Chapter 111 ….
Skaro and Olivier sat for a while in silence, each taking a sip of their tea. The quiet that stretched between them was broken first by Olivier.
“…I knew Rika was a special child, but…”
Olivier trailed off, unable to continue. Skaro nodded and picked up the thread of the conversation.
“I realized she was special even just from what I’d heard. Not only did she restore your physical condition….”
Skaro had heard many things from Olivier—everything Angelica had done since coming to the Archduke’s residence. It was possible only because of the deep trust between Olivier and Skaro. Naturally, that trust was also why Olivier had asked him to take on the role of the child’s teacher.
“What she accomplished… even the renowned mages within the Empire couldn’t achieve such feats.”
“…Yes. I think the same.”
Olivier nodded at Skaro’s words. He, too, had anticipated the extent of Angelica’s power.
“The animals around her are practically spirits themselves,” Olivier added, prompting Skaro to think of his master and Seolho before continuing.
“Indeed. The aura that emanates from Angelica is like nature itself. Honestly, I’ve never seen a mage like her. Nor have I ever heard of one existing.”
“That means…”
“Yes. A child like Angelica is a first. I know nothing of such a mage.”
“You didn’t even know, despite having served as a senior elder of the Mage Tower.”
Olivier widened his eyes in surprise. Skaro chuckled lightly in response.
“Well, it can’t be helped. Perhaps only someone of the Mage Tower Master’s rank would know…”
Olivier gave a wry smile at Skaro’s words. Her mind naturally went to her husband, and, of course, the same was true for Skaro—his long-time friend.
“…If Haren were still alive, perhaps he would have known.”
“Even that, we can’t be sure,” Skaro replied, nodding at the thought.
“Yes. Cases like Angelica’s are truly rare. Perhaps it’s even the first of its kind.”
“…Is that so.”
Skaro nodded solemnly and glanced down at his tea. In his mind, Angelica’s bright, innocent smile appeared.
“Perhaps you instinctively knew this, which is why you wanted to protect her, isn’t that right?”
Olivier slowly nodded at Skaro’s question.
“Yes. From the moment Rika saved me, I sensed her uniqueness. And Angelica’s character… it’s so warm. I felt I had to protect her at all costs.”
Olivier spoke as she recalled those moments, now memories. Skaro smiled faintly in response.
“Yes. That feeling you received back then—it must have been like salvation.”
“That’s right. That child is like an angel to me. That’s why she’s so precious. I want to protect Angelica until she can defend herself.”
“I understand that sentiment. Which is why you chose me as her teacher, isn’t it?”
Skaro asked with a smile, and Olivier nodded.
“Yes. You are one of the few people I trust. And even if something were to happen to me, you could still protect Angelica.”
“…You flatter me.”
Skaro smiled faintly. Olivier laughed aloud.
“Flatter you? In fact, after Haren passed, weren’t you offered the position of the next Mage Tower Master?”
But Skaro had declined it himself.
“Well, what good would it do for this old man to sit in that position? Better to spend the rest of my days doing what I want.”
“Haha, yes. That’s why you’re perfect for it. Strong, with plenty of time, and knowledgeable as a teacher.”
“You are something, you know that?”
Skaro laughed loudly at Olivier’s praise before nodding once more.
“Yes. After meeting Angelica today, I too want to protect her. Such a pure and innocent child… I want her purity to remain intact for as long as possible.”
“Yes. If you think that way… I am grateful.”
“Well, there may be times when I have to scold her strictly.”
Skaro said this jokingly, and Olivier laughed heartily.
“Haha! Perhaps. But I am certain the day you scold Rika will never come.”
“Hmmm, is that so?”
“Yes. I’d even bet on it.”
“Oh, I don’t make bets I can’t win.”
Skaro smiled as they shared a hearty laugh. Eventually, he stood.
“Then, the next lesson will be in four days.”
“Yes. That will be fine.”
With that, they left the study together. Olivier naturally escorted Skaro, and they walked down the corridor. Though silence lingered between them, it felt more comfortable than ever.
“Please take good care of Rika from now on.”
“Do not worry.”
When they reached the garden, they exchanged a light farewell. Skaro pulled his hood over his head and raised his hand. With a snap of his fingers, a faint silvery magic enveloped him.
Saaaah—
With a strange sound, Skaro’s figure vanished.
Early Morning, Dorter Marquisate
Helion’s eyes snapped open. Excited to visit the Lespel Archduke’s residence again today, he had struggled to fall asleep. Yet, he did not feel tired.
“Since returning from the Archduke’s residence, my brother and father’s interference has noticeably lessened.”
Helion smiled faintly as he gazed out the window.
On the day he returned from the Archduke’s residence, Castle had wanted to say something to Helion. But soon, Helion would need to visit again, so Castle held back.
Thus, Castle had been unable to scold or punish Helion as before. Occasionally, he still said unpleasant things, but they no longer affected the boy much.
“After all, the Archduke said he would protect me…”
Helion’s thoughts were already filled with Olivier and Angelica. To the boy, they felt like a real family.
Recalling them made life in the Dorter residence easier. Even the grueling training no longer felt as hard.
“I want to become stronger quickly. So that one day, I can be of help to them…”
Several days later, Helion prepared to visit the Archduke’s residence again. Rising early, he went to the training grounds, ran to build stamina, and warmed up.
Afterward, he washed, dressed, and ate lightly without any help, eager to arrive at the Archduke’s residence as soon as possible.
By the time all preparations were done, the Lespel Archduke’s carriage arrived at the Dorter Marquisate, earlier than expected. Both the Marquis and Castle were surprised.
This had all been at Helion’s request. During his previous visit, he had asked that the carriage come earlier next time.
Olivier did not question the reason, knowing exactly how the boy felt and granting his request.
“As expected, the Archduke is amazing.”
Having finished everything early, Helion left his room and coincidentally ran into the Marquis and Castle in the corridor as the carriage arrived.
“Helion, what’s going on? Why is the Archduke’s carriage arriving so early?”
The Marquis furrowed his brow. This had not been discussed with him. However, since it concerned the Lespel Archduke, there was nothing he could do. Helion knew this, and Olivier even more so.
Thus, Helion answered as Olivier had instructed.
“Oh, the Archduke asked me to arrive earlier from now on.”
He said this with a faint smile.
