Another Girl's Voice Beside Uncle
A different girl's voice came from beside Uncle. After extinguishing the village fire, I'd returned to the carriage with Yuria in tow. Her expression showed not a shred of emotion, but the way she clung to my hand with surprising strength right up to the end was so endearing that I nearly burst out laughing.
We'd been waiting appropriately near the carriage when Clovis soon returned.
"Lord Argent, you're already here."
"Yes. There were quite a few monsters gathered, so I took care of them on the way back. The fire seems mostly suppressed now too."
"That's fortunate. But that girl…?"
"A child left alone in the ruins."
"I see…"
Clovis stared at Yuria with an unnatural intensity that anyone could spot. No doubt he'd pierced right through to the power of the Chaos Mana slumbering within her. But true to his title as Magic Tower Lord, even as he must have been salivating inwardly, he composed his face with remarkable poise on the outside. It was almost admirable.
"Ahem. She has quite a few wounds. And it looks like she's lost her parents…"
"She says they abandoned her long ago. We'll have to treat the wounds as things progress."
"I see. In that case, allow me to take her under my care."
This bastard. First whiff of her, and he's already scheming like a thief. I wanted to punch him square in the face, but I held back and gently shook my head.
"No, that's fine. I've decided to look after her for the time being."
"…Pardon?"
Had he not even imagined this turn of events? Clovis's face finally took on a tolerable expression.
"My family happens to have a cute ten-year-old niece. I thought I'd bring this one home to be her friend."
"W-Would that be alright? Bringing a street urchin into the esteemed Argent Duke's household…"
He phrased it like he was confirming my intentions, but his tone subtly laced with disdain and mockery toward Yuria. Just as I'd expected. For all his gentlemanly facade, he was steeped in typical noble elitism. Well, in a fantasy world with rigid class divides, I wouldn't call it a crime. There was an insurmountable wall between nobles and commoners here, after all.
Even so, Clovis took it to extremes. In the original story, after taking Yuria, he barely interacted with her beyond absorbing her power— no contact, no conversation. He'd have killed her on sight if he didn't see her as a useful tool.
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"Not a problem, per se… but won't others in your family object?"
"They won't."
I wasn't one to boast of my merits, but I'd done enough for them. They couldn't complain. And even without that, they weren't the type to coldly turn her away. Edmund especially—soft-hearted fool that he was—would welcome her warmly.
"Besides, you might have noticed, but it seems this child has some Chaos Mana power within her."
"Chaos Mana?"
His wide-eyed feigned surprise was honestly infuriating. The guy who'd been drooling moments ago sure had some nerve.
"Yes. But as you know, Lord Haven, when vast mana lodges in an unrefined vessel, there are side effects."
"In the worst case, the body could collapse."
"That's why I'm looking into solutions. Shameless as it is, I plan to ask my teacher for help too."
I deliberately dropped our old man's name here. Otherwise, this creep would leverage his Tower Lord position to insist on taking her. But with Godwin Lowell's illustrious name invoked, he couldn't push any further. After all, he'd only become Tower Lord because my teacher had relinquished the seat.
The continent's sole 8th Circle archmage. Even the title of Tower Lord paled before that prestige.
"…I see. If you're seeking Lord Godwin's aid, a mere nobody like me has no grounds to argue."
Then get lost quietly if you know what's good for you. Stop eyeing my disciple like a hawk.
"Still, if you ever need assistance, don't hesitate to ask."
I don't, so scram. He left those lingering words before trudging back to his carriage. Watching his retreating figure, I smirked like a fox who'd snatched its prey.
"Baal."
"Hm?"
Yuria tugged at our clasped hands as if shaking them, then tilted her head when I looked down.
"Why smile?"
"Something funny happened."
"Okay. Yuria smile too."
She pressed her fingers to her lips, forcing the corners up. What insane empathy. I was in awe of her ability, surpassing even the big F from my past life. Or maybe it was a capital T—sympathizing with emotions through logic, not heart. But that was so very Yuria, and it cracked me up.
"Alright, let's go now."
"Where?"
"Home."
"Yuria no home."
"You'll have one soon. There's a friend your age there too. Be good to each other."
"Friend?"
She stared at me like she might ask, 'What's that? Food?' Even after spending time in this village, no one to rely on? Well, Liriet had been friendless despite her noble status. Nothing strange about it. I nodded, boarded the carriage with her, and soon we departed the desolate Rozmil Village, hastening onward.
Having boasted so grandly to Yuria, I felt a bit sheepish—we couldn't head straight to the Argent mansion yet. There were still schedules to wrap up. A banquet could be skipped, but not everything else.
By the time we returned to the Magic Association in Arkanell, the sun that had been rising at our departure from Rozmil was setting once more.
I handed Yuria to a servant for a bath and fresh clothes, then went straight to my teacher.
"…So you brought home that little brat?"
"Yes, Teacher."
He glanced between Yuria gripping my hand and me, rubbing his eyes as if questioning the sight.
"I suspected you'd gone mad or eaten something bad when you started doting on your niece out of nowhere. Now it's confirmed. Did you pick some poison weed?"
"No. I'm perfectly sane, and I haven't eaten anything odd."
"I'll have to peel your skin to check."
"Why be like this? You're hurting your disciple's feelings."
