A Transmigrator's Privilege

by Usui Takumii

not mine, wuxia world. Waiting for the translator to update.

5. 41 to 50

Fortunately, there was a cave within walking distance to escape from the salt sand storm.

It was probably the tunnel this muscular middle-aged grandfather dug and holed up in for his survival.

I laid the grandfather on the sleeping bag and pulled out a stamina recovery potion and a nutrient pill from my satchel.

"Grandfather. Wake up."

"Ung...uh..."

He seemed unconscious.

I poured the potion into his mouth, where only moans flowed and put the pill. I was worried if he could swallow it or not.

"Hmm...!"

Gulp, gulp! Chomp, chomp. Gup!

"...You eat very well."

It was around the time when five bottles of potions and ten pills had disappeared into the Grandpa's stomach.

The long eyelashes of the middle-aged man began to tremble.

"Hum..."

"Are you awake, Grandpa?"

"What are you...El, Elthea?!"

As expected, the effect was amazing because it was a potion made by my dad and me.

The grandfather, who was dying until a while ago, straightened his upper body in a second.

But the way.

"Elthea! As expected, you were alive!"

"Uh, uh...Excuse me?"

Grandpa burst into tears and hugged me. At this point, I was confused, but also very curious.

Who the hell is Elthea?

Aaron Jake Hispenril shivered and the muscles of his body trembled.

It has been two months since he entered the dungeon in search of traces of his daughter, who ran away from home 13 years ago. He lost consciousness in a salt sand storm, and when he opened his eyes, he saw his daughter in front of him.

To be exact the daughter in her childhood.

"Elthea! How hard have you suffered to become this young!"

"Uh, um, hey, I'm not Elthea."

"What?"

Prince Hispenril looked at the girl again.

When he saw her embarrassed face, he came to his senses at once.

What he saw in front of him was a 10-year-old child. Not his daughter, who was already an adult by the time she ran away.

"My name is Ellet. I think you misunderstood me for someone, Grandpa."

"..."

Prince Hispenril's shoulders drooped like a deflated balloon.

Yes, there's no way its Elthea.

Knowing it would be hard from the beginning, he tried to soothe his upset stomach. Even though he knew the little girl wasn't his daughter, the Prince couldn't take his eyes off Ellet.

'How can you be so similar to Elthea?'

He even had some doubts.

Could it be that it is a mirage created by the desert of the Demon Realm? The demons are trying to deceive me...!

"Grandpa, would you like a sandwich? I made it."

"...!"

-D-Dad, eat some cookies before you work. It-it's so delicious, it's hard to eat alone...

The image of the young Elthea who came over to the office and offered a gingerbread man cookies, overlapped in his mind.

"I-I really want to eat."

"Yes, here it is!"

"Huk, chew chew, sniff, sniff, hahaha! It's delicious. Really tasty..."

"Really? Eat more! Eat a lot!"

It was actually very tasty. It had a feeling that it tasted similar to pills made by Alchemist Rodel, who, not long ago, opened up a new world to him.

At this rate, it felt like he would betray his muscles and open his eyes only to gourmet food.

"Grandpa, you must have been starving for a very long time."

"I starved for ten days."

Since it was not a situation to argue about low-carb food, he cleanly finished even the bread.

"Ten days? What happened?"

"It must have been two months since I was here. The food I brought ran out immediately, and I survived by eating the beasts. Fortunately, there's salt everywhere, so it was edible."

"Uh, um, you have great survivability."

"But it has been a problem since we entered the storm zone. I didn't see any beasts that could eat it and lost my sense of direction."

"You worked hard, Grandpa. You can rest assured now. I will guide you safely to the exit gate."

The prince laughed for a moment. Isn't this small child speaking boldly as if she was going to escort him?

Prince Aaron Jake Hispenril, is currently the strongest on the continent.

'Hey, this child is going to be big later.'

The grandfather laughed for a moment, then said with a smile.

"Sweetie, the favor is appreciated, but I have no intention of leaving the dungeon."

"What?"

"If I can break through this storm, it will be a boss zone. There may be someone I am looking for over there."

The little girl's Peridot-like pale-green eyes flickered. Even that reminded him of Elthea, and the prince felt a stinging pain in his chest.

'Elthea...Are you really here? Maybe this kid I'm looking at right now...Isn't this your soul that is bound in this dungeon?'

Ellet, unaware of the fact that she had been suddenly treated as a ghost, asked.

"What kind of person is it?"

"My daughter who disappeared 13 years ago."

"Ah...daughter..."

The atmosphere suddenly became somber. Thinking that Ellet would apologize for asking something unnecessary, the Prince coughed loudly and added.

"My daughter is much older than you. If she were still alive, it wouldn't be strange if she had a daughter of your size."

"I see."

"No, wait. Thinking about it, it's not only that."

"What?"

"How come she would only have one daughter? She must have had a son about two years older than you!"

"Ah yes..."

The prince who suddenly became too engrossed in his delusions, turned his daughter into a married woman with two children.

Ellet tried to get the talk back on track before the Prince's imagination stretched further.

"Anyway, you're saying she's about my mother's age."

"Yes, that's right."

Is it because of the flow of the conversation? Suddenly, the Prince became curious about the mother of a girl who looked very much like Elthea.

"Hey, how did you come into a dungeon like this? Your mother would be concerned."

"My mother..."

He was happy that he succeeded in inducing the topic naturally.

"She won't be worried. She ran away six years ago and I don't know where she is."

Startle.

"R-R-Run away?"

"Yes."

I shouldn't have picked that topic!

While the Prince struggled to find a way to recover, a ragged voice continued.

"My mother abandoned her two children and her husband and left the house. So Dad had to put all of his efforts into raising us on his own."

"..."

"Well, my brother said that she went out with a hoe and a plow to catch livestock that escaped and went missing...but as far as I can see, it's just a running away from home."

"I-I'm sorry. I brought up a bad story."

Ellet smiled broadly.

"No. I was young, so I don't have any particular memories of my mother. It's okay because I've been living as someone who doesn't have one. Well...you listened to my complaint, so Grandpa can do the same."

"Huh? me?"

"How did you lose your daughter?"

"..."

The Prince's hard cheeks were dyed a peach color. He spoke out despite the overwhelming embarrassment.

"My daughter...It's a runaway."

"Oh."

"Well, but it's all my fault! My daughter ran away because I was wrong!"

"How did she run away?"

"That is..."

The story of Prince Hispenril that followed was comparable to the narrative of a Ropan family drenched in the regretful tag.

When the Prince was young, he had a commoner woman he loved. However, not being able to overcome the opposition of his family, and after only hurting each other, they broke up.

Years later, the Prince learns that she died and that there was a child in her womb at the time of their breakup. In the end, he inquired all over the continent orphanages and managed to find his daughter, and that was Elthea.

A young daughter was left behind by a woman he loved. Of course, he wanted to be nice to her and that's why he brought her home.

However, the young Prince was blunt, cold-headed, and tactless at the time. He never knew how to give his daughter the love he had never received from his parents. Besides, just looking at his daughter's face reminded him of his lover, whom he couldn't protect.

He couldn't even look straight into the child's face whenever he thought that the weak woman had closed her eyes after giving birth to a child alone. He thought that if he compensated his daughter for her mother's share, his guilt would go away.

So the young Prince made a decision. He decided to give her the best he had, namely his family.

Ellet paused for a moment and asked.

"Wow! Grandpa, were you noble? Baron? viscount?"

"Hmm."

"Are you a Count? Wow!"

"Well, it's not important, so don't worry about it."

"Yes, Count."

"What do you mean Count. Just call me Grandpa."

"Yes, Grandpa."

The story continued while hiding the exact identity with a suitable adaptation.

The Prince's intentions were good, but the method was a problem.

His family had a very strict education system, and Elthea, who had lived as a commoner for eight years, had many shortcomings.

Thus, the successor education Elthea's became unprecedentedly strict.

She struggled every day from dawn until late at night with thousands of teachers to instill swordsmanship and learning into the child.

And as the head of the household, the Prince...

-You are now the princess of Hispenril. Behave worthy of a princess.

The words he said to his daughter who brought the gingerbread man cookies explain everything.

No, he'd rather say he was lucky to have made it this far.

In his desire to make his daughter 'like a princess' as soon as possible, he even said these words.

- Servants are watching. Refrain from calling me father in an informal way.

At this point, Ellet said something.

"Oh my god...she can't even call her father, father..."

The criticism in her eyes was clearly read as to what a great family he came from to even do that. The Prince felt a great blow to his heart, but he continued the story that had already begun.

"Then one day."

"It's not over yet. Wait a minute. Let me get some lemon carbonated water."

(Note: she's telling about drinking cider (satisfaction) because this story is too frustrating.)

"Well. Anyway, one day..."

A girl who looked exactly like his dead lover appeared and claimed that she was the real daughter of the Prince.

A girl named Elisa knew information that only the daughter of her dead lover would know.

The orphan director and her guardian also gave evidence that she was his real daughter.

This is why he raised them together because he didn't know who his own daughter was. Later, he felt like both were like the first and second daughter, so it didn't matter who the real daughter was.

However, the Prince's attitude toward the two was remarkably different.

Elisa resembled his dead lover very much.

For that reason, her delicate figure, which was so delicate that he thought would fly away when the wind blows, was particularly painful to his eyes, and the Prince could hardly control the protective instinct that came from his gut.

Anyway, Elthea will be strong as his successor, and Elisa, who has a weak body, he decided to raise her carefully without making her suffer. He also had a desire to play the role of the father, which he had never been able to do for Elthea. But...

"Huh, you said Elisa was a fake?"

"Yes. It was a scam for my family and fortune. The orphanage director, her guardian, Elisa herself... they were all together in the scam..."

"Oh, well, so you're hard on your real daughter and full of love for your fake daughter? In front of your real daughter?

"Yes, that's right."

"Then what was the reason for your daughter to run away from home? The truth was revealed after she run away, right?"

"That...at a family meeting, I announced that I would join Elisha into the family, but that night Elthea came to my office and wept sadly. I was embarrassed because I'd never seen her like that before. I thought I needed to comfort her, but I didn't know how..."

"What you said...?"

The Prince took a deep breath.

"For being so petty, I scolded her as a disqualification as the next head of state..."

"..."

Ellet gulped the carbonated water, and she opened her mouth.

"Can I just say one word?"

"Wh-what?"

"I'd run away from home, too!"

"Ung!"

"You should've done better and been nicer while she was there!"

"Kuh-huh! You said you'd only say one thing!"

"Who cares!"

It was very hard to have the little girl lash out at him with the same face as Elthea. The old Prince, who had many tears, stole the wet tears from his eyes.

"So, it's a story of when I deceived, but I really thought of both of them as daughters..."

Excuses were not a good choice in this situation.

"You can say such words only when you have given enough faith as a family. Didn't you say that at the family meeting, you declared your own desire to make Elisa officially a family member? From the real daughter's point of view, 'Oh, you judged me as a fake daughter and publicly branded me! Then I will be kicked out soon!'"

