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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Wooden Sword and the Dragon's Egg
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Arep, who had been assigned a mission, started increasing his meal portions bit by bit from that day on.
His habit of eating while furtively watching others began to fade, and with it, his shyness around people gradually lessened.
The adults were absolutely delighted by this change.
Since he was eating well, he started putting on weight little by little.
On the day he noticed his once-skinny arms had grown plumper than before, Arep told Solles he wanted to exercise.
"Then why don't you learn swordsmanship with me?"
Solles handed Arep a toy wooden sword that was in the room.
Arep heightened all his senses as he gripped the wooden sword for the first time.
Even though it was a toy, it was carved from wood and heavier than expected. The smooth handle fit snugly into his soft palm.
Solles watched Arep focus intently on the sword with fascination and asked,
"How does it feel?"
"It's scary... and weird..."
"Exactly. Swords are scary and dangerous. Grandpa said you have to understand how frightening a sword is to learn it seriously."
"D-Do you do swordsmanship well, young master?"
Arep asked as he handed the wooden sword back.
Solles lightly swung the wooden sword—which now felt too light for him—with one hand and replied,
"Compared to kids my age... well, I don't think I'm bad. After all, Grandpa teaches me himself."
A strange smile appeared on Solles's face as he said that.
"It's a secret, but I actually like studying more than swordsmanship."
"Why?"
"It's fun to learn new things you didn't know before. But to study, you need to be healthy and strong. You can do more and for longer if you have stamina."
That was Solles's reason for learning swordsmanship.
And through Solles, Arep learned that everyone had different reasons for learning things.
"Does the young lady learn swordsmanship too?"
"No."
Arep was surprised by Solles's answer.
After the commotion on her first day at kindergarten, Nibelria had become noticeably more well-behaved.
More precisely, she had learned to consider how her actions affected others—to think and reflect before acting.
Yet Nibelria was still spirited, occasionally startling the adults with strange words, and preferred running over walking.
Arep had assumed someone like her would naturally learn swordsmanship.
"You think it's weird, right?"
Solles read Arep's mind and chuckled knowingly.
"Nini is scared of swords."
"Why?"
"I don't know that either."
Nibelria had disliked swords from the start.
"When Nini was a baby, a knight visited the house once. He naturally had a sword at his waist."
And just then, Nibelria, who was out for a stroll cradled in Dether's arms, ran into the knight.
The knight approached to pay his respects to the young lady.
But Nibelria burst into hysterical wails the moment she saw him.
"She had a raging fever all night. I don't remember it well, but Grandma and the physician stayed by her side the whole time."
"......"
"Ever since, any knights visiting the Dayamor estate have to remove their swords and hand them over."
This could be seen as an insult to the knights—and by extension, the prestige of the Drameno Empire.
But this was the Dayamor estate.
It was possible because it was the home of a saintess and holy knight who had exterminated monsters forty years ago.
"I-I see..."
"Oh, and call me by name. 'Young master' makes it sound like we're not close."
"Ah..."
"Try it. Solles bro!"
"So-Solles bro..."
"Good!"
Solles grinned, looking satisfied.
Arep ducked his head shyly for no reason.
"......"
His eyes fell on the wooden sword in Solles's hand.
Perhaps because of Nibelria's story, the sword suddenly felt even scarier than before.
But his desire to learn the sword grew stronger alongside it.
'I have to learn it properly this time.'
That way, this time...
A few days later.
Late spring arrived, warm enough that people were starting to say, "It's getting pretty hot."
Seletrina finished her preparations to head to work about two hours later than usual.
"Celly, are you sure you're okay with this?"
Kaleo, who had come to see her off, asked with a worried look.
"Taking all three kids to work..."
"It's fine. Our building has an in-house daycare, and today is the day employees bring their kids for a tour."
"If anything comes up, just call. I'll come pick you up right away."
"Just hearing that makes me feel secure. Thanks."
As thanks, she planted a light kiss on his cheek, and Kaleo's tense expression finally softened.
Just then, the kids, ready to head out, came down the stairs.
"Mommy!"
Seletrina couldn't hide her happy smile as Nibelria came toddling toward her like a little pororo.
"Oh my goodness!"
Nibelria, who had stuck to Seletrina's leg, shouted her own name.
"Nini!"
"Mommy almost didn't recognize you, Nini. You look so cool?"
"Right? Daddy thought a cool big sister was walking by."
Delighted by her parents' praise, Nibelria thrust her chin high toward the sky.
"Today, investment time! Nini is a cool investor!"
Finally, Nibelria was heading to Seletrina's company for her first investment.
