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The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 9
🕑 Added 2024-12-03 06:58:29 +0000 UTCChapter 9: Rehabilitation (1)
Right, from now on I'll think of Sione's behavior as a child throwing tantrums.
As a mature adult, I should take good care of her.
"Lady Sione, haven't you started handling a bow? Even today's light-draw bow was difficult to pull—stronger bows will require substantial strength and stamina."
"...Can't I just use mana to draw it?"
Earlier she'd asked for help to shoot without mana, but now she's changed her tune—are the Sione from a few hours ago and the current Sione different people?
I shook my head inwardly while looking at her.
Constantly using mana just to draw the bowstring wastes serious amounts of mana.
If she could channel that mana into the arrow's power instead of her arms, what a difference that would make.
Unless using a special bow, using mana to draw the string like today is definitely a habit that needs breaking.
"Did shooting with mana feel the same as without it?"
"That's... no."
"Which way gave you a better sense of control?"
"Clearly without mana..."
Ah, this is when she seemed to realize something.
That's exactly the reaction I was looking for.
"Since you already understand physically, I won't explain further."
"But with this body, exercise would... bring more mockery than progress, talked about daily. How amusing would it be to see a pig running around outside?"
"I've glimpsed fragments of hidden talent in your archery, Lady Sione. You need to build a better body to use better bows and progress steadily."
When I mentioned hidden talent for her sake, she swallowed whatever excuse she was about to make and pressed her lips shut.
This is working better than expected.
Perhaps because there was quite a bit of sincerity mixed in, it seemed more effective.
After seeing this small glimmer of hope, I thought she needed to maintain it consistently.
"Do you plan to let that talent rot away unused because moving is troublesome?"
I added several other comments that vaguely prodded between her irritability and motivation.
Finally, Sione declared surrender as if fed up.
"Haah... Fine, I'll do it if I must. Just please stop that whining."
But Sione, being so conscious of others' gazes, wouldn't give in easily.
She put on a stern expression.
Though perhaps because we'd grown closer, it lacked the heavy atmosphere from when I first met her.
"However, I have conditions."
She crossed her arms and began stating her terms.
"Exercise will only take place in my room. If outdoor exercise is necessary, it must be at times like archery practice when no one can see me."
"As you wish—unless you desire otherwise, no one will hear empty rumors about your efforts."
"Good that you understand—"
"Then let's begin right now."
"...Huh? Right now?"
"There's a saying about striking while the iron is hot. Come down from the bed now."
Sione showed signs of panic.
She probably never imagined I'd even drag my master out of bed.
But so what?
If she's in bed, I'll pull her out; if she's sitting in a chair, I'll force her to stand.
As I approached her bedside and stared at her intently, Sione got up with an openly disgusted expression.
Just as I thought, Sione is surprisingly shy.
I'll have to make good use of this knowledge going forward.
"Fine, I'll do it. However—"
Sione's gaze swept across her room before landing on me.
"Looking at it now, this room doesn't seem suitable for exercise. It's not wide enough for running, and not appropriate for vigorous activity. Wouldn't it be better to do this every early morning instead of now?"
...Trying to slip away subtly, huh?
But contrary to her argument, there were plenty of cardio exercises that could be done indoors.
Being a Count's residence, even Sione's practically abandoned room was quite spacious.
A quick glance revealed several spots suitable for simple exercises.
"Don't worry, I know some effective exercises that can be done in a room. There's plenty of space to do them comfortably."
"Ah..."
Sione looked at me helplessly, like someone who'd lost their country.
"Have you heard of burpees?"
"Burpees? Never heard of it."
"Then let me demonstrate first."
After some light stretching, I slowly demonstrated the burpee movement.
Sione was shocked when I squatted down and shot my legs back.
Despaired when I brought them together.
And seemed to silently scream when I finished with a jump.
"You want me to do... this? Do you really think these pig legs can shoot back and jump forward again?"
"Pig legs? They look as strong as a general's legs, brimming with power. I have no doubt Lady Sione can do this easily."
"No, you've followed behind me usually, so you know my stamina well, right? I get winded just walking quickly, and you want me to do that?"
"Nothing's impossible. Even if it seems so, I'll make it possible for you."
"You're truly devilish..."
"Now, let's start with stretching to prevent injury during exercise."
"...You're quite ruthless, contrary to your appearance."
I responded to her words with a smile.
Under my instruction, Sione finished stretching and finally started the burpees.
With each movement, thumping sounds echoed from the floor. Her weight seemed even greater than I'd thought.
"Wow."
Getting rid of all that is going to be real hard work.
She promised her personal servant she'd exercise so she has to keep it, but the exercise is so intense she probably wants to quit right now.
Sione continued the movements with gritted teeth, sweat pouring like rain.
Can't be helped. For the sake of Sione's swift weight loss, I'll have to be even more ruthless.
Sione let out a groan as she finished one burpee with a jump.
"Ugh... is this enough...! huff huff..."
"Your legs are still supporting you properly. Seems like you have plenty of strength left..."
"..."
"Just three more times. Just three."
"You're a devil..."
"Lady Sione, I trust you know not to use mana, of course."
"A ruthless devil."
Perhaps driven by spite, Sione finally did what I wanted—continued the burpees until her legs gave out, then collapsed.
She seemed to have no strength left to speak, just lying there panting heavily while facing toward the sky.
After a while, Sione caught her breath.
She raised her body with a groan and met my eyes.
"Huff... is that enough now?"
"Well done. Here's some cool water."
"...Thank you very much."
"Ah, best not to drink too much though."
"Huh?"
"Drinking too much water before the next exercise might upset your stomach."
"W-what? There's more exercise?"
Sione's face turned pale.
Her trembling eyes were quite pitiful, but it didn't work on me.
A lioness throws her cubs off a cliff to make them stronger.
Though I'm no lioness, as Sione Sianella's proud personal servant, I intended to make her weight drop.
I'd cultivated an unshakeable resolve that wouldn't easily waver at her pitiful appearance, like a rain-soaked small animal.
Well, even in the Dangun myth, there was a bear who became human by eating only garlic and mugwort in a cave for 100 days.
Sione just needs to be reborn through diet food and exercise in this cozy room for 100 days.
I smiled, imagining Sione's completely transformed future appearance.
"Of course. But Lady Sione, you've reached the level of Sword User. I'm sure you can handle it all."
"...Are you trying to work me to death?"
"Of course not. Since your legs are exhausted, we'll do upper body exercises until your energy returns. If you lose weight evenly, you won't die from losing weight."
"...Fine, do as you please. As you please."
True to her Sword User status, though she kept groaning, Sione somehow followed my instructions.
I pushed her until I felt she'd done enough exercise for the day.
Thanks to that, she was now drenched in sweat.
"Well done. Your clothes are soaked with sweat, so I'll bring you a change of clothes."
"Haah... I'll lie on the bed while you're gone."
"Ah, I'd appreciate if you'd refrain from getting on the bed until after you've wiped down with a towel and changed clothes."
"...Come to think of it, the cold floor might be better for cooling down. Bring some cool water when you return."
"As you wish."
Before going to fetch Sione's clothes, I paused briefly.
"Ah."
At my trailing words, Sione's scattered attention focused back on me.
I flashed her a grin.
"...That smile is ominous. Just state your business quickly."
"To help Lady Sione transform more quickly, I'll be adjusting your diet from now on."
"...eat."
Hm? What did Sione say?
"Pardon? What did you say?"
"...I hope you won't completely eliminate meat, even if just a little."
I saw desperation etched deeper on Sione's face than ever before.
