prove their loyalty?"

Now she couldn't even manage a surprised expression.

Irona had no idea what spirits of that caliber could possibly want that would make them act so submissive. But that was only for a moment—she let out a quiet sigh. A sigh of relief.

"Then that's fortunate."

Either way, the Mark of Obedience was real.

With this, there was no possibility of the spirits harming Silvan. Having shed her worries, Irona soon muttered in a small voice.

"...I thought it might be related to what's been happening in the forest lately."

This time it was Ferda's eyebrows that twitched.

What's happening in the forest. That phrase brought something to mind. Because in the original work, 'some incident' had occurred in Serneck Forest too.

But there was one difference from the original.

'The timing's too early.'

In the original, the 'anomaly' worthy of that name happened about a week after arriving at the forest. By date, that would be around mid-June. But now it was mid-May at most. Way too early.

Just then, Silvan's voice suddenly rang out.

"Ferda, doesn't the meat look done?"

Silvan swallowed at the sight of the golden-brown duck meat.

At that sight, Ferda burst into laughter.

"You're right. It's hot, so eat carefully."

"Hehe, okay."

Leaving the excited Silvan behind, he looked at Irona. He was about to ask about what was happening in the forest, but then closed his mouth. He figured she wouldn't answer even if he asked.

'I'll have to find out for myself once we reach the forest.'

With that thought, Ferda picked up some duck meat.

After that, their modest meal ended. Silvan, who had been warming himself by the campfire, soon began nodding his head drowsily. He'd ridden quite a distance on horseback, so it was natural he'd be tired.

A little later, Silvan fell fast asleep. Ferda pulled a blanket from his backpack and covered Silvan's body. Soon, the sound of peaceful breathing could be heard, and a smile bloomed on his lips.

Crack— crackle!

The sound of burning firewood could be heard. The chirping of insects followed. Just sitting quietly like this, he felt like he could fall asleep naturally.

But then, Irona suddenly spoke up.

"What's your purpose?"

An out-of-the-blue question. Irona looked at Ferda with eyes full of strong wariness. Ferda also turned his head to meet her gaze.

Of course she'd be wary. In the brief time she couldn't keep watch, some nobody had attached himself to her nephew's side, claiming to be a teacher. She'd be curious about Ferda's true intentions.

To avoid unnecessary suspicion, it was best to answer honestly at times like this.

"To teach Silvan and watch his growth."

But Irona's wariness didn't soften. She snorted dismissively and replied coldly.

"You expect me to believe that?"

"You don't have to believe it."

Ferda's voice turned equally cold.

He continued in a dry tone.

"I have no intention of persuading someone who has no mind to believe."

Was it because he hit the nail on the head? Irona fell silent.

A quiet stillness settled between them. After a moment, she pulled something from her backpack. It was a small paper envelope, and when she opened it, finely ground blue-green powder appeared.

Swish—

Irona sprinkled the powder around the campfire. Then she moved her lips, muttering unknown words. Probably casting a spell. Then suddenly, a large spark popped out of the blazing campfire.

Soon, something amazing happened.

The writhing spark took shape. It was the form of a child with a protruding belly. The spark, with a body the size of a palm, lifted its head to look up at Irona.

[Uwing? Why'd you call me?]

"I have a favor to ask."

[What is it?]

"Check if there are any lies in that person's words. I'll give you this as payment."

What Irona pulled out were two flint stones. The spark's eyes grew wide.

[Hehe, great! Hurry up and tell me!]

The spark bounced excitedly in place.

Ferda watched the scene with interested eyes. It seemed to be some kind of spirit, but he'd never seen anything like this before. It hadn't appeared in the original work either. Then Irona revealed the spark's identity.

"It's a campfire spirit. It has the power to determine truth and falsehood. Of course, it's only effective near campfires, and it can only make determinations if the subject being tested agrees."

So that was a thing. He looked at the campfire spirit with curiosity. At the same time, Irona spoke again.

"If your words are true, nothing will happen, but if they're lies, the campfire will go out. Campfire spirits hate hearing lies."

The moment he heard those words, he realized why Irona had summoned the campfire spirit. Ferda looked at her with a somewhat hardened expression.

"You're testing me right now?"

"That's right."

"Why should I have to do that?"

"Because if you don't, I won't allow you to accompany us."

At her response, Ferda's face scrunched up slightly.

"My accompaniment was ordered by Count Arcdute, and Silvan accepted it too. So how can you have a say in whether I accompany you or not?"

"I'm an emissary of Serneck. Even if it means earning Silvan's hatred, I cannot let an unverified human into the forest."

Their gazes clashed in midair. Neither side backed down easily. During the tense staring contest, Ferda suddenly nodded slightly.

"Fine. I'll submit to the test."

This isn't like him to back down so easily?

Irona glared at him with wary eyes. Sure enough, he immediately added more.

"But I have a condition too."

"You're not in a position to make conditions..."

"If all my words turn out to be true, don't suspect me regarding anything related to Silvan in the future."

At those words, Irona thought for a moment. But she soon nodded.

"...Fine. If you speak only the truth, I'll do that. However, if there's even one lie, I cannot let you into the forest."

She hesitated because it was a condition, but that much was fine. He'd been planning to spill all his inner thoughts here anyway. Meanwhile, the campfire spirit watching the situation suddenly spoke up.