"Ugh..."

There was nothing to refute. Just before Elthea ran away from home, the words she spat out like coughing blood came to his mind.

-Is this father's decision?

-What should I do. Now that I am useless, you will not be able to let me go because of the honor of the family, so you must be very uncomfortable.

-...Why are you mad? It's something you've been wishing for. You never thought of me as a daughter! Even if I die, you won't shed a single tear! I'd rather die!

-That's why I'll disappear so that you won't become a stain on your family's honor! That's good, right! Are you satisfied? You must feel better now! Congratulations, Duke!

'That's why you went into the dungeon alone?...'

After roaming the Black Salt Desert for two months, the Prince could see traces of his daughter's unique aura and skills carved into the rocks and bones.

Obviously, Elthea was the only one who came in here and stopped the dungeon burst.

What the hell. An honorable death, is this what she wanted? But who is to blame? The Prince himself pushed his daughter to think of herself as a tool for the family.

The prince sniffed his nose on his handkerchief.

After thinking for a while, Ellet said as if she had made up her mind.

"Grandpa, I am going to the temple."

"What!"

The Prince was in tears and had a blocked voice, thinking of his daughter who had defeated a dungeon burst alone

"Don't make your Dad worry and go home! In the first place, the dungeon is not a place for a child like you to come!"

"I know how to use a sword. A C-class dungeon without a boss is nothing. Above all, I know the way to the boss zone, so I can get there quickly."

"Really? Do you know the way?"

The Prince's attitude changed.

The little girl had a knack for finding the way even in a salt sand storm where even the compass stopped working!

Before the Prince could say anything, Elle suggested first.

"If we hurry to the temple, it'll only take an hour. Come with me, Grandpa."

It was very convenient to take this grandfather. I wonder what he did with Aura, the salt sand did not touch my body as if he had opened an umbrella. Furthermore.

"Child! Your steps are too slow!"

"Kyaa!"

Grandfather gave me a shoulder ride and sprinted at high speed. I was confused at first, but soon got used to it.

"Wow! This is exciting! Grandpa, faster!"

"OK! Hold on tight!"

Feels like riding a train in an amusement park!

I grabbed the grandfather's head with both hands. If the angle changed from the northeast side of the temple, I pulled the left and right hairs to drive his direction.

"Stop pulling! It will fall!"

"You have a lot of hair, so I think it would be okay if it falls out a bit. You don't have to worry about baldness for the rest of your life."

"Hmm! That's right!"

The run at a phenomenal speed continued. In this way, the arrival time seems to be greatly shortened.

I spoke in admiration of the grandfather's physical abilities.

"Grandpa, you must have been a really good knight in your old days."

"What do you mean about the old days!? I am still on active duty!"

"Yes, yes. Here. You need to take supplements before muscle loss occurs."

"Hm...? Wait! Isn't this Rodel'spills? How can you have something that is out of stock and even money can't buy?!"

"My dad and I made this."

"What?! Was Alchemist Rhodel your father?"

"Exactly, Dad and I. Rhodel is the Rhodel of Leonard Rodellaine and Ellet Rodellaine."

"I see, I see. You and your dad are a miracle. To get a performance like this in a dungeon!"

"But what's grandfather's name?"

"Hm, just call me Grandpa Jake."

"Oh, Grandpa Jake. It feels very friendly."

It was when we had about 10 minutes to get to know each other a little more.

[System You have escaped from the 'Barrier of the Black Temple'.]

The salt sand storm cleared and the sky was clear.

Crrrie! Crrrie!

There was also a monster that came to meet us as a commemoration of entering the new area. I could feel two desert gargoyles wandering through the air, staring at me.

"Tsk, annoying things."

Grandpa looked like he was trying to put me on the ground, and I said quickly

"I'll take care of it."

"Come to think of it, you said you knew how to use a sword. Do you want to try it?"

Grandpa smiled with delight. He looked like he wanted to see a cute talent show. A disgruntled voice was heard from my necklace.

I don't like his smiling face because it resembles someone I know. Let's make fun of this grandpa, cadet Ellet.

Yes! I answered inwardly and grabbed the wooden sword.

Shh!

I waited while riding on his shoulders. Finally, two desert gargoyles came rushing in with their wings tilted back.

As soon as they came into the gap, I drew two sharp lines.

Kyeeee!

The Gargoyles flew left and right, making a tearing sound. It was a shriek filled with death.

"Oh! Child, that's pretty good!"

Heh, of course. Whose student is she?

For some reason, Agnes seemed to be more proud.

"Oh, we are here."

[System You have entered the 'Black Temple' boss zone.]

It was a temple building with an eerie energy that seemed to fit a fallen god. The walls and ceiling were full of cracks. Relying on the light that leaked in, we slowly went inside.

Possssh.

The inside was not clean.

Heaps of salt sand piled up and flowed down everywhere we could see. The size varied from the size of a small mound to the size of a hill. The floor was also made of salt, so every time he walked, the grandfather's feet sank.

"There is a lot of salt inside."

"That's strange. I don't think there was a salt sandstorm in this area."

"I know, right. It's like it was moved on purpose. Does anyone have any salt farm business here?"

The question was answered when we reached the end of the hallway.

There were no more heaps of salt. Instead, stone statues of salt in the form of monsters greeted us.

Countless hyper-realistic salt statues.

Each one was not a standalone work but harmonized with the other. It was a scene of being tangled and trampled in a mess as if trying to scramble out of the area.

I could guess the identity of the artist who expressed such a creepy level of vividness.

I said, getting off Grandpa's shoulder.

"It looks like they are beasts caught in stone statues. I guess that was the boss's ability."

For example, a monster like Medusa.

"Elthea..."

Grandpa was depressed. But my thoughts were different.

'In this case, there is actually hope.'

We broke down the salt statues blocking the entrance and entered the huge hall. The scenery that looked like ruins told us that there was a fierce battle here.

Tentacles like thorns wrapped around the temple pillars supporting the ceiling.

Ours eyes raised along with the place where the tentacles were gathering.

The dome ceiling was visible only when our neck was bent all the way, and at the tentacle's ends, there were huge eyes split in half.

['The Eyes that watch over the chaos of all things' says it seems to hurt, and he caresses his own eyelids.]

Don't have empathy for a disgusting monster.

Those tentacle-like eyes seem to have been the boss here. As it was subjugated, the salt powder fell down as if to show that it was also petrified.

It was then.

"El-Elthea!"

A screaming cry echoed in the hall and I saw grandfather running somewhere.

In a place that looked like an altar, there was a salt stone statue in the form of a single person. It was a woman who seemed to kneel with all her might for the last attack.

'Did you stop the dungeon burst by yourself?'

Even after rubbing my eyes, there was only one stone statue of a single person. She seems like a very strong person.

Oh, this is not the time to be surprised.

"Elthea! No way, Elthea! Why do you look like this...! Arghhh!"

Grabbing the stone statue, I approached the sobbing grandfather. I patted the grandfather's back, hoping for a little consolation.

"This is the grandfather's daughter...What?"

I squinted my eyes.

"Uh, huh?"

"...Sniff! Why are you doing this, child?"

"Huh...That's..."

Seeing the stone statue up close was unbelievable.

The woman in a modest linen dress did not let go of the weapon from her hands until the last minute.

The two famous weapons she used to defeat an S-class boss alone, was...

A hoe! And a plow!

Suddenly, I remembered Frintz telling us about his memories.

- She took a hoe and a plow from the yard and went into the forest.

She said that she would catch some black livestock that came out of their cage not knowing their place.

Fascinated by the stone statue's face that looked exactly like me, I called her out without realizing it.

"M-Mom...?"

"What?!"

Grandfather turned to look at me in surprise.

I tried to calm myself as I looked at his wildly swaying eyes.

"Well, that's...It's the same as my mom's last description that my brother told me."

"..."

"I told you that my mom didn't come back from catching animals that ran away with a plow and a hoe."

"Well, you did..."

"Look. Here, a hoe in her right hand, and a plow in her right, and livestock that almost escaped the dungeon up there...the eye monster?"

"..."

"..."

For a moment, there was a chilling air current.

The grandfather squatted straight toward me instead of hugging his daughter's stone statue.

After a while, we attained enlightenment and opened our mouths at the same time, regardless of who came first.

"Then the mother who ran away..."

"Then the daughter who ran away from home because grandfather was upsetting..."

The identities of the habitual runaway matched to a T.

Grandpa's eyes widened violently. Sharing the joy of meeting his grandchildren was decided to be postponed for a while.

First of all, we had to help the person who became a stone statue of salt.

"There are no fatal injuries. If we release the petrification, there is a high chance that she will come back to life."

"Yes, it is. I have to go to the Vatican right now and ask for someone who can lift a curse...!"

I calmed my grandfather.

"You don't have to."

"What?"

"Can you promise that you will keep a secret of what you will see from now on?"

"Why do you...Yes, I promise."

The grandfather who read my seriousness nodded and after a small thank-you, I stood up straight, facing the salt statue who I believed to be my mother.

"Descent!"

"Oh, child?"

My hair color changed to silver, my eyes turned gold, and my legs floated in the air. Grandpa hurriedly grabbed my wrist as if he was grabbing a kite that was about to fly away.

"it's okay. It doesn't go up that high."

"Wh-what is this...suddenly such a great divine power...Besides, it's a Descent of Divinity...?"

"I'm deeply religious. Would you believe in God, too? I'm looking for new believers."

Recalling the forgotten pyramid business, I secretly carried out missionary activities. But grandfather was embarrassed and only muttered.

As expected, there would be no way to get the deal sealed just by talking.

"Omniscience."

I opened the search engine and looked for a skill to break the curse of the salt statue. I gently placed one hand on the statue's forehead and solemnly spoke to grandfather, who was full of tension and anticipation.

"With the grace of God, I will undo the petrification. When the petrification is released, I hope you will engrave God's mercy on your heart for the rest of your life."

"Oh, I see! God bless you, please hurry!"

"Yes. Omnipotence. The baptism of purification."

[System Advanced skill 'Baptism of Purification Lv.46 (+10)' is activated.]

The light from my hand was absorbed by the statue's forehead.

Jok! Juk! Jok!

The surface of the stone statue cracked like an egg before hatching.

"...Puha!"

The woman, whose petrification has been released, burst into breath at the scattering salt powder. Her messy, voluminous hair was, as expected, pink.

She snorted and spat out the salt in her mouth and got annoyed.

"Oh, damn it! I made a mistake at the end and opened my eyes! A lot of time must have passed... Huh? Father?"

"Elthea! Oh my God!"

It seems that he was in a situation where he naturally called for god.

[System Converted atheist to believer.]

As planned, the Descent assimilation rate had risen.

['The World-building God' is satisfied with the spread of faith.]

['The Scales that Judges the Soul' chews her lips in envy.]

I unleashed Descent and watched the father-daughter reunion. Grandfather hugged my mother, the daughter he had found for the first time in 13 years. He almost locked her on his pectoralis major muscle.

