Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Bedside Visit (2)
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"So, Rowen. You're saying you saved our precious daughter from the devil?"
"It's not entirely my doing, but... thanks to Estelle buying us time, we managed to escape safely."
In the bustling infirmary, after the president had entered.
I was giving a brief rundown of what happened during the midterm exam.
The story of how Estelle had been caught in danger from the demon's attack, and how I barely helped her escape.
I didn't want it getting out that I'd taken down the demon, so I fudged the details a bit.
Estelle did give me a strange look now and then, like she knew I was lying.
But soon enough, she looked at me with eyes full of trust, as if to say she believed me.
Tap, tap, tap...
"Hmm..."
The president kept drumming her fingers on the desk, as if something felt off.
Her half-lidded gaze fixed on me didn't belong to the usual bumbling president.
It carried the sharp, seasoned edge honed over years of experience.
Sensing her suspicion, I channeled mana into my eyes to peer into her thoughts.
Soon, a translucent window popped up before me, text materializing on it.
"Oh my, you shouldn't peek into a lady's secrets like that~?"
At that moment, the mana flow cut off with a sharp spark!, and [Truth's Insight] stopped working.
The president's eyes on me sparkled with strange curiosity and amusement.
'Didn't expect it to get blocked like that...'
No matter that it was an S-rank skill, it seemed useless against powerhouses on the archmage level.
As backlash, my eyes stung fiercely.
"It's such alluring eyes, but if you go flashing them around like that, you might run into big trouble, you know?"
She'd closed the distance unnoticed, channeling mana from her hand to my eyes.
Whoosh...
A cool sensation washed over me, sweeping away the lingering mana.
...Guess I've just been lucky so far.
Even now, she let it slide because she's the president who cares for the students.
But if I'd used these eyes on someone not so friendly toward me...
I'd definitely have landed in a real mess.
"Of course, I shouldn't brag, but unless it's someone on my level, they won't notice~ Not even this little one here picked up on it~?"
"No... that's because you're ridiculously strong, sis. Anyone else would've done the same."
"...Oh? Has our Elaine gotten mouthy while I wasn't looking? Maybe it's time for big sis to give you a good scolding to straighten you out~?"
"..."
Watching my expression, the president let out a soft chuckle, as if to say not to worry too much.
Elaine, sitting beside her, chimed in that she hadn't noticed either, trying to reassure me.
'...More shocking that I'm calling her sis.'
Elaine tried protesting that it was disrespectful for the head of a ducal house like him to be treated that way.
But when he saw the blue mana glowing violently in the president's hand, any sense of grievance vanished, and he slipped back into his usual impassive face.
Seeing Elaine, radiating middle-aged appeal, use polite speech toward the president—who looked barely like a graduate—felt oddly off.
I knew the president was older, but still...
"Anyway, back to the point. So, Rowen, you found Estelle under attack by the demon, and the two of you barely escaped together~?"
"...Yes."
"Hmmm... Then what about those traces of the cave in the demon's lair being split open~? And oddly enough, Rowen's aura was all over them. Care to explain that?"
After a brief sibling spat, the president turned serious again.
She started pressing me, as if she knew everything.
Looks like my spur-of-the-moment excuse wouldn't fool her.
I couldn't hide my panic staring at her unreadable expression.
"Rowen? You didn't forget our deal, right? You promised to tell me honestly what happened~"
Unlike what I'd feared—her grilling me and Estelle—she just smiled lightly as she spoke.
"I know you're getting private swordsmanship lessons from Professor Serin. She was raving about your talent, saying it'd only be a matter of time before you reached a new realm. If it's her word, I can buy that you beat the demon."
She didn't seem too doubtful that a Class D student like me had taken down a demon.
With my explosive growth and Serin's endorsement...
Even as just a student, it didn't seem impossible to her.
"No need to tense up. I'm trying to help you, Rowen. I might not look it, but Elaine here's pretty capable too?"
