Chapter 286: Aunt Deia |
[Stella, look at this.]
“…”
When I returned to the room, a sharp wave of fatigue washed over me the moment I saw the scene unfolding before my eyes.
Even after rubbing my eyelids and double-checking, nothing changed.
[Oh my, how adorable.]
It had only been about an hour or two since I left Xiao Hu’s room.
And in that time, the Dark Spiritualist, who had threatened to kill Xiao Hu on the spot earlier, was laughing as she now ticked the girl under the chin.
“Purr!”
Xiao Hu also purred contentedly, smiling as she received the Dark Spiritualist’s touch.
Wasn’t this a situation that defied common sense? The Dark Spiritualist, who had sworn to kill Xiao Hu if she made a wrong move, was now stroking Xiao Hu affectionately.
Watching in the distance, Stella sighed, then hurriedly trotted over to me as if she had been waiting.
[Hmm…]
However, even the former Saintess seemed at a loss for words as she tried to explain the current situation.
[They… became friends.]
I felt like asking if that was really the best explanation she could come up with, but I couldn’t blame her.
I too wouldn’t have been able to explain it any better if I were in her position.
The Dark Spiritualist continued to squat in front of Xiao Hu, petting her without even realizing I had entered.
[At first, Senior simply watched over Xiao Hu intently, worried she might try to flee.]
“…”
[And while doing that, she must have found Xiao Hu cute. That could happen, right? Right?]
“That does not sound like something that could happen.”
[…]
Stella and I simultaneously turned to look at the Dark Spiritualist.
“Purr!”
[Oh, how adorable! I wonder if this is what it feels like to raise a cat. I should’ve kept one in my lab when I was still alive.]
No matter how I looked, Xiao Hu didn’t resemble a cat in the slightest.
[Are you hungry? Should I get you something to eat?]
This creature could very well become a yokai that consumed humans and yet…
[Look at that soft fur!]
Using the power left behind by Heraldhazard, the Dark Spiritualist was indulging in the sensation of the soft fur of a yokai as she petted it.
If this had been a normal situation, I would’ve just let it slide.
[S-should I stop her?]
“Leave her be. I am somewhat curious to see how far she will go.”
[…Then this could take quite a while.]
Ignoring Stella’s comment, I casually changed the subject to Goben, who claimed to be Sevia’s father.
Stella’s face darkened as soon as she heard the full story.
[This is a complex situation.]
“It is.”
The primary difficulty lay in the fact that Sevia was still too young to express her opinion or comprehend the current situation itself.
[From Illuania’s perspective as her parent, it must be especially hard to choose what’s best for the child.]
“What do you think?”
As someone who was once a Saintess, she had probably counseled many families. However, Stella could only respond with a bitter smile.
[Do you remember the time we visited the brothel district in Loberne?]
“You mean during the incident with Ophelia?”
Back then, we had gone to the brothel Ophelia worked at to punish the woman who killed numerous people in the name of love.
[Back then, when you saw the souls of the children, you said there are things only parents can do.]
“…”
[This is a similar case. In the end, any decision must be made by the parents. No matter what advice I give, it won’t be of much help.]
“I see.”
[But there is one thing I can say with certainty.]
Raising one finger like a teacher imparting wisdom, Stella smiled.
[Whatever choice she makes, if it’s for Sevia, there’s no need to regret it.]
“…”
[Because decisions like these usually lead to regret anyway.]
Did it mean that in the end, no matter what choice they made, one would come to regret it before even making it?
That was the extent of the advice the former Saintess could provide. From here on, the decision lay in Illuania’s hands.
[And what about you? What are your thoughts?]
“Hmm.”
[She’s practically your goddaughter. After all, you even named her.]
“Do I even have the right to take on that role?”
I couldn’t help but wonder if it would be appropriate for me to act as Sevia’s godfather, even if Illuania was out of the picture.
Perhaps because of that doubt, I was reluctant to voice my opinion.
Stella understood my position, but she still insisted.
[Regardless, please share your thoughts.]
Since Stella wouldn’t be able to share my words with anyone else, I voiced my honest thoughts as if venting in a space where no secrets could escape.
“I sincerely hope that Goben is a reliable man.”
[…]
“Even if he has a less-than-perfect past from frequenting brothels, Illuania is not without her flaws either.”
[So, you’re hoping he’s changed? Enough to become Sevia’s father?]
“Yes, that would be the best outcome.”
[…]
Stella fell silent.
Her silence subtly conveyed her doubts regarding that possibility.
“Well, we will just have to wait and see how things turn out.”
[Yes, you are right.]
And with that, our gazes returned to the pair in the middle of the room.
[Oh, oh! Oh my! So cuteeee!]
“Purrrrr!”
The Dark Spiritualist was now hugging Xiao Hu without reservation and even rubbing her cheek against Xiao Hu’s.
Letting out a sigh as I watched the true nature of someone like her claiming to be my teacher let slip, I voiced out my candid thoughts.
“They probably get along well because they have a similar mental age.”
[…I can’t argue with that.]
Despite being an adult, the Dark Spiritualist often behaved like a child. No matter how long she had been holed up in the laboratory, starved of human interaction, that still wasn’t acceptable.
Yet, at that very moment, the Dark Spiritualist took it a step further.
[I’ll ask Deus if we can keep her! I’ll need to think of a name, too!]
“Enough already.”
I interrupted the Dark Spiritualist, who seemed to have lost it and was now trying to rename the child. Startled, she flinched and looked up at me.
[W-w-when did you get here?]
“Ten minutes ago.”
[Y-you could’ve said something!]
“Huff, it was getting hard to stay quiet when you started spouting nonsense about giving the child a new name.”
[…]
“You know as well as I do that the child already has a name: Xiao Hu. Just like you have the name Jenny.”
