Chapter 65

# 65

|

Theorban spoke with a gaze that seemed to chew and swallow his words.

"Beni, Siren. You two need to take care of that child now."

"…Yes, we understand."

Beni and Siren approached Navia hesitantly, their expressions suggesting they were unsure if this was really okay.

Schleman, who had been watching the scene, turned his head to the side for a moment.

Navia's words made him feel so relieved that he couldn't help but smile, though he tried to suppress it.

In the end, Theorban had to leave alone, with no one to see him off, stomping his feet in frustration.

Navia then spoke to Schleman.

"I'm hungry…"

Schleman noticed that Navia was not really hungry but wanted to get rid of the maids.

"Hey, you two, go to the pantry and kitchen over there and bring some snacks."

The maids looked flustered. It was understandable.

When had they ever been here to do such tasks? Normally, there would be a senior servant to train them.

'But this mansion is so poor that there's no one to do that.'

Navia clutched her stomach pitifully.

"I'm hungry…"

The maids, who had heard about Esselred's condition repeatedly, had no choice but to nod reluctantly.

"…Then we'll prepare and bring them up. Where is your room?"

"Third room to the left from the central staircase on the second floor."

"Understood."

As they disappeared in the direction Schleman pointed, Navia's body suddenly perked up.

"Shall we go back to the room?"

Navia was about to say she could walk on her own and didn't need to be carried, but then she remembered how long it took her to come down from the first floor and nodded silently.

'I hope I get better soon.'

Being in a child's body was inconvenient, and with her whole body aching, she felt many restrictions. Still, her injuries were healing quickly, and she could feel her condition improving day by day.

Schleman remarked casually.

"You're quite something."

He hadn't felt this satisfied in a long time.

Navia blinked and smiled.

"I told you. I'm worth my keep."

And this wasn't even something that could be considered worth her keep.

"Hehe! That's right. Worth your keep. Worth your keep."

Schleman smiled fondly at Navia but then closed his mouth with a bitter expression.

What must this place look like to Navia?

'Even a great lord like a god, and a powerful private army that exists nowhere else, have become so powerless that they need help from such a small girl…'

"Sir Schleman, I have a request."

Schleman's face brightened.

"Oh, what is it? Ask away."

Navia opened her small, fidgety palm and said.

"Can you buy me a coat and shoes with this? I don't care about the color or style as long as they are neat."

Schleman glanced at the gold coin and replied with a gentle smile.

"Sure, I'll buy you something nice on the way home. Save that money for something else later."

"No, it's for my things, so it's right to give you the money."

Schleman arrived at Navia's bedroom door, set her down, and met her gaze.

"Children don't earn their own money for things they use. Of course, I know you're clever and talented. But since you're in our house, I'll take responsibility for taking care of you."

"…"

"You're the youngest in our house."

Navia lowered her eyes.

She was certainly happy, and all these words were so kind, yet why did she feel so uneasy?

Perhaps it was because she wasn't prepared to be happy. If it were Vivian, she might have hugged Schleman with a radiant smile.

'I'm not ready to be happy, I guess.'

Navia couldn't pinpoint exactly why her heart was churning.

All she could do now was not let on that she was feeling strange.

"…Then I'll do as you say. Thank you, Sir Schleman."

As she composed herself and bowed, Margaret and Minerva, who had brought the food and a medical bag, appeared.

Margaret tilted her head and asked.

"I sensed some commotion in the lobby earlier. Was it Theorban again?"

Schleman nodded as if in resignation.

"He left two maids for Navia, saying she would need servants. Typical of him."

Margaret's expression darkened, understanding the situation.

"I hope nothing happens."

Schleman forced a cheerful smile and changed the subject.

"Did you two manage to fix your hair while I was at the palace? I'm looking forward to it."

Margaret bit her lower lip.

Her gaze immediately fell on Navia, who stood quietly with a calm expression.

Schleman, noticing her gaze, retracted his smile and asked cautiously.

"…Is something wrong?"

"Well, it's that…"

Margaret, with a troubled expression, relayed Lark's order to halt all of Navia's activities.

At this news, Schleman's and Minerva's expressions darkened.

