Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Cleanup and Epilogue #2
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“Then, if you’ll excuse me for a moment, I need to send off a messenger pigeon. I have to inform the Angmar court about this sudden promotion we just witnessed.”
I made up a convenient excuse to slip away from the room where conversations were heating up. Mirna pointed with her finger toward the balcony of the dormitory single room.
“The messenger pigeons are on that balcony. Feel free to use them, Theo Gospel.”
“Hey, when you send the pigeon, tell my dad I said to get in touch with me, got it?”
Ignoring Elga’s threat, I stepped out onto the balcony first. Only when the cool spring breeze brushed against my face did I finally feel my chest lighten a bit.
What the hell is this?
How did things end up like this?
There was another living heir to the Angmar bloodline besides me. And Alayster Draco and Reinhardt Lioness had been keeping it hidden?
And now they wanted me to find the bloodline of the Angmar Demon King?
How did the story twist into this?
In this ironic situation, I even wondered if Aira knew the whole truth and was doing this just to mess with me.
━I’ll do my best.
I’d given that answer for now, but this meant I’d have to go looking for myself.
What did Aira plan to do once the Angmar family descendant was found? The answer was obvious. She intended to eliminate them.
As queen, that was only natural.
The name Angmar meant war.
The massive war between humans and demons from about a century ago.
The civil war against the Angmar restorationists that had continued right up until a dozen or so years ago.
The demon king’s lineage always brought war wherever it went.
If those in the kingdom who harbored resentment toward Aira learned of a survivor from the previous dynasty, rebellions would sprout up like bamboo shoots after rain.
For Aira, it was wise to root out that spark and snuff it out quickly.
Normally, I’d be thrilled by Aira’s wise decision and her growth. But who knew that flash of wisdom would be aimed at me?
“Hmm.”
Thinking it over calmly, wouldn’t it actually be better for my survival if Aira were a lazy, negligent queen...?
Ssshh.
That was when I felt the balcony door opening behind me.
“Miss Mirna?”
“You recognized me without even turning around.”
“I have good instincts.”
Whether she meant to interrupt my solitary thoughts or not, Mirna Draco stepped out onto the balcony. Had Aira sent her to keep an eye on me?
Of course not, but just in case, I glanced back. Aira and Elga were both leaning back on the plush sofa, eyes closed in a brief rest.
“Looks like it’s time for a break?”
“That’s right. That’s why I came out here for some air.”
“I see.”
“With everything that happened today, I need a moment to sort through my thoughts.”
I’d noticed it before, but Mirna had a way of chattering on endlessly, whether she meant to or not. Her younger sister Narmi was the same. Did sisters just end up alike?
Did they talk to each other?
What did they talk about if they did?
Was Narmi sleeping now?
A flood of curiosities filled my head. This was probably some kind of mental defense mechanism.
Like how newspaper articles you never cared about suddenly become fascinating as exam day approaches.
My brain, faced with this massive issue, couldn’t accept it outright and wanted to distract itself elsewhere.
「Calm Situation Assessment!
Gained experience from the talent 《Calm Thinking》.
All job experience +5」
See?
As I mentally patted myself on the back for staying composed, Mirna Draco approached hesitantly.
“Um, Theo. You absolutely must not misunderstand what I’m about to say.”
“Do you have something to tell me?”
“It’s nothing major. But I suppose I have to say it. Could you keep some of what happened today a secret?”
“A secret?”
What happened today again?
As I pondered, Mirna beat me to it.
“Don’t play dumb, Theo Gospel. You touched my breasts.”
“Huh?”
I touched Mirna’s breasts?
What nonsense was that? Then I remembered: today, I’d lifted the curse afflicting Mirna and wiped down her body with a wet towel.
With so much happening, I’d forgotten. But now it hit me—under that pristine academy blouse of Mirna Draco’s lay soft, yielding breasts.
Squish.
They were pressed against the balcony railing now, molded to its shape. If only I were that railing—such a foolish thought crossed my mind, and Mirna pressed on.
“Keeping it secret is for your own good too. Calling it ‘healing’ or whatever, but a commoner kneading the breasts of a noble lady from a great house like dough? Unacceptable.”
Kneading like dough? I’d only washed her body out of pure goodwill, without a single lewd thought.
But more than her objection, an amused feeling bubbled up inside me. Unable to hold back, I let out a chuckle, and Mirna asked, baffled.
“What’s so funny?”
“No, it’s just... you’re finally acting like yourself, Miss Mirna. Talking about commoners and such.”
“I don’t know why, but that feels terribly insulting.”
She sounded angry, but there was a peaceful air about Mirna’s expression.
