55 A Single Month Is All I Need

Relton fought back with intense concentration. Moving his hands like lightning, he redirected Vanport's attacks away with strained eyes.

"|Flash|." [Relton]

Snapping his fingers, a bright light covered Vanport's eyes.

"Urgh!" [Vanport]

The light blinded Vanport, and Relton wasn't going to let the opportunity go to waste.

"|Twin Iron Fist|." [Relton]

Stepping forward with great momentum, he slammed his fists against Vanport's chest.

"...Impressive." [Vanport]

("What?!") [Solace]

Even with his eyes closed, Vanport had caught Relton's attack.

"The force behind the blow isn't trivial. I'd wager it is about… level 4-5." [Vanport]

Realizing the attack |Twin Iron Fist| hadn't worked, Relton tried to pull back.

"Pardon me." [Vanport]

Strengthening his grip, He kept Relton's hands on lockdown. After making sure that Relton couldn't pry himself from his iron grip, Vanport leaned into Relton's ear.

"Vanport?" [Medwin]

Vanport seemed to be saying something to Relton, finally releasing his hands upon finishing.

"...I surrender." [Relton]

("Huh? The- eh?!") [Solace]

Lowering his hands, Relton sent |Lacra| back to… uh… the spirit dimension? Either way, she wasn't there anymore.

"I approve of my sister's agreement." [Relton]

"Ah, I see you've finally opened your eyes!" [Medwin]

"On one condition." [Relton]

"Huh?" [Medwin]

He seemed a bit confused, yet I couldn't help but notice Vanport's still expression upon hearing this.

"Relton! You have no right to add these conditions!" [Haverend]

Fina's father was somewhat enraged. I can kind of get why he's mad, but I'm not going to take his side.

"No, no. He is but a child. We should at least hear him out." [Medwin]

Though he was sweating a fair amount, Medwin tried to act confident and proud.

"Instead of setting the wedding in a few weeks, I'd like to move it a month from now." [Relton]

"...A month?" [Haverend]

Medwin's eyes widened with surprise. Perhaps he wasn't expecting such a condition.

"A-ahem… Entertaining such a condition wouldn't pose a problem. The marriage may have been decided two weeks from now, but another two weeks won't hurt." [Medwin]

"Are you certain, Sir Medwin?" [Haverend]

"Of course! When have I gone back on my word?" [Medwin]

I don't know why, but when I heard him say that… I just… really wanted to punch him in the face.

("Top ten lines of a liar of all time.") [Solace]

"Rebuttal: The top ten lines of a liar of all time does not consist of a single sentence." [Spirit Guide]

("...I was joking.") [Solace]

After accepting Relton's condition, Medwin collected his things and headed for the exit.

"Leaving already?" [Haverend]

"I have adjustments to make for… the wedding. After being given such a condition, it would be wrong to not use it, no?" [Medwin]

"I see. Well then, I shall see you off." [Haverend]

"Vanport, come." [Medwin]

"At once." [Vanport]

Just before heading out, Haverend turned around.

"Head butler, please escort Fina back to her room." [Haverend]

As he issued the order, an old butler nodded.

"My lady, please come with me." [Old Butler]

"..." [Fina]

Surprisingly, Fina didn't make a fuss. Standing up quietly, not because of the silencing magic or something, she followed the old butler through a flight of stairs and a corridor to… I guess her room.

("...Why are the doors like this?") [Solace]

The room door was… normal. Made out of wood, painted normally with a dark brown hue. It's just… Why was there a carving of a really fat man on it?

("Damn… Reminds me of Medwin. That blonde fatso…") [Solace]

The old butler opened the room for Fina, standing aside to let her through first.

"|Dispel|." [Old Butler]

With a slight movement of the air, the old man seemed to have changed something.

"...Thank you, William." [Fina]

("The silence is undone?") [Solace]

And that's how I thought of the old butler as someone special. Until I realized that pretty much everyone can use magic in this world.

"No, I can only ask for your forgiveness." [Old Butler]

Lowering his head with pity in his eyes, he closed the door on Fina.

"...Solace?" [Fina]

("Wassup?") [Solace]

Acting like I knew nothing, I appeared all cheery with my ball-like form.

"Can you… allow me to hug you for a moment?" [Fina]

("Uh… sure.") [Solace]

Placing myself on her hands, she brought me to her chest.

("Oh, this is…") [Solace]

As I looked up at Fina, I began to notice tears slowly streaming down her face.

("Aw… Damn it…") [Solace]

Fina weeped silently, as if even the slightest sound would disturb her surroundings.

("...Go ahead and cry your heart out. I'll find a way to fix this.") [Solace]

If I had recalled correctly, exactly one month was going to be the wedding. At that point it wasn't a matter of "if" I could do something to help her, but "when".

("...No other choice. I'll try asking Master.") [Solace]

avataravatar
Next chapter