TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 250
“Eeeek!”
As soon as he stepped on the ground, Darbav slipped his hand under the Young Lady’s side and gave her an airplane ride.
The Young Lady soared quite high into the air.
“Eeeek…”
She looked pleased.
I wanted to ask for a ride too, but considering my age, I decided to keep such an impolite request to myself. Besides, I’m taller than her.
The Servants of the House of Wolfgang bowed their heads as soon as they saw Darbav’s face. Even though it was a Fallen Household due to Dark Magic, its prestige had not diminished in the slightest. Of course, not in a good way.
If anything, their infamy had only grown, never lessened.
The Desmond Family was the only one capable of using Dark Magic and maintaining their household. People even criticized the Emperor more for giving them a mere slap on the wrist.
“I greet the Loyal Subject of the Empire.”
“…”
Darbav did not recognize the Old Man Butler bowing to him. It seemed neither the household nor the man himself existed in his memory. To be precise, he didn’t realize the term ‘Loyal Subject’ was directed at him.
“Are you calling me?”
“Yes, Head of the Household.”
“I see.”
Darbav nodded and carefully set the Young Lady down on the ground.
“Father!”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Those bastards killed my ice cream!”
“Hmm…”
Darbav nodded readily. As expected of a household with no one capable of rational thought, Darbav’s willingness to accept any task was something I admired with pride.
These are the people I serve.
Everyone in the House of Wolfgang bowed their heads.
“That’s not it…”
Darbav stroked his chin, glanced at the Eagle Badge on the Old Man’s chest, and gave a chilly smile.
“Wolfgang, is it?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“The Wolfgang that owns the Western Canal.”
“…”
“I guess the waterway business is profitable. It even brings a sea breeze to the capital city.”
“…As far as I know, the Desmond Family also uses our canal. If you overlook this matter, I could offer the Head of the Household…”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Darbav’s smile faded as he spoke in a Low Voice.
“Your household was the first to sever contracts when the Dark Magic scandal broke out. Are you, a Butler of a noble household, unaware of that?”
“I misspoke. I apologize.”
“A Servant daring to speak out of turn to a Noble… Is that a characteristic of the Nobles of the West?”
Darbav’s sharp words, naturally displaying his disdain for nobles, prompted me to jot down a note in my Provocation Notebook. It made me think, ‘Nobles only understand when you crush them like this.’
Indeed, educated people are different.
For the first time, I felt bitter about my lack of education.
The Young Lady extended her finger and pointed at the child of the Wolfgang household. The Little Kid, who had slowly grasped the situation, retracted his tongue and bowed his head.
Since having adults intervene in children’s fights is the best solution, I proudly supported the Desmond Family.
“Let’s settle this as House vs. House.”
“…Please don’t.”
“This will be a good example to show that the Desmond Family is still strong.”
“Head of the Household…!”
The cost of ice cream was heavier than expected.
*
A room where no light entered.
A young Wizard who had lost his magic was trembling in Fear.
-Aaaaagh!!
“I can’t be of any help.”
-Try something… anything!
“I…”
-You claim to see the inner self…
“I’m a liar.”
Ruin was broken.
A Wizard with nothing but Pride to his name had lost his strength and was consumed by Fear. It wasn’t the overwhelming difference in magic that scared him. That was something effort could bridge.
The sole reason Ruin was trembling was this:
He was disgusted with himself for being the first to flee among those he had looked down on and despised.
Mikhail had fought with a sword.
Hanna had fought with a sword.
Even Yuria had rolled up her sleeves and jumped into the bloody battle to treat the wounded.
And yet, I…
-Pant… Pant… I survived.
Seeing the Tower Master join the fight, I had sighed in relief, thinking I was safe.
“What Prodigy of the Magic Tower?”
“What Wizard of Fire?”
“A fool who could only run away—what kind of Top Ranker of the Magic Department is that?”
I felt stupid and pathetic. If there were a hole to crawl into, I would have hidden in it immediately out of shame and anger.
“I…”
Today, too, Ruin closed his eyes.
Even though it was a sunny afternoon, Ruin shut the curtains and tried to sleep, but all he got in return were Kicking Sounds from his tangled thoughts.
“Sigh…”
Ruin slowly got up and went outside. He thought some fresh air might help lighten his mood.
The people around him would surely curse him, but he had to keep living. Ruin dragged his heavy body toward the Entrance.
-Pause.
His reflection appeared in the Mirror.
The sharp jawline was gone, replaced by a blunt face, and his ruined body had no trace of muscle left.
“Haha… Damn.”
Ruin let out an Empty Laugh as he swept back his long, unkempt hair, staring at the Hideous Man in the Mirror.
“Pathetic.”
Like this, no one would treat me as a person…
Dark thoughts crept in, but Ruin opened the Dormitory door to fill his empty stomach. And then.
-Sniffle.