Navia laughed lightly, as if it were no big deal.

"It's fine. I'm not bothered. Oh, Sir Schleman, shouldn't you head to the capital now?"

"Right, I was just about to go."

Schleman answered with a strained expression, not really wanting to go to the palace in this situation.

Navia greeted him with a bright, unclouded smile.

"Have a safe trip."

"…Sure."

Schleman couldn't help but smile back at her, though the bitterness in his eyes remained.

Is it so difficult for Esselred to be a haven for Navia?

'Truly, how powerless.'

Margaret lifted the food slightly and said to Schleman.

"Can you wait a moment?"

Schleman nodded.

Thud.

After placing the food inside, Margaret closed the bedroom door and gently placed her hand on Schleman's shoulder.

"I'll see you off. Let's go down."

As longtime comrades, they didn't need many words.

Just being by each other's side was a comfort.

But now, it was hard to keep a straight face, the pain in his heart was almost unbearable.

Schleman murmured bitterly, his eyes filled with regret.

"An extraordinary bird will eventually come down. But I didn't think it would be like this."

Nothing in this world is eternal.

Great families, great nations.

All have their end.

Power that reaches its peak is bound to decline in the next generation.

That's the way of things.

However, Esselred's case was a bit different. This place held the potential to be greater than any family.

Because Lark Esselred was an exceptionally outstanding individual.

His magical talent was boundless. He could wield all abilities and use them endlessly.

He was a living nightmare, a god.

The mysterious girl who flowed into this place where such a god resided awakened the harsh reality.

This place had become so weak that it couldn't even take care of a small child.

Moreover, their master had let go of everything and was waiting for the end.

It was bleak and hopeless.

"So, do you regret it?"

Regret it?

Schleman answered firmly, as if it were the most useless question.

"Margaret, weren't we already dead back then?"

The Allied War was a war meant to be lost.

The former emperor had started the war to sweep away those who didn't align with his will and to plant traitors.

He wanted a forced generational change.

The army was in shambles. Supplies were the worst, and even those were woefully inadequate.

"These guys never get tired of this."

Amid the ruins of the camp, Lark appeared with a burst of light.

It was as if the god of war had descended.

Schleman continued, his eyes reflecting the past.

"He gave life to the dead and even made us war heroes. Isn't it enough that we repay him by staying by his side?"

Margaret nodded quietly, smiling.

"I thought it was more than enough…"

She saw a hawk soaring high in the sky.

It was a magnificent sight, as if ruling the entire world.

Who could follow such a figure and not dream of soaring high and shining brightly?

"I fear his fall."

But it was a daydream.

Schleman's smile faded as he stared straight ahead. They had arrived at the lobby.

Suddenly, Margaret spoke with a light laugh in her voice.

"Life has its moments of rest, doesn't it? I think it's the same for families, not just people."

And not just families, but nations also have their periods of decline.

Schleman nodded as if he fully understood.

Margaret continued.

"We once saw the light, didn't we?"

"Yes, we did."

Schleman recalled his seven-year-old master.

It was a definite light.

But then Margaret unexpectedly brought up an odd topic.

"Miss Navia is a very intelligent young lady. Doesn't she remind you of someone?"

Schleman blinked and then chuckled, as if he had the same thought.

"Yes, she does."

'She's a mysterious and amazing child, just like our master on that day when he saved us.'

"Even though she has some issues now, I have a good feeling that she will get along well with our master."

Schleman, while agreeing that Navia was clever and pitiful, found it hard to agree with Margaret's statement.

"Margaret, you know what our master is like, right? You saw him today. Getting along well with him is a very optimistic idea."

Schleman thought it would be faster to find Navia a new home.

Margaret's eyes widened.

"Oh… I thought you had the same idea, but it seems you haven't caught on yet?"

"What do you mean?"

"Really, you're so clueless, Schleman."

Schleman was taken aback.

Clueless? Him? This iron-blooded Schleman?

"I've never heard that in my 63 years."

"No, you must have. I probably said it before."

"No, really, it's the first time!"

"Hehe."

Schleman shook his head and got into the carriage.

"I'll settle this matter when I return from the palace."