「So…what’s with this situation?」
I said that with a blank face, while trying to make sense of the current situation.
I beat Sheryl with 「Night serpent」, quarreled with Chester because he said I stole his technique, Sheryl woke up…
Hmm, if I remember correctly, it went like that.
I…no, we were currently sitting in the dining room. After the match, we decided to have dinner together, after walking through another long hallway, we arrived here.
Looking at the design, I saw lots of furniture of elven craftsmanship, and splendid paintings. It made me think that this old man was really an elf.
Well, this place is pretty spacious too. Who does he even plan to invite by making it this spacious?
While thinking about pointless things, I came to the conclusion that, it was boorish to complain about how people used the money they had earned. Besides…
「Guu…Sheryl, won’t you separate from that guy and come to grandpa?」
「No, I don’t want to separate from Slava-kun…」
No matter what I think about, it won’t change the fact that I can’t escape from this situation.
Sheryl was hugging me tightly. I could only grit my teeth, while Chester was crying tears of blood from looking at us. What’s with this situation?
「Slavaaa! You are bothered by it too, right? That’s why Sheryl, get away from-」
「No. Even if Slava dislikes it, I won’t let go…」
Sheryl turned towards Chester, while rubbing her cheeks against mine as if she was trying to bore a hole in them, she stuck out her tongue.
The strength of the arms around me gradually grew stronger, right now, it had raised tenfold and they could strangle a bear to death.
…I’m glad I had trained. The situation right now was like a bad comedy, but if I was a normal kid, this would have turned into quite the tragedy.
Well, having his granddaughter taken away from him, Chester’s face already looked like that of a murderer.
If it continues like this, Chester will explode, and it’ll turn into quite the troublesome situation.
I would like to avoid anything troublesome but…
「Fufu, as I thought, Slava-kun won’t break…so warm….」
As one would expect, I couldn’t bring myself to drive a girl, that was hugging me like an affectionate cat , off. Though…with the strength she’s hugging me with, she would be a lion instead of a cat.
She’s hugging me with this much strength, but I don’t feel any malice from Sheryl. I guess it’s something she does unconsciously, I see , no wonder she was starving for contact.
「Chester, you have to take better care of your granddaughter」
「I’m always taking good care of her! Shamelessly saying that…!」
…That didn’t go so well. I wasn’t able to convey it properly. He was on the verge of exploding from anger.
「Look, Sheryl. Your grandpa is feeling lonely. How about going to his side for a while?」
「…Don’t want to. However, if Slava-kun dislikes it, I’ll think about it. Slava-kun…do you hate me…?」
It’s not like I hate her, but truth be told, I’ve been feeling troubled for a while.
No, it’s not like there’s anything wrong with my body but…if this keeps going, Chester will turn problematic.
However, I can’t say that. After all, Sheryl’s behavior had finally become appropriate for a girl her age. There must be a reason for the insanity she showed earlier. I think I’d like to fill those gaps in her heart.
「No, it’s not like I hate you…」
「…Then, I’ll stay here」
Therefore, I had no way of getting her off me.
They say that one can’t win against a girl’s tears but…I doubt many would be able to break free from this.
I patted Sheryl’s head, whose cheeks were blushing, her eyes narrowed in happiness. She looked just like a cat.
「Slava-kun, I like you」
I wonder if it was because she liked having her head patted,Sheryl started to rub against my neck in delight.
Was it because she was tired? I couldn’t feel much strength behind it.
For some reason, it reminded me of Alma. The way she aggressively approaches you once you start to dote on her, is like her. Not having felt this kind of warmth in a long time, speaking honestly, it wasn’t so bad.
「…Yeah, I like you too, Sheryl」
With this, I started to understand why people are so enthusiastic about grandchildren. You unintentionally become attached to them, I nearly blurted that out.
「Aagghhh!…Slava, you bastaaaard!」
…Thus, having seen that, Chester was grinding his teeth. What should I even do? Is this what they mean when they say 「You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs」? There were a lot of things I didn’t pay attention to, that my master said, but lots of things randomly came to mind.
If it was the young me, I would have probably brushed Sheryl off, but it seems like my master didn’t only teach me how to fight.
