Chapter 86
Fortunately, there was no miraculous growth in her body, but her tongue did seem to grow.
As time passed and she noticed her pronunciation becoming less slurred, she worked diligently for a full year.
“I was secretly afraid that my lisp would stay with me for life.”
Luckily, correcting her pronunciation completely wasn’t as difficult as she feared, especially given her effort.
“Flora, your skills have improved a lot.”
“Of course! I’ve been working really hard.”
She placed her hands confidently on her hips and lifted her chin, prompting Atanas to smile warmly and pat her head.
At only five years old—soon to be six—Flora had stubbornly insisted on learning swordsmanship, and after a week of deliberation, Atanas finally allowed her to start training on her sixth birthday.
<Why should I learn from Basilduppa and she can’t?!>
That final line, said with a tearful little act on the seventh day, apparently had a strong impact.
Training began immediately after that, but it wasn’t particularly challenging.
Her body was still too young, contrary to her enthusiasm.
To build stamina, she went on walks, then gradually started running during them, and as she grew older, she continued this routine near the training grounds.
Starting with proper posture while holding a wooden sword, she now practiced basic moves like downward strikes. Seeing her strikes increase day by day, it was clear that Flora was steadily improving.
“Shall we have lunch together as a family today?”
Flora nodded vigorously at Atanas’ question, and Benio agreed, saying he had no other plans.
Although he had stopped being a mercenary, Atanas was still effectively the leader of the mercenaries.
And more than that, he ran several successful businesses and was so busy that sleep almost seemed wasted time.
Of course, all thanks to me!
The heavenly luck that followed Flora, his keen insight, and his passion for world conquest had significantly transformed the north, making his success undeniable.
Despite all that, he never skipped training, which was almost inhuman.
Anyway, my dad is amazing.
Though she often protested when treated like a child, claiming to be a grown seven-year-old, she still found comfort in the arms of Atanas and Benio.
As Flora naturally spread her arms, Atanas embraced her smoothly. But just as he was about to hold her, Benio seized the opportunity and scooped her up.
“It seems I can’t compete with your speed. Next time, I’ll have to instruct you in swordsmanship too.”
Benio ran off teasingly, causing Atanas to blink.
“Ah, got me.”
Despite his words, his face showed no surprise.
Even though he had fallen behind, a few running strides brought him right behind Benio.
“I’ll catch you soon!”
“Even if you do, it won’t be easy. Hold on tight, Flora.”
Following Benio’s instruction, Flora wrapped her arms around her older brother’s neck. He, holding tightly to avoid losing his sister, increased his speed as well.
The childish game of tag between the two only ended when Jamila’s scolding reached them.
“Our young lady seems in good spirits today. Did you enjoy lunch and dinner with the duke and young master?”
“Yes, of course!”
Flora answered energetically, and Elena combed her hair as usual and helped her change into pajamas.
“You’re adorable. Don’t stay up too late again like last week.”
Recalling how she had stayed up late reading an interesting book last week, Flora answered without hesitation:
“Got it!”
“Anyway, answer properly,” Elena said, giving Flora a goodnight kiss on the forehead before leaving the room.
Humming, Flora left her bed and went to her desk.
“Hmm, hmm.”
Lately, Flora’s mood had been incredibly good.
Unlike her first days in Lucifer, the castle’s atmosphere had softened, and it had transformed into a proper ducal residence, leaving behind the poor appearance it once had.
With more staff, the castle became lively again, and with increasing wealth came mental ease, making Flora more generous in spirit.
But something still feels missing.
It was important, but she couldn’t recall it immediately.
This is why the human brain…
Grumbling that she never experienced this while in Morse, Flora decided to refresh her mood by opening a letter from Basilian, which had arrived that morning.
Despite returning strong, Basilian hadn’t shown his face for almost two years.
He came to the guild recently, yet left without even seeing me.
Flora wondered if Basilian realized that Atanas often took the letters on her behalf, perhaps out of annoyance or boredom.
If he hadn’t sent letters at least every two weeks, she might not have forgiven him.
Reading the letter made her miss him.
Basil is 11 this year. He must have grown a lot.
He was already bigger than most children when he was nine, so he probably looked older than his age now.
Unlike me… I’m a bit envious.
While imagining how he had grown, she realized it wasn’t the right time for daydreams and opened the letter.
Dear Flora, are you doing well as always?
“What’s in it this time?”
This time, the guild members were going on a demon forest expedition in the west, in the forest governed by the Duke of Belasia. I’m too young to participate, so it doesn’t concern me.
Reading Basilian’s lighthearted report on his activities, a sudden realization struck Flora.
“Right, the demon forest!”
She had been living too peacefully—or more accurately, immersed in swordsmanship—and had momentarily forgotten her plan to increase her magical capacity.
“Ugh, what was I thinking!”
She had been focused on expanding her magic container but got sidetracked by swordsmanship.
“Wind, is that you?”
“No!”
Janet, quietly observing Flora, cautiously asked, and Flora shouted back.
Then she placed her hand on her stomach and whispered softly.
Magia, it’s not like that. You know you’re the only one for me, right?
The grand plan to subdue the royal family and take control of this world using the power of Magia—the source of the Great Demon—still burned like a flame in her heart.
Yes, I haven’t forgotten. I just temporarily lowered it in priority for efficiency.
Living too peacefully had made her sigh quietly.
But what to do… the best way to grow Magia is to go to the demon forest…
As she knew, the northern Demon Forest, the Ice Castle, was already occupied by Lucifer’s knights, so training there was impossible.
Thanks to Janet’s help and the Shalia fruit, I’ve been able to gather much more Magia than before, but I feel there’s a limit.
She cautiously guessed that once she reached the forest filled with Magia, her container might expand, but as long as she lived with her family, it was nearly impossible.
“Hmm, what to do…”
She thought it would have been easier to move freely back at the orphanage, which she regretted slightly.
Flora rested her chin on her arm on the desk, lost in thought, but no good ideas came to her.
She imagined the potential consequences of running away: getting kidnapped or Atanas having to intervene.
No, I’ve shed my innocent act recently…
She might have to personally intervene and tarnish Lucifer’s image a bit more.
Either way, the outcome wouldn’t be ideal.
“Ah, whatever! Let’s sleep for now!”
The best solution when stuck was to leave it to tomorrow’s self.
Atanas thought it a bad idea, but she had heard of Xenofia using this approach successfully.
Flora decided to trust her first human subordinate in this situation.
Lying down on the bed, tired, her eyes began to close.
Janet flew over and turned off the lights, and Flora quickly fell asleep.
The next day, as Xenofia had suggested, passing the problem to her future self miraculously revealed a solution.
It was time to bring Lucifer’s sins to the judgment platform.
With a rather infuriating letter to accompany it.
