Chapter 5

5

It doesn't reach.

The moment I barely managed to stand up by holding the fountain, I realized the fact.

With this height and arm length, no matter how hard I try, the probability of my pacifier touching the water and getting cleaned is low.

‘No, if I get lucky...’

Maybe I can use magic to dip only the pacifier and pull it out.

I thought about trying it, but it didn’t move at all.

The reason is simple.

I can't concentrate while standing.

And I can't lie down on the floor again in that embarrassing position to use magic. Who knows when someone might see.

‘Even if it’s broad daylight, it’s embarrassing.’

Even though I’m a naive kid, lying down and using magic in that position is a bit much.

In the end, I held the pacifier in my hand and desperately tried to stand on tiptoe.

My trembling legs were pitiful.

I had eaten well, so my limbs were plump. But because they were plump, it was even harder to reach the water.

The sound of the water trickling still echoed in my ears.

"Ash!"

Damn it! I’m so frustrated!

Why does my voice sound so stupid!

As I tried to stomp my foot, the sight of my bare feet, the hard floor, and my weak legs made my anger disappear.

"Ahh."

I sighed deeply, put the pacifier in my mouth, and plopped down on the floor.

I’m exhausted in every way.

I sucked on the pacifier and tilted my head back.

I felt someone’s gaze and turned to see a group of people gathered, looking at me.

‘...I’m glad I didn’t use magic.’

If I had lain down and used magic in that position, I would have become a laughingstock.

I sighed in relief and stared at them, gradually making out their silhouettes.

That’s...

‘Deshar Clown and Sharent Clown.’

From their appearance, it seems they haven’t changed much since the last time I saw them.

That means the probability is high that not much time has passed since I died.

Thinking about my past, I should be able to properly manifest magic around 5-6 years old and use some lower circle magic.

Moreover, since I have experience, I should learn quickly, and even if the power isn’t strong, I might be able to use intermediate circle magic.

Once I reach that level, I should be able to live independently to some extent.

So, once my magic is developed enough to create food and sell magic stones or magical tools, I’ll copy the information here and store it in a separate pocket dimension, then make a clean escape.

Next, my goal is to return to Silopia, punish the traitors, reclaim the position of the head of the magic tower, and sweep away half the empire.

‘Sharent Clown, that guy is a bit troublesome.’

He’s smart and has excellent judgment.

He’s good at finding the gaps when dealing with magic. I think I heard he’s in his mid-thirties...

‘I met that guy when I was sixteen.’

He’s incredibly condescending.

Moreover, he doesn’t treat commoners well. He seems to only deal with those who have dignity and noble blood.

He probably assigns scores to people and only deals with those who meet a certain score.

‘Deshar Clown...’

This one is more intimidating to deal with.

I was the representative of Silopia, but because I was young, I often felt outmatched in terms of words and experience.

Silopia was a new kingdom, so we had to establish diplomatic relations in many areas.

Of course, to be honest, Silopia didn’t gain much from diplomatic relations with the Heiren Empire.

Fertile land, animals, and magical constructs could all be self-sustained within Silopia.

Fertile land could be created with magic.

If needed, we could obtain seeds and create environments to grow special plants and animals.

So, there was no need to engage in exchanges at a loss.

However, Silopia was a country founded by people who were once called ‘witches’ and had to be careful not to show any flaws, with the goal of stabilizing the country.

Among them, the Heiren Empire was the first to extend a hand.

However, even if they extended a hand, Silopia couldn’t just bend or accept unfavorable conditions.

So, I desperately tried to delay, but I always lost to Sharent Clown in words and to Deshar Clown in spirit.

‘Everything he says sounds right.’

So, I always had to delay and think for a long time before giving an answer.

Only then could I deal with him. After delaying, I had to think until the next diplomatic meeting.

I had to make up for my lack of experience and maturity that way. It was a precious country I had protected so desperately.

I slowly lowered my gaze.

‘Huh, but this time, I’ll win.’

No family can remain intact after all their secrets and military power are stolen.

Thinking about that, my mood improved.

I was grinning wickedly when a maid with a scary look on her face walked up to me.

‘Those, those... cowardly bastards!’

It’s obvious they were sent by the Clown family.

I quickly got on all fours and flailed my arms and legs.

‘I have to run.’

If this place doesn’t work, I’ll have to go to the pond next to clean the pacifier.

‘It’s dirty, I tell you!’

If I keep sucking on it, I’ll get sick, even I know that!

The only magic I can use right now is gravity magic.

And even that requires an embarrassing posture and full concentration to use.

“Ahh!”

A strange sound, whether a cry or a voice, came out.

I flailed my arms and legs.

My palms and knees hurt, but I couldn’t be caught.

I can’t keep sucking on this dirty pacifier!

“Hey, stop! Stand still!”

Like I’m going to stand still? You stupid maid.

I grinned wickedly and flailed my arms and legs.

But the next moment, my body floated into the air.

The moment I realized I was flailing in mid-air, my face contorted.

‘Ah...’

No matter how fast I run, I’m eventually caught by the maid’s few steps. I trembled and bowed my head.

Ah, damn it. I feel so miserable.

‘I’m done for.’

This...!

The maid tucked me under her arm and pushed me into the bed.

This...!

The maid sighed deeply, glared at me, and covered me with a heavy blanket.

As if to prevent me from moving.

Sure enough, when I struggled, the maid pressed down on me.

This...!

‘To be treated like this...!’

“Exactly, how did you get out of here? I was the only one who woke up. The head butler scolded me! And you, a half-breed, were abandoned!”

Her expression, as if she’s indignant, is ridiculous. And her cliché, third-rate novel-like words are even more ridiculous.

I was so disappointed that I forgot to suck on the pacifier and just stared at her.

I know this expression.

It’s the face of a stupid person, drunk on jealousy and inferiority, unable to control their emotions.

‘Pathetic bastards.’

Humans are truly stupid. I bit the pacifier even harder.

“Bad luck.”

Mirror reflection. Pfft.

Crack!

As I pouted, the maid, unable to contain her anger, hit my forehead hard. My head rang and I felt dazed.

Tears welled up in my eyes from the pain. Anger rose, and I flailed my arms, but I couldn’t do anything.

‘If I could just use a little more magic...’

I’ll definitely sprinkle lemon juice in her eyes!

Or turn her into a frog and let her eat flies until the effect wears off.

I felt so sad and frustrated.

It was embarrassing and infuriating to be treated like this by a lowly maid.

The maid, seemingly pleased with my pained expression, kicked the crib and left the room.

“Ugh! Ugh! Ouch!”

I’m so angry! I’m so frustrated! Damn it!

I flailed my arms and legs, but with my stubby, sausage-like limbs, I couldn’t get out from under the heavy, suffocating blanket.

Moreover, it was too hot. The heat made me feel suffocated.

‘Do they think I’m a baby?’

I’m going to die from the heat. Am I a chicken? Roast me!

After struggling for a while, I only felt my strength drain. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried hard.

‘Just a little to the side...’

It was so heavy that it took twice the effort to use magic.

‘If it were before, I could move just by rolling my eyes.’

It’s unbelievable that I have to exert myself in such an embarrassing position now.

“Ugh!”

I barely managed to push the blanket to the side, turned my body, and flailed my arms and legs.

I finally got out from under the pile of blankets.

“Phew...”

Thud.

Suddenly, my mouth felt cool and empty...

“Ouch...?”

My tongue felt even shorter.

My mind became hazy, and my eyelids drooped.

...No, this can’t be...

I saw the pacifier rolling on the floor.

Was it properly cleaned? I saw it rolling on the floor of my room, where dust was scattered.

“Hiss...”

Ah, damn it... It’s ruined.

It’s going to get dirty again. Is my pacifier going to turn black? I don’t know what it’s made of, but it wasn’t originally gray, was it?

“Shh...”

My pacifier...

Thud, my face fell forward.

My vision, which was already blurry, started to spin and fade.

I reached out pitifully for the pacifier, my last memory.