The venom and shadows that had once clouded her face were gone.
Truth be told, Mirna Draco had suffered devastating losses today.
Most of the Draco family corpses stored in their mausoleum had been stolen, and their greatest assets—Eldritch and Alayster Draco—had been put to rest.
The Draco family was down to just her now.
To be precise, just the sisters remained.
I pictured Mirna eating alone every day in that massive mansion. Days spent in a dark, empty house without her father to protect her anymore.
It was a little pitiful.
So, to comfort her, I broached the subject.
“I’m sorry about your father, Sir Alayster.”
“The world is full of wonders. Who’d have thought I’d hear sympathy from you?”
“From me too?”
When I asked back, Mirna turned her head sharply.
Her ruby-red eyes turned toward the bright interior of the single room and Aira dozing languidly on the sofa.
“The Queen of Tarantara said the same to me. That it was a pity about my father.”
“Oh.”
“Honestly, it surprised me. Arrogant. Reckless. Two-faced. Insolent. The queen who embodies every negative trait actually comforted me...”
Hearing that, I felt surprised too.
Aira’s thought process usually revolved entirely around herself. I’d never imagined her comforting someone else’s pain.
Maybe Aira had seen a glimpse of her past self in Mirna today?
The image of herself, left alone after losing family one after another. Yeah, Aira could empathize with Mirna’s feelings more than anyone.
“And I was surprised by you too, Theo Gospel.”
“Me?”
Mirna’s words pulled me from my thoughts. I turned, and she was looking right into my eyes, having gazed up at the sky moments before.
Our heights matched perfectly, so our eyes met exactly level.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect much from you. But today, I have to admit you helped me a great deal.”
“Oh.”
“You convinced Lady Lioness for my sake. And accompanying me into that dark Gamigin fortress—even I was impressed.”
Mirna seemed to be expressing gratitude for what happened today.
“Your magic skills are better than I thought. Especially your curse-lifting; it rivals high-ranking mages.”
“I just did what needed doing.”
“Of course, it’s only natural for a commoner like you to aid a noble blue-blood lady like me. Still, I know when to bow my head. Consider this my thanks. It’s an honor.”
“......”
She felt grateful, so I should feel honored?
It might seem prickly, but her face was flushed red, clearly holding back embarrassment.
She shook her head briefly, as if shaking off the awkwardness, and corrected herself.
“No, on second thought, I don’t owe you any gratitude. You were just trying to get my attention.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Today confirmed just how much you admire me.”
“Huh?”
“They say men do reckless things for the women they love. Why else would you fight Solomon the King’s spells, risking death?”
Only then did I grasp what she meant. Mirna thought I’d joined this reckless venture because I liked her.
In truth, I’d only hoped to learn about the Angmar Demon King and that mysterious spell. And I had picked up several curses.
Looking back now, it was pretty reckless.
But with powerhouses like Mirna and Elga, I hadn’t worried. In hindsight, Elga hadn’t even used half her strength against that bizarre Gamigin monster.
━I held back, and still got covered in filthy slime! Pisses me off!
I’d heard Elga grumble about it, and in the novel, she was portrayed as much stronger anyway... Probably held back to avoid collapsing the castle?
But Mirna, unaware of that, must have seen me braving peril for her without any guarantees.
“However, don’t think that means I’ll return your feelings, Theo Gospel.”
“Can’t be helped, then.”
“Still, proper conduct demands a fitting reward.”
Ssshh.
Mirna extended her fist toward me.
Wondering what it was, I saw something round wrapped in paper inside her opened palm.
“What’s this?”
“Dal.”
“Dal?”
“In ancient tongue, it means ‘sweet as honey’ praise. It refers to candy. It also signifies rest given to those who’ve labored hard...”
As she spoke, Mirna’s face blotched red, her voice thick with emotion.
“It’s a precious reward from the head of the Draco family to those who’ve toiled. Receive it with honor.”
Ssshh.
I took it.
Now I saw it was the same paper-wrapped candy Alayster Draco had given me in the Draco dining hall.
Probably tasted the same too.
From the same person.
Only then did I understand a bit what this candy meant.
So I hesitated to eat it right away, then decided to split it in half.
“Let’s split it half and half.”
I offered half to Mirna, who was swallowing back tears.
She stared at the perfectly halved round candy, then popped it into her mouth and lifted her head toward the moon over the balcony.
“...It’s too sweet for me to eat.”
With that, Mirna said nothing more.
I could see the melted candy trickling from her eyes, but we’d agreed to keep today’s secrets anyway.
I pretended not to notice and let it pass.