3 bar menu

Chapter 87 Part 3 – What a Simple and Happy Dream

Hearing Countess Rosenthal’s words, father, who was filled with grief and suffering heartache, looked up with a start.

「Cornelia …… could it be?」

Mother nodded.

「Yes, I have your baby inside my belly, Wendell ……」

Father’s eyes and shoulders shook with shock.

「Rona, you …… You have protected so many of my precious treasures ……!! I have no way of repaying your kindness. And yet, you …… will depart soon ……!! I want to kill my pathetic self ……!! …… I don’t even know what to do ……!!」

Countess Rosenthal innocently smiled at father, whose voice was hoarse as he condemned himself.

「I should have thrown myself off that snowy bridge and died a long time ago …… But Wendell-sama, Marielle-san, and the three old men gave me the joy of living …… So, I’m happy. That’s enough …… I’m really glad I was able to repay you ……」

It was even more heartbreaking to hear Countess Rosenthal say so happily. Father covered his face and broke down in tears. Even though she was about to die, she was only concerned about the people she’s going to leave behind. With a smile, she encouraged mother.

「…… I wish I could have helped you more, but …… I have to say goodbye here ……. …… But I’m not worried. You are strong. You won’t lose to anyone. Both as a wife and as a mother. …… You have the acknowledgement …… of the poisonous scorpion of high society ……」

Her smile was as clear as the blue sky.

She was prepared for anything that can happen to herself and has welcomed this ending. And now she is about to pass away with satisfaction. But is this really okay? Is there nothing more we can do for her?

I bit my lip so hard in frustration that it bled.

‘…… Princess Scarlet, leave this to us.’

The hoarse voices of the reliable warriors echoed inside my head. The Ruby of the True Emperor emitted an intense light and the flames that swirled around took the form of strong men. They are the spirits of the Light Bat Tribe. They have resurrected ……!!

「W-what!? The flames have taken on the form of a human ……!?」

Shouted the dumbfounded Bradd.

Oh, that reminds me. This is the first time for everyone to meet them in person.

Seraphy muttered.

「That outfit is …… Could it be that they are members of the Light Bat Tribe that was hailed as the strongest on the continent 500 years ago ……」

Ah, the spirits of the Light Bat Tribe puffed out their chests a little happily.

「The strongest!? Are you serious!!」

Idiot-nold, you’re going to complicate things if you come out, so just be quiet for a while.

「You guys, until now why did you ……」

I could see them exchanging glances with each other awkwardly in response to my question.

‘We were sealed up due to certain circumstances. My apologies for this oversight.’

Yeah, it’s okay. I’m sure that the spirits’ world has its own circumstances. There must be things they can’t talk about. More importantly, I’m glad everyone is back.

‘…… Princess Scarlet, thank you. You know how to inspire warriors. You are indeed worthy of our loyalty ……’

The spirits of the Light Bat Tribe trembled with deep emotions, knelt reverently in front of me, and bowed their heads. As always, their actions are exaggerated and a bit embarrassing. This makes me look like a queen being waited upon by her loyal subjects. Oh, I was a queen previously, so I guess it’s all right.

‘In the name of Princess Scarlet, we would like to present a gift befitting the departure of a woman who lived a noble life ……’

And the Light Bat Tribe did a job that lived up to their declaration.

The entire area was bathed in an intense, nostalgic light like a golden wheat field.
In the midst of it, a heart-wrenching and gentle scene emerged.

…… In a room with a fireplace, everyone was chatting happily around mother. It looked familiar. This is the private living room of the Duke’s mansion where our family can relax.

Mary and Countess Rosenthal were standing next to mother, who was lounging in her favorite rattan chair. No, can I even refer to that person as Countess Rosenthal …… She was proudly wearing the same maid outfit as Mary. In her arms, my younger brothers, wrapped in their swaddling clothes, were resting calmly and comfortably, as if they were saying that this is where they belong.

The mother in the illusion smiled bitterly.

『…… These kids are smiling so happily. They really like Rona-san. You two, I’m your mother. Don’t forget that. I wish I could interact with these kids more ……』

Wearing a maid outfit, Countess Rosenthal …… Rona shook her head.

『Madam is the flower of high society. So that can’t be helped. Both the Duke and madam are very busy in their private and public lives. But I’m sure that madam’s love has reached the children.』

『Well, I’m glad to hear that ……』

The two looked at each other and laughed. The depth of their relationship was evident.

Father, who was happily watching the conversation, bowed his head to Rona.

『Thank you. Rona. Ever since I was a child, you have always served and supported me. And now you’re also supporting my wife and children. Even when I was away, I was able to leave the house in your hands with peace of mind. I thank you once again.』

Rona panicked.

『I don’t deserve such words ……!! It’s us, siblings, who should be thanking you!! You have even provided us with a way to live with this job …… If the Duke had not picked us up that day, we would surely have died in the wild ……!!』

Rona was in tears.

As I watched that illusion, I felt like crying.

This is the future she would have had if she had been able to always live beside father and be called Rona. I realized that this was a world where she didn’t have to live as Countess Rosenthal.

Marielle was also alive there.

『…… What a worrisome child you are, Rona-chan. No matter how much time has passed, you are still a crybaby.』

『But that’s because ……!! …… Marielle-san ……!!』

『Yes yes, good girl, good girl. Fufu, when I do this, Rona-chan would remember her childhood like it was yesterday.』

It was somewhat funny to see Marielle, a little gray-haired but still young looking, stroking the head of the tall Rona who was cutely puffing her cheeks. The three old warriors looked at them with a warm gaze. And they were not the only ones alive.

『Ah, Nee-chan is crying again. She would immediately become like this whenever she recalls the day we met the duke. We have already become excellent adults.』

The robust, tanned, and muscular Teddy teased Rona. He was wearing a distinctive red and blue body armor. His appearance indicated that he was able to join the Imperial Guards, which was his dream.

Inside the memories that we saw, Teddy’s leg was broken by his own father and he could no longer walk. He was constantly crying, frustrated that he had become a burden to Rona. He and his other brother, Ronny, met an extremely sad end.

However, in this world, they were able to avoid getting caught up in the schemes of the Inquisition official Matthew. Father’s protection arrived in time before their evil hands could reach them. And with Marielle’s treatment, Teddy’s leg was completely healed.

This is the original lively Teddy, who could take on a hundred people his own age and not lose a fight and who has never been defeated by anyone in a running race.

That being said, the grown-up Teddy still can’t compare to the three old warriors who had long military service.

The brown-bearded Bill laughed uproariously.

『You talk so big. Teddy, you’re still a greenhorn in the Imperial Guards. You’re only at a point where you can gain a single point from such an old geezer. Even though you are the fastest in the group in terms of running away. At your current state, I can’t possibly trust you to guard the young lord as our successor.』

With his arms folded, the black-bearded Bobby nodded in agreement.

『Yeah, I completely agree. You’ll have to do one more training session today. You have to at least get into the top ranks of the Imperial Guards, otherwise we’ll be too ashamed to stand in front of the young lord and Rona.』

『That hellish special training again!? Please give me a break!! The hurdle is too high!! Aren’t those in the top ranks of the strongest Imperial Guards all monstrously strong people!?』

Teddy grumbled at the outrageous declaration of the demon instructors. This made him look younger than his age. He is just like Rona, who was firm but became childish in front of Marielle. This is the life they would have had if they had been raised by reliable guardians that can watch over them.