Chapter 39 – Marian’s Proposal

Marian’s Proposal

‘I suddenly feel uneasy for some reason… I wonder what’s wrong.’

“Saint, you don’t look well. Are you perhaps feeling unwell?”
“No, I was just a bit dizzy. I’m fine now, so don’t worry about it. Anyway, what were we talking about?”
The attendant resumed the conversation at Lister’s words.

“Ah. Yes. I’ll explain again. Something strange happened near Klinber, and the Green Guard has requested that we dispatch investigation personnel from the temple.”
“Something strange?”
“Yes. According to the report, a merchant traveling between Ronsville and Klinber suddenly attacked the people around him in his caravan.”

In normal cases, this kind of incident would be handed over to the Green Guard. It’s just a simple murder case after all.
But the reason they requested investigation personnel from our side must be because there’s a good reason for it.
‘…They wouldn’t call it strange just for that alone, right?’
Having thought that far, Lister asked the attendant again.

“Please tell me more details. They wouldn’t have asked for our investigation personnel just for that alone.”
“…Understood. According to the testimony of the Green Guard members who responded, the perpetrator’s body was grotesquely transformed, reminiscent of a demon. They managed to subdue him with difficulty.”
It was certainly a strange incident. To be reminiscent of a demon.
‘…He might have made a contract with a demon.’

Even now, after the war with the Demon King has ended, surviving demons still remain in various parts of the continent.

‘Cherny-san is like that too.’
Although Cherny, who is with Ariel, is a special case, we can’t say there are no demons hiding in places with few people, like her.
After listening to the attendant’s report and finishing her thoughts, Lister spoke.

“I understand. Since it might be related to demons, let’s dispatch Father Celestian and Father Iorin. It could be dangerous for regular priests.”
“Understood. I will issue the orders immediately.”
The attendant then left the reception room. Soon, only Lister with her complicated feelings was left alone there.
“I miss Ariel.”
Looking at the sky that was clear until just now but had suddenly become cloudy, Lister quietly muttered.

A month after the incident where I fell asleep drunk in front of the kids,
Puel and I were spending time in a lush forest, enjoying the cool breeze.
‘It’s refreshing.’
The forest is always peaceful.
Pleasant birdsong, a refreshing breeze that cools the body, a fawn running through the bushes.

“Kieeeeeek!!!”
…And a small magical beast eating that fawn.
“Where did that come from again.”
I quickly dealt with it and cleaned up before Puel could notice.
To correct myself, the forest is mostly peaceful.

“Ariel sister, look at this.”
Fortunately, she didn’t seem to have seen me dealing with the magical beast. Puel approached me with an excited expression.
Around her were floating cute wind spirits that weren’t there a moment ago.
“That’s amazing, Puel. As expected, our Puel is a genius!”
“I’m embarrassed…”

She had shown interest in the spirit arts book that Leon had given her on my birthday last time.
Puel, who had learned the basics of spirit arts from Leon when he visited our house with Mona last week, had led me outside today saying she had something to show me.

And this is the situation.
“It’s because Leon brother taught me well.”
Puel answered shyly at my praise, but I immediately denied her words.
“No, you have talent. To communicate with spirits in just a week.”
“R-really?”

Puel lowered her head, blushing slightly at my words.
Even though elves have a great affinity for spirits, a week is literally in the realm of talent.
While Leon’s good teaching played a part, it’s undeniable that Puel has talent in spirit arts.
“…Sister? Is something worrying you?”
“Huh? Ah, no. I just had something to think about.”

Puel spoke with a worried voice towards Ariel who had fallen into thought.
Who wouldn’t be happy to hear that their child is overflowing with talent?
The same goes for Saya. She also has exceptional aptitude for magic.
The problem is how to nurture their talents.

‘…Should I really send them to this ‘Academy’?’
Leon and Mona, who visited last time, said they were preparing to establish an institution called an ‘Academy’.
A public educational institution where everyone is equal regardless of social status or race.
They said it’s facing great difficulties as it directly opposes the Empire’s class system, but they’re pushing forward with the full support of the Third Imperial Princess.

