Volume 4 Chapter 7 Part 3 (1/2)

Volume 4 Chapter 7 Part 3

Translator: Kurehashi Aiko Editor: Queenie

Honestly thinking, I thought that going back now would be a bad idea as well. The Governess has a point here. The cause of this phenomenon was definitely somewhere inside of the ruins. Additionally, we had no guarantee that by returning to the capital we could bring Edi back to normal. Also, even though the Governess did not say it out loud, only Edi was able to properly translate the runes in the ruins.

–––– At least that’s what I think. Because there was always a possibility that because he was like this right now, he would have lost all of his knowledge that he acquired over the years spent at the Magic Academy, since at that age he wasn’t even there to begin with. So even if he was having trouble deciphering the runes as his adult self, it was pretty much impossible for us to demand of him that he would be able to do that in this state.

While we were both just keeping silent and sighing from time to time, the door to the room opened quietly and a small boy dressed in a new set of clothes and hood emerged from within it.

「Agedilus-dono, I hope that the size was alright?」

「………」

The boy did not answer the Governess’s question, instead just quietly walked up to me. It looks like even his personality reverted back to when he was but a small child, who more than anything hated going out and having to deal with other people. It was often bad enough that his parents would need to interpret for him, but after a while I managed to live with that.

The boy was still silent, but the clothes seemed to be a little too big for him, even though they were probably meant for a child that was slightly smaller than he was right now. I could feel his eyes gazed pleadingly at me from beneath the hood. So I gently took his small hand in my own. I then stand up and turn towards the Governess.

「Apparently the clothes are a little too big.」

「If that’s the case, I shall send you a smaller ones tomorrow. For the time being, we should go somewhere else so that people won’t notice. If you are good to go……」

「…… Once again, so sorry for this. We shall prepare ourselves immediately.」

The boy seemed to be a little offended by the fact that we needed to leave the mansion in a hurry, but he didn’t say a word. I could partially understand his attitude, but now was not the right time for this.

Since I originally had very little clothes with me, it didn’t take me very long to get everything ready. They boy stayed silent all this time, and I had no idea whatever should I say to him.

「Edi, please wait just a moment. I’ll be ready soon.」

「…… Let me help.」

「!!!」

The boy came right to my side and started to pack the trunks with speed and deftness that was far greater than mine, and when I tried to lift the trunks, one in each of my hand, he just took hold of his own trunk as if it didn’t weight anything.

「I must take care of my own belongings.」

He then took hold of it with both of his small hands, while I just kind of followed suit.

「It’s fine, Edi. You don’t have to do this. I can take care of your trunk as well…….」

「I’m fine.」

「…… Are you now?」

No, no, no, I know that he may have said that, but the truth might have been quite the opposite. Although it was that man we are talking about here, so it might actually be true, since he was always so stubborn that if he said he was going to do something, he was surely going to do it.

Then, after going out and informing the Governess that we were ready to depart, we were led through back corridors into the back door, so as to not be too conspicuous. Fortunately, we arrived at our destination without being seen by anyone.

The outside was already dark, so the Governess helped us get our luggage loaded onto the carriage and then we went inside.

「I’m sorry, you two, but I’m afraid that’s as far as I can accompany you. That’s why……」

「Yes, I know. Thank you so much once again for doing so much for us.」

The Governess laughed shortly and then handed me a key through the carriage’s window. She also took a glimpse at the boy sitting right next to me. Even though this whole situation wasn’t anyone’s fault, I could tell that she must have felt somewhat responsible for it. Just then the carriage began to move and I could soon no longer see the Governess.

While the carriage was moving the boy not even once tried to open up his mouth. I tried to strike up a conversation with him on a few occasions, but he just kept on being silent and emanated the aura that suggested to leave him alone to his own devices. It was all good that he acknowledged me as “Filmina”, but in his eyes I still must have been nothing more but a stranger. Even though he helped me carry my luggage and was definitely Agedilus Von Lancent, looking at him right now it was really hard to believe.

The gap that was in between us right now was a good evidence of the ridge that was separating us. Through the rest of the ride the boy just stayed still like a life-sized doll, until the very end of the ride when we finally arrived at our destination.

「Right, Edi. Let’s go.」

I get off the carriage first and extend my hand towards the boy, but he manages to get off just fine on his own, without accepting my hand.

Yes, it’s been a while since I felt just like that. I know that this was the way he was before I started to interact with him, but it still kind of hurt to see him acting like that.

I lower my hand and see the carriage off, all the while feeling overwhelming sadness in my chest. I then go towards the door, unlock it and go inside. After making sure that there was no one else besides us here, we lit the magical lamps that were installed on the ceiling. Illuminating the interior, it was almost like a smaller version of the mansion we’ve been staying at, and it was surely too large for just the two of us. Apparently someone was tending to the place every so often, because of what the interior was clean and well-maintained.

Now then, first order of business it to bring the trunks into the bedroom and think about whatever shall we do from now on. I took a glance at the boy and he removed his hood from his face. For some reason, he was smiling faintly. My, my, won’t you look at that. Was that also growling in his stomach that I could hear?

「Would you like to eat something for the time being?」

To my question, the boy silently nodded his head. Umu, umu, it’s a good thing to be obedient like that ––––………… Ah, I know.

I go to the living room where our luggage was for the time being, looking for “it”, tucked away at the bottom of my trunk and neatly wrapped in paper. Curious, the boy followed me to the living room.

「Edi, I bought it today while in town. For the time being we have nothing else to eat, so we have to make due with this for now.」

I handed the package to the boy and he started to open it with expressionless expression. Once he saw what was inside, his eyes glowed brightly. The package contained various snacks and treats that I managed to buy throughout the food stalls I visited today. There was taiyaki there, some seafood, mushrooms and skewers. They would fill our stomachs nicely, but as a late night snacks they would be terrible for our waistlines. The boy grabs the skewer and carries it into his mouth in a hurry.

「………!!!」