Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Liberic of Merirose Mansion (3)
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Far off in the distance, lively and cheerful voices chattered away.
I rubbed my sticky eyes and sat up.
On the bed in my room.
Darkness had fallen outside the window, while downstairs brimmed with the sounds of people laughing and talking.
I sat there blankly, blinking my eyes.
Memories of what happened earlier came flooding back.
Pathetic. My rationality, belatedly kicking in, muttered to itself.
But a child confronted with the stench of death could do nothing but burst into instinctive tears—no matter whose soul dwelled within, or how extraordinary it was.
Mother had been startled because I was the sort of child who rarely showed his emotions.
I seldom cried, and I hardly ever got startled or angry.
For a seven-year-old, earning praise for being so composed was the best I could manage.
I rubbed at my eyes, still stinging from the tears.
"Lib? You're awake."
Shuren poked his head through the open door.
"Aren't you hungry? Want something to eat?"
I shook my head. Even though dinner time had long passed, I had no appetite right after waking up.
"Brother, where's Mother?"
"Down on the first floor, having dinner with Master and the guests. ...Want to go to her?"
Shuren sat on the edge of the bed, peering at me with a worried look.
"Lib, there's nothing to be scared of at all. Master too—all the guests are from the Prius Knight Order. They're incredibly strong people who fight demons and magical beasts."
Admiration shone plainly on Shuren's face.
He was the head butler's son, training to follow in his father's footsteps, but his real dream was to become a knight.
"And among them, Master holds a high position in Prius—he's an amazing knight. It's a shame he can't come home often because of knight order duties, but that just means he's handling really important work there."
So that's why Mother keeps her loneliness bottled up inside.
"He'll be staying here for a few days before heading back. And get this—they're training tomorrow, and he said I could watch! Can you believe it? I get to see real knights training!"
I couldn't help but laugh. Was it that exciting?
Watching Shuren chatter away in excitement chased away my lingering gloom, bit by bit.
"Wanna come? It's bound to be awesome."
"I'm good."
Shuren knew I wasn't big on outdoor activities, so he didn't push too hard.
He flashed a grin and ruffled my hair.
"You might regret it later. Chances like this don't come around often. Well, I know you aren't into swordsmanship anyway."
Shuren shrugged and stood up.
"Still, let's get some dinner in you before it's too late. I'll get in trouble if you don't eat. Hang on a sec—I'll bring it up."
"Okay..."
A little later, Shuren returned with Madam Amara.
Madam Amara laid out dinner for two on the table, asked Shuren to handle cleanup, and headed back out.
With the sudden influx of guests, her workload must have spiked. It was the first time I'd seen her so flustered.
I sat across from Shuren and ate together.
He yammered on about the guests the whole time, so excited he hardly seemed to notice what he was eating.
"They did field training! Know what that is? It's when they go out of knight school and fight real magical beasts and demons. And they're still students—talk about impressive."
So they had been in combat before arriving here.
That's why I'd sensed those unwashed traces of battle so keenly. Was it my mage's instincts at work?
Once we finished, Shuren cleared the plates and leftovers, then left the room.
In the meantime, I'd gotten ready for bed with the maids' help.
By the time Shuren got back, I was straining on tiptoes to grab a book from the shelf—silently cursing it for not accommodating my short stature.
Shuren chuckled and pulled down the one I pointed at. I snatched it up, hugged it close, and scrambled into bed.
"Don't stay up too late reading. You need to sleep soon."
Shuren gave his parting advice as he closed the door.
"Yeah. Good night, Shuren-brother."
"Night, Lib."
Once he was gone, I propped myself up in bed and started reading.
It was far simpler than the books in the study—the tutor had brought it for me.
With a clear head, I read on without any trouble.
How much time passed?
So absorbed in the book, I hadn't even noticed the raucous noise from downstairs fading away.
The surroundings were quiet now, save for the occasional cry of some nameless night bird outside the window.
I gazed absently toward the window for a moment, then turned back to my book.
Knock knock.
A polite knock sounded right then.
The door cracked open, and a man with an awkward smile peeked in. Father.
"Lib? ...You're still awake."
The memory of earlier hit me, and I flinched without thinking.
Father stepped inside and waved his hands in a fluster.
"No, it's fine. Don't be scared. I just wanted to talk."
Talk?
I stared at Father as he approached slowly.
The blood smell was gone from him now. No sword, and he'd changed into casual clothes.
He moved cautiously, like he was facing down a skittish little animal.
The situation felt just as awkward and strange to me.
"Take a look at this."
As he drew near, Father awkwardly knelt down and held out what he'd been carrying.
A small crystal orb rested there.
But it was nothing like an ordinary crystal orb.
"It's called a Melgram."
