Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Inspection
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“If you say anything weird one more time, I’m really going to get mad.”
[⋯⋯I haven’t said anything yet, kiddo.]
Gray snorted in response.
“Like telling me to get a boyfriend or asking when I’m going to start dating. Every time we talk, that’s all you go on about, Dad.”
[Well, that’s true.]
“Not interested. Not going to happen.”
[But what if—]
“Even if all the good guys get taken, I’m still not interested.”
[⋯⋯.]
Hm.
Having your daughter read you like a book isn’t exactly a pleasant experience.
It’s partly because you’ve said similar things so many times.
Even so, there’s one trump card you can pull out in moments like this.
[What about Carlyle, then?]
“⋯⋯.”
Gray’s mouth snapped shut in turn.
An unhappy expression spread across her face. She could clearly picture Lionel grinning smugly through the communicator.
“⋯⋯He’s doing well.”
The moment he heard her sullen tone, Lionel’s face lit up with a smile.
It might look like she was just upset on the surface, but as a father, he could see it clearly.
This wasn’t because she disliked Carlyle—it was a reaction born from some kind of “dissatisfaction” toward him.
And judging from Gray’s recent attitudes toward Carlyle overall, the reason for that dissatisfaction was obvious.
It mostly came out whenever he seemed to show more interest in someone else than in her.
[Doesn’t Carlyle cross paths with you much these days?]
“⋯⋯It can’t be helped. I’m the Hero.”
Ever since the major incident with demons appearing in the capital, the high-ranking officials in the Empire were on maximum alert.
To soothe their anxiety, Gray herself was being dragged around everywhere under Felix’s lead.
Thanks to that, she’d been too busy to even see Carlyle lately.
She didn’t like it, but there was no helping it.
The title of “Guardian of Humanity” inevitably involved political entanglements.
If anything, Felix was managing it in the most efficient way possible to avoid any future backlash.
“⋯⋯.”
⋯⋯That aside.
It didn’t sit well with her that more and more people were gathering around Carlyle lately.
Even.
-You can’t bring that guy along?
-No, Lady Chasefield.
-Why?
-It makes it hard for me to focus completely on the job.
-⋯⋯.
-At least until we figure out who that man really is, he’s forbidden from being in my presence. Got it?
It was infuriating that even Felix, who dragged her around everywhere, reacted that way.
She’d been consistently like that ever since Carlyle revealed his past.
‘⋯⋯She doesn’t like him,’
Felix’s vibe when she said things like that really rubbed her the wrong way.
The public saw her as some beast with zero social skills, but that wasn’t true.
She wasn’t oblivious. She noticed everything but just didn’t care.
From that perspective, the Felix she saw.
It might sound like wariness toward Carlyle on the surface, but underneath it was undeniable “favor.”
He might be more important than she thought, so don’t bring him.
She wanted to make the best impression possible in a situation where she was fully prepared.
That had to be the right interpretation.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Why did that guy attract so many people gunning for him?
Gray’s expression turned outright fierce as those thoughts crossed her mind.
It was the kind of feral face that made her slink away if anyone else was nearby.
And driving the nail in further was Lionel on the other end of the call.
[Gray. Listen to me carefully.]
“-Forget it. You’re just going to say the same thing again anyway.”
Gray replied curtly.
“I’m not interested. In romance or whatever. That’s his business.”
To those words.
A question stabbed right at the heart in response.
[Even if he gets taken by someone else?]
“⋯⋯.”
Gray’s mouth clamped shut.
[I know you’re not big on romance. But you need to be a little more honest with yourself.]
Otherwise.
She’d definitely end up unhappy later.
[I wish you’d at least follow what your own heart is telling you.]
Even if she didn’t fully understand it yet.
Even if she had zero interest and no confidence she could even do it.
Really.
Would it be okay if Carlyle truly pushed her aside and got together with someone else?
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Gray’s mouth stayed firmly shut.
It was a silence that unwittingly drew a wry smile from Lionel on the other end.
Well.
Not sure if he should be grateful or wary.
But this uncontrollable daughter of his only ever showed her true nature in one area: when it came to Carlyle.
Probably proof that she’d started valuing him quite a bit.
And that fact.
Sometimes felt like a double-edged sword.
He could roughly imagine what might happen if a kid who couldn’t control her emotions maturely harbored feelings like that.
‘⋯⋯Carlyle, you’ve got your work cut out for you.’
But all things considered, he was the only one who could step up to the plate.
Even her father couldn’t actually change Gray when influenced by others.
So all he could do was help when she needed advice.
Hoping the two of them reached some good conclusion, whatever form it took.
[Oh, by the way, kiddo.]
From that angle, what he was about to say might help their “progress” in some way.
[I have a message for you.]
“Yes?”
[The Imperial Family has summoned you.]
“⋯⋯.”
Gray’s expression blanked out.
