Ch.287287. Blessing

The day after Goben arrived.

I was deliberately having a meal together with Illuania and Goben.

If it were Greyfond or Robern, I would have headed to a high-end restaurant, but since there were no such elegant establishments in Norsweden.

I simply made a special request to the family chef to serve carefully selected ingredients and dishes.

“D-Delicious!”

Goben was eating it hurriedly.

I knew he wouldn’t know proper table manners.

I didn’t expect it either.

I had no intention of scolding him for devouring his food so urgently that “voracious” would be an apt description.

But Illuania, sitting next to him, was feeling rather guilty.

“Please… eat a bit slower.”

Illuania finally couldn’t hold back her comment. Goben’s fork paused, and he lowered his head while glancing at me.

“I-I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve never had anything this delicious before.”

“It’s fine. Eat to your heart’s content.”

I had no intention of criticizing his eating habits. Illuania’s expression remained dark.

She bowed her head apologetically to me without Goben noticing and continued with her meal.

After the meal came tea time.

It had been a while since I’d had tea not brewed by Findenai, so I savored the aroma preciously as I got to the main point.

“I heard you haven’t decided yet.”

“Yes…”

“Ahem.”

Goben cleared his throat as if he had something to say, then boldly declared while beating his chest.

“I know I may not seem reliable.”

“…”

“But. But you see. I truly cherish Illuania.”

He was a passionate man.

Perhaps it was from cutting steak just now, but his body was brimming with energy.

“I used to live as a thug. Back then, I just lived without knowing anything, going with the flow.”

It felt like listening to the testimony of a reformed religious person. It wasn’t too bad.

I interlaced my fingers on the table and listened attentively to his story.

“Yes, that’s right. During the time I was living like a fool, I shared love with Illuania and got her pregnant.”

“…”

“I wasn’t thinking much then. I knew Illuania’s charm, but for her, the relationship with me was just part of her work.”

Goben added, saying, “And then.”

“Colton, do you remember him?”

“Yes, he was the gang leader in Norsweden.”

A big shot who sold not just prostitution but also alcohol, and even drugs.

Originally, when I was Deus, we couldn’t arrest him freely because he maintained a close relationship with drugs, which is why Darius and Deia couldn’t apprehend him.

But after I changed, I personally arrested him.

It was also an incident that followed my first meeting with Illuania.

“When Colton was arrested, I realized many things. Being nothing more than a petty criminal, I served a short sentence and came out a new person.”

His expression seemed genuinely like someone who had met God and repented.

[It doesn’t seem like he’s lying.]

Stella, who was standing by my side, also lent weight to his testimony.

“I became a coachman, using the skills I had from pulling carriages and being a lackey in the gang. My efforts were recognized, and I even joined a large organization called the Wellington Company!”

A success story of sorts, from a low-ranking gang member to a coachman for a massive company.

He clenched his fist tightly and trembled.

“In the midst of that, I came to Norsweden. I was delivering goods to the Republic of Clark.”

“Did you happen to hear about Illuania while stopping by Norsweden?”

He nodded vigorously, saying that was exactly it.

“That’s right! Judging by the timing… you, Spiritmaster, were away at the time. Illuania spent almost all her time with me then.”

Goben spoke cautiously.

I realized that in Goben’s eyes, I might appear as someone unwilling to let Illuania go.

After all, the original Deus truly loved her.

Illuania gave a bitter smile and held back her words. There was no need to explain my current state to Goben.

[…..]

I felt warmth on my back.

Stella, who was beside me, had subtly pressed against me.

As if saying she wouldn’t let me be taken away.

If I were alone, I would have said something, but I let it pass for now.

“Don’t worry about me. My relationship with Illuania is over, and I only wish for her to live a stable life.”

“I-I see!”

His expression visibly brightened.

Goben, having gained courage, spoke even faster.

“The moment I heard the news, something struck my heart! While I was satisfied with my life as a coachman, an even greater sense of fulfillment came to me!”

