Chapter 226
Chapter 226
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: Those Who Left, Those Who Returned (1)
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Daud's bedroom was covered in ashes and moonflowers. In this suspicious crime scene, the most suspicious figure was none other than me.
It was a situation where a wandering druid might be suspected of killing Corin's heir.
Mrs. Corin had every reason to suspect me. If she called the guard captain right now, I would undoubtedly be captured on the spot.
But.
"You are...."
"Yes."
"You are the 'druid' that Louis mentioned...."
Fortunately, nothing like that happened. Surprisingly, Louis had prepared for this. Before departing for Sequoia Forest, he had left a letter for his mother. If anything suspicious occurred, leave the castle immediately. And seek out a young druid named 'Theodore.'
The moment she felt the massive vibrations shaking the castle, Mrs. Corin said she realized it instantly. This was the 'suspicious sign' her son had warned her about. According to Louis's letter, she should have fled Corin Castle right away. However....
"Why didn't you leave?"
"I couldn't abandon Corin, or my husband and son."
As expected of Louis's mother. With eyes that seemed even stronger-willed than his, she answered without hesitation.
"I understand a son's worry for his mother. But I will not run away."
I see. Louis must not have truly understood his mother. He didn't realize she possessed an even stronger will than his own.
In the end, it worked out in my favor. Because Mrs. Corin hadn't fled the castle, I was able to prove my innocence. Under her guidance, I headed to the lord's office. As I walked with her, I briefly explained the recent events, including what had happened to Louis. Fortunately, Mrs. Corin remained composed, showing no surprise, excitement, or sorrow.
"...Wouldn't you like to go to Louis?"
Even so, as his mother, she must worry about her son. When I subtly asked, Mrs. Corin paused and looked at me.
"If you're asking if I'm worried, yes. Of course I am about my son."
"...."
"But right now, I'm the only one who can look after Corin."
She was right. Corin's lord was in a 'Frozen Soul' state, the heir Daud was dead, and the next in line, Louis, had been moved to the temple in a near-death condition. Just as she said, she was the only one who could manage Corin now.
"The people of Corin's territory are as important as Louis—no, more important than Louis."
"....!"
"Taking care of them is the top priority. My husband would want that too."
Her unexpected response left me speechless. This, I realized, is what a true 'noble' means....
'Corin's growth to this point must be due not only to Lord Corin's abilities but also to Mrs. Corin's mindset.'
Now I understood why Louis never coveted the lord's position and acted solely to save Corin. It was thanks to parents like these.
-Creeeak....
We arrived at the lord's office and opened the heavy door. Entering formally and openly, rather than sneaking in, felt strangely odd.
Since I'd already explained everything to Mrs. Corin, I dragged a chair from the desk to the door and pressed the horns of the bull head ornament mounted above it.
-Clunk!
"....!"
Mrs. Corin seemed quite shocked to see me open the secret compartment without hesitation.
"How did you...."
"Haha.... I found it when I came here with Louis."
"....That's no ordinary perception."
Mrs. Corin replied calmly, but I caught the surprise in her voice. Of course— this secret had likely been shared only among successive lords. It was natural for her to be startled that an outsider knew.
"Don't worry. I won't mention this anywhere else."
"....Thank you."
I nodded lightly and headed to the door at the back of the office. The small door opened, and stepping inside revealed a familiar sight, thanks to my previous visit. I rolled up the bull hide rug on the floor and pressed the horn of the bull figurine on the square wooden panel.
-Click!
Inside the square space with its chill air flowing steadily was the glass vial trapping the 'Frozen Soul.' I carefully retrieved it, wrapped it in soft cloth, and handed it to Mrs. Corin.
"Th-this is...."
"Yes. This is the lord's 'soul.'"
"....!"
Mrs. Corin swayed for a moment. But she didn't foolishly drop the vial. Gripping the cloth around it so tightly her knuckles turned white, she exited the secret room.
"The lord is...."
"The bedroom is right below us."
"I see. In that case...."
"...."
"Listen carefully to what I say from now on."
Returning the 'Frozen Soul' to its original body was a task for temple priests—high-ranking ones at that. I could probably manage it, but since it was my first time and there was a risk of error, heading to the temple safely was the best option.
