~Chapter 115~
This really… isn’t something money can pay back.
That was my first thought before I finally spoke.
“Penny, thank you so much for what you did.”
“Oh, no need for thanks.”
“But… next time, you don’t have to go this far.”
She really had no fear at all! Now I understood why Gideon treated Penny the way he did.
At my unexpected reaction, Penny’s mouth fell wide open. A moment later, she found her voice and shouted,
“There’s not nearly enough praise!”
Standing beside us, Gideon chimed in, backing me up.
“Of course. She’s right.”
“Uncle, you’re terrible…”
I patted the sulking Penny’s head, then turned to Ricardo.
“……”
His eyes, calm and still, were like the quiet center of a storm.
“Aha. Now I get it.”
At that moment, Gideon broke the silence.
“Seems I had a prejudice against the Roygin family.”
“…And it’s broken now?”
“Somewhat.”
He gave a faint smile and dispelled the soundproofing spell. Then he called out to the alchemist waiting outside.
“Tell the others they’ll be getting an early vacation.”
“…Vacation? Are you sure?”
When Gideon nodded, the woman sighed deeply. From her wide sleeves she pulled out bottles of potions, scattering them onto the floor.
The liquid quickly soaked into the ground, leaving no trace. The once clean underground waterway now gave off a foul smell, and the entire tent vanished.
Each time I blinked, the underground market I had known disappeared bit by bit.
When even the last traces were gone, Gideon pinched his nose and spoke nasally,
“This place reeks. Let’s move.”
***
After that, we passed through wall after wall.
From decorated interior walls in the capital to hidden barriers, we kept moving without pause.
“These are secret passages alchemists often use. No toll fees this way!”
Finally, at what must have been our destination, Gideon let out a relieved sigh and collapsed into a chair.
“No time for pleasantries. Let’s get straight to the point.”
He no longer looked like a wandering alchemist, but like a true representative of the Rowein family.
Ricardo seemed to understand the situation roughly. Then, as I stood uncertainly, he gestured for me to sit beside him.
“Well, well. Are you really the duke I know? Even your actions lately don’t feel very much like you.”
Ricardo brushed off his words, unimpressed.
“You didn’t bring me here just to report me to the emperor, did you?”
“Why would I bother with that kind of hassle?”
Gideon sighed again, his face complicated.
“Ha… I really must’ve lost my mind. No doubt about it.”
“Uncle’s always like this!”
“…Be quiet.”
He sighed again and again, but since he had led us here, his decision was clear enough.
“…With my father already working to clear the Duke’s name, I can’t bring him more disgrace.”
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.”
“Some noble houses also believe His Majesty’s judgment went too far.”
At that, Ricardo finally gave a faint smile.
“So you do realize how reckless it all is. To openly defy the emperor.”
“Defy…? Isn’t the Rowein house doing the same?”
Gideon opened his mouth but no words came out.
“I don’t even know who I’m scolding anymore… But you must admit, Duke, that you acted recklessly.”
“I do admit it. But if I hadn’t, the knights of Hessen wouldn’t have followed me.”
“…But you’re their lord. One command should have been enough.”
Gideon sounded doubtful.
By then, it was late at night. Penny was nodding off, her head bobbing as she fought sleep.
Meanwhile, Gideon spread a map on the desk and pointed to a spot.
“It would be best to disrupt the imperial communication network in the west first.”
“That’s already handled.”
Ricardo moved his hand away.
“Luckily, there are others who’ve also chosen to side with me.”
As they continued speaking, I picked up the dozing Penny and quietly left the room.
***
I must have drifted off too, while putting Penny to bed.
I remembered leaning uncomfortably against the bed frame, but when I woke, I was lying down properly, a blanket tucked neatly over me.
Outside the window, dawn was already breaking. I shook off the haze of sleep and stepped into the hall.
At the far end, I saw Ricardo’s back as he walked away.
“Ricardo.”
He turned, startled.
“Why aren’t you resting…?”
“Did the discussion end well?”
“…Yes.”
“That’s a relief.”
I smiled. Ricardo stared at me for a long moment, unable to look away.
“It’s thanks to you.”
“I didn’t do it for thanks.”
I only wanted to stop the future I dreaded. Ricardo had acted in my place, carrying that burden.
“If you hadn’t gone after the Tower Master, none of this would’ve been possible.”
Thinking back, the last time we’d seen each other…
The memory filled my head. Ricardo seemed to be thinking the same; his eyes shifted awkwardly.
Our gazes slipped past each other. After a pause, I spoke.
“I didn’t ignore what you said that time.”
“I know.”
“I know you meant it, too.”
I swallowed, carefully watching him. Words slipped out—whether from courage or frustration, I couldn’t tell.
“…I don’t even know what I truly want.”
Once I said it, the truth became clear.
I’d believed I had the right answer. That it was the only thing I truly desired.
But now, at this most important moment, my hesitation proved otherwise.
Yes, I had to admit it now.
I don’t know the answer.
Maybe I had been brainwashing myself—telling myself over and over that I had to go back home.
That hesitation led only to inaction, leaving me wandering without a path.
Like walking endlessly across a vast, open sea.
And yet, one thing was certain.
At the very least, I didn’t want this world to collapse.
Maybe… I’ve grown to like it here, even just a little.
I had realized this long ago, but kept ignoring it. Now, I regretted it bitterly.
Embarrassed, ashamed—even a little disgusted with myself.
I was about to ask him to wait for my answer, but Ricardo spoke first.
“After winter comes spring.”
“……”
“Everyone knew that, but foolish me—I never realized.”
“That’s…”
“Do you think I’m a fool for it?”
My face hardened instantly.
“Of course not.”
“I feel the same about you. I only…”
He paused.
“I only pray that the one who gave me spring will also be touched by sunlight.”
“…Ha.”
Once again, he left me speechless.
Then, with a playful tone, Ricardo added,
“What’s wrong? Did I move you? It’s okay if you cry.”
“…I’d rather you hadn’t said that part. And besides, I’m not a crybaby like you.”
He chuckled softly.
“It was a selfish wish, just hoping you’d feel lighter in heart. So as I said before—you don’t have to answer me.”
“……”
“Living true to my own nature feels better. So, you should also follow your heart.”
