Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The Only Thing I Can Give
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I just couldn't wrap my head around an unmarried man and woman sharing the same room. Having lived my whole life in the forest like an elf, my conservative sensibilities made it utterly incomprehensible.
Even back when I was guiding people through the Demon Realm Forest as a sherpa, I'd gone out of my way to build separate guest rooms for clients who needed a place to stay overnight.
"So this is a first-floor room. Bigger than the ones upstairs."
She gave the room a quick once-over before slowly placing the pillow she was hugging onto the bed.
"......Hoo."
I took a deep breath and glanced back. Rin was flashing a strange smile as she casually pulled back the covers.
"Come on, beddy-bye."
"Don't force it in your voice."
I called her out for the deliberate sultriness in her tone, and she just giggled before flopping onto the bed first.
She really doing this out of fear, right?
I'd accepted her explanation that mixing the power of the mark on her chest into her magic had thrown off her self-control, just in case. But watching her now, it looked like nothing more than an excuse to sleep together.
"You not gonna sleep?"
My mind was a mess as I watched her pat the spot next to her invitingly, but in the end, I switched off the light and lay down.
I rolled over to face away from her and muttered goodnight.
No response, so I figured it was fine. But then her hand started gently stroking my back.
"Don't."
"Hey, Daniel."
I was about to snap what when she beat me to it.
"In the future, you saw me losing control with this power, right?"
"......"
I slowly turned to face her.
The curtains were drawn tight, blocking even the moonlight, leaving the room pitch black. But my eyes had adjusted to the dark, so her face was clear as day.
Trembling with fear.
A poor village girl saddled with an unwanted power.
"Me losing myself, killing people... or controlling them like I did with those bandits today?"
"......"
I stayed silent since I couldn't answer, and she kept going.
"There's a line inside me. If I cross it, I feel like there's no coming back."
"That won't happen. I'll protect you."
I stared up at the ceiling as I said it, and Rin beamed before gently taking my hand.
"Actually, everything else is fine. But just suppose..."
Her voice trembled with a faint wetness as she squeezed tighter.
"If I end up hurting you or making you suffer... just kill me."
"......"
"Promise?"
Her whisper made my grip tighten unconsciously. It might've hurt, but Rin just held on tighter with both hands, like she'd never let go.
"Won't happen."
"I know you'll protect me. But just in case. Hypothetically."
"No hypotheticals. You'll shake off that damn power, beat it, and live a normal life without a hitch. Start thinking about what you'll do after graduation."
"Hehe, yeah, what will I do after?"
"You've got talent in magic, so aim for that. The Dean seems keen on you."
"Hmm, you think? But I'd rather use it to help ordinary folks in small ways than study it academically."
"Yeah?"
Come to think of it, I only knew her future as leader of the Army of Death—nothing else. It piqued my interest.
"I'll become a doctor who uses magic. Old man Bentzen back home is getting on, can't handle patients anymore. I'll take his place."
A magic-using doctor.
It took serious skill, but they were rare. Anyone who could cast healing spells had better paths open to them than playing doctor.
Of course, oddballs like that weren't entirely unheard of.
"Not a bad idea."
She might come off a little obsessively intense with me, but to everyone else, she was still the sweet, kind girl.
She'd monopolized every village boy's first crush, so if she became a doctor, male patients would line up nonstop.
"When you got bit by that wild dog, that's when I thought of it. Me, Ares—we all got scratched up bad."
"Yeah."
"I wanted to be the one who makes the pain go away for the people I care about."
"Got it."
"Yeah. So, Daniel... I'll beat this power and become a doctor. For sure."
Her words trailed off sleepily into a yawn. I just lay there quietly, and she drifted off without letting go of my hand.
"Yeah. You can do it."
"Wake up."
"Mmm."
"Get up."
"......!"
I snapped my eyes open at the small hands shaking me. Standing there was the white-haired girl, Sen.
Her expression blank as ever, she kept shaking me until the weight beside me made me hesitate to bolt upright.
"What's with her?"
Rin, face pressed close, arms wrapped tight around me in her sleep.
No idea if it was a habit, but I gently pried her off and glanced at Sen.
I wanted to say not to get the wrong idea, but she pointed outside like it was nothing.
"Guest."
"Guest?"
"Come on out."
Only then did Sen frown like she'd seen something distasteful as she headed out. I threw on an outer layer and followed.
"Uncle......"
Michelle, picking at bread Hayun handed her at the counter.
"Michelle?"
"Found her crying alone in an alley on early patrol. Brought her back."
"Hiding in an alley?"
I hurried over, worried, and she looked up at me with teary eyes ready to burst.
"Th-this morning, these guys in armor burst into our house, swords out, threatening everyone! They told me to go play outside for a bit, but Dad was yelling at them, giving them hell......"
"People in armor?"
Suspecting who it might be, I calmed her and asked,
"Was there a woman? Glasses, blue hair, badge on her chest with a mare and hammer crossed?"
Michelle nodded wildly like I'd read her fortune.
"Yes! Yes! Uncle, you're amazing!"
I stood slowly, muttering bitterly at her awed look.
"Haini Rosaless. Even the inspector caught on that something's off with Michael."
Right on cue, Rin emerged from my room.
Sen and Michelle barely reacted, but Hayun jumped, eyes darting between us before sidling up and poking my side.
"Dumped once and already switched girls? Eris is gonna be heartbroken!"
"It's not like that."
"Sure it isn't."
I tried convincing Hayun, who now saw me as human trash, but no dice.
She huffed, regretting ever helping me woo Eris, but I headed back to change into going-out clothes.
"I'll head over there."
Michelle hadn't been out long, so I figured Haini was still at the Portren estate. Spot on.
She stormed out just as I arrived, lips pursed and arms crossed when she saw me.
"Knew you were onto something, huh?"
Wonder if she was always this sharp, or if the mortal danger kicked her brain into gear.
Haini had clocked why I was here and knew I was against the fighting dog, so no point hiding the situation from me.
"One hundred percent. Michael Portren's the fighting dog. Grilled the guard captain, crossed the main gate—found a ledger listing people and goods not in official records."
"......"
"But the numbers are weird. 'Coachman 1' means one coachman, but next to it 'people 50.' No carriage holds that many."
"......"
"And I get the feeling you've got a puzzle piece I don't."
She adjusted her glasses and closed in like an interrogation.
Those 'people' numbers probably matched the bodies at the hotel.
"Yes, I know. But if I tell you, what happens?"
"Huh? Commendation? I'll throw in some personal reward money..."
Caught off guard, her answer was vague. But I wasn't asking for myself.
"What about Michael Portren? That's what I'm curious about."
"Obviously, arrest him on the spot, trial. Clears my name. But from the vibe now, it won't be smooth."
"What do you mean?"
I pressed anxiously, and she glanced at the estate before sighing.
"Even if I bring evidence and arrest on site, expect heavy resistance. Backup won't arrive quick."
"......"
Resist arrest on site? Execution right there wouldn't be undeserved.
Then Michelle Portren would be left alone again.
"I have all the evidence and proof you need."
Haini's eyes lit up like she'd been waiting. I proposed gravely,
"Hand it all over, and give me a shot to end this. By tomorrow at latest, I'll bring you Michael Portren in custody."
I couldn't save him.
Too many crimes, too much blood soaking his buildings and lands.
All I could give was a little time.
The massive, unavoidable tragedy looming before the little girl had grown beyond reversal.
But I wanted her to have just a moment to say goodbye to her father.