Volume 6 Chapter 22-2 Beyond Master and Disciple, We Are Already Family
"The only person you should tell the truth to is Madame. Don't talk to anyone else and think you're allowed to."
Randy, clicking his tongue, averted his gaze from Keith and picked up the now-cold coffee cup once more.
"What you must tell us is simple: is it okay to invite Madame to this domain or not?"
Downing the lukewarm coffee in one gulp, Randy slammed the cup back onto the saucer.
"For example, if your personalities clash and it's impossible. Or if one of you would die upon meeting the other. If you broke up for such reasons, then say it's impossible."
Leaning back on the sofa, Randy sighed heavily and said, "If that happens, it's unfortunate."
"Madame is the key figure for developing my (Uchi no) territory."
Under Randy's sharp gaze, for some reason, Liz gulped.
"If you can't get along with Madame, it's unfortunate...but we'll have to give up on her."
Spitting out those words, Randy repeated, "That's very unfortunate."
At his words, Liz involuntarily exclaimed, "Huh?"
Given the flow of events that seemed to cut off Keith, it appeared she hadn't anticipated him cutting off Madame.
"Of course. It's unfortunate, but Madame is not ours anymore. I won't abandon my family... even if it's that old monster."
Snorting, Randy said, "So──" and once again, fixed his intense gaze on Keith.
"So, what's the verdict? Can we call her? Or is it a no... Are you *prepared to be punched* by Madame?"
Under Randy's penetrating gaze, Keith showed the first sign of emotional turmoil.
"...I want her... I want Elris to live a peaceful life."
Keith's slightly trembling voice continued about the current situation Victor faces... that they are currently being targeted by the [Pilgrim of Truth].
"She might be dragged into it again. Moreover, we don't even know where the remnants of the organization we thought we crushed are lurking... If she's with me..."
The organization we thought we had annihilated may still be around, just transformed.
Randy snorted nonchalantly at Keith, saying, "Well, if they were still around, they *would* definitely come back."
"It's your wife, right? That means she's probably something like a yokai. If there are 2 yokai, it's no surprise if hunters come swarming in."
Shrugging, Randy continued, "But unfortunately, it's still about the [Pilgrim of Truth]."
"Even if a few more fools started launching attacks now, it wouldn't help us at all. It's rather disheartening, but it seems like everyone from your generation is just so hot-headed."
Randy grinned and jokingly teased Liz, saying, "It's your master's fault, probably."
"And besides, that doesn't seem like you... What if the [Pilgrim of Truth] is just the remnants of an organization you have a history with?"
Keith murmured, "No way..."
"If that's the case, Braubelg is likely being targeted too. And it seems like she's a friend of Lady Flora."
The fact that she might already be targeted──something so simple──was apparently significant enough for Keith that he didn't even notice it about Madame.
"If she comes to us, she might get dragged in... I can't say I don't understand your concern."
Letting out a big sigh, Randy grinned and said, "But we are Victor, right?"
"As long as we invite her over, and since she's your wife, all it takes is for Madame to nod, and she's family."
Keith remained silent, not moving an inch at Randy's words.
"Like the old man and your mother did for you. This time, it's my turn, our turn... the disciples you raised will completely protect Madame... no, *you and Madame* both."
As he lounged back on the sofa, laughing "Gahaha," Randy crossed his legs and smiled at Keith.
"So just relax and enjoy your *retreat*."
With a look of exasperation, Keith sighed dramatically, saying, "I can't compete with you." But unlike his previous expression, the genuine emotion leaking through his face made Liz involuntarily smile.
"I'll say it again, you have nothing to worry about. The only thing left is your compatibility."
Randy adjusted his legs and, with a smile, Keith muttered, "That's bad manners."
"Young master, there's no problem with Madame Valmoir's invitation."
"Oh, get scolded to your heart's content. And if possible, get punched too. I'll laugh so hard my stomach will hurt."
Keith returned Randy's beaming smile.
"I suppose I must start calling you 'master' soon."
"Stop it. Just because you beat me when I were on the *brink of death*, I'm still 'young master.' I'll surpass you so thoroughly that you won't have a word to say, so save it for then."
Randy snorted, and Keith smiled, saying, "I look forward to it."
"Well then, I'm off──"
Keith bowed to Randy and Liz, turning away when Randy called out, "Keith."
"Don't ever prepare that *piece of paper* you've hidden in your chest again."
At Randy's words, Keith flinched slightly, and Randy clicked his tongue, saying, "I knew it."
"I need you to keep doing your best from now on. After all, I'm completely useless in that regard."
Randy laughed, and Liz puffed her cheeks, saying, "That's not something to brag about."
As the two laughed, Keith turned back, muttering, "Indeed."
"Certainly, there are still many things I must teach the young master."
"That's right. It's not just me; I'm worried about my children too. You need to live long and keep trying."
With a proud posture, Randy leaned back, and Keith smiled meaningfully before speaking.
"Let's hope for the blood of... Lady Elizabeth or Lady Eleonora."
Keith grinned, and Randy's face turned red as he shouted, "You bastard!" but Keith slipped through the door and out of the room.
"Seriously. That old monster."
Liz smiled as Randy frowned, saying, "Hehe."
"What a lovely relationship."
Randy, hiding his happiness despite his words, said to the envious Liz, "It's just that we've known each other for a long time."
He's not completely uninterested in Keith's past.
But he's also true that he told Keith.
The issue between Keith and Madame is, after all, theirs alone.
"For now, let's think of a workshop design that Madame might agree with," Randy shrugged, and Liz nodded happily, saying, "Right."
"The bamboo grove is definitely essential."
"Why is that?"
"Why, you ask... The Madame is a yokai, right? So I thought maybe a sand-throwing old woman."
"Sand-throwing... I don't quite understand, but I can tell that Sir Keith is more likely to get hit than Randy."
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