Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Mom
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Kailin gave a truly shocking response.
Referring to the child as "that thing."
It was more than enough to confirm just how little affection she had for the child.
'Kailin really is trash, as expected.'
But even so, I wasn't particularly angry about it.
Kailin had always been this kind of person from the start, after all.
It was exactly the response I'd anticipated.
'I was the fool for expecting anything.'
When Kailin showed up here, the unexpected situation had made me hope a little.
But I knew full well what kind of person she was.
I knew better than anyone how self-centered the original Kailin was, so hearing this didn't stir any real emotional shift in me.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing. I'm raising the child myself."
I gave Kailin a flat response.
Since she'd asked, I told her I was taking care of the child.
"I didn't expect you to be raising the child."
Kailin seemed somewhat surprised to hear I had the child, but that was it.
"I'll make it up to you with money later."
Instead, she let out a sigh like it was all a hassle.
She said she'd handle it separately later.
"So, don't let any bad rumors spread. I've finally become a great mage, and I don't want stories about my messy aftermath circulating."
It was all for her own sake, in the end.
She never once considered the child.
"No. I don't need money. There's nothing you need to do."
I didn't want any help from someone like Kailin.
That phase where I needed it had already passed anyway.
I told her I was fine.
"Really? Then what about the divorce?"
"Let's do the divorce."
We decided to proceed with the divorce.
Marrying Kailin had been a total accident from the beginning.
Given we weren't living a normal married life, divorce made sense now.
"You're easier to talk to than I thought. That's one of your good points."
When I agreed immediately without hesitation, Kailin looked satisfied.
"I'll prepare the divorce proceedings soon. Since I brought it up, I should handle it."
She said she'd contact me again shortly.
"I'll reach out later. See you. I'm busy."
With that, she left and headed back to the church.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A week had already passed since my conversation with Kailin.
She was still staying in the village, drawing a magic circle to summon spirits.
During that week, nothing much happened.
I ran into Kailin a few times after that, but we didn't exchange any words.
We were truly strangers now.
Kailin had no intention of building any kind of relationship with me anymore.
'What a relief.'
Honestly, I didn't think this situation was bad at all.
No, it was actually for the best.
Until now, I'd clung to her a bit because the child needed a mother, but this finally let me let go completely.
No matter how much the child needed a mom, someone like Kailin might be better off not having one at all.
I'd thought about divorce myself.
But with her offering to handle the hassle, I was even grateful.
Things had worked out perfectly.
From now on, we'd each go our separate ways.
Of course, Kailin's path led straight to the guillotine.
But it was her choice, so I had no intention of stopping her.
Just as I'd fully sorted out my feelings...
"Um... Brother?"
Levia came to see me after a long while.
"Oh, Sister Levia. It's been a while."
"Yes. I've been incredibly busy."
"Are you free now?"
"Yes. There's nothing left for me to do, so I finally have some time again."
While the Magic Tower mages were working on the magic circle, Levia had been helping out here and there.
She'd been swamped because of that.
We hadn't talked much, but it seemed she finally had some free time.
Seeing Levia after dealing with Kailin made my heart feel at ease.
But.
"Um... Brother. Are you okay?"
Levia didn't look entirely relaxed herself.
She gazed at me with worried eyes.
At first, I didn't know why she looked like that, but a little thought made it clear.
'Ah... it's because of Kailin.'
Levia was the one who'd told me Kailin hadn't forgotten the child as a mother.
She must have pictured a normal mom.
Someone full of maternal love who cherished her child.
But after meeting Kailin, she'd realized.
That Kailin was anything but normal.
She was probably worried I'd been hurt talking to someone like that.
But that worry was completely unnecessary.
"Brother. Stay strong."
"There's nothing to be down about."
"Pardon?"
"I never liked her to begin with. It was just an accidental marriage. If anything, I'm glad it's over."
I shared my true feelings with Levia.
Smiling, I told her parting ways with Kailin was a good thing for me.
So she didn't need to feel bad for me.
"Still, are you really not worried at all?"
Even after hearing that, Levia still looked concerned, so I mentioned one worry I did have.
"Hmm. To be honest, I am a little concerned about the child."
Of course, I wasn't entirely worry-free myself.
I was fine, but the child was different.
The issue of the child's mother remained unresolved.
I just didn't know what to do about this one part.
"The child?"
"Yes. She'll have to grow up without a mom. I'm worried she might go astray."
I confided my concerns to Levia.
"Brother, you're such a responsible person."
At my words, Levia smiled brightly.
She finally looked relieved.
"I'm just doing what needs to be done."
"That's what responsibility is."
Why was she making me feel embarrassed?
Just as I felt like she was teasing me...
I heard something unexpected.
"Shall I be the child's mother?"
"Pardon?"
What was that supposed to mean?
Was this a confession?
I couldn't help but be startled by Levia's sudden declaration.
But it didn't seem like that.
"Ah... I worded it poorly and it sounds misleading... That's not it...!!! I mean, I'll take on the role of the child's mother."
Levia realized what she'd said and frantically waved her hands, correcting herself.
She meant she'd just play the role of the child's mother.
She insisted I not misunderstand.
Yeah, that made sense.
I almost got the wrong idea.
"I'd be incredibly grateful if you did."
"I'll do my best."
"I always seem to be in your debt, Sister Levia."
In any case, Levia offered to take on the mother's role for the child.
I thanked her sincerely.
Having a woman like Levia as a mother figure was a rare opportunity anywhere.
I couldn't let it slip away.
'Levia feels more like a mom.'
I honestly didn't know how I'd survive without Levia.
It really highlighted the difference compared to an immature mother like Kailin.
One has a child but no sense of responsibility, while the other has none but is far more responsible.
"I'm the one in your debt."
"Really?"
"Yes. Truly."
Knowing she'd help with the child put my mind at ease.
Just as a warm atmosphere started to settle in...
"Um, excuse me..."
A mage had been watching us from afar.
With purple hair and a robe bigger than her body, she called out to me awkwardly.
"Mr. Davian. You look busy, sorry to interrupt..."
The mage seemed to have business with me.
She was one of the mages who'd come here with Kailin to search for spirits.
'What's her deal?'
I was a bit surprised.
I hadn't had a proper conversation with her yet, but there was no way I wouldn't know who she was.
Her name was Dipne, the current second-in-command of the Magic Tower and a future mage of the Hero Party.
Why was someone like her suddenly talking to me?
I had to ask.
"What is it?"
"I wanted to talk about Kailin... Is that okay?"
Dipne wanted to discuss Kailin with me.