Chapter 30

Entering the Ramburg residence, I was led to what was likely the living room.

Inside the room, there was the figure of a girl.

She had probably been looking outside from the window, and now, leaving the window, she approached us, her long brown hair swaying. She appeared to be in her mid-teens.

She was likely the one they were referring to—

"Welcome, Elsa. I'm sorry, you must have been scared... Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine, Miss. I was saved by these people... sent by Sir Christoph."

"By the Knight Commander? So that's how it is..."

The girl, who seemed relieved, checked on the maid's condition and then turned her gaze towards us.

I had imagined her to be a quiet person, but her eyes were strong.

Cheerful and powerful. She seemed like a girl you might find anywhere in town.

Perhaps because we had saved the maid, Elsa, she had let her guard down to some extent. She introduced herself with a smile.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Lillina Ramburg, daughter of Schreid Ramburg. Thank you for helping my maid this time."

"I'm Quon, a foreigner. The ones with me are—"

"Also foreigners, Mica Jellyfish, in order, Rino, Ku, Hagi, and the flying fairy is Lumina. Nice to meet you."

"Foreigners! You mean, the apostles of the goddess!? The Knight Commander knew people like you!"

Lillina's reaction made Rino glance at her, and upon noticing the gaze, she nodded with a wry smile.

It seems that in this world, players are treated in such a way.

When talking about a goddess, it's probably the god Admina that the priest believed in.

...Well, our existence is an anomaly to the locals. It's easier to handle us this way.

"I met the Commander by chance. But this time, the reason for our acquaintance is the reason I came to the Ramburg residence."

"...Lord Quon? You said you came here at Sir Christoph's request?"

"That is certainly true. I was asked to help you. But—my original purpose for coming here is different."

Narrowing my eyes, I said as much.

It might not be something I should say to someone who seems to be dealing with some kind of problem.

But I had to convey his words.

"It will be a painful story for you. Are you prepared to hear it?"

"..."

Lillina and Elsa held their breath at my words.

Their expressions carried a somber hue.

They probably had some idea of what I was going to say. Her father was still missing, and it was not hard to imagine the worst.

Affirming that it was true would be a difficult thing to say.

"...Elsa, bring some tea. Everyone, please have a seat... this might take a while."

With a stern expression, Lillina led us to the table.

As I sat down, I observed her, who had lowered her head.

From the atmosphere in the house, it seemed that her mother was not here.

Whether she had separated, passed away, or was just out, if she was not here, Schreid was her only remaining family.

I couldn't gauge her inner thoughts. It was a feeling only she could understand.

But at least, it seemed she wasn't ready to hear the story yet.

"...uh..."

Mica Jellyfish and Ku shifted uncomfortably.

For these two, who were known for their brightness, this atmosphere was tough.

But they had to endure. At least until she made up her mind.

A moment of awkward silence followed. How long it lasted, I couldn't tell—probably until Elsa finished preparing the tea.

She placed the teacups on the table and stood behind Lillina.

Then, placing a hand on Lillina's shoulder, she finally lifted her head.

"Please, tell me... your story."

Her expression showed determination.

She was imagining the nature of the story and preparing to move forward.

If so, I had to meet her resolve.

"Let me get straight to the point—your father, Schreid Ramburg, has been confirmed to have died in the line of duty."

"..."

Lillina's hand, which had been on the table, clenched tightly.

Despite the effort to hold back, she didn't lower her head and stared into my eyes.

—She was a strong girl. Worthy of praise.

"Schreid was on a mission for the Knights and encountered a baron-level demon, Geryon. After a fierce battle, they were defeated and lost their lives."

"...That demon...?"

"I killed it. I ripped out its heart and beheaded it. It no longer exists in this world."

Lillina's shoulders were trembling.

She must have wanted to kill it herself.

But the enemy no longer existed. Without a target for her anger, only sadness remained.

"Schreid Ramburg was a proud and noble knight. Even after death, he resisted the demon's control with his own will. I am proud to have been his final opponent."

"Final...?"

"I was the one who defeated Schreid after he had turned into an undead and was controlled by the demon."

Lillina gasped at my words.

She might have wanted to lash out in anger, but she clenched her teeth and remained silent.

She must have had her thoughts. But she chose not to blame me.

I deeply respected her self-control and resolve.

"...He left a message for you."

"..."

She must have been on the verge of breaking. She clenched her teeth and looked at me with her eyes.

It might be cruel to say this to someone barely holding on.