If such a place is established, Puel, who is an elf, and Saya, who is a dragon, could grow and develop their talents like ordinary children.
Then, when the day comes for Saya and Puel to become adults and part ways with me, I could send them off with peace of mind.
“The food is ready!”
We heard Cherny’s voice calling us from inside the house.

“Sister, let’s go quickly.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”

Putting aside my complicated feelings, I held Puel’s hand and headed inside the house.
Delicious smells waft from the kitchen. Cherny said she would prepare lunch today, so it’s quite promising.
“…Huh? Where’s Saya?”
“She’s still reading a magic book in her room. I’ll go get her!”
Cherny, wearing an apron and going to fetch Saya, now completely looks like a housekeeper.

Seeing this, Puel said to me:
“Saya was reading books until late last night.”
For some reason, Saya, who has recently become very interested in magic, was learning magic at a speed that even surprised me.
Given her origins, she’s now at a level where she wouldn’t lose to an apprentice magician from the magic tower.

Saya, who arrived in the kitchen holding Cherny’s hand, sniffed the air.
“It smells delicious.”
“I showed off my skills today. Ahem!”
Cherny spoke boastfully. Looking at the visuals of the food on the table, it’s understandable.
Appetizing steak, meat stew, and chicken salad. These are foods commonly seen on Earth too.
The fact that all the dishes contain meat clearly shows Cherny’s preferences.

After finishing the delicious lunch, while the other children were taking a nap in the bedroom,
“Maybe I should go back to the Adventurer’s Guild soon…”
I fell into thought again, looking at the silver coin purse that was showing its bottom.
Well, it’s not bad if we managed to last a month on one request.
I was thinking I should visit the Adventurer’s Guild tomorrow – just as I was about to get some shut-eye.

“Ariel-nim. Someone is coming here.”
Cherny, who had been sound asleep, suddenly opened her eyes and said to me. Someone must have entered the barrier surrounding the house.
‘Is it someone from the village? Or my party members?’
Not long after Cherny said someone was approaching, we heard a knock on our front door.

“Ariel. Are you in there?”
‘This voice…’
It’s Marian. She had said a few days ago that she would be busy with work and couldn’t visit for a while.
“Marian. What’s the matter?”
When I opened the front door, I saw Marian with a somewhat dark expression.

“It’s difficult to talk about here, but may I come in and speak?”
“Of course.”
I wonder what she wants to talk about. With a bit of uneasiness in my heart, I led Marian to the living room.
“W-welcome. I’ll b-bring some tea.”
“Thank you.”

Cherny spoke to me and Marian with a slightly trembling voice. She still seems scared of Marian. Well, Marian in battle was like a symbol of terror for demons.
We sat facing each other.
“Did your work finish earlier than expected? You said you wouldn’t be able to come for a while.”
“…I wish that were the case, but it hasn’t even started yet.”

Then did she take a vacation? As far as I know, she took a vacation last month, but who would stop her if she said she’s taking a vacation? Marian is the one suffering from the most overwork after all.
“Anyway, since you’re here, take a rest. Puel will be happy. Have you had lunch?”
Puel follows Marian the most after me.
If Puel, who has a kind of admiration for Marian, hears that she’s here, wouldn’t she come running right away?

“…I’ve had lunch. Actually, I came here because I have a favor to ask you.”
“A… favor?”
I wonder what kind of favor she wants to ask. Marian still had a somewhat dark expression. No, looking closely, she seemed a bit nervous too.
‘Is it such a big favor?’

Except for asking to take Saya and Puel away, I’m willing to grant any request. It’s Marian’s request after all.
However, the words that came out of her mouth were shockingly beyond expectations.
“Ariel. Will you marry me?”
Crash.
The sound of a teacup breaking came from the kitchen.