Chapter 54 – Save Me

All of the missing espers were rescued. No casualties occurred during the process.

More than anything, they even survived a battle against demons. It could only be seen as a series of strokes of heavenly luck.

Thus, the espers. The knights and soldiers. All were able to return with bright smiles on their faces.

“….”

But Nefertiti could not smile.

More precisely, not since meeting with the Duke, who received a report early in the morning.

“Haa…”

I wanted to keep it a secret, if possible. To hide what happened from everyone.

But how could I? How could I conceal it from my parents, as their child?

Besides, the family knights had a duty to report to the Duke, their lord.

“I received a report from the knights, Nefertiti.”

“…”

“Is it true? Did you really try to handle everything alone? Even facing death head-on?”

“…Yes, Father.”

What answer would come? Surely, he’d tell me to stop immediately.

And if he did, would I be able to stand firm and refuse?

Having truly confronted the demons. Having keenly felt my own helplessness before them.

Could I promise, once more, to live proudly as an Awakened?

“How was it?”

But instead of a reply, the Duke gently posed a question.

How was it, he asked. That moment of crisis. When death stood right before me.

“…”

There were the usual answers. That I was fine. That I was scared, but overcame it. Like those heroes in stories.

That if my sacrifice could protect someone, I’d do it willingly, anytime.

Such thoughts flickered through my mind for a moment, but Nefertiti brushed them all aside.

I didn’t need to do that in front of my father, of all people, or so I thought.

“It was terrifying. And… I was afraid. Very, very much.”

“…”

“And, I regretted it. A little. No. Yes, honestly, quite a bit. I wondered if I should have been more cautious. I realized death was truly frightening. And I thought about how much you’d grieve, Father. How you’d spend your nights weeping. Things like that.”

“…I see.”

The Duke said nothing more. He merely fiddled with his coffee cup.

Normally, I might have declared, ‘But I have no intention of giving up on my dream!’ right then and there. I might have preemptively countered any suggestion for me to return.

But Nefertiti, like her father, remained silent.

Because she knew her limits. Because she recognized, without a sliver of doubt, that the road ahead would be utterly different from anything she’d known. How could she dare speak carelessly in that moment?

“That’s a relief.”

“…Father?”

“I feared you’d say you were composed even in their presence. That you faced death with serenity. That, like those heroes, like your brother, you felt no shame. If you had said such a thing, it would have broken my heart.”

The Duke smiled. He knew his daughter’s true feelings. That she, too, felt fear.

Her resentment toward a father who constantly opposed her. Her desire for revenge against the enemies who took her brother. And not just a vague sense of duty to protect the world, but…

The image of someone who strives endlessly to achieve her dreams. Someone who is capable of fear, capable of dread, yet will ultimately triumph and return victoriously.

“This father still wants to stop you, you know. Who would want to witness the same tragedy again? Especially the death of their child. As a parent.”

“…”

“But at the same time, Nefertiti, I support you. You must be so scared. You must be so afraid. A woman, not a man, in that harsh world. Yet you wish to fight for everyone. How could I not support you?”

Keep being afraid. Keep feeling dread. And so, never lose courage.

And promise me. Promise you’ll keep coming home. Smiling. Just as you always have.

If you do as your father asks, I will support you all my life. My daughter. You’re doing so well. Perhaps even your mother, who isn’t here, and your little brother, too, are cheering for you forever.

Neferti, at the Duke’s words, could only nod, unable to offer a reply.

She felt guilty before her parents, who ultimately folded their wishes for their child’s sake. And the earnest support in their hearts threatened to burst into tears at any moment.

“Go and rest. You must be weary. We can continue our conversation this afternoon.”

“…Yes, Papa.”

A light greeting. And a fleeting embrace.

“…”

Shortly after Neferti departed the office, a new visitor arrived.

“Your Grace, Duke Chester.”

Good heavens. One wouldn’t believe such a voice could belong to so young a man. It feels as though something is clawing at my heart.

So thought the Duke, gesturing for the newly arrived guest to take a seat.

“You’ve come. Deus, student of the Cradle.”

First at the Cradle, and now, for the second time, the one to thwart the demons in the South.

He bears the title of ‘hero,’ but to the Duke, he is foremost his daughter’s savior, twice over.

He suspected he would remain indebted to this young man for the rest of his days.

“First, let me express my gratitude. If not for you, disaster might have struck. Had things gone awry… I might well have succumbed to madness by now.”

“I apologize, Your Grace.”

“Why the sudden apology? You startle me.”

