Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Teatime (2)
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"What a shame."
"No helping it."
Ras wore a somewhat bitter expression at the Welton Count's words.
"I never expected the Zenith Church to make the first move. At the time, I thought it was the best option."
"I have no intention of blaming you, my lord. Quite the opposite—I'm grateful. Thanks to you, they won't advance into the kingdom's eastern region anymore. That's more than enough."
Having been chased out of Hays, the Zenith Church could no longer push into the kingdom's east.
In effect, they had failed to expand their influence in the kingdom.
Even though they had quickly cut off their tails, they couldn't escape suspicion.
This incident would spread widely, and it was clear it would deal a significant blow to the Zenith Church's image.
They would have to spend some time lying low like dead rats, unable to do anything.
"They'll be even more cautious now."
"Probably."
But in turn, the Zenith Church would proceed with utmost caution in all matters.
To prevent another fiasco like this.
"Still, now that we know what they're up to, I think it'll be much easier to respond. Especially since..."
"Especially since?"
"An apostle and a saint have appeared in our church."
"An apostle?"
At Ras's words, the Count set down his teacup with a clink.
Even the Count, who had little interest in religion, knew what an apostle meant.
An apostle was the proxy of a god, the symbol of their church.
And the savior who appeared when that church faced crisis.
"I can't offer congratulations."
"Yes."
The appearance of an apostle in the Pyro Church meant a great danger was approaching soon.
And with a saint appearing alongside? The scale of that danger was unimaginable.
"But because the apostle has appeared, we'll be able to prepare."
Without even an apostle, the situation would have been utterly hopeless.
The Pyro Goddess was doing her utmost to save her church.
"Who are they?"
"A boy named Riki and a girl named Anna. Siblings."
"Huh. Siblings... Which one is the apostle?"
"The brother."
"And the little sister is the saint. Siblings with such talents. It happens."
A faint smile formed on the Count's lips.
But it didn't last.
The Count stared at his teacup in heavy silence, deep in thought.
Ras watched quietly.
Eventually, the Count broke the silence.
"Maybe this was fated."
"What...?"
"Take this."
The Count pulled a document from his breast pocket and handed it to Ras.
Ras tilted his head as he received it.
"Open it."
"Yes, sir."
Ras's eyes widened as he unfolded the paper.
He looked at the Count in shock.
A smile crept onto the Count's face.
The sun had risen.
After breakfast, Jamie headed to the garden where Sears was.
It was their usual teatime.
'Feels like it's been forever.'
They'd had it just yesterday, but it felt like days had passed.
Probably because of yesterday's fierce battle.
"You're here."
Arriving at the garden entrance, Jamie stopped and took deep breaths in and out.
He was nervous.
It felt like facing a battle with a god.
He clutched his chest with small hands. He could feel his heart pounding.
One step forward, and it would begin.
'Can I do it?'
Not 'Can I?'—he had to.
Three times so far, all told.
None had been easy.
He wiped his sweaty hands on his pants.
Jamie took a big breath and stepped forward. Then he shouted vigorously.
"Moooooom!"
"Oh? Jamie?"
Sears, who had been sipping tea with Sara in her arms, widened her eyes at her son's voice from behind.
She tilted her head in confusion as he ran up.
"Mom!"
Jamie barreled over and hugged Sears's waist as she sat.
Sara, sitting there, squinted her big eyes at her big brother and clutched her body-sized drink bottle tightly with her little arms.
"Oh dear. What's gotten into you?"
"Hee hee. Nothing."
Sears chuckled softly at Jamie's mischievous grin.
"Sit down first."
"Okay."
Jamie hopped onto the chair that came up to his waist.
He swung his legs and sipped the prepared tea.
Sears stroked Sara's hair and asked.
"Son, did something good happen today?"
Good thing?
Honestly, no. Just the usual.
The difference? He had a request.
Jamie acted on thorough calculations.
"No! I just love having tea with you and Sara."
"You usually find it a hassle."
"Wh-when did I say that?!"
"Look at you getting flustered."
Sears giggled at Jamie's blushing, flustered face.
She stopped laughing and asked something else.
"Then do you want something?"
At that, Jamie hesitated, looking reluctant to answer.
"There's something, isn't there?"
"No. I'm just in a good mood today. Heh heh."
His legs swinging back and forth, shoulders slightly slumped, awkward smile.
"Come on. No secrets between mom and Jamie. Tell me everything. I'll listen."
"...Really?"
Jamie twinkled his round emerald eyes.
Sears wanted to squeeze her adorable son, but held back and nodded.
"Yes. Really."
"Then..."
Jamie tapped his two index fingers together cautiously.
"I want to go to Grandma and Grandpa's."
"Hm?"
"Abton."
