Chapter 87

EP.87 Speeding Violation - 2

I feel dizzy.

The train is surely moving smoothly, and I definitely bought a first-class seat.

Why does it feel like sitting on a bed of thorns?

"...So, what's your name?"

"Ain."

"Who's your father?"

"Lord Leonardo."

The village chief glared at his grandson with black hair, while the village's wolf hunter couldn't help but chuckle.

"Ooh! Did your dad put in a lot of effort?"

"Yes, he worked very hard."

"Keh...!"

Suddenly, a surge of murderous intent towards carnivores rose, but he decided to hold back for now. The old woman in the seat next to him was also radiating a formidable aura.

"You never even mentioned getting married, and now you have a kid? Tsk..."

I'm not sure if 'gave birth' is the right expression here.

"Actually, Father is against marriage. So, I call Aria 'sister' instead of 'mother.'"

It's a correct explanation, but summarizing it so coldly without context makes Leonardo feel like a terrible person.

"...Hey, Leonardo."

"No... It's not like that...!"

Crack

"Where did you sell your conscience?!"

First, Dean grabbed Leonardo by the collar.

Thud, Thud

"Even if I ate you, I wouldn't feel satisfied! Did I raise you to be like this?!"

Anus hit Leonardo's back with her cane, much like a teacher punishing a young boy with a ruler.

"Hold him down, Grandma. Uncle."

At Ain's request, Anus, who now had a great-granddaughter, and Dean, who now had a nephew, looked at the lifeless eyes for a moment before letting go.

"The child is innocent... The child is innocent..."

It might seem like she's the one at fault. After all, she's also a victim of responsibility without pleasure.

"The child is so beautiful, I'll overlook it... Sigh..."

Anyone watching might think she's crazy with pleasure. Even if it were me, I wouldn't believe it if I had a daughter without ever having a girlfriend or any experience.

"Sorry. Uncle got too angry at Dad, didn't he?"

"No, it's fine. Father seemed to agree too."

It's true, but the conversation makes it sound like he's a terrible person.

"By the way, you didn't change your clothes? Are you okay?"

In his anger, he only hit the innocent people and didn't pay much attention to Ain.

"Clothes..."

Before he could ask, Anus was already shocked. Dean, who had spilled a drink, was equally shocked.

"...When did you dry them?"

"From the beginning, I was fine. This robe is made of special material."

Ain insisted on wearing a simple gray robe instead of fancy clothes because of its abilities.

The robe is enchanted with various physical defenses and resistance to elemental magic to protect against potential assassination or attacks.

It's also made with shape-memory material that changes and returns to its original form when using transformation, incorporating components similar to Ain's hair to prevent tearing.

"...Uh... Hmm..."

"Of course, it has waterproof and drying capabilities, so the drink didn't affect it. Don't worry."

Despite Ain's stiff tone, everyone seemed to feel uncomfortable. Anus and Dean both looked bewildered.

"...I... I'm just a country bumpkin, but do nobles usually wear such clothes...?"

It's a correct statement in a general sense, but unless they have a direct connection to the royal family, they wouldn't see such clothes.

Moreover, this was a custom-made item.

"Generally, no. But I was at high risk of assassination and kidnapping, so special measures were taken by my father's side."

"...Assassination and kidnapping...?"

"...I see. To be involved in family intrigue at such a young age..."

...It feels like they're misunderstanding something. They sound like characters from a novel caught in a power struggle.

It's easier to believe that. Who would immediately realize and believe that the child next to me is a demon born in ancient times and my daughter?

"...No, it's not like that..."

"You don't have to explain if it's hard. We're not completely clueless."

Dean's expression was full of loyalty as he bared his fangs. I'm grateful, but that's not the case.

"...I'm sorry, Miss. You must have had a tough time at such a young age..."

Anus's sympathetic gaze followed, considering Ain's appearance, which looked no older than 10.

It probably seems like she made a big decision at a young age. Honestly, all she did was cut her hair.

"...It's fine... I... really... wanted to get married..."

Why is she bringing up marriage with a sad and pitiful expression? It makes her sound like a tragic heroine from a novel who just wants to love but is caught in the darkness of power.

Why is Anus silently patting Aria's back? It's the first time I've thought Aria might be a villain.

Honestly, she's not my biological child, and I raised her mostly.

"Um... I guess I need to explain?"

[What? This is the most interesting part, why stop?]

{Lumine investigation, I don't enjoy this, but for a girl's love, silence is necessary.}

Why do these brats, who should fall into hell, only get hit at such times? Do they really want to die this time?

***

The divine saint, like a ray of light in the midst of chaos, descended to end the thorny seat of this hellish eternity by spreading the enlightenment he knew to these mortals.

The mortals, though full of disbelief, gradually became shocked and ashamed of their misunderstanding as they listened to the vivid speech of a priest.

"...Is that even possible?"

They still don't believe it.

"You can't just transform into a wyvern in this small cabin."

Seeing their disbelief, Ain scratched Dean's fingernail, transforming into a werewolf, and only then did they listen to the story.

"...But... You seem to be involved in something much bigger than you thought..."

