Chapter 86
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------
Chapter 86
This tone of voice... isn't it just like mine?
'They say children are mirrors of their parents...'
I never expected him to mimic even my scolding tone.
"Answer me! Did you do something wrong or not?"
"I did something wrong..."
I answered while gauging Lucian's expression.
"Then should I scold you or not?"
"I should... I guess?"
"Right?"
Lucian narrowed his eyes into slits and lifted his chin toward me.
'Am I really about to get spanked by a child?'
It was mortifying, but... I had done wrong, so there was nothing I could do about it.
However, instead of scolding me, Lucian lowered the hand he'd been resting on his waist.
"But since you came back safely, I'll forgive you."
...
"From now on, you can't go anywhere dangerous without me. Understood?"
"Yes."
I bent down and spread my arms, and Lucian rushed into my embrace.
"Lucian, but weren't you scared? You're afraid of heights, after all."
"I was a little scared, but thinking of you gave me strength."
"I see... You're impressive, my boy."
I gently stroked Lucian's back.
'When did he grow so much from being so tiny?'
The child was growing steadily even in places I couldn't see.
My resolve to raise him as a good child seemed to be fading.
"I'm still a tiny bit, really just a teeny bit scared, but I think I can fly through the sky now."
"Really?"
"Yeah. So let's hurry and purify it, then head home."
"Let's do that."
I smiled as I watched Lucian's eyes shine with enthusiasm.
"Hey, youngest!"
Just then, as if the meeting had ended, Xenon emerged from the Military Camp and waved his hand.
"How's the potato growing?"
"Great! It's growing as fast as me!"
"Ho, really now."
Xenon crouched in front of the makeshift Garden Plot and murmured. Lucian scurried over to him.
Meanwhile, knights began filing out of the Military Camp one by one. Ahin and Melissa were among them.
"Ahin, Melissa."
"Ah, Lucella."
I approached the two of them. The splint was somewhat bothersome, but not enough to prevent me from walking.
"Did you both attend the meeting?"
"Yes. They said our strength would be quite necessary going forward."
Melissa explained the meeting's contents to me.
From now on, they would suspend Lucian in the air to conduct the purification work.
She said this was something Lucian had also agreed to.
"We tried lifting Lucian briefly this afternoon, and he didn't seem frightened at all. I suppose he overcame it through his love for his aunt."
Melissa pointed toward the Garden Plot. Lucian, wielding the shovel Xenon had made for him and tearing up the earth, looked just like a puppy.
"It appears Lucella's crisis became a significant catalyst for Lucian's awakening. His purification ability has grown considerably stronger than before."
It seemed I wasn't the only one who felt Lucian's abilities had strengthened. Everyone recognized that he had grown remarkably.
"Not only has the concentration of his purification intensified, but the area he can purify has also expanded tremendously. The Commander judged that with this level of skill, we could complete the purification within ten days."
"Ten days?"
I asked in astonishment.
We had been struggling against the demonic beasts for over two months. Yet we could finish the remaining work in merely ten days.
'That's incredible.'
It was truly an ability beyond anything I had ever heard or seen.
"Since everyone must be exhausted from the battle with Wyvern, the Commander said we should rest today and begin the purification tomorrow. Of course, Lucella is excluded."
"Why am I excluded?"
"You're injured. Patients need rest."
Melissa pointed to my leg with the splint as she spoke.
"We'll watch over Lucian carefully to ensure he doesn't stray. Please don't worry and get plenty of rest. Otherwise, your recovery will only be delayed."
Ahin also stepped forward to support Melissa.
"And Lucella."
"Yes?"
"I apologize."
Ahin suddenly bowed his head to me.
"Why suddenly? What could you possibly have done wrong to me?"
"Didn't my unilateral decision put Lucella in danger?"
He seemed to be referring to when he defied Claude's orders and sent me flying far away.
"How is that your unilateral decision? I suggested it first. You simply followed what I said."
"Still... if I think about it more carefully, there might have been another way besides recklessly throwing you."
"But back then, no other method came to mind besides that one."
"If I had moved you more carefully, at least Lucella wouldn't have injured her leg..."
