WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 211: Let's Go Together (3)

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[Side Story - House Lindsay]

Clatter, clatter.

House Lindsay's carriages traveled down the straight road. They were not moving quickly.

It would have been different when Illia Lindsay's life had hung in the balance, but there was no need to rush when this was not an emergency.

'No, perhaps it is an emergency...'

The head of House Lindsay gazed out at the scenery beyond the carriage, lost in thought.

Come to think of it, it was. A demon that had not appeared for one hundred and fifty years, perhaps even longer, had emerged.

And it was no ordinary demon. According to Ignet Crescentia, Commander of the Black Knight Order, it was powerful enough to be called a Great Demon.

He had even heard that quite a few other demons might be hiding besides it.

As a descendant of a hero and one of the continent's few powerful figures, he could not help but be on edge.

Yet what weighed most heavily on his heart right now was not the continent's safety.

Joshua Lindsay quietly closed his eyes and recalled Carl Lindsay, who had vanished long ago.

'My son...'

His son had never been arrogant despite being the eldest son of a prestigious house. Yet he had possessed a timid heart unsuited to his talent.

Joshua strongly suspected that a demon had been involved in his disappearance.

Nothing less could have breached the house's defenses. His suspicions only deepened.

What condition was his son in?

Was he already dead? Or was he alive?

If he was alive, was he living through agonizing days? Had he become a demon's test subject, enduring hellish torment?

Perhaps...

Hummmmmm...

A fierce presence surged from Joshua Lindsay's body.

It did not spread far, but anyone with sharp instincts would have felt fear at the dreadful aura rising like a heat haze.

Illia Lindsay spoke just before that presence could fill the carriage and spill outside.

“Dad.”

“...Yes, my daughter.”

Shhhhh...

Joshua Lindsay withdrew his aura and offered a gentle smile.

It had been a mistake. He had failed to control even his own heart in front of his daughter. He was unfit to be her father.

Thinking of his son made him grind his teeth, as if tears of blood might spill from his eyes. Still, there was nothing he could do right now.

All he could do was gradually tighten the search with the continental alliance, including the Holy Kingdom, leaving no gaps for anything to slip through.

Then what could he do right now?

He could focus on Illia Lindsay, his beloved daughter, right in front of him.

'There aren't only bad things. There are good things too.'

As he made small talk with his daughter, the father found himself thinking brighter thoughts than before.

He did not even need to force it.

Seeing his daughter now, so much brighter than she had been after her brother disappeared, naturally brought a smile to his face.

She was no longer anxious.

She was no longer obsessed.

There was no trace of compulsion or oversensitivity either.

Joshua's eyes curved like crescent moons as he looked at Illia, who met his gaze with steady, gentle eyes.

The thought that his advice had played a major role in his daughter's growth made him feel even better.

'...Though it still stings that she ran off to see that boy before our talk was even over.'

Joshua Lindsay's eye twitched as he recalled that day.

He had said something truly wonderful as a father. The atmosphere had been so perfect that he had wanted to record the moment with a magical device and show it to his wife.

Then that boy had shattered it all to pieces.

He did not like it. Not one bit.

Still, if someone asked whether his feelings toward Airen Farreira were entirely negative, Joshua could only sigh and shake his head.

'My role was important, but Airen... that boy probably played an even greater role.'

He had realized it when they first arrived in Lavath.

She had changed greatly. She still seemed to be suffering, but she was completely different from the girl who had chased after Ignet two years ago without even knowing why she had to.

He felt that his words and feelings could finally reach his daughter.

If Airen was the one who had brought about that change, he could understand why his daughter had fallen for him.

And...

'Honestly, Airen wouldn't be a bad candidate for a son-in-law.'

That was why he had given Airen advice at their parting.

So he could grow into an even greater swordsman.

So he could grow into an even greater hero.

So that one day, he could become a fine man, a fine son-in-law, worthy even of Joshua's demanding standards.

...Of course, no one knew when that day would come.

“Dad? Dad?”

“Hm? Ah, I'm sorry. I was thinking about something else... I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry.”

Joshua apologized repeatedly for his lapse.

It was something that could happen to anyone, but it had been years since he had spoken so comfortably with his daughter.

He could not help but be careful about every little thing.

Illia, of course, did not react sensitively.

Instead, as if she understood her father's feelings, she brushed it off and made an unexpected suggestion.

“Why don't we have a light drink with dinner tonight, Dad?”

“A, a drink?”

“Yes. I actually have a nice bottle with me.”

Illia took a bottle from her backpack.

Joshua was startled when he saw the label, Lagbulan 16 Years. It was a rare liquor, and one he liked.

It also had a distinctive taste that might make someone grimace if they had not developed a taste for whiskey.

“I received it as a gift from a friend in Durkali... in orc territory. It tasted pretty good.”

“...You've learned to drink.”

“Yes. Mom doesn't like alcohol very much. I wanted to be able to drink with you, Dad, so I learned a little.”

'Did she really only learn a little?'

Joshua grew doubtful as he watched his daughter talk about liquor so casually.

His daughter had learned to drink. He was happy as a father, but sad too. It was a strange feeling.

Of course, he could not show that now.

Seeing his daughter suggest a drink for his sake, the father broke into a broad smile.

