Toward a Bright Future
After the duel with Walton, we rushed to the library’s archive.
Upon entering, several librarians were already waiting for us, informing us that the archive’s lock had been undone.
Just as President Tricia had mentioned… it seemed Claire was waiting for us.
Previously, the door had only opened thanks to the president’s magically enhanced strength, but this time, it swung open effortlessly.
Inside, Claire stood there, her eyes swollen and red from tears.
"Claire!"
"L-Lake…"
Calling each other’s names, we closed the distance between us.
When we were about a meter apart, as if unable to hold back any longer, Claire threw herself into my chest.
Connie, startled by this, tried to protest, but Lucina stopped her.
Covering her mouth with one hand and locking her legs in place, Lucina effectively immobilized her.
Connie struggled briefly, but when she heard Lucina whisper, "Please, Connie, just this once," she stiffened.
Though still displeased, she said nothing further.
—I held Claire tightly once more.
"I never thought you’d actually come to save me…"
"I promised, didn’t I? Though, I wish I had realized it sooner… I made you wait too long."
"That’s not… You saved me in the end…"
Her emotions overwhelmed her, and her voice trailed off.
Taking her hand, I gently led her toward the exit.
She hesitated at first, but deep down, she had wanted to leave.
Slowly but surely, she moved forward.
"You don’t have to be so cautious."
"I-I mean…"
"You made it to my workshop on your own before, didn’t you?"
"That was because… there was something I needed to check."
"Something you needed to check?"
"N-Never mind!"
Perhaps out of embarrassment, Claire suddenly took off running out of the library.
Normally, the librarians would scold anyone making noise, but this time, they simply watched with warm smiles.
They must have suspected something about Claire’s situation with Walton.
Seeing her now, full of life, seemed to put them at ease.
I exchanged a glance with the librarians, silently assuring them, "Everything will be fine now."
I wasn’t sure how much they understood, but at the very least, they had seen Claire regain her spirit.
That was enough.
Following her outside with Lucina and Connie, we found Claire standing just a short distance away, frozen in place.
"Claire? What’s wrong?"
"I-It’s nothing. It *should* be nothing… but I can’t stop crying…"
As if savoring her newfound freedom, Claire spread her arms wide and took a deep breath.
She had spent so long in that narrow, dimly lit archive, cultivating magic herbs for her brother.
The life she had never wanted was finally over, and now, she could grow magic herbs for herself.
She was taking in that joy with every fiber of her being.
Seeing Claire regain her strength made me happy too.
After all, she was an invaluable talent—someone who needed to play a key role in Gallard Company’s magic herb division.
… Gallard Company, huh?
After this whole incident, our relationship with the Mertzalo family would be at rock bottom.
In the long run, putting Claire in charge would be the least risky option.
But Father had built up a great deal of trust over the years.
I intended to do everything I could to persuade him…
But if I failed, I could end up disowned.
If that happened, I’d just start a new company with the people I had now.
At the very least, if it meant gathering the right people, I was prepared for the worst.
Lucina and Connie had joined without any trouble, but… who knew what the future would bring?
In a way, the real battle was only just beginning.
But no matter what happened, my path remained the same.
What do you think about this chapter?