The small, round orb was transparent, but from deep within, a familiar power rippled outward in waves.
Mana. The mana undulated from the orb's core, spreading through the air before dissipating.
I found myself captivated by the pulsing waves without realizing it.
"If something dangerous is nearby, this orb turns black. But look—right now, it's perfectly fine, isn't it?"
I stared hard at the Melgram. Just as Father said, it remained clear, steadily emitting that calm, pure power.
I nodded.
"See? Nothing to fear. Here—it's yours."
Father placed the Melgram in my hand.
It had a string attached, so it could be worn like a necklace.
Neat.
I liked this little orb that gave off mana. My curiosity was piqued—I'd never seen anything like it before.
This new world held far more mysteries than my past knowledge could uncover.
"Thank you, Father."
"Ah."
I bowed my head politely, and Father broke into a moved smile.
He grinned like a child and stroked my hair.
"No need to thank me. I've always felt bad for not being around."
"It's okay. Mother said you're busy doing important work."
"Did Mother say that?"
I nodded.
Father's expression grew complicated, and he pulled me into a gentle hug.
I could feel his face resting atop my head. His breathing, the thump of his heartbeat—all so close.
"Lib. No matter what work I do, it doesn't make up for not being by you and your mother's side. I'd give anything to come back right now... but I can't."
Father was grieving.
I felt his hand patting my back—clumsy, but warm and large.
"But whenever the chance comes, I'll return here. Can you understand that?"
"...Yes."
Father gave a small smile and gazed intently down at my face.
"To think that tiny child has grown so composed. I still can't quite believe it."
He stared at my face for a good while longer.
"Right, you like books? Your mother was praising how you've already learned your letters. ...What's this one?"
Father's eyes drifted to the book I'd been reading. I pulled it closer.
"Teacher told me to read a history book."
"Oh, Sernia's history, huh? Already tackling something like this?"
Father flipped through it, looking impressed.
It had lots of pictures and large print, but the content was still a bit tough for a kid my age.
"Still, you shouldn't read so late. Time for bed tonight."
I obediently closed the book and lay down.
Father sat quietly beside me, clearly planning to stay until I fell asleep.
His hand gently stroked the hair on my forehead—warm, just like Mother's.
"...Father."
I murmured softly. Sleep was starting to pull at me.
"Hm?"
"What do you do in Prius?"
No one had ever told me exactly what Father's job was. They figured I wouldn't understand.
I had a rough idea of what Prius did as an organization, but I was curious just how vital his work was that he had to leave his family behind.
Father thought for a long moment before finally speaking.
"...I'm a Blue Guard Knight. I run the knight school and teach students who want to become knights."
"I can't quit until they've all learned everything... and become knights better than me."
Blue Guard Knight... I'd read about that. One of Prius's five Color Guard Knights.
"Prius sends knights all over the world to defeat evil, dangerous demons and magical beasts."
"That's why Prius knights have to be strong and wise. Only then can they save lots of people—including themselves."
Shuren was right after all.
Father was doing work no one else could.
And teaching others? That didn't strike me as something just anyone could pull off.
"Are there still heroes alive in Prion?"
I craned my neck and asked on a whim.
Father looked down at me in mild surprise, then smiled warmly.
"You like hero stories, don't you?"
"Selena's the one who likes them. I'm just a little interested."
I mumbled and looked away.
If I saw Selena tomorrow, I'd have a story to tell her. She'd love it.
"Selena?"
"She lives down the hill and comes over a lot. We read books in the study together and talk about stuff. Heroes are her favorite."
"I see."
Father chuckled softly. He paused to think, then continued.
"Heroes, huh. Only one is still alive now—the great mage, Claus Sage."
Something amusing seemed to cross his mind, as Father smiled to himself.
"Here's a fun fact: Luwen Klaus, who came with me today? He's Claus Sage's adopted son and disciple. An old friend of mine, and a top-notch mage to boot."
That guy... The air around him had seemed to shimmer.
Come to think of it, he was the first mage I'd met in this short life.
"And Prion's representative—the Knight Commander himself, White Guard Knight Sir Petron Lesis—is the eldest son of Allen Lesis. The hero who was crown prince of Lesion Kingdom. You know of him?"
"Yes, I know."
Father grinned and stroked my forehead.
"White Guard Knight said he wanted to meet you. Hopefully we'll get the chance someday."
The way Father spoke of Petron Lesis carried a depth of respect words alone couldn't convey.
"It's late. I'll tell you more stories tomorrow. Sleep now."
Father pulled my blanket up to my neck.
"Yes... Good night."
He gently brushed back my hair.
"Sleep well, Lib."
Even after that farewell, Father stayed by my side for a long while—until I was fully asleep.