Chapter 106: Reunion

Chapter 106: Reunion

The annex in the early morning.

Ophilia, a maid who proudly serves as Shirons faithful attendant, clenched her fist as she looked at Shiron.

Is everything ready?

Yes.

Did you pack toiletries, towels and emergency rations?

Dont worry, Yuma must have taken care of the trivial stuff.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Shiron responded to the worried maid and glanced back. There, his younger siblings stood with large duffel bags in their hands.

As they were not going out for leisure, they wore sturdy leather jackets and comfortable pants instead of school uniforms or dresses.

And

Beside them stood Seira, clutching a staff.

The journey to Dawn Castle was complex and long, requiring multiple modes of transport, but with Ophilia and Seiras help, they could arrive in the blink of an eye.

Seira, a teleportation user, and even Ophilia, who could only teleport to Dawn Castle, could perform phase shifts without trouble for a couple of people.

Then

Ophilia nodded and stood in front of Lucia and Siriel. Having been informed beforehand about using teleportation, the two closed their eyes, bracing for motion sickness.

Ophilia reached out her hands. In an instant, the two disappeared. Shiron caught Ophilia, who staggered from the backlash of her powers.

Its a shame. Ophilia would have wanted to witness your coming-of-age ceremony.

Encia, her blond hair fluttering, came forward to take Ophilia, speaking as she did so.

I should not have contracted with the young master then.

What are you suddenly talking about?

Shiron looked at Encia, bemused.

Werent you the one who was happy to finally leave the stifling castle?

Eh, thats different. A special experience is precious, no matter what. Your coming-of-age ceremony happens only once in a lifetime, and you are special, young master.

Thanks for the compliment, but Im still not taking you.

Our little one is quite popular, isnt he?

Seira suddenly approached Shirons side. Holding a purple staff, she looked a bit tired.

Whats with you? Did you not sleep well?

Its your sisters fault.

Lucia?

Not the red one. The one who used to send you letters every day Siriel, was it?

Seira rubbed her forehead as if troubled, heaving deep sighs.

Ive been getting glances from her since a while ago, and Im not oblivious to the intent behind that gaze.

Why? Shes just cute.

Shiron smiled warmly and shrugged his shoulders.

Take it in stride. If you were ugly, you wouldnt have received such looks. Try to get along, well be spending a lot of time together.

Seira looked at Shiron silently gripping her staff. The kid Shiron was unaware of the complex gazes he had received from Seira until just a moment ago. He did mention Siriel, but Lucias gaze was no less intense.

This could lead to trouble.

Seira recalled the image of Shiron torn to pieces. Over the past 500 years, she had seen many people ruined by passion.

At least the attention from demons was purely worshipful, without even a hint of shame.

As Seira gathered mana for the teleportation, calculating the coordinates for their arrival, she was cautious due to the distance.

Their destination was the training ground of Dawn Castle.

Seira felt a significant amount of mana from her core disappear.



Lucia, who briefly experienced a sense of floating, immediately opened her eyes.

Gray snow-covered walls. The place she arrived at was undoubtedly Dawn Castle from her memories. Soon after, Lucia locked eyes with a black-haired maid.

Its been a long time.

Dorothy?

You look more refined than I imagined, Uncle.

What do you mean?

Glen looked at Siriel with a slightly puzzled face. Siriel narrowed her eyes and smiled mischievously.

Always avoiding baths, wearing rags, not brushing regularly, being picky with food even as an adult Um if I were to believe what Father said, youd be someone I wouldnt want to be around.

My brother said that?

Yes!

Siriel grinned playfully, taking Lucias hand.

But look at that? It seems like Brother Shiron got his good looks from you, Uncle? Youre very handsome, just like brother.

Thank you.

Glen decided to nod at the ambiguous comment, unsure if it was praise or sarcasm.

Have you had your meal?

No.

No.

Then lets go inside the castle. Its cold, and Ive prepared a warm stew.

Glen led the two girls and a maid through the frozen corridor. His tall figure took strides that seemed to cut through the air.

But

While walking through the corridor, Glen glanced back.

Did only you two come here?

Yes?

I dont see Shiron.

Glens expression grew serious.

He could foresee Lucia and Siriel coming here, which allowed him to meet them, but it wasnt the same for Shiron.

Glen couldnt see Shirons future.

Shirons future was darker than a cave, so vast and uncertain that it