While recalling the past, I stroke Sheryl, who had become attached to me like a cat, under the chin. Doing so, it really looked like she liked it, Sheryl looked relaxed and she was breathing gently.
「Hey Slava…let’s go to the courtyard, I think I’m about to lose it…」
「Pardon the intrusion, I’m bringing the din-…what might this situation be?」
Just when Chester had reached the limits of his jealousy and was going to challenge me to a fight, with the dinner placed on a cart, Linnet entered the room. Judging from her first words, the sight she saw was hard to comprehend.
However, it was an unexpected aid. With the dinner here, even this senile old man won’t be able to do anything flashy.
「Well done Linnet! Look, Sheryl, food is here. You won’t be able to eat if you hug him like that, right? That’s why you should separate from that guy already」
You can’t eat while hugging someone else. Chester’s face brightened when Linnet appeared, he could finally separate his granddaughter from this man of doubtful origins.
Good grief, showing that shameless face. I didn’t want to watch this guy being manipulated by his granddaughter.
…However, Chester…no, both of us would know that our judgement was too naive.
「Slava-kun is going to feed me, so it’s fine…」
While blushing, Sheryl calmly said that.
As usual, Chester stood there, frozen and with a depressed face…however, this time, even I had the same reaction.
Even though my real age was higher than hers, the current me was 3 years younger than her. This offensive move, given the current circumstances, wasn’t it quite the skillful move? This Sheryl, she’s quite the fearsome child!
「…You don’t want to?」
Taking my current expression as one of refusal, Sheryl’s face turned gloomy.
Her bashful expression from a while ago and the ephemeral smile were no longer there.
Chester…this time he looked like he was trying to say 「What the hell are you doing, making Sheryl cry? You bastard」.
…You, what do you want me to do? What should I do?
However, being stared at by these eyes, there’s no way I can refuse.
「No, well…it’s not like I mind…」
At the same time I replied, Sheryl’s face looked like a blooming flower.
…Why is she so attached to me? No, I think I know why. I’m probably the first friend around her age she has ever made.
Not being able to control her own power, Sheryl probably can’t probably touch any person other than Chester or me.
That’s why, I should just endure and spoil her for the time being.
Chester’s face changed into one of anger again…let’s just ignore him. It’s too late for him already.
Set in the table in front of me, were various dishes that emitted a fragrant smell.
While being bothered by the slightly embarrassed gaze on me…the extremely tiring and unusually slow dinner started.
「So, she fell asleep, huh?」
I said so, while Sheryl had her head on my lap and I was patting her head.
Play, eat, then sleep. When I first met her I thought she was a terrible girl with a gloomy mood but…looking at her now, she looked like a normal kid.
While looking at her, I grasped some of those silver threads in my hand.
It must have been because she had elven and djinn blood mixed in her, you could say it was like the most beautiful metal, it was to the point that you could mistake it for mythril.
「Being so attached to you, well…she was quite cute, right?」
「…You are right」
While gently looking at Sheryl, who was breathing peacefully, Chester took the seat next to Sheryl. Seems like he had calmed down. Grandchildren are really terrifying beings.
I unconsciously sighed when I saw Chester making a gentle smile I’ve never seen him make before.
I didn’t want to think I had lost to this 「Gentle grandpa」 you could find anywhere.
「You see, it’s the first time that Sheryl has played with someone around her age. She might make you go through plenty of trouble, but could you look after her?」
「It’s not like I mind. She’s just bad at controlling her strength. I’m a bit tired, but that’s all」
What was reflected on her sleeping face, was a smile.
Without any signs of madness, nor a sadistic smile aiming at its prey…just the sleeping face of a girl appropriate for her age.
A large amount of magic power, sometimes changes the personality of the person. Having a great power can also be problematic.
If she didn’t have that power, I bet she would be just a normal adorable girl.
「…I said she was a half between an elf and a djinn, right?」
While bitterness started to mix in his face, Chester started to talk in a voice low enough to not wake Sheryl up. I simply nodded at him.