"Elthea! WHUAUAA! Elthea!"

"Wh-why is father here..."

The agitation was only momentary. Mother soon straightened her face, clenched her teeth, and shouted harshly.

"Get out of here. It's disgusting!"

"El-Elthea!"

"Oh, get out of my way!"

"El...Guha!"

Thud!

I opened my mouth. It was because mother had thrown grandfather far away.

'A giant that weighs more than 100 kilograms...!'

['The World-building God' whispers to you that you should listen to your mother.]

I-I will.

Mom shook her hand as if it was nothing and swept her hair.

"Huh? Are you...Ellet...?"

She found me

"Ah..."

My name was called, but I couldn't answer, in confusion.

I'm supposed to say...hello.

Strangely, that easy 'hello' lingered in my mouth. Mother came to me as I was just blankly standing in place.

"Ellet! Eli! You are my babe, right? Why are you so big? Oh, no! This can't be! Missing all of my daughter's cute and lovely childhood!"

"..."

"No, rather than that, why are you in the dungeon? How come you are in such a dangerous place...Are you hurt? Come here, let me have a look, huh?"

"..."

She squatted down and made eye contact with me. The eyes that scanned my limbs and my face were filled with worry and love.

Why? It's somewhat hard to breathe.

This is weird.

"I don't think you're hurt... Are you all right?"

Nod.

"Whew, that's good. Anyway, this is really crazy. How many years have passed...How old is my baby?"

Seems like it's time to give a slightly haunting answer.

"Te... ten years old."

"Oh, this is mental! It's been 6 years?! Ah, sorry for the bad words! Oh, how have you been? Did you miss Mom a lot?"

"..."

"Ma-Maybe you don't remember mom? It's mom, I'm your mother...It's not like you don't remember me, right? huh?"

"..."

"Baby, why? Say something. Don't make that face..."

...What's my face like?

I patted my face with both hands. However.

I don't understand.

I don't know.

The pouring of worries and affection was so sweet, warm, and fuzzy. I couldn't resist the cotton candy-like kindness I had received from a female adult for the first time.

It was even a little confusing.

Why?

What the hell?

It's been a while since I've taken over the life of Ellet Rodellaine, so why am I so shaken by the presence of my transmigrated body's mother?

Even at this moment, I put up with something as I was about to cry, holding back my words in my choked throat.

"I'm...sorry...I-I don't remember."

"...Th-that, yes, it can happen. The last time I saw you was when you were four years old."

Mom was visibly sullen. Did she not want to be caught with a distorted face as if she was about to cry? My mother hugged me again and patted me on the back.

Pat pat...

"..."

The body temperature that came from her body, which had completely dissolved the petrification, was warm.

Oh, I shouldn't do this.

I felt like I was going back to being a child.

The happiest thing in accepting the life of Ellet Rodellaine was the presence of a father and a brother. My family, who loved me and is unconditionally on my side, had eaten up all the shortcomings of being transmigrated in an S-class survival novel.

Yes, frankly, I liked my transmigrated life.

I think it was even more so because I felt strangely familiar with my father and brother in here. It's not the first time I've thought that this is what would feel like, if all my family members in the previous life had transmigrated here.

It was ironic that there was no mother even after transmigrated, but since I was used to it anyway, I thought that my father and my brother were enough.

Right, that's enough. I have a childish body, but what is my mental age? I'm all grown up. The age of needing a mother is long gone...

But it was not.

A mom.

I wish I had one.

'I wish I had a mother too.'

I needed a mom. I wished I had a mother.

This wish will be the same even if I go back to the age of my previous life, or even if I grow old and have a lot of white hair. For both adults and the elderly, a mother is a mother.

After realizing that, it was as if a child in my heart, who had not been able to grow up due to a lack of it, raised its head.

Then a crying voice was heard.

"E-Even so... m-mom is back now. I'm in front of Eli now. S-So...Won't you call me mom... ... ? Hm...?"

"Mom... ... ."

"Yes! Yes, Eli! It's Mom!"

I was really curious about something.

"Mom...Where have you been?"

"...Hm?"

"Why are you giving me a hug just now?"

"..."

"Can I... really have a...mother...?"

"..."

My mouth eventually moved on its own, and I acted like a child.

No answer was heard. Instead, the hug became a little warmer.

"Mom is sorry, I'm sorry. I've been away from home for too long leaving Eli, Frintz, and Dad. I'm sorry! Really sorry! And thank you. Even without me, you grew up so pretty and courageous."

"..."

"I will never leave again. Now we will never be separated. We will live together forever. We will be happy. Okay? It's a promise, hm?"

"Promise..."

I think I got the answer to something I've always been curious about.

This is what a Mother is like.

'World God.'

I peeped my head out of my mother's arms and looked up at the sky.

'Thank you.'

It was quiet. After a long time, after a very, very long time, the message came.

['The World-building God' tells you not to forget to pack your items.]

From the long hesitation and dry content, deep kindness was conveyed. I laughed softly.

'Yes!'

At that time, as if judging that the mother-daughter reunion had been sufficiently accomplished, grandfather carefully intervened.

"Well...Elthea."

"Who are you?"

"It-It's Father!"

"I don't have a Father."

"Kuch-Hop!"

Grandpa stopped breathing as if an arrow had been shot in his chest. Mom hugged me tighter by the shoulders and shot back coldly.

"You found your real daughter. I found my real family, too. I'm going to live with my family."

"I-I kicked Elisa out! The orphanage director and Viscount Bisten deceived me by setting up a scam with a theater actor. It was a scam targeting our family. Now that we've cleaned everything up, let's go home now, Elthea. Please?"

"My home is not there."

Grandfather was at a loss at mother's determination.

"I-I'll hand you the title right away. There is no need to suffer outside. If you bring your husband and children to live..."

"A title? Property? Do you think that means anything to Aura users like me?"

"T-then, Elthea..."

"I don't need anything."

My mother didn't even listen. Grandpa was restless and poured out his words as if hanging to the last hope.

"I-I was wrong, Elthea. The fact that I treated you strictly it's because I wanted to quickly raise you as the heir, regretting everything I did to you I worked hard on Elisa wanting to atone because I had failed to be a proper father to you."

"When Elisa was there, you treated me as invincible, now that she's not, you came to me to say you cared?"

"A-At least, remember one thing. The reason I cared so much about Elisha was that I projected you onto the child. The things I couldn't do to you keep coming to mind, so I wanted to do something like a father with a heart of atonement..."

"You call it an excuse? I was practice, and she was the real deal?!"

"Un, huk, sniff. That, yes it's all lame excuses. I was just stupid, I was all wrong..."

"...Wait, what are you doing?!"

Eventually, grandfather knelt down to his knees in front of mother.

Mother grabbed him by the shoulder and tried to get him up, but grandfather didn't budge, even with the strength she had earlier threw him far away.

"As a poor and terrible father, I did not know how to love and care for you as a daughter. So please, please. Give me a chance to learn how to love you even now..."

"..."

"Ho-how can you forgive this father? Just say the word, I'll do anything, really anything..."

"..."

Mother quietly turned away from grandfather.

"El-Elthea! D-Don't turn around, Elthea! Show me your face! Please!"

"..."

I didn't think my mother would be such a tough cookie.

I could see everything from her side. Holding my hand tightly, my mother grimaced as if she was about to cry. Mother still had her back turned to Grandpa and after barely clearing her voice, she said.

"...I don't want to see your face yet. Give me some time."

"..."

"I was happier to leave that house. I don't want to go back to that choking and stifling place and I don't want to take over the family."

With those words, Grandpa slumped his shoulders so much that I wondered if his muscles had shrunk.

"I'll wait. I'll keep waiting. And once again, I'm really sorry."

"..."

Tuk Tuk.

Mother, who is an Aura user, can probably hear the sound of water drops on the floor where grandfather was kneeling.

It was then that some cracks appeared in her iron wall.

"If you are so sorry..."

It was an atmosphere where an opportunity for atonement would be given. Grandfather readily raised his head.

"Just talk! Anything!"

"Just screw up one person, no, uh, how do you say? Ah, um, uh...ah! Give him a hard time."

I was moved by the mother's choice of words, which showed her great care for her children's education.

"Who do want me to give a hard time to?!"

"Hickim Sarmatan."

Oh, my.

Here is the name of our father's enemy!

Mom angrily wiped her face with one of her hands. A gleam of murdering aura flashed across her eyes, which was revealed after her hands were removed.

"I was going to cut his thro-, no, I mean, I was going to get back at him, but I couldn't because a dungeon burst suddenly occurred near my house."

"What did he do? Could it be that he did harm to you?!"

"He's an elder alchemist from the Golden Ivory Tower who harassed and exploited my husband."

"What! Our son-in-law?!"

At this point, I helped to provide the latest information.

"Not only that! Later, he was framed as a research thief and kicked out of the ivory tower. Because of that, you don't know how hard he struggled to raise me and brother as we moved here and there."

"...Did that happen?"

In an instant, Aura was nestled in mother's hoe.

Grandfather rushed out, fearing that he would lose the chance to use the parasitic master as a redemption ticket.

"Leave it to me! I will take responsibility for Hickim Satan and judge him in the name of justice."

"It's Hickim Sarmatan. Please memorize the name of the sinner first, not the name of justice."

"Yes! Anyway, that guy! To persecute my son-in-law and the great alchemist who created the culinary fantasy of pills and potions! I cannot forgive him!"

Grandpa pounded his chest muscles. Seeing him speak so confidently, it seems that grandfather had quite a lot of power.

He noticed that mother's expression softened and carefully spoke a few words.

"El-Elthea. I will repay my son-in-law's foe...That, um..."

"Is there anything you would like to say?"

"Once a month... No no, how about seeing each other at least once every two months?"

"..."

"With our son-in-law and grandchildren, together...Huh? I, I am confident that I will do well to love my son-in-law and grandchildren."

"..."

"If two months are hard, three months...If not, even if it's every six months..."

"..."

"O-Once a year! How about once a year!"

"..."

"How about autumn. Thanksgiving is a family holiday, isn't it? Ea-eating turkey breast alone is too dreary... El-Elthea, please..."

My grandfather was in tears because of my unresponsive mother.

Mom seemed to hesitate. In times like these, you need someone to push your back.

"Mom, I think I will miss Grandpa too."

"Ye-yes! It's good that the grandchildren will also have allowance money to spare!"

"...I'll think about it because my child said so."

"Re-really?! Please think about it! Thanks! Thank you very much!"

"Okay, calm down. No need to make a fuss about it."

I also pretended to be half-hearted to match her, but my mother's expression looked more comfortable than before.

"My pretty daughter, hands with mom."

"Hand!"

My mom held my hand and smiled sweetly. I was laughing my head off too.

"...Wait."

Suddenly, mother's face became frighteningly stiff, as if she was ready for a fit of anger.

"Eli, you..."

"Yeah?"

What? What I did do wrong?

"What's going on? Why are you looking at a child with a terrifying face?..."

"Eli!"

