CHapter 24: Heilon (1)
Five years had passed since I came to Heilon, and it meant there wasn’t much time left until the beginning of the original story. I was now eighteen years old, and Sigren was nineteen. In a few months, both of us would be another year older. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
During these years, Sigren had kept his childhood promise. Since he had been learning swordsmanship from Abel, as in the original story, he was now in a position where he could freely come and go from Heilon Castle. No one dared to treat him poorly anymore, thanks to his strength.
In the meantime, I’d been working hard to achieve my planned peaceful life. I’d been saving the large sums of money I received from Heilon in exchange for protecting the walls, as well as the money from selling the materials of the monsters I killed. Right now, my savings were quite substantial—enough that I didn’t have to worry about making a living for the rest of my life. I just needed to watch Sigren and Eunice walk down the golden path of the main characters while I enjoyed a leisurely life.
Of course, not everything went as smoothly as I’d planned. Recent events had definitely interfered with my comfortable plans.
“Duke, I’ve come to report.”
At my words, Abel, who was signing papers at his desk, raised his head and paused.
“What’s going on?”
“It has to do with the new soldiers.”
“Alright. Give your report.”
I relayed everything that had happened during the monster hunt. Abel nodded slightly when I finished speaking.
“Good work. Fiona, have you thought about my previous offer?”
I sighed inwardly. The offer he was referring to was what had been interfering with my future plans.
Abel leaned back in his chair, smiling with that characteristic arrogant grin of his. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Go on, call me Father.”
This.
Abel’s offer was for me to become his adopted daughter, which would make me the successor to Heilon.
“I must decline.”
“Have you even contemplated that?” Abel grumbled at my firm answer.
“But my life plans were pretty much set when I came to Heilon.”
“And what are these plans again? I recall them being rather silly.”
How could someone dismiss another person’s future plans as absurd while looking them in the eye?
“It’s about seeing Sigren marry and live a good life, and then enjoying a leisurely retirement in a peaceful place.”
After I shared my plan, I heard Abel mumbling something about feeling sorry for Sigren. Honestly, I didn’t get it. Why did he pity Sigren? Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Fiona, the position, power, wealth, and honor that come with being part of Heilon—are you really not interested in having all of these?”
“I’m not interested,” I replied firmly.
“If I became your father, I could grant you everything you want.”
Abel as my father? Just thinking about it was…
“It’s a lot of pressure.”
My blunt words made Abel frown as if he were offended.
“You’re so cold-hearted.”
I responded with a slight shrug. I couldn’t disagree with him; he wasn’t entirely wrong.
“Now that you’ve grown up, it’s time to be independent.”
“Yes, it’s time for that.”
Abel looked at me quietly, as if he didn’t like my answer. However, after becoming stronger over the past few years, I was no longer as easily intimidated by him as I once was.
“Okay, I won’t ask you anymore if you don’t like it. Besides, you’ve done a lot of work over the past five years. I personally appreciate it.”
Hearing Abel’s words made me feel strange. Was this a sign that the world was about to collapse? Or was he sick? In a worried tone, I asked, “What are you talking about all of a sudden? You’re not sick, are you?”
“Of course not. I felt embarrassed saying that, but listen to me.” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I quickly closed my mouth.
“You chose to fight monsters at a young age. Maybe, because of this, you’ve grown tired of Heilon, the land I’m so proud of.”
“…”
Abel sighed softly.
“I understand. Now, Heilon is much more stable. Recently, the number of monsters has decreased significantly. We also have many strong knights and soldiers, so defending the land isn’t difficult. Sigren… he is also helping a lot.”
At that moment, I vaguely understood what Abel was trying to say.
“So now you can go wherever you want, Fiona.”
“…”
“You’ve just become an adult. You are free to do whatever you wish. With your level of magic skill, you could enjoy all kinds of wealth and glory in the capital.”
Abel tapped his desk once or twice with his finger, as if he were contemplating something.
“If you’re concerned about your position as an illegitimate child, I will protect you in the name of Heilon. The capital will not treat you recklessly.” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Uh… that is unexpected.”
“What?”
“I didn’t know the Duke would make such a kind offer.”
“I’m just giving you what you deserve.”
“What do you think I am? Remuneration and kindness are different things.”
“…”
I couldn’t believe he was saying something so kind when he usually spoke so harshly. I was surprised that Abel was thinking this way. I began to reconsider my habit of cursing him as a heartless human.
Abel then rummaged through his drawer, took out a letter, and handed it to me.
“What is this?”
“It’s a letter from your hometown.”
If it’s from my hometown, then it’s from Count Green. I haven’t sent a letter since I came to Heilon, so what could have happened all of a sudden? Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“We’ve never been in contact before… why did they send it?”
“Well, I haven’t opened it either, so I don’t know what it’s about.”
I was genuinely curious about what could have happened to prompt them to send me a letter.
Abel looked at me for a moment, as if something had come to mind, and then said, “If you want, I could destroy the home that pushed you here.” He laughed languidly, like a wild beast basking in the afternoon sun.
“There are quite a few weaknesses that I’ve uncovered.” It seemed like Abel’s fiery spirit was burning as if it were his last.
“Well, I’m not that vengeful. To be honest, I didn’t even care.”
Abel nodded sullenly. “Well, if that’s your personality, it makes sense. If it were me, I would wipe it out without leaving a single speck of dust as soon as I had the strength.”
Yeah, that was why I could never make Abel an enemy in the future.
I absentmindedly took the letter. Clearly, it was almost time for the original story to begin. The heroine would make her appearance soon, and if I stayed by Sigren’s side for nothing, I might get distracted. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Anyway, thank you for your suggestion.”
“If you’re so thankful… call me Father.” Abel didn’t give up easily.
“I refuse.”
“What a cold-hearted kid.”
I left the office, grinning at Abel’s strange, grumbling expression. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
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