Chapter 128: 128
Chapter 128 – Unwilling Returnee
The next morning, I woke up and looked around the room .
It’s fine…this was still my room . No switcheroo happened .
I was a bit wary because yesterday I woke up in Roxy’s body . Even though we’d already killed the goblin shaman, despite knowing that the situation had been resolved, I still couldn’t help but to be wary .
My own body really was the best .
I grabbed Greed along as I stood up .
[Morning]
『You look chipper this morning . 』
[Well, the switcheroo has been resolved, and it seems that we’ll find a clue regarding Myne’s whereabouts today . ]
『That so-called philosopher’s stone？』
[Yeah, it’s a fragment of Shinn’s body, isn’t it?]
『That things are scattered all over the world . People seek and consider it as a miracle stone since it could heal the otherwise untreatable wound, but that guise has been dissolved and obsolete now . Fragmenting his body like that, I wonder where he picked up that idea from . 』
Just like Greed who had been around for more than four thousand years, Shinn was the same .
From what he said, these two were apparently enemies before .
『It’s a good idea to use a fragment of Shinn’s body to find him . It is still connected to him after all . 』
[Apparently it’ll arrive at Raine’s lab early in the morning . If we examine it, we’ll possibly find Myne’s whereabouts . ]
『Is that why you are in such a good mood？』
[Eris really found something on her journey to the mountain city . I knew I can believe in her]
『That girl can be useful sometimes indeed . 』
Eris had also contacted me . It’ll take time to analyze it, but at least the clue was already in our hands .
Last time, Raine told me that she’d be handling the philosopher’s stone personally .
Her father Mugan, who will be returning alongside Eris, was none too pleased with her decision . But if he confronted her about it, I have a feeling that she’ll just say that she’s no longer kid .
That said, Mugan regularly visited the lab to clean it up, probably thinking only a kid would leave their working place in such a messy condition .
[Well, are you ready?]
『Yes . 』
Aaron was taking Mimir to the palace . It’s to apologize for her actions of wielding a holy sword and even using a holy knight technique without permission .
I felt like that based on the situation, Mimir’s mistake is still pardonable . Aaron had the same opinion .
This was because she didn’t use the holy knight technique for her personal benefit . Since Queen Eris was currently absent, the two white knights were in charge of the capital’s management .
Those two are very stubborn . And they won’t listen to others unless it’s Eris .
And, for some reason… they have this hostile air when dealing with me . When I tried to greet them last time, they deliberately ignored me .
It was still a surprise for me . Well, I’m fine with it, but I can only hope that the white knights can be impartial in this regard .
If not, then Eris can settle things down with her authority as a queen later .
After changing clothes, I absentmindedly hung Greed on my waist .
[Okay, I’m done . ]
『Umu . 』
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When I was about to leave the room, I heard someone knocking on the door .
[Fate-sama, are you awake already?]
That was Shara’s voice . She sounded cheerful in the morning as usual .
And when she saw me, she promptly hugged me .
[… . . I was worried . ]
[Sorry . Well, I’m fine now . ]
[Yes . ]
She’s still a very young girl . With everything that’s been going on, I suppose she had worried a lot .
Aaron was kind-hearted, but his rank was far too different than Shara . Mimir was also a former Holy Knight .
The two didn’t actually mind . But Shara naturally had to take a step back away from them . It’s the inferiority that was unconsciously imprinted to the mind of those without proper skills living in this world of skill supremacy .
Before I awakened gluttony skill, I felt the same way with Roxy .
They were people living in an entirely different world… I was convinced as such .
But after I awakened and finally got close to where they are, I realized that nothing really changed .
Even a famous Sword Saint like Aaron has his own worries like regular people do . He also felt regret and guilt over his incapabilities to protect his family and territory .
Even with strong physique and mentality, there are things that cannot be overcome alone .
Roxy was saddened by Mason-sama’s passing, and thus when she learned about Aishsama rapidly declining health…she was scared .
So was Mimir . She was betrayed by Rafal and lost her entire family . She was in a delicate situation where she had nowhere to go .
Perhaps, the invisible wall was there just because the people themselves are getting further apart from each other .
I couldn’t help but to think like that as I stroke Shara’s head gently .
[Pardon me, Fate-sama . ]
[There is no need to apologize . Come, let’s have breakfast!]