"Oh my god! You surprised me!" (Gramps)

"Be quiet!" (Mom)

My mother lifted me up and clapped her forehead against mine.

"Oh My God. It's a fireball! You've been holding it in all this time?"

"Ah..."

You noticed that the fever was creeping up. It was amazing. How did you know? Is this what a mother is supposed to be like?

"Doctor! I have to go to the doctor. I have to close the dungeon right now..."

"Oh, Mom, wait a minute."

As I grabbed her wrist with my hot hand, mother looked back, her face distorted with anxiety and concern.

"Don't worry. It's called God's Fever, but it'll be fine in two days."

"What do you mean fever?"

"That...I don't have time, so please ask Grandpa for details. More than that, I have a request. As for the fever, it's a secret, so please, let's stay in the dungeon a little longer until I recover."

I don't want to worry my dad, brother, and Bianca because I've been sick for two days. To do that, I need to use the fast time flow of the dungeon.

"But this high fever..."

"Please. I'm begging you. Please."

"..."

There was no answer, but I had a feeling that she would hear me out.

"I have food and camping gear in my satchel, so please use it. Then I...I'll take a nap for a while and wake up..."

"Ah, Eli!"

"Baby!"

My head bent over backward.

[System You suffer from 'God's fever' as a result of unreasonable use of the Divinity. Sleep is recommended for recovery. Remaining time 1 day 23 hours 59 minutes.]

Even if I used Descent for a brief time, there was a penalty of two days.

I fell asleep with a little bit of resentment.

Mom and Grandpa granted my request. They pitched a tent in the ruined temple and stayed there for two days to nurse me.

"Do you know how much Mom was worried!?"

As soon as the penalty fever was lifted, the first thing that came into view was the face of my mother with swollen eyes.

Mom hugged me tightly and cried for a long time, then she let me go after I complained that I was choking.

Grandfather handed a handkerchief to Mom, who was still sniffling her nose. Mom graciously took it, blew her nose, and returned it to grandfather.

It looked very natural and friendly.

"You opened your eyes, baby. Are you feeling well?"

"Yes. Sorry for worrying you."

It seems that while I was asleep, grandfather explained to Mom the power I possessed and the 'Descent of Divinity'.

There was no need for me to explain again to Mom the secret to immediately breaking the petrification curse and the cause of my fever. However, Mom was a little dissatisfied.

"If the cost of using Descent had to be this painful, we could have waited for someone from The Vatican."

"I wanted to see Mom soon."

"..."

As soon as Mom made a tearful face again, grandfather stepped out.

"Hmm! Now that you are up, have breakfast. Let's eat and go out."

The sun in the dungeon was in the middle of the sky, and in reality, it would be dawn, but because I had finally woken up after a long time sleeping, grandfather set the standard as the morning.

Grandfather prepared a breakfast table consisting of duck meatball skewers, herb salad, honey roll bread, and fig jam. Of course, we just took out everything that was in my satchel.

"My granddaughter is a good cook, too!"

"She takes after Leo."

Mother replied, tearing the honey bun in half.

Whether it was true that she was a noble young girl who had received a rigorous education, Mom's eating movements were unparalleled elegant.

Now that the family meal has been prepared, a friendly conversation could not be missed.

"Eli, Dad didn't look for someone else while Mom was away, right?"

The knife that applied jam shone coldly. Looks like it had a little bit of aura.

"Dad was always missing my mom."

"Really?"

"Yes. As soon as he finally had some free time and money to spare after a long time, he told us he wanted to visit the house where he lived with Mom."

"Oh my, my! That Leo is really. When we meet, I should reward him thickly."

Looking at my mother, blushing like a girl while thinking about the one who loves her, makes my heart warm.

Mom was very curious about how our family was doing at Gillette Estate. I didn't know much about life before I transmigrated, but I know we were living like pushovers, so I cut it short as much as possible and focused on the story after I transmigrated.

Mom listened intently, her eyes shining. It looked as if she was trying to fill in the six years she couldn't be with our family with my words.

On the other hand, there were people who lost 13 years.

Grandfather wondered about the story of the seven years from the time mother ran away from home until she became a salt statue in this dungeon.

Mom reluctantly opened her mouth.

"I don't think it's a good thing to hear... Immediately after I left the house, I was overwhelmed with evil thoughts, so I went into the SS-class dungeon alone without thinking about anything."

"Kuh! That, like that... ... !"

"But after being beaten up by the boss a little bit, I came back to my sense. Fortunately, the boss zone was open and the boss was also a beast type with no intelligence, so I was able to escape after hiding for a few days."

"Whew..."

"After I got out of the dungeon, I was in a hurry to heal my injuries, so I tried to warp to the city center. However, it seems that the warping stone was damaged during battle. My husband found and healed me after I warped to the wrong forest and collapsed. I wanted to forget everything while living like that."

"Ugh..."

"Life was on the poor side. The only thing I could do while living off his goodwill was to catch prey. I wanted to hide my name and work as a mercenary, but I got pregnant quickly and I had severe morning sickness, so I couldn't. After that, I was busy with childcare."

"I-I see..."

How do parents feel when they hear the story of their daughter's free-spirited cohabitation before marriage? I could not know, but I gave grandfather a little more herb salad.

Herbs were good for mental and physical stability.

"...No need for dressing."

"Yes."

Now it was grandfather's turn. There's something I've been curious about for a while.

"Grandpa, you said you were a noble. What kind of family is it?"

"Hm-mh! Let me tell you what kind of person is this Grandfather...!"

"It's nothing much. He's just playing the king on a little piece of land."

"What do you mean small? Compared to the title, it's not that small!"

The arguments between the two were conflicting, so I had to make my own judgment.

"So what's the family name?"

"You will be surprised to hear it!"

"I wouldn't be!"

Grandfather was triumphantly stretching his chest muscles and when I faced him and imitated him, he said.

"It's Hispenril."

"...What?"

What? Huh? Hmm?

I think I heard it wrong.

"This grandpa is Aaron Jake Hispenril!"

"...Oh my god."

It was a familiar name. It was the name of the strongest man on the continent, who took the top spot until the main character repeated the regression 40 times.

Really?

I looked at my mom for confirmation. Mom just ate meatball skewers with a look of disapproval.

If it's like this, I have no choice but to ask.

"Mom... was a princess...?"

"..."

It was a silence of positivity.

The pendant necklace rang.

Somehow, I didn't like him from the first time I saw him...

For reference, Aaron Jake Hispenril and Agnes Azlit were famous for being fierce rivals and classmates at the Knights Academy when they were young.

On the other hand, grandfather seized a golden opportunity to express the family's splendor.

He looked at me and said in the tone of a teacher in class.

"Baby, as expected you're smart. That's right! Mom is a princess! So what happens to her when your mother inherits the Duke's seat? Our little child here becomes a princess!"

"...!"

Oh my god! Jackpot!

Princess! The secret of birth is revealed! In addition, a rise in status!

'Th-the true essence of childcare...!'

['The Harsh Commentator who adjusts the balance' clicks his tongue asking why you still haven't given up on the dream of childcare.]

It's because you always give me hope!

But everything was just hope torture.

"I have no intention of going back."

At Mom's firm voice. I and Grandpa shrugged our shoulders at the same time.

['The Scales that Judges the Soul' gently tempts you to give up childcare and go to the R-rated reverse harem Ropan.]

The reverse harem keyword has added to Libra's taste.

(Note: Libra is another word for Scales, and used as this goddess nickname.)

['The Eyes that watch over the chaos of all things' insist that you already have Bianca.]

Oh, come on.

Then my grandfather glanced sideways at me, looked at Mom's eyes, and said something.

"Th-The child seems to want to come to the family..."

How dare you sneak up on the granddaughter's shield? This is quite an awkward situation.

"Grandpa."

"Yes?"

"I wanted it a lot, very much, I sincerely coveted the position of a princess. But I respect Mom's decision. If Mom hates it, I hate it too, and if she doesn't like it, I also don't need it."

"..."

Sorry Grandpa, but I'm drawing the line.

Mom has been badly hurt by Grandpa for a long time, and she has not yet untangled her heart.

I was the one who criticized grandfather even when I heard the story without knowing that his runaway daughter was Mom. I could not make a shallow change of posture because I was momentarily blinded by the position of a princess.

As for the bloodline issue, Mom is the only way to connect me and grandpa. So, Mom's heart is important, and it is right to follow her choices and actions.

"S-Such resolution ..."

Mom chuckled as she looked at the embarrassed grandfather.

"I don't know who the adult is and who the child is. Shame on you for thinking of using your granddaughter."

"I-I-I'm sorry. I have no face to show..."

Grandpa lowered his head with a face stained in red. Meanwhile, Mom hugged me and rubbed our faces together.

"Oh, you are so pretty. As expected, this is a daughter made by Leo and me."

"Hehehe."

It's okay if I don't upgrade my status right away.

'As long as my family is around, I'm good.'

That alone made me happy enough.

In addition, life in Count Gillette's Castle where Bianca lives was good, and the household's lack of means was only going to get better thanks to the success of the potion business.

So I don't have to be a princess.

['The Harsh Commentator who adjusts the balance' says t's a good self-justification since you can't leave Count Gillette during the tutorial.]

['The Scales that Judges the Soul' was laughing out loud saying that childcare was impossible by nature.]

['The Eyes that watch over the chaos of all things' is satisfied with the setting in which you have no choice but to be tied to Bianca.]

"..."

Phew, can't I block this?

After eating, we decided to close the dungeon.

It would be another thing if we were planning to start a salt farm business, but there was no reason to leave it open because it was a dungeon with no resources other than black salt.

We went out of the dungeon through the closing gate.

It was deep dawn outside, and the full moon in the middle of the sky that was reflecting on the water's surface was now slightly tilted to the west.

"Now let's go our separate ways."

"..."

Grandpa was in tears. But he didn't stop it.

From now on, Mom is going to meet Dad and Brother after 6 years. Our family also needed a perfect closure, in private.

"I-I'll be waiting for Thanksgiving."

"...Go first. I'll see you leave."

"Y-yes."

Grandpa walked slowly and looked back over and over again. Mom quietly watched him until the end, without any extra words.

"Let's go too, Eli."

"Yes."

Mom took my hand and we headed towards the hut.

In reality, two and a half hours had passed since I entered the dungeon. If Dad and Brother woke up and found me missing, they might be worried.

"Eli! Eli, where are you!"

Not surprisingly, as I approached the house, I heard my father's voice.

Dad, seen over the bushes, was looking around in his pajamas with a lamp in his hand. Soon after, my brother ran to my father in the backyard.

"I've looked all over the house, but I can't find her anywhere."

"Where is she at this time of the night..."

Mom took a deep breath next to me.

A father who is in his 30s and a son who has grown up so much. She was witnessing the years that ruthless passed by as she was left behind.

I squeezed Mom's hand tightly.

"Let's go, Eli."

When we took a few steps further and went out of the bush.

"Oh, Dad, Eli is over there...!"

"Where!"

