Translator: Nox

Chapter 68

 

 

Seraphin shuddered all over upon seeing the note. 

Sual, Dinan, Lirid, Belze, and Karhen were the same. 

"We were truly acknowledged as comrades by that great purification sorcerer?" 

"......I-I thought we'd be fine even if we were just used." 

"But we're monster hybrids......" 

Only Karhen, who vaguely grasped the situation, remained relatively calm. 

But just as they finally relaxed, Karhen now wore a pensive expression. 

"That person, the purification sorcerer. Probably......" 

"Probably?" 

"Seems like someone with big intentions. I wonder what kind." 

"C-Cough......" 

There were no big intentions. 

Just wanted to heal people. 

Seemingly oblivious to Iri squirming on pins and needles, Seraphin chattered excitedly. 

"Hey! I'm gonna become just like that person from now on!" 

"......" 

"I'll get super strong and sneak around! Hiding my power! While protecting kids in need!" 

"R-Really?" 

"My dream! My nameless comrade purification sorcerer-nim!" 

Iri had instantly become Seraphin's dream. 

*'Wh-what's going on......?'* 

But beside Seraphin, the four monster hybrids chattered nonstop too. 

"Must be an amazing person, XX! Totally thrilling!" 

"Feels like I haven't been motivated in ages." 

"If only they'd appear before me once! I wanna see that person's face too!" 

*That person is right here, Seraphin.* 

"Must be super handsome. Probably was the leader like me back at the Academy? Or maybe commander." 

"XX my role model!" 

Iri's eyes shook wildly as she unexpectedly received all this praise. 

Being someone's role model was burdensome. 

Overwhelmingly so. 

 

* * * 

 

Meanwhile, unlike the festive mood at Ortejo Castle, the plains where Duke Ortejo stood were grave. 

"From Count Iaros's territory, huh." 

"Wow, detective skills." 

"Isn't that deduction even a stray dog could make?" 

To Raspin, it seemed like a deduction even a stray dog couldn't make. 

"But as a scheme, it's too sloppy." 

"One of two things." 

He muttered while crushing the magi-filled barrel in his grip. 

"Either the bastards spreading magi are idiots, like you said. Or Count Iaros is just a discardable pawn." 

"......" 

"Or maybe to provoke me." 

He grimaced after adding it could be all three. 

All clues were neatly falling into place to catch and torture the one artificially spreading magi. 

Now he just needed to subtly tighten the noose on Count Iaros through his spies. 

Then something would spill out. 

So it should've been straightforward...... 

"But why does it feel so damn ominous?" 

"Maybe Count Iaros is a trap?" 

"No, not that kind." 

It was an ominous feeling like an omniscient dad sensing someone about to cause trouble again. 

And right then. 

"Duke Your Highness!" 

Another aide came running, brimming with excitement. 

"Laughing when things are this dire......" 

"That's not important! A miracle happened to the White Knight Order. They all survived!" 

"What?" 

"Oh, and this is a message from Lady Iri!" 

The envelope had recipient and sender neatly written, if a bit crooked. 

Just like his daughter Iri. 

And he immediately inferred the connection between 'White Knight Order full survival' and 'Iri's note.' 

The note he opened in disbelief read...... 

 

I did it-mida! 

Seraphin did it-mida! 

My friends did it-mida! 

Didn't cause trouble-mida! 

 

The tone even had voice support. 

"Where's the White Knight Order now? And Iri." 

"All at Ortejo Castle. The White Knight Order awaits Your Highness's audience." 

The horse carrying Declan bolted off. 

 

* * * 

 

Finally, Declan encountered Iri walking alone outside the castle. 

The child ran toward him but stopped midway. 

As if that distance was familiar. 

Bothered by it, Declan quietly called her name. 

"Iri." 

"Yes!" 

"Have you been well and healthy." 

"Yes! Super healthy-mida!" 

"Good. I see." 

He caught his breath, and Iri tilted her head. 

She expected questions about what she'd done, but his quiet concern only for her health felt odd. 

Thus, a brief silence fell. 

Raspin beside him interpreted. 

"To kindly interpret Declan-nim's words, he's relieved Lady Iri is safe and overjoyed to see your face!" 

As Declan eyed Raspin uncomfortably, he added grudgingly. 

"Declan-nim seems awfully fond of Lady Iri?" 

"......Fond is fond. Follow me." 

Iri toddled right up close. 

 

Thus, in a secure chamber free of information leaks. 

He sat facing Iri and spoke like an interrogation. 

Maintaining their precise distance as always. 

"You." 

"Yes! It's me!" 

"Do you know what I'm talking about." 

"I'm the child who says 'snap!' when you say 'snap!' originally-mida! I did it-mida!" 

Iri spoke proudly, but Declan's mind grew more complicated. 

"But I said solo actions are dangerous." 

"Not even one was dangerous-mida! And not solo anyway!" 

Iri whispered softly. 

"Heard Declan-nim was having a hard time crying over magi stasis-mida. Wanted the elder not to cry, so super did it-mida!" 

"......" 

For a moment, Declan was speechless. 

This tiny child who probably didn't even know the word trauma. 

The little one who knew "Magi Stasis" as "magi nipple." 

Did this child know the painful disease Olivia suffered? 

And worried he'd relive that sorrow? 

"......I'm fine, so don't worry." 

"Yes!" 

To the brightly smiling child, he simply asked. 

"Want to give you a reward. Anything you want?" 

Usually, they'd ask for money or land. 

But Iri was different as always.