Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Bedside Visit
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A quiet dawn, the time when the sun was slowly revealing itself.
"Nngh..."
I lay in the infirmary, surrounded by the familiar scent of medicinal herbs.
Not a single part of my body felt unscathed; aches throbbed everywhere.
As expected, even with my entire body battered to hell, my mood wasn't half bad.
Snore... Snore...
'Really... what a relief.'
Estelle lay beside me, breathing softly and peacefully.
Seeing her sleeping so soundly, as if this room itself was a comfort...
Even the faint lingering regrets I had vanished in an instant.
Compared to the look on her face when she'd collapsed on the floor in total ruin, awaiting death...
All the free stat points I'd poured out to slay that demon weren't wasted at all.
Having safely passed midterms, I could say I'd cleared the first real hurdle.
The status window seemed to celebrate that fact, chiming with notifications like crazy.
Gazing at the gradually filling status window, a pleased smile crept onto my face unbidden.
"...And that final thrust I unleashed at the end."
The moment I'd poured everything into slashing at the demon's core.
Groooan...!
A realization that had seemed impossible to grasp was finally taking shape.
All my senses awakening, guiding me toward the next realm.
Though that epiphany from back then had long faded...
I felt—no, I was certain—I'd found the path to the next level.
'Can't say it makes sense...'
A hollow laugh tugged at my lips as that thought crossed my mind.
Just one month after enrolling in the academy.
Not only had I surpassed my target of Swordsmanship Lv. 5, but now I was aiming for 6.
The whole situation left me dazed, yet... a strange satisfaction welled up inside.
"Hic, hngh... Rowen..."
She must be having a nightmare; her delicate brow furrowed as she desperately called my name.
Step, step.
I approached Estelle's side and sat down next to her trembling form.
"..."
Ever since coming to this world, one thought I couldn't shake.
Stroke, stroke.
"D-don't go... Rowen. Stay by my side..."
Why did the people I loved have such massive wounds?
And why did this world seem so eager to poke at them?
"...This pisses me off."
Why did all these good people have to suffer so much?
It... just didn't make any sense.
Squish.
"You can't run away anymore. I... I can't live without you now..."
"..."
Estelle pulled me in as I stroked her hair.
Thump, thump.
Her body trembled faintly, filled with fear.
Her arms tightened around me, as if she refused to let go.
A complex mix of emotions I couldn't refuse washed over me, and I sank into her embrace.
"...Don't worry, Estelle."
I'm an incredibly selfish person, after all.
I had no intention of just watching the people I loved suffer.
Snore, snore.
Estelle finally relaxed and drifted back to sleep.
For the sake of that smile on her lips...
I'd do whatever it took to become stronger than anyone.
-"I... I can't stand seeing you sacrifice yourself for us on your own."
Of course, I understood how powerless and painful it was...
To watch someone give up their own happiness and sacrifice themselves unilaterally.
That's why I'd make an effort to hold onto my own happiness as well.
Snore, snore.
And so, spending time in Estelle's warm embrace...
I finally surrendered to the cozy sensation and let myself relax.
Rustle, rustle.
Morning sunlight filtered through the window.
Someone was stroking my hair.
'I think I went to Estelle's side during her nightmare at dawn...'
Then she pulled me in without resistance...
And I fell asleep right there in her arms, as far as I remembered.
"......"
So the one stroking my head now must be Estelle...
Then why was there another presence beside me...?
"..."
"..."
The moment I cautiously opened my eyes to assess the situation...
I spotted a middle-aged man sitting in a chair, glaring at me like he wanted to kill me.
"Can you explain... just what the hell is going on here?"
White hair, purple eyes.
A cold demeanor radiating aristocratic elegance spoke to me in a voice laced with icy fury.
No way... right?
Seeing the face and aura so eerily similar to Estelle's, an ominous thought kept surfacing.
Watching the translucent window appear, letters slowly engraving themselves...
My foggy mind snapped awake like I'd been doused in cold water.
"Get up! Get the hell up right now!"
The man before me seemed to be Estelle's father.
As he raised his cane like he was about to strike me—still nestled in Estelle's arms—threatening to kill me...
I hurriedly tried to sit up and explain, but right then...
Groooan...
"...It's fine, Rowen. Just stay still."
For some reason, Estelle held me tighter with both arms, refusing to let me slip from her embrace.
The unavoidable soft, plush sensation made my strength ebb away involuntarily.
"Urk, you bastard...! What the hell have you done to my daughter?!"
"...Dad."
"Y-yeah, Estelle. Tell your dad. I don't know what that punk did, but I'll take care of it!"
Elrain clutched the back of his neck, unable to hold back any longer, and flew into a rage.
Anyone looking would misunderstand the situation completely.
In the eyes of Elrain—the canon doting dad—seeing me in his daughter's arms must make him want to murder me.
"Rowen's not like that. And considering everything he's done for me... I can't live without him."
"Wh-what are you saying?"
"...Rowen taught me how warm a person's embrace can be. So he'll take responsibility."
...Hold on a second.
Shouldn't you word it differently...?
Rustle, rustle.
Estelle kept stroking my hair, gazing at me with affectionate eyes.
Her usual misleading phrasing and actions combined...
The already weird situation was spiraling out of control.
"You... you bastard... Tell me it's not what I think. Please, just say it's not."
Elrain stared at me, his eyes quaking like there was an earthquake.
He'd clearly jumped to the conclusion that Estelle and I had done that.
The way he gripped his trembling cane, barely holding it back from pointing at me...
'...Spare me.'
It was terrifying for me, suddenly turned into the thief caught red-handed.
"...Dad. Even if you're my dad, if you hurt Rowen... I'll really hate you."
"E-Estelle? Are you saying... that punk is more precious to you than your own dad...?"
"...Ngh, Dad's precious too... but I've already given Rowen my body and heart... Hnngh..."
Estelle trailed off, blushing as if even she wasn't sure.
Yet whenever I tried to speak, she sensed it like a ghost and pulled me deeper into her arms.
Whether on purpose or subconsciously...
Elrain's blood pressure kept rising, and the misunderstandings piled up.
Creak.
"D-Dad was so worried when I heard you got hurt! I even ditched your brother's heir inauguration to rush here!"
"...Sorry, Dad."
"Urghhh...!"
"Ah, ahaha... What a mess this is~?"
The headmaster joined in as she opened the door and entered.
'...I give up.'
I stopped thinking about the situation that had slipped from my control.
"Please, my princess...! Didn't you say you'd marry Dad when you were little? Besides, that guy's already wearing a ring! He has a girlfriend!"
"Doesn't matter. Rowen and I are just... friends."
"Hehe~ Such innocent love~ Rowen, didn't peg you for it, but you're quite the capable guy."
"Haha..."
I just let out a hollow laugh and decided to enjoy the chaos.