Dad turned around. My father, who was trying to say something, stopped when he saw my mother who was with me.

"This...How..."

Dad slowly approached with his gaze fixed as if only Mom could be seen in the world. Mom waited in her place with a weeping smile, and when the distance was narrowed to the point where the hands could reach.

"Oh...!"

Mom grabbed dad and hugged him tightly.

"You did a great job while I was away. I'm sorry I'm back only now, Leo."

"Really...Are you Elthea?"

"Yes, it's me."

"E-Elthea...!"

This time it was Dad, who tightly hugged Mom. His watery-drenched voice echoed through the night air.

"Why...! Where did you go, that you're back only now...! M-Me, I thought you left me...I thought you were gone..."

"I can't live without seeing you for a day. I wouldn't do that."

"Then where were you until now? Are my eyes wrong? You...Why does it seems like you didn't change at all?"

"That's because I fell into a dungeon."

"What! Dungeon? Why were you in such a dangerous place!"

"Uh, how did it happen? Anyway, the beast there was a guy who used special tricks, so I turned into a stone statue of salt, so I couldn't come out. Well...I'll tell you the details later."

"Okay. You're back, that's all that matters. Thanks for coming back. Thank you very much. Don't go anywhere, anymore. Stay by my side."

"Yes, I will. I promise."

"Elthea..."

"Leo..."

A touching reunion was heading towards the finale.

Two people were caressing their cheeks as if trying to confirm each other's existence. I feel like the distance between their face was getting smaller and smaller.

Hmmm.

I have to pretend I didn't see... No, first of all, I have to cover Frintz's eyes first... But where is brother? As I was looking around, Frintz announced his location.

"Mom?"

"...!" (Dad)

"...Oh, Frintz! My son!" (Mom)

The two came to their senses at the sound of their innocent son's voice and fell apart from each other. Mom, who coughed to change the mood, said to Frintz, who was five steps away.

"Yes, Frintz. It's mom. Do you remember, me?"

"I-I remember. When I was 6 years old... You went to catch livestock with a hoe and a plow in this outfit..."

"That's right. Our Frintz was six years old, and he's already grown up like this. Come here, let me give you a hug."

"Mom!"

Frintz burst into tears and hugged Mom. The charge of her son, now a grown boy, was fierce. But Mom took it easy and even held him up to take his feet out of the ground and twirled in her place.

Meanwhile, I sneakily approached Dad.

"I'm sorry I left without saying anything. But, I brought Mom back, so can you please let me go once?"

"Eli..."

Dad's wet eyes were sweet as always. I saw a large hand approaching me and thought he was going to pat my head, so I gave my head right away.

"Ouch!"

But he pinched my cheek.

"This is punishment."

"So-Sowwy..."

After stretching my cheeks out like a rice cake, Dad patted my head while I was rubbing my returned cheek.

"This is an award. Thanks for finding Mom, Eli."

"...Hehe, let's hug Mom too, Dad."

I grabbed Dad's hand and went to Mom and Frintz. Mom was wiping Frintz's face, covered in tears and runny nose.

After I made fun of his appearance, Frintz hugged Mom to hide his face and I also hugged Mom from the other side.

And finally, Dad hugged everyone.

The four of us stayed together for a long time, hugging each other. We smiled brightly at each other with tearful faces.

A month after that.

The Golden Ivory Tower, a holy land for alchemists located in the Principality of Hispenril, was experiencing a period of hardship for the first time in its 300-year history.

'Ah, it can't go on like this! The Golden ivory tower may be ruined in my mandate!'

The Tower Chief, Karlon Logos, who now bears the responsibility of the Golden Ivory Tower, was about to die.

It started about a month ago. The huge donations and research grants that came in every month to the Golden Ivory Tower were cut in half.

This is because Prince Hispenril, a big shot in the world of sponsoring, abruptly announced the suspension of sponsorship.

It wasn't just that. Various regulations sprung up in the principality one after another, all in the name of managing the quality of craftsmen's products and the integrity of the distribution.

The first application target was the healing potions.

The Ivory Tower, which had made huge profits by selling the low-quality potions made by the apprentices during the practice session, was inevitably damaged.

'The money line is dry! At this rate, the Golden Ivory Tower will be crushed! Ah, why did something like this happen when I was the Tower's chief...!'

It didn't end here.

Recently, tax inspectors from the Duchy even stormed into the laboratory and private residence of the tower chief, Karlon.

They apologized, but they rummaged through his space in front of him, saying they had no choice because an anonymous tax evasion accusation was received.

If it was another alchemist there were possible grounds for suspicion, but out of all people, they were targeting Hickim Sarmatan, who has walked a life focused only on research, and in which even dust doesn't come out when he shakes it.

Karlon knew immediately who the anonymous accuser was. He thought, trembling with humiliation.

'You fucking Duke, you bastard! Why the hell are you doing this to me!'

As a result, Kalon immediately wrote a letter to Prince Hispenril.

The gist of the letter, written in a fluid style comparable to a love letter, that took up to fifty thousand six-character to complete, was as follows.

'If you have any complaints, speak up, bastard!'

The Prince also sent a solemn and respectful reply.

'Okay. I will go to the place where the old geezers flock.'

Thus, the two met at the Golden Ivory Tower.

Sushh.

Kalon, who aged ten years in a month, poured tea by his own hand.

It was an expensive tea made by brewing seven types of herbs grown only with holy water and used in top-notch healing potions.

The dessert to be served was decided as a muscle supplementation pill according to the Prince's taste.

Of course, it was difficult to use the one made in the ivory tower, and it took a much effort to find his preferred pills made by Alchemist Rodel. It tasted and looked like raw chocolate, and it went well as a refreshment for tea time.

The Prince, who still had a nice and artistic muscular body, sat across from him and lifted his cup.

"Hmm! Long time no see, Tower Chief."

"Yes, long time no see, sir."

"By the way, I think your face has shrunk to half the size. Are you eating well and exercising? Muscles are important as you get older, do you want me to teach you some weight training suitable for your age?"

"..."

Pretending to be worried while you are the one who made me like this!

'Until you became a tyrannical crazy Duke, I was jogging five laps of the ivory tower every morning!'

Karlon groaned but held it in. Sadly, he didn't have any patience left to exercise, so he rushed to the point.

"The prince will be busy protecting the peace of the principality, so I will get straight to the point. It seems that the reason for your discomfort is in our Tower, if so, please tell me exactly what the problem is. I will correct it."

"Hmm! It's a misunderstanding that I feel uncomfortable. I feel as good as my great thoracic muscles these days."

The Prince fluttered his arms, showing off his wriggling chest muscles while striking a pose.

Karlon just wanted to leave his seat, whether the survival of the Tower was in check or not.

'Should I just retire?'

It seemed like a good idea. He, who had only studied, was too innocent and pure in order to face such a dirty political exercise of power.

'Okay, let's give up the Tower Chief's position to Hickim Sarmatan and run away!'

Although Hickim was a guy with endless greed, looking at the research results he has published so far, his ability was solid.

Above all, in terms of using the disciples to favorably wash public opinion, win the favor of the wealthy, suck up donations, and form factions with alchemists in the tower, there was no other to face him in terms of politics.

While Karlon was thinking about escaping from reality, the Prince picked up the pill and ate it.

"Hmm! Very good!"

"Well, do you like it?"

"Of course. My son-in-law and granddaughter made it."

"What?"

I've never heard of it.

"Son-in-law? What do you mean by...Perhaps, did you find the princess?!"

"Yes. I found my daughter after 13 years, and that's not all. I found my daughter and got a son-in-law, a granddaughter, and a grandson!"

The Prince chuckled.

If I make him feel better here, things will work out. Karlon was motivated once more.

"Oh, congratulations! Now that you mention it, it seems that your son-in-law is alchemist Rodel. He seems to be a great talent that is hard to find even in the Tower. What do you want me to do? If it's okay with you, I'll make a seat for him in the tower right now..."

In an instant, the cheerful smile on the prince's face was completely bleached of vigor.

"You kicked him out and now, you want him back?"

"Huh? What...?"

"There is one among you who kicked my son-in-law out of the tower."

"...!"

In an instant, Karlon's brain jolted.

This is it, the reason why the Prince thoroughly roasted me until now!

"...Hmmm, I think we've talked enough. It was good tea. As you said, I'm busy with government affairs, so I'll go back now."

"What? Oh yes! Take care, sir."

After the Prince had left, Karlon rejoiced that he had finally found a breakthrough. But those feelings lasted only for a moment, and his old face was dyed with anger.

'What kind of bastard!'

The one who dared to touch the Prince's son-in-law and made me suffer because of it! If caught, I'll never let you go!

"...Now that we know the reason, you guys have to work hard."

"Yes, Master!"

Karlon summoned five of his most trusted and capable disciples to conduct a thorough investigation of the list of banned alchemists.

The disciples discovered the personal details of the man in question, and the reason for his expulsion and that made their eyes widen.

"Master, look at this. Leonard Rodellaine! Rodel is in the name."

"He is of an appropriate age and looking at his portrait, he was handsome. Princess Elthea must have liked it too."

"It is recorded that he was very talented towards potion alchemy. The characteristics of the potions and pills released by 'Rodel' are similar."

"This guy, no, this alchemist is definitely the Prince's son-in-law."

"Let's see..."

The reason for his dismissal was that he stole research materials from his teacher, Hickim Sarmatan.

Karlon was startled.

"Hi-Hickim? What do you mean Hickim?!"

Why is the name of the next potential Ivory Tower Chief candidate coming from here?

'Ah, no! No way!'

But.

"Master! Here is a report on Professor Hickim and the Prince's son-in-law in detail."

"Oh, we are not sure yet, let's not call him the prince's son-in-law for now."

"Master, with all due respect, it seems that he is indeed the Prince's son-in-law."

"Gasp."

The contents of the report brought by the youngest, most capable disciple, were shocking.

Leonard Rodellaine was once a promising talent because of his excellent admissions results.

He was said to have been lined up with elders who wanted to make him a disciple, and Hickim, who was not an elder at the time and had not achieved much, snatched him away.

The trick employed was beyond lame and despicable.

It was the result of blatantly making use of manipulation of his self-esteem lying that the elders would not pick him because he was nothing much, to the accusation that there is a rule that if you do not find a teacher and quickly register within the day, he would be expelled.

"What? Pretending to be kind, and coercing him to go under the tutelage, he basically made a connection by snatching it?"

"Yes, sir! His personality is quite the opposite of you, teacher!"

"If that's true, he's a complete bastard, isn't he? Youngest, is this reliable information?"

"Master, do you not believe me? I'm feeling sad."

"I lied. Our youngest is so cute that I forgot for a moment that you are the heir of the Dark Intelligence Guild Leader."

"I understand. I also forget sometimes because I am cute."

"..."

Karlon finished reading the report, taking in the youngest's nerve-stabilizing potion that was being handed down to him.

From the moment the rotten discipleship relationship was formed, it was a full-fledged start to tragedy.

