Let’s Block the Ruined Route in Advance

Eileen looked at the mountain of gifts that’s yet to come and racked her brain.

 

No matter how confused she was, she couldn’t come to a conclusion because she didn’t know the whole story. Eileen stared at her gift with a blank face.

 

In her hand was a robe that was completely fireproof and a ring that was imb

ued with divine power to ward off Magi. Eileen’s confusion was compounded by the seemingly valuable items.

 “Why on earth would anyone want…?” 

There were many other small gifts of holy water, fine silks, jewelry, and more, but it was the sword that made the biggest impression on Cordelia. After the priest left, the children excitedly discussed their gifts.

 “The sword is bigger now that I’ve given it real spirit power! Look at the different colors.” “Look at this blade. I have the aura of an Auror.” 

Lucian and Cordelia, both sword nerds by nature, were glued to their swords, admiring them, while Felix stared at the earring artifact that nullified the psychic magic he’d been given, and fingered his earlobe.

 “Well, I guess I’d better make good use of what I’ve been given.” 

An exasperated Eileen was about to say to Felix.

 “Wow, the boys like us. I thought you were crying your eyes out for your old man.” “Sir!!” 

Eileen’s eyes widened as she realized who had opened the door, a dark green haired man grinning from ear to ear.

 

Orgen was back.

  

***

  

After disappearing for some reason after Theresia’s funeral, Orgen had reappeared just as strangely as the day he had left.

 “Aha, grown-ups have grown-up things to do!” 

The children didn’t know why he had disappeared, as he just laughed and turned away when asked what had happened.

 “So this is the new boy, a magician’s talent, and the Duke’s stomach is in knots. But, little one, are you eating?” 

He said in a wistful tone as he eyed Felix. Eileen assured him that he was, and then continued.

 “So, sir, if you have any problems, just tell me.” “Oh my God, can my child solve it?” “If it’s a problem that can be solved with money, I’ll try.” 

She has a lot of money, and she’s pretty rich.

 

Eileen’s proudly straightened waist and slightly shrugged should

 

ers were cute, and Orgen couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

 “This girl’s ego has only gotten bigger since she’s been in business, so what if I ask for your entire fortune?” “Then it’s a stop-loss.” “Tae-ying, Goyan.” 

For a long moment, the two men joked as if it were a joke, as if they hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Eileen continued the banter with a smile on her face, then looked at Orgen and said with an unwavering expression.

 “But if you’re having trouble, you can really tell me, because I’m young, but I’ll help you as best I can.” 

Orgen stared at Eileen for a moment, a strange mixture of amusement and complexity, before he smiled and placed a hand on her head, his voice a little more serious as he replied.

 “Yes. I will.” 

Soon Oslo called to him, saying that the Duke had returned. Eileen glanced at Orgen’s back as he left the room, then turned her attention back to the children.

  

***

  

The duke greeted Orgen familiarly as he entered his office without knocking.

 “Would you like a drink?” “Good~” 

A glass of ice was filled with strong liquor. After a few moments of watching the amber liquor slowly soak the ice, Orgen spoke in a tired voice.

 “The Emperor is indeed harsh, not allowing this old man to retire and giving him such a difficult job.” “That’s how much faith he has in you, Orgen. Although the announcement has yet to be made, I congratulate you in advance on receiving the title of Sage.” “Congratulations are bullshit. I’ve been avoiding it all this time, and I’m not a fan of all the fuss!” 

Orgen downed his drink in one gulp, and the Duke, noticing that his demeanor was a little more subdued than usual, raised his flask again and asked.

 “Have you found any clues to…?” “I’ve failed to find the scale or the mastermind, but I do have some idea of the purpose.” 

Orgen gently stopped the Duke from pouring himself another drink, then filled his own glass. Downing it like a man with a burning throat, he opened his mouth.

 “The resurrection of the Demon King is not all those madmen want.” 

This time, the Duke sipped his drink.

 “Do you have any reason to be certain?” “As the imperial court and the temple suspect, someone has deliberately infused the demon with magical energy to create it. I’ve actually found the weed this time. He was secretly burying the body of a criminal there.” “Did you catch him?” 

Orgen shook his head, crushing an olive set out as a snack in his hand.

 “No. They say he killed himself on the spot as soon as he laid eyes on the knight he found.” “I see.” 

The duke grunted. Orgen, who had been fiddling with his hands, lifted his sunken face to meet his eyes.

