CH 121

“Welcome!”

It was the Duchess who pleasurably opened the door. Inside was unexpectedly beautiful as it was decorated with a light cream carpet and a colorful tapestry, even though it was a remodelled underground ruins. Cushions and dolls were placed everywhere. As soon as she stepped in the room, she heard Sophinea’s small footsteps approaching, and Sophinea fell into Azriel’s arms. Her earnest eyes looked up at Azriel.

“It’s okay to talk, Sophinea,” Azriel said.

“…Oh, oh, h, hel-lo!” Sophinea greeted her.

Azriel had spread her mana beforehand. So, she pushed down Sophinea’s mana which went rampant as soon as she spoke.

“Hi. Did you have good sleep, Sophinea?” Azriel asked.

“P, plea-se, ca, call me, So-Sophie. Miss E, E, Esthera,” the girl fumbled her words, trembling. Azriel smiled and held the girl’s hand. “Just call me sister.”

Sophinea’s face was reddened. She smiled with a blushed face. “Okay, sis… ter.”

The girl said shyly and buried her face in the hem of Azriel’s robe. The Duchess who was watching her daughter, teared up a little. It had been so long since she saw her daughter contacting other people while talking and smiling. She had not seen her doing that once Sophinea grew up and learned that she was a nameless wizard. The Duchess led them to the table, fighting back her tears. She then personally served some tea.

“Oh, I can’t believe the Duchess is personally serving tea,” Azriel said in surprise.

“Non-members can’t stay in the society in principle. You have to do everything yourself, although Sophinea is an exception because she’s a special case,” the Duchess replied.

Warm tea was served in front of Azriel in no time. The Duchess while taking out some cookies to go with the tea. “Please call me Edith, instead of the Duchess, Miss Esthera. Members call each other by their names inside the society. We are now equal members, after all.”

Edith smiled charmingly, pointing at the badge she put on her dress. Even though she was a fancy noble lady in her mid 30’s, she was still lovely and unconstrained like a teenage girl. Azriel also smiled and replied. “Okay, Edith. Please call me by my name, too.”

“Thank you, Azriel,” Edith, who sat down after serving cookies, took out a document. “Azriel, this is a certificate promising a complete sponsorship of the Duke of Rudimna. The support budget detail is also attached. It also serves as the guarantee of status.”

The gold-plated certificate looked fancy. What was written on it was even fancier. Startled, Azriel shook her head. “No, well, you don’t have to do this much for me.”

“The Rudimna usually sponsors people who study about the excessive mana disorder. It’s just a basic aid, so please take it,” Edith almost pushed the certificate in Azriel’s hands. This is only the basics? The Rudimna must’ve been looking hard for the Lady’ cure. Azriel took it at last. “Then, I’ll take it with gratitude.”

“If you need anything other than this, please tell me anytime. We are always ready to try our best. If you find a cure, we’ll also reward you as much as we can,” Edith said.

“Well, there’s something I’d like to ask. It is not a matter related to the excessive mana disorder though,” Azriel said.

“Yes, ask me anything.”

“Do you know about the wizard named Tarbo Tameion? He must be among the wizards who received Rudimna’s sponsorship.”

This was what Azriel learned about Tarbo Tameion, with Maylie’s help. The Duchess had enough connection with him to write him a letter of introduction because he received Rudimna’s sponsorship. However, she could not figure out what kind of sponsorship it was. Edith candidly answered her. “Of course, he had the same sponsorship.”

“You don’t say, do you mean a study of the excessive mana disorder?” Azriel asked.

“Yes. Though he has gone missing since he went to investigate ruins three years ago…,” Edith sighed. Knowing how he went ‘missing,’ Azriel tried hard to keep her face still.