But I had to convey it. It was his last words.

"He said, 'I'm sorry'... to you."

"...huh..."

Unable to hold back any longer, she let out a sob.

I exhaled softly and immediately stood up, leaving the table with the four girls.

"I'm a bit tired from talking. I'll rest in the hallway."

"...Yes, please take your time."

Nodding to Elsa's slightly tearful voice, we stepped out into the hallway.

Instantly—

"...aaaaaah! Dad, Dad...!"

The cry, almost a scream, reached us through the door.

I sighed and leaned against the wall.

The four girls were already crying and huddled together.

Lumina wasn't crying, but she seemed worried about Lillina, looking at the door with a slightly anxious expression.

Indeed, I had known it would be tough—

"...What a thankless job."

Even the knights wouldn't want to do this.

Being a messenger of bad news, you only get blamed and gain nothing.

But... it had value.

At least, it was better than not knowing and being unable to move forward. That kind of stagnation was not what that man would have wanted.

Fortunately, Lillina was not alone. A trusted maid was by her side.

That girl with strong eyes would surely overcome this.

"...Quon-san."

"It's understandable to be emotionally affected, but you look terrible."

"Quon-san is too calm... seeing that makes me sad too."

Wiping away her tears, Mica Jellyfish protested, and I responded with a wry smile.

It wasn't wrong, rather it was the correct reaction.

The reason I didn't react the same way was simply that I was skilled at controlling my mind.

The Eternal Spirit Technique had methods to control one's body, and mental control was the foundation of it all. Without mastering one's mind, it was impossible to control one's body.

"I'm not saying I can't empathize or that I'm not sad. But ultimately, it's something they need to resolve. I sympathize, but I don't intend to interfere further."

"That... might be true."

"I'm not saying you shouldn't care, but unnecessary interference can lead to regret. In the end, the pain of losing a parent is something only the person who experienced it can understand."

"..."

She seemed to be struggling to accept it, but couldn't find a counterargument.

Human hearts are diverse. We didn't know what kind of relationship Schreid and Lillina had, so we couldn't even imagine her pain.

Such consolation might sound cheap.

Sighing softly, I smiled and told Mica Jellyfish—and the others—

"...If you care about Lillina, instead of interfering with Schreid, simply be there for her. It's more supportive than intruding on her emotions."

"Be there... for her?"

"We are foreigners in this game, free from the constraints of the world. We can choose whose side to be on, and no one can blame us for it. A pure ally, without ulterior motives, is valuable."

I tend to think about it in a business-like way, but these guys should be fine.

Being young, they can think without ulterior motives. In a way, Lillina was fortunate.

It could have been someone else here instead of us.

Listening to my words, Mica Jellyfish and the others looked at each other.

Then, as if making a decision, they nodded to each other.

What started as a reason to continue the event or out of curiosity about the story had turned into a firm resolve.

Feeling a sense of pride at their determination—sensing someone approaching from the other side of the door.

"Thank you for your trouble, everyone."

Elsa, with a composed face, opened the door.

But her eyes were red, and there were traces of tears on her cheeks.

She was undoubtedly a part of this household, and it was natural for her to be sad.

"Is it okay now?"

"Yes... Miss wants to talk to you."

Nodding, I followed her into the room.

The room was the same as before. At the table was Lillina, her eyes red from crying.

■Avatar Name: Quon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 13

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 16

VIT: 14

INT: 16

MND: 14

AGI: 12

DEX: 12

■Skills

Weapon Skill: 《Sword: Lv.13》

Magic Skill: 《Enhancement Magic: Lv.10》

Set Skill: 《Dead Point Strike: Lv.11》

《MP Auto Recovery: Lv.6》

《Plundering Sword: Lv.8》

《Identification: Lv.10》

《Life Sword: Lv.9》

《Demon Slaying Sword: Lv.4》

《Tame: Lv.3》

《HP Auto Recovery: Lv.5》

Sub Skill: 《Mining: Lv.1》

Title Skill: 《Fairy's Blessing》

■Current SP: 8

■Monster Name: Lumina

■Gender: Female

■Race: Fairy

■Level: 7

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 4

VIT: 7

INT: 22

MND: 16

AGI: 14

DEX: 9

■Skills

Weapon Skill: None

Magic Skill: 《Light Magic》

Skill: 《Light Attribute Enhancement》

《Flight》

《Magic Resistance: Medium》

《MP Auto Recovery》

Title Skill: 《Fairy Queen's Follower》