My uncharacteristic whining made him slap his forehead like he'd seen something unsightly. Okay, even I admitted that was a stretch.
"Tch. I'm that dumbfounded, you fool. What late-blooming wind blew this obsession to raise kids?"
"Didn't you say the same? To reach the 8th Circle, sometimes you look beyond magic—to those around you."
"Not like this! Well, not entirely wrong, but…"
Unable to win the war of words, he grumbled and glared before shifting to Yuria.
"Fine, little one. What's your name?"
"Yuria. Yuria."
Her curt reply irked him; he clicked his tongue loudly.
"Tch, what kind of upbringing teaches you to speak casually to elders? I'd love to see your parents' faces. Shame on them!"
"Yuria no parents? Abandoned at six."
"…I meant you grew strong without them."
"Yes. Yuria strong."
The great Godwin Lowell, utterly disarmed. Wonders never cease in this world…
Smack!
"Ow!"
"You brat! Why didn't you mention she was an orphan?!"
"Pardon? I rescued her from ruins—isn't that obvious?"
"You still warn a person! I thought her parents barely kept her alive!"
Ah, that misunderstanding. I'd been too concise: 'Survivor from Rozmil Village. Taking her as disciple.' My fault, maybe 9:1—him 9, me 1.
"Anyway, taking her as disciple?"
"Yes. Seems Chaos Mana's influence—she holds immense mana."
"This old man sees that. But you've given up on 8th Circle?"
"Perish the thought. I'll teach her alongside my studies."
Truth be told, I had no ambition to make her an archmage. If she followed well, great; otherwise, fine. Better a good person than a great mage. That was my only greed: dress her prettily, speak kindly, show fun things. Someday, she'd smile. With that small hope, I looked down—only for Yuria to fixate on Teacher.
"Grandpa, what's your name?"
"Godwin Lowell. The old master of the fool who brought you."
"Baal's teacher? Then teacher's teacher's teacher?"
Mixing name and title felt oddly disjointed. Half-respectful? Not thrilling.
"If you're his disciple, yes."
"Okay. Teacher-teacher."
"…Just call me Grandpa."
"Teacher-teacher-grandpa?"
"Call me by name, kid!"
Oh, few could out-talk my teacher—Grita yesterday aside.
"Godwin Grandpa?"
"Tch, even the name grates. Just Grandpa."
"Okay, Grandpa."
"…Ahem."
Wait. That hastily hidden smile? After mocking my niece-doting, he'd caught it in old age too.
"Introductions done… I trust you'll manage. Grita’s disciple reported, so go sleep."
"Yes, Teacher. Good night."
"Sleep well, Grandpa."
Yuria waved her free hand; he stared, then abruptly turned away. Hiding a laugh. He'd grumble but slip her pocket money later.
"Baal, where now?"
"Time for bed. Good kids sleep early."
"Yuria good kid?"
"Of course."
"Okay. Yuria good kid."
Leading her diligent self-promoter, I took her to my room. No extra room yet, and I worried about Clovis pulling something. Better safe.
Ah, contact Liriet first.
Tired and about to lie down, I recalled our promise before leaving. I'd be gone a week; she asked for updates every two-to-three days. Probably held back from daily to avoid burdening busy me. Sweet compromise to hear my voice. Such a good, cute girl.
Pop.
I set the ring on the table, infused mana. A faint glow birthed a holographic projection—soon forming Liriet's face.
She was in pajamas, apparently heading to bed, confirming it was me repeatedly.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Liriet. Can you hear me clearly?"
"Y-Yes…! Loud and clear, and I can see you! I was getting sad, thinking you'd forgotten our promise."
"As if."
How could I forget a promise with my niece? My confident smile lit hers up.
"How's official business? Very busy, right?"
"A sudden urgent matter cropped up, so a bit. Otherwise, I'd have called yesterday and today."
"Urgent? Something big?"
"All good. Just wrapped it up today."
"Solution" was a stretch, but I exaggerated to reassure her.
"Of course. Nothing Uncle can't handle."
"Haha, overpraising me? Thanks anyway."
Just as uncle-niece chatter warmed up—
"Mm… Baal, not sleep? Sleep together."
Had our voices woken her? Or bedtime fears? Yuria rubbed her eyes, approaching from behind—like a child scared of absent parents at night.
"Hm? …Ah."
I'd say go back to sleep, but another voice came—from the other side. Right, the ring's range was narrow; only voices transmitted, no visuals of surroundings.
Explain now? But I wanted secrecy.
Time to startle her. As her first friend, a full surprise reveal—ta-da!—sounded perfect.
"Oops, sorry, Liriet. I went far today, so tired—must sleep early."
"Huh!?"
"I'll return soonest. Wait just that long, okay?"
"W-Wait! Uncle…!"
Click.
"Tch."
Cutting off my darling niece hurt, but necessary. For the greater good—like friends pranking with hidden cams on birthdays. Just until homecoming.
No calls for a bit; she'd pry endlessly, curious. How happy will she be? Imagining her face when I introduced Yuria—"Your new friend"—brought pure joy. Must hurry back. Accelerate the schedule?
"Baal?"
"Ah, sorry. Let's sleep quick."
Urged by Yuria, I led her to bed, sang a lullaby till she slept, and only then closed my eyes.