Chapter 83
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Mama
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Of course, that plan is rejected.
Then... for Plan B, what if I scoop up the Count and dash off swiftly...?
Thats rejected too.
Ah...! Then conversely, what if the Count scoops me up and carries me!
Rejected.
Ugh.... Then what should we do now...?
Helga shrank back immediately.
She often messed up, but at her core, she was a good kid.
If I just taught her a bit of finesse, shed surely manage well.
Helga.
Yes...?
You need to learn to control your strength in everything.
Control my strength, you say...?
I mean, ease up. Before your brute force hurts someone.
To say such cruel words to a delicate girl like me...
......People will break easily even under your delicate strength.
She was the complete opposite of Blanche, Bellas guard knight.
Blanche, once an assassin, was cold and composed, but Helga, a warrior who rampaged on battlefields, had a reckless tendency to charge in headfirst.
If Blanche was a killing machine, Helga was a walking weapon.
It was astonishing that such power lurked in those limbs of hers.
But.... Count. Dont let your guard down. You never know when or where someone might target you.
Theres no one in this country bold enough to ambush me.
Thats what I said, but in truth, there was one....
I recalled the time I nearly lost my life to Blanche.
It had been a clear blunder on my part.
The original Tristan was an arrogant character. He was so full of himself, backed by power, that he didnt even bother with escorts.
And I naturally assumed I should act the same.
In the original story, no one was bold enough to attack Tristan in broad daylight, after all.
But after I became Tristan, variables cropped up.
Those variables flipped many things upside down.
And in the end, I let Blanches ambush happen.
Thats why I hired Helga, from Aslans vice-captains, as my escortto counter those variables.
She was one of the top powerhouses in this game, and her loyalty to Tristan was beyond doubt.
The problem was that taking her around meant worrying not for my safety, but for those around me....
Now it was time to get out of the carriage.
I earnestly warned Helga.
Helga. Remember this. This isnt a battlefield.
Yes....
You can act strong in front of the strong. But in front of the weak, you need to be gentle like one of them. Imagine dealing with a child.
A child?
Yeah. Match their eye level. Hide your hostility and speak to them as if gently scolding a child.
......Hmm. I see.... I understand what you mean, Count.
Fortunately, she seemed to get it.
Helga nodded and stepped out of the carriage first.
I followed behind her.
Flash! Flash!
Flashes burst in front of my eyes.
In an instant, reporters surrounded us.
Count! One word on your thoughts about joining the Seven Stars!
Is the Seven Stars name changing now?
Is the Ruelverta family truly taking over as the Seven Stars leader?
Is it true you made a cafeteria worker kneel recently?
What are your thoughts on the rumors of reuniting with the Izarkhel Duke family?
What prompted you to join the Seven Stars?
Do you have any comment on the allegations surrounding you?
A barrage of questions poured toward me.
The original Tristan would have ranted excitedly here.
Something like, The Seven Stars? Its nothing special, while spewing arrogant remarks that belittled other nobles and pulled all the aggro.
But I was Tristan, yet not him.
So I dismissed every single question with one phrase.
Not worth answering.
Pardon?
Wait, hold on!
With that, I ignored the reporters and headed for the school.
But they were persistent.
C-Count!
Please, just one more word!
They were getting really annoying.
Then Helga blocked the reporters trying to bar my path.
Shed understood my words wellno fist-first disaster occurred.
She simply spoke with a serene expression.
Children.
...?
Ah, wait.... What?
I glanced at Helga, wondering if Id misheard.
She wore the gentle face of a kindergartner teacher reading a picture book to kids.
There were plenty of things I wanted to tsukkomi, but Helga had simply followed my instructions to the letter.
The problem was that shed followed them too literally....
Helga interlaced her fingers, gloved in leather, and said,
Any kids who block our Count from now on... I wont kill, but Ill whack em! Oh! Of course!
Then, as if shed just remembered, she added,
Itll hurt, so just one smack each!
Crack.
A chilling sound emanated from her adorably clenched fists.
So, who wants to be the first to get smacked?
Uh....
N-Not me.
