Chapter 35
Translator: RoblagRemember to wash your hands regularly
“If only something like ‘affection’ had a form,” says the hooded man . “What will happen to what’s left?”
“Hmph . ” The man in white clothes, sitting opposite the hooded man, smiles mockingly . “Some of Solomon’s ideas are stupid . ‘To achieve true immortality one must separate oneself from one’s ego . ’ Bah! Such a nuisance . ”
“The Homunculi want to return to Solomon’s side because they all have an uncontrollable desire to be with him . Solomon himself implanted this desire in these children . And now, since the Homunculi cannot satisfy this desire, they end up going crazy . ”
“What about Baal?”
“Unfortunately his ‘affection’ has disappeared . ” The hooded man places some black gems on the table . “If we interrupt its sleep, it will only release its hatred and thirst for destruction . ”
“That’s good too . It must be much more useful than its ‘affection’ for Solomon . ”
“Only if we can control it…” The hooded man scowls at the black gems .
The two men are in a splendid room . Luxury furniture is scattered throughout the room and the beautiful chandeliers hanging from the ceiling illuminate the place with magical fire .
The man dressed in white stands up, walks to the window sill and looks out . The night lights are moving outside .
The man laughs with contempt and turning away . “Why did you come back here after such a short time?”
“I want to get back the power I lent to Caim‘s brat . ”
“Oh, you mean Byaku? If I remember correctly, he’s accompanying the Cardinal’s daughter, what about him? Is everything all right with the rebellion in Bordeaux?”
“We have been betrayed . What’s more, the ring was destroyed . The resurrection of Samiginia will take longer now . ”
The man dressed in white laughs loudly at the words of the hooded man . “Hahaha! So the plan was a failure after all . Well, what do you plan to do?”
“Eliminate them . Apparently, they’re being pursued by the Vienna agents . ”
“Fufu~, that child must be a pain in the neck for the Pope, right? If she’s alive, they’ll certainly want to eliminate her . ”
The hooded man drinks a sip of tea . “The northern team has been decimated by that tomboy elf . Berith, Ose, Morax, they were all eliminated . ”
“This is not Zama* . We’ll be the ones who laugh in the end . ”
The hooded man frowned at the sight of the man dressed in white smiling brightly .
“…Do you know the adventurer known as the ‘Black Haired Valkyrie’?”
“No?”
“She defeated Baal . She also stopped the rebellion in Bordeaux . ”
“Really? That’s amazing . What’s wrong with that?”
“As her nickname indicates, she has black hair . ”
Hearing that, the man dressed in white sits back in a chair with an amusing expression and rests his elbows on the table .
“Maybe she dyed her hair . Are you worried about that, buddy?”
“I haven’t seen her in person yet, but she might have died her hair . I’ll look into it later . ”
“Fufu~, if it turns out to be any other way, things will get even more fun . ”
“Don’t be stupid . If it turns out to be any other way, things will get complicated . ”
“…I suppose so . Oh boy~, if one of them got away, it would be your biggest mistake . ”
“Mmm… I’ll investigate it soon enough . And I hope you don’t make a mistake in your new task . ”
“Of course not~ . What about Baal?”
“I don’t know . This is the core, use it until you exhaust all your magic power and drop dead, for all I care . ”
The hooded man puts his hand on his chest and moments later, his body flashes like a flame in the wind to finally disappear, as he would never have been there .
By the time Belgriff and the others get back to the village, the sun has already set . This takes the old adventurer by surprise because, according to his calculations, they should have returned by the afternoon . The time perception is actually different inside the forest .
Marguerite was able to fight for so long thanks to the adrenaline that was pumping through her body, but when she felt more relaxed, the consequences of the fight became evident . The tiredness and the wounds took their toll on her body and Graham had to carry her back to the village . On the way back, the girl fell asleep . So when they arrive home, Graham immediately puts her in one of the beds .
When Marguerite is asleep she is nothing like the girl who shouts foul words and swings her sword indiscriminately . Graham watches the girl sleep for a few seconds and then lets out a sigh .
“She’s a troublemaker . I hope she’s learnt something from all this . ”
“I understand you perfectly, Lord Graham . ” Says Belgriff while he brews some tea .
Duncan crosses his arms and stares at Belgriff . “That aside, I’m surprised . Your moves when you saw Marguerite being beaten were incredible! One second you were right next to me and the next, you were near the girl!”
“I was angry and I moved without thinking…”
“No, not at all . Thanks to your actions, we didn’t receive any serious injuries . ” Says Graham and then he turns to see Marguerite again . “It seems I’m not good at raising disciples . I taught Marguerite how to use the sword, but she ended up this way… I disciplined her as if she were my own daughter…”
Slowly, Graham begins to tell his story .
Marguerite grew up without much attention and love from her father . His father, Oberon, is the king of the Western Forest and leader of the Elven Clan . Marguerite’s mother and her nanny were in charge of her care .
By this time, Graham had retired and was living near the Western Forest . He had no wife or children because of his life as an adventurer and since he abandoned the elven lifestyle and went out into the outside world, he received strong criticism when he returned to the territory .
