Vol 2 Chapter 17 (2/2)
「It’s not. You should have already guessed as to which nation the unit belongs to, haven’t you? I had long ago deserted that nation. Before a decade or so…」
「Tell me… everything…」
While sitting, Logins fiddled with the fingers of both his hands. With his head downcast, he started spinning his words.
「Marita-sama, I believe you were informed that the death of your mother was accidental.」
「I did hear so.」
「The truth is, she was abducted in the same manner as you now, Marita-sama… Thereby, she lost her life…」
「…Is that true?」
「That matter was concealed from general public because it could potentially develop into a war between the two nations.」
「Who… did that…」
At that question, Logins fell silent. His gaze drifted into the air as he murmured.
「Phylia-sama was an immensely bright and honest person. Even though she had been abducted, she talked to the people standing guard with a calm face. The orphanage she was raised in, her husband, the infant whom she had just given birth to, and so on. She only brought up the subjects that eased the lingering tension in the air.」
「Logins, you…」
「Talk with your enemy over shared values to evoke sentiments and draw negligence out――I was well aware of such a tactic, yet that person was free from such machinations… On the contrary, it extricated the air from malice.」
After briefly exhaling, Logins resumed where he left off from.
「――As you have already guessed, I… was part of the unit that executed the abduction of Phylia-sama…」
Thereafter, Logins narrated the actions which Phylia took on the brink of death.
Contrary to what she was given to understand by her father, her mother had taken her own life. How did Marita receive her mother’s actions…? She didn’t cry out loud; she continued to listen quietly…
「Even though my past was dyed with far more cruel acts, I was at a loss for what to do. Afterward, I ditched my nation and crossed over to Lech.e.l.le Kingdom――Whether I, being an orphan myself, was attracted to her circ.u.mstances, or I was attracted to her nature; I don’t understand even now. However, the expression about her face on the verge of death had been etched in my mind. It just wouldn’t fade.」
With his face covered in his palms, he shook his head.
「Even though I fabricated my status and changed my name to work under Albert-sama, the guilt had been committed to my memory; I could think of nothing but that.」
――’Please don’t involve my family in this anymore’――
「…I don’t think there’s anything I can do to make up for that, but I want you to believe that the years I spent serving you were not a lie.」
「…Then, why are you doing this?」
「Does Marita-sama know a woman named Eleanor?」
Upon that enquiry, Marita *furufuru* shook her head.
「She grew up in the orphanage together with Phylia-sama. She [Phylia] loved her [Eleanor] just like a younger sister. ‘She’s [Eleanor] just like my family’ …is what she [Phylia] said…」
In order not to get found out, Logins dispatched donations to the orphanage through merchants. However, as luck would have it, he was sniffed out and dragged into this.
「…That’s karma…」
「What… All I have heard is how difficult it has been on you. My mother’s dead; I’m in this state… Don’t you think you are the one responsible, Logins?」
「……」
「You… Such cowardice against a kid. I don’t know my mother in person… But I know you, who has been looking after me ever since I was a child, very well. It’s… not about getting angry or not getting angry…」
Tears floated up in the corner of Marita’s eyes. But she endured, so the tears wouldn’t stream down her cheeks.
「――I thought you would cry and get angry.」
「…Did you think you could just apologize for her death?」
「Whatever you tell me to do, I will comply. However, can you please wait until you have been released safe and sound?」
「You’re worried that I may take the same actions as my mother? I will be killed anyway if their demands are not met.」
「Why was Phylia-sama targeted…? I realized after serving for all these years. Albert-sama… will never forsake Marita-sama… That person is too soft. He cannot make a calm judgement. Therefore――」
Before he could finish his words, dry sound of a cheek being slapped echoed inside the room.
「…’Therefore’ what? It’s natural not to let someone you hold dear die. Father did nothing wrong.」
「True… So true…」
With her palm trembling, Marita’s tears started spilling out.
The butler, however――kept on looking at her silently.
――Later, Marita went back to sleep after having gotten tired of crying.
Upon witnessing her state, Logins let a breath out. From a dark corner of the room, a man’s voice resounded.
「You, who cannot abandon the guys at the orphanage… are plenty soft yourself…」
Black from head to toe, the man who showed up was――Serdio.
「You… seem to be diligently following what I taught you.」
「Use whatever can be used… even if it’s your former teacher… Do you want me to respect your wishes? Well then, do your best and quietly babysit the princess, please.」
Author’s note: Next time――『The Little Courage (tentative)』
Don’t miss it.
mranon: Guys, I’m sorry to announce that I will be on a long break from tomorrow.
After enjoying NEET life for so long, I have found a new job.
I have to move to a different city in relation to the job.
I will need a lot of time to settle to the new city, then to the workplace, then to the work.
I will be away for at least a month. It may (most likely) go beyond that.
Riot Grasper and Science shall Prevail over Magic will be on break, too. I have no intention of dropping the series.
That’s all.
See y’all soon™!
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