Chapter 323
Chapter 323
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 323
Chapter Title: Side Story 7. In the New Continent (1)
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"...I see. A wish, then."
"Yes. Sita was born after drinking my dream. The other Dream Birds are probably the same."
Ronan nodded. Having finished reuniting with Sita, he had returned to Baren's office. Back in her original form, Sita had poked just her head through the window and was dozing off with her head bobbing.
"Pueuuung... Pue..."
Baren, who had learned the secret of the Dream Birds, was overjoyed as if he had fulfilled a lifelong wish. He closed his notebook after recording every detail without missing a thing.
"A mystery shrouded in veils for countless ages has finally been unraveled. I don't even know how to thank you properly."
"Thanks? You and Secret did all the work."
"Even so, it wouldn't have been possible without you and Sita. If there's anything you want, just say the word. I'll repay you with all my heart."
"Something I want... Then, could you give me a few more of those magic scrolls?"
Ronan asked. It had been a hassle picking them without mistakes, but the time spent with Sita in human form had been quite enjoyable. It even felt like practice for raising the child about to be born soon. Baren nodded readily.
"Of course. But could you give me a little time? These are such advanced spells that making them takes extra effort."
"As long as I get them eventually, it's fine. We're plenty happy as is right now."
Ronan grinned. Not needing to rush anything was the greatest perk of these peaceful times. Baren took a sip of tea and pointed to the egg on his desk.
"Then what about this one?"
It was what Abel had left behind. Baren continued in a grave tone.
"If you want it sealed or destroyed, I'll help."
"Destroyed?"
"Yes. It's no ordinary Dream Bird egg, after all. If word got out, there'd be chaos."
The smile had vanished from Baren's face. Ronan hadn't expected such a suggestion to destroy an animal's egg from him.
Of course, it wasn't incomprehensible. With traces of Nebula Klazier being erased one by one, that egg was Abel's sole legacy—and a seed that could spawn a new disaster. Ronan stroked his chin and spoke.
"No. Just leave it be."
"You mean...?"
"I'll take responsibility and keep it. I trust you'll keep the egg's secret."
"O-Of course I'll keep it secret, but... are you sure?"
Baren asked anxiously. Ronan stood and picked up the egg, nodding slowly.
"I know what you're worried about. You're thinking, 'plant beans and you get beans'—that one day the egg might hatch into a second Abel. But Sita didn't call her biological mother Marfez her 'mother.'"
"Right. She called her a successor."
"Yes. I don't know exactly what that means, but Sita compared the successor to someone who prepared a home for her. If that's the case, Abel won't affect whatever hatches from here someday. What matters is which wish the egg deeply absorbs."
The egg Abel left showed no signs of change. No one knew what pulsed inside that rough shell.
"The child to be born is innocent. Sure, the successor being such a bastard might make you uneasy—I get it. Even so, the reason I'm not crushing it right now is..."
Suddenly, the memory of his final conversation with Abel flashed through Ronan's mind. On the white sand beach where the red sea crashed, he had clearly heard Abel's last words. Ronan chuckled wryly.
"That bastard apologized at the end."
"...I see. Then I won't say more."
Baren smiled. If Ronan, the discoverer of the egg, felt that way, there was nothing to argue.
As the two chatted about this and that, the office door creaked open. A familiar man and woman entered. Vallus spoke first.
"...We're back."
"Oh. Vallus."
Ronan raised an eyebrow. Vallus looked haggard, as if he hadn't slept in three days. Behind him, Erzsebet's face was flushed beet red as she bowed her head deeply.
"Th-That... Lord Ronan. I mean... I really thought it was your child..."
"Yes, miss. Has the misunderstanding cleared up now?"
"...Yes. I'm sorry."
Erzsebet mumbled. Her utterly ashamed expression suggested Vallus had explained well. He suddenly staggered, steadying himself against the wall.
"Hey, you okay?"
"...I thought I was dead. She said you were in cahoots with that fiery thug and lifted me into the air... Hic... It was terrifying."
Vallus muttered sobbingly. Erzsebet's face reddened further. She had matured with age, but her fiery temper wasn't something she could leave behind.
"Agh... I already said I'm really sorry. I'll compensate for your losses in the name of Acalusia..."
Still, she wasn't a bad person at heart. You could tell from how hard she tried to soothe the terrified Vallus. Same with Schlieffen—the heirs of the empire's noble houses had their heads screwed on right, thankfully.