However, since he was also the hero who had fought high-ranking magic beasts and even defeated some Demon Kings, little by little the elves began to recognize his abilities and several of them even started visiting his home .
“Oberon considered me his own uncle . He didn’t accept it openly, but he had an enormous interest in the outside world and visited me whenever he could to listen to my stories . ”
“I see…”
“It was thanks to this relationship that I met Marguerite several times, she always seemed interested in the outside world and always begged me to tell her my stories . ”
Marguerite never adapted to the quiet life of the elves . Her curiosity knew no bounds and her eyes sparkle every time she heard Graham recount his battles against the Demon Kings .
“I think Marguerite was jealous that I could make a name for myself . ”
“So she also wanted to be recognised?” Belgriff asks .
“Elves do not value individuality . They are free from the yoke of their ego and seek to connect with nature to achieve harmony of mind . But Marguerite is different . She wants to be recognized as an individual… and I’m sure my stories stimulated that desire . ’
“But isn’t that a normal desire among the youngsters? I dreamt of that too when I decided to become an adventurer and left my hometown behind…”
“That feeling is different between elves and humans, Duncan . Marguerite and I are considered heretics by the traditions of the elven clans . ”
Belgriff wonders if the same thing would have happened to the elf girl he knew so long ago .
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In any case, despite all the complications, Graham taught Marguerite how to use the sword . It’s not that elves hate fighting . Magic beasts appear everywhere, even near the elven territory, so knowing how to handle weapons was useful for them too .
The difference was that Marguerite improved her technique immeasurably .
She was born with enormous magical power because of her royal blood and, thanks to Graham, she learned to control it properly . In a very short time, she managed to master several styles of sword fighting, to the extent that she was able to create and polish her own style .
It was for this reason that Marguerite wished to follow the same path as Graham . Until one day, she came out of the elven territory with her sword in hand .
“Elves despise those who leave their territory because they disturb the harmony of the clan . Oberon and his queen, Titania, were also forced to adopt this attitude as rulers of the clan . ”
” That’s why you were tasked with taking care of Marguerite, Lord Graham…”
“Oberon was already quite busy with the clan affairs . Ah~, I don’t think I did a very good job of educating Marguerite… “Graham says with a sigh . “Elves who leave their territories are loners . And when they decide to return home, the other elves always look at them with suspicious eyes and some even fear them . That’s why I tried so hard to stop this . ”
“…That’s none of your business, Honorable Great Uncle . ”
All three men turn their gaze to the elf girl . Marguerite’s sitting there scratching her head .
“You’re awake… How do you feel?”
“I guess you’re satisfied, Honorable Great Uncle . Everything turned out just as you expected . ”
Marguerite looks at Graham with a penetrating gaze . Graham scowls and looks the girl straight in the eye .
“Why do you always see me that way… I’ve never denied that you have great abilities . The problem is that you always act recklessly . ”
“I’m sick of your opinion…”
Marguerite tries to get up, but the pain in her side makes her grunt and she falls to her knees .
Duncan quickly approaches her . “Watch out! Your wound has not yet fully healed!”
“Don’t touch me!” Marguerite pushes Duncan’s hand away . Then he turns to see Belgriff with a defiant smile . “I guess you guys had fun watching me, right? A stupid girl throwing herself into a fight she couldn’t win on her own!”
“Marguerite!” Graham stands up with an angry expression . “That’s enough! Belgriff and Duncan went into the woods because they were worried about you! Talking that way to these people…! No one will ever be able to recognize your value if you keep pushing people away!”
Marguerite bites her lip and says nothing . Then she gets up and quickly leaves the house . Duncan also gets up and follows her .
“Marguerite!”
“Leave her alone, Duncan! She’s just a stupid girl… I’ve had enough!”
Duncan stops short when he sees the angry expression on Graham’s face . But Belgriff gets up and heads for the door . Graham scowls at him .
“Belgriff, you don’t have to go after her . ”
“It’s not that . But, Lord Graham, I have a daughter and I understand your feelings . I’ve come to feel that anger too . ”
“…But . ”
“Close relationships can generate these kinds of feelings . I’m sorry to intrude like this, but do you think you can leave the rest to me?”
“… Very well . I gratefully accept your help… “Graham bows slightly . Belgriff smiles and walks out of the house .
The clouds that covered the sky during the day have disappeared and the starry sky extends in all its splendor . It’s a moonless night, but the starlight is enough to see everything clearly .
Marguerite is not far from the house, probably because of the pain she still feels . She is leaning against the fence in the garden, breathing out soundly and looking at the ground .
Belgriff sneaks up, but without even looking at him, Marguerite says . “What do you want, old man? I don’t need your sympathy . ”
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“Haha, that’s not the case . I just want to talk a little . ” Belgriff stands next to Marguerite and leans against the fence the same way as Marguerite .
“Hmph… There’s nothing to talk about . ” Says Marguerite in a sharp way .
“Well, is that so? I am also a swordsman, and I can see that your skill with the sword is something worthy of respect . Even though you use a thin sword, your stabs are as strong as the ones made with longswords . You have a good connection with your sword, right?”
