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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Solution
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“This is from when we went out to play the other day! I said it was pretty, and Theo bought it for me.”
“Theo did?”
At my dad’s question, Theo flinched.
It was a bit expensive…
“Aunt, this was actually really expensive… but I really wanted it, so I threw a tantrum. Please don't scold him.”
“Oh, no, sweetie. It’s alright.”
My aunt, simply overjoyed that Theo's seizure had stopped, wiped her teary eyes and hugged me.
“Sister, we should call a priest to check on Theo's condition.”
“Huh? We know what the illness is. Why a priest?”
“It seems the reason his seizure subsided is because of that pendant. It's not just an accessory; it's the core of a magical beast.”
“What? What?”
My aunt was shocked.
Theo, also bewildered, looked down at the pendant in his hand.
For some reason, though, Dad's strange gaze was fixed not on the pendant, but on me...
‘Phew, a success. Of course, the main character never lets a frustrating situation drag on.’
Once again, I was so glad to have Dad around.
* * *
That afternoon, priests visited the Rubinstein ducal estate.
And… a way to counteract ‘Mana Conflict,’ a rare disease that had claimed the lives of ability users for centuries, was discovered.
“It appears to have calmed the conflict of powers by temporarily raising the level of magical energy in his body.”
Ordia, who had been anxious, grabbed the arm of the priest who was murmuring as he looked at the pendant.
“Then, does that mean if he just carries this with him, our Theo won't have seizures anymore?”
“Yes, my lady. As you know, Mana Conflict occurs in ability users whose bodies contain an exact 50-50 ratio of holy power and magical power. Usually, one side is at least slightly more dominant.”
The very criterion that distinguished swordsmen as holy knights or magic swordsmen was based on which power was more dominant.
But Theo was an ability user with that rare 50-50 balance.
“The demonic energy dwelling in the beast's core seems to have raised the young master's magical power level, preventing the two forces from clashing.”
“…Is that possible? The boy has suffered for years, and the cure was something so simple?”
Nordic, who had been waiting by her side just as anxiously as Ordia, asked, and the priest nodded.
“Yes. We never imagined that external demonic energy could have such an effect, but for now, it seems to be the best possible solution.”
“Oh, dear God… My baby, now…”
“Sister.”
As Ordia covered her mouth and broke down, Enoch supported her.
Seeing her relief, the priest smiled warmly.
“However, the levels of holy and magical power will eventually equalize again, so until a fundamental cure is found, it would be best for him to obtain and carry a beast's core like this. Then he will no longer have seizures.”
“Oh, I can't believe it… Thank you, thank you so much…”
“Not at all. In fact, we should be thanking you. Mana Conflict has always been an incurable disease that has troubled our temple's healing division…”
The priest added, looking at Enoch.
“It was you who contacted us, Your Grace, wasn't it? How on earth did you think of using a beast's core to stop Mana Conflict?”
When the priest asked in amazement, Enoch paused.
As he said, it was something he had never even considered.
Not only was the demonic energy of magical beasts different from that of humans, but he also hadn't known that external magical power could resonate with one's innate power.
‘Lilis…’
Enoch silently mouthed his daughter's name.
“It was a coincidence. My daughter was carrying it around like a toy. It just so happened that when she approached him, my nephew's condition improved.”
“Oh, I see. Such a coincidence must be an answer from the gods. It seems Lady Antracse's prayers have reached them.”
“I, I think so too. I can't possibly express how I feel right now. Lately, it's been one blessing after another. Enoch has returned… And Lilis, that little girl… she saved our Theo…”
As Nordic came to comfort her, Ordia cried in her father's arms.
Having let go of a great worry, their faces were more peaceful than ever.
Among them, only Enoch wore a peculiar expression.
‘Lilis…’
His daughter had said she carried it simply because it was pretty, without knowing what it was.
But… for that to be the case, the way she had pulled the pendant from her bag, as if she had been waiting for the moment, was a bit strange.
And she had run over to the seizing Theo without the slightest hint of surprise.
‘Was it really just a coincidence?’
Lost in thought, Enoch's eyes narrowed.
