Chapter 83………………………….
“Actually, there’s a way to know if someone has murderous intent toward your mother. It’s called sneeze powder.”
It came in handy when catching the culprit of an attempted poisoning.
Even back when Bertolt intended to kill my mother, it worked the same way.
“Ah, that.”
Per rolled his eyes at my words and replied.
“It’s not bad, but considering its effectiveness, the side effects seem way too severe.”
“Yeah, that’s true…”
Unless someone has actual murderous intent, the sneezing doesn’t persist.
In fact, if other emotions outweigh the murderous intent, even sneezing won’t occur.
‘It was the same with Bertolt.’
After his plot against my mother was exposed, I stayed close to Bertolt, yet no sneezes came.
It was probably because confusion and embarrassment outweighed the murderous intent in his heart.
“Excessive sneezing is a problem too.”
There were countless times I got kicked out for looking like a patient.
I slumped my shoulders again this time.
‘I wonder how Mom and Dad tolerated such discomfort.’
Of course, the situation back then for my parents was very different from mine now.
They had a way to completely eliminate the cause of sneezing instantly…
“I wish I could remove the cause immediately too…”
“You wish?”
Per tilted his head at my words and asked.
I quickly covered my mouth and shook my head.
That big mouth of his!
“I’m joking, joking.”
Per chuckled lightly at my reaction, easing my nerves.
“Anyway, I can’t take them all out by myself.”
“Mm, I see.”
Well, no matter how strong he is, Per is still just a child.
It’s impossible for him to single-handedly eliminate a group of unknown number.
But having him confirm it directly like this…
‘It feels a little… disappointing.’
Did I subconsciously expect that he might actually be able to do it?
“You seem a bit disappointed.”
Per quickly noticed my thoughts and gave a small, sly smile.
I flinched and shrugged my shoulders.
“No, it’s just…”
“Actually, that’s normal. They’re people trying to harm someone important to you. Feeling that way isn’t bad.”
“……”
“Losing someone because of some foolish sense of justice is far more stupid.”
“That’s true…”
Per’s words were right.
I sighed.
No matter how much I hated seeing people die, I couldn’t just ignore those threatening my mother.
“Maybe I’m being too complacent.”
This isn’t some kind of childhood game.
Am I being careless just to avoid feeling guilty?
“It’s okay.”
As I frowned and pouted, Per tapped my brow and spoke.
“Being foolish isn’t necessarily bad.”
“You don’t deny being foolish, huh.”
“I like that about you.”
He gently blinked his long eyelashes as he continued.
“It’s okay to hold onto justice, it’s okay to be consumed by revenge.”
“……”
“I’ll be your sword.”
His eyes, red as blood and sparkling like jewels, focused on me, folding halfway.
It was a gaze far too mature for a child.
“You just need to be yourself.”
I swallowed hard, staring at Per.
Looking into his eyes, it felt like I could be sucked in.
His voice alone seemed to captivate my heart.
But…
“Per.”
I barely held myself together and moved my lips slowly.
“Behave like a child.”
“……”
“And what sword! You’re a human!”
Of course, I knew what he meant.
Even so, I’ve read fantasy novels.
But!
We’re still kids, barely old enough to have scraped heads!
Even if magic makes it hard to see, Derek is watching us from over there!
“And my life goal is to live happily with Mom for a long time.”
I exhaled deeply and spoke calmly.
“Right now, I can’t think of anything else. That… what you said about us, about…”
“Destined to love each other.”
“Yeah, that! And that… for me, it’s just a story from a faraway land.”
Love, really? Give my mom some practical help instead.
“Alright, I understand.”
Per smiled lightly again and nodded at my words.
I worried he might get hurt by my rejection.
‘Well, since it was just a casual comment, there’s no reason for him to be hurt.’
Just as I was about to let out a hidden sigh…
“You just want to be friends for now, right?”
Per shrugged and added briefly.
I listened and stared blankly, mouth slightly open.
What is with that confidence?
“Are you really not a time traveler? Or a reincarnator? Or possessed? Or someone who knows the future?”
Otherwise, he couldn’t be this bold.
“So what if I am.”
Per smiled faintly again, avoiding a direct answer.
“Anyway, what’s important now is saving your mother, right?”
“Mm, yes.”
“So you just need to focus on that. Right?”
“That… yes.”
But every time I try to focus here, you shake my heart like this!
“You—”
Just as I was about to protest, Per shifted the topic.
“Considering your foul-mouthed dad now, he might be able to invent something far superior to that sneeze powder.”
Once again, he got straight to the point before I could.
‘Cheeky brat.’
He always brings things back to the main point at times like this!
And in a way I can’t refuse.
“…You’re right.”
I pursed my lips and responded.
“I should ask Dad Kyle for help while telling him about the sneeze powder.”
He’d help without questioning the reason.
Assuming Dad Kyle gives us an upgraded version of the sneeze powder…
“Should I stay close to Mom for now?”
I traced my chin with a finger and muttered my plan.
It would be safest with Mom, Per, and Dad nearby.
Even better if the threatening people don’t approach seeing us together.
‘If there’s one problem…’
I quietly glanced at Per.
Mom likes well-behaved children.
She values manners greatly.
Above all, she loves people and has a strong sense of justice.
‘And Per…’
No matter if he’s provoked, he never backs down.
He’s audacious even in front of grandpa.
He calls people bugs, calls people with justice fools…
“Hmm.”
I looked at Per with genuine concern.
Does this kid even know manners?
‘If not, I’ll make him learn.’
Sooner or later, willingly or not, Per will encounter Mom.
Perhaps even now, news of him has reached her ears.
“Per.”
As soon as I finished my thoughts, I grabbed his hand and spoke.