Marguerite frowns and responds with a grunt . “W-Well, I…”
“What kind of training do you usually do?”
“I… I just practice swinging my sword . After that, I practice my own movements, also the flow of magic inside my body, then, depending on the purpose, I train my thrusting and slashing techniques . I don’t do anything special . ”
“I see… Certainly, your moves were unique as if they were a combination of different styles . It was a well-crafted thing . I’m impressed . ”
“I-I see… Hehe…” Marguerite was about to laugh, but she immediately returned to her serious expression .
Belgriff realizes this and laughs softly . “I have a daughter . She’s an adventurer who works in a city to the south, and although I may sound like a doting father, she has a great talent with the sword . ”
“Mmm… Who’s stronger, me or her?”
“Well, I don’t know . My daughter is quite famous and I think she has experience subduing a Demon King…”
“…Hey, old man . ”
“What’s going on? “
“I’m eighteen, you know? Stop talking so formally . I don’t want to be treated like a princess when I’m out of the Forest . ”
Belgriff smiles bitterly . “Yes, understood . ”
“Hmm… And how many demon kings has your daughter defeated?”
“Only one, I think…”
Marguerite smiles proudly . “I have defeated three . I seem to be stronger . ”
“Haha, I suppose that could be the case… But we can’t be sure of that until you face each other . ”
“I’m determined to win . My Honorable Great Uncle taught me how to use the sword . Who taught your daughter?
Belgriff smiles uncomfortably and strokes his beard . “I did . So, in the case of disciples, we have the advantage . ”
“Ahahahaha! Is she really that strong, old man?” Marguerite smiles broadly . However, the wound hurts again and ends up causing a frown .
“I’m not talking about strength . In my case, my daughter is too talented and skilled . ” Belgriff smiles and rubs his back .
“Are you saying I don’t have any talent?”
“Come on, that’s not what I mean . I definitely think you’re a cluster of talents . Even if Lord Graham hadn’t trained you, I’m sure you’d be very strong . ”
Marguerite frowned .
“No . I’m pretty handy, but thanks to my Honorable Great Uncle’s training, I’m much stronger . If your daughter trained with my Great Uncle too, she would surely become much stronger . ”
“I see… So, you really love your uncle . ”
“Huh?!” Marguerite’s cheeks immediately turn red and she looks away .
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Belgriff knows Marguerite’s no fool . But youth is problematic, and although the unfounded and mysterious self-confidence that comes from it can help a lot, it can also hurt . And sometimes that self-confidence, which starts out as a little ball, begins to grow and grow as it rolls down the hill and before you know it, it becomes too much of a burden for the young .
Belgriff can relate to that .
Even after losing his leg, he assured his party members that he was fine . He continued to be an adventurer, and although he no longer fought, he continued to smile brightly . Although his self-esteem had been hurt, Belgriff didn’t dare to reveal his weaknesses to others .
Finally, the pain became too much and Belgriff returned to Tornela without telling anyone as if he were running away . Since then, Belgriff hasn’t heard from his old friends . That was the result of hiding his weakness and being stubborn .
Belgriff looks at the stars with a bitter smile . “Not to dismiss your feelings, but I understand how you feel . ”
“Hmm… Anyone can say those words . ”
“I’m not just saying them . I used to be an adventurer . I had dreams and hopes, I was confident and did not hesitate to do anything to achieve my ideal future . ”
“… What happened?”
“In short, this…” Belgriff kicks the fence with his right prosthetic .
Marguerite looks at her foot and squints . “So it was your foot…”
“Yes . I won’t ask you to stop being an adventurer, but I don’t think it’s a waste of time to listen to the advice and opinions of Duncan or Lord Graham . Besides, you were always eager to hear Lord Graham’s stories, weren’t you?”
“Yes…”
Belgriff smiles and pats Marguerite on the shoulder .
“Are you hungry? Why don’t we go back to the house?”
“All right…”
After that, Belgriff helps Marguerite get back to the house .
Graham is sitting there with a grim expression, but when he sees Marguerite’s shy look when she enters the house, his expression relaxes a bit .
“Maggie… I talked too much . I’m sorry . ”
“I… well… I’m sorry, too . ” Hearing that nickname, Marguerite’s cheeks blush .
Seeing their awkward behavior, Belgriff can’t help but smile . Duncan sighs with relief and then he smiles, too .
“Marguerite! When your wounds are healed, I’d like to have a fight with you!”
“S-Sure! I accept! I won’t lose to an old man!”
“Hahaha! I won’t lose easily!”
As Belgriff sets fire to the pot, he can’t stop thinking about the boy they found in the middle of the woods . The child does not seem to be a child who can be defeated by ordinary methods . They must find another solution .
“We could try to communicate…”
“Huh? What is it, Bell?”
“No, it’s nothing, Duncan . Can you get me some potatoes?”
“Sure . ”
Belgriff looks at Graham . The old elf bows slightly with a kind expression . Apparently, he’s grateful to the old adventurer for his help .