Me neither....
Naturally, everyone who saw backed away furtively.
..
!.
...
No one sensed hostility from her.
They just felt the terror from the abyss....
Thanks to that, I entered the school unimpeded, with full dignity.
Heh heh...
Amid it all, Helga was giving me sidelong glances, eyes begging for praise.
Fine. Good job. My good girl. No....
My crazy girl....
Warm sunlight bathed the lawn.
A cool breeze carried the scent of grass.
In that scenery, two people enjoyed a picnic.
How is it?
Mmm...! Sweet!
Hee hee.... Glad youre satisfied.
Bella took a sip of tea.
Beside her sat a golden-haired, blue-eyed girlMichaelamunching on a cream cake.
I want next offering like this too!
Of course. Next time, Ill find even sweeter things for you.
Really? Yay! Hee hee hee!
Few knew that this innocently joyful girl was a god manifested in this world, save a tiny few.
Michaela gazed at the offering Bella brought, clearly delighted, then spoke.
By the way, how many kids are you planning to have?
W-What?!
Bella nearly dropped her teacup.
W-What do you mean...?
What do I mean? Youre gonna marry Tristan, right? Or not?
N-No...! Why would I marry a guy like that...?
Giggle.... You can be more honest with me.
Michaela giggled, amused by Bellas reaction.
Realizing she couldnt hide anything from her anyway, Bella revealed her true feelings.
Well.... Sort of.... If Tristan wants to marry me, I wouldnt mind....
Hmph. Knew it.
Eek, purely out of pity! Hes got no one else to marry if not me.
Hee.... You really think that...?
Huh?
Nah, nothing. Hee hee.
Michaela licked cream from her lips.
If you marry him, Ill specially let you hold the wedding here in paradise.
Wow? Really, Michaela?! Ah, no! Of course that wont happen! But thanks for saying it!
Yeah, yeah. Ill invite super fancy guests too. Hurry and make it a done dealget married.
D-Done deal...?
Bella flushed, embarrassed.
That reaction was so fun that Michaela was about to tease her more.
Something rolled toward their picnic mat.
Bella tilted her head at it.
Hm? A pillow?
Ahh.... Seriously!
Michaela sounded annoyed, her mood ruined.
Then the pillow-like thing squirmed.
Ugh....
This guy who sleeps all day shows up now, huh.
Good smell brought meee....
The pillows talking?!
Im not a pillowyy....
Huh?
As Bella tilted her head, the pillow wriggled and rose.
Wearing it like pajamas, it poked only its head out and hugged Bella.
Heeeng.... Mama Bella....
Oh...? If it isnt Lady Liri?
Really.... Really.... Long time no see. Hee....
It was a baby-like girl swaddled in a pillow sack.
Removing the pillow-like hood revealed lush, lemon-yellow hair.
Liri clung sleepily to Bella.
Mama.... Feed me that too.
Lady Liri, honestly.... Say ahh. Ahh.
Ahhng.
Hey! Dont eat my offering!
Shoo. Yours mine, whats that.... All mine.
Argh, seriously! Bella, dont indulge her! Shes getting spoiled rotten!
Michaela fumed.
Paradise wasnt home to just her as a god.
Most gods usually holed up somewhere in paradise, lounging around.
So why did this one wake up at this exact timing?
Michaela glared at Liri, displeased.
Ignoring her, Liri burrowed into Bellas embrace.
Ugh.... Mama....
Hee hee.... Lady Liri always seems like a baby.
Wahh. I baby god.... But unfamiliar scent from Mama....
Huh?
Oh no.... A foreboding thought flashed in Michaelas mind.
This thick scent of fate... Whos it?
Hey! Dont say it!
No need to say.... Ill figure it out.... Sniff sniff....
W-Wait! Lady Liri! Not there...!
Despite Bellas protests, Liri sniffed her scent to her satisfaction.
When Liri finally released Bella, she realized what Michaela had tried to hide.
Mmm.... I see.... So thats it.
Liri opened her sleepy eyes and spoke to Michaela.
Something this fun came by, and you were hogging it all to yourself...?