Chapter 75
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 75
Lucian's fear of heights had thrown a wrench into our plan to conduct purification from the air.
"Lucian, just try once more, won't you?"
Despite my pleading, Lucian shook his head firmly.
"There's no need to force me, Miss Rilprey. We can simply adjust our strategy to conduct the purification methodically from the entrance instead."
"But...."
My heart wasn't at ease about coercing Lucian either.
Yet everyone harbored the hope that we might not only end this tedious subjugation but also return home early. Having gone through the trouble of bringing a high-level mage, I felt reluctant to abandon this advantage.
"Lucian, you're incredibly strong. This should be nothing for you, right?"
"No, I'm not strong at all. I'm a coward."
"...."
Seeing Lucian reject even the praise he cherished, I couldn't bring myself to speak further. His eyes, glistening with unshed tears, looked so pitiful.
"Miss Rilprey, please don't trouble yourself. Simply having a purification user as an asset is tremendous fortune for the Subjugation Unit."
"Indeed. It was wrong of us adults to expect anything from such a small child in the first place."
At Claude and Xenon's words, the unit members nodded in agreement. Yet despite their consideration, my heart remained unsettled.
"Lucian, have you seen the goblins?"
"Yes...."
Lucian answered Xenon's question in a dispirited tone.
"How were they? Quite terrifying-looking, weren't they?"
Xenon's eyes widened at Lucian's shake of the head.
"You weren't frightened even after seeing goblins? What about werewolves?"
"Those weren't very scary either."
"Wow, that's impressive!"
Xenon placed his sturdy hand on Lucian's head.
"Even large soldiers lose the strength in their legs when they first see goblins."
"...Really?"
"Yes. The fact that you weren't frightened even after seeing goblins means you're truly brave, Lucian."
At Xenon's rough but gentle touch, Lucian's expression brightened slightly. I could only feel grateful to Xenon for speaking to him that way.
"Still, it's fortunate that Lucian isn't afraid of monsters. At least we won't have to worry about him being too frightened to conduct purification."
Claude also smiled warmly at Lucian.
"We'll adjust our strategy. We'll subjugate the monsters as usual, but we'll carefully purify the areas you've indicated on the map, Miss Rilprey."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Not at all. I'll go brief my subordinates on the revised strategy."
"Yes."
Claude and Xenon left the Military Camp after concluding their business.
Only after their figures disappeared did I release a deep sigh.
'I said everything was proceeding too smoothly.'
If the problem were as simple as I thought, we wouldn't have struggled with it for years.
"Aunt, I'm sorry...."
Lucian approached me hesitantly, gauging my reaction.
"No, Lucian. It happens. If anything, I'm sorry for pushing you to try again."
"No, it's not..."
Lucian shook his head and nestled into my arms, clearly feeling terrible that the plan had fallen through because of him.
"From now on, I'll listen well to you and really listen to the seniors too! I'll purify diligently and get home quickly."
"Yes, let's do that."
I gently stroked Lucian's hair as he spoke with such earnest determination.
It seemed I would need to take a more active role if we were to return home.
* * *
With the help of the maids, Edwin changed into his outdoor clothes and left the Duke's Mansion for the first time in a while.
Unlike before when he'd been downcast, Edwin appeared remarkably excited today—because he was going to meet Amelia.
"Have fun and come back safely, Young Master."
"Okay."
Edwin waved to the maids as the carriage carrying him began moving toward the Agris Marquis Residence.
'This is my first time going to Lia's house.'
Edwin gazed out the window with an animated expression. Noble townhouses lined the well-paved, broad street in a long row.
'What should we do when I get there?'
This would be the first time playing alone with Amelia. At the Orphanage, he'd always been with other children, and after leaving, he was always with Lucian or the two adults.
'Just Amelia and me...'
The thought of having Amelia all to himself made Edwin's lips curl upward.
It wasn't that he disliked playing with Lucian.
