I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

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Chapter 243

“……Can you give me a little time?”

After a long pause, I cautiously let it out.

Forgotten memories, of course, I was curious.

I wondered why I had to seal the memories of a child who wasn’t even eight years old. I wanted to know my mother’s identity for sure this time.

But a sudden sense of reason suppressed my natural curiosity.

What if the memories Leisha erased had a significant impact on my mind? What if I encountered unexpected side effects while unsealing them?

Right now, I was in a position where I couldn’t think solely for myself. I was the commander of reinforcements. I couldn’t let personal matters spoil the situation.

‘And I don’t seem ready to see them either.’

I was indeed the one to open Pandora’s box. It would likely happen this time as well.

But not yet.

Since coming here, I had learned too much, and trying to organize what I had just discovered was already overwhelming. I feared that if I input any more information, my head might explode.

“Right. I’ll need time.”

Alicia nodded. She adjusted her glasses.

“After all, it’ll take time to create the potion to restore your memories. Until then, think it over thoroughly.”

“Thank you.”

Alicia was kind. Slightly awkward at her friendly demeanor, I lowered my head, and she cracked a grin.

“This much is only natural for the daughter of Antheia. I thought she would live alone for the rest of her life, but look at her, she’s married and doing well. How could she not have contacted me at all? Is she doing fine?”

“Ah.”

I sighed while looking into Alicia’s warmly glowing ash-gray eyes. She seemed completely oblivious to the situation. I cautiously opened my mouth.

“My mother had me without getting married… and she passed away twelve years ago.”

Alicia’s eyes widened. They trembled for a moment, but soon she regained her composure, wearing a wry smile as if she had anticipated it.

“I was worried that her condition seemed to be getting worse… it turned out like this, huh.”

Warm ash-gray eyes stared at me.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

It had been twelve years since then. Besides, I barely had any memories of my mother, so there was no reason for me to feel sad.

‘Will I look like a cold-blooded person?’

Would it seem strange if I didn’t show any change in expression regarding my mother’s death? I somewhat fiddled with my face, but Alicia laughed.

“It doesn’t seem to be a hurt for you, how fortunate.”

She was a kind person. Her voice, imbued with the passage of time, was as smooth as stones polished by waves for a long time.

“I’ll deliver the potion to you as soon as it’s completed. It won’t take too long.”

“Really, thank you. Is there any sort of reward you wish for?”

“Hah, what reward could I ask from a kid? Especially not from Antheia’s daughter. I was just bored lately, so everything worked out well.”

Alicia stretched lightly and began moving enthusiastically around the tower. It looked like she couldn’t see ahead, but her movements were smooth.

“We should be leaving soon.”

Peisha, who had been watching us while leaning against the wall, urged.

I nodded while looking at the busy Alicia. Alicia, who had been carrying various liquid ingredients, hesitated and turned to me.

“Oh, speaking of which, I don’t even know your name. What’s your name, kid?”

“Kashmir Crisis.”

“Right, Kashmir.”

Alicia smiled brightly like sunshine.

“You’ve grown up well. Antheia must have loved you very much.”

Her words resonated clearly in my heart.

Leaving behind Alicia, who immediately plunged back into her research, I exited the tower. Peisha matched my footsteps as she guided me.

“Isn’t that old man quite a weirdo?”

“He seemed like a good person. His skills looked quite impressive.”

Despite claiming to have the eyesight of a blind person, he skillfully combined various ingredients without looking, almost resembling magic.

“You can trust that old man despite how untrustworthy he seems. He doesn’t mess around when it comes to matters related to Antheia.”

In this place, Antheia was a figure of absolute significance. With just her name, everything became possible. As numerous thoughts flashed through my mind, Peisha slowly opened her lips.

“Do you resent Antheia?”

I halted.

My steps came to a sudden stop. The cool breeze rustled the tall trees, causing leaves to scatter everywhere like falling confetti.

“She was a good person, but she didn’t have the personality to be a good parent. You seem confused every time you hear about Antheia.”

You can’t suddenly love someone you’ve hated your entire life.

Nodding slowly without rebuttal, Peisha looked up at the blue sky.

“Sometimes, resentment and hatred can be stronger driving forces than love. Negative feelings tend to linger and cling onto you. But those things can poison your heart. Living with silly love, ridiculous justice, and foolish beliefs is far better.”

It felt like she was speaking to my younger self, who had endured life on the back of resentment towards my mother.

She smiled gently.

“Living with hatred is painful. Letting go of it is a good way to find peace. For your sake.”

It was warm advice, like kindling a fire with autumn leaves.

‘I received a direct connection crystal. I’ll contact the wolves when I need their help.’