Well, I was being far too complacent. The Cradle, perhaps, can be excused, but here, least of all.

It’s fortunate I arrived in time, or I might have witnessed the most distasteful of outcomes.

He muttered such to himself. Outwardly, Deus simply smiled wryly and took his seat.

“Though the investigation team has made pronouncements, truthfully, they lack the impact to be felt by the Empire at large. Compared to that demon, the large-scale emergence of Gates – the so-called ‘rampage’ – outwardly presented a more pressing and urgent issue.”

But that is no longer the case. All of it stems from those who call themselves demons.

The Duke pressed his fingers against his temples as if nursing a headache, then continued.

“The gods have shown favor. Without you, even the investigation team would never have uncovered this. It’s something that could never have been discovered by merely dissecting monsters or studying the Gates themselves.”

“I was fortunate.”

“I consider such fortune to be divine grace, granted in response to human effort. As I see it right now, in the very presence of you.”

The information Deus had gleaned from the demons. The Duke immediately forwarded it to the investigation team.

They would meet with Deus again soon to delve into the details further.

Whatever the outcome, it was undeniably momentous news for the Empire and all its people.

“You’re a first-year student at the Cradle, am I correct?”

“Yes. Barely removed from ‘freshman’ status, one might say.”

“It seems Neferti has acquired a truly remarkable junior. Should I be relieved? Haha.”

After chuckling softly a few times, the Duke clasped Deus’s hand.

It felt rather like touching a large boulder. The Duke’s hand was quite large to begin with.

“It is my firm belief that a kindness received must be repaid. And for a kindness received twice over, one does not simply repay it twice, but three times, four times – endlessly, for a lifetime. That is my creed, the iron rule of our family.”

Should you ever require assistance, whatever the matter may be, do not hesitate to reach out.

There is little that power alone cannot accomplish, but sometimes, influence is needed.

I will assist you in every possible way, materially and otherwise. I swear it upon my name, Chester, Duke of Maenheim.

Deus bowed his head in gratitude at the Duke’s steadfast promise.

‘Thanks to you.’

Thanks to that, making requests like this had become somewhat easier.

“Actually, Your Grace,” I began, “I wanted to ask you a favor.”

“What is it? I’ll grant you anything.”

“It concerns the heiress. Your daughter, that is.”

My youngest? The Duke tilted his head, a flicker of confusion.

A brief explanation from Deus followed. And not long after, the Duke’s expression shifted with each passing moment.

First, amusement. Then, bewilderment. This quickly escalated into stark terror, his face draining of all color.

Minutes ticked by before the Duke finally parted his lips, his first words were these:

“…Perchance, has my youngest caused you some offense?”

“Absolutely not. If anything, she has been a mentor to me.”

*So, put your mind at ease. I’m only planning to temper her appropriately.*

*Though, admittedly, it might look rather harsh at times, it’s all for the sake of what’s to come, so though it may worry you as a parent, please pretend not to see it.*

“It is a necessity, Your Grace. I implore you to trust me.”

“Even so…”

“I cannot guarantee that a crisis like this one will not occur again.”

“…Please, I only ask that you be reasonable.”

In the end, the Duke’s answer was inevitable.

*

“You are leaving.”

“Yes. I must.”

“Always be careful. And be mindful.”

“I will visit again. Father.”

The long, yet fleeting, sojourn within the Duchy had come to an end.

From tomorrow onwards, it was back to the life within the Cradle. A routine largely unchanged from before.

However, what would flow within it would never again be the same.

*’After all, awakening only occurs when one’s life hangs by a thread. Let’s artificially encourage it a bit.’*

Clenching and unclenching his fist, he briefly considered how to forge and mold Nefertiti.

Simultaneously, he attempted to predict each possibility of future events.

For now, the locations where incidents occurred: First, the Cradle. Second, the Training Grounds. And third, the Duchy.

*’The Cradle is, quite literally, the main location, so it was only natural that the first incident would occur there. The first boss, so to speak, even appeared. Yes. That’s fine and good. As for the similarities the subsequent locations share… It would seem it is, as always…’ *

People. Yes. In each location, there were individuals of importance.

In the Training Grounds, there was Yurisya. In the Duchy, Nefertiti. All of them were people under his watchful gaze.

And if there was another person who was likely to be swept up in a future incident…

*’Luciel-senpai, then…’*

Could something once again occur within the Cradle? But that would be too repetitive.

If the same incident wasn’t going to occur in the same location, and taking into account Luciel’s true nature…

“Hmm.”

Deus unintentionally let out a low groan.