Chapter 38

38

I clung tightly to Vera's dress.

If you have a conscience, don't leave me here in this dangerous situation. Really, even if I am a penniless baby, you can't just leave me in a place like this!

"Miss, I'll be right here."

"Tsk!"

No way!

Can't you see how menacing the Sharant Clown looks? He looks like he could slice me up at any moment!

The Desar Clown is also giving off a chilling vibe. The large man and the woman with crossed legs in front of him also exude a dangerous atmosphere.

"Peena!"

"Sorry."

You should give me a salary or something, since I'm so dirty and despicable.

With a sad heart, I bowed my head deeply.

Of course, Vera knows that with her life and salary on the line, she should listen to the Sharant Clown or the Desar Clown, not me...

‘Leaving me in this situation is just not right.’

Stuck awkwardly in the middle of this menacing atmosphere, I huddled my neck.

"Shelina."

"Uh."

"Come here."

The Desar Clown called me.

Why does he keep calling me over and back for no reason?

Feeling uneasy, I stayed still, and he took something out of his pocket and held it out to me.

"Shelina."

The Desar Clown called me again.

A high-purity magic crystal shone brightly in his palm.

Is this man trying to lure me with such an item?

The magic crystal rolled in his palm, and another one hidden behind it became visible.

"Ha... ha..."

Struggling, I got up and wobbled over to the Desar Clown.

Spreading my arms, the Desar Clown picked me up and sat me on his knee, then handed me the magic crystal.

‘Not bad, huh.’

Especially recently, the quality of the magic crystals I've been getting has been very good.

At least A-grade. A- was the lowest grade, and occasionally S-grade magic crystals appeared.

‘Where does he get such high-quality crystals regularly?’

"Father recently bought a royal mine, I see."

It was a rather hearty woman's voice, filled with curiosity and a hint of surprise.

Sitting on the Desar Clown's knee, I carefully observed the woman.

Strangely, her face was familiar, like someone I've seen many times. It even resembled the face of someone I really like.

‘No way, could it be that person...?’

Why would they be here?

Narrowing my eyes, I scrutinized her, and she gave me a faint smile.

Her kind smile on an indifferent face left me staring blankly.

She had silver eyes and wine-colored hair, cut short enough to barely cover her nape.

‘That person also had silver eyes.’

No matter how I looked, it was like that person.

‘...But, Father?’

Was that person part of the Clown family? I had no information about that.

Is it really them...? I wish I had a statue to piece together all the details!

Or, was there another person in the Clown family?

If she calls the Desar Clown Father, that would make her siblings with the Sharant Clown.

I've never heard of a woman in the Clown family, at least not in this generation.

"The mine was just a side deal. I made a bet with the emperor to have a conversation."

"You're still as dishonest as ever."

The woman shrugged and said it dismissively.

"What's your business? Bringing up Valian's child."

The Desar Clown's voice was a bit colder than usual.

I quietly stroked the magic crystal, sensing the chilly atmosphere.

The man sitting next to the woman was wearing a tight, pure white uniform.

He looked like a swordsman, and his body was all muscle. His face even looked ascetic.

His short black hair was noticeable.

The white clothes made his muscles stand out even more.

What's their relationship? The fact that she doesn't have silver eyes suggests they're not related by blood.

"The child doesn't resemble Valian as much as I thought."

"What's your reason for coming here, Lanian?"

"Still the same, Sharant. You're teaching your sister bad habits."

"It was your sister who left the family."

Sharant Clown said, narrowing his eyes.

Despite his sarcastic tone, she shrugged and laughed, as if Sharant Clown's words didn't bother her at all.

‘Lanian...’

Oh my... it really is that person?

My mouth opened in disbelief. I couldn't believe it.

"I'll ask again. Why are you here?"

"To take Valian's child. It's obvious how she's being treated here."

"Who says so?"

Sharant Clown said nonchalantly.

"By the way, I didn't come to ask for your permission. Valian asked me, so there's no legal issue."

Lanian smirked and crossed her arms.

Her voice was quite loud, and her actions were bold and hearty.

I was speechless, seeing her alive right in front of me, and I was captivated by her every move.

Sharant Clown's brow furrowed, as if he didn't like it.

His smile disappeared, and his lips twisted to one side. That's the expression Sharant Clown makes when he's really angry.