“What the hell?”
From the next room, the sound of someone sobbing reached his ears. The sorrowful voice, mixed with coughs, echoed through the Corridor.
“What’s wrong with him?”
Room 902 was Mikhail’s.
Realizing the Ghost haunting the Corridor was Mikhail, Ruin let out an Empty Laugh and shook his head.
“He’s not in his right mind either. It’s class time, but instead of attending, what’s he doing?”
Not that I’m one to talk.
Ruin scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile. This Academy really was a mess.
Heretics.
Crazy Butler.
Even a Villainess who used Dark Magic.
In this Academy, filled with a Fantastical Combination of madness, Ruin cleared his throat and shook his head. At this point, he didn’t even know anymore.
“Maybe they’re the winners.”
He thought that perhaps those who had left the Academy early were the true winners. If only he had left the Academy and joined the Magic Tower to focus on his studies, he wouldn’t have ended up like this.
“Idiot.”
Even if he regretted it now, nothing would change. Ruin patted his Mountainously Swollen Belly and let out a sigh.
“Let’s just eat. I’m hungry.”
The Wizard who had lost his strength was Falling Apart.
***
Night descended upon the Estate.
The Young Lady, who had become a child, fell asleep With the Head of the Household for the first time in a long while.
-Eeeek! Let go! I want to sleep with Ricardo!
-It’s been a while since you slept With the Head of the Household, Olivia.
-Eeeek!! Father smells like a Widower!
-I hadn’t thought of that.
-I can’t lie. I have a Disease That Kills Upon Lying.
-Isn’t that a lie?
-Died.
-I see, Dead.
Kyle and Rosanna were sitting at the Table in the living room, talking.
When I came downstairs to get some water, I saw Kyle and Rosanna in their Pajamas and bowed my head. It was nice to see this combination after such a long time. Holding a cup to fill with water, I slowly walked toward them.
“It’s late. What are you discussing so deeply instead of sleeping?”
“Hehe… It’s been a while since I talked with my son.”
“…”
Kyle kept his mouth shut and looked at me. Perhaps he was displeased by the Unwelcome Guest interrupting a Conversation Between Parent and Child after so long. His sharp gaze, as the Next Head of the Family, made me smile awkwardly.
“Ricardo, would you like to sit here and join the conversation?”
Seeing Rosanna give me an Eye Smile while lightly tapping the Chair beside her, I smiled and walked over. After all, Rosanna was the real pillar of the Household. She was more important than the Next Head of the Family.
“Shall I prepare At Least Tea?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Then I’ll bring out some light refreshments.”
“Oh my… such good manners. Already trying to score points with your Mother-in-Law.”
“Haha…”
“As long as you adore my child the most, you’re good to go. I can even tolerate other wives, so don’t worry about that.”
I couldn’t lift my head at the Mistress of the House’s remark, which took it a step further. Secretly, I was impressed, thinking, ‘Is this the Noble’s Way of Speaking?’ Of course, my Daughter is strictly Monogamous.
Even if it’s Double Standards Benefitting Oneself, it couldn’t be helped. I was determined to live as a Selfish Father.
Rosanna, with a small Smile, spoke to me as I sat in the Chair.
“This is perfect timing. We were just talking about you.”
“About me?”
“Of course~ We were discussing our Competent Butler.”
“Were you badmouthing me? I’m not done milking the Household for all it’s worth, you know.”
“Hahaha!! What else is there to milk? Take it all! Take my Daughter too.”
“Haha…”
Kyle kept his mouth shut, staring down at his Teacup. Without expressing dislike, he simply gazed at the Teacup in silence, not forgetting his words.
‘Was it a serious conversation?’
Even though Kyle is usually quiet, he’s not the type to ignore such jokes.
As the awkward atmosphere lingered for a moment, Rosanna, with a small Smile, spoke again.
Wearing a heavy Smile.
In her usual Voice.
“So, Ricardo.”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it time to stop?”
At Rosanna’s sudden suggestion of Forced Resignation, my body froze like ice for a moment.
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
Rosanna erased her Smile and spoke.
“I heard it from Kyle.”
Rosanna tightly gripped her Teacup.
“That you’re fixing Olivia’s leg while harming your own body.”
“…”
“That you even coughed up blood.”
“…”
“That you couldn’t even walk properly.”
In a calm Voice, I answered Rosanna, relieved that she wasn’t asking me to give up my Butlership.
“It’s fine. It’s not Dark Magic, and it won’t harm the Household…”
“Do you think I’m asking you to stop just because of that?”
“…”
“The Household can be rebuilt. If it falls, we can move to another country.”
“…”
“You’re going to die at this rate.”
At Rosanna’s warning, I firmly expressed my unwavering determination as a Doctor.
“It’s almost done.”
Truly.
“I have no intention of giving up.”
Rosanna’s expression began to harden coldly.