「That idiotic son of mine, it was nice that he got a wife, but his wife forced herself when giving birth to this kid and passed away… She might have survived if she had given up on Sheryl, but it seems like she didn’t listen and wanted to have her no matter what, in the end it happened like the midwife had said. Even then, she loved the child she gave birth to. I thought he was a worthless son, but he raised this kid without a wife. He was praiseworthy.」
「…Was, huh? So that means…」
「That’s right, my son is gone too. When this kid was 5 years old, he went to pick some fruits in the mountain, and lost his footing on a cliff…that’s why Sheryl, she lost both of her parents soon after having been born」
After sipping a bit from the teacup he had in his hand, Chester took a breath.
His face was dyed in sadness, it was also the first time I had seen him make that kind of expression, in the 60 years I’ve known him.
「That’s what happened, having lost both of her parents at a young age, she was left all alone at the age of 5. …Then, I tried to make the wife’s parents take her in but…they, they refused saying Sheryl was an unwanted child. Seems like they were already against her marrying my son, as they were babbling about things like that…I finally got pissed. Without any care about age, I beat them up. Well, that’s fine…」
Chester, narrowed his eyes in a gentle expression, and put his hand on top of Sheryl’s.
To think this man, that was akin to a famous blade and would injure anything he touched, would be able to make this kind of expression.
After showing his affection towards Sheryl for a while, Chester gazed at me strongly.
What was reflected in his face, was another expression I had never seen him make.
「I leave Sheryl to you. I’ll be gone before you after all. At that time, please, don’t let this kid be all alone…」
…I wonder if I was making this same face, when I passed the Shijima style to Alma.
It was a strong will. His face was that of a man, who requested me to take care of his precious granddaughter after he died.
…Today has been full of surprises. I had seen various faces from this man, who I thought I already knew well from our undesirable friendship. Does having grandchildren really make you change this much? To think Chester would be able to make such expressions.
「…Leave it to me. This child, is also a friend of mine」
However, it wasn’t because Chester asked me to, I had decided to look after this child’s future of my own free will.
「You don’t even have to tell me. I don’t plan to leave things half-done」
「Slava…！」
Looking at his frail self with that irritating mustache, I gave him a small smile.
To think that even in my second life, I wouldn’t be able to cut ties with the Prime family. It seems like our undesirable friendship runs deep.
「Fix that pitiful look of yours already. You’ll lose your dignity as a grandfather if Sheryl sees you like that」
「…Yes, you are right. As long as I’m still standing, I plan to be the cool grandpa after all」
Having took the bait, Chester started smiling again.
It was an expression that suited him more.
「Thanks, Slava」
For elves, that gap I had of 20 years was short, even if I added my current age, it would only amount to around 30 years.
I was wondering how much the world had changed but, to think that even my old friend, who I thought would never change, changed like this, it seems like 50 years was more than enough to change him.
Looking at the hard headed like a diamond girl, sleeping peacefully on my lap, my cheeks started to loosen.
…Grandchildren, huh? If fate allows it, I would like to have them one day.
However, I probably won’t become like him or my master. Well…probably. If I think that my friend’s granddaughter is this cute, just how cute would I think the grandchildren that my own children have are? In a certain way, it might be a harder challenge than anyone I have faced until now.
Like a child that felt safe, I was suddenly overcome with sleepiness. Now that I think about it, it’s about time for the date to change. My body is still that of a child. While fighting my instincts, I unconsciously closed my eyes.
I can’t, if I close my eyes here I’ll definitely fall asleep. If that happens, I won’t be able to return before the lesson starts.
Sensing the impending crisis, I started to think of a way to fight the sleepiness. At times like this, the best thing to do would be to move your body, but waking up the the girl that was sleeping peacefully on my lap felt wrong, and it was something hard to do for the current me.
…I guess there’s no other choice. I’m reluctant but…I have no other choice but to talk to Chester. Luckily, Sheryl is sound asleep. She probably won’t wake up from this much.
However, what should we talk about? If we talked about anything related to fighting, we will probably raise our voices after all…oh, that’s right.
Thinking about it, there’s something I wanted to hear from him.
「That’s right Chester, I picked this thing up in town, know anything about it?」
While paying attention not to wake Sheryl up, I took a sharp crystal from my tunic’s pocket and passed it to Chester.
Chester caught the crystal, that had a murky blood color and emitted an ominous aura, without any problems.
「Hmm? You, isn’t this a 「Dark crystal」!? I thought this was something unrelated to you, how did you…?」
Judging from his reaction, it seems like he knows more about this than me.