[Is the talking over?]

"Yeah, please conduct the test."

Irona handed over the flint stones. Lest she change her mind, the campfire spirit quickly grabbed the flint stones first. Then it spread all its cute little fingers.

[Truth determination can be done up to five times max!]

With that warning, the area around the campfire fell quiet.

Irona cleared her throat briefly, then got to the point.

"First, what's your reason for approaching Silvan?"

"Because Count Arcdute hired me as Silvan's tutor."

[It's the truth!]

The campfire spirit smiled brightly. He'd been curious about how it would determine truth and falsehood, but it seemed similar to a lie detector. Then Irona's questioning continued.

"So you're staying by Silvan's side on the Count's orders?"

"That might have been true at first, but not anymore. I became Silvan's teacher of my own will, and being here is also my decision. Even if the Count hadn't allowed me to accompany you, I would have been here."

[This is also the truth!]

Irona chewed her lips nervously. She'd been thinking that when he hesitated or wavered even slightly in his answers, she'd pounce on that opening to expose his dark intentions, but Ferda's responses were more skillful than expected.

"...I'll ask one more thing."

But she couldn't back down like this. So she pressed him about his last answer, trying to find fault with it as much as possible.

"Why do you want to stay by Silvan's side so badly?"

His answer that he would follow Silvan regardless of the Count's orders. If she played this right, she might be able to dig into his true intentions here. And Irona's prediction was right on target. Ferda readily spilled his inner thoughts.

"Because I want to see Silvan grow."

"Growth?"

An unexpected answer. Irona's eyebrows twitched. Meanwhile, Ferda turned his gaze to Silvan.

He remembered every single step of Silvan's growth process. That's why he felt even more regretful. Because he hadn't been able to see Silvan reach his peak.

"Silvan will face many hardships and trials ahead. None of them will be easy. Even so, I want to see how far Silvan grows, surpassing all limits."

His initial purpose was to survive in the world of the novel. And to return to Earth. But not anymore.

Now that he'd become Silvan's teacher, there was only one goal.

His student's growth.

"For that, I need to stay by Silvan's side. Because only I can help Silvan."

It was an arrogant answer. Irona immediately frowned.

"Lying without even wetting your lips..."

Many hardships and trials will be given? How could he know such things when he's not even a prophet? She felt absurd. But in a way, this was beneficial since his lies were now exposed.

A smile bloomed on Irona's lips.

But then an unexpected answer came.

[Huh, both are true though?]

"...What?"

[There's one more left.]

The campfire spirit held up one finger.

But Irona couldn't hear it. She was probably shocked by the fact that all of Ferda's words were true. Watching her trembling ears quietly, Ferda moved his lips.

"I was going to tell you when we reached the forest, but I might as well say it now."

Taking the place of the speechless woman, Ferda continued.

"I don't mind if you ignore me. Serneck Forest is famous for rejecting humans. I can gladly endure most insults or provocations."

Like the saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," Ferda was also planning to exercise maximum patience. Serneck Forest was none other than Silvan's hometown.

"But I cannot tolerate you doing that to my student."

As soon as those words ended.

Shiver—

Goosebumps rose instantly. Whether it was because of his chilly gaze or his voice that had turned cold as ice, he couldn't tell.

"Silvan is my precious student."

When he said those words, a very gentle voice flowed out. But immediately after, as if it had never happened, a cold voice followed.

"Therefore, whoever it may be, if anyone ignores or oppresses Silvan, I won't stand by quietly as his teacher."

A heavy, sharp aura began flowing out slowly. Feeling the fine hairs on her skin stand on end, Irona bit her lips tightly.

"...Are you threatening me right now?"

"No, I'm asking. Please take good care of my student."

Ferda smiled slightly.

With those words, both of them fell silent. Then the campfire spirit cried out excitedly.

[Wow! All of it was true. You're a human who doesn't lie!]

A complete defeat. Irona gritted her teeth.

But at the same time, she felt a strange sense of relief. Since all those answers were true, at least there was no falsehood in his feelings for Silvan.

[Now that it's over, I'll go back. Call me again later!]

With that farewell, the campfire spirit turned to ash and disappeared. Along with the flint stones given as payment. After a moment, Ferda spoke up and asked.

"Did I pass the test?"

"...Yeah, I'll allow you to accompany us as promised."

With a somewhat weak answer, Irona turned her body away. She was clearly sulking. Ferda silently chuckled. Then he turned his head back to Silvan.

Half-elves were pitifully lonely beings. They weren't welcomed by humans or elves. In reality, there were only about three people in Serneck Forest who could be considered on Silvan's side. Even that number included Irona.

'In the original, he got hurt a lot.'

Silvan swallowed countless tears. Eight whole times, in fact.

But this time would be different. Because now Ferda was by Silvan's side.

"Hmm?"

Just then, something caught his eye.

Was it because of the campfire's heat? Silvan was tossing and turning. Worried he might get too hot and wake up, he carefully removed the blanket covering his body. This should keep him from waking up.

"Sweet dreams."

With that quiet farewell, he lay down. With the spirits and specters around, there was no need for a night watch. Soon he closed his eyes to sleep.

Because of that, Ferda didn't notice.

That a smile had bloomed on Silvan's lips, reflected in the campfire light.