Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: 5. Vivian and the Children (1)
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During the trip to Agnes Abbey, I laid Vivian down in the carriage seat.
It was possible because we'd rented a carriage large enough for four people to ride comfortably.
Sitting in the middle of the floor, I massaged her arms to check her condition.
'There's quite a bit of mana waste accumulated.'
Compared to when we first met, she'd grown incomparably stronger, but she still had a long way to go.
She'd taken down a King Slime in one hit, so her firepower was sufficient.
For the time being, I just needed to focus her training on handling mana more efficiently.
Her mana circuits had become more unstable than expected, but it was still within a range I could stabilize quickly.
Forcing the growth of an ice crystal to mimic an Ice Barrier.
And impulsively spamming spells at the end because of Felix.
Those two unexpected factors must have disrupted her mana flow.
The way I'd come to learn this information was a bit ridiculous—in my second loop, I'd realized it while rubbing my sore body against a tree to relieve muscle pain.
After that, I could naturally sense the flow of mana or waste in other people's bodies as well.
By the third loop, I was using it to take care of the other heroes besides myself.
Anyway, Vivian was still on the slim side, but she'd put on an appropriate amount of weight.
From here on, as long as she kept up steadily, she'd be fine.
But, hmm...
Massaging other areas while she slept felt a bit too sketchy in the picture it painted.
It might create unnecessary awkward situations later...
"Mercy."
"Yes?"
"You handle the massages from now on."
"Why stop in the middle of squishing and poking so nicely?"
"...Your word choice is a bit uncomfortable."
"Heh heh."
She grinned lecherously and swapped places with me.
"But how do I do it?"
"Just like I usually do for you."
Mercy had received plenty of massages from me too.
It wasn't from fighting or using magic or anything—just because it felt good and refreshing.
"Hmm... Not sure, but I'll give it a try!"
Rolling up her sleeves, Mercy stared down at Vivian's body.
"Ruby definitely said Vivian's chest was..."
"Don't mess around."
"Tch. At my age, that's exactly what I'm curious about."
Mercy grumbled but still kneaded and pressed Vivian's body.
It was a bit clumsy, but she followed along pretty well, thanks to all the times I'd massaged her.
For the record, I didn't know Mercy's age either.
Elves' lifespans were unknown, making even estimates impossible.
It wasn't the sort of thing that mattered now anyway, so I wasn't particularly curious.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Vivian, wake up."
"Nngh..."
Vivian stirred awake and clapped a hand over her mouth in surprise.
Her voice had come out unguarded and embarrassed her.
"Ughhh..."
Even so, she clutched the mana stone we'd brought, cradling it preciously in both hands.
I chuckled and got out first, with Vivian following behind.
"...Huh? Where's this?"
She'd been expecting the training grounds, so she voiced her confusion at the sight of the abbey.
"We're resting here today."
"...Ah."
Her short reply suggested she'd finally recalled the situation awaiting her.
After two years of wandering and running away, she'd barely settled into caring for the children.
This was the moment she'd reunite with those kids, in a completely transformed state.
Whether from excitement or nerves, Vivian's hands trembled faintly.
As if afraid she'd drop the mana stone, she hugged it tighter.
"Come on, let's go! The kids will be so happy to see you!"
Mercy pushed her back, finally getting Vivian's feet moving.
I and Kati followed behind.
Abbess Petra came out to greet us.
Her gaze went straight to the mana stone in Vivian's hands.
"You've passed."
Petra smiled warmly.
"You've borne a large, beautiful fruit after all that hard work."
"Ah..."
Those words flipped a switch, and tears streamed from Vivian's eyes.
"Th-thank you... Thank you so much..."
She choked out the words, holding back sobs.
Petra took her wrist and gently led her inside.
"The children will be thrilled to see you."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The children, gathered in one spot, were startled by Vivian's unexpected appearance.
They were shocked again by her changed clothes and aura.
And once they heard about the huge mana stone in her hand, chaos erupted in an instant.
Vivian finally burst into the tears she'd been holding back and hugged several of the kids, sharing the joy of reunion.
Mercy soothed Vivian while chatting with the children about this and that.
I watched from a few steps away.
...It was such a touchingly natural scene that it pricked my conscience.
Honestly, there was a slightly cunning—or rather, underhanded—reason for bringing Vivian straight here.
Letting her meet the kids like this on the first day of her achievement might motivate her to follow along even better from now on...
That kind of calculation was behind it.
I'd wanted to eliminate any sources of anxiety if possible.
Somehow, it made me feel like a really rotten person.
If I dressed it up nicely, I could call it a strategy to boost her motivation...
"Mr. Ian, you're so thoughtful."
Petra's pure praise stabbed at my conscience even more.
"Ahem... I'm not really that kind of person."
"No one but that kind of person could do something like this. There's a saying that someone who can pretend to be good their whole life is no different from someone truly good."
