Ch.6161. Homecoming (2)

“Good. That’s it.”

Lucien wiped away the holy water she had placed around them, finishing the consecration work.

Yuria, who had been sitting carefully inside the circular barrier with the names of the Lightbearers written in sequence, slowly sheathed the Severer she had been holding.

‘…It should have slowed down a bit.’

Lucien looked with worried eyes at Yuria, who was wearing the starlight circlet.

A “white stem” extending from the Severer’s sheath had climbed up to Yuria’s wrist.

This was something that hadn’t been there before—evidence that the curse was beginning to erode her body from keeping the Severer attached for too long.

At least by sticking close to her and repeating the consecration and purification work daily, they were drastically slowing its progress, but that cursed relic was still rooting itself like a disease in her sister’s body.

“…”

The Severer. One of the oldest relics discovered by humanity.

If its curse progresses to completion and fully consumes the user, records say only that “God’s miracle” will descend upon the earth.

From the beginning, her sister was an artificial life created by the Pope with the intention of being devoured by it.

That’s why it was physically impossible to separate it from her body. It had been that way since she first grasped the sword.

‘…If.’

If Yuria had been “devoured” according to the Pope’s intentions and became a “scapegoat” forced to “merge” with her…

What would she look like now?

The mere thought was chilling.

While she was thinking about this, Yuria began to move hesitantly.

Despite wearing the starlight circlet, it was clear she was acting with instinctive caution—a habit ingrained over many years.

“…”

Lucien approached carefully, one step at a time, in case an accident might occur.

She couldn’t risk getting within three steps, or something might go wrong.

But there was no reaction even when she entered the danger zone. Lucien, who had been preparing a holy blessing just in case, smiled with relief.

“…!”

Yuria smiled brightly and threw herself into Lucien’s arms.

She rubbed her head against Lucien’s body several times, as if seeking comfort.

“Yes. It’s okay now that we’re together. I won’t run away either.”

Lucien chuckled and stroked her head.

It was a heartwarming moment that made her earlier worries seem unfounded.

They had been able to touch each other like this for several days now, but every time was like this. Like a puppy reunited with its owner after a long separation—

“…”

Even to herself, that wasn’t an appropriate comparison to make about her sister.

Startled by her own irreverent thought, Lucien habitually made the sign of the cross and muttered a prayer.

“…Sister?”

Yuria tilted her head curiously at this behavior. Seeing that innocent expression only intensified Lucien’s guilt.

With trembling lips, Lucien finally managed to speak.

“Um, Yuria. Why don’t we take off that collar first…?”

Honestly, it was no wonder such thoughts came to mind when she kept wearing something like that.

But rather than agreeing, Yuria’s expression clouded slightly at the suggestion.

“…Why?”

“…”

Lucien wanted to ask why that question even needed to be asked.

“No, but… it’s a gift from Darwood…”

As Yuria fidgeted with the collar using both hands while mumbling her answer, a throbbing headache visited Lucien.

It was always like this.

Yuria would obediently listen to whatever else Lucien said, but whenever this topic came up, she would stubbornly resist like this.

“Sister, do you dislike Darwood?”

Wouldn’t disliking him be normal?

Putting a collar on someone else’s sister, and though it couldn’t be helped, using it to throw people around like objects!

“…”

And yet, if asked whether she disliked him, she would definitely answer no.

Despite not understanding his intentions, he was undeniably helping the sisters with what seemed like dedication.

-You can stay at the Academy for the time being.

She remembered hearing those words not long ago.

Shortly after resolving the matter with Valkarsus, he had delivered official documents from the Holy Empire and said that.

-For now, the Holy Empire won’t be able to properly consider interfering with you, so please stay with Yuria and do your best to prevent the Severer from consuming you further.

She remembered being so dumbfounded that she couldn’t even ask how he had obtained those documents.

She didn’t know what he had done to the Pope, but it seemed like they were willing to grant whatever that man wanted within reason.