[Yes! Today is Fate-sama’s favorite sandwich . ]
[Hoo!]
[I did my best there, so it shouldn’t lose out to Roxy-sama’s . ]
[I’m looking forward to it . ]
Roxy often made sandwiches for me . Shara noticed this, and came to a conclusion that I love sandwiches .
Well, it’s all thanks to Roxy that I started to like it .
We went to the dining hall and ate the sandwiches together . Nn!? Heavens…this is delicious!!
[There is chicken meat in it . ]
[I know Fate-sama likes chicken meat, so I combined chicken teriyaki and lettuce in it!]
[Genius!]
It’s not just a flattery, as it’s really that delicious .
Shara started learning to cook as soon as she became a maid . To think it’s possible for her to produce such a taste after only a few months…
This already counts as culinary talent . And she does so without relying on skill .
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I felt sorry for Roxy, Shara is…no, I shouldn’t think like that .
Because it should be easier to merely copy and improve upon the way Roxy always arrange the sandwich every time…
Praised by me, Shara instead shook her head in disagreement .
[No no, I’m still not there yet! I’m still learning . ]
[Eh~, still learning, ey? Then who is the teacher? The orphanage sister?]
Shara was originally from the orphanage, so I thought she learned cooking from the sister . But turned out I was wrong .
[It’s the master of the tavern where Fate-sama usually go to . ]
[Eh!? … Oh… for real?]
[Yes . When I told Aaron-sama that I wanted to learn how to cook, he introduced me to the tavern master . That way I’ll also be able to learn about Fate-sama’s favorite dishes . ]
I really had no idea… indeed there were times when Shara was not at the mansion nor at the orphanage . As it turns out, she’s learning how to cook from the tavern master during those times .
[About twice a week I would visit the tavern . I also help around as a waitress sometimes]
[Eeeeeeeeeee!]
I felt like she’s growing . Unlike most other commoners without proper skills, like the one I’ve seen before, she always had this confident look in her eyes .
What she needed was a little helping hand to grasp that opportunity, then everything would go well .
[Then, would it be okay if I visit the tavern to see how Shara works?]
[That’s… a little…]
[Nn? Is it no good?]
[I’m still training, so please wait a little longer!]
Shara blushed furiously, refusing vehemently . Well, I guess it’s really no good then .
It’s a pity though, I really want to see how she works as a waitress .
But well… if it’s with Master, I can rest assured and leave Shara in his care . He always treat me well, a nice person if I had to say so myself .
He has a rather rough appearance, so it’s easy for people to misunderstand him at first glance . I still remember how he’d share me extra dishes despite me not having any money .
[But if master says that I’m presentable, then I’ll definitely send an invitation!]
[Yeah… I’ll be looking forward to that time]
[Yes!]
The breakfast that Shara prepared was delicious, thus it was cleared in no time at all .
After I was full, I decided to head out to the military district where Raine was waiting for me . Today was also the day when Shara usually went to the orphanage, so I offered to escort her along my way . She declined though .
She wanted to go around the city on her own feet as much as possible . And she also wanted to overcome the trauma of being kidnapped in the past .
I couldn’t say anything against it as she said it with resolve in her eyes .
[I understand . But please stay where it’s easy for others to see you . It’s a promise, okay?]
[This is a Barbatos family crest, isn’t it?]
[No one will dare to make trouble with the holy knight’s family member . Not to mention one of the five great families . ]
[Thank you very much!]
I gave Shara a badge engraved with Barbatos family crest . This should at least protect her to some extent on my behalf .
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Shara happily received it and attached the badge on the chest area of her uniform .
Then I saw her off at the front of the mansion, watching her jogged away energetically .
[I’m going, Fate-sama!]
[Be careful on your way . ]
Already… the time when I won’t be able to see Shara’s innocent smile approaches .
When that thought crossed my mind, sense of loneliness spread in me .
Greed’s voice calling me out via 《Mind Reading》 broke my reverie .
『Why do you have such a face? If you don’t want to, you can choose to not do it』
[That’s not it . I just… want to do things properly this time . ]
I kept watching Shara until she disappeared from my sight . Only then, I started walking .
As I made my way to the military district, a certain someone walked towards me .
He smiled amicably as soon as he recognized me .
