Chapter 227: If You Admit That
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 227: If You Admit That
“That’s right. Whose daughter is so smart? Hmm?”
It wasn’t that Yura needed diapers; she simply didn't know where the bathroom was yet. Honestly, with a body this grown, it was about time she learned to control herself.
Since she still lacked human sensibilities, she retained the instincts of a wild bird—the kind that just sticks its backside out of the nest to do its business.
“You’ve become quite the father, haven't you?”
“Ahem, I didn't exactly plan for this.”
As I held Yura after she came out of the bathroom, showering her with affection, Dora, who was watching from the side, let out a small chuckle.
“The older sisters will have to teach Yura a lot if she’s going to learn well.”
“Ahem! Don’t you worry! I’ll train her diligently so she can become a proper lady!”
At Sera’s words, Ravi suddenly tilted her chin up and declared triumphantly. However, no matter how I looked at it, Ravi wasn't exactly a 'lady' herself yet. I wasn't sure if she was up to the task.
“Is it that time already? Dora, don’t you have to head back today?”
“Actually, I have an appointment this evening. I should get going now.”
“I see. I’ll walk you out.”
“Well… I’d like that, but shouldn’t you look after Yura?”
I also wanted to settle down at the inn and focus on teaching Yura, but unfortunately, I couldn't stay here for long until I dealt with the Antonio Brotherhood.
“Sera, please take good care of Yura.”
“Huh…? Are you going somewhere again…?”
“I won’t be gone for as long as last time, I promise.”
“Hmph… You better mean it. You were really mean for a while, Aven.”
“Haha….”
I hadn't been able to have a proper conversation with the people at the inn for about three weeks. Regardless of the reasons, I felt guilty. Still, I couldn't afford to neglect my training.
If I neglected my preparations just because I was sad about not being able to talk now, I might never see their faces again.
“Father, please make sure no problems arise.”
“Don’t worry, lad.”
“Yes. I’m counting on you.”
The threat of the Antonio Brotherhood might reach the inn. But since Father was here, I wasn't overly worried.
If someone with enough combat power to overwhelm Father attacked the inn, it would be a problem big enough to stir the entire Southwest. It would mean the Guild branch could no longer turn a blind eye to the Antonio Brotherhood.
“I’m off, everyone. Ravi, Tresha, help Yura out, okay?”
“Yes! Leave it to me!”
“Got it, Brother. You know you can’t just disappear again without us knowing if you’re dead or alive, right?”
“Y-Yeah… I know.”
Tresha glanced behind her for a moment, and after confirming Sera was a distance away, she leaned in and whispered.
“Sera was really sad…!”
“I see… I got it. I’ll give you some pocket money later. Just look after Yura for me.”
“Yes, Brother!”
* * *
“Iris, get inside.”
“Okay.”
After taking Iris in with my skill, I flew Theodora to the Lymain Treatment Center located in the Northern Sector. Flying leisurely from the Southwest to the northern edge where the treatment center was took roughly ten minutes.
I hadn't properly practiced Horus’s abilities yet, so I’d likely get even faster once I did.
“Alright, we’re here. Feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been here.”
“Of course it does. You haven’t shown your face even once for ages.”
“Haha… Sorry….”
Well, even considering that, it had been a long time since I visited the Lymain Treatment Center. I remembered coming here before heading to Roanmarie, but I don't think I'd been back since.
Or had I? My memory was a bit fuzzy.
“Aven, Mom might be in. Do you want to stop by and say hello?”
“Lady Lymain? Hmm… Yeah, I should.”
Dora’s mother had likely been subjected to Mystery Antoinette’s subtle mental erosion through their long-term interactions with the Antonio Brotherhood.
Dora had mentioned that as soon as her own subconscious brainwashing was lifted, several bad deals she had made for no apparent reason began to resurface in her mind one by one.
Above all, when I wiped out the Antonio Brotherhood in the Southeast three weeks from now, having the support of the Lymain family wouldn't hurt.
I didn't necessarily need martial support. Iris had said that to kill the Succubus Queen, one of the Demon King’s Legion Commanders, I had to do it entirely with my own strength.
What I needed was help with the aftermath and various administrative matters. Even if they were a criminal organization, wiping them out overnight could cause a lot of problems.
There would likely be many casualties, and I might face condemnation from other civilians. This was especially true for those with vested interests. Though, in this case, I suspected nine out of ten of those interests were ones where the Antonio Brotherhood was the sole beneficiary.
—Knock, knock, knock.
“Mom? Are you inside?”
We stood before the large door of the office located on the top floor of the Lymain Treatment Center. When I knocked, a voice answered.
—Dora? Come in.