With such abilities and still trying his best to help them, there was no reason to dislike him.

“I don’t dislike him.”

“Then…”

“But I don’t like him either…!”

When she snapped that response, Yuria tilted her head in confusion.

“Why are you angry?”

“…”

In truth, as Yuria said, there was no need to deny it so vehemently.

But simply admitting that she viewed that man favorably felt like losing somehow.

“…It’s complicated.”

“Hmm, talking about Darwood makes me miss him.”

But her reaction didn’t seem to bother Yuria much, judging by how quickly she changed the subject.

It was always like this. Yuria could be apart from that man for about half a day without saying much.

But after a full day, she would noticeably become anxious, and after two days, she would start actively searching for him.

That man, who had said he was leaving for somewhere today, had probably said he would return within two days with this in mind.

“Anyway, let’s go. We’ve finished everything we need to do here.”

With that, Lucien calmly took her hand and headed into the corridor.

After completing their work like this, they always had to report to the Academy staff member who had lent them the room.

“Oh my- you finished early today?”

“I’m always grateful for your help, Lady Ophelia.”

Lucien bowed to the female knight with flowing blonde hair.

This relaxed dormitory supervisor for new students always lent them an empty room so they could work without being disturbed.

“…But what are you doing?”

Lucien asked, looking at the large wooden door panel in Ophelia’s hands.

True to her status as a knight, she was managing to move such a large object by herself, but why was something like that being transported in the corridor?

“Oh- there was a bit of an accident in the dormitory-“

“An accident?”

“The hinges on one side of a room broke- this is a spare to fix it-“

“Why would someone do that?”

“Two female students heard they would both be going home for the pilgrimage at the same time and got quite angry- they broke down the door to get in- that male student is really something-“

“…”

How strange.

Even though she hadn’t heard any names, she had a very strong feeling about who was involved. A saint’s intuition, perhaps.

“…Was it Darwood Campbell by any chance?”

“Oh, that student must be getting famous-“

Well, that figures.

See? There’s a reason she was wary of that man—

“Somehow even important people have been asking about that student’s whereabouts- his recognition has suddenly increased lately-“

“…Pardon?”

Once again, thanks to her saintly intuition, a chilling sensation ran down Lucien’s spine.

“Yes, there were several people asking if that student was returning to the Campbell Barony-“

“…May I know who they were?”

“Well, it’s not particularly confidential, so that’s fine-“

Lucien received the documents Ophelia handed over and read them all thoroughly with sharp eyes.

Then she folded them in half and returned them to Ophelia.

Unlike before, her hands were trembling.

“…Yuria.”

“Yes?”

“You said you wanted to see Darwood?”

“Y-yes? What about it?”

“Good timing. I think we need to go see him right now.”

“…”

So suddenly?

Out of nowhere?

Even Yuria was dumbfounded, her mouth slightly open, as Lucien turned her head back to Ophelia.

“Lady Ophelia.”

“Yeees?”

“Is there direct transportation from the Academy to the Campbell Barony?”

“I think there should be a train at the central plaza-“

“Thank you, Lady Ophelia!”

With that, Lucien immediately turned and ran.

Seeing even Yuria being dragged along in confusion, Ophelia tilted her head and asked:

“But why are you going there-?”

“An urgent matter has suddenly come up!”

As a saint, she could state with certainty:

It was already chaotic enough that he had gone down with the Hero Candidate and the Tristan Princess.

But if all the people listed in these documents were to gather in one place…

“If we’re not careful, the entire Campbell Barony might disappear!”

That answer trailed behind Lucien as she ran with all her might.

●

< Mastery Info >

[ Trait: Alchemy – Basic ][ Grade: Basic ]

[ Proficiency: 0% ]

[ You can engrave lines on your body by sacrificing a medium. Depending on the shape of the lines engraved on your body, you can form arrays with different effects. ]

[ ■ Only living creatures can be used as mediums. ]

[ ■ You can currently engrave a maximum of 3 lines. ]

[ ■ The power of the array increases with the number of lines. ]

[ ■ Increasing proficiency will increase the number of lines you can engrave and the types of arrays you can form. ]

I read through the window with serious eyes.

