Budding
After dumbfounded for a while, an adventurer-like man called out to them.
“What are you doing in a place like this?”
“We are students of the Radius Academy. We came to see Shelly who lives here.” (Katie)
“The house over there was burnt down about a week ago”
“Eh!? Shelly…… what happened to the family living here!?” (Katie)
“I don’t know that much, but the father was an adventurer, so how about asking at the Adventurer’s Guild?”
“Thank you! Let’s go!” (Katie)
With Katie in the front, the group went to the Adventurer’s Guild.
Felice and Albert were carried under Gai’s arms.
When entering the guild, the gazes all gathered at them.
Not paying attention to the gazes, they moved to the counter and spoke to the receptionist of their bussiness.
“Hello, I am the receptionist, Millie is my name. How may I help you?” (Millie)
“Excuse me, I have something I would like to ask.” (Katie)
“Yes, what is the matter?” (Millie)
“We are the students of the Radius Academy, but when we went to visit the house of my junior, it was burnt down. We heard that her father was an adventurer, so we came here thinking that you may know something.” (Katie)
“Is that so? Do you know the father’s name?” (Millie)
“…… Name? …… Do you know, Monet?” (Katie)
“Eh!? I don’t know……” (Monet)
“Won’t she know from the name of your junior?” (Gai)
“Her name is Shelly.” (Katie)
“Shelly-chan? In that case, she’s in the medical room.” (Millie)
“Really!? May we go there?” (Katie)
“Yes, I will take you there. It’s just, I think it would be better for the children not to go. Silva-san…… Shelly-chan’s father has a terrible injury, and the Healer did all their best just to keep him alive. He’s being healed even now.” (Millie)
“I will go.” (Felice)
“Me too.” (Albert)
“The two aren’t a problem, please take us there.” (Miguel)
“I understand. Please, follow me.”
Millie guided Felice and the rest to the medical room.
When they entered the room, what they saw was Shelly sitting on the chair in an exhausted state.
“”Shelly!”” (Katie & Monet)
“Eh…… Katie-san, Monet-san…… why are you here everyone?” (Shelly)
“You weren’t coming to the academy, so we went to your house out of worry.” (Katie)
“We heard that it was burnt down, are you all right, Shelly?” (Monet)
“Yes, the house was on fire when I returned home, so I hurriedly went to get the fireman, but…… Otousan has already……” (Katie)
There was a bed behind a curtain where Shelly was looking.
When everyone was looking there, a woman came out from behind the curtain.
Seeing the woman, Miguel and Nathan raised their voices, while the woman’s eyes shined dimly.
“”Ah”” (Miguel & Nathan)
“…… What, it has been a while, boys.”
“”Long time no see. Obasama.”” (Miguel & Nathan)
“What are you doing here?”
Miguel replied to her question.
“Shelly is my junior. We were worried because she wasn’t coming to the academy, so we came. Still, when did you return from your travels?” (Miguel)
“Two weeks ago. It was so hectic I had no time to inform you.”
“You are doing the treatment, Obasama?” (Nathan)
“Yeah…… he’s in a terrible condition though. I can heal his wounds over time, but his limbs were severed and his eyes crushed, so he won’t be able to return to his everyday life.”
“Wait a moment! Are you saying it was just a fire?” (Katie)
“Hey, come to think of it, where’s the rest of your family, Shelly?” (Monet)
“…… I don’t know. I searched, but they were nowhere to be found…… I had the guild search too.”
Seeing Shelly desperately try to endure spilling tears while questioned by Katie and Monet, Miguel took action.
When Miguel approached her, he put his hands on her cheeks and lifted her face to make her look into his eyes.
“…… Umm…… Miguel-sama?” (Shelly)
“You look terrible. What about eating? How about sleep?” (Miguel)
“O, Otousan is in a serious condition. My family is missing too……” (Shelly)
“Is your father going to get better if you don’t eat? Will you find your family if you don’t sleep?” (Miguel)
“That’s……” (Shelly)
“What you are doing is futile. If you understand, eat and sleep properly. With your body like that, you won’t be able to move when it counts.” (Miguel)
“F, futile, you say…… I am just worried about…… O, Otousan and my fami…… worried…… ugh…… waa…… ahh~n!” (Shelly)
Reaching the limit after hearing Miguel’s words, Shelly burst into tears.
Miguel separated his hands from Shelly’s cheeks and hugged her while gently patting her head.
Shelly continued crying in Miguel’s embrace, but her cries turned into a sleeper’s breath after a while, so Miguel lifted her up and carried her to a nearby bed.
