Chapter 83

I needed to consult about Rose, so I came to Lisa's place.

"Lisa, good afternoon," I greeted Lisa.

However, Lisa just glared at me without saying anything.

"Um, well, I have something I'd like to consult about..." I stammered, feeling intimidated by her stern demeanor.

But it seemed she had heard me clearly.

"Is it about the war?" she asked.

But that wasn't it.

"Ah, no, it's about Mother and Rose. I came to ask how I can help improve their relationship..." I explained. I'm really bad at these kinds of interpersonal issues.

When I try to mediate, I usually say something like, "It's fine, I said it's fine, so you don't need to worry."

Even as I say it, I can tell that my words are hollow and that I find it a bit troublesome.

"I don't think that's good!" I can imagine Mother saying.

That's why I came to consult Lisa, but she seems to be angry.

It's probably better to retreat quietly.

"Ah, Lisa, you seem busy, so it's okay," I said, trying to leave.

But as I was about to go to Mother, Lisa said, "I'm not busy."

Oh no. What should I do?

My escape route is blocked.

Why is she a bit angry?

Maybe because I decided to go to war without consulting anyone?

Alright, I'll ask.

"Um, Lisa, why are you angry?" I asked straightforwardly.

It depends on the situation, but that's my style.

Whether she knew my thoughts or not, she asked, "Don't you know?"

"Um, is it because I decided to go to war without consulting anyone?"

"That's part of it. But more importantly, I want to talk about how you're causing Lady Mother more worry."

Ah, um... I really feel bad about that.

But it can't be helped, can it?

I want to make excuses, but I'm not doing it on purpose.

It's just the situation that forces me to do it.

Lisa sighed as if she understood my excuses from my expression.

"Ha... I understand the current state of the country and the situation with your father. And I know that if you don't go with your father, the worst-case scenario is highly likely. But even so, shouldn't you have tried to reduce Lady Mother's worry?"

Indeed...

"Did you even once think about how to reduce Lady Mother's worry?"

No, I didn't...

I made excuses, saying it couldn't be helped or that others were involving me, but I never once considered Mother's feelings.

The situation is indeed difficult. I don't have the power to end the war on my own.

But I could have at least tried to reduce Mother's worry.

I never even thought about it.

I was just worried, but I didn't think beyond that.

"I'm sorry..."

That's all I could say. Her words were so reasonable that I had no response.

"Understanding and learning from it for the future is what matters.

Rain, you're still a child.

But the enemies you will kill won't think that way. They will try to kill you without mercy. Remember that."

"Understood..."

I've made mistakes many times, and even after being warned, I make them again. I can't help but feel depressed.

Lisa continued, leaving me behind.

"And about the earlier matter, improving the relationship between Lady Mother and Rose is up to you. I think it's best to leave them alone for now."

"Is that so..."

I managed to squeeze out a response.

"Understood. Thank you."

It's probably Lisa's way of showing concern.

I thought about going to Mother next, but after hearing this, I felt I should hold back.

I'm at a loss.

I'll have to rely on Father.

—He's completely unreliable, though.

A few days later, having given up on persuading Rose early on, I was waiting for Father, who was coming home today, by swinging my sword outside.

I glanced sideways to see Rose, who was there every day.

I can't stop thinking about her.

Rose, for her part, was swinging her sword with a serious and composed demeanor, not even looking at me.

Doesn't anyone say anything about this behavior?

Well, in this world, skills and magical talent are highly valued, and as Lisa, a former adventurer, has shown, it's not unusual for women to go to war.

But still... I don't want women to be involved in fighting.

That might sound hypocritical coming from me, who tried to take Scuna on an adventure, but I just don't like it. Is that being selfish?

As I was struggling with these thoughts, Lisa walked over from the castle.

And her first words were, "Your father has returned. He's in his private room."

So he's back.

"Understood."

I replied briefly. Since I was sweaty from exercise, I took a bath and changed into new clothes.

Trying to control my eagerness, I walked quickly down the long corridor to Father's room.

When I'm nervous, my mind doesn't work well, so I focused on what I needed to say: my intention to join the battle and my request to prevent Rose from joining.

I arrived at the door of Father's private room. It was a door I often saw, but today it seemed to exude a solemn atmosphere.

I swallowed hard and knocked on the door. I heard a response from inside and entered.

Inside, Father was in full armor, and about four Orion family knights stood around him, all with stern expressions.

Father spoke solemnly.

"Ah, Rain, you're here.

I understand your feelings from Sophie's letter.

But I won't allow you to join the battle."

Of course...

I expected that.

But I didn't come here to get permission to join; I came to convey my intention to join.

It's redundant, but if Father goes, I have to go too.

Just as I was about to speak,

"I know you'll come anyway," Father said with a resigned tone.

"You understand me well. Of course, I'll follow you no matter what."

I felt a bit happy that Father understood my character, and I almost smiled but managed to keep a serious face.

"Normally, I'd lock you in a room, but there's no room that can hold you."

Well, there's no room that can hold a magician of my level.

I can easily break locks and doors with earth support magic, and I have support magic to stop me from being restrained, legs as fast as a horse, and the ability to absorb all magic.

"Have you heard from Sophie about what happened when my father died?

I still can't accept what happened then. I don't want you to become like me when you're still young, and the worst-case scenario is that the country could collapse.

If I join the battle, the enemy will know immediately. Then there's a high chance I'll be targeted like my father.

So, I've decided that it's better for Pornesia if you come with me."

He spoke quickly and concluded with, "So, I'm counting on you from now on."

I knelt on one knee and said, "I won't let you down."

It's different from my previous life, where I was never given any responsibility or asked to do anything.

Thinking about that, I felt a surge of happiness, but I suppressed it and spoke.

"Then, please revoke my inheritance rights to the Orion family's treasures and pass them to my new brother."

Mother recently gave birth to my brother.

If possible, I want my brother to inherit the Orion family's treasures.

"I see... So he was born."

He muttered as if he wished he had been there.

"Understood. We'll perform the ceremony later.

Is that all?"

Oh no, I forgot.

I need to talk about Rose.

"Ah, no, there's one more thing. Rose is trying to join the battle..."

I said hesitantly, but

"I see, understood," Father responded very calmly.

I had expected this, but his reaction was so calm that it scared me.

"Um, no, I want her to stop joining the battle..." I said, and Father looked puzzled.

"Hmm? Why? She's useful. She can use water magic up to level 7, which is a valuable talent, even if it's far from your level."

I know that. But that's not the point.

"I don't want Rose to go to war. I can barely protect Father. I can't ignore Rose."

I hinted that I'd be distracted and become a burden because I'd be worried about her.

What I really wanted to say was that she's family. But everyone going to war has family too.

It would be selfish to only consider my own feelings.

So, I gave another reason.

"I see... Then I'll tell her to stop."

He said it so casually again.

His tone was casual, but I'm sure he has his own thoughts.