 “But the manner of his death was the same as Forss’s.” 

The duke’s eyes widened

 “Then…” “If they simply wanted the birth of a demon, they would have created one indiscriminately and pushed the world into terror, but this is a distraction.” 

Outside the window, dark clouds were gathering. The sky flared angrily, as if it might rain at any moment.

 “I was convinced when I heard you had a face-to-face encounter with the thing in human skin. It’s already infiltrated the nobility, and I’m sure Forss isn’t the only one who’s been toyed with by that demon.” 

A demon.

 

A humanoid creature with the intelligence of a demon, born first to give birth to and serve a demon king.

 “What do you mean, for what purpose? A demon would be desperate to create a demon, hiding in plain sight and calling out to the forces.” “That’s the problem. I’ve searched every inch of soil in the empire, and there’s no land that seems to be the birthplace of a demon, and the abilities of this one… I’ve seen, I wouldn’t be so sure if it weren’t the power of a spirit.” 

Raindrops slowly fell from the dark clouds. The sound of thick droplets hitting the glass windows filled the study at irregular intervals, and Orgen’s voice fell heavy.

 “The demon that is active now is a demon from two hundred years ago, when he lost the demon that gave birth to him.”  

***

  “Rain on this fine day.” 

Sighing heavily, Eileen stared at the rain pounding against the greenhouse ceiling. They’d just gotten back from a greenhouse outing to celebrate Felix’s health problems.

 “Still, it’s kind of nice, isn’t it? It’s like being in a river.” 

Lucian shrugged with a smile and looked around. The rain was falling so hard that the water coursing through the dome-shaped greenhouse enveloped it like a membrane.

 “Lynn is certainly excited.” 

Cordelia gazed off to one side of the greenhouse with warm eyes. Lynn, who was not usually so alert, was lying down, apparently enjoying the rain.

 “I hope you all like it.” 

Eileen glanced at Felix. She was worried that he might be frightened by the sound of thunder.

 

Felix felt her gaze and smiled.

 “I’m fine, Eileen.” 

The color was returning to Felix’s face, as if the removal of the dead mana from his heart had been effective. His violet eyes glowed so brightly in the light of the users’ lanterns that Eileen felt strangely embarrassed.

 “You’re going to scare the girls when you grow up.” 

The staff handed her a blanket. It wasn’t cold in the climate-controlled greenhouse, even when the sun was hidden, but Eileen liked the cozy feeling of the blanket wrapped around her.

 

Meanwhile, several more lanterns were lit up, making the greenhouse look like a series of lanterns. This has its own charm, she thought as she admired the scenery for a moment, and then a thought popped into her head.

 “What do you all want to do when you grow up?” “Wait, is this too much like a youth retreat?” 

Lucian was the first to speak, as he kicked the blanket inwardly for a moment at his own drunken words.

 “I’m going to be a Swordmaster and a Duke, and I’m going to be strong enough to protect what the Dukes of Gaudium have protected.” 

Eileen, caught off guard by the sincerity of his words, stopped in her tracks, her stomach twisting in admiration. It was a resolve she had heard many times before, but one she never tired of hearing.

 

The blanket on her shoulders slipped off her in the momentary distraction.

 “And like my father, I will protect those I love to the end, no matter what.” 

With that, he pulled the shed blanket up and wrapped it around Eileen’s shoulders himself. In the simple, unobtrusive gesture, and in the half-smile, Eileen found both the Duke and Theresia.

 “I’m sure it will be.” “Yes.” 

Cordelia’s voice broke in between their mutual smiles.

 “I’m going to be an Elemental Swordswoman, and I’m going to get stronger and stronger, and I’m going to have an Elemental Sword named after me.” 

Eileen’s eyes widened. This was unexpected. She had always known that Cordelia was very interested in elemental swordsmanship, but she hadn’t realized that she had such a specific dream.

 

The future she envisioned was a new world, a world that was completely different from the original.

 

Eileen laughed, almost gleefully, at the boldness of the plan.

 “I’m sure it will happen.” 

Cordelia nodded, raising a fist playfully.

 “I’m going to get stronger and I’m going to punch anyone who bothers me.” “I’ll pretend you didn’t hear me.” 

Cordelia let out a small laugh and mumbled something about being seri

ous, then turned to Felix and Eileen.

 “So. What’s your dream?”Visit my Ko-fi for discounted advance chapters!!