“Ha ha, you've already reached the age where you know about alcohol... Thank you. Good! Shall we have a light drink this evening?”

“Sounds good.”

“Right. But who taught you to drink? Was it... Airen?”

“No. Airen doesn't really like alcohol.”

“Really? Then...”

“I have a friend named Brett Lloyd whom I traveled with.”

“Ah, I see. Brett, Brett...”

'Another man...'

The head of the house forced down the thought rising inside him and smiled.

Many things had happened, but Joshua Lindsay was happier than he had been in years.

[Side Story - Illia Lindsay]

A month and a half after setting out, House Lindsay's group safely returned to their territory.

Countless people, including Olivia Lindsay, the lady of the house, celebrated Illia Lindsay's return.

“Thank you, everyone. Truly.”

She replied with a smile.

In the past, Illia would have shut herself away in her own world despite such a welcome. But she was no longer like that.

She accepted goodwill as goodwill. She did not care about whatever malice might be mixed in.

It felt too wasteful to spend her mental strength on such things.

'Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Airen.'

The two people who had made her who she was now.

Thinking of their faces, Illia walked through the garden.

'So many flowers are blooming.'

The warm weather of May had brought many flowers into bloom.

She did not know their names.

She had taken an interest in them briefly as a child, but after she turned seven, she had lived solely for the sword.

Illia walked silently down the path, lost in memories.

Her older brother, smiling reassuringly as he stroked her head.

Ignet, standing before him with overwhelming intensity.

Swords clashing, the battle ending in an instant, her father's hardened face and the retainers' confusion, and sixteen-year-old Carl Lindsay, helpless amid it all.

Her younger self, far younger than Carl, and the yellow Adonis flower in her hand.

“...Come to think of it, there aren't any.”

Illia looked around the garden and murmured.

After the day Carl Lindsay was defeated, Adonis flowers vanished from House Lindsay.

She remembered wanting to plant them again after returning from Krono Fencing Hall, but her brother's disappearance had prevented her from doing so.

In a way, the Adonis flower had remained an ominous flower to her, tied only to painful memories.

“...”

That was not true.

Illia closed her eyes.

Her brother.

Ignet.

Their fight, and the unpleasant atmosphere that followed it.

She erased them all from her mind, one by one.

As she did, only one thought remained and asked her a question.

Did she like this flower?

Illia thought for a moment, then nodded.

“...I must have liked it, since I was holding one.”

Her thoughts clear at last, she laughed.

It was nothing. It truly was nothing.

“Tomorrow, I'll ask Dad to buy me Adonis flowers.”

After murmuring that, she finished her short walk and headed to her room. A cool breeze blew at her back as she walked.

It was a new, refreshing wind blowing through the stifling House Lindsay.

* * *

Airen, Kiril, and Lulu watched House Lindsay's carriages disappear in the distance.

No, that was not quite right. His eyes might have been pointed that way, but Airen's mind was completely focused on what had just happened.

'Make sure you come visit.'

'If you don't come this time either... I'll find you myself and torment you terribly.'

'Promise.'

'All right, it's a promise. Hehe.'

Illia Lindsay had vanished with a light laugh, almost like Lulu's.

Her final appearance remained in his mind for a long time.

At the same time, a feeling he had experienced a few times before rose within him.

The tingling feeling he had felt when watching Brett and Judith.

Or when his eyes met Illia's.

“...”

Airen did not dwell on it.

He was slow when it came to such things, and for some reason, it frightened him.

Feeling the urge to avoid it for the first time in a long while, he turned to look at his younger sister, Kiril. The tingling feeling soon faded.

'Somehow, I'm traveling with my sister now.'

It felt strange.

Most of his memories of Kiril were from when she was little.

Back then, aside from their mother, Kiril had been an unruly, stubborn child whom no one could control.

Could they really travel together without getting into trouble?

Of course, Kiril seemed far more mature than before, but...

“Brother.”

“Hm?”

“Look who's worrying about whom. Don't think such strange thoughts.”

“...”

Could Kiril truly read every thought in his mind?

Chilled by the thought, Airen changed the subject.

“By the way, can the two of us ride the Griffin together?”

He recalled the past.

The Griffin Kiril had created with Sorcery when she was eleven had seemed dainty and adorable rather than valiant.

It had not been very large either, so two adults riding it would have felt cramped.

He was not seriously worried, of course. Kiril had grown far stronger since then, so the Griffin must have grown too.

Yet Kiril said something entirely unexpected.

“We're not riding the Griffin.”

“Hm?”

“We're taking our time. It's our first trip together, so it's special.”

“...”

“Why? You don't like that?”

“No, no! I do.”

“You took a little too long to answer.”

“Uh, well...”

“Airen likes it so much that he's overwhelmed! That's why he took so long to answer! Yes! That's it!”

“...”

“Airen, right?”

“Y-yes, that's right.”

Airen quickly nodded while looking at Lulu.

Lulu nodded along with him.

Kiril stared at them expressionlessly, then snorted and laughed.

“Fine! I'll believe you. Shall we get going?”

“Let's get going!”

Kiril Farreira strode forward confidently, with Lulu following behind her in the exact same walk.

Airen Farreira stood there blankly for a moment before hurrying after them.

Fresh sunlight poured down from the clear sky.

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