“…”

“I want to take responsibility! For Illuania and her child. My past self might not have been right, but it’s no lie that I truly loved her.”

It was a passionate courtship.

I could understand why Illuania had wavered.

She said she would have accepted him right away if Darius hadn’t intervened.

“Tomorrow, I have to drive the carriage back to the Republic of Clark. It’s not too far, so I can return in a week! And I’ll earn a lot of money!”

His tone was confident yet bold. It wasn’t hard to tell he was sincere.

“I understand your feelings.”

“Thank you so much for understanding.”

Goben stood up from his chair and bowed deeply. This time, he looked towards Illuania.

“What do you think?”

“I…”

Illuania, who had been looking down at the table, hesitated for a moment before answering honestly.

“I’d like Sebia to have a father.”

“I see.”

If that’s what she wanted, there was no reason for me to stop them anymore.

“I sincerely wish blessings upon your future together.”

“Thank you!”

“…”

Goben smiled brightly while Illuania looked apologetic towards me.

I shook my head, telling her not to make such an expression.

“Come to me if you need help. I’ll support you in any way I can.”

“Y-You’d go that far!”

“That’s too much.”

Both of their eyes widened in surprise. Having the Spiritmaster, who directly served the king, as a backer was quite something.

But.

A faint smile formed on my face without me realizing it, and I said,

“It’s a request from a man who loved you very much. I owe him a great debt.”

The wish that Deus Verdi had when he handed over his body.

I was willing to do anything to fulfill it.

“So, Goben.”

I was sincere.

I sincerely hoped he would be a good man. I could say I wanted it even more than Illuania did.

“I will protect you both.”

I looked Goben in the eyes.

His pupils were rippling with emotion.

“You, make them happy.”

This was the only request I could make.

* * *

“Nothing?”

Deia, who was disassembling and cleaning her gun thinking it might be time to use it soon, looked at Findenai who had come to report.

Findenai also scratched the back of her head in embarrassment as she answered.

“Yeah. There’s nothing? He’s really just an ordinary courier. He even has a good reputation.”

“B-But he’s a variable?”

Deia was perplexed. She had definitely thought there would be some scheme, but there was nothing?

Deia wondered if her once sharp instincts had dulled somewhat.

“Wellington Company, was it? There might be something there. Big organizations usually have shady backings.”

“R-Right.”

“But this Goben guy is clean. He has a criminal record, but that was created when the boss dealt with the Norsweden gang. After that, he just worked hard?”

“A r-real variable.”

“That’s what I’m saying. It’s strange. Usually, those types don’t clean up so well.”

Findenai put a cigarette in her mouth. Deia frowned, but pretended not to see and lit it.

“Ah, damn.”

She was already uneasy, and now this was irritating her. She wanted to reassemble the gun and shoot him in the head right away.

“Hey.”

In the midst of this, Deia had a strange thought.

“Huff, what?”

The desire to question why a maid would speak that way to her master’s younger sister had disappeared long ago.

Deia put down the cleaning tools she was using and asked.

“Did Deus give any separate instructions? Like a background check?”

“Hmm? The boss didn’t ask for anything like that?”

“…”

The question ‘Why?’ naturally spread through her mind. A man who would react most sensitively to anything related to Illuania and Sebia.

Why hadn’t he shown any action?

‘Could he have known I would make a move?’

If so, it felt like she had been played, which made her feel a bit dirty.

“Haa, well, I guess he knows something. He could at least explain a bit, it wouldn’t hurt.”

“The boss is like that.”

Findenai exhaled cigarette smoke with a “hoo.” She seemed to have become somewhat emotional too.

“Will Illuania continue working here?”

“Who knows. Her husband has a decent job, so wouldn’t it be better for her to quit and focus on raising the child?”

“I guess so?”

Findenai agreed with Deia’s opinion and put the cigarette back in her mouth.

She exhaled her personal regret along with the cigarette smoke.