* * *
That afternoon, Chessier was loitering in front of Theo's room.
From what he'd overheard, Theo suffered from a rare congenital disease, and these seizures were a monthly occurrence.
‘What kind of illness could be that severe?’
He was curious if Theo had gotten better, but he didn't have the courage to knock on his door.
‘No. What right does a commoner freeloading here have to worry about such things?’
Chessier turned to leave.
It was then.
“Hey, hey, hey!”
“Chessieeer!”
It was Leon and Lilis. Next to them were Ordia and some servants.
“Did you come to see Theo?”
“Chessier, Theo is all better now and sleeping!”
“Oh, yeah.”
Chessier replied, glancing warily at Ordia, who was standing beside them.
The Duke's sister…
The beautiful noblewoman in fine clothes radiated elegance.
“So you're Chessier. The one Enoch brought.”
“…Yes.”
Chessier was uncomfortable.
Enoch had told him about the other adults living in the ducal house, but he had resolved to avoid them as much as possible.
Enoch might be different, but the other adults would surely not welcome him.
“Leon told me you helped our Theo until the servants arrived. Thank you.”
Could you even call that helping?
He had only held down Theo's arms and legs as he thrashed about in pain.
“Oh, my.”
Chessier was startled for a moment. Ordia had bent her knees slightly, bringing her face close to his.
“You've got a scratch.”
Only after she said that did he feel a sting below his chin and near his neck. It was a scratch from Theo's fingernails when he'd been holding him down.
“I'm fin—”
“Please treat the boy's wound.”
“Yes, Lady Ordia.”
The servants bowed their heads.
Chessier felt bewildered.
There was no look of contempt for him, a commoner, and her smiling face held a simple kindness.
‘The people in this house are all a little strange.’
For someone whose every word and gesture reeked of nobility, her attitude was puzzling.
“Auntie, Auntie!”
Lilis, who had been watching Chessier's expression, giggled and took Ordia's hand.
“They're serving apple purée for dessert today. Can you have dinner with us later?”
“Oh my, how could I refuse a request from our little sweetheart? Of course, we can.”
“With Dad and Chessier, too!”
Lilis grabbed Chessier's hand.
“Hey, what about me!”
“Of course you're eating with me, silly!”
His expression instantly brightening, Leon hugged Lilis.
Watching them fondly, Ordia clapped her hands once.
“The weather should be nice and cool this evening, so how about we set up a table outside?”
“Yay, that's a great idea!”
As he quietly listened to their warm, family-like conversation, Chessier's eyes met Lilis's.
Looking at Lilis's grinning face, he felt… something.
A slight tickle in his chest.
It was a feeling he'd never experienced before.
* * *
From then on, time passed.
Four days had already passed, but the ducal estate was still in a festive mood.
After all, they had found a solution for the rare disease that had tormented Theo his entire life.
I also heard news that the Duke of Antracse—my uncle—would soon be returning to the capital.
‘A central noble, abandoning his family to go on an expedition to a foreign country…’
I found out later that my uncle, who doted on his son, had been traveling to all sorts of countries searching for a cure for Theo.
Thankfully, my uncle could now return to the family for good, and my aunt and the twins were delighted by the news.
Hehe. It was all thanks to me.
“Haaah, this is nice…”
I lay in the sunny garden and looked up at Theo, who was sitting next to me.
“Ehehe.”
“Haha.”
Theo, who had been smiling back at me, followed my lead and lay down on his back. Ever since that day, Theo had been stuck to my side like glue.
“Lilis, I hear your birthday is coming up soon?”
“Yup!”
“What should I get you for a present?”
“It's okay. You getting all better and not being in pain anymore is the best present for me.”
“Oh, Lilis…”
“Theo…”
“Ugh, you two are ridiculous. Seriously.”
As usual, Leon was there to pour cold water on the touching sibling moment.
“Where the hell did that brat Chessier go?”
“Here.”
Speak of the devil. Chessier suddenly appeared from behind, wiping the sweat from his neck with a towel.
“Chessieeer!”
I grabbed the water canteen I had prepared and scurried over to Chessier.
