Ch#166
The day after Selina left for the Northern Continent.
"Ehwoo, mornings without Selina are so lonely......"
Tie got out of bed with a sullen face.
But she soon pumped both arms energetically.
"Still, today we meet Clan Leader, so fighting!"
Ppuppue, who had just woken up, spun his nose in circles too.
Lucarion had already left somewhere, and Marbas on the nightstand was still fast asleep.
Tie put on the cloak Aunt Marshal had placed on the chair last night and left her room.
"Gasp!"
She soon grinned widely.
"You actually came without being late. You didn't have to come, you know."
Dad had already arrived downstairs.
Though he was already in a staring contest with Veil.
"Man, you really hold grudges. Now that we're merged, can't you just get along? How long are you gonna keep trying to devour our leader—no, Vice Leader?"
"......Ha, get the title right. And I wasn't talking to you, monster guts, so go your way."
Lately, Veil had been like a fighting cock.
He'd glare fiercely and growl at any members from Trebaga.
"Shut up. Wherever we're going, let's just hurry and depart."
Tese tan spoke amid them, sounding tired.
Tie dashed down and stood before Tese tan.
"Yeah! Let's go quick! You'll be super surprised~?"
Though she didn't show it, Tie felt proud knowing she was close with the Luminen family.
'Mercenaries usually aren't that friendly with Holy Knights.'
Tie wasn't just friendly; she ate meals weekly with Luminen Clan Leader.
The fact that their friendship was a secret from the world also made Tie's heart race somehow.
'Clan Leader and Tie are secret friends!'
It felt like being secretly friends with the owner of a kids' cafe who monopolized power.
Like the owner sneaking chocolate and candy just to Tie without others knowing.
Proudly snorting, Tie took the first step.
The moment she opened the door, Tie placed a barrier around the base.
Tie had told Leonardo recently that he no longer needed to pick her up.
Now she could cast the barrier herself without him.
Seeing Tese tan, Libia, and Aleric board the second carriage, Tie hurried over too.
"Hey! Where you going?!"
Veil shouted from the first carriage, but Tie pretended not to hear and slyly turned her head.
She plopped down right next to Dad.
"......Ha."
Of course, Dad still looked extremely uncomfortable, avoiding Tie's gaze.
He scooted toward the window, but Tie scooted even closer to him undeterred.
From the window, Veil and Nordics bickering in the front carriage could be heard.
"Hey kid, get over here!"
"Just let her be."
The carriage began moving.
Libia, legs crossed, asked Tie.
"Leader. So where are we going anyway?"
Tie smiled brightly before answering.
"An awesome place! They give food and chat together."
"Chat? What kind of chat? A restaurant or something?"
Aleric sighed.
"Didn't you see the tracking prevention barrier? We'd never go to a restaurant with that up."
Libia went "Ah......" and tilted her head.
"Now that you mention it. Where would we go with all that?"
Tie giggled quietly instead of answering.
How surprised would they be learning Agavert and Luminen Clan Leader wore bear hats together?
Then.
Tese tan, who had been gazing out the window with chin propped, paused.
He furrowed his brow slightly and fully drew back the curtain.
He began examining the passing streetscape more closely.
"Vice Leader. What's wrong?"
Libia asked, sensing his unusual expression.
But Tese tan didn't reply.
He simply kept his eyes glued to the street outside.
Soon, his face paled gradually.
Tese tan turned to stare at Tie.
"No way."
"Huh?"
"Our destination isn't the Luminen ducal residence."
Tie's eyes widened.
'Gasp, how'd he know?'
Dad truly knew everything.
Figuring out the destination just from the streets!
Tie scratched the back of her head and smiled sheepishly.
"Well, actually Clan Leader and Tie wear bear hats together...... Whoa!"
At that moment, Tese tan shot up, shaking the carriage violently.
"Stop."
The member driving stopped the carriage as Tese tan stuck his head out the window.
Tese tan turned toward the door.
"What, where you going?"
Tie froze in surprise, and Libia reflexively grabbed his wrist.
But Tese tan easily slipped from Libia's grasp and unlatched the lock.
"I'm not going. I'm getting off."
Tie's mouth fell open.
She couldn't fathom why Dad was acting like this suddenly.
His face even looked unwell somehow.
She'd seen him angry, irritated, sulky before.
But this terrified expression was a first.
"But......!"
Tie jumped up and dashed toward Dad.
Just as she reached to grab his clothes while he opened the door.
"Just stay put."
Before Tese tan could push the handle.
The carriage door opened suddenly from outside.
Tie's eyes widened at the figure revealed.
"Gasp, Uncle Edmund?"
Stepping in was Edmund.
Tese tan faltered and stepped back upon seeing him.
Edmund smiled at Tie first, then stared at Tese tan.
He spoke in a strangely subdued voice.
"There are too many eyes here. Vice Leader."
A short curse escaped Tese tan's stiff lips.
He clamped his mouth shut, then abruptly turned away from Edmund.
And returned to his original seat.
Confirming that, Edmund smiled kindly and sat beside Tie.
"Tie. Came to pick you up just in case. Happy?"
A bright smile spread across Tie's face.
She quickly hugged Edmund's arm and giggled.
Then, as if remembering something, she went "Ah!" and stood on her chair.
Tie cast another barrier around just Edmund and herself, then whispered very very quietly into his ear.
"But Uncle, I haven't told these people my secret yet."
Edmund widened his eyes and whispered back.
"What secret?"
"You know, that. That Tie's a kid."
"Really? I thought the new members all knew? Leonardo said you even used the Holy Artifact."
"Yeah. But not the ones from Trebaga."
Edmund glanced at Tese tan, Libia, and Aleric.
"Why not tell them? Doesn't it bother you?"
"Well......"
Tie answered sullenly.
"I was scared they'd leave again if I said I'm a kid......"
Edmund shut his mouth, then chuckled softly.
He gave a thumbs-up with a serious face.
"Got it. Uncle will keep the secret, don't worry. I'll tell the other uncles and Clan Leader too."
Tie beamed.
"Really?!"
She hugged Edmund's neck tightly.
"Uncle Edmund is the best!"
Edmund laughed haha.
While quietly observing Tese tan's profile beyond Tie.
Meanwhile.
Seeing the approaching Luminen Mansion, Tie felt great.
'Hee hee, this is so nice.'
Mercenary life with Dad.
Dad was prickly toward her, but Tie was happy just staring at him all day.
'Can't hug or kiss him yet, that's a shame......'
Tie wanted to show Dad everything.
What she'd done in this world searching for him.
How many friends she'd made, how many great things she'd achieved.
'Clan Leader and uncles look like Dad, so they'll be friends quick?!'
However, the smile on Tie's lips faded the moment the carriage stopped before the mansion.
"......Let go."
"Please don't do this. Tese tan."
Tie blinked at the unexpected scene unfolding before her.