「So they are called dark crystals, huh? It was nothing, it was just that some hoodlums picked a fight with me while I was in town. It’s not like I killed them, but at the time they used that thing. When they did… 」
「Their magic power turned ominous and increased sharply, right? Yeah, I know about that. It’s a form of doping that has become popular lately」
「…Doupingu?」
Hearing the unfamiliar word, I unconsciously repeated it. When I did, the corner of Chester’s mouth warped in a ridiculous manner.
Feeling somewhat irritated, I tried to make the conversation move forward.
「So we have to start from there. How to explain it…to put it simply, it’s like a medicine that destroys you in exchange for magic power. It’s becoming popular in the underworld lately, and it’s giving me quite the headache」
While giving the crystal a glance, I thought about the words that Chester had said.
「Hmm? To sum it up, you are saying that just by taking that medicine, you can increase your magic power, right?」
「Don’t forget the part where I said it’ll destroy you. No, in the case of this one, nothing bad will happen to your body. However, it’ll destroy your mind. Didn’t you see it? How their magic increased stupidly when they ate it. However, no matter how gentle a person is, they’ll turn violent」
My eyes turned to the crystal again, and I pondered about what Chester had said.
A crystal that raises your magic power just by eating it, huh? However, it’ll turn you violent.
…When those worthless people used it, I already got an idea about what it was, but it turns out that it was really a worthless thing.
「To easily become stronger, quite the stupid thing has become popular, huh. There’s no meaning if it’s not a strength you gained with your own hands」
So stupid. If they find value in borrowed power, I’d like to teach them a lesson.
「You would probably say that kind of thing. Well, it’s like that. It’s a worthless crystal that’s being produced. This is just a rumor, but it seems like it puts a burden on your body. Though take that with a grain of salt」
「Hmm…I see. I got it, thanks」
I held the crystal between 2 fingers and raised it towards the sky. It sad that something like this had become popular. That being said, it might be interesting to believe Chester’s words. What’s this troublesome thing he speaks of? Might it be something interesting?
I tried to put the crystal I held back in my breast pocket. However, maybe because of my slow speed, I was suddenly stopped. At this distance, the only one that could do that, was Sheryl. When I looked, Sheryl, who had just woken up, was grabbing my arm.
「…Hmm? What’s wrong, Sheryl?」
With a gentle voice, I shook Sheryl, who was staring at the crystal with sleepy eyes, to wake her up.
When I did, Sheryl got up from my lap, and turned to face me.
「I don’t know. However, I feel a nostalgic feeling from that crystal」
「Nostalgic?」
Because of her unexpected words, I replied like that.
It wasn’t a question aimed at anyone, having heard that, Chester placed his hand on his chin.
「Now that I think about it, I often hear that this crystal is mined in the djinn country…in the place called Haltigue. Sheryl has been born and raised in Milafia, but her mother might had unexpectedly had something like this on her」
While nodding at Chester’s words, I observed Sheryl, who was looking at the crystal. I wanted to ask her if she wanted to hold the crystal, but it didn’t seem like she was that interested.
Having lost her interested in the crystal, She lay down again with her head on my lap.
…Mined in the Djinn country, huh? Now that I think about it, I get the feeling that, those men gave the image of detestable Djinns.
This is yet another thing that didn’t exist back when I was still living. I felt somewhat amazed and some admiration for this ever changing world.
However, no matter what we say, it will keep changing. It had changed this much in only 30 years, how much does the world change during the life span of an elf?
I started to feel unusually sentimental, but I quickly brushed it away.
…Well then, guess it’s about time I returned. No matter what i say, I’m one that takes lessons seriously. For that reason, I have to leave this place. However…
「…eh, this is bad」
「Ah? What’s wrong?」
I grimaced after realizing the terrifying truth. Chester looked at me unusually worried.
Feeling suddenly worried, I said seriously…
「She, Sheryl fell asleep on top of my lap again…」
「…You bastard, I can take that as you boasting to me, right?」
Even though we went through so much trouble to wake her up once, now I can’t move again.
Following that, the flames of jealousy towards me were reborn in Chester, I calmly gave up on tomorrow’s lessons.