After receiving the means to request assistance, Leo and I left the den of the silver wolf beastmen with a grand send-off.

Today marked the third day since I left. We had to return as quickly as possible, so we moved swiftly, managing to reach the castle just before dusk.

‘Nothing major should have happened, but I feel really sorry.’

I had asked them to contact me as soon as any issues arose, but since there was no message through the crystal, everything should be fine.

However, I couldn’t help but feel guilty for leaving without giving a proper explanation to my deputy, Jonathan Aimer.

Leo slapped my shoulder confidently.

“Walk back proudly. We have the support of the silver wolf beastmen now, so there’s no need to be ashamed. If anything happens, just sell me out. Tell them I dragged you here.”

“Right. As if I’d sell you out just to…”

[……Stop right there.]

Just as I was about to retort with a smile, a familiar voice came from somewhere. My eyes widened in surprise as I quickly turned my head toward the voice at the speed of light.

“Huh! Your Highness! Wow! You’re back! I was sure you eloped with the king… oh, the king is here too!”

I couldn’t possibly not recognize the owner of the endlessly carefree and cheeky voice.

Looking at the silver wolf beastman with shining silver hair and lavender eyes, I lowered my gaze to what was in his hand.

In one hand, he waved around like crazy was Julian’s.

In his other hand, he held the crystal.

[Very…… interesting.]

Inside that crystal was the face of Elle, wearing a chilly smile.

“I greet the esteemed Julian, and His Majesty the King. This kid is acting up again, but could you spare some time for us?”

Julian strode toward me. His crystal was still reflecting me.

Elle narrowed her eyes through the crystal. Even through the crystal, her distinct aura was nonetheless present.

[Hello, Shushu. How are you doing?]

“I greet Your Majesty the Pope. Thanks to your concern, I’ve been doing well. How have you been, Your Majesty?”

I maintained a polite demeanor. With both Julian and Leo watching, I couldn’t afford to show any cracks.

Elle looked slightly uncomfortable with my overly polite manner.

[Of course. I……]

“Isn’t that the Pope himself from a foreign land?”

A sardonic voice cut off Elle mid-sentence. Her expression turned icy in an instant. It was the first time I had ever seen Elle look so expressionless.

[King of Atara. It seems you’ve tasted life and shared it with your personality, huh?]

“Yes, yes, what a lovely way to put it. Can anything be worse than your filthy personality?”

The exchange of rough words between the Pope and the King felt unbelievable. Julian and I stood awkwardly between them, glancing at each other.

[It would be wise for you not to overestimate your importance.]

“What? I can’t hear what someone so distant is saying.”

Ignoring him, Leo scratched his ear, and the dense aura of mana emanated from him. It might have been unseen, but if Elle were here, she would have surely contributed to the tense atmosphere.

The clash of wills continued beyond the confines of space.

[……You are quite the cute one. When guests arrive tonight, make sure it’s known that it’s my doing. I hope you succeed in your mission this time.]

“I’m tired of your nighttime visitor smorgasbord. Go ahead and try it. I’ll be sleeping in Shushu’s room during that.”

“Wow.”

While Leo growled, Julian clapped his hands excitedly. Although he claimed he didn’t want to die, Julian always seemed lighthearted and confident; he seemed like he had nine lives.

“Hey, you lost this time. Just humbly accept your defeat and go in.”

Julian tapped the crystal with glee, his expression resembling someone who was very entertained while reading a fun novel.

Elle’s expression hardened.

[Julian, the esteemed advisor.]

“What? Isn’t it true? There’s no one here who can back that up. It’s just a matter of time…”

[Aria Crisis.]

“There’s no way it wouldn’t happen. There’s no such thing as an excuse. Could you take a moment to speak with this guy? Just for a second is fine.”

Julian quickly changed tactics, clinging to me.

“Shall we?”

I had no objection. I intended to contact Elle at least once. Just as I was about to accept the crystal from Julian…

Whoosh.

A large hand snatched the crystal away. A twisted smile spread across Leo’s face.

“Dear Sir Fable, you’re quite greedy. When you were in my country, you roamed around as if it were your own world. I want to enjoy it too.”

[Just give it to Shushu.]

“I don’t want to.”

Spinning the crystal on his finger, Leo immediately got into a stance.

“Back off. It’s my time right now!”

Whoosh!

With all his might, Leo threw the crystal.

Bang!

The crystal soared through the air at an astonishing speed before crashing into the floor like a meteor. It shattered into pieces and created a deep crater in the ground.

“Ahh! My crystal!”

Julian screamed. No matter what he said, Leo casually placed his arm around my shoulders and leaned in friendly.

“While you’re here, focus on me only. Got it?”

He looked the happiest and most content in the world.