CH 135

I handed over the hoodlums toward the guards as we exchanged information. They said that they were stuck dealing with monster bears that suddenly appeared in the walls of the castle town thus causing their delay… It seems that the Principality thought of this abduction more than I thought.

I really have to dig deep into this.

[So, about that child…] (Calis)

[Oh, you’re talking about Akari-chan, yes? We see her around the orphanage nearby so we’re quite familiar with her.] (Guard 1)

I talked to the guards some more about the girl but it seems the child is quite popular around this place.

She has this lax and chill air around her and a not so slight tinge of clumsiness. It has become a part of her strange charms and charisma, however.

[I am not really familiar with her situation but I heard that her grandpa that took care of her passed away and so she chose to enter the orphanage.] (G1) 

[I see…] (C)

[How could I help, sir? If you’d like to, I could put a word in the orphanage and tell them that you’d keep an eye on her…] (G1)

[No, there’s no need for that. I’ll take care of it myself.] (C)

[Duke Fall…? For an orphan..?] (G1)

[*Nods*] (C)

Looks like the guard’s taken quite off guard that I’d personally make a move but I don’t have any obligation to talk to him any further.

[Oh, *tantalizing eyes* Will you be adopting me~~? *tilts head cutely*] (Akari)

[Yes. That way, I would be able to protect you anytime if they attempted something again in the future.] (C)

[I’d really appreciate it, you know~~ However, I am really clumsy, even if I have to say so myself, so I don’t really know how I could serve you~~.] (A)

[There’s no need for you to do anything.] (C)

[Huh?] (A)

[*Smiles* As much as you distress yourself from the things you can’t do, I want you to think about something that only you could do. It might take a long time to polish your own skill but as long as you’d be able to do something perfectly even if it’s just one, you will be fine. Nobody’s perfect after all.] (C)

[Is that the case for the duke as well~?] (A)

[Of course. There are a lot of things that even I can’t do. I could only be thankful for my wife, daughter, and our servants who stay by my side. That’s why I can confidently say that as long as you have something that only you could do, that’s more than enough. Everyone will support you with for the things that you lack.] (C)

[Everyone, you say…] (A)

[*Nods* So… would you please come by my side?] (C)

[…..*Nods*]

Before I realize, the kids, Laurel and Seryu, are now looking at me with sparkling eyes. Serena-sama, however, looks quite aghast. Just what’s wrong with her?

Why are you looking at me like that? I don’t know what you want but would you stop accusing me with your eyes? I just want someone who can talk freely with Laurel. Besides, I want to keep the child in my vicinity until I discover what’s running in the minds of those in the Principality…! Ugh, whatever.

*Sigh*

I could only take a breather just thinking of the things I have to do.

For now, let’s leave the guards with some instructions.

Then, let’s talk to the orphanage where Akari is staying.

Then let’s escort the prince and princess back to the palace and their family.

*Sigh*…

The sun’s about to set already but… I just have to do it one by one then there should be no worries.

Wait for me — my slow and peaceful life!

…Just kidding. If you ask me, I actually feel it’s starting to get out of my grasp.

But I won’t let go!

People need dreams to live, after all.

Anyway, it’s now decided that Akari will be coming home with me. I just have to figure out what to do with her… Will it be alright for her to become Laurel’s handmaiden as well? Let’s try asking Milia when we get back.

—

Akari’s eyes sparkle as she looks at Calis as he succumbs into his own thoughts. It shines just like Seryu’s.

Would Calis do anything different if he discovered such changes right at that moment?

Well, that’s a story for later.

—

I handed over the hoodlums toward the guards as we exchanged information. They said that they were stuck dealing with monster bears that suddenly appeared in the walls of the castle town thus causing their delay… It seems that the Principality thought of this abduction more than I thought.

I really have to dig deep into this.

[So, about that child…] (Calis)

[Oh, you’re talking about Akari-chan, yes? We see her around the orphanage nearby so we’re quite familiar with her.] (Guard 1)

I talked to the guards some more about the girl but it seems the child is quite popular around this place.