「So…what’s with this situation?」
I said that with a blank face, while trying to make sense of the current situation.
I beat Sheryl with 「Night serpent」, quarreled with Chester because he said I stole his technique, Sheryl woke up…
Hmm, if I remember correctly, it went like that.
I…no, we were currently sitting in the dining room. After the match, we decided to have dinner together, after walking through another long hallway, we arrived here.
Looking at the design, I saw lots of furniture of elven craftsmanship, and splendid paintings. It made me think that this old man was really an elf.
Well, this place is pretty spacious too. Who does he even plan to invite by making it this spacious?
While thinking about pointless things, I came to the conclusion that, it was boorish to complain about how people used the money they had earned. Besides…
「Guu…Sheryl, won’t you separate from that guy and come to grandpa?」
「No, I don’t want to separate from Slava-kun…」
No matter what I think about, it won’t change the fact that I can’t escape from this situation.
Sheryl was hugging me tightly. I could only grit my teeth, while Chester was crying tears of blood from looking at us. What’s with this situation?
「Slavaaa! You are bothered by it too, right? That’s why Sheryl, get away from-」
「No. Even if Slava dislikes it, I won’t let go…」
Sheryl turned towards Chester, while rubbing her cheeks against mine as if she was trying to bore a hole in them, she stuck out her tongue.
The strength of the arms around me gradually grew stronger, right now, it had raised tenfold and they could strangle a bear to death.
…I’m glad I had trained. The situation right now was like a bad comedy, but if I was a normal kid, this would have turned into quite the tragedy.
Well, having his granddaughter taken away from him, Chester’s face already looked like that of a murderer.
If it continues like this, Chester will explode, and it’ll turn into quite the troublesome situation.
I would like to avoid anything troublesome but…
「Fufu, as I thought, Slava-kun won’t break…so warm….」
As one would expect, I couldn’t bring myself to drive a girl, that was hugging me like an affectionate cat , off. Though…with the strength she’s hugging me with, she would be a lion instead of a cat.
She’s hugging me with this much strength, but I don’t feel any malice from Sheryl. I guess it’s something she does unconsciously, I see , no wonder she was starving for contact.
「Chester, you have to take better care of your granddaughter」
「I’m always taking good care of her! Shamelessly saying that…!」
…That didn’t go so well. I wasn’t able to convey it properly. He was on the verge of exploding from anger.
「Look, Sheryl. Your grandpa is feeling lonely. How about going to his side for a while?」
「…Don’t want to. However, if Slava-kun dislikes it, I’ll think about it. Slava-kun…do you hate me…?」
It’s not like I hate her, but truth be told, I’ve been feeling troubled for a while.
No, it’s not like there’s anything wrong with my body but…if this keeps going, Chester will turn problematic.
However, I can’t say that. After all, Sheryl’s behavior had finally become appropriate for a girl her age. There must be a reason for the insanity she showed earlier. I think I’d like to fill those gaps in her heart.
「No, it’s not like I hate you…」
「…Then, I’ll stay here」
Therefore, I had no way of getting her off me.
They say that one can’t win against a girl’s tears but…I doubt many would be able to break free from this.
I patted Sheryl’s head, whose cheeks were blushing, her eyes narrowed in happiness. She looked just like a cat.
「Slava-kun, I like you」
I wonder if it was because she liked having her head patted,Sheryl started to rub against my neck in delight.
Was it because she was tired? I couldn’t feel much strength behind it.
For some reason, it reminded me of Alma. The way she aggressively approaches you once you start to dote on her, is like her. Not having felt this kind of warmth in a long time, speaking honestly, it wasn’t so bad.
「…Yeah, I like you too, Sheryl」
With this, I started to understand why people are so enthusiastic about grandchildren. You unintentionally become attached to them, I nearly blurted that out.
「Aagghhh!…Slava, you bastaaaard!」
…Thus, having seen that, Chester was grinding his teeth. What should I even do? Is this what they mean when they say 「You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs」? There were a lot of things I didn’t pay attention to, that my master said, but lots of things randomly came to mind.
If it was the young me, I would have probably brushed Sheryl off, but it seems like my master didn’t only teach me how to fight.