No, he actually enjoyed it. When he was with Lucian, loneliness never seized him.
But when Lucian was around, Amelia didn't give him her attention like she used to.
'Lucian, you troublemaker! I told you not to run!'
'Are you hurt? Let me see.'
When the three of them were together, Amelia was often too busy watching the rambunctious Lucian to pay attention to Edwin.
Moreover, Amelia and Lucian were children born into privilege.
'I'll have Madeline and Financière and Gateau and also...'
'Why don't we order an afternoon tea set instead?'
Sometimes Edwin couldn't join in their conversations. He didn't even know what Madeline was, and he'd only recently learned that chocolate was a food.
The world the two of them knew and the world Edwin had lived in were far too different.
That's why he often felt intimidated.
'But today, there's no one else around.'
I won't have to feel that disappointment like before.
Edwin thought this and drew his lips upward into a smile.
"Young Master, we've arrived at the Agris Marquis Residence."
Just then, the coachman announced their arrival. Edwin took the maid's hand and stepped down from the carriage.
"Lia!"
Edwin ran forward and stood before Amelia.
"Edwin, you're here?"
Amelia, who greeted Edwin, was dressed in noticeably lighter clothing than before. The cherry blossom pink dress made her look like a spring fairy.
"You're really beautiful...."
Amelia laughed at Edwin's admiration.
"You're becoming more like Lucian as time goes on, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
Edwin blinked at Amelia's words.
"You never used to say things like that to me."
Edwin was naturally shy and introverted. While he might think Amelia was beautiful, he rarely voiced such thoughts aloud.
"I thought only Lucian made a fuss about calling someone pretty. It's strange coming from you."
"Oh? Um...."
Edwin nodded awkwardly.
He'd been pleased at the prospect of being alone together, yet the conversation kept circling back to Lucian.
"It's cold. Let's go inside quickly. I'll show you around our home. It's a townhouse, so there isn't much to see, but..."
Unaware of Edwin's feelings, Amelia led him into the mansion. Edwin, who had stood dazed for a moment, followed her inside.
Just as Lucian had described, the Marquis Residence was an extraordinarily beautiful place.
The teal carpet beneath their feet was plush and soft, while the flowers adorning the interior were so vibrant they made one forget the cold season entirely.
"This is my room. Would you like to come in?"
"Is that okay?"
"Of course."
Amelia smiled brightly and opened her door. A sweet yet cozy fragrance wafted out.
Amelia's neatly organized room exuded a charm as lovely as she was. Pink curtains and dolls arranged in neat rows on the bed amplified the room's adorable atmosphere.
"I mostly take lessons at this desk, and I have snacks at this tea table."
"I see."
"And I read books while lounging on the bed."
Amelia giggled and perched on the edge of the bed.
"Want to play with dolls together?"
"Sure."
"Which doll do you want?"
"Hmm, I'll take the bear doll!"
"Okay."
Amelia handed Edwin a bear doll dressed in a sky-blue outfit.
"I'll play with the rabbit."
She was only briefly wiggling the rabbit doll's ears when her hand suddenly dropped.
"Lia, what's wrong?"
"Seeing the rabbit doll made me think of Luto."
"...."
"I wonder if he's doing well?"
Amelia's gaze, which had been fixed on the rabbit, shifted toward the window.
There was nothing beyond the glass, yet Edwin sensed what her eyes were searching for.
"He'll be fine. The Marquis is there, and Lucella is too."
"Our uncle could survive on a deserted island.... But those two couldn't."
Amelia exhaled deeply, stroking the doll's head.
"I'm especially worried about that idiot Lucian."
"...."
"He needs to come back safely without causing any trouble...."
That was what Edwin desired as well.
Yet this time, he couldn't bring himself to nod in agreement.
Watching Amelia think of Lucian even in his absence, Edwin felt a sharp sting in his chest, as though it were being dragged across broken glass.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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