Chapter 42
Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: One Mouth, Two Words (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“If Libido participates in beast subjugation as a healer, I’m usually dispatched to lay waste to ordinary areas. The reason Duke Sierra hasn’t seen me until now is probably because I’m sent to the subjugation zones after the fact.”
“So what are we supposed to do now?”
I let out a sigh. A king bear doll that might spread poison at any moment was plopped right in our garden, and we were just supposed to leave it there?
On top of that, the massive bear slowly began to move. It was almost like it was dancing. Was this some kind of warm-up to spread the poison dust even better?
Dalia, clinging tightly to me, started to whimper.
“Elise… We can’t play anymore?”
“……”
What kind of misunderstanding was this? She’d just been playing with the doll and left it in the garden.
“Is there absolutely no way?”
“There is one.”
Bishop Orchid grabbed my hand.
“Duke Sierra, you’re a mage, right? Share your mana with me. Then we can skip the Bloom stage and go straight to Petal Fall. It’s still dangerous, but if we evacuate people first…”
“Petal Fall means those things shatter like falling petals?”
“That’s right.”
“I have a way for that.”
Under the head butler’s command, everyone began to evacuate. But I stayed behind with Bishop Orchid, Pippin, and Dalia. I wanted to evacuate Dalia too, but she stubbornly refused to leave without Elise.
“You know how to sense your mana, right? I thought it earlier, but Duke Sierra, your mana capacity is vast compared to your skill level. Don’t take it the wrong way! It means your potential is incredible. Lend me a bit of your mana. Think of it as passing it through your hand.”
“…I’ll try.”
I sensed the lump of mana inside me, wove it thread by thread, and concentrated it in my hand. It felt stiff and burdensome, like something was stuck in my throat. I wasn’t used to forcing my mana like this.
Suppressing the nauseous feeling, I transferred the mana to Bishop Orchid.
“A bit more, just a bit more!”
“This is my first time, so I’m not sure…”
“Just keep pushing the mana to me! Argh, it’s right there, just one more push!”
Bishop Orchid gritted his teeth and muttered. That was when it happened. Dalia’s tiny hand tapped the back of mine.
“I’ll help.”
And in that instant, the bear doll’s entire body was dyed pink. Bloom had begun.
“No…!”
Bishop Orchid reached toward the cluster of pink flowers, then staggered and fainted. I caught him as he collapsed and called for Pippin.
“Pippin! Take Dalia and run as far away as possible right now! Sweet Swarm! Completely cover the bear doll! Don’t let any powder escape!”
The summons could understand my orders even from afar. I could see a swarm of black ants climbing up under the pink floral cluster. The flowers blooming atop the bear doll were gorgeous and beautiful. They looked like fluttering skirts or clouds in the sky dyed pink.
I must have lost myself staring at the flowers for a moment. Then Dalia gripped my hand tighter.
“Flowers… shouldn’t bloom, right?”
“Yeah. Dalia, run away right—”
Dalia nodded and blinked calmly.
“We just cover it.”
Her tone was flat. But the effect of those words was intense.
Reacting to Dalia’s voice, a messy blob of paint began forming above the bear doll’s head. The blotches, looking like black tar, grew larger in midair. From within that tar heap, awkward and comical soldier drawings popped out, surrounding and binding the bear doll.
Then—boom!—the tar heap collapsed toward the bear doll. Black paint splashed everywhere, covering the world like a flood.
In that moment, I caught the scent I’d smelled in Dalia’s room—the distinctive smell of wooden toys.
Dalia’s magic.
[Sugar Lord’s Proclamation: An unknown enemy approaches!]
It even affected my summons.
“Dismiss all summons…”
The bear doll vanished, and the outlines of the bumpy plants disappeared too. Dalia’s black paint had melted them all.
“Ugh…”
Bishop Orchid groaned and blinked his eyes. As I helped him up, fortunately or unfortunately, the exhausted Orchid Libido had returned.
“Did Destrood cause some kind of accident?”
“He went out with a bang.”
“…I’m truly sorry. That’s why it wasn’t allowed. Emotions summon Destrood. Only His Highness the Crown Prince can handle him.”
“……”
I looked down at Dalia and muttered blankly.
“Seems like there’s one more.”
“……”
“Pippin. Take care of the bishop.”
While Pippin supported Bishop Orchid Libido, I picked Dalia up. She hung her head with a dejected face, clutched my clothes, and chewed her lip.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For not listening to you, brother. I’m sorry. You told me not to color on my own. I’m sorry.”
The apologies stuck to her lips.
Coloring?
A sudden thought made me check the status window.
