episode_0105

105. Gresha (5)

Knock knock-

“Hmm. Who is it?”

“I’m here. My lord.”

“Come in.”

Squeak-

The usual office scene, with Gaju sitting like a landscape on a neatly organized desk.

It is a contrast to Zion’s pale complexion.

“Lord.”

“Sogaju. What’s going on?”

“I will participate in the experiment again starting today.”

“Let’s do that.”

Sion secretly bites his lip as he sees the head of the household nodding without any particular emotion at Sion’s report.

“First, focus on understanding the overall flow of what is going on in the lab for a week.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Then, go out.”

“Yes.”

Zion barely calmed his racing heart and left the office after seeing the family tree in the office late at night, which was so unresponsive and unquestioning that it seemed like an illusion.

*

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After a week of nauseating lab life to protect the lukewarm and think of Marie’s sacrifice, for some reason the whole family gathered for breakfast.

Mother, at some point, she became less and less talkative and only showed up occasionally. Even though the whole family, including Leon, the head of the household, Mion, and Sion, were gathered for a meal, the air was suffocating.

Even Mi-on, who was sometimes so lively that she seemed oblivious, felt intimidated by the atmosphere and ran into the forest as soon as she finished eating.

For over two weeks, he and Mion hadn’t even had a meal together, let alone tea time together… It was around the time when Sion was starting to feel regretful.

“Zion, after you finish eating, follow me to the office.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Leon got up from the dining table and told Zion to come to his office for some reason.

“Mother.”

“….Why are you like that, baby.”

“No.”

“……”

Although she spoke briefly, she felt a lot from her mother’s gaze as she looked at her with soulless eyes.

Zion, who no longer had the courage to speak, finished his meal and got up from his seat.

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Knock knock-

“Come in.”

Sion enters the office after hearing Leon speak in his usual flat voice.

“Why did you call me, my lord?”

“Um… A while ago, one of the Suin test subjects escaped from the lab.”

“…Huh?”

Sion was momentarily taken aback by Leon’s words, which cut off all the context and got straight to the point, but he immediately focused on what he was saying.

“Unluckily… Mion found it in the forest where she was experiencing being a hunter, and took care of it until yesterday.”

“…..!”

Mion and the test subject, Zion was momentarily confused, but tried to concentrate and listen to Leon’s words until the end.

“According to the maids’ reports, Mion has stopped visiting every day since today, but has stopped visiting occasionally when she has time and has stopped doing things like being a hunter.”

“Is that so…”

“So, catch the test subject as soon as possible and bring it to the lab.”

“That…that’s…!!”

“As you know, there has been a recent disruption in the supply of test subjects from the Magic Tower, so every single one is precious.”

“…..Okay…”

“I would like to get it back as soon as possible.”

“Yes.”

At the blatant intention of the head of the household, Zion bowed his head as if he was obeying the order and left the office.

*

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Late in the afternoon, Bea, Mion’s personal maid, came to see her, wearing a tattered maid outfit and a stick stuck in her hair.

“Lord Soga.”

“Huh? Bear. What’s going on?”

“Oh… Miss Mi-on invited me to dinner today….”

“Yes, tea time after dinner too.”

“Yes….I understand!!”

In the first place, since the head of the household did not come to the meal table and the mother, the landlady, was also a confidant, unless something special came up, Mion and Sion often ate together.

Although Zion had only recently learned some incredible facts, he was a little confused, but his heart was a little warmer as he looked forward to having dinner with his lovely sister for the first time in almost two weeks.

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From the moment they met at the restaurant, Mi-on greeted him with a cheerful wave of her hand, and the corners of Zion’s mouth, which had been stiff, softened.

After a pleasant dinner, we had tea time in Mi-on’s room.

“Sister. Are you feeling better?”

“Then there is no problem.”

“Sigh….. This is the first time I haven’t had a meal with my sister for this long. I was so worried!”

“Ah…. I made you worry. I’m sorry, Mi-on.”

“Ah….Nooo!! I’m not saying anything to my sister…”

Mion is taken aback by Zion’s mischievous words.

“Yeah, that hunter experience you’re doing this time? How long will you be doing it?”

“Um… I’m going to do something else after today.”

The fact that Mi-on was quitting the experience must have been reported in advance by the maid.

“Sister! Me….”

“Huh? Why is that?”

“That’s right, kid.. Really!!”

Mion let out a small, playful laugh, but continued to hesitate and watch Zion’s expression, unable to bring up the story.

Perhaps it was because of the number of cats that had been treated this time.

“When the time comes, the forest… no.”

“I’m just saying, so it’s lukewarm.”

“I’ll tell you later~ later!”

Perhaps he wanted to invite her to see the escaped man from the lab, but he hesitated because of Zion’s aversion to cats.

He’s still a good kid.

“Sister, what should I try next?”

“Hmm? Well….”

“I think I’ll try cooking again.”

“Huh? I gave up cooking 4 years ago.”