She seemed to believe without doubt that I was a good person, which made me even more uncomfortable.
Well, technically, it wasn't a bad thing...
"Thank you for the praise."
"More importantly, your timing is impeccable."
Petra handed me a rolled-up parchment.
"There's going to be a public exam at McDullin Abbey soon."
I unrolled the parchment as she spoke.
It welcomed various guests—nobles from cities or nations interested in the exam, managers, and more.
"I'm not sure if there'll be a priest who meets your expectations, but it wouldn't hurt to take a look. They've been preparing for quite a while."
"I'll stop by. By the way, I've never heard of a public exam before. What's that about?"
"It's the first time they're holding it, so that makes sense. Simply put, it's an exam just for 'priests' being trained separately for parties."
The core was straightforward.
A priest's holy power or miracles differed from mana-based physical enhancements or magic.
Thus, priests needed to be trained in a special environment different from the others.
This McDullin public exam was to implement and announce the results of that theory.
Those who passed would gain 'Temporary Hero' status and might receive support or party invitations from observers.
The premise wasn't wrong.
I could handle physical enhancements, even simple magic or spells, but not miracles.
There was the case of Aria, who lacked faith, so it wasn't just a matter of belief.
I didn't know the exact reason.
The foundation of using mana was the same, so my training methods worked for priests too.
Still, this public exam felt like a power struggle between the Holy Flame Church and the imperial family...
Not my concern, though.
McDullin Abbey, huh.
I tried to recall if there was anything useful from my second loop.
"...Huh?"
A few children toddled up to me.
Younger than teenager Emma—real little kids.
They stared up at me blankly, only reaching my waist.
Petra beside me just smiled fondly, but I was a bit flustered.
I had no idea how to deal with kids...
"D-Do you have something to say?"
Instead of answering, they exchanged glances among themselves and bowed deeply.
"Thank youuu~"
It was an endlessly pure, clear voice.
Vivian, with the other kids, watched us with a satisfied smile.
Mercy behind her shrugged with a mischievous grin.
...She sent them.
"Uh, uh, yeah..."
Thankfully, the kids just greeted me and scampered back.
Petra beside me twitched her lips in amusement too.
"...Just smile comfortably."
"Ah, no, ahem. Sorry."
Kids were harder to deal with than good people.
I didn't know what to do with them.
In that sense, monsters or bad humans were refreshingly straightforward opponents.
...Thinking like this made me sound like I had some personality defect.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Vivian and the children, plus me, Mercy, and Kati.
We all gathered for a meal.
Naturally, Vivian and the kids were the center of it.
They hadn't talked much earlier amid the tears.
Now they chattered about recent events and asked questions.
"Is it livable here for everyone?"
"Yeah! They give us lots of food, and we can sleep comfortably—it's great."
"We can go out and play, and there are no adults who hit or yell at us!"
...What kind of life did they live before?
"Sis, sis. Hey, last time, Adel cried because she missed you?"
"Oh, really?"
"Wh-what...? When did I do that!"
"Huh? You cried yesterday too."
"Shh... It wasn't just me! Hanna did too!"
"Hey! I didn't—why would I there...! It wasn't me...!"
As usual, the kids bickered over Vivian.
"No you didn't! You cried saying Big Sis Vivian abandoned us!"
The room fell silent as if cold water had been poured.
Hanna, the one who'd said it, flushed red and hung her head.
Adel, who'd spilled it, realized her mistake and looked away.
"...Adel."
The oldest among the kids, Emma, spoke coldly.
"Sorry..."
Vivian still smiled, but regret and sadness tinged her face.
Vivian sat beside Hanna.
"Hanna."
"Yeah..."
Vivian pulled the girl onto her lap and hugged her tight.
"Sis wouldn't do that."
"But I know, yet still..."
Hanna tried to speak but buried her face in Vivian's shoulder, swallowing sobs.
"Sorry, sorry, Sis..."
"It's okay."
Vivian gently patted her back.
Adel, who'd started it, became the sinner, drawing glares from the other kids.
Once Hanna calmed down safely, the conversation regained its energy.
As payment for that cry, Hanna got exclusive lap rights.
As the talk flowed, kids started glancing my way.
Their curiosity weighed on me oppressively.
In a brief silence, Hanna on Vivian's lap suddenly called me.
"Oppa."
"Yeah."
"Are you Sis's boyfriend?"
"Pfft!"
Mercy in front of me nearly spat out her food.
Kati beside me froze mid-spoonful.
I barely swallowed what I'd been chewing.
"H-Hanna...! What are you saying...!"
Vivian floundered to cover, but the kids' attention had already turned to me.
Boys and girls alike hung on my answer.
...I wanted to die.
Being surrounded by black knights had felt more comfortable.
"It's not like that... You all know I'm the manager, right? That's it."
"Y-Yeah! Why make it weird, really..."