While recalling the past, I stroke Sheryl, who had become attached to me like a cat, under the chin. Doing so, it really looked like she liked it, Sheryl looked relaxed and she was breathing gently.
「Hey Slava…let’s go to the courtyard, I think I’m about to lose it…」
「Pardon the intrusion, I’m bringing the din-…what might this situation be?」
Just when Chester had reached the limits of his jealousy and was going to challenge me to a fight, with the dinner placed on a cart, Linnet entered the room. Judging from her first words, the sight she saw was hard to comprehend.
However, it was an unexpected aid. With the dinner here, even this senile old man won’t be able to do anything flashy.
「Well done Linnet! Look, Sheryl, food is here. You won’t be able to eat if you hug him like that, right? That’s why you should separate from that guy already」
You can’t eat while hugging someone else. Chester’s face brightened when Linnet appeared, he could finally separate his granddaughter from this man of doubtful origins.
Good grief, showing that shameless face. I didn’t want to watch this guy being manipulated by his granddaughter.
…However, Chester…no, both of us would know that our judgement was too naive.
「Slava-kun is going to feed me, so it’s fine…」
While blushing, Sheryl calmly said that.
As usual, Chester stood there, frozen and with a depressed face…however, this time, even I had the same reaction.
Even though my real age was higher than hers, the current me was 3 years younger than her. This offensive move, given the current circumstances, wasn’t it quite the skillful move? This Sheryl, she’s quite the fearsome child!
「…You don’t want to?」
Taking my current expression as one of refusal, Sheryl’s face turned gloomy.
Her bashful expression from a while ago and the ephemeral smile were no longer there.
Chester…this time he looked like he was trying to say 「What the hell are you doing, making Sheryl cry? You bastard」.
…You, what do you want me to do? What should I do?
However, being stared at by these eyes, there’s no way I can refuse.
「No, well…it’s not like I mind…」
At the same time I replied, Sheryl’s face looked like a blooming flower.
…Why is she so attached to me? No, I think I know why. I’m probably the first friend around her age she has ever made.
Not being able to control her own power, Sheryl probably can’t probably touch any person other than Chester or me.
That’s why, I should just endure and spoil her for the time being.
Chester’s face changed into one of anger again…let’s just ignore him. It’s too late for him already.
Set in the table in front of me, were various dishes that emitted a fragrant smell.
While being bothered by the slightly embarrassed gaze on me…the extremely tiring and unusually slow dinner started.
「So, she fell asleep, huh?」
I said so, while Sheryl had her head on my lap and I was patting her head.
Play, eat, then sleep. When I first met her I thought she was a terrible girl with a gloomy mood but…looking at her now, she looked like a normal kid.
While looking at her, I grasped some of those silver threads in my hand.
It must have been because she had elven and djinn blood mixed in her, you could say it was like the most beautiful metal, it was to the point that you could mistake it for mythril.
「Being so attached to you, well…she was quite cute, right?」
「…You are right」
While gently looking at Sheryl, who was breathing peacefully, Chester took the seat next to Sheryl. Seems like he had calmed down. Grandchildren are really terrifying beings.
I unconsciously sighed when I saw Chester making a gentle smile I’ve never seen him make before.
I didn’t want to think I had lost to this 「Gentle grandpa」 you could find anywhere.
「You see, it’s the first time that Sheryl has played with someone around her age. She might make you go through plenty of trouble, but could you look after her?」
「It’s not like I mind. She’s just bad at controlling her strength. I’m a bit tired, but that’s all」
What was reflected on her sleeping face, was a smile.
Without any signs of madness, nor a sadistic smile aiming at its prey…just the sleeping face of a girl appropriate for her age.
A large amount of magic power, sometimes changes the personality of the person. Having a great power can also be problematic.
If she didn’t have that power, I bet she would be just a normal adorable girl.
「…I said she was a half between an elf and a djinn, right?」
While bitterness started to mix in his face, Chester started to talk in a voice low enough to not wake Sheryl up. I simply nodded at him.