“Ehehehe… But still… If you know how to make something like cookies or desserts, you can leave later…”

“Male?”

“Hehehe, it’s nothing.”

Mi-on, her face slightly red, twists her body and changes the subject.

“Lukewarm.”

“Ah! Got it! I’m preparing in advance to make it for you when you get a boyfriend!!! Got it!!!”

“Foot!”

Zion burst into laughter at Mi-on’s innocent reaction. The two sisters’ tea time continued until a little late at night.

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“Alex.”

“Your Majesty.”

“……”

That night, the person who came out to assist Zion as she left the castle gate was Alex, who was Nanny Marie’s first love.

Zion, who was momentarily dizzy from the malicious personnel assignment, soon bit his lip.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“No.”

“Then would you like to go right away?”

“Okay, I’ll guide you.”

“Yes.”

Unlike Zion, who was wearing light clothing and carrying only a small lantern, Alex, who was heavily armed and carrying a sword even in the middle of the night, was the first to lead the way into the forest.

“……”

Sarak- Sarak-

Alex skillfully navigates his way through the dark, silent forest and mountain paths where not even a single insect can be heard.

“Does it look familiar to you?”

“Yes. Occasionally, test subjects escape, so our tolerance staff will search for them first.”

“…..”

“I guess so,” Zion answered shortly and silently followed Alex as he made his way through the forest.

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“ Lord Soga’s Bind Magic.”

When he heard a faint sound, Alex stopped in his tracks and spoke to Zion.

Even though he was a test subject, Alex requested Zion’s help from a distance to safely capture him due to his basic senses.

Zion looked around intently and saw a small figure sleeping curled up under a tree.

“…..Bind.”

Woohoo-

Kwuk!!!

“Nyaaaa …

With Zion’s magic, the water girl was easily subdued.

The girl was bound by vines made of magical power, and although she struggled as if in a fit of convulsion, the binding only tightened.

“I will carry it.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Thud thud-

“nya….nyah!! Ha….haaak!!!”

The struggling child began to grind his teeth as he saw the armed figure of Alex approaching.

Hot!!

“Nyaaah!! Let go!!!!”

The binding spell had already been broken, and the child, subdued by Alex’s grasp, was struggling.

I looked at the child bitterly, wondering if he had not yet learned to speak the awkward common language, and our eyes met.

“Oh… Sister!!!”

Ouch!!!

“Mi…Mi-on unnie!!!”

Her heart sinks at the sound of the child’s scream as she sees Zion’s face, covered with a cloak that hides the color of his hair in the dark night.

“…what?”

“Hey… Sister, save me!!! Sister!!!”

“…woof!!!”

Did she become close to Mion after taking care of her for a few days? When Mion heard the voice of the girl who mistook her for Mion and cried out desperately, she felt a queasy feeling well up in her throat.

Phew-

“Keeng!!”

“…Whew…Let’s go, Lord Soga.”

After striking the back of the girl’s neck and knocking her unconscious, Alex looked at Zion with the corners of his mouth twisted as if he was laughing, and soon returned to the castle.

Sion follows Alex weakly, thinking that the sight of the girl with flowing blonde hair and no fingernails or toenails makes him feel like his situation is not much different.

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The flow of time is fair to everyone.

“Marie!! Congratulations!!! You’re having a baby soon? Here’s a gift”

“Thank you, Miss Mi-on.”

Mion visits Marie, who is staying in a guest room within the castle where collateral relatives stay, rather than in the accommodations used by servants, and continues the conversation by giving her cookies that Mion baked herself.

“I thought I was done with Alex, but oh my gosh, I’m having a baby soon!!”

“The owner took special care of me. Hehe..”

“Yeah, since your mother is also pregnant with the youngest child, your father is letting you stay with him in Naeseong for prenatal education, so that’s good, right?”

Mi-on smiles brightly and jokes with Mari as if she’s doing her a favor.

Marie also smiles warmly at that lukewarm smile.

“Yes, that’s great. I can skip my nanny duties too.”

“That’s all because my nanny and older sister raised me well. Then when are you getting married?”

“Um… Maybe after the baby is born?”

“Really? Then I’ll give you a present!!”

“It’s okay, Miss… ”

Mari’s expression darkened for a moment at the mention of marriage, but she didn’t notice Mion’s expression as she was so excited.

“Young lady, your birthday is coming up soon.”

“Yeah! How great it would be to become an adult…! Drinking alcohol and hehe.”

“How can I contact you, Lord Soga?”

“Ah…! They send it every two weeks, but sometimes when I’m busy, it comes once a month!!”

The topic of conversation shifted to the story of Sogaju, who had recently left for the Labyrinth City.

“I can’t afford to distribute my sister’s stuff.”

“Yes?”

“To realize the ultimate power of magic, you negotiated with your father and left for the Labyrinth City. Really…! Even though you’re my older sister, you’re amazing!!!”

Marie caresses her pregnant belly and lets out a bitter smile as she sees Mion proud and happy about Zion.