“Oy, if you have something to say then say it. No need to smirk like that.” (Miguel)
“No~ it’s just that I did not expect you to do something like that.” (Katie)
“But, it’s good she cried. Her mind was under a strain.” (Monet)
“As expected of Aniue.” (Nathan)
“Oniisama, you were cool~” (Felice)
“Niisama is good at making people cry, huh.” (Albert)
“So there was such a way too?” (Gai)
“”Oniisama” and “Niisama” what’s up with that?”
Each had their impressions of Miguel’s actions, but there was a person who was caught by Felice and Albert’s way of addressing Miguel.
To answer her questions, Nathan introduced them to each other.
“This reminds me, it’s the first time you guys meet, no? You two, this person is Father’s elder sister, Charlotte-sama. Obasama, this is Albert and Felice, our younger siblings” (Nathan)
“How do you do, I’m Albert.”
“Nice to meet you, I am Felice.”
“You weren’t there when I went on the trip. Just when did they make you two? Oh well, I’m Charlotte. Address me as you please.” (Charlotte)
“Then, I will call you Obasama.” (Felice)
“I will do so too. Also, for your information, we are adopted” (Albert)
“Is that so? At any rate, since the two recognize you as a family, you are a family to me as well. If something happens, you can find me at the treatment place in the town.” (Charlotte)
“”Yess~!”” (Felice & Albert)
When Charlotte patted the heads of the two who gave a cheerful reply, Miguel spoke to her.
“Obasama, do you know something about Shelly’s family?” (Nathan)
“Why do you ask?” (Charlotte)
“Your eyebrows were wrinkling.” (Nathan)
“How sharp…… do you guys know about the kidnappings that frequently started occurring in this country?”
“Yes, I heard that several culprits have been apprehended.” (Nathan)
“I heard from Rufina that the method of the kidnappings are done by torturing one of the adults before the family and then taking the children from the women who lost their will to resist. Don’t you find it similar to this incident?” (Charlotte)
Everyone was at a loss of words because of Charlotte’s words.
“And the search?” (Miguel)
“They have not been found yet.” (Charlotte)
“Then, first of all, let’s heal Silva-dono’s injuries.” (Miguel)
“That would be impossible. There is nothing we can do about that which has been lost.” (Charlotte)
“I have a magic tool that is capable of doing just that.” (Miguel)
Miguel said so and removed a pendant from around his neck.
“What is that? I never heard of anything like that.”(Charlotte)
“The hell is that!? You had something like that?” (Katie)
“Calm down, Katie. That’s not all there is to it, right?” (Monet)
“I received this from a friend. Please, let me try.” (Miguel)
“Obasama, the friend Aniue is talking about has healed Angela Obasama’s body. The number of your nephews has increased by one.” (Nathan)
“What!? Healed Angela? Is that so…… she gave a birth…… got it. Give it a try.” (Charlotte)
Charlotte opened the curtain and let Miguel inside.
Under the sheets laid the bandaged Silva who lost his eyes and all of his limbs.
Miguel frowned and secured the pendant around Silva’s neck.
“Transfering ownership from Miguel to Silva.” (Miguel)
The moment Miguel said that, the pendant started shining and wrapped Silva’s body in a faint light. The limbs he lost started recovering.
“This is seriously unbelievable. Just whom did you get it from?” (Charlotte)
“I will introduce you the next time. With this, we might get to know something when he wakes up.” (Miguel)
While Miguel was talking with Charlotte, Katie and Monet were talking with Nathan.
“If I’m not mistaken, the one who healed Angela-sama was Sayo-sama, no?” (Katie)
“Can he be healed with the magic sealed within the magic tool?” (Monet)
“That’s right. The wounds will be naturally healed and the parts he lost will be recovered.” (Nathan)
“This is seriously out of the common sense.” (Katie)
“That too, but Miguel-sama is incredible for using such precious magic tool on a stranger.” (Monet)
“Indeed.” (Feli would act herself if he didn’t do it after all. Besides……)
A distance from Nathan and others, Felice and the rest were talking.
“As expected of Niisama. He understands you well, Feli.” (Albert)
“I ought to give him a new one later.” (Felice)
“Anyhow, does Niisama like Shelly?” (Albert)
“Hmm~ I can’t tell just yet whether he’s conscious of her as a little sister or a woman.” (Felice)
“…… Even though you guys are sharp when it comes to others, why are you so dense about each other’s feelings?” (Gai)
“”Eh?”” (Felice & Albert)
“No, it’s nothing.” (Gai)
After looking at Gai wonderingly, Albert spoke to Charlotte.