Suddenly, Naviroje's words crossed Ronan's mind. Something about how only a woman could help another woman. Scratching his head, he called out.
"Erzsebet. Come with me for a sec."
"...Huh? Oh, yes."
Erzsebet flinched. Her fearful tone suggested she thought Ronan was angry about the misunderstanding. Leading her to a corner of the office, he spoke.
"Erzsebet. If you're staying in the capital awhile, go see Adeshan. Sooner the better—right now, if possible."
"M-My sister? Why all of a sudden?"
"Yeah. She just got pregnant. She'd love it if you congratulated her."
"......What did you say?"
Erzsebet's face stiffened. She clearly hadn't heard yet. Snap! She flicked her fingers, and a translucent barrier enveloped them. Ronan pursed his lips in admiration.
"Silent spell, huh? As expected, you're a good kid. You instinctively knew it was a secret."
"W-Wait. Just wait. What did you say? I must have misheard."
"Adeshan is pregnant. This time, it's really my kid."
"Wh-Wh-Wh-What...!"
Erzsebet clamped her hands over her mouth and froze. Regaining her wits, she screamed Adeshan's name and bolted from the office. As the sound of her footsteps on the stairs faded, her voice echoed in Ronan's mind.
[Congratulations! For now!]
"Yeah."
Ronan chuckled at the exact reaction he'd expected. Baren, Sita, and Vallus stared back and forth between them in confusion.
Judging by her personality, she'd insist on naming the child herself. Ronan looked forward to seeing whose name—Naviroje's or hers—would win out. Glancing at the darkening window outside, he turned to leave.
"Well, time to head out. See you later."
"Ah, already?"
It had been quite a day. Baren stood and offered a handshake. After bidding Vallus farewell too, Ronan was about to go when he glanced at the office corner and cursed.
"Shit. Forgot about this."
The sealing stones Sita had spat out were scattered on the floor. Ominous red light seeped from the densely attached talismans. Baren clutched his mane in realization.
"Oh no, I forgot too. You said Sita brought them from the New Continent?"
"Yeah. Something vicious was sealed inside..."
Ronan frowned. With seals this elaborate broken, something regrettable must have happened in the New Continent.
'The dog's shit is the owner's to clean.'
Organizing his thoughts, Ronan sighed. He hated leaving his pregnant girlfriend alone, but with Erzsebet there, it should be fine.
Just stop by home and head out. As he woke Sita to leave, his gaze fixed on her cheek.
"Hm? This is..."
"Pue?"
A few tulip-red strands were tangled in her black fur. Long and glossy, they gave a strong sense of familiarity. Examining them, Ronan snapped his fingers.
"This is Asel's hair... Ah."
He could guess why Sita had gone to the New Continent. On his Phileon graduation day, Marya had boldly declared she'd expand the Karabel Merchant Group there. And Asel had said he'd accompany her as escort.
"You went to see Asel and Marya, huh?"
"Pueit!"
Sita nodded affirmatively. She'd apparently followed them and played around in the New Continent. Suddenly, all tension drained from him. Sighing in relief, Ronan muttered to himself.
"What. Then I don't need to go."
"Hm? You're not going?"
"Nope. No need with that guy Asel there. He'll handle it fine."
Ronan stated firmly. Asel was now one of the continent's top mages, no matter what anyone said. Whatever burst from the broken seal, he'd manage.
"The only one Asel fears is Marya. So relax, Professor."
"W-Well, I do know how strong Asel is, but..."
Baren trailed off. Knowing Asel was there did ease the tension. With Ronan atop Sita's head, he ended with a laugh.
"Don't worry. It'll be fine."
"I-It’s enough now...!"
It was a full moon night. Asel flew between sheer cliffs, fleeing. Several footsteps pursued him from about five hundred paces away.
A narrow road stretched below his feet. Sensing sudden killing intent, Asel spun and screamed.
"Hiiiiaaak! D-Don’t come closer!"
Asel thrust out his arm. An invisible hand shoved a boulder from the cliff. Boom! The rock tumbled down, blocking the path. Confirming the footsteps stopped, Asel spoke.
"Th-They’re not following anymore?"
His back was soaked with sweat. No presence anymore. As he was about to sigh in relief—
Whoosh! Dozens of figures leaped over the blocking boulder.
"Hieeek!"
Asel's face went ghastly pale. Shadows of masked figures, backs to the moon, loomed over his face. Each held a strange sword unlike any he'd seen. Their leader pointed at Asel and shouted.
"Using suspicious sorcery proves you're their spy. Kill him!"