Ahin hung his head low.
Judging from his pallid complexion, he seemed to have suffered considerable mental anguish over the past few days.
"If there's anything you desire, please tell me. I'll do anything!"
"What?"
I waved my hand dismissively at Ahin.
"There's no need to go that far. I'm truly fine."
"It would put my mind at ease if you would."
Ahin grasped my trembling hand suspended in the air.
"Whenever you find yourself in need of my strength, please call upon me without hesitation. Regardless of the circumstances, I shall aid Lucella without reservation."
"Ahin."
"I beg of you. Do not leave me as a shameless wretch who injured an innocent person and did nothing to make amends."
"You were already shameless to begin with."
"Be quiet, Melissa."
Ahin silenced Melissa's needling remarks and turned back to address me.
"Only then will my heart find peace."
If I could secure the assistance of the Imperial Court's mage—no ordinary person—then it would certainly work in my favor.
"Well, if Ahin insists on it that much...."
I was just nodding in agreement when—
"What conversation are you all engaged in?"
Claude abruptly inserted himself between Ahin and me. In doing so, Ahin's hand, which had been holding mine, withdrew to a distance.
"Oh my, Miss. You have something on your hand."
Claude produced a handkerchief from his pocket and meticulously wiped my hand clean.
"There's nothing on it?"
"Is that so? I could have sworn I saw a small smudge earlier.... It seems I was mistaken."
Even as he said this, Claude continued to wipe my other hand before finally tucking the handkerchief away.
"Ahin, have you concluded your business?"
"Ah, yes. More or less."
"Then please go assist over there."
"What sort of assistance, sir?"
"The laundry has just finished washing. I would be grateful if you could dry the clothes with your wind magic."
"Didn't we usually allow the laundry to dry naturally?"
"We did, but it seems rain may come today."
Ahin glanced upward at the sky. It was perfectly clear, not a cloud in sight.
"It doesn't look like it will rain."
"Xenon mentioned his knees were aching. And Xenon's knees tend to be quite accurate."
At Claude's firm words, Ahin nodded with a bewildered expression.
"Well, understood. Come on, Melissa."
"Sure."
The two of them, having nodded in agreement, made their way toward the Laundry Area behind the Military Camp.
"How is your body feeling?"
"Yes. Fortunately, aside from my leg, everything is just minor abrasions. They said I only need to wear the splint for about a week."
"Still, I am concerned. Rather than standing here, please sit and let us converse."
Claude guided me to a chair positioned near the hearth.
Once I had seated myself, Claude took the seat beside me.
I had no intention of having a separate conversation with him, yet somehow we found ourselves sitting alone together.
"...."
I sat quietly before the hearth, my eyes darting about restlessly.
Ever since that evening a few days ago when I had nestled in his embrace and shared such candid words with him, facing him had become somewhat uncomfortable.
'To be precise, I felt embarrassed.'
The atmosphere of that night, the content of our conversation, the way he held me—everything felt peculiar.
For some reason, it felt as though I had received a confession from him, and I could scarcely lift my gaze to meet his.
'But when I think about it, that wasn't even a confession.'
He had merely expressed gratitude, saying he lived because of me.
Here I was, flustered over a simple word of thanks—how absurd.
I forced myself to speak, desperate to dispel the awkwardness.
"I heard from Melissa. Starting tomorrow, you've decided to have Lucian levitate using magic while you perform the purification, correct?"
It was a hollow remark. Yet I could think of nothing else worth saying.
"Yes. I tested the purification on Lucian as a trial, and as expected, the area he can purify has expanded tremendously. He's grown strong enough to purify high-tier magical beasts in a single attempt."
Claude's eyes gleamed with admiration as he spoke.
"I'm not certain if Melissa mentioned it, but I believe we can purify the entire Forest within about ten days."
"Then we'll finally be able to return home."
"Yes. Once we return to the Capital, let's all go on an outing together, and we can watch a lacrosse match again."
"That sounds wonderful."
"There's a large outdoor swimming pool on the outskirts of the Capital. It might be nice to take the children there once summer arrives."
"Hmm, I think that might be a bit difficult."
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------