"...Yeah, she's right. No matter what, you saved my daughter's life. So, you can speak freely."
Watching them reassure me in calm voices...
I got this odd feeling that it was okay to tell them the truth.
Like with Serin, the president would do anything for her students without hesitation.
No reason to keep deceiving her and turn down her help.
So, I steeled myself and started explaining everything Estelle and I went through in the midterm exam.
I even told them why I had to hide that I'd killed the demon.
Hearing it all, their faces showed a mix of emotions.
"Hmm... Heresy Inquisitors, huh. Well, those fanatics obsessed with the gods' will might do that. And with talent strong enough to erase a powerful demon, they'd never let you slip away."
The president tapped her lips, lost in thought.
Her discomfort was clear from her strong wording.
She probably hated the Holy Kingdom's overreach on students.
"Now I get why you wanted to hide it, Rowen. Being a commoner, you couldn't push back against the inquisitors' pressure."
"...Yes, that's right."
"Those clowns claiming to follow the Heavenly God's will, forcing faith on people. What a joke—Heresy Inquisitors and all that. This Pope's got a radical streak. Anyway, I'll handle that part, so don't worry~"
She spoke freely, words that could be called blasphemy if overheard.
'Well, can't blame her.'
Having lived so long, she'd seen too many ugly sides of the supposedly noble clergy.
She clearly didn't buy their 'will of the gods' rhetoric.
"Alright, I'll head out now~ I've got work to do, and I need to move fast to quash those inquisitors' suspicions!"
With that, she stood, preparing to leave the infirmary.
Her satisfied expression said she'd gotten all the info she needed.
Creak.
She stepped out for her duties.
Just then, as an awkward silence filled the infirmary...
"...Rowen. I'm truly sorry for earlier."
Elaine, who'd been quietly mulling things over beside her, finally spoke.
His face held a hint of regret, like he was owning up to his mistake.
After hesitating for a long moment, he pressed on with difficulty, as if resolved.
"You risked your life... no, to save Estelle. I had no idea, and I misunderstood you over nothing."
"Haha... no, it's fine. Anyone else would've done the same, not just me."
"...Now you're humble too."
Elaine swept a hand over his face, looking even more conflicted.
Then, as if for final confirmation, he turned to Estelle.
"Estelle, even if you truly love this man, are you sure you won't regret it?"
"I... don't really know what loving someone feels like..."
"...I see."
"...But someday, Rowen will surely show me. He said he'd always be by my side, like a tree I can lean on..."
"..."
Estelle blushed even as she said it, embarrassed.
Her hands fidgeted restlessly, mirroring her tangled feelings.
Her soft voice trembled with emotion she couldn't hide.
"Yes, Estelle. That's enough."
Elaine gave her a bittersweet smile.
Then he turned back to me.
"...Rowen. Thank you for being our daughter's friend."
"..."
"As you know... Estelle's heart bears deep wounds. Since childhood, she's kept it locked tight, spending lonely times."
His face filled with regretful sorrow at the memory.
He seemed to blame himself for not noticing her pain, too busy with excuses.
"Every time she forced a calm smile, my heart rotted a little more. Probably punishment for my failings."
"...That's."
"But today, I saw Estelle smiling so brightly. When she's with you, Rowen, it's a genuine happy smile."
Grip...
He clenched his fist hard, as if sorting his thoughts, then met my eyes.
"So, take care of my daughter, Rowen. I never thought we'd part so soon... but Estelle must find her own path."
"...Pardon?"
"But if even a single tear falls from her eyes someday... you'd better be ready."
"...Yes?"
His hands trembled as he gripped my shoulder, like he was entrusting everything.
Elaine patted my shoulder, saying he trusted me, and sent me toward Estelle.
He held back his tears and left the infirmary.
"...?"
"...Ugh, Rowen... take care."
And just like that, I'd unwittingly gained a new father-in-law figure.