Leonard's performance, which the Ivory Tower was paying attention to, was sluggish, and on the other hand, Hickim was on the rise. Leonard, who was expected by everyone as a raw stone, was easily forgotten and was treated as a stone by the roadside.

In the meantime, Hickim poured out research results to the extent that his incompetence just before his rise could not be understood.

The most remarkable achievement was in the field of regeneration potions. A regeneration potion that regenerates amputated body parts. If only this was developed, alchemy would no longer be treated as a backward technique when compared to divine power.

It was like the long-awaited project of the alchemy world, so Hickim received the support of numerous alchemists at once and was elected an elder of the Ivory Tower.

"...But could it be that all these great studies were stolen from the disciple?"

"Yes. In fact, there has been one such exposure attempt."

"When?! Why didn't I know?"

"Inevitably, Master was recovering from pneumonia, so it happened when Hickim was in full control of the tower. It was before I enlisted."

"Oh, then it must have been six years ago."

"Yes. That was the moment when the Prince's son-in-law was expelled from the Ivory Tower. It's right on the back page."

The courageous person who accused Hickim was an elder alchemist named Orca Getter.

He shouted the truth that Hickim had exploited the flaws of the apprenticeship system to intercept the research results of his disciple, Leonard. But...

"Hickim is also incredibly good at politics."

"Yes. After all, the only real skill he had was to play dirty tricks."

Contrary to the accusation, evidence and testimonies began pouring out that the disciple was the one who stole Hickim's research. Public opinion swelled that Orca had framed Hickim because of jealousy, and all the newspapers of the Principality were busy covering for Hickim and swearing at Orca.

There was no implementation of true justice. Orca faced a headwind and was dismissed from his position as an elder, and confined himself to the laboratory due to social phobia.

Leonard was silently kicked out of the tower.

"For reference, it is said that at the time of his departure, Leonard Rodellaine had a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter, both of whom had pink hair."

"..."

Princess Elthea's pink hair is famous. The fact that he has a son and a daughter is also consistent with the existence of grandchildren mentioned by the Prince.

After checking all the information, Karlon finally came to a conclusion.

"Hickim Sarmatan! This is the culprit bastard! Go get him, now!"

"Yes, Master! What should we do? "

The five disciples, who had their eyes shining, waited for the command. It was the moment, the Ivory Tower Chief, who can exercise absolute power like a god within the tower, will show his real power.

We can't wait to see it!

Karlon exclaimed.

"Call the 12 Elders under me, including Hickim! Right now!"

"An emergency meeting?"

It was a sudden call, but I was able to quickly find a reason to understand the convocation.

These days, the financial situation of the Golden Ivory Tower was in jeopardy due to the pressure of the Prince.

'What kind of crazy person goes against the Prince. !'

Hickim Sarmatan, was a middle-aged alchemist with the only hair left behind on his sideburns.

He confidently assumed that he wasn't the crazy one. He was born with the ability to win the favor of high-ranking people with great shrewdness. The years of receiving research funds and donations from many people prove this.

In any case, the Tower Chief of this generation was a timid old man, so he did not know how to respond flexibly to political games. This kind of problem would be over if Hickim himself went to the Prince and rubbed his hands once.

'That's why I have to be the Tower Chief.'

This is how crisis makes heroes. I have to go to the emergency meeting and solve the problem by showing off my insight and ability to respond.

As the next Tower Chief, shouldn't I be able to do this much?

With that thought in mind, Hickim moved triumphantly to the Elders' meeting room. All the elders, including the Tower Chief, were already seated in the conference hall.

Hickim was proud of the fact that he was the last to appear, just like the main character.

"Haha, I'm a little late because I've been busy with research."

"If you are here, sit down."

Karlon, whose eyes are especially strange today, immediately started the meeting.

"I will start the emergency meeting now. The topic is the financial crisis the ivory tower is facing right now, as you all know."

"Tower Chief."

Hickey immediately took his butt off his chair and spoke.

"I think it is important to understand the motives behind the Prince's intentions. Fortunately, I'm an expert in this field. If you send me as a representative of the Ivory Tower, I'll be sure to find out what is making the Lord uncomfortable."

"..."

Karlon's eyes widened even more towards the confident Hickim.

"Oh, Professor Hickim is reliable!"

"As expected of the candidate for the next Chief seat!"

The other elders around were busy throwing praises as chirping birds.

For them, it was certain that Hickim was the most influential as the next Tower Chief. It must have been the desire to suck up and score on such an opportunity.

Karlon snorted his nose inside and accepted Hickim's words.

"I am of the same opinion as you, Hickim. I thought everything would be fine if I just sent you to the Prince."

"I'll take care of everything! As expected of the Tower Chief, you have a great eye for people."

"But before that, I want to ask you a few questions."

"Yes. What is?"

It felt good to be recognized in front of everyone and Hikim smiled broadly, with a mean face showing how confident he was to answer any question.

"Remember the name Leonard Rodellaine?"

"... "

His face hardened while he was smiling, so he couldn't hide his true color.

'W-Why is that pushover's name coming up here?!'

Those who wanted to look good to Hickim bought time for him.

"Tower Chief, that would be an unpleasant name for Professor Hickim."

"Hm-hum, why are you bringing up a story that's more than six years old now?"

"At that time, Professor Hickim had to suffer so much because of this absurd conspiracy..."

At that time, the world was on his side thanks to the money he spent to wash public opinion.

Relieved, Hickim skillfully wore his pensive mask.

"You say Leonard Rodellaine...I don't know why Tower Chief suddenly brought up that name, but of course, I can't help but remember it. It's my sore finger."

"A sore finger?"

"He didn't have any talent for alchemy, but he did a good job of documenting data, so he was a guy that I took under my wings, fed, and nurtured. But, as we all know, that guy is the enemy of grace..."

A muffled groan resounded everywhere. Thanks to the elders who moved in, Hickim performed even more passionately.

"No matter how impatient he was because research results were not being delivered, how could he have thought of stealing his own master's research!"

"..."

"He was such a fool. He happened to steal my research on regenerative potions. The whole world knows that the regeneration potion is the achievement of this Hickim Sarmatan. There's no way anyone would believe an accusation that it was stolen from an apprentice. Tsk, tsk!"

At this point, the others will come in on their own.

"That's right. Why did he do something that would be revealed soon anyway?"

"It was a felony that not even apprentices should be pardoned with!"

"Expulsion was the just price he paid for it."

Karlon, who had been listening quietly, raised one hand and silenced the elders. The question continued.

It still had something to do with Leonard Rodellaine.

"It turns out that Leonard was the father of two children, and he didn't use a house in the capital, but worked hard commuting from a suburban hut. An immediate disciple of an elder who has dependents to take care of, has good support for it, right? What happened?"

"What? Ah, that... ... ."

Because you pocketed his support money!

It was a trivial matter that no one had ever taken issue with. Why is it that the supreme power in the Tower asking about that now?

"H-His, wife...! Leonard's wife was extravagant. Leonard fell head over heels for a gold digger! He was a disciple with a lot of problems...but, what is the importance of this old story now?"

Karlon later recovered his brazenness and shouted back at Karlon.

"Aren't we talking about the Tower finances now? This has nothing to do with the emergency meeting, does it?"

Although Hikim's excuse was lacking, it was true that it was off the topic of the meeting, so it was time for the elders to remain silent.

The Tower Chief, Karlon replied indifferently.

"I'm asking because it matters."

"What?"

"Hickim."

"Oh, yes. Tower Chief."

"Professor Hickim."

"Yes, yes."

"Hey, Hikim, you bastard."

"...?!"

Wh-hat?

'T-The Tower owner just cursed...?!'

Around the time when everyone in the meeting room was startled. Karlon let out the anger he had been holding back.

"Hey, you crazy bastard! Did you know that Leonard Rodellaine was the Prince's son-in-law?!"

"...!"

Hickim felt the shock of being hit in the head.

'What...? Who said what about the Prince...?'

He looked around, doubting his ears and his head, wondering if he had heard it properly. The elders, too, were speechless with their mouths wide open.

Hickey's eyes widened in embarrassment.

"You're not going to answer me, punk?! Did you know that?"

"Oh, no. I didn't know...?"

Karlon did not hide his contempt for Hickim's stupid reply. Only after receiving that bitter glance did Hikim's head start working little by little.

'So, the pushover Leonard Rodellaine's is the Prince's...Son-in-law...? Son-in-law? Son-in-law?!'

Hickim's face turned white.

"I-Is that real?! Le-Leonard is the Prince's son-in-law?!"

"Yes, you bastard! The one who you cursed for being a gold digger is the princess! The Prince is mad at you and is shaking the Tower because of it!"

He could hear the elders around him murmuring, 'Is that what happened?'

Hickim felt the sweat glands all over his body being stimulated.

"Well, it's..., That can't be... A guy like Leonard..."

"You still don't understand the situation? Are you escaping from reality? That's understandable."

It was then that Karlon's tongue began to move like a sword dance.

"Hey, you crazy punk. Did you dare own the merits of all that research? I looked into everything! You've been exploiting the Prince's son-in-law for the past 15 years!"

"...!"

Hickim wanted to run right away and shut Karlon's mouth. However, the opponent is the Tower Chief and that was not an option. The truth that he had been trying to hide with all his might began to be revealed.

"The guy who couldn't properly make even a single healing potion, all of a sudden, became an elder because he published the Prince's son-in-law's research as if it was his own."

"Th-that..."

"It seems like you haven't done anything since you framed and kicked him out. You only preserved your position by dividing the research left behind by the Prince's son-in-law and publishing it sparingly."

"I-It's a misunderstanding..."

"Shut up! It seems like I have lived long, but it's the first time I've seen a parasite like you. How can you think of sucking someone dry for a whopping 15 years? Even the Prince's son-in-law on top of that?!"

"Ugh..."

The public opinion that was laundered six years ago by pouring sacks and sacks of money was now overshadowed, and the conference hall was buzzing.

"D-Did Professor Hickim do such a thing...?"

"The scandal six years ago...does it means that what Professor Orca said was true...?"

"Then the elder who spoke the truth was dismissed, and the disciple who was a promising talent was kicked out...?"

"Oh My God!"

Gazes of looking at trash were poured on Hickim. Shaking and trembling, to avoid the situation from going even more south, he stood up and shouted loud enough to pop a vein on his neck.

"Pr-proof! Do you have any proof? There's no evidence...!"

"Hey."

"What?"

"Can you say those words in front of the Prince and his son-in-law? Then go ahead and try it."

"...!"

Indeed. It was meaningless to mislead the involved people. The person holding the hilt was the Prince, the owner of this land, and the victim, Leonard, now had the Prince's power on his back.

"Ah..."

Dump!

Realizing that everything was meaningless, Hickim sat down.

Karlon calmly declared.

"For that reason, we have decided to dismiss Hickim Sarmatan from the elder's seat and permanently remove him from the Ivory Tower. Anyone with an objection?"

"There is not!"

After shouting in agreement with the Tower Chief, the elders spit out swear words at Hickim.