“Hey, Obasama. Why did you go traveling?” (Albert)
“To study. I left my home to be a Healer, but I could feel my lack of ability. I went to various places for the past three years.” (Charlotte)
“Lack of ability, you say…… are you perhaps talking about Angela-san?” (Felice)
“Yes. But, in the end, I couldn’t find the power to heal her. That’s why, that child Sayo, who healed her…… I have a great interest in her.” (Charlotte)
Felice secretly shuddered after seeing Charlotte’s gaze that was like that of a predator.
(Scary!? What will I do if I get exposed!?)(Felice)
(Uwaa…… she’s like Tousama when he looks at Gai)(Albert)
(They look so unnecessarily alike…… do your best, Felice)(Gai)
While they were talking with each other, both Shelly and Silva woke up.
“Huh? When did I……” (Shelly)
“Ah~ I slept well~” (Silva)
The two woke up looked up and their eyes met.
“Good morning, Otousan.” (Shelly)
“Morning, Shelly.” (Silva)
“……… Otousan!? Otousan!” (Shelly)
“Uoh!? What’s wrong, Shelly! Are you crying!? Who made my daughter cry! Was it you!?” (Silva)
“Eh? N, no, you are mistaken!” (Miguel)
Silva who held his daughter in his arms flared up at Miguel.
“Calm down. You are the cause of Shelly’s tears. Well, this fellow made her cry too though.” (Charlotte)
“Obasama!” (Miguel)
“You are?” (Silva)
“I am a Healer, Charlotte is my name. You were treated by me. Do you not remember anything?” (Charlotte)
“Healing…… right…… my limbs…… why are they there!? I can see! Were you the one who healed me?” (Silva)
“I only kept you alive. The reason your limbs and eyes are healed is because Miguel over here used a precious magic tool on you.” (Charlotte)
“”Eh?”” (Silva & Shelly)
Silva and Shelly who heard the full story from Charlotte were stopped by kneeling before Miguel.
“There’s no need for that.” (Miguel)
“However!” “But!” (Silva & Shelly)
“In that case, won’t you think about the future positively from now on?” (Miguel)
“”Eh?”” (Silva & Shelly)
“A message from my Father, Claude Faust. “Shelly-dono, your magic and combat abilities are admirable. Currently, our country is putting effort into cultivating a force of royal court magicians, and thus we established a trainee system. I would like to see you participate by all means.” That’s it” (Miguel)
“Faust you say, the Prime Minister!?” (Silva)
“A magician’s trainee?” (Shelly)
“Of course, the studies take priority, so the courses would be after school and during the holidays. It will be difficult, but you have much to learn, right? There’s no need to give an answer immediately, so make sure to think it over carefully.” (Miguel)
“I was invited too. I plan on taking a part in it.” (Katie)
“I also thought it was a valuable experience and planned on participating.” (Monet)
Miguel spoke to Shelly and patted her head when she was pondering about Katie and Monet’s words.
“No need to be flustered. Various things happened and you must be tired. Rest slowly.” (Miguel)
“Miguel-sama………” (Shelly)
Shelly who looked into Miguel’s face quickly jumped up as she covered her face that turned bright red.
“W, what was I thinking! …… Wanting to embrace him!” (Shelly)
“O, oy, are you all right? Your face is red, do you have a fever? Obasama, quickly look at her.” (Miguel)
“She has an incurable illness. I cannot cure her, but it will heal on its own.” (Charlotte)
“Hah? An incurable illness that will heal on its own?” (Miguel)
“Don’t worry about it.” (Charlotte)
Katie and Monet watched their exchange while grinning, and Silva looked on with a complicated expression.
As for the members of the Faust House.
“Are you fine with that, Nathan Oniisama?” (Felice)
“With what?” (Nathan)
“I mean, don’t you always drive women who approach Miguel Oniisama away?” (Felice)
“I certainly remove stupid women with doubtful origins from his presence, but she should be fine. Besides……” (Nathan)
“”Besides?”” (Felice & Albert)
“Looks like I could tease him about this.” (Nathan)
“”Is that so……”” (Felice & Albert)
“Still, Aniue is quite dense, isn’t he?” (Nathan)
“Unexpectedly~ it seems that it will take time until he notices.” (Albert)
“Even though Oniisama is usually so sharp. Are people like that dense when it comes to love?” (Felice)
“Eh…… you are going to say that? You guys are saying that?” (Gai)
“”What?”” (Felice & Albert)
“Isn’t it fine, Gai? You should just watch over them with a grin.” (Nathan)
“Haah~”
Just as Gai sighed, Rufina who was knocking on the door came in.