[Mason-sama, good morning]
[Morning, Fate . Is Aaron-sama at home?]
[No, he isn’t . He should be in the palace at the moment . ]
[I see…too bad . Maybe another day]
Mason-sama said so while rubbing his chin . He then turned toward me once more and grinned .
[By the way, Fate . Do you have some time to spare for a talk?]
[Talking with me?]
[Of course . I wish to have a talk with the current head of Barbatos family . Or is it a no go?]
[No, I do have time to spare . With pleasure!]
[Thank you . ]
Mason-sama did not walked back to Heart mansion, and instead led me to the park on the holy knight residential area .
[My apology . When I returned to the mansion, Roxy and Aisha were already prepared for me . ]
[Both of them were just very happy that Mason-sama has returned . ]
[I see…]
Somehow, I couldn’t sense similar happiness from Mason-sama’s voice .
Is it because it’s still early in the morning? There was no other person in the park, just chirping birds in the trees .
[Let’s have a seat here]
Me and Mason-sama sat on a park bench .
I was feeling a bit nervous, as I’m currently talking with Roxy’s father right now . And that didn’t escape Mason-sama’s notice .
[Don’t be that tense, please be more at ease . ]
[Pardon me . ]
[No need to be sorry . I suppose you can’t help it . ]
[Mason-sama…]
[I heard that you protected Roxy from the same Tenryu that killed me . ]
[That is… I did do that . But…]
I had my own personal goal back then after all . I also had Roxy to help me when I couldn’t do anything about the gluttony skill .
[I want to protect her, but in the end I ended up as the one being protected . ]
[Roxy told me otherwise though . She recounted that event with such an excitement . Of course, it’s good in a way . ]
[I suppose…]
Mason-sama’s smile relieved me somewhat . He then started to recount to me what Roxy had told her
Of course he omitted certain topics that can only be talked about between a daughter and her Father . Certainly… after that conversation, he grew curious about me .
[After talking to you personally like this, I have more insight about you now . You truly are just as Roxy told me . ]
[By that, you mean, in a good way?]
[Of course . In addition to that, you’ve also cured Aisha’s sickness . I can’t thank you enough for that . ]
Mason-sama stood up, and bowed to me .
I immediately stood up and asked him to stand back up, also telling him to rest easy .
Mason-sama was a dedicated and kind person, even to the commoners . I’ve always respected him as a great man .
To have that kind man bowed to me, I could not call myself a human if I let that be .
[But I feel that have to . Tenryu killed me in battle without leaving even a tiny fragment . Roxy had to succeed me, and Aisha was struck with an incurable disease . Thanks to this mysterious phenomenon, I was revived and became able to return home, but turns out everything has been solved . When I knew the story, I couldn’t help but to feel relieved and thankful from the bottom of my heart . ]
Mason-sama then shook my hand . His hand felt warm, a proof that he really is alive, right here and right now .
As I’m not really used to being praised like that, I felt a bit uncomfortable .
Then his tone and expression changed into a more casual one, despite still holding my hand tightly .
[Speaking of which, I heard from Aisha…that yesterday morning, you pushed both Roxy and Aisha down on the bed? And you even tried to bare your poisonous fangs to the servant, Haru?]
[What!?]
[Let’s talk about that more thoroughly . Let’s sit down again . ]
His casual expression was a lie . That was actually the grim expression of Aishsama’s husband… and Roxy’s father, combined into one .
How do I get myself out of this?
Aishsama just had to mention that accident to him . Perhaps Mason-sama still had no idea that yesterday morning I had switched bodies with Roxy .
If anything, it was the girls’ fault . I had a feeling that I’ll face this situation one day, so I just have to try and clarify things . Roxy surely had a lot to talk about with her father, so she might’ve had no chance to tell him about yesterday’s event yet .
This was…dangerous .
[Well then, pushing my daughter AND my wife down . In my daughter’s room no less! And from what I heard, you also tried to grasp your claws around Haru as well . Fufufufufu…]
[It’s a misunderstanding! Please let me explain!]
[Sure, let’s hear it . Or would you rather let our holy swords do the talking?]
Apparently it would take some time to solve this misunderstanding . Hopefully I still had enough time to meet Raine .
I sat down on the bench once more, and recount to Mason-sama what really happened yesterday morning .