Certainly, if the world’s greatest alchemist is giving a trait, this would be it.

It’s a bit unusual that it came in the form of a trait rather than a skill, but this explains why.

With three lines, I’m probably limited to drawing one array.

The fact that only living creatures can be used as mediums is somewhat concerning.

‘Even this is a great gain.’

But just seeing the power of alchemy that Valkarsus demonstrated when fighting me, being able to use it myself is a huge merit.

Being able to designate effects according to combinations is also attractive.

A powerful technique that can be deployed instantly shows terrifying destructive power in the hands of a skilled user.

Even though I can only use one for now, that’s something I can solve by raising proficiency.

‘If I had enough accumulated, I would have immediately started raising proficiency.’

With that thought, I switch windows.

< System Log >

[ You achieved decent results in battle with buffs placed on ‘Party Members’! ]

[ AP will be awarded! ]

[ You can increase the proficiency of desired traits through AP! ]

These were accumulated during the battle with Valkarsus.

I had also accumulated some during the midterm exam when facing numerous students, but now I have less than half that amount.

In terms of difficulty, Valkarsus was much harder, but when it comes to “results,” it tends to be determined more by the “number” of opponents handled rather than their strength.

To benefit from proficiency with this, I need to accumulate more—

“Are you escaping reality, young master?”

“…”

Hermann’s words from across pulled my consciousness back to reality.

The elderly butler, who always carried a gentle atmosphere, was looking at me with eyes that seemed to prick like needles.

I avoid his gaze silently as I answer.

“What do you mean by that?”

“…I’m wondering if this situation can be salvaged.”

Hermann pointed to the two carriages that were sticking close to either side of my carriage.

To be fair, it’s not such an unusual sight to warrant that comment.

After getting off the train, traveling by carriage like this is common, so the local residents wouldn’t have any particular reaction to the carriages themselves.

However.

If there were people who could recognize that the emblems engraved on both sides of those carriages were the emblems of the “Kendrid Margrave Family” and the “Tristan Ducal Family”…

They would immediately realize how bizarre this situation is.

For these two to appear simultaneously, it would normally require at least an important event at the Imperial Palace.

It’s definitely not a sight one would expect to see in a baron’s territory.

“…”

No.

I’m really confused too.

It’s been like this since this morning when my door was smashed and I was dragged out with Elia and Elnore each grabbing one of my arms, but I truly didn’t expect that they would have their “family carriages” waiting in advance.

Elnore seemed to have had tremendous interest in this event for a while, but I didn’t expect Elia to be the same.

‘…That’s really no joke.’

Bringing out items bearing a family emblem to visit someone else’s territory has a much more serious meaning than one might think.

This isn’t something that can be dismissed as just friends visiting each other’s hometowns.

This is essentially a declaration of intent for “official exchange” between “families.”

In other words.

Both of them want to have quite “serious conversations” in the place where my family is.

“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to go ahead and prepare the Baron for their arrival. I think we need to make arrangements to receive these guests.”

As the lord’s castle was starting to come into view, Hermann brought this up.

“…Go ahead.”

“Young master.”

When I turned my head slightly to look at Hermann, the elderly butler was looking at me with concerned eyes.

“I won’t blame you. As someone who has served you for a long time, I didn’t believe you when you said you would live inconspicuously at Elphante. I thought from the beginning that something like this would happen.”

“…Really?”

“Probably none of the territory’s residents believed it either. How could someone who would intimidate others with just a glance live like a mouse…”

“…”

“Of course, even taking that into account, the young ladies from the other families are a bit… overwhelming.”

Hermann continued with a sigh.

“So if you want to resolve this without hurting either side, you’ll have to work hard. I believe you can manage somehow, young master.”

