Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Reason for Existence (6)
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"It's heavy."
"Then stay here."
"No, I'm a smart mage, so I'm weak. You can tell just by looking."
Ignoring Sophia, who was starting to spout nonsense, Natalie neatly packed away all the materials that Senior Yustina had brought and slung the box over her shoulder.
It was more than she'd expected—enough to make her wonder what exactly was in there—but as a mere knight from a junior house, she decided to stick faithfully to her role as the pack mule rather than pry into something that wasn't her business.
Confirming that Sophia, grunting with far less weight behind her, had stepped into the pre-opened transfer gate, Karin erased the magic circle as instructed, closing the portal.
From Natalie's perspective, Astraea felt like a land of opportunity. She wasn't the weakest among her peers, but ironically, the limits of what a single knightly house could achieve made it hard to dream big.
Maybe it'd be more fulfilling to settle down here if the chance arose. That thought crossed her mind.
Whether it was truly that heavy or not, the moment they passed through the gate, Sophia dropped her bag to the floor, panting and rubbing her shoulders.
"Sophia. You need stamina to survive situations like last time."
"Ugh, the idea of that happening again is awful enough just hearing about it."
"That's why you have to be careful."
At Natalie's urging, Sophia let out a determined grunt, hoisted her load again, and waddled after her.
They look like books... what the heck could make them this heavy?
Of course, she wasn't foolish enough to complain openly, nor ungrateful enough to badmouth items meant for Senior Julius despite knowing that.
Under the scorching summer sun of the desert, Sophia arrived at the cafe drenched in sweat. Julius silently welcomed them inside, fetched women's clothes and a towel from the back, and guided Sophia to the bathroom.
Judging her current state as dire even herself, Sophia swallowed her embarrassment and decided to wash up. Natalie helped move the luggage, including what Sophia had dropped.
Julius tried to wave her off, insisting she sit like a guest, but Natalie wouldn't budge, so in the end, they carried the books inside together.
"You two worked hard."
"Uh, you don't have to speak so formally."
"Oh, right. Got it. I'll keep it casual."
Once the two finished sorting the books and came back down, Sophia—now dressed in Karin's clothes—sat waiting.
"Natalie."
"Yeah?"
"Karins's gotten even bigger. No matter how I look at it."
"...Why are you even noticing that—wait, you're right."
Natalie was momentarily speechless at the stark difference. What could make a woman's chest grow that fast in such a short time?
Pregnancy? No, no way it'd happen in just a week.
Glancing suspiciously at Julius, he gave a wry smile and mouthed, 'curse.'
I see.
"It's because of the curse."
"Oh."
After whispering to share the info, they pretended ignorance and joined Karin, chatting as usual.
Reimi watched the scene and murmured softly.
"They're good friends. A bit quirky, but still."
"If anything, their lack of backing is the issue."
"True. Even kind, tight-knit friends can't always provide support when it counts."
"Exactly."
Reimi sat at the bar table, Julius leaned on the counter, and they watched the trio converse.
"The manager has no friends."
"Nope. Always people around, but hard to find ones worth calling friends."
"It's tricky from other people's perspectives too."
It wasn't just that.
Julius hadn't had a wide circle of friends even in his past life, and his relationships with women had mostly veered toward the decadent.
Meeting people he could casually talk to and truly understand came only after opening the cafe and working there.
"Oh, this is a note from Senior Yustina. She said it's a summary of what happened at her family home."
"What happened, huh."
Julius took the note with a slightly sour expression, which soured even more as he unfolded it.
He took a deep breath, sighed, blinked twice, then tore the note to shreds and tossed it.
"Mind if I ask what it was about?"
"Well... it's kinda personal. You know my relationship with my dad sucks. More accurately, I just unilaterally hate him."
"Wants you back?"
"Not quite. If I hate going back because of him, he'll leave instead, so come inherit the family."
"...That's one bold offer."
"That's the guy. Cares more about the family legacy than his own life. Could just make Yustina the heir."
"Said to pass this note along with that."
"Not some scheming envelopes, what is this."
Unfolding another one and reading intently, Julius's face twisted beyond grimacing.
In the heavy silence where no one dared ask, Julius spoke first.
"...Dad has zero intention of making Yustina heir. Only if he dies of old age or in battle would he change it via will—never before then."
"Whoa, that's some scary paternal obsession with his son."
"It's the family, not the son."
Julius spat curtly and dumped the scraps in the trash. Wanting to lighten his mood even a bit, Reimi teased with a joke.
"If you go back to the Lebedevs, can I tag along?"
Julius chuckled at that.
"Of course. If there's ever a reason to go back, sure."
"...Me too."
"Mina, you're an elf, so immigration and residency would be tricky."
"I'll go anyway."
"Manager. Um, what about me?"
"...Do whatever."
Hearing Karin, Sophia shot her an indignant look, snuck behind her, and fondled her breasts. Nice, even bigger now— The moment that thought crossed her mind, Karin's sharp yelp rang out, and the fabric over her chest dampened slightly.
Caught off guard, even Sophia panicked.
Seeing it, Julius swiftly had Karin change, then gathered Sophia and Natalie for a word.
"...That's the nature of the demon clan's curse. Sensitive topic, so just pretend you don't know."
"Got it. Scared me."
"You've been dealing with a lot, and since you've known her longer, comfort her well."
"Of course. ...Hey, if you're free today, could you take a look at my sword?"
"Sure."
Sophia had heard of sexual curses from demon clans—noble gossip being what it is. Things like inducing wet dreams, forcing heat, dragging out hidden desires, or reshaping the body for sex.
A curse that makes milk leak like pregnancy? Terrifying. Social suicide.
Sophia apologized first to Karin, who emerged in fresh clothes with a subtle expression.
"Sorry. I wasn't thinking."
"...Nah, it's fine."
"Anything else to watch out for?"
"The rest have safeguards, no issues."
So she'd been hit with quite a few.
Sophia and Natalie got the hint without more words and slurped the drinks Julius handed them.
Natalie noticed new patterns and accessories on Karin's body that weren't there before, linking them to the curse.
Like aftereffects lingering post-illness, curses left sequelae too—and if they lasted this long, who knew what kind.
From the vibes, it seemed her feelings had shifted from mere lust or admiration to genuine affection, and he seemed the type to accept her, curse and all. Good thing.
He was a good guy, after all.
"Julius. Thanks for always taking good care of Karin."
"Huh? Nah, I'm used to looking after kids."
Still treating her like a kid, huh. Still, being close by might bring chances eventually.
Heading out today to shop for cute clothes and lingerie wouldn't hurt. Sophia's eyes lit up at romance talk, so she'd tag along eagerly.
Julius now chatting leisurely with Reimi and Mina looked so at ease. Everyone else vied to get closer, yet he stayed detached—kinda annoying.
"Something wrong?"
"...No."
Honestly, Natalie felt her heart race a bit around him too. Not full-blown love, but the strength she'd aspired to, and his heroic entrance slashing foes at the direst moment.
What became of that tiny spark clinging since then? Even she didn't know.
But in this place of the strong and extraordinary, not knowing her own worth felt a little lonely.