Chapter 3: Early Morning Departure
[space_man][space_man]The next morning, Eld left the house early with only one trunk.
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[space_man][space_man]He tried to leave early in the morning because he didn’t want to see the faces of his half-siblings, who would surely be sad, but perhaps they had read his feelings, as they were waiting for him early in the morning.
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[space_man][space_man]”Onii-sama, it’s terrible to leave without even saying goodbye!”
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[space_man][space_man]Millenia clings to Eld’s arm and buries her face in it.
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[space_man][space_man]”I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to say goodbye to in this situation……”
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[space_man][space_man]Eld gently strokes Millenia’s head. Then he turns to Jaylot, who was watching from a little distance.
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[space_man][space_man]”Jaylot, if anything happens, go to Uncle Ralph’s. I’ve had Tohlight inform him of the situation.
[space_man][space_man]But……if possible, I want you to help Sandrea……and Millenia too……”
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[space_man][space_man]Eld knew full well that it was not something to ask of his underage half-siblings.
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[space_man][space_man]However, in this unpredictable situation, Eld had no choice but to rely on Jaylot’s young but thoughtful intelligence to prevent the worst from happening.
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[space_man][space_man]Jaylot turns his blue eyes, and Millenia her orange eyes, toward Eld.
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[space_man][space_man]”I understand. I don’t know how much I can help, but……I’ll do my best.
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[space_man][space_man]And if possible, I want to be the lord in place of my sister……”
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[space_man][space_man]Before he could finish his sentence, Eld shakes his head.
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[space_man][space_man]”You don’t have to be the lord. When you become an adult, follow the path you want. After that……we have no choice but to be guided by the Goddess.”
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[space_man][space_man]”……I understand.”
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[space_man][space_man]Jaylot couldn’t say anything more at the sight of his brother’s sad expression, which he usually doesn’t show.
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[space_man][space_man]”Well, I have to go because it’s time for the carriage to leave. I have a destination in mind, but I don’t know if I’ll settle down there. I’ll send a letter when things settle down.”
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[space_man][space_man]Eld gently releases Millenia, who is clinging to him, ruffles Jaylot’s hair, and leaves the house.
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[space_man][space_man]”Even if we pray to the Goddess……Onii-sama should know better than anyone that nothing will happen……”
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[space_man][space_man]”Maybe this time……we have no choice but to rely on even that……”
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[space_man][space_man]Millenia and Jaylot muttered as they watched Eld walk away.
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[space_man][space_man]Eld headed northeast on a stagecoach. It was the territory where his mother’s family lived, and his uncle ruled as the lord.
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[space_man][space_man]After three days of being jolted in the carriage, he arrived at his destination.
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[space_man][space_man]”It’s still cold here. Oh, my butt hurts.”
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[space_man][space_man]Eld muttered as he got out of the carriage, where he had been sitting almost the entire time, and stretched.
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[space_man][space_man]The carriage he was riding in was fairly luxurious, but sitting for long periods made his body stiff and tired.
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[space_man][space_man]”Eld-nii-san, you’ll still be jolted in the carriage from now on.”
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[space_man][space_man]When Eld turned towards the voice, he saw his cousin, Derry Linus, a handsome young man with black hair and green eyes, standing there with a wry smile.
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[space_man][space_man]”It’s been a while, Derry. Thank you for coming to pick me up.”
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[space_man][space_man]”It’s nothing for Eld-nii-san.”
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[space_man][space_man]Eld, who had originally planned to walk to Derry’s place, was a little surprised to find him there to pick him up.
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[space_man][space_man]”I was surprised when I received an urgent letter from Tohlight. What are you going to do now?”
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[space_man][space_man]Derry asks as the two of them get into the carriage.
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[space_man][space_man]”I’d like to take it easy for a while……but honestly, I don’t have much money, so I’ll restart my adventurer career here.”
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[space_man][space_man]”I thought Eld-nii-san would say that. Then let’s go to the Branch Guild first.”
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[space_man][space_man]Derry tells the driver the destination, and the carriage starts moving.
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[space_man][space_man]”If it weren’t for my current job, I’d like to be an adventurer with Eld-nii-san.”
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[space_man][space_man]”If the heir of the Linus family became an adventurer, there would be a huge commotion.”
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[space_man][space_man]”Then the former lord of the Faniaal family becoming an adventurer would also be a huge commotion.”
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[space_man][space_man]”I’m not well-known here……well, not exactly, but I don’t think anyone knows I was a lord, so it’s fine.”
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[space_man][space_man]Derry gives a wry smile.
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[space_man][space_man]”So you understand that you’re famous.”
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[space_man][space_man]”Well, I caused a lot of trouble here six years ago. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
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[space_man][space_man]Eld also laughed, and the carriage carrying the two of them headed towards the Branch Guild.