「That idiotic son of mine, it was nice that he got a wife, but his wife forced herself when giving birth to this kid and passed away… She might have survived if she had given up on Sheryl, but it seems like she didn’t listen and wanted to have her no matter what, in the end it happened like the midwife had said. Even then, she loved the child she gave birth to. I thought he was a worthless son, but he raised this kid without a wife. He was praiseworthy.」
「…Was, huh? So that means…」
「That’s right, my son is gone too. When this kid was 5 years old, he went to pick some fruits in the mountain, and lost his footing on a cliff…that’s why Sheryl, she lost both of her parents soon after having been born」
After sipping a bit from the teacup he had in his hand, Chester took a breath.
His face was dyed in sadness, it was also the first time I had seen him make that kind of expression, in the 60 years I’ve known him.
「That’s what happened, having lost both of her parents at a young age, she was left all alone at the age of 5. …Then, I tried to make the wife’s parents take her in but…they, they refused saying Sheryl was an unwanted child. Seems like they were already against her marrying my son, as they were babbling about things like that…I finally got pissed. Without any care about age, I beat them up. Well, that’s fine…」
Chester, narrowed his eyes in a gentle expression, and put his hand on top of Sheryl’s.
To think this man, that was akin to a famous blade and would injure anything he touched, would be able to make this kind of expression.
After showing his affection towards Sheryl for a while, Chester gazed at me strongly.
What was reflected in his face, was another expression I had never seen him make.
「I leave Sheryl to you. I’ll be gone before you after all. At that time, please, don’t let this kid be all alone…」
…I wonder if I was making this same face, when I passed the Shijima style to Alma.
It was a strong will. His face was that of a man, who requested me to take care of his precious granddaughter after he died.
…Today has been full of surprises. I had seen various faces from this man, who I thought I already knew well from our undesirable friendship. Does having grandchildren really make you change this much? To think Chester would be able to make such expressions.
「…Leave it to me. This child, is also a friend of mine」
However, it wasn’t because Chester asked me to, I had decided to look after this child’s future of my own free will.
「You don’t even have to tell me. I don’t plan to leave things half-done」
「Slava…！」
Looking at his frail self with that irritating mustache, I gave him a small smile.
To think that even in my second life, I wouldn’t be able to cut ties with the Prime family. It seems like our undesirable friendship runs deep.
「Fix that pitiful look of yours already. You’ll lose your dignity as a grandfather if Sheryl sees you like that」
「…Yes, you are right. As long as I’m still standing, I plan to be the cool grandpa after all」
Having took the bait, Chester started smiling again.
It was an expression that suited him more.
「Thanks, Slava」
For elves, that gap I had of 20 years was short, even if I added my current age, it would only amount to around 30 years.
I was wondering how much the world had changed but, to think that even my old friend, who I thought would never change, changed like this, it seems like 50 years was more than enough to change him.
Looking at the hard headed like a diamond girl, sleeping peacefully on my lap, my cheeks started to loosen.
…Grandchildren, huh? If fate allows it, I would like to have them one day.
However, I probably won’t become like him or my master. Well…probably. If I think that my friend’s granddaughter is this cute, just how cute would I think the grandchildren that my own children have are? In a certain way, it might be a harder challenge than anyone I have faced until now.
Like a child that felt safe, I was suddenly overcome with sleepiness. Now that I think about it, it’s about time for the date to change. My body is still that of a child. While fighting my instincts, I unconsciously closed my eyes.
I can’t, if I close my eyes here I’ll definitely fall asleep. If that happens, I won’t be able to return before the lesson starts.
Sensing the impending crisis, I started to think of a way to fight the sleepiness. At times like this, the best thing to do would be to move your body, but waking up the the girl that was sleeping peacefully on my lap felt wrong, and it was something hard to do for the current me.
…I guess there’s no other choice. I’m reluctant but…I have no other choice but to talk to Chester. Luckily, Sheryl is sound asleep. She probably won’t wake up from this much.
However, what should we talk about? If we talked about anything related to fighting, we will probably raise our voices after all…oh, that’s right.
Thinking about it, there’s something I wanted to hear from him.
「That’s right Chester, I picked this thing up in town, know anything about it?」
While paying attention not to wake Sheryl up, I took a sharp crystal from my tunic’s pocket and passed it to Chester.
Chester caught the crystal, that had a murky blood color and emitted an ominous aura, without any problems.
「Hmm? You, isn’t this a 「Dark crystal」!? I thought this was something unrelated to you, how did you…?」
Judging from his reaction, it seems like he knows more about this than me.