“…”

I inwardly sigh as I watch Hermann get off the carriage and head toward the lord’s castle after saying that.

Yes.

I agree with that a hundred times over.

The one fortunate thing is:

As I’ve mentioned before, the “Pilgrimage Homecoming Event” is the only timing that can mediate between these two who bicker throughout the scenario.

“…”

Of course, thinking about what that entails, I’ll have some trouble. As Hermann said.

Mulling over these thoughts, I get off the carriage, and the familiar scent of home circles through my nostrils.

Both Elia and Elnore also get off their carriages in sync with my timing.

“…”

“…”

“…”

A chill pervades the air.

Elia and Elnore never seemed to get along particularly well, but now there was tension like walking on thin ice.

They probably understand what it means to bring out their family carriages.

The situation was so tense that all three of us walked without saying a word until we entered the lord’s castle.

“…”

This is killing me.

We need something to break this atmosphere.

Even if it’s a bit rough, anything…!

“You worm, how many times did I tell you to take care of this already? Huh?”

“…As I told you, Viscount Goldic. I cannot accommodate what you’re asking.”

“…”

Well, I was hoping for something to break the tension, but not quite this rough.

Peeking my head into my father’s office, I saw my father with a troubled expression and a fat man hurling insults at him.

‘Viscount Goldic…’

I know him.

A nobleman from a neighboring territory. The lord of Goldic territory, which focuses on mining.

I heard he’s been constantly demanding that we sell the iron vein within our territory, which he’s had his eye on.

I know my father has been quite stressed about it.

“Then where are the residents of that territory supposed to live?”

“That’s not my concern. Perhaps they should blame their own circumstances for being under a mere baron trash like you?”

Over the image of my father silently closing his mouth, Viscount Goldic continued with a sinister smile.

“Or should I forcibly evict them myself? Hm? Don’t you know who’s backing me?”

“…Viscount. They are all innocent, good people.”

But this time it seems much worse than usual.

He was rough but used to keep within certain boundaries, so I don’t understand why he’s being so outrageously disrespectful now.

“What’s going on here?”

As I entered the office saying that, my father turned to look at me with an expression that said he’d made a mistake.

He clearly didn’t want to show this mess to his son who had just returned home.

“Welcome back, Darwood. You must be tired from your journey, so why don’t you rest first—”

“No, this is perfect. Your son, I hear he’s capable enough to enter Elphante? I’d rather talk with him instead. Talking with you is so frustrating—”

As the Viscount tried to approach me, he frowned at the two figures that blocked his path.

“…What’s this?”

“Your attitude is quite insolent; it’s hard to see it as befitting a nobleman. It would be better if you calmed down and stated your business.”

“I agree.”

Elnore and Elia said with slightly distorted expressions.

“I don’t know what’s happening, but insulting others like this isn’t—”

“Ha. If they’re women brought by a baron’s son, they must belong to insignificant families. Hey, move aside.”

Viscount Goldic continued with his sinister smile.

“I have business with that trash’s son, not with you.”

A chill ran down my spine as soon as I heard those words.

No, I’m not angry because he insulted me.

I don’t care if I get insulted, though insulting my father is another matter.

But.

After hearing those words just now.

I instinctively felt that both women in front of me were simultaneously ‘insanely angry.’

“…Trash’s son and women from insignificant families, is it.”

Elnore said with a smirk. Elia also let out a disbelieving chuckle.

But.

“You’ve insulted my precious one, his family, and even my own family, sir.”

“Oh yes. Almost the exact same words apply to me as well.”

Neither Elnore who spoke those words, nor Elia who added to them,

Had eyes that were smiling at all.

“I assume you’ve made your preparations?”

A chill flows through the air.

Unlike before, however, it’s not an atmosphere stemming from tension between them.

It’s a coldness born of hostility toward a ‘target on which to pour out emotions.’

“…”

I unconsciously take one step back.

Because I could instinctively feel that a ‘blue’ disaster was about to unfold.

●