Chapter 44: Noah Yggdrasil (1)

Whoooosh!

A fierce blizzard knocks against the window, trying to enter the room. But it was blocked by the obstacle called window, it falls away.

Right now, I was alone in this room. No, accurately, there are probably 3 of us.

[Still, seems better than before.]

Staring blankly out the window, moving the rocking chair, when suddenly the Goddess spoke.

‘What’s this out of the blue?’

Did something happen before? Nothing much had changed since returning to the mansion.

[…Fine. If you say so, then so be it.]

Whatever it was, it felt very unpleasant.

Why treat someone like a mental patient-…

Wait…? Was that it?

‘Must be nothing.’

Since the Goddess seems to be letting it go too, I shouldn’t step in unnecessarily.

[No, the problem is you… Never mind.]

‘Yes, yes~. I was the problem. My apologies.’

[…Sigh. Only worry arises.]

What is there to worry about? I’m currently enjoying a sufficiently satisfying and peaceful life.

‘Come to think of it, I’m not that leisurely.’

I still need to meet Sia Yggdrasil again. Also, I haven’t fulfilled her request yet. Because I interfered, wanting to somewhat restore the relationship between Mother and Sia Yggdrasil.

‘Still, doesn’t seem like I have much to do.’

Apparently, Sia Yggdrasil can’t see outside currently. Seeing no response from her, who usually chimes in intermittently.

‘Is she sleeping…?’

That’s a bit cheeky. Sleeping while someone’s racking their brain trying to help.

‘Hope she sleeps well.’

Still, I hope that kid can become a little more comfortable.

“……”

[……]

And so, the flow of conversation broke again, and silence fell. Turning my head from the window I had been watching, I looked up at the ceiling.

A chandelier made of mana stones glowed faintly in the center.

‘The atmosphere is lit.’

If used in a sentimental cafe or similar place, sales would probably double.

For reference, the brightness of the mana stone could be adjusted. Adjusting it somewhat weaker made it glow faintly like this.

Being winter, the outside wasn’t very bright, and the blizzard weather gave the room a slightly dim feeling.

On days like this, you’re supposed to huddle by the fireplace, wrapped in a blanket, drinking cocoa. I should mention it to Lilac later. Anyway, how much would that mana stone cost?

[Truly a useless thought.]

‘…Sigh.’

Now even the Goddess looks down on me.

[Child. You are inherently a weak being. Someone who would struggle with daily life without the help of others.]

‘That entity called Goddess. She has no filter when talking about her own daughter.’

And so, the time spent chatting idly with the Goddess grew longer.

Sia Yggdrasil was currently absent, and Mother had gone out to talk with Lilac for a moment. Butler was busy being a butler, and Edwyn was…

“Repeat after me!!! Freeze to death on one! Train on two! One!!!!!”

“””Freeze to death!!!!!!!!”””

“Two!!!”

“””Train!!!!!!!!”””

“Again, one–!!!”

[……]

“……”

It would be nice if these screams weren’t audible from outside.

“…The knight order isn’t going to disappear, right…?”

Like, Edwyn being the sole survivor. Surely not…? I didn’t want to think about it anymore. I’ll be satisfied if I can just see the knights the day after tomorrow.

He wouldn’t kill them, right?

Probably…

‘Creepy.’

Rubbing both arms vigorously, I envisioned the next person.

‘Remaining people… Jahy and Diana, I guess.’

Of course, Lilac’s family was also in the Duchy, but doing anything with them felt a bit…

And playing patty-cake with the servants is also…

‘Wait, didn’t I come to this mansion as a servant?’

I don’t know.

Now, the desire to just play and eat came first. My body wasn’t the problem either.

Jahy and Diana were probably having lessons now.

Naturally, Diana was teaching Jahy.

Though I think the subject of the lesson was slightly misplaced.

‘Why teach healing arts and holy law techniques to the former Demon Lord…’

Divine power required innate talent, so what Jahy could learn were healing arts and holy law techniques.

Healing arts could be used just by awakening mana, so no problem there. Holy law techniques were possible with just reciting the Holy Law.

So, learning them posed no issue. Excluding the title of former Demon Lord, that is.

When asked why she was learning.

-So I can heal Mommy if she gets hurt.

A smile formed.

The feeling of having a daughter couldn’t be better.

But I thought she could learn from me, but knowing nothing about holy arts other than divine power, Diana ended up teaching her.

And so, I was left alone.

‘Now, what should I do…’

“…Maybe go there.”

A place suddenly came to mind. Jumping up from the rocking chair, I threw open the door and headed towards the study where Mother and Lilac were.

On the way, I encountered Lilac’s family members, but they freaked out upon seeing me, immediately lowered their eyes, and stared at the wall.

“What on earth did you do…”

Watching them with pity, I continued walking.