"You bastard, how dare you to snatch and eat a golden disciple like a piece of crap?"

"It's the bottom of all thrash in the world!"

"It's not enough to throw you from the roof of this ivory tower!"

"Ah! If it wasn't indoors, I'd spit!"

Sturdy alchemists, who looked stronger than usual, came running at Karlon's call. They were the direct bodyguards, loyal only to the Tower's Chief.

A stern command was issued.

"He is an unscrupulous thief who stole the success of others. Take him somewhere and lock him up."

"Yes, Tower Chief!"

"Hey, let this go...! Who do you think I am!? I'm Hickim Sarmatan! The symbol of the Ivory Tower, the alchemist...Kwok!"

"It was noisy, so I made it quiet."

"You did well. Go."

While Hickim was dragged along like a pack of meat, Karlon gave instructions to the youngest disciple.

"Reinstate Orca to the office of elders, clean up Hickim's lab and empty it. Don't forget to tell the Prince he can come to take Hickim at once."

"Do you want me to write a letter to the Prince?"

"No, write it in the newspaper. Make it loud. Then he will naturally find out."

"As expected of Master! Then I will contact all the newspapers."

Hickim's downfall proceeded steadily and a villain's scream echoed through the door.

"Ah...no...! No way, noo!"

From the next day, daily newspapers in Peronsa, the capital, started pouring out articles about the incident.

[Shock Breaking News] Hickim Sarmatan, the master of regeneration potions, was expelled from the Golden Ivory Tower!

Today, the Golden Ivory Tower elders committee unanimously decided to expel Hickim Sarmatan, 50, Ivory Tower Elder Alchemist.

According to the official announcement, Hickim is accused of taking the research work of his immediate disciple over the past 15 years and publishing it as his own, and is accused of framing his disciple and expelling him from the ivory tower when his crimes were in danger of being exposed six years ago.

Hickim denies all charges, but he will soon be sentenced to a final trial in the presence of witnesses who tried to accuse him six years ago...

[Exclusive] Hickim becomes an astronomical debtor!

While the supporters of Hickim Sarmatan (50, unemployed) had been protesting in front of the Ivory Tower for the third day, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the supporters, demanding that Hickim return the money he had unfairly obtained by the end of the year.

In addition, the Golden Ivory Tower also decided to collect all of the research expenses and special prize money that Hickim had received, and a movement to take away his influence started in earnest.

Since Hickim, who usually spends a lot, does not have the ability to repay, it seems that it will be difficult for him to escape from prison.

Meanwhile, Prince Hispenril described the case as a 'felony that disturbs the social order', and he plans to detain Hickim for interrogation by the end of today...

The media outlets of the Principality made headlines about the ugly teacher, who scrambled to steal his student's life, falling into the abyss.

It has been the third day since he was fired from the Ivory Tower, his entire property was confiscated, and he was criticized by public opinion.

Hickim, unable to withstand the speed of his fall, lost his mind.

"H-H-Here is...?"

When Hickim woke up, the place in his eyes was a gloomy, dark prison.

He immediately remembered being imprisoned in the Ivory Tower warehouse and then put on a convoy, and while on his way somewhere, being baptized with eggs and tomatoes and fainting.

Then, is this the Karma prison where criminals who are about to go to trial go?

However, an unexpected voice rang out from nearby.

"Hmm! Did you wake up, Professor Hickim?"

"Oh, D-Duke...sir?"

A middle-aged man with muscular, artistically lumpy muscles appeared in his vision. Can't be wrong, he was the Prince. It seems he was in place for quite some time, sitting on a chair right next to the grate and reading a book.

The small book about half the size of his chest muscle was the Bible. The Prince smiled kindly when he saw that Hickim's gaze reached the Bible.

"I recently entered religion. Isn't it all God's blessing to find a daughter and get a son-in-law and grandchildren after 13 years?"

Hiccup!

The word 'son-in-law' made Hickim jolt. He couldn't drink a sip of water properly, but sweat was pouring down like rain.

"So I started reading the Bible, and I really liked the verse about loving your enemies."

"En-Enemies..."

It was a strong word that stuck in his heart. Seeing Hickim trembling, the Prince put down his bible.

"My son-in-law must have studied about the hardships of life a lot, all thanks to you. Let me pay you back."

"...!"

Whoops!

The sound of cracking knuckles savagely reverberated through the basement air.

"Hi-Hick! I-I-I didn't know that h-h-h-he was the son-in-law of your grace, I didn't know...! Oh, no! Don't do this...!"

"What's so scary? I was just stretching."

"Huh?"

"Well, would I ever be able to beat you? You still have a public trial, it would be difficult to hear that the Prince of the Principality had personally tortured criminals."

"T-That's right. As expected, right? I didn't kill anyone, and even sinners have human rights... Whew..."

"However."

"What?"

"As a believer, I want to love you, who is my enemy."

"...!"

It's crazy!

The Prince opened the bars and entered the prison. Hickim, who stepped back in fear, sat down with his back against the wall. A huge shadow fell over Hickim's body, and the Prince's hand moved closer to his eyes.

Pin-.

The Prince's index finger slightly touched his forehead. That was all.

"Huh?"

For a second, it seemed that Aura stimulated Hickim's body.

But it was unknown what method of stimulation was used, it didn't seem like anything had changed much. Because he didn't feel anything that could be called pain.

But after a while.

Tok...Tok...Shas, Sushas...

Things that he didn't hear before began to be heard.

Moisture that had condensed between the stone walls fell into water droplets, and the sound of a small insect crawling among the straw pierced his ears. The hearing wasn't the only problem. Hickim's body was trembling. The moist air on his skin was cold as rain, and he couldn't stand it.

Not to talk about the smell. The stench emanating from his own body seemed to choke him. He tried to breathe through his mouth, but this time he felt the taste in the air.

The disgusting taste of gutter.

"Wh-what the hell is this..."

"There is a method of communication that has been passed down from generation to generation in the Hispenril family. It's very effective for getting close with friends who don't like to talk."

"Gasp...!"

Hickey covered his ears.

The Prince seemed to be speaking normally, but it felt like his eardrums were about to tear.

"Y-Y-Your excellency, what is this...Aww!"

Poke.

When the Prince lightly stabbed Hickim in the head with his index finger, he struggled in pain as if his skull was split open.

"This is an Aura operation method that elevates the senses of the whole body. Except for sight, it makes the senses of hearing, smell, taste, and touch, very sensitive."

"Huk, huk...huk..."

"Now then, shall I love my foe?"

"Huh... W-W-What?

The Prince approached Hickim with his arms wide open. His wriggling chest muscles and biceps were getting close.

"Let's hug."

"Oh, no...don't...!"

"Here we go! Let's love the enemy! Hug time!"

"Aaaaaaaah!"

A scream echoed through the dungeons of the prison.

A lot of screams echoed for a long time.

The Prince's green eyes sank deeply while giving abundant love to Hickim.

No one had ever endured Hispenril's torture method with a sane mind. One hour. Just that was enough to turn even a trained assassin into a wreck.

The Prince had no intention of letting Hickim out of this place. What if he let him go? After living for several years in prison, he was a person who would do the same thing again without reflecting.

In alchemy or any other field, he would steal the success of others and destroy one's life and family.

"...Hmm, is that enough?"

It was after about 15 minutes. The Prince threw Hickim's droopy body on the floor and went out of the prison. After the disappearance of the prince, a hollow voice resounded in the quiet dungeon.

"Hee-hee...e-enemies... hehe! Love...lets do it...huh..."

Chapter 11. Job change completed

The tutorial area, Count Gillette, was peaceful and safe as always.

It was time to do gymnastics in the morning sunlight in the empty lot behind the Alchemy Lab.

Dad came running with a happy face and shouted.

"Eli! Mom said we're going to have lunch in the pond garden today. Is that okay?"

"Outside? I love it!"

"What do you want to eat? Ask anything!"

"Will Dad cook?"

"Of course! It's been a long time since we had a family picnic, so this Dad will show off his skills."

"Wow, Dad's cooking! I'm excited!"

When I raised my arms, Dad followed along and raised his arms and we clapped our hands together.

"Ah, Eli, your hands are spicy."

"Oh, sorry!"

I forgot to control my power.

My father was too weak of an adult to handle a child who bought the Aura package. When I gave my Dad a lot of blows on his red palm, he told me some surprising news.

"Well, mom also decided to prepare the snacks."

"Oh, is Mom, cooking snacks?"

Mom can't cook, she's really bad at it.

"She's making sweets in Dad's lab right now. I don't know what she's doing, but she kept me from coming in because it's dangerous. Hahaha!"

She's not even baking in the kitchen, but in an alchemy lab.

'It's ok? No, is it even safe?'

I looked out the window of the lab with worried eyes. Dad, who was smiling brightly, suddenly whispered to me with a serious face.

"Even if it doesn't taste good...You know, right?"

Nod, nod, nod!

It was at that time that I vigorously nodded my head.

Whoops!

Suddenly, a light flashed from the lab window and an explosion occurred!

Is that light from Aura?

"..."

Why do you need Aura to bake?

As I pondered the question, a wind mixed with sugar came out and swept through Dad's body.

Well, I should prepare a digestive potion just in case.

I concentrated on stretching again, thinking like a smart daughter filled with filial piety.

I carefully recalled what had happened to my family after returning to Gillette County with my mother.

A month ago, when I first introduced Mom to the people in the Count's manor, Bianca congratulated us with deep joy as if it was her own. And she even persuaded the Countess to provide an independent space in the annex so that our family could spend time in a cozy and close manner.

It was a very different treatment from ordinary servants.

Bianca didn't forget to attach an externally appropriate reason for the fear that we might feel burdened.

"Is something that should be done for our resident alchemist and the successful Rodel's owners. Other than that, you are my only playmate, and your brother is an aspiring Aura user."

Of course, instead of refusing the consideration, I welcomed it with open arms. I couldn't go out of the Count's castle during the tutorial, it was really nice that the living environment was improved.

Meanwhile, Mom's adaptability to the Count's manor was enormous.

"Nice to meet you. Viscount Carmel. I heard that you are the swordsmanship master who guides our son Frintz."

"What? Who are you? Viscount Carmel is my teacher...!"

"Haha! Master Romdio, I'm sorry, but let's vacate the place for a while! Whew, it's an honor to meet you, madam. My name is Andymion Carmel."

Although he is now a middle-aged man with a catfish mustache, Viscount Carmel was famous as a genius swordsman that had short bobbed hair in his former years.

Even his name was handsome.

Mother and Viscount Carmel greeted each other warmly, leaving aside the Count's crazy scoundrel.

"Please call me Sir Elthea rather than Mrs. I am also a knight."

"Indeed! Somehow, I thought that the aura you were emitting was unusual, I see that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Please call me Sir Andymion, Sir Elthea."

They grasped each other's skills with a powerful handshake. The first one to open their mouth was Mom with a face that said, 'Oh, he's pretty good?'

"Frintz has a great teacher. You must have reached the level of an intermediate Aura Expert."

