Chapter 77: The day before the departure

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Translator: Soafp

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The lengthy homecoming in Blue Ring has come to an end, and on the eve of returning to the royal capital, my father hosted a modest yet heartfelt party.

There were no official guests, no dress code—just a small party for close family members.

However, an orchestra was arranged in the hall, and the food, although buffet-style, was more luxurious than usual. Some volunteers from the knight and mage guilds also joined.

“Al, El, Marl, Olivia-sama, Faristea-sama, Anna-sama, Yurisys-sama, Lewisbell, Nero, let’s begin the farewell party. Today, it’s a free-spirited celebration as per their wishes. Enjoy yourselves.”

Starting with my father’s words, the adults raised their glasses, while the children toasted with juice.

“Al Nii-sama, El Nii-sama, are you really leaving?”

“We’ll be back during the next long holiday.”

“I’ll make you pudding again next time.”

“Yes…”

Clara was always adorable. It’s probably just my ego wanting her to stay that way.

“Al, El, take care of yourselves.”

“”Yes.””

“Al, El, do everything in moderation…”

“”Yes.””

With greetings to Mom and Dad also complete, the family matters were all settled. El and I took a break, and the music started playing. If you wanted to dance, you were free to do so.

Over at another table, I could see Ashera and Marl together.

“El, shall we go?”

“Yes, Nii-sama.”

The two of us invited Ashera and Marl to dance.

“Ashera, may I have this dance?”

“Marl, care to dance for a bit?”

“Sure.”

“With pleasure.”

Each of us walked to the center of the hall and began dancing.

I realized it had been two years since the dance at my 10th birthday. Nostalgic thoughts aside, I enjoyed it to the fullest.

There were some questionable parts, but it was a family-only party, so I didn’t mind.

After the enjoyable dance, I picked up drinks for the two of us. Handing one to Ashera, we continued chatting. Then Olivia approached us.

“Reminds me of when you turned 10, Aldo. Can I request another dance?”

“Certainly.”

Refusing a dance invitation is considered bad manners. Unless there are physical reasons preventing one from dancing, it’s customary to accept.

“Did I upset Ashera?”

“Ashera won’t get mad over something like that.”

“I see…”

Two years had passed since Olivia and, it seemed, she had become several levels more skilled. Surely, she had put a lot of effort into her dancing.

While we were dancing, Olivia started talking.

“This dance party was suggested by Ashera.”

“Ashera?”

“I heard from Lewis that she had been practicing dancing for a long time because she wanted to dance with Aldo.”

“…”

“Ashera is such a kind girl…”

“Yeah…”

Olivia showed the results of her practice. Smiling sincerely, she danced beautifully, but there was a sense of melancholy, a hint of loneliness.

How long did we dance? As the song ended, so did the dancing.

“Thank you very much.”

“Thank you very much.”

After exchanging greetings, Olivia turned on her heel and walked away. I watched Olivia’s retreating figure for a moment and then turned on my heel to head towards Ashera.

For some reason, Ashera suddenly said something incomprehensible.

“Even if it’s Olivia, I’ll forgive her for being the third.”

“What do you think of me? And who’s the second, by the way?”

“That’s a secret.”

“Why do you have to keep a secret about my wifes?”

“Women have their secrets.”

“I don’t get it.”

While playing around with Ashera as usual, Clara approached us and invited me to dance.

“One song, please.”

“With pleasure.”

When I thought about dancing in a corner, she moved towards the center of the hall… Is it okay?

“Clara, is it okay in the hall?”

“Yes.”

It seemed to be for Clara’s sake. The conductor winked at us and changed to a slow song.

At first, she was nervous, but gradually her smile increased. In the end, she danced with a beaming smile.

It wasn’t particularly skilled, but Clara had clearly put in a lot of effort. Above all, being able to dance the first dance with Clara was priceless.

“Clara, thank you. But was it okay for me to have the first dance?”

“If I hesitated between Al Nii-sama or El Nii-sama for the first dance, El Nii-sama said ‘I’ll yield.'”

“I see. I have to thank El then.”

“Next, I’ll go with El Nii-sama’s.”

“Have a good time.”

While seeing Clara off, who was busy, I felt like crying for father, who didn’t even enter the choices.

