Chapter 46
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Chapter 46
"I understand. It's not just any matter—lives are at stake."
Not merely people, but those who had shared hardship and fortune like siblings. As someone who cherished his soldiers, Claude naturally couldn't help but covet such an ability.
"Thank you for understanding."
Claude's face flushed slightly as he gazed down at his now-empty hand. From his reaction, it seemed he hadn't even realized he'd grasped my hand so thoughtlessly.
'That's how earnest he is about subjugating the demons.'
In the original story, Claude possessed a sense of mission stronger than anyone else's.
He risked his life against demons to create a peaceful land where his nephew could thrive, to protect the peace of his subordinates and domain inhabitants.
'I knew this, but he truly is remarkable.'
His mindset was befitting of someone who had raised the original heroine.
Yet I couldn't make such a momentous decision to participate in demon subjugation based on admiration alone.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot leave the Bellomen Duchy. Lucian would be left alone without me."
Though the Nanny and servants were present, they could never replace family.
"You know how much Lucian depends on me. He's already confused because of Edwin, and if I'm gone too, he'll be lost and adrift."
No matter what anyone said, Lucian was the most important thing to me. I couldn't leave him behind and go elsewhere—not when he might become a villain.
"And I certainly can't take young Lucian to such a dangerous place."
If something were to happen to Lucian... I could never live with a sound mind again.
"That's true."
Claude nodded in agreement.
As someone raising his own niece, he understood my feelings well enough.
"I apologize. I should have considered your position. I got excited at the thought of ending the demon subjugation and... my thinking was too shortsighted."
"No, it's understandable."
After declining his proposal, my heart felt oddly unsettled.
When Claude left for demon subjugation, Amelia would have to spend time alone without family.
Of course, they could be together during summers and winters when there was no subjugation, but at Amelia's age, a week's absence felt like a month.
To part with an uncle she'd only recently reunited with after a year... Amelia, left alone, and Claude, leaving behind such a niece, would both feel heavy-hearted.
"If only there were someone else who could sense magical energy..."
Who exactly could develop the ability to sense magical energy?
'I heard that even paladins can sense magical energy, albeit weakly.'
Did power only pass to those connected with the Temple?
'But I have no connection to the Temple... wait!'
As I searched for a connection between myself and the Temple, a belated realization made me gasp.
My uncle's habitual words suddenly came to mind.
'What kind of house is House of Rilprey! We're the Guardians' House, no less!'
The Guardians' House. It was another name for House of Rilprey.
The reason for this epithet was simple: House of Rilprey was the family that produced the Empire's First Pope.
Of course, a hundred years ago, the Temple was deemed corrupt, and many clergy including the Pope were executed, causing the Temple to lose its standing in the Empire.
After that, the Temple underwent a complete overhaul.
Which meant that House of Rilprey no longer had any connection to the Temple.
Yet my uncle endlessly invoked the epithet of the Guardians' House. It was the only thing House of Rilprey, neither particularly wealthy nor promising, could boast.
'If the ability to sense mana is inherited through bloodline... it's certainly possible.'
Perhaps someone else in House of Rilprey possessed the ability besides me.
'But it's been far too long since I left House of Rilprey.'
Moreover, leaving House of Rilprey hadn't been my choice. I'd fled to the Duke's Mansion like a hunted animal, pushed out by my uncle.
If Sister hadn't been there, I would have been cast onto the streets the moment I came of age.
'Should I make a trip to House of Rilprey?'
In truth, subjugating monsters wasn't my responsibility. It wasn't a matter for me to meddle in with such presumption.
Though it was said to be for everyone's sake, I was no hero. It wasn't a problem an ordinary citizen should involve themselves in.
'But if the monster subjugation ends quickly, it would be good for Amelia.'
The monster subjugation would conclude approximately five years from now. Amelia would have to spend every spring and autumn alone for those five years.
'Amelia would grow up just fine without her uncle, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't feel lonely.'
I recalled Amelia nestled in Claude's arms, her eyes swollen from crying.
The child, who was remarkably composed for her age, wept whenever she had the chance and clung to her uncle like glue, unwilling to part.
'It would be good not just for Amelia, but for Claude as well.'
Throughout the monster subjugation, Claude sustained injuries both large and small. There were several instances where he nearly died from monster attacks.
'Claude getting hurt... I hate it.'
Imagining Claude collapsed in a pool of blood, my heart suddenly sank. A sharp sting pierced through my chest as if pricked by a needle.
He would never die—the original story guaranteed his survival—but still...
"I'll look into it for you."
I opened my mouth toward Claude, who was lost in contemplation.
"How would you do that?"
"The ability seems to be passed down through bloodline. I'm not certain, but I know House of Rilprey produced the First Pope. I suspect my ability might be connected to that."
Returning to a place I'd been driven from wasn't something I could do easily.
They might not even open the door for me. Considering how my uncle had treated Sister and me after our parents were gone, he was more than capable of such coldness.
But.
"Truly? If you would do this, I would be eternally grateful!"
Seeing Claude's face brighten suddenly, I found myself smiling without thinking.
"I'm always indebted to Miss Rilprey. I hardly know how to repay such kindness..."
"Come now, I haven't even found anything yet. I might return empty-handed."
"Regardless. I'm simply grateful that you would undertake this. I shall also investigate from my end."
No matter how I thought about it, I was glad I'd made that vow back then.
Watching Claude murmur to himself, I couldn't help but burst into laughter.
We'd only spent a single season together.
Somehow, without my realizing it, I'd grown quite fond of him.
* * *
"I'm leaving."
"No, Your Grace..."
Why would you say such a thing the day before departure?
I stood speechless as I watched the Duke of Bellomen standing imposingly among the servants bustling about with luggage.
He'd called me saying he had something to tell me. I wondered what it could be, only to receive this sudden farewell.
"Is that all you wanted to say?"
In truth, it was rare for the Duke to bid farewell directly to Edwin and me. We typically received news of him through Gillian or the butler.
"No. There's more."
The Duke walked with heavy steps to the sofa and sat down, gesturing with his chin toward the seat across from him. It seemed he was telling me to sit.
I followed his invitation and took a seat on the sofa opposite him.
"As always, I intend to stay in the Capital for some time. I cannot promise how many months it will be."
"I see."
This wasn't something new—why bring it up now?
"So what I mean to say is...."
The Duke trailed off in a way unlike himself. It seemed he was gauging my reaction.
'The Duke is reading my expression?'
Even as the thought crossed my mind, it felt absurd. That couldn't possibly be the case.
"Please look after Edwin."
Only after hearing what came next did I understand why the Duke had hesitated.
"Isn't Edwin going with you, Your Grace?"
"He is not. Edwin has chosen to remain here."
It wasn't particularly surprising news.
In the original story, the Duke had also chosen to leave Edwin in his Territory for the boy's future.
What truly startled me was something else entirely.
"Edwin chose to stay here?"
The child I naturally assumed would follow his father?
"Surely you didn't order him to——"
"No."
The Duke of Bellomen shook his head.
"He said he wanted to be with you and Lucian."
His expression grew slightly displeased as he spoke.
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