Chapter 45

45

Bang!

The principal's son, who had been dragged in with his neck tightly gripped, rolled on the floor.

The principal's son had a deep bruise around his neck.

"Jason!"

The principal, with a shocked expression, pulled the young man rolling on the floor into his arms.

The principal's son, who seemed to be short of breath, foamed at the mouth and rolled his eyes, losing consciousness.

I quietly looked at the principal, then slowly turned my head.

I looked up at the guy with no emotion.

I was a bit surprised. No, to be honest, I was quite surprised. I didn't expect the Sharant Clown to be here.

"Why……."

"You……."

The Sharant Clown, who had approached me with quick steps, frowned slightly as he looked down at me.

His gaze was displeased.

Why did you come here?

"Why did you run away from home?"

Though his question was cold, he bent one knee to meet my eye level.

The moment I saw his face, a strange sense of relief washed over me. At least I could escape from here.

'Stupid.'

It seemed I had overestimated myself.

I knew nothing about what a three-year-old could and couldn't do.

There were plenty of things in this world that could render me powerless.

My running away was truly a reckless and foolish act. As I bitterly reflected on my failure, I fixed my gaze on the Sharant Clown.

"……Am I going to be killed?"

"Didn't I say I wouldn't kick you out or kill you unless you did something unnecessary?"

That was then, but now you've done something unnecessary, so I'm asking.

However, he didn't add anything more. He examined my body here and there, then stood up again.

He glanced around the playroom.

I followed his gaze.

The children who had been in the corner were now surrounding the principal.

The children, tense and protective, left me speechless.

To the children, the principal was an absolute ruler and their only lifeline. Even if she pushed them into hell.

Then, is she good or evil to the children?

Do outsiders have the right to judge and punish her? What would happen to the children if the principal were punished?

It's not my place to think about it, but maybe it's better to leave this place as it is. If the children consider this place their haven and sanctuary.

"Why did you choose this perfectly fine orphanage……."

Ah, I didn't expect to end up here either! Given my limited thinking, I had no excuse even if I had ten mouths.

Since I couldn't answer, he didn't say anything more.

"Are you going back? Or will you stay here?"

"……I'm going back."

I can't stay here; it will drive me crazy.

I need to retreat and rethink.

"Of all the orphanages, why did you choose this one! That child is under our care……!"

"You'll find out who I am soon. If you want to live, it's best to run as far and as fast as you can."

The principal, who had blocked the Sharant Clown's path, was frozen in place, unable to move a step.

She remained stiff with a pale face as the Sharant Clown passed by her with a leisurely pace.

And I, who was carried away, was placed in a carriage.

He sat opposite me.

Silence filled the carriage even as it started moving.

His silence indicated he was very angry.

'I owe him one.'

How am I going to repay this debt?

I didn't touch any confidential documents, even though I could have stolen them all from the hidden space.

'Of course, I couldn't find out where the confidential documents were.'

"Cherina, why did you run away from home?"

You guys said you'd chase me out of the academy first.

But my pronunciation of "academy" was so bad that I only mumbled.

No one would understand, the pain of this tongue-tied speech.

"Was it because of the academy?"

"Uh-huh."

Hey, Sharant Clown. Can you raise me until I'm five, no, seven years old? I'll help you explore ruins later!

...If I say that, I'll reveal that I'm Hella.

Of course, that's assuming I can recover my skills to the level of Hella.

How do I ask to be raised until I'm seven?

"Sharant, do you hate me?"

Sharant, your pronunciation is better than I thought.

Maybe because I've cursed you so much in my head. That's why simulations are important.

This was the first time I called him by his name after meeting the Sharant Clown in this form.

Even when I was Hella, I rarely called anyone by their name. Vera was the only exception.

At my honest question, Sharant Clown's pupils widened slightly.

He looked at me in surprise and didn't answer for a long time.

Just as I was about to yawn, he nodded.

"……Yes, I do."

Yeah, I knew you would.

Even if you smile, you show how much you dislike it. I could tell from how differently you treat Kai Shan Clown and me.

"You, your father Valian, your mother, and your sister, I hate them all. I hate those who lack dignity, refuse their duties, and act recklessly."

His tone was soft, but his voice was cold.

It felt like ice was falling. There was a complex sentiment behind his simple dislike.

Still, why do you hate so many things?

'You're not even a hateful seven-year-old. You're so picky about the world.'

Of course, that's none of my business.

"If you hate it, I'll stay until I'm seven."

"Seven years old?"

"Uh-huh."

I nodded firmly.

'I can really take care of myself after that.'

At three, I overestimated myself. I was severely lacking in dark magic.

'If it were wartime, it would be better.'

There's no place easier to gather dark magic than a battlefield.

In fact, when I was Hella, I became much stronger due to the power of war.

"Are you planning to run away again after that?"

His voice was laced with mockery, and I nodded confidently.

"Uh-huh."

At my bold answer, Sharant Clown fell silent.

What, is there a problem?

Since we're together, let's make a deal.

I'll leave at seven, and you'll turn a blind eye if I run away.

...How do I tell him that?

With my limited lung capacity and this incomprehensible pronunciation.

"Sharant also hates me, and I hate you."

"Do you hate me?"

"I hate everything."

Of course, you are the basic premise of my dislike.

Sharant Clown frowned at my words.

You openly said you hate me, but you don't like it when I say I hate you.

The young duke of a prestigious family is too hypocritical.

I also showed my dislike and frowned at him.

"Why do you think that? Was there something lacking in the mansion?"

A lot.

If you compare my room to Kai Shan's, it's not as good, it's in a corner, and? It's even smaller! The only things in it are a bed, a child's table, and a wardrobe!

The food was... well, it used to be bad, but now it's good, so let's not count that.

Anyway, the servants all touch me when they see me! I can't even properly express my grievances!

I looked up at Sharant Clown with an expression that said I had a lot to say but couldn't.

He sighed deeply and looked at me as if I were a headache.

You can't even raise me until I'm seven? You're so petty despite being rich. Tsk, tsk, tsk!

"Then, until seven!"

I'm being generous! Raise me until I'm five!

"Valian was very different from the start. Despite being a noble, he mingled with commoners and rolled in the mud. He had no dignity at all."

He was now completely ignoring my words. Moreover, he was badmouthing his father in front of his daughter.

I never thought Sharant Clown would badmouth someone. So, you can't even raise me until I'm five? What is this?

"Reckless."

Are you mocking me? Is that it?

"And he came back with serious injuries and died."

No, is he cursing me? Saying I'll die if I go out recklessly? Or telling me to die?

As I looked at Sharant Clown with wide eyes, he slowly blinked.

Sharant Clown didn't avoid my gaze.

"If you don't want to die a dog's death, just live quietly. As long as you stay within the Clown's fence, I will protect you."