「So they are called dark crystals, huh? It was nothing, it was just that some hoodlums picked a fight with me while I was in town. It’s not like I killed them, but at the time they used that thing. When they did… 」
「Their magic power turned ominous and increased sharply, right? Yeah, I know about that. It’s a form of doping that has become popular lately」
「…Doupingu?」
Hearing the unfamiliar word, I unconsciously repeated it. When I did, the corner of Chester’s mouth warped in a ridiculous manner.
Feeling somewhat irritated, I tried to make the conversation move forward.
「So we have to start from there. How to explain it…to put it simply, it’s like a medicine that destroys you in exchange for magic power. It’s becoming popular in the underworld lately, and it’s giving me quite the headache」
While giving the crystal a glance, I thought about the words that Chester had said.
「Hmm? To sum it up, you are saying that just by taking that medicine, you can increase your magic power, right?」
「Don’t forget the part where I said it’ll destroy you. No, in the case of this one, nothing bad will happen to your body. However, it’ll destroy your mind. Didn’t you see it? How their magic increased stupidly when they ate it. However, no matter how gentle a person is, they’ll turn violent」
My eyes turned to the crystal again, and I pondered about what Chester had said.
A crystal that raises your magic power just by eating it, huh? However, it’ll turn you violent.
…When those worthless people used it, I already got an idea about what it was, but it turns out that it was really a worthless thing.
「To easily become stronger, quite the stupid thing has become popular, huh. There’s no meaning if it’s not a strength you gained with your own hands」
So stupid. If they find value in borrowed power, I’d like to teach them a lesson.
「You would probably say that kind of thing. Well, it’s like that. It’s a worthless crystal that’s being produced. This is just a rumor, but it seems like it puts a burden on your body. Though take that with a grain of salt」
「Hmm…I see. I got it, thanks」
I held the crystal between 2 fingers and raised it towards the sky. It sad that something like this had become popular. That being said, it might be interesting to believe Chester’s words. What’s this troublesome thing he speaks of? Might it be something interesting?
I tried to put the crystal I held back in my breast pocket. However, maybe because of my slow speed, I was suddenly stopped. At this distance, the only one that could do that, was Sheryl. When I looked, Sheryl, who had just woken up, was grabbing my arm.
「…Hmm? What’s wrong, Sheryl?」
With a gentle voice, I shook Sheryl, who was staring at the crystal with sleepy eyes, to wake her up.
When I did, Sheryl got up from my lap, and turned to face me.
「I don’t know. However, I feel a nostalgic feeling from that crystal」
「Nostalgic?」
Because of her unexpected words, I replied like that.
It wasn’t a question aimed at anyone, having heard that, Chester placed his hand on his chin.
「Now that I think about it, I often hear that this crystal is mined in the djinn country…in the place called Haltigue. Sheryl has been born and raised in Milafia, but her mother might had unexpectedly had something like this on her」
While nodding at Chester’s words, I observed Sheryl, who was looking at the crystal. I wanted to ask her if she wanted to hold the crystal, but it didn’t seem like she was that interested.
Having lost her interested in the crystal, She lay down again with her head on my lap.
…Mined in the Djinn country, huh? Now that I think about it, I get the feeling that, those men gave the image of detestable Djinns.
This is yet another thing that didn’t exist back when I was still living. I felt somewhat amazed and some admiration for this ever changing world.
However, no matter what we say, it will keep changing. It had changed this much in only 30 years, how much does the world change during the life span of an elf?
I started to feel unusually sentimental, but I quickly brushed it away.
…Well then, guess it’s about time I returned. No matter what i say, I’m one that takes lessons seriously. For that reason, I have to leave this place. However…
「…eh, this is bad」
「Ah? What’s wrong?」
I grimaced after realizing the terrifying truth. Chester looked at me unusually worried.
Feeling suddenly worried, I said seriously…
「She, Sheryl fell asleep on top of my lap again…」
「…You bastard, I can take that as you boasting to me, right?」
Even though we went through so much trouble to wake her up once, now I can’t move again.
Following that, the flames of jealousy towards me were reborn in Chester, I calmly gave up on tomorrow’s lessons.
