Chapter 282-2 Father
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
If it had been the first year, or maybe a special year like 5 or 10, I might have accepted it. But I was confused about celebrating 4 years, which seemed like a random time.
”Is there another reason?”
”As expected, Melgis, you’re sharp. What I really wanted to celebrate is that you’ve fully grown into an adult and can now take care of yourself.”
”…Huh?”
Take care of myself… When I understood those words, my mind went blank for a moment.
”Melgis? What’s wrong?”
”…No, I thought I still had much to learn from you. I was just surprised by such unexpected words.”
”I’m glad you think highly of me, but there’s not much left I can teach you.”
”Is that so?”
”Yeah, that’s right. Since it’s a special day, how about we have a big dinner tonight?”
”I didn’t plan for that, so I don’t have many ingredients…”
”I already bought some. Let’s cook together.”
It had been a long time since we had a family meal like this. But I couldn’t fully enjoy it, talking about the future while eating the food we made together.
”So, does this mean you won’t be coming back to this house?”
”I’ll visit to check on things, but… yeah, I won’t live here anymore.”
”I see. You’ve spent less time here lately. Is it because of that girl?”
”Yeah, she’s a handful, unlike the old you. I can’t take my eyes off her, in every way.”
”She’s the ‘Mors’ girl, right?”
”Yeah, it’s like her ancestors, and she’s struggling to control her powers.”
”So, it’s not that you can’t look away, but it’s hard not to watch her. Still, is it okay for you to be here?”
”I left the others behind, so it’s fine. If she really hid, even I couldn’t find her. Worrying is pointless. And once you’re on your own, we probably won’t gather like this again.”
”Could it be──”
”Could it be for me?” I almost said, but I stopped myself.
This person wouldn’t come back just for that; they must have another reason, so I changed my question.
”Are you planning something again?”
”Planning isn’t the right word… there’s something I want to ask you, Melgis. Can I?”
”What is it?”
”Do you know anything about the Marquis Rustorl?”
”────”
When I heard ‘Marquis Rustorl,’ my body stiffened instantly.
As someone who inherited Grelego’s will, I knew all the empire nobles, and of course, I knew that name.
But for me, that name had a different meaning beyond being a noble.
”I knew it. You haven’t forgotten your father’s enemy.”
”…I’m sorry.”
Though I was taught to set aside personal feelings, I couldn’t forget my real father’s enemy. I investigated and found out it was Marquis Rustorl’s forces.
”No need to apologize. You haven’t acted on it because you’ve held back, right?”
I could never forgive the noble who caused my father’s death and my suffering. But revenge was wrong for someone who inherited Grelego’s will, and for that person. My gratitude to them kept me from violence.
”Now I can rest easy. You’re ready to stand on your own.”
”Is that so…?”
After dinner, they said they’d leave the house to me and returned to their new home.
I knew children leave their parents, and that person had been through many separations. Yet, I couldn’t accept it.
Weeks passed, and I started making small mistakes at work.
At Spear of Shouhyou, there are 2 ways to take a request: one is from the bulletin board, for newcomers or those with low ability, and the other is from staff, for those with achievements and skills.
I was already getting staff requests, but after repeated failures, they stopped offering me any.
I found myself taking a bulletin board request for the first time in a while.
Feeling hopeless, I had no motivation to accept requests and just stared blankly at the paper… Then it happened.
”────Ah”
I noticed a word on one request.
It was a simple escort job for a merchant, but the destination was “Marquis Rustorl Territory, Hern.”
Before I knew it, I tore the request off and slammed it on the desk.
A few days later, I arrived in Hern, in the Marquis Rustorl Territory, as an escort.
At that time, I didn’t know what I truly wanted. I took the request on a whim, with no preparation, so I couldn’t accomplish revenge.
Yet, I still didn’t understand why I came this far, and I wandered aimlessly.
”Hey, the town’s been noisy since this morning. What happened?”
”What, you don’t know? This morning, there was talk the lord died.”
The conversation made me stop.
”No way? If true, there’d be a bigger fuss, right?”
”You’re foolish. If the rumor was false, there’d be a different fuss. Guards would be searching for the person who spread it.”
”So, the lord really died? But why only rumors… could it be…”
”Yeah, they’re saying the Marquis Rustorl family is hiding something.”
”A power struggle? If not, then… Gre──”
”You idiot! Don’t say that! You’ll get killed!”
”S-sorry, you’re right.”
The men quickly disappeared into the alley.
He was probably about to say it was Grelego’s doing.
For empire nobles, being targeted by Grelego, who removes threats, is dangerous and shameful.
If Marquis Rustorl really died by Grelego, his family would cover it up, and anyone spreading rumors would be punished.
”The Marquis Rustorl… is dead?”
The death of my enemy… Though I probably wished for it, my heart didn’t react.
I didn’t think, “He deserved it” or “I wanted to kill him.” It just faded away.
In the evening, the lord’s death was announced.
They claimed he died at his son’s hands for trying to trade illegal drugs. But no one believed it.
If true, they’d have announced it sooner. They waited to cover up something, then blamed the lord to look like victims.
Whether Grelego was involved was unclear, but the territory was in chaos. I, with no involvement, headed home.
In the end, that person was right. Even if the lord died, my wounds wouldn’t heal. His sudden disappearance caused unnecessary chaos and suffering, just as they said.
Finally, I understood how meaningless my thoughts were. I let go of my past self and focused on my duties as Grelego’s heir.
That was the only way to repay their kindness… But I──
* * *
In a frontier settlement’s inn room, Melgis sat on the bed, looking gloomy.
A week had passed since entering the otherworldly space with Neil. They were supposed to return to Spear of Shouhyou’s headquarters, but Melgis ignored all orders.
”I wonder what I should do…”
”What are you worried about?”
”!?”
Hearing a voice in the empty room, Melgis looked up. A girl leaned against the door.
”Nice to meet you, big sister!”
”You are…!”
Despite the sudden appearance of the girl, Melgis remained composed, carefully analyzing the situation.
She wasn’t sure how she had entered the room without being noticed, but she called out to her from the farthest point in the room—the entrance—and leaned against the door, maintaining her posture.
Seeing that she showed no signs of attacking immediately or being on guard, Melgis gradually regained her calm.
”Big sister? So, the chatter about the useless talker—is it you?”
”Did my father think that of me!?”
The girl was shocked, slumping dramatically. Melgis understood—she was indeed noisy.
”Uuu, I am chatty, but do I bother you that much? What do you think, big sister?”
”You’re noisy.”
”Right away!?”
”Lower your voice, or other guests might hear.”
”Haa… but I prepared, so it’s fine. I didn’t let visitors in days ago.”
”…You’re thorough. As expected, that person’s child.”
”Hehe, it’s not that much.”
”So, what do you want?”
After ensuring the area was cleared of others, Melgis couldn’t believe she had come just to see the face of the step-sister she’d heard about. She asked her directly, and the girl’s previously relaxed demeanor shifted to a serious expression.
”Yes, I have a favor to ask, big sister.”
”A favor?”
”It’s about Dad.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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