"But whenever Sis's story comes up even a little, she gets super happy, and if she makes eye contact with you, she smiles like an idiot."
"......"
"And she bought you such nice clothes to wear. That's something you do only for someone you like!"
I knew kids that age were super into this stuff.
I knew, but why did it have to happen to me...
Vivian's flushed eyes darted to me and away in confusion, over and over.
"I can't accept it... A guy who hangs around with so many pretty sisters can't be Sis's boyfriend!"
At that, the kids' gazes swept over Mercy and Kati.
Mercy looked like she was dying of laughter.
"Pfft, heh..."
Suppressing her laughs, Mercy suddenly made a flower pose and giggled.
"How's it feel, hanging with pretty sisters?"
"...Ecstatic enough to ascend."
"Be even happier."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Puhihik!"
Look at her red ears.
Damn, she's so annoying...
"H-Hanna...! You can't say that...! H-He’s the manager, so that's why... And he helped me like this, so I smiled, uh, yeah... Those sisters are just good people helping too..."
Even Vivian's explanations didn't dispel the suspicious looks.
The kids nearby started evaluating me among themselves.
"Mom used to do that when fighting Dad. She said a man's ability is most important. If he can't earn money, go live in the fertilizer shed."
"Then he's got ability, right? His height and build look decent too."
"Face is kinda scary, but in its own way..."
"He broke a sword with his bare hands last time."
"Tch. So he's stronger than us. Sis would be safe at least..."
"No, he might seek out dangerous stuff too."
I can hear everything.
Even without my sharp ears, they were whispering way too loudly.
If you're gonna say it, just say it outright...
"Kids, that's enough?"
Only when Emma intervened did they quiet down.
She must be the real boss among them.
Vivian was the good, obedient type.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ By the time the kids refocused on Vivian, I quietly slipped out of the dining hall.
Sticking around longer, I had nothing to say, and their stares were burdensome.
Mercy somehow blended in fine, but it just didn't suit me.
In the kitchen, fiddling with dessert prep.
Someone followed me.
"Kati? Why aren't you in the dining hall."
Kati shook her head and sat at the kitchen's simple table.
Well, she wouldn't have much to do there either.
She was quiet even around me.
Leaving Kati to poke at hers, I pulled a slime lump from my pocket and scrubbed it with salt and running water.
Yellow Slimes were acidic, but Green Slimes were just squishy organics safe to eat.
No nutrition, though.
I put the cleaned slime in a pot with water and sugar, stirring over low heat.
Suddenly, another person entered the kitchen.
"Oh, can I help with anything?"
It was Emma.
"It's fine. But don't you have more to talk about? Is it okay to leave?"
"The kids talking is better than me. I'm grown up now anyway..."
Even if Vivian cared for them, they were kids separated from parents.
Such children mature faster than peers.
That precociousness wasn't healthy.
Kids need time to just be kids.
Emma had grown up too soon.
"You're still pea-sized and talking like an old fogey."
When I first met Sylvia and Kati, Emma was around that age.
"You can go beg for hugs. You're still a kid for a long time."
"Umm... That's a bit..."
"Vivian would probably love it."
Imagining it, Emma scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"N-Next time... Anyway, I came to at least say hi properly."
"Hi?"
"Yes. I was shocked seeing Sis today. So pretty, clean, eating well, improved... I never imagined it. Sometimes she'd talk sadly about longing for heroes, but now it feels like she's taken a step toward that."
Emma bowed politely.
Unlike the little ones earlier, it was sincere.
"It's all thanks to you, Mr. Ian. Truly, thank you so much."
Her manners didn't match her age, so I couldn't just smile warmly.
Emma had been the village chief's trainee representative at that orphanage, a promising prospect.
Using that vain expectation as pretext, she'd protected Vivian and the kids as best she could.
This greeting conveyed the full weight that little girl had shouldered there.
I could still see unhealed bruises on her hands, wrists, and nape.
"Yeah, glad you recognize it. Here, take this."
I pulled a palm-sized, flat jar from my pocket and handed it over.
Emma looked at the macaron-like round thing.
"What's this?"
"Apply once a day to bruises."
Bruise ointment.
Not rare, but not something Emma could get.
Emma tucked it carefully into her bosom.
"Thank you... Um, what are you making?"
She peered into the pot.
Semitransparent green sticky goo bubbled with heat.
"This? Sli... Just jelly."
No need to say slime if it'd gross some people out.
I poured the thickened jelly onto a board to cool.
Then someone came looking for me.
"Mr. Ian?"
A nun whose name I didn't know.
With trembling hands, she handed me a letter envelope.
Red envelope with a white seal.
It'd come.
"A messenger brought this..."
"Ah, thank you."
Breaking the seal, the contents were as expected—a letter from the emperor.
Simple message.
Come to the palace immediately and explain the exile.
This was addressed to the publicly known 'Philip'.
Looks like he'd finally heard the news.