Sears was caught off guard by the unexpected request.
She'd expected magic books or items.
He never played much with toys anyway.
But her parents' home?
"Why Abton?"
"I asked Big Brother Ras about it and looked it up myself."
"Yeah? And?"
"There's a hill there with a water droplet thiiiis big!"
Jamie jumped up on the chair and spread his arms as wide as possible.
"I really want to go see it!"
His eyes sparkled brighter than ever.
Sears was quite flustered to see her usually mature Jamie making such gestures.
He hopped down and grabbed her arm, shaking it.
"I really want to go! Can't you take me? Please?"
"J-Jamie."
"I wanna go. Mom, pleeease!"
Jamie throwing a tantrum.
Rare enough that Sears was quite surprised.
Last time he'd begged like this was years ago.
When he was five and could barely speak properly.
He'd begged to enter the library then.
'That was embarrassing too.'
Sears smiled wryly at the memory. Mature or not, a child was a child.
She set Sara on the side chair and scooped up her son.
"You really want to go to Abton?"
"Yes!"
"Grandpa might feel left out. His grandson preferring a water drop hill over him."
"G-Grandpa too!"
Sears hugged the awkwardly smiling Jamie tightly.
"Aigoo, my cute baby!"
"M-Mom!"
"Whose son is so pretty?"
Released from her grip, Jamie slumped like he'd aged years (still just a seven-year-old boy).
But her demands weren't over.
She grinned playfully.
"If you want to go to Abton, kiss me here."
"M-Mom?"
Sears pointed to her lips, and Jamie paled.
Anything but that...
'This wasn't in my calculations!'
But Sears was firm.
"Oh? Don't want to? Fine then~"
"..."
"You really don't?"
Yes. I don't, Mother.
He couldn't say it out loud.
'Damn it!'
"Come on~"
Under her urging, Jamie wailed inwardly.
He knew.
His mother Sears would whine like a child until he gave in.
No kiss, and it'd loop like a Möbius strip.
'Fine. Do it.'
Lips don't wear out.
Jamie steeled himself.
But intent and action didn't match easily.
No! Nothing's impossible!
'I am the great black sorcerer, Diablo Volpir!!'
Mwah!
Jamie squeezed his eyes shut and kissed Sears.
'There. That's it. That's all...'
Sears beamed with satisfaction.
"My son's kisses are the best!"
And he escaped her embrace.
Back on the ground, Jamie looked years older.
'Kissing at this age.'
Thinking back, he'd kissed Sears recently too.
In front of Riki, but on the cheek, so better.
Sighing inwardly, he looked up—and met Sara's eyes.
Pfffrrr—
Bubbles boiled from her drink bottle the size of her torso.
Jamie coughed awkwardly and turned away, embarrassed.
Then Sears spoke.
"Oh, right. Son."
"Yes?"
"Now that I think about it, we're going to Grandma and Grandpa's next week."
"...Huh?"
"Haha. Mom forgot."
"Ah... Lucky."
What was that kiss for?
Jamie felt the world was especially cruel today.
Jamie trudged out of the garden toward the main gate.
A short time, but enough to leave him drained.
He needed to get back to his room and sleep to recover his shattered mind even a little.
"Jamie!"
Someone called from the gate.
It was Ras.
He approached in a few strides.
"Where you coming from?"
"...Teatime with Mom and sis."
"Why the rough look?"
"Eh. Long story."
An unfortunate event too awkward to explain.
Jamie's head drooped.
Ras didn't know why, but patted his shoulder comfortingly.
"Whatever it is, it'll pass."
"Yeah. So, what's up with you?"
"Oh. Had business with the Count. It's done now."
"Already?"
"I'll be leaving Hays for Abton sometime next week."
Ras smiled bitterly.
"Sudden, I know, but my business here's wrapped up. Time to head back."
"I see."
"Riki and Anna are coming too."
Of course—the Pyro Church's apostle and saint.
Jamie stayed expressionless, so Ras mistook it for disappointment.
Ras grabbed both his shoulders with a mature face.
Jamie eyed him questioningly.
"It's okay. We'll meet again. Don't be sad."
"Huh? Sad?"
"Not sure when, but Riki and Anna won't forget you. Imagine reuniting after everyone's grown—won't it be something?"
"What're you...?"
"Short time, but I know your friendship with Riki runs deep. He even talked about you. Friendship—nice, huh."
"Bro?"
"Anyway, don't be sad or disappointed. This isn't the end. We might even see each other often."
What misunderstanding?
Jamie frowned and shook off Ras's hands.
"Not sad. Not sorry to see you go."
"Hm?"
"No need to meet later either."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"You'll see. I'm heading in."
Jamie waved vaguely and entered the mansion.
Ras stared blankly at the swinging door.