Once her mother gave permission, Dora giggled and whispered quietly in my ear.
“You go in first.”
“Huh? Oh, okay.”
—Creeeeak….
As I pushed open the large wooden door and stepped inside, Theodora’s mother, dressed in surprisingly casual attire, greeted me warmly.
“A-Aven…? What brings you here…?”
“It’s been a while, Mother.”
“A-Ahem…. Go wait outside for a moment.”
“Pardon? Ah, yes. Understood.”
I was immediately kicked out. She was wearing a loose white blouse, and to my eyes, there didn't seem to be any problem… but I suppose from her perspective, it wasn't a look she wanted to show her son-in-law yet.
“She told me to get out.”
“Were her papers messy?”
“Not really.”
“I guess she wasn't in her underwear, then.”
“Dora, why would you play a prank like that?”
If I had seen her in her underwear, it definitely would have caused a major problem. I’d have to be more careful next time.
—Ahem! Come in!
And so, I entered once more. She was now wearing a black vest over the blouse, topped with a blazer. It didn't look much different from before, but it might have mattered to her.
“Yes, it has been a while. You haven't shown your face since that transport job more than two weeks ago.”
“Ahaha… I’ve been quite busy.”
“Mom, Aven brought a Horus egg back from the 50th Floor.”
“…What did you just say? You brought a Horus egg to the surface?”
“Yes… it just kind of happened.”
When I scratched my head sheepishly and confirmed it, she looked absolutely flabbergasted. Everyone’s reaction had been similar, making me wonder if a Horus egg was really that hard to get.
“S-So! What happened to the egg!”
“Ah, about that. Actually, it hatched this morning.”
“It hatched?! How?!”
“Well, I poured some mana into it, and the egg cracked. What was inside just popped out!”
“Then that means! What happened to the baby Horus!”
“Uh, well….”
Just as I was debating whether to explain, Dora stepped in and summarized the situation for me.
She explained how the Horus egg had reacted to my mana and hatched, and how we expected a baby bird but instead got a young child who looked human except for the wings on her back.
She also mentioned that we named her Yura and that she was currently being protected at the Mounted Goat Inn.
“To think such a thing… No Horus egg has ever been successfully hatched before…?”
“I’m not sure about that myself. Someone I know told me it would work if I put mana into it, so I just gave it a try….”
“An acquaintance told you? Who is this person?”
“It’s a bit complicated to explain, but she’s someone who knows a lot. I could introduce you now, if you’d like….”
Come to think of it, was it okay to let Iris and Lady Lymain meet? Surprisingly, Iris and Theodora had introduced themselves without much trouble, but I wasn't sure about her mother.
“Truly, my son-in-law is blessed with many connections. How do you just stumble upon such people?”
“I wonder that myself. I’m not sure how our paths crossed either.”
“What does this person do? Is she a Scholar of Arcana?”
“That… probably not. She’s from a completely different field….”
“I would like to meet her if she has the time. She sounds quite knowledgeable.”
“Would you like to meet her right now?”
“Now? Isn't it late?”
It was indeed dark outside as night had fallen. But well, since Iris was currently inside my body, that wasn't really a concern.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll go call her from outside.”
Even so, I couldn't exactly let Iris pop out of my body right in front of her. I stepped out into the hallway, brought Iris out, and spoke quietly.
“Iris.”
“Where is this?”
“This is the Lymain Treatment Center in the North. You remember Theodora, who was at the inn with us?”
“The Beastkin with the good bloodline.”
“Yes, that’s her. Her family runs this treatment center, and her mother would like to meet you.”
“Too much work.”
Chairwoman Renart was someone most merchants would be desperate to meet even once in their lives. But then again, Iris wasn't exactly an ordinary person. Though she was technically a merchant.
“Please, just work with me here.”
“Okay.”
“Wait, you’re okay with meeting her?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, alright then. Please try to be… you know, formal.”
“Okay.”
I couldn't tell if she actually understood or was just giving me a half-hearted answer. I suspected the latter, but even if I realized that, there wasn't much I could do about it now.
—Creeeeak….
I opened the door and entered the room with Iris, introducing her to Lady Lymain first.
“Mother, this is the person I mentioned.”
“Hello.”
“Wait, Iris?”
“Nice to meet you.”
“M-Mother?”
To my surprise, Lady Lymain accepted Iris’s casual greeting without a second thought. She even responded just as casually.
“I am amazed, Aven.”
“Pardon? By what?”
“How you manage to get involved with things you really shouldn't. I can't tell if you're lucky or unlucky.”
“Ah, well… that is….”
“A Vampire. Correct?”
“Correct.”
Wait, if you just admit it like that, what am I supposed to do?