They committed wrongs, so they received punishment…

What can be done?

If Lilac wills it, one must follow. What courage can one arise before overwhelming force?

Arriving thus at Lilac’s study. The moment I reached the door.

“Enter.”

“Come in.”

The voices of the two women sounded simultaneously. Even though I hadn’t touched the doorknob yet.

Barging in, Mother held a newspaper in one hand and drank black tea with the other.

In contrast, Lilac looked somewhat tired, drowning in a swamp of documents piled high like mountains.

Work that tires even a transcendent. Truly formidable.

Waving cheerfully, I sat down on the sofa opposite Mother. It was a long sofa, seemingly suitable for lying down and sleeping.

Anyway, weren’t they together because they had something to talk about?

Well… they must have finished. Let’s not meddle unnecessarily.

“Sia dear. How did a child not in good health come all this way? More importantly, are you okay…?”

“Right. We would have come if you called. No need to come all this way. Anyway, are you feeling better now?”

“Uh… Yes?”

The Goddess did it too, why are these people like this?

At this point, did something really happen to me?!

‘No. I was fine.’

[…Tsk. Pitiful thing.]

‘……’

Suddenly treated like a pitiful dog.

What is it, tell me too.

Am I being ostracized?

“Yes, yes. I’m fine. But what were you two talking about here? After telling me not to come.”

“Uh, oh? Uh… No. We didn’t talk about anything. Just asking after each other’s well-being?”

Lilac was noticeably flustered. She was definitely hiding something.

“Hmm… really?”

“Y-yes, dear.”

Mother also stuttered slightly. There must be something I shouldn’t know.

“Well, if that’s the case.”

Since they probably wouldn’t tell me even if I was curious, I quickly gave up.

“So what brought you here?”

“No, well… Can’t I just come?”

“Ah, no. That’s not it… It’s just, when you look for me, it’s usually to ask for permission…”

“How did you know?!”

“Sigh. Knew it. So, what are you requesting this time?”

Lilac sighed, yet her eyes sparkled, which was slightly amusing, making me smile slightly and speak.

“Hmm… Thinking maybe we could all go on a trip together?”

“Trip? What trip?”

“Seems like you’re bored.”

I answered their questions slightly slowly.

“…Just, well. Thought maybe family could go once? Is that not allowed?”

“Not allowed? When should we go? Still, seems better to go after the blizzard stops.”

“Let’s do that. Heaven forbid, catching a cold would be terrible.”

I smiled awkwardly at Mother’s last words. If Mother was also a Saintess, she should know a Saintess wouldn’t catch a mere illness…

It didn’t particularly matter, so I agreed with Lilac’s words and nodded.

“Yes, okay.”

“Good. Then we need to decide where to go.”

“How about near the sea or beach?”

“We could head south. Or-.”

Watching Mother and Lilac deciding where to go based on my single word made my chest feel slightly tight.

The places listed were absolutely not close to where I originally intended to go.

I came thinking of it, but I didn’t even know exactly where it was.

And it was a place that could be painful for Mother too.

‘Sia Yggdrasil.’

-…Why.

Fortunately, she seems to be here now. Her slightly choked voice prompted a question.

‘Why the voice?’

-I just wished Chouchou was alive.

Flinch.

My body trembled slightly at those words.

Perhaps Sia Yggdrasil already knew where I wanted to go.

Or maybe she read my mind.

-I’m not that shameless.

‘Fine if you’re not.’

‘Alright then.’

The place I wanted to go was definitely a meaningful place for Sia Yggdrasil too.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have mentioned the name ‘Chouchou’.

However, I couldn’t speak rashly. Because I hadn’t asked for her opinion, the most important thing.

‘…Is it okay to go?’

-Do as you please.

That was a relief. Because her voice felt slightly excited.

“Isn’t winter still lingering there?”

“So this place is a bit cooler-.”

“Um… there’s a place I want to go.”

The gazes of the two, engaged in a passionate discussion, fixed on me.

“Oh? Really? Where?”

Lilac pushed the map she had been unfolding towards me. Numerous circles were already drawn on it.

However, none of the circles marked the place I wanted.

Lifting my hand, I pointed to one spot on the map. The location Sia Yggdrasil just told me.

Pointing there, Lilac expressed doubt.

Conversely.

“……”

Mother’s expression hardened like stone. Then, with a pained expression, she looked at me.

“R-really?”

Smiling slightly, I nodded. Mother immediately turned her face away. Sorry for her.

But still, I wanted to visit. That place from 10 years ago.

More accurately, 11 years ago.

“This is just in the mountains? Will that be okay?”

“Yes. Let’s go there.”

The place I pointed to.

The place where I met Sia Yggdrasil.

Was precisely the place where the childhood Sia Yggdrasil lived.