"Claiming you received a request from the dead is the biggest lie of all."

"Letter."

Sharant Clown's eyes twitched.

"Valian wrote a letter in case he died, and it arrived recently."

"Letter? From Valian?"

"Yes, if Father and Sharant can't take care of the child properly, he asked me to take care of Shelina."

"As you can see, she's doing well."

Sharant pointed to the magic crystals I was holding in both hands.

‘Lanian... Lady Lanian...’

Lanian of the Blood! The Wraith of the Battlefield! My love!

I stared at her in awe, no longer trying to hide my shock.

There were many books and songs written about her, the killer on the battlefield, the knight who achieved many feats at the forefront of territorial wars.

Even if her body was drenched in blood, and the sky was covered in black, when she drew her sword and moved, it was said to be like the moon rising in the night sky.

"I plan to take Shelina and raise her as my daughter."

Me, adopt me? Lanian of the Blood? That's really...

"Wow!!"

That's amazing!

"Wow!"

You, be my mom!

Actually, if Lady Lanian were to be my mother, I couldn't ask for anything more.

I didn't want a family, but she was a person who deserved respect, one of the few people I admired and respected.

She had achieved the greatest feats in several wars as a woman.

She had been a mercenary, and I never knew she was part of the Clown family.

Although we were enemies, I still liked her.

I owned three first editions of books about her and the only book she ever published.

For collection, for preservation, and for actual reading, three copies.

I also won the sword she used as a squire at an auction and kept it safely. Of course, in my original workshop.

‘Ah, my things...’

Thinking about the small, precious items I had collected one by one, sparing no time for sleep, made my stomach hurt.

They couldn't have thrown everything away, right? If they auctioned them, I wouldn't have to work for the rest of my life.

I didn't know what had happened to my precious items.

When her reputation as the Wraith of the Battlefield, Lanian of the Blood, and the Thorn Rose was at its peak, sculptors used to carve small statues in her likeness and sell them.

I had collected and displayed them by type. I had gathered everything related to her.

"Do you understand what I'm saying? You're quite smart."

Lanian extended her arm toward me.

I spread my arms wide.

Lanian chuckled and picked me up from Desar Clown's knee.

I buried my face in her embrace.

"Hehe."

I never expected to meet her in this body, but it's amazing.

Her arms and body are strong, and she's even more handsome than I imagined. It's hard to believe she's part of the Clown family.

"Being with me is better for you than staying here, right?"

"Uh!"

Oh my, this sister is stating the obvious.

‘I'll follow you to the ends of the earth.’

Really, how can someone be so amazing?

Seeing her smile so confidently, I smiled widely too.

I must be crazy. She's so beautiful.

"It's fortunate the child isn't shy."

"I can't give her to you, so give up."

"I didn't come to ask for your permission."

Lanian's voice, which had been cheerful, suddenly turned serious.

The atmosphere around us changed instantly. A sharp, almost battlefield-level killing intent filled the air.

Of course, it wasn't directed at me, so it wasn't that threatening.

Still, the two Clowns, who didn't even flinch, seemed impressive. They must be used to it.

"You two are really pushing it in front of your father."

Desar Clown's voice was disapproving.

Only then did Lanian lower her intensity.

Sharant Clown, who had been sitting with his legs crossed, straightened up. Desar Clown, who had been uncomfortable, clicked his tongue.

"We're taking good care of Valian's child."

"No, you're not."

Lanian shook her head, finding it unbelievable.

Sharant Clown's frown deepened at her immediate rebuttal.

He pressed his temples with his thumb, looking exhausted, and then raised his head.

"You can't raise her."

"I can't have children anyway. You know that, Father."

"Shelina is special. It wouldn't be easy for you to raise her in your situation."

"Because of magic?"

Desar Clown's eyes wavered slightly. Seeing this, Lanian spoke.

"Valian wrote in his letter that Shelina might have the same kind of ability as his wife."

"Valian wrote that?"

"Yes, he did."

Lanian's lips curved slightly.

Sharant Clown, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

"A holy knight has the ability to purify evil."

Holy knight?

The word made me instinctively shrink my shoulders.

Sharant Clown's gaze slowly shifted to the man next to Lanian, whom he had been ignoring.

‘...Is this man a holy knight?’