She has this lax and chill air around her and a not so slight tinge of clumsiness. It has become a part of her strange charms and charisma, however.

[I am not really familiar with her situation but I heard that her grandpa that took care of her passed away and so she chose to enter the orphanage.] (G1) 

[I see…] (C)

[How could I help, sir? If you’d like to, I could put a word in the orphanage and tell them that you’d keep an eye on her…] (G1)

[No, there’s no need for that. I’ll take care of it myself.] (C)

[Duke Fall…? For an orphan..?] (G1)

[*Nods*] (C)

Looks like the guard’s taken quite off guard that I’d personally make a move but I don’t have any obligation to talk to him any further.

[Oh, *tantalizing eyes* Will you be adopting me~~? *tilts head cutely*] (Akari)

[Yes. That way, I would be able to protect you anytime if they attempted something again in the future.] (C)

[I’d really appreciate it, you know~~ However, I am really clumsy, even if I have to say so myself, so I don’t really know how I could serve you~~.] (A)

[There’s no need for you to do anything.] (C)

[Huh?] (A)

[*Smiles* As much as you distress yourself from the things you can’t do, I want you to think about something that only you could do. It might take a long time to polish your own skill but as long as you’d be able to do something perfectly even if it’s just one, you will be fine. Nobody’s perfect after all.] (C)

[Is that the case for the duke as well~?] (A)

[Of course. There are a lot of things that even I can’t do. I could only be thankful for my wife, daughter, and our servants who stay by my side. That’s why I can confidently say that as long as you have something that only you could do, that’s more than enough. Everyone will support you with for the things that you lack.] (C)

[Everyone, you say…] (A)

[*Nods* So… would you please come by my side?] (C)

[…..*Nods*]

Before I realize, the kids, Laurel and Seryu, are now looking at me with sparkling eyes. Serena-sama, however, looks quite aghast. Just what’s wrong with her?

Why are you looking at me like that? I don’t know what you want but would you stop accusing me with your eyes? I just want someone who can talk freely with Laurel. Besides, I want to keep the child in my vicinity until I discover what’s running in the minds of those in the Principality…! Ugh, whatever.

*Sigh*

I could only take a breather just thinking of the things I have to do.

For now, let’s leave the guards with some instructions.

Then, let’s talk to the orphanage where Akari is staying.

Then let’s escort the prince and princess back to the palace and their family.

*Sigh*…

The sun’s about to set already but… I just have to do it one by one then there should be no worries.

Wait for me — my slow and peaceful life!

…Just kidding. If you ask me, I actually feel it’s starting to get out of my grasp.

But I won’t let go!

People need dreams to live, after all.

Anyway, it’s now decided that Akari will be coming home with me. I just have to figure out what to do with her… Will it be alright for her to become Laurel’s handmaiden as well? Let’s try asking Milia when we get back.

—

Akari’s eyes sparkle as she looks at Calis as he succumbs into his own thoughts. It shines just like Seryu’s.

Would Calis do anything different if he discovered such changes right at that moment?

Well, that’s a story for later.

—

Translator’s Notes:

1. Hi, Hi! There’s one song running in my mind as I read this chapter. Have you heard of Gunjo by Yoasobi? It’s a beautiful piece! Please check from The First Take so you can read the subs!

2. This might sound way off but I remember as well how could a person be strong and learn. Failures. I have failed a lot of times! In life? Maybe. 10% of my failures would have been from life. The 90% of it came from games. Hey, don’t demean me for saying games, okay? I cried from those failures you know? When I was a simple child, video games were my everything so seeing it crumble (like, literally have the cartridge destroyed), I bawled my eyes out. But I got stronger. I learnt how to hide my games so my parents’ can’t destroy them anymore! xD

3. So, reader, if you are reading this, and feeling disappointments about things not going your way, please don’t give up. I hope you’ll eventually learn how to get over such things! 

4. Or maybe we could just let ourselves succumb to the darkness. Jk! Live well, my fellows!