After that, Olivia and El danced, Lewis and Clara danced, and I was supposed to dance with Yuri, but I was blatantly tempted.

“When you make me fall in love and then abandon me?” I asked with a laugh, and she blushed, murmuring, “I’ll make you cry someday,” and went somewhere.

The party came to an end in the late afternoon. The closing remarks seemed to be from Mom.

“If you ever want to learn more magic from me, it’s fine even after graduation. Come and visit me. I’ll teach you properly.”

This seemed more like an invitation to be a disciple than a farewell party… I thought cynically in my mind, but it seemed to resonate with everyone, and there was an atmosphere that they might really come to become disciples someday. Somewhere, the looseness might be the characteristic of Blue Ring.

I returned to my room and changed into full equipment.

I would accompany Ashera to her home. It was time for us to say goodbye for a while.

“Ashera, shall we go?”

“Yeah…”

Ashera probably understood too… There was a lack of energy somewhere.

We pretended to be unaffected and behaved more cheerfully than usual, but there was a sense of emptiness.

It would be better if we didn’t arrive for a while… even though I was thinking that, we arrived at the destination.

“We’re here.”

“Yeah…”

“…”

“…”

“Alright, let’s go…”

“Yeah…”

We started to walk back. One step, two steps… I stopped and turned around, looking back fearfully. Ashera was looking at me with a sad gaze. I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I used the magic Dark Mist—a smoke screen.

In the pitch-black mist, I embraced Ashera. It was Ashera, my Ashera. Then, I kissed her slowly.

After the mist cleared, there was Ashera with a slightly embarrassed but smiling face.

“Ashera, I’ll be back soon. Wait for me!”

“Yeah… I’ll wait…”

I hugged her one more time before leaving.

On the way back, I moved across rooftops using space kick. I walked straight towards the mansion. I won’t be able to see this view for a while… It’s strange how even the scenery becomes precious when you know you won’t see it for a while.

When I arrived at the mansion, the maids were in the midst of cleaning up after the party. I moved to a corner so as not to get in the way and headed to my room.

Surprisingly, Olivia was waiting in front of my room.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ve changed my mind after all!”

“Ha?”

“I’m still 13. I want to be a little more free with my feelings.”

“Haa…”

“That’s all!”

She said something incomprehensible and left. Just as El, who had gone to the bathroom, couldn’t return to the room and stood in the hallway.

(Nii-sama, do your best…)

I don’t know what she meant, but Elphus sent a mysterious cheer.

Next day…

The maids were in a rush to prepare for the departure from early in the morning. As usual, I was fully armed. We would be returning on horseback, just like when we came.

I exchanged brief greetings with Dad, Mom, and Clara.

“Al, El, take care.”

“”We are off, Father.””

Dad spoke with a slightly lonely tone.

“El, keep an eye on Al. We don’t know what he might do.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I won’t do anything…”

Even though I wanted to reflexively rebel against Ice Witch’s words, I had to endure here.

“Al Nii-sama, El Nii-sama, come back soon, okay?”

“Yeah, I promise.”

“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

Clara was cute. So cute.

We had a thorough discussion with the family yesterday. I needed to avoid causing them any more worries.

“Ashera, I’m off.”

“Take care.”

Without lingering on our goodbye, she turned to El.

“Ashera nee-sama, I’m off.”

“Elphus, please take care of Aldo.”

“Yes.”

For some reason, everyone trusted El with me… It was beyond my comprehension.

“Ashera!”

“Olivia…”

“I’ve decided to struggle a bit more.”

“Understood.”

I didn’t understand what happened between Olivia and Ashera, but from an outsider’s perspective, it seemed like there was genuine friendship there.

While we were talking, it was time for departure.

Noel shouted loudly.

“Mount up!”

I also mounted my horse with a space kick.

“Ashera, I’ll bring you a souvenir next time.”

“Yeah.”

“Depart!”

The carriages and mounted troops began to move slowly. My horse also joined the formation, walking in line.

Soon, at the gate, I spotted the church children.

“Ah! It’s Aldo!” “Elphus is here too!” “Marl is on the carriage!” “Aldo is riding a horse! Like a knight!”

I waved lightly to the children and turned my gaze forward.

Beyond the gate, I glanced back only once. With a tug at my heart, I whispered in my mind, “I’ll be back,” as we crossed the gate.