Ahem, she puffed up with pride, showing off her outfit.
With knee-length shorts, a white shirt, and neat black suspenders, she looked sharp and clever.
Her white silver hair was neatly braided into one ponytail.
"Daddy, Nini will come back with lots of money today?"
"Should I get my hopes up?"
"Yeah!"
Trust me, she said, pounding her chest with her little fisted hand.
Haha, Kaleo laughed and turned to Solles and Arep, who were waiting quietly behind Nibelria.
The two boys were dressed similarly to Nibelria. But Arep seemed awkward in his clothes, fidgeting with his sleeves repeatedly.
"You both look great."
"Then we'll be off, Father."
"W-We’ll be going..."
"Have a good trip..."
Thud!
Suddenly, a large iron box dropped right in front of the family as they were about to part warmly.
Precisely, in front of Nibelria.
"...Nini knows what this is!"
Nibelria exclaimed at the box that appeared out of nowhere.
"This is the thing where you put enemy's head in and send it!"
"It's not."
Kaleo checked the letter he received from the employee who delivered the box.
"It's a birthday present for you."
"Nini's birthday is already over?"
"It seems to be from your aunt."
Seletrina, inspecting the box, looked at Kaleo.
He nodded after reading the letter.
"Looks like the gift from your aunt has finally arrived."
"Aunt?"
"My little sister."
"Daddy has a little sister too?"
Nibelria was shocked by Solles's explanation.
Kaleo said,
"Six years ago, she ran away saying she wanted to become the Mercenary King. She visited briefly two years ago, but you were asleep then, so you didn't see her."
"Aunt has no manners. She should've said hi to Nini."
"If she heard that, she'd be rolling on the floor laughing."
For now, they decided to open the box and check inside.
The pitch-black iron box had threatening spikes and protrusions jutting out.
Kaleo carefully opened it.
The kids, eyes sparkling with curiosity, peered inside.
"...Huh?"
Nibelria turned to her parents with a bewildered expression.
Arep and Solles beside her wore the same look.
Inside were unidentified fragments scattered about.
"...It looks like eggshells."
Arep reached out to touch one, but Seletrina stopped him, saying it might be dangerous.
Instead, she took out a handkerchief and carefully picked up what seemed to be an eggshell.
"It really does look like eggshells."
And quite large, pitch-black ones at that.
"But the inside of the box is clean."
Solles pointed inside, saying look at this.
If the egg had broken, it would be a mess of contents and stench.
But the box was spotless. Aside from a faint metallic smell, there was nothing foul.
"The letter says it's a prize from a tournament, sent as a birthday gift for Nini."
Kaleo read the contents aloud.
"Mm..."
Nibelria nodded and said,
"Mommy, Nini wants to go now."
"Shall we? What about the gift?"
"Dunno. Throw it away?"
"It's from your aunt, so let's store it in the warehouse for now. Who knows? It might be something amazing."
Seletrina looked at Kaleo.
"Does the letter say what the gift is?"
"Well..."
Kaleo hesitated, then said reluctantly,
"It says it's the Egg of the Evil Dragon Ater."
But dragons had vanished from sight centuries ago.
Now, they were just imaginary creatures from fairy tales.
Lubeo.
The massive commercial conglomerate owned by the Dayamor family—the first in Drameno Empire history to be called a 'megacorporation.'
Seletrina Dayamor Lubeo was the one who had grown it into a megacorporation and was currently serving as its inaugural president.
"Welcome, President."
"Good morning, President."
As Seletrina appeared, all the employees stopped what they were doing and greeted her.
"Good morning, everyone."
Seletrina accepted their greetings as if it were the most natural thing, yet with utmost politeness, exuding the dignity of a president.
Admiration bloomed on the watching children's faces.
"Mom is so cool...!"
Nibelria and Arep nodded vigorously at Solles's mutter.
Especially Nibelria, who was more moved than anyone.
She couldn't tear her eyes away from Seletrina issuing orders to employees or signing documents on the spot.
'Nini will be a cool money-making lady like Mommy too!'
Signing papers handed by Dether—coolly.
Answering Solles's questions—coolly.
Helping Arep when asked—coolly.
"...Nini will make lots of money too!"
Nibelria clenched her fist, steeling her resolve.
The employees' gazes naturally turned to her at the spirited shout.
Nibelria panicked and hid behind Solles.
She belatedly realized she was surrounded by strangers.
"H-Hold my hand...!"
Then, remembering his mission, Arep extended his hand.
"I'll stay by your side. It won't be as scary then."