"Haha, I'm just barely an expert intermediate, and...wait, but how at a glance...?!"

Viscount Carmel, who immediately became more polite after shaking hands, was startled.

"Hmm, it's a pity to hear that you made a close call, but if you don't mind, would it be okay if I could help a little in breaking down the walls of Sir Andymion's limitations?"

"No, of course! Please!"

"Well then, let's take a look."

"Oh, oh my!"

In that way, Mom allowed Viscount Carmel to cross the threshold that had not been reached for the last 10 years. Since then, Mom and Viscount Carmel become friends through swordsmanship who occasionally engaged in skirmishes.

The match between two Aura Experts was a great study for me, so Frintz and I often watched their bouts. However, there were people who watched the match with fervent eyes, regardless of studying it or not.

"Dad, are you here again?"

"Yes..."

Dad's face, which had captured Mom's in his eyes, was half-bewitched.

It's not that I don't understand.

The figure of Mom fighting with a long spear in her right hand and a dagger in her left hand was elegant and cool, as if she was presenting a sword dance.

Even Agnes was impressed with Mom's footwork and admired her beauty.

"Ah, Elthea...you were such a person. That's how she used to hunt wild boars and wild turkeys when we lived in the hut..."

It is a pity for Viscount Carmel, the opponent of the Duel, who suddenly took on the role of a wild beast being hunted.

Dad said something new.

"Oh, my. I think I'm going to fall in love with mother..."

"Aren't you already in love and married?"

"That's the problem. I think I will fall in love again without hesitation even after marrying and having you and Frintz. What should I do?"

"What do you mean? We can just live happily together for a long time."

They said that if you love, you will miss them even if you see them right in front of your eyes. And this heart wasn't just for Dad.

"Leo! You came to cheer for me again today."

Mom started looking for Dad as soon as the match was over. Having finished drinking the potion Dad had given her, she suddenly brought her face near Dad's.

"What? I think you smell good, Leo."

"El-Elthea."

It's a scene where someone who doesn't know would think that a young and pretty knight was playing tricks on a naive older alchemist.

But the scent story was true. These days, Dad was working hard on applying beauty potions because he was sad that the age gap with mom was wide.

"Is it the scent of flowers? Dandelion?"

As she sniffed her nose against his face, their eyes naturally met from a short distance away.

Their cheeks turned red and their eyes grew hot.

"Elthea..."

"Leo..."

I quietly left my seat hoping they had a lifetime of good health growing old together.

This routine was repeated almost daily. Thanks to this, everyone in the Count's castle knew that my Mom and Dad had a golden relationship and that Mom was a swordmaster.

In the meantime, my mother took advantage of her skills to find herself a job.

"Leo, now that the kids are all grown up, I'm going to start working soon."

"E-Elthea? That outfit is...?"

Seeing Mom in her uniform, Dad was stunned. Mom calmly informed him, not knowing if he could hear a word or not.

"I got a job as an escort for Countess Gillette from today. Call me Sir Elthea in public."

"You...were a knight, too."

"Yes, sir."

"Ah."

Mom leisurely went to work after kissing Dad on the back of his hand and completely taking his soul out of his body.

Escort work was easy.

The castle was very peaceful, and even the few knights that were employed in the Count did not dare to speak up against a top-tier Aura Expert user. The only concern was whether Mom could fit in with the Countess's picky personality, but...

"Oh my God, Sir Elthea! Look at how the uniform suits you to a tee. It's so cool."

"I'm flattered, ma'am."

"Come here and sit down. A nice tea just came in and I prepared it to have together with Sir Elthea."

"I'm at duty, ma'am."

"Don't do that, will you? It's lonely, talk with me for a bit."

"Then one drink, please."

"Thank you!"

The Countess, Sandra Gillette, was isolated from the aristocracy because of her origin as a commoner.

She had never been invited to a tea party or ever hosted one herself, so she was often beside herself with loneliness.

It was natural to feel affection and envy toward a dignified same-sex person who treated herself with chivalry and respect.

There was even something in common, as both had a son and a daughter.

"I don't know how to educate my children. I'm worried that the rebellion phase of the first one has gotten worse."

"Everyone goes through a stormy period. I ran away from home, too."

"Sir Elthea did? Oh my, oh my. Please tell me more."

"Whew, it's a long tale, to say the least..."

Thus, Mom's adaptation to the Count's Castle ended perfectly.

Back to the present

"...Sir Elthea is great. In fact, I've never seen my mother being so kind and considerate to anyone."

"Yes, I didn't know the Countess would like my Mom so much either."

"But on the other hand, I think I can understand my mother."

"Hm?"

"Because I like Eli too."

"Ah."

['The Eyes that watch over the chaos of all things' happily smiles.]

Bianca and I went for a walk to the dungeon farm and were talking about lots of things.

The passage of time was three times faster, so winter had already passed and spring had begun in the dungeon.

Helverus, who had been busy with heating work for a while, was now living a carefree life.

These days, he spent most of his time taking a nap in the small fire pit that Epiden had made.

The soft flame increased and decreased intermittently.

While Epiden was placing a tin kettle in the furnace to make tea, water droplets splashed on the little demon, making the startled Helverus's flames soar high.

Thanks to this, Epiden's white jade-like white skull was charred.

Krurarararara!

I-It's not my fault...! It's Epi who surprised me, isn't it?...!

The Flame Demon and the Undead Skeleton began to quarrel with each other.

Today, the dungeon farm was also peaceful.

I and Bianca returned to our conversation. We were talking about my mother's adaptability.

Bianca sensibly asked.

"Eli, I heard that Sir Elthea came from a noble family. I couldn't ask her properly because she drew a line about it, do you know what family you are from?"

If you are the next head of household, you should know everything about other families. I nodded.

"Will you keep it a secret?"

"Of course."

"It's Hispenril."

The reaction was as expected.

"..."

Bianca opened her eyes wide. She looked like a rabbit because of her red eyes. It was only after three seconds had passed that her head seemed to fully understand the meaning of my words.

"The prin...cess? That...the one that was missing, Prince Hispenril's...daughter?"

"It's not a disappearance, it's a runaway. In fact, I even met my grandfather. He told her to come home, but she refused, saying she didn't need the family name nor its fortune."

"No, a title of a princess was...just like that..."

Bianca's eyes shook, but her confusion was only for a moment.

"By the way, Prince Hispenril has only one child, and that's the princess, right? Isn't the family inherited when the time comes anyway?"

"Yes. In fact, after thinking about it for a while, I took Mom's side between her and grandfather."

"You did a great job."

"Right."

We joked around and laughed.

Bianca asked seriously.

"Later, when you became a princess you won't pretend not to know anything like the Countess of the outskirts, right?"

"Hey, look at you worrying about all sorts of things. More than that, my Dad and Brother don't know. Keep it a secret until Mom tells them."

"Yes. Trust me."

Just around the time we were having a heartwarming moment. Agnes necklace rang and she lamented.

Ha, it's shocking even thinking about it again. I can't believe I was training the bloodline of Aaron Jake Hispenril.

At the Knights Academy, Agnes and Grandpa were competing for the same rank. Agnes complained that it was very unfair to lose first place several times.

Well, good educators shouldn't be swayed by personal emotions.

I smiled brightly.

After the brief break, I and Bianca parted ways to do our respective duties.

I went straight to Dad's lab. It looks like Mom cleaned up after she finished baking her confectionery, but it was still a mess in my opinion.

I plan to quickly clean it up on behalf of my father, who is in the middle of cooking in the kitchen of the annex by now.

While cleaning, I decided to refill the reagents that are running out. But one extra reagent was on a shelf high enough to reach the ceiling.

I climbed up on the top of a simple ladder and stretched out my arms, but I did not even vaguely reach them.

One Descent and this is nothing!

...It is impossible to use it anyway and while I was whining on my tiptoes, I felt a presence behind me.

"Can I take this out for you?"

"Huh?"

A slightly murky voice rang in my ear, then someone took out a reagent bottle with ease and held it in my hand.

"Oh, brother."

"Yes."

As I turned my head, I saw Frintz stepping on the bottom of the ladder and stably supporting my back.

Frintz was growing like a storm these days. Seeing that he had become a tall boy in a month, I thought that growing boys were a very mysterious existence.

"How did you grow so tall? It seems like the height from yesterday and today are different. Brother, aren't you growing taller every day?"

"It might be. My joints are numb and I can't get used to it. My voice suddenly came out strangely, too..."

"I know. It feels a little bit like when you caught a cold?"

"It's not pleasant to hear, right? It's getting thicker..."

"Not that but, doesn't your throat hurts when you talk?"

"Not really."

"Then that's fine."

When I looked at Frintz with envy and wondered how big he became, he smiled and hugged me without notice.

"There we go!"

"What!?"

"I'm going to get you off the ladder."

"Then drop me off."

"I have changed my mind."

"Why!"

"Hey, you are so small. I can pick you up this high in a flash."

Frintz hugged my ten-year-old, not too small, body and boasted about his height and muscles.

He grew up well, but I was still a little kid, so the comparison was quite stark. I could have tried to get out of Frintz's arms, but I just let him do whatever he wanted.

"When will my little sister grow up?"

"I'll grow up soon! Starting today, I'm going to eat double the growth-nurturing pills."

"That's too bad. Then I have to hug you a lot now. If not now, when would I carry you around?"

Frintz, who became a young lad, laughed like a spring breeze blowing cherry blossoms. I guess his charm has increased since he suddenly grew up.

"Brother, are you happy to be tall?"

"Yes. It looks like I can carry Eli around."

"Except for that."

"I like that swordsmanship is easier and more vivid. I feel like I am getting stronger day-by-day thanks to you. From now on, I'm going to protect Eli, so just trust him."

Um, well, that's a little...I think I have a higher level of Rigid body right now, but of course, I didn't say it outright.

"Yes, of course! Brother, you know, because you're the eldest son of our family, we have high expectations. Good luck, Brother!"

"Yes!"

I gave him the burden, no, the motivation to get a knighthood. I think I'm a really nice little sister.

"But why did Brother come to the lab?"

"I came to pick you up."

"Oh, come to think of it, it's already lunch time."

"Yes. Mom and Dad will be waiting for us. Let's go, Eli."

I went out with Frintz, excited about the idea of having a picnic. Mom and Dad went out early to make preparations. Instead of the knight's uniform, Mom wore a mini dress and held a parasol, she was very pretty.

"How do I look, Leo?"

"It's dazzling, Elthea..."

Dad couldn't take his eyes off the sight.

"I'll carry the picnic basket!"

In the eyes of a growing teenager, a basket full of things to eat was nothing sort of a treasure chest.

Frintz took the lead, flashing the picnic basket.

"Let's go first, Eli. Mom and Dad, come quickly."

I diligently followed Frintz.

In the meantime, my eyes were fixed on the lunch box, or the picnic basket, that naturally smelled of food.

Hmm...

['The Harsh Commentator who adjusts the balance' asks why you're staring at the picnic basket as if he's an enemy.]