"If this 'Frozen Soul' and the lord's body are separated by too great a distance, the 'connection' will break."
"....!"
"So, it's crucial to transport the 'Frozen Soul' and the lord's body together as safely as possible."
"Then, I should...."
"But you must stay here at the castle, ma'am."
"...."
With dawn breaking and a new day beginning, Corin needed someone to look after it. Right now, that someone was Mrs. Corin.
"So, will you trust me?"
"....That's...."
"Yes. I'll take the 'Frozen Soul' and the lord to the temple."
Mrs. Corin clutched the vial containing the 'Frozen Soul' and gazed at me for a moment. Hesitation and worry clouded her face. It was only natural—entrusting a loved one's life to another.
"....All right."
But she chose 'responsibility' over love, deciding to remain at the castle. I took back the vial she handed me and secured it firmly to my body with vines.
We headed to the bedroom. In the center of the large bed lay a frail, emaciated man whose impression contrasted sharply with the dignified portrait above. Mrs. Corin wrapped the lord's body in a large blanket, and I bound the blanket and body securely with vines before carrying him to the terrace.
"Pippi."
-Pii!
Pippi, nestled in my pocket, flew up immediately.
"Go to Sequoia Forest. And bring everyone back to the castle."
-Pippi!
Fully recovered, Pippi soared energetically into the sky, vanishing toward the horizon where dawn was breaking. Once they met Pippi, El and Lloyd would realize I was alive.
'...This time, I owe them an apology for worrying them.'
I could already hear El crying. With a light chuckle, I patted my inner pocket again.
"Legion."
At the call of his name, Legion popped out as if he'd been waiting. He seemed a bit sulky—likely upset that I hadn't called him during the entire battle. But how could I summon a weakened Legion in front of the crows? I gently stroked the tip of his chin. He turned his head away with a huff, then started purring under my touch.
"I need your help."
「Theo. Liar.」
"It's true."
「Theo. Told. Me. Stay. Put.」
I could almost hear him snort. I tapped the top of his head and whispered again.
"That was for your sake."
「Theo. Hmph.」
He was thoroughly pissed. Well, he was still too young to grasp the idea of 'for your own good.' So, how should I coax him?
"When this is over, I'll let you eat something delicious. Until your belly bursts. How about that? Feel better?"
「....」
"Round-horn buffalo roast."
「....」
"Reef turtle stew."
「....」
"Coral shrimp fry!"
-Whoosh!!!!
Finally, Legion launched into the air, spreading his massive wings. Black wings large enough to blot out the dawn light. His scales still lacked full luster, not yet fully recovered....
'But he can make it to the temple.'
When we get back, I really need to feed him as promised.
"Grab us carefully, carefully. Legion."
With a huff that puffed a small flame from his nostrils, Legion gently grasped Lord Corin and me. I checked that the 'Frozen Soul' was securely attached to my body, then entrusted myself to his talons.
-Whoosh!
And we soared toward the brightening sky.
* * *
-Pii!
At the familiar bird cry, El whipped her head around. A small glimmer at the edge of her vision.
"...Pippi!"
It was Pippi, the little bird her master cared for! The bird that had vanished with her master had reappeared....
'Master, Master is back!'
It was as good as saying her master, who had disappeared into the torn night sky, had returned safely. El ran desperately toward the approaching bird.
"Pippi!"
The little bird nestled into El's arms and chirped busily. Pip. Pi-ii. Pip-ppi. Pipp! She couldn't understand the bird's words since she wasn't her master, but she could sense the joy bursting from its hopeful chatter.
El turned and ran again. To inform her other master, Lloyd, that 'Theodore' was alive. Running until her breath reached her throat, she spotted him under the Sequoia tree, collecting the mercenaries' bodies.
"Mr. Lloyd!!!"
"....!"
Lloyd—and even Callisto, whom she hadn't called—turned to her simultaneously. Perhaps sensing the joy in her voice, a flicker of light briefly crossed their faces, which had been as dark as death moments before. A glimmer of hope.
"Master, Master....!"
"....!"
"....!"
"...is back!!!!"
Once again, Theodore had returned.