[D-don’t call me by that name!]
“Honestly, Jenny is a much better name than ‘Dark Spiritualist’.”
[That’s true, Senior Jenny.]
Somehow, she seemed more mature at 18, back when I met her in the Dream Demon Manor.
Or maybe she just hadn’t grown since then.
Jenny flailed dramatically, like a child throwing a tantrum.
[Aaaaah! I told you, stop calling me that! Besides, ‘Dark Spiritualist’ sounds way cooler!]
Wondering how long she’d keep this up, I remained silent. Suddenly, Stella chuckled as if something funny had occurred to her before pointing at Jenny with her finger.
[Is Jenny ‘she’?]1
“…”
[Wow.]
A heavy silence descended over the room.
It was such an out-of-the-blue remark, that both the Dark Spiritualist and I just stared at Stella blankly.
When Stella, who had just made a joke, sensed the mood shifting, she blushed and lowered her head.
Then, a horn sprouted from her forehead.
[Laugh if you don’t want to die yet.]
And the demon emerged to threaten us because no one laughed at the Saintess’ joke.
“Huff, what a mess.”
Nevertheless, it seemed that the decision regarding Xiao Hu’s treatment was postponed for the time being.
* * *
“Ah, my head…”
Massaging her throbbing head, Deia let out a sigh. How long had it been since the hunters had occupied most of her time, and now this was happening?
“Geez, there’s never a peaceful day in this damn household.”
Maybe it was indeed time to get married just to escape this madhouse.
Entertaining such frivolous thoughts, she propped her chin on her hand.
Standing before her, Darius shrugged and spoke with a hint of pride.
“At least I managed to stop Illuania from making a hasty decision and convinced her to give it some more thought.”
Even though he was the head of the household, he still craved his younger sister’s approval—what a sight.
While she would’ve usually thrown a snide comment, today was different.
“Good job.”
Illuania was genuinely considering accepting Goben for Sevia’s sake.
“She does need some time to think things over.”
“Yeah, Illuania was trying to decide too quickly. We need to discuss it with Deus as well.”
“Not that.”
“Hmm?”
Deia didn’t mean Illuania needed more time to make a calm decision.
Thud.
“You called?”
Just then, Findenai stepped into Deia’s office with a broom in hand.
“Why are you carrying a broom? You don’t even do the cleaning.”
“Oh, I was playing hockey with the neighborhood kids using trash.”
“…”
Moments like this often made Deia marvel at Findenai’s audacity—shamelessly collecting her paycheck every month while doing this nonsense.
“Get to work. It’s time for you to earn your keep.”
“Is there anything I need to do, other than smashing people’s heads?”
Picking at her ear, she replied lazily, and Deia responded with a sly grin.
“It’s similar to smashing people’s heads—except instead of an axe, you’ll be using information.”
“Hmm?”
Following that cryptic remark, both Darius and Findenai turned their gazes toward her.
With their attention focused on her, Deia spoke coldly.
“Goben. He said he is a coachman, right? However, he doesn’t just transport people—he also moves goods.”
“…”
Realizing this was about Illuania, Findenai set the broom aside and gave Deia her undivided attention.
Her relaxed, blood-red eyes sharpened, locking onto the potential prey.
“After a quick investigation, it turns out he’s a coachman affiliated with the Wellington Trading Company. They seem to have an agreement with the royal palace to send supplies to the Clark Republic.”
“Oh?”
Interest flickered across Findenai’s face, her lips curling upward.
“Go dig into it. You can use the Scrapyard Nomads, the house staff or whatever it takes. Bribe people if necessary. You’re an ex-resistance member; you’ve done this sort of investigative work before, haven’t you?”
“It’s not my forte, but I’ve got subordinates who are pros at it.”
As her grin widened into a sly smirk, Deia found her strangely reliable at this moment.
“Goben and the Wellington Trading Company. This guy, our so-called family head, sitting beside me, will take responsibility for everything, so leave no stone unturned.”
“…I will take responsibility?”
Darius was baffled by the unexpected words, but Deia clenched and unclenched her fist and declared coldly.
“If you find even a speck of dirt, that hit-and-run bum bastard and Wellington Trading Company are done for.”
“Ah, this is fun! So fun! My specialty! Also, can I throw a few punches while I’m at it?”
“If any issue arises, just beat them senseless. Darius will be handling the fallout anyway.”
“Oh yeah! Having fun without responsibility!”
With those words, Findenai disappeared from the room, probably headed straight to meet the Scrapyard Nomads to dig up dirt on this man named Goben.
“…Isn’t this a bit extreme? If that is a company working for the palace, they’re definitely not some small fry. Any reckless action could backfire… and I’ll be the one stuck dealing with the consequences.”
Darius protested, his expression one of grievance, but Deia shot him a sharp glare.
“Isn’t Sevia Deus’ goddaughter? He even gave her that name, right?”
The name Sevia, meaning ‘savior.’
She was the precious child who brought a stop to Deus’ rampage.
“Well… yeah, that’s one way to put it.”
“Then that makes me her aunt, doesn’t it?”
“…”
“An aunt should at least do this much.”
Clenching her teeth, Deia declared with heartfelt resolve.
“I also truly hope that bastard Goben has been clean all this while. That way, he can become Sevia’s splendid, real father.”
“But if…”
Sensing the depths of her concern, Darius hesitated before asking, just in case.
“…there’s a problem?”
“Hmph.”
Deia’s lips curled into a subtle smile.
Why was there an unsettling cruelty lingering behind that sly smirk?
“He will regret it.”
And it wouldn’t be just a little.
“Dearly.”
Footnotes
- 1. This part is more like a dad joke because Jenny sounds like Jyaeni (which means she/he/that person).
***
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