=================
Name: Dalia Gluttony
Occupation: None
Personality: Hope - Anticipates a positive future. Constant mana increase effect.
Trait: Coloring - Can decorate the world as she pleases.
=================
As expected. Dalia’s trait was Coloring.
Not playing around—she could literally paint the world.
What kind of insane talent was this…? In the game, she’d never shown anything like it…
Honestly, I’d always assumed Dalia Gluttony was a powerless villainess.
So I thought I needed to be the capable brother who could make such a girl happy, granting her the power for happiness.
But no. Dalia was a ridiculously talented mage. A mage who’d withered without fully blooming due to petty squabbles and constant setbacks.
The future I needed to change for Dalia might be helping her become an even greater being…
“I’m sorry.”
Dalia whimpered again, on the verge of tears.
“Don’t cry, Dalia.”
It must’ve been the original Sierra who’d forbidden her from using magic all this time. The reason was obvious. Jealousy of Dalia’s superior talent, or anxiety that such power would be exploited.
I stroked Dalia’s hair. None of Sierra’s old worries would become mine.
“You did well, Dalia.”
Dalia jerked her head up in surprise. I smiled as brightly and warmly as I could, readjusting her in my arms.
“You color so pretty. You’ll be a talented painter.”
A radiant smile bloomed on Dalia’s face. Anyone could see she was an adorable, lovable child.
We could announce Dalia’s ability early, shape public opinion in our favor. Let the world know how amazing Dalia was—untouchable by those pathetic male leads.
I wasn’t the old Sierra. I wouldn’t hide Dalia or live in fear.
Dalia was my proud little sister.
“Don’t worry, Dalia. I won’t get mad at you. You did great. I’ll praise you. As many times as it takes from now on.”
“Brother!”
Dalia threw herself into my arms. Rubbing her cheek against my chest like a cat. In a voice full of affection, she said,
“Brother’s different now. I like it. You’re kind, so kind.”
“Then shall we go get Elise now?”
Dalia replied energetically.
“Yes!”
[♥♥♥]
Dalia’s affection toward me, which had been indifferent until now, shot up all at once today.
***
After ordering the servants to clean up the house, I took Pippin and escorted Bishop Orchid back to the imperial palace. I didn’t forget to support the staggering bishop while smugly taking credit for helping.
Of course, this was all an act. Leaving a good impression on Bishop Orchid to subtly drive a wedge between him and the Crown Prince—to make him my man instead.
“Duke Sierra is truly kind. Thank you. I’ve caused you trouble.”
“No, no. It’s not like you did it on purpose or anything.”
Hahaha, I laughed fakely. I caught Pippin side-eyeing me from the carriage, but I ignored it.
“I’ll definitely repay this thoughtfulness during the beast subjugation.”
Bishop Orchid said exactly what I wanted to hear.
“You’ll be safe by my side during the subjugation. The sea has few plants, so I can’t sprout enough to be effective. Stay close to me if possible. Blooming will boost your stamina and mana too, so it’ll help.”
Music to my ears. The gain from today’s commotion seemed small, but I’d squeeze the rest from the Crown Prince.
I decided to ask the burning question first.
“Could I hear more about this subjugation? What beast are we fighting?”
“I don’t know the details either. But…”
Bishop Orchid blinked and answered bluntly.
“There will be a giant sea beast. No, there has to be. A group led by their captain will come, and our goal is that captain. Once we take the captain, the mermaids will handle the rest.”
“I see. Mermaids, right, there are mermaids.”
I’d forgotten about them since I’d only dealt with humans, but this world had mermaids too.
They wandered the seas freely, never forming packs or legions. Utterly egocentric and free-spirited.
One of them was even a male lead. The roguish mermaid Enbi.
I remembered him as one of the rougher, fiercer mermaids. Hostile to the heroine at first, but her kindness melted him, and he fell for her while helping during beast subjugation.
This guy would make our Dalia cry buckets too. Splashing water on her at ship parties or dunking her in the sea under the pretext of revenge for the heroine.
When we meet during this subjugation, could I beat him? He’s one of the top mermaid warriors. Too soon. Pippin’s not used to sea battles either.
I’d need to prepare for a tricky foe.
Thinking about mermaids immediately soured my mood. Bishop Orchid nodded lightly.
“It is a delicate matter. We mustn’t offend them. That’s why Destrood was excluded from the subjugation. If he rampages and starts a fight with the mermaids, it’d be trouble.”
“Indeed.”
“And this time, it’s fitting for me to support the assault team.”
Bishop Orchid added,
“Duke Sierra, as a mage but not combat personnel, you’ll probably assist His Highness the Crown Prince.”