Chapter 28

"Symptoms like Ashley's are sometimes seen in those who possess strong magical power," Rosetta said when I asked her for her opinion on Ashley's condition. It seems that having strong magical power doesn't necessarily lead to these symptoms, but there is a tendency for them to occur when a strong magical power combines with a certain constitution.

"In other words, frequent fevers and poor health are secondary effects of one's constitution. In that sense, magic or medicine won't provide a fundamental cure. One solution is to train in magic control and strengthen both body and mind,"

"Does that mean continuing to treat her with Circulatory Qi?"

When I asked, Rosetta narrowed her eyes slightly.

"I think your method is very effective. I also studied magic circulation, but there were few documents, and it turned out to be unsuitable for my aptitude. So, it's surprising that you can use it."

"...Then, I will continue to treat Lady Ashley."

"I think that's a good idea. Such a combination is quite rare."

...The reason Rosetta aspired to healing magic, and the original purpose of the mother's curse tool to suppress her traits. They might be connected in some way. Rosetta didn't ask how I learned magic circulation or the circumstances under which I did.

...She thinks it was for my mother. That's not it, but I do wish I could have learned it sooner.

So, this must be the power I wanted.

Rosetta smiled gently, but then her expression changed as if she remembered something.

"Ah, it would help if you could stay a bit longer."

"Is there something else?"

The talk about Talcott seemed to be resolved, and I had already asked Rosetta what I needed to. I didn't see a reason for us to be in the empty classroom.

"Hmm, not really, but if we run into each other—"

"—It would be a problem, Earl! That person is just a bystander and has nothing to do with it!"

"What are you saying? If my unworthy son caused trouble, I should at least greet the person who helped."

Rosetta pressed her forehead as she heard a voice from the corridor.

"...I told you not to come."

...I see. Running into each other, huh. The person himself came.

"Is this the place!?"

The door to the empty classroom was rudely thrown open, and a middle-aged, overweight man burst in. He was well-dressed but had a rough demeanor.

Earl Maurice, I presume.

He looked around the room, and his gaze stopped on me.

Despite his previously dissatisfied expression, he smiled the moment he saw me. However, his eyes didn't smile at all.

"Ah, it's you. I heard you stopped Talcott."

Maurice maintained his grim expression as he approached with his arms outstretched.

"Lord Maurice. He is—"

Rosetta tried to intervene, but Maurice, still smiling, said,

"What's the matter? I'm just thanking my benefactor. Please step aside."

"No, I was just about to—ah."

"It seems I need to speak with him."

I didn't want Rosetta to be implicated because of me. I gestured for Grace and Ashley, who were about to stand up, to stay put and stepped in front of Rosetta.

Oh, how utterly insincere. A half-witted, unpleasant character.

"Hmm. I am Maurice Toram Cardiff, the head of the Cardiff Earl family."

"My name is Theodor Gartner."

A formal introduction, just for show. I greeted him in kind.

"I hear Talcott was in your care. Yes, it's quite impressive for someone your age. I'm glad no one was hurt."

Well, in other words, he's more upset that we both came out unscathed than about Talcott's actions or punishment.

That I was unharmed and had subdued Talcott, and that Talcott couldn't hurt me. Maurice must have felt it was a matter of honor. Partly because I'm younger.

Actually... if he's only now feeling ashamed about this, there are many other things he should be concerned about.

"It was a regulated match."

That's true.

If the use of lethal magic was a given, I would have chosen a more decisive way to subdue him.

"Is that so, is that so? Very excellent and commendable. You seem to have good manners as well. Quite impressive."

"Thank you."

"But I can't recall. The Gartner Earl family had two heirs, didn't they? Which one are you?"

"...Neither."

"Hmm? Then, are you a bastard?"

He narrowed one eye and raised the corner of his mouth. The smile on Maurice's face was a sneer.

"—Ah, I remember now. I heard about the other one from the Gartner Earl family. That's a problem. I thought you were one of the brothers, so I came to greet you to avoid any rudeness. It seems I made a mistake."

What mistake? From the beginning... you knew my origins, didn't you?

I was wondering why you came. You wanted to provoke me or extract some benefit.

If that's the case, you're mistaken. Do you think I would feel inferior just because I'm a bastard—

"—Your mother is known as a saint... but she wasn't of noble birth, was she?"

"Earl Maurice!"

"Lady Lisa!"

Rosetta's reprimanding voice. I could tell Grace had stood up, knocking over her chair.

Maurice ignored them and smiled at me.

"Five years ago, wasn't it? I was here, so I escaped the disaster. In the provinces—my territory—many of the lower class died in the fields. Oh, what a disaster it was."

—.

Lower class... died in the fields?

Are you the one to say that? A fat pig who fattened himself in the capital.

To talk about my mother's way of life, her death?

This guy—this guy is—

"You don't know anything!!"

With a blank mind, I was about to cast a spell to erase the pig in front of me.

But my head was cooled by that angry voice.

Eh... Ashley?

Ashley was shouting with tears in her eyes.

Looking at her, Grace, who was about to take off her ring, and Rosetta, who was about to punch, were frozen in shock at Ashley's outburst.

"You don't know anything! About Lady Lisa! About us! Because of her, many people were saved! It's not just that! She avenged my father and mother! Your insults! Have some shame!"

Ah—right. She knew.

That's why Grace liked her.

"Girl... do you know who you're talking to?"

"Do you know what you're saying! As the head of the Silen Baron family, I cannot overlook your insults to our benefactor and my parents!"

"The Silen Baron family...?"

Maurice frowned for a moment.

Perhaps surprised by the unexpected opposition, he spat and left the room.

Though he didn't use explicit words, he had insulted another noble's head face-to-face.

Even if the Silen Baron family was of a lower rank, it would be unwise to lose points at this moment.

But—I understand. I understand.

For this moment—I'll let it go for Ashley, who stood up for my mother.

But... you have clearly become my enemy.

I will make you pay for your words and actions. Definitely.

"I'm sorry, Lord Theodor, I—"

Ashley was covering her mouth, sobbing softly.

"Lady Ashley, you have nothing to apologize for."

Grace's finger was bleeding from trying to remove her ring, and Rosetta was taking deep breaths to calm her anger.

Sigh. It's quite a mess. If Ashley's voice had been a bit later, one of the three would have probably beaten that pig to a pulp. Even if that happened, I wouldn't have regretted it, but it would have been troublesome.

—Stay calm. Ashley stood up for me and said what I wanted to say. That helps me stay calm.

If it were just about me, I might have acted rashly. But I can't put Grace and Rosetta in a difficult position because of the result. I won't pay even a hair's worth of a price to deal with a pig like that.

I took a deep breath.

"...Grace, your hand."

"I'm sorry. I—"

"It's okay. I understand."

I took Grace's limp hand, which was hanging down while she was holding Ashley, and cast a healing spell.

If the one who shouted wasn't Ashley, who was the farthest from my mother in this group, I would have definitely gone all the way.

To know that someone outside the family thought so highly of what my mother did, what she risked her life for.

That it was someone as gentle as Ashley.

"...Thank you, Lady Ashley."

Ashley shook her head slightly. She apologized, saying "I'm sorry," though I don't know why. She seemed confused.

It might be her first time being so angry. She didn't do anything wrong.

I gently wiped her cheeks with a handkerchief, and she looked up in surprise, tears streaming down her face again.