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Chapter 24: Heilon (unedited)
Five years had passed since I came to Heilon and it meant there was not much time left until the beginning of the original story. Right now, I was eighteen years old, and Sigren was nineteen years old. Of course, in a few months, both of us would grow a year older.
In these years, Sigren kept his childhood promise. Since he was learning swords from Abel as the original story flowed, he was now in a position where he could freely go in and out of Heilon Manor. Now, no one dared to treat him badly due to his strength.
In the meantime, I’ve been working hard to achieve my planned life—the peaceful life—in my own way. I’ve been saving the big amount of money I received from Heilon in exchange for protecting the walls and the money from selling the materials of the monsters I killed. Right now, my saving was quiet a lot to the point I had nothing to worry about making living for the rest of my life. I just had to see Sigren and Yunice walk on the golden path of the main characters, and spend a leisure life.
Of course, not everything I planned went smoothly. What happened lately definitely had interfered my comfortable plans.
“Duke, I have come to report you.”
At my words, Abel, who was signing some papers at his desk, raised his head and stopped what he was doing.
“What’s going on?”
“It has to do the the new soldiers.”
“Alright. Do the report.”
I reported everything that happened when I went out on monsters hunting.
Abel nodded his head lightly after I finished speaking.
“Good work. Fiona, have you thought my previous offer?”
I sighed inwardly. The offer he talked about was the thing that interfered with my future plans.
Abel leaned deeply into the backrest and smiled with his arrogant smile.
“Quickly, call me Father.”
This.
Abel’s offer to me was to be his adopted daughter. It meant to be the successor to Heilon.
“I will decline.”
“Have you even contemplate about that?” Abel grumbled at my firm answer.
“But, my life plans was pretty much laid out when I came to Heilon.”
“What are your plans again? I remembered them being very silly.”
How could someone say other people’s future plans are absurd while looking at them?
“It was about seeing Sigren marry and have a good life, then me having leisurely retirement in a peaceful place.”
After I said my plan, I heard Abel was mumbling like he pity Sigren. I honestly didn’t get it, why did he say he felt sorry for Sigren?
“Fiona, the position, power, wealth, and honor that Heilon has. Are you really not interested in all of these being yours?”
“I’m not interested.” I replied firmly.
“If I become your father, I would grant you everything you want.”
Wow, Abel as my father? Just thinking about it was..
“It’s a lot of pressure.”
My straightforward words made Abel frown as if he were offended.
“You’re so cold-hearted.”
I responded by shrugging my shoulders lightly. I had nothing against what he said as it was not totally wrong.
“Now that you’ve all grown up. It’s also time to be independent.”
“Yes. It’s time for that.”
As if he didn’t like my answer, Abel looked at me quietly. However, as I became stronger for the past years, I was no longer easily getting scared by Abel like in the past.
“Okay. i won’t ask you anymore if you don’t like it. Beside, you’ve done a lot of work for five years. I personally appreciate it.”
I felt weird hearing what Abel said. Was this a sign a world would collapse? Or was he sick? In worried tone I said, “What are talking about all of sudden? You don’t have a disease, don’t you?”
“Of course not. I also felt embarrassed when i said that, but listen to me.”
I quickly shut my mouth.
“You chose to fight the monsters at a young age. So, maybe, because of this, you are sick of Heilon, the land I’m proud of. “
“….”
Abel sighed softly.
“I understand. Now, Heilon is a lot more stable. Recently, the number of monsters had decreased significantly. There are also a lot of strong knights and soldiers, so it’s not hard to defend. Sigren…he is also helping a lot too.”
It was then that I vaguely understood what Abel was trying to say.
“So now you can go wherever you want to go, Fiona.”
“…”
“You’ve just become an adult. You are free to do whatever you want. With the level of your magic skill, you would be able to enjoy all kinds of wealth and glory in the capital,”
Abel tapped his desk once or twice with his finger as if he was thinking something.
”If you’re concerned about your position as an illegitimate child, I would protect you in the name of Heilon. The capital would not treat you recklessly.”
“Uh… that is unexpected.”
“What?”
“I didn’t know the Duke would make such a kind offer.”
“Im just giving what you deserved.”
“What do you think I am? The remuneration and that are different things.”
“….”
I just couldn’t believe he was saying such a sweet thing as he always spoke so dirty and harshly. So, I was surprised Abel was thinking like this. Now, I’ve kinda a bit reflected on my habit of cursing him as a human without blood and tears in my heart.
Abel then searched his drawer, took out a letter, and hand it over to me.
“What is it?”
“It’s a letter from your hometown.”
If it was hometown, then it was from Count Green. I’ve never sent a letter since I came to Heilon. So, what has happened all of a sudden?
“We’ve never contacted each other before… why did they send it?’
“Well.. i haven’t opened it either. So, i don’t know what it’s about.”
I did really wonder what happened all of a sudden in the house that sent me to the war.
Abel looked at me for a moment and said as if something had come to his mind.
“If you want, I could destroy the home that pushed you here.” He laughed languidly like a wild beast in the afternoon sun.
“There are quite a few weakness that I’ve uncovered.” It seemed like a fiery burning spirit that Abel had was burning as it was the last one.
“Well, I’m not that vengeful. To be honest, I didn’t even care.”
Abel nodded his head sullenly.
“Well, if it’s with your personality, it would be. If it were me, as soon as I had the strength, I would wipe off without leaving a single speck of dust.”
Yeah, that was why I could never turn Abel into an enemy in the future.
I inadvertently grabbed the letter. Clearly, it was time for the original story to begin soon. It was time for the heroine to come out, and even more, if I was by Sigren side for nothing, I might be distracted.
“Anyways, your suggestion… thank you.”
“If you’re so thankful… call me father.” Abel didn’t give up until the end.
“I refused.”
“What a cold-hearted kid.”
I left the office with a grin at the sight of Abel strange grunting appearance.