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-Specialty Info
◆ Sword Saint’s Family
Due to the Divine Kingdom’s cultural trait, all people from one’s homeland share strong camaraderie, but family holds the utmost value, worthy of being called the purpose of life.
Panhaima Acha Oren, the genius swordmaster from the Far East, wanders desperately as the head of a fallen house, searching for her sole surviving blood relative—her younger sibling.
Who knows, she might even be looking for someone she could accept as a new family member.
Help her achieve her goal and become someone special to her!
▶ ‘Reformation List’ provided.
▶ Rewards granted as listed items progress!
⋯⋯Hm.
This was the fourth such window he’d seen, so it wasn’t all that surprising anymore. Just a passing thought of, oh, Panhaima gets one too.
The problem.
Was what was written on the Reformation List.
[ ※ This person’s ‘Taming’ is determined by their satisfaction with experiences. Gift them 'first experiences'!]
[ ※ Accumulate affection through various shared experiences! ]
“⋯⋯.”
⋯⋯From past experience, the Taming skill fixed the target’s flaws and rewarded accordingly.
So these conditions for Panhaima made sense.
She’d spent her whole life training with the sword. She’d complained countless times about how much of life she’d never experienced.
And the one she mentioned most.
-⋯⋯Romance?
-Never done it.
-Would like to try it once before I die, though.
He still remembered her fidgeting as she said it.
She’d kept glancing at Carlyle too. He’d just thought she was embarrassed and moved on.
[Idiot.]
‘⋯⋯.’
[Idiot. Stuuupid iiiidiot.]
‘⋯⋯What’s this all of a sudden.’
[I don’t talk to idiots. That’s my rule.]
‘⋯⋯.’
The Holy Sword kept harassing him, but anyway.
The vibe of this trait felt headed in that direction too.
⋯⋯Blatantly nudging him to seduce her.
Vespa’s precedent made it even more unsettling.
But whatever.
‘Not like I’m not going to help her.’
He’d figure that out later.
For now, he had to help Panhaima find her sibling somehow. He’d deal with whatever happened along the way when it came.
“⋯⋯It’ll work out somehow.”
“What’ll work out?”
“⋯⋯.”
No sooner had he spoken than Vespa, scrubbing plates beside him, tilted her head.
It was the post-dinner dishwashing from Gray’s meal.
“Nothing. More importantly.”
Carlyle let out a deep sigh.
“Shouldn’t you rest? You’ll wear yourself out.”
Fundamentally, both she and he were servants by status. This was basic work.
‘⋯⋯Didn’t we used to do it separately?’
Catering to Gray’s finicky temperament was no small task, so tending to her kept both Carlyle and him constantly on the move.
Vespa especially, with her poor stamina, would tap out early, leaving evening dishwashing to Carlyle alone.
⋯⋯But now she was casually helping right beside him.
What was it.
Maybe over-self-awareness.
But it felt like she was forcing herself to overexert just to spend more time glued to his side.
To stay together even a little longer.
“I’m fine. Gotta move a lot to build stamina!”
She beamed as she replied, leaving him with nothing to say.
‘⋯⋯If she burns out like this, the Hero will chew her out for not taking care of herself.’
As that thought crossed his mind.
A voice suddenly echoed into the kitchen.
“Ah, there you are.”
She wasn’t one for decorum, apparently.
Carlyle gave a wry smile as Gray strode into the kitchen.
“Lady? What’s up?”
She never set foot in the kitchen because it was unsanitary—why was she here in person?
“You. Clear your schedule this weekend. No classes anyway, right?”
“That’s true, but⋯⋯ what’s going on?”
“Someone from the Imperial Family is coming to Cradle. Need people to attend them.”
“⋯⋯.”
“Just you and me.”
Carlyle’s face stiffened.
Imperial Family.
The Imperial Family.
[⋯⋯One evil spirit descending.]
‘Hero, that’s harsh.’
Carlyle sighed inwardly.
‘Apologize to the evil spirits.’
[Sorry, evil spirit.]
No doubt, it wouldn’t be a pleasant experience.
As Carlyle thought that.
There was definitely one more person sharing his negative feelings about Gray’s words.
“Lady, um⋯⋯”
Vespa hesitantly spoke up.
She glanced cautiously between Carlyle and Gray.
“⋯⋯Just the two of you?”
“Probably something pretty dangerous. Heard the visit isn’t just a simple inspection. Might involve combat.”
So, better if you sit this one out.
Gray shrugged to convey that.
Likely considering Vespa’s tendencies. Regardless of her abilities, Vespa clearly disliked fighting.
So.
Her follow-up was absurd.
“Can I come too?”
“⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯.”
Not just Carlyle—even Gray stared blankly at Vespa.
“⋯⋯⋯⋯Huh?”
⋯⋯Gray’s voice that followed brimmed with all sorts of emotions.
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