"That's true."

"...Can you just brush it off like that?"

Dean's reaction is actually quite normal.

On his left is the saint Lumine, representing the temple and the gods, and on his right is the hero Arriasphyl, the avatar of the gods.

Moreover, the hero has a child with a strange relationship.

"...A hero, I always thought you were an outstanding young lady, but I never imagined you'd become a real hero."

"Ah... Yes... The divine command was sudden, after all."

When the holy sword appeared in her hand, everyone was in chaos. They were busy sorting out the complicated situation.

"You were... in the magic tower? Which one...?"

"I'm not affiliated with any, but I'm officially seated between the magic towers."

Using the special magic permit and the pretext of searching for the sage's legacy, Leonardo could attend classes at any magic tower without being affiliated with any.

He could also attend classes at the black magic tower, which specializes in magical artifacts, to make this gray robe.

"Then... you must have gotten a lot of criticism?"

Dean's guess isn't entirely wrong. At the time, Leonardo was a gray figure in the magic towers, often not protected due to lack of affiliation.

"But Father ended the controversy with various papers and unique magic. He also took charge of knowledge exchange and coordination between the magic towers."

Despite the stiff tone, Ain felt a bit proud.

Originally, he often mediated intellectual conflicts among lower-class students, but it became famous enough that even upper-class students and sometimes professors sought his advice.

"...No wonder the money you send home has increased..."

"Then why not just use a warp gate? The leftover money from living expenses would be enough."

Considering the amount of gold coins sent monthly, it wouldn't take long to save enough. Probably a month or two.

"I said, the village chief was against it. Save it for your dowry..."

Crack...

Anus's cane pressed down on Dean's front paw. In pain, Dean naturally closed his mouth.

"Anyway, it doesn't take long to get to the capital, so it's not a waste of money."

"Still, you're getting on in years. It would be better to travel comfortably. Money is meant to be used for such things."

Snap

"Young people these days don't know the value of things. And I'm healthy enough to hit you."

Despite being hit by the cane, he didn't feel too bad. Is this a nostalgic brainwashing and beautification?

"But why are you going to the capital?"

As the gap in information between them narrowed, Lumine asked to keep the conversation going.

"That's... How do I explain this..."

While Dean struggled to explain the complicated situation, Anus summarized it with this sentence.

"A friend from the past is dying. We're going to the funeral."

"...Ah... I'm sorry..."

"It's fine. At this age, dying is a relief."

The mood shifted, and everyone looked solemn. The only one maintaining a neutral expression was Ain.

"Um, Grandma Anus, can I ask a question?"

"Is there a grandmother who wouldn't answer her beautiful great-granddaughter? Go ahead."

The tone was different when addressing her grandson. Isn't this a bit too much?

"'Dying' sounds like it hasn't happened yet. Is there any way to help if there's an illness or other problem?"

Now that he thinks about it, Ain's point is valid. Anus's statement about dying is more future-oriented. It implies preparing a funeral for someone who hasn't died yet.

"You're a very smart great-granddaughter. Who do you take after?"

"Father."

[This kid is so much like her father, even in praise, she puts up a wall.]

Ain, following Leonardo's request, grabbed the mouth of the strange phenomenon that spouted nonsense, and the wise old woman answered her granddaughter's question.

"That guy is very healthy for his age. He has no illness, and no accident has befallen him."

This makes the story even more mysterious. It suggests a bizarre scenario where a living person is killed to hold a funeral.

"Don't misunderstand. It's not a hit job or anything. Don't be scared."

Considering the things they've experienced, a hit job would be as common as getting a free sample in a busy street.

"He's a prophet. The village chief's friend."

"A prophet?"

Ain, perhaps intrigued by the new information, deliberately used a puzzled tone. It was awkward, but considering her usual tone, it was a significant improvement.

"He predicted his own death, saying it's his time to go."

"Can't you prevent it according to the prophecy?"

"Well... He seems content, and it's a peaceful way to die, so there's no need to stop him."

Anus handed a note from the letter to Leonardo's group to help explain.

[At the moment I sleep the most comfortably, my soul's heartbeat will stop. So, come when you can.]

Excluding the errand, it could be interpreted as dying of old age in sleep.

Considering Anus's age, it could be seen as a peaceful end.

"That's why I'm preparing the funeral in advance so he won't be lonely on his way. He has no family to do it."

"...I see."

Now the strange behavior makes sense. A prophet predicting their own death is a story you'd hear in a fairy tale.

"Are the prophecies usually accurate?"

"Well... Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't. They're usually too vague and long-winded to be helpful in urgent situations."

Leonardo knew this too.

"He sent a strange letter before, didn't he? What was it...?"

"[The one who used the flour I gave most valuably will return to me.]"

Hearing this, Leonardo fell silent for a moment.

"Yes, that's it. But I can't think of anything valuable to do with flour besides making bread."

"Wasn't it a famous chef who got the flour?"

"Is that so? Did they put gold in the bread?"

Everyone laughed at the wordplay.

The only serious ones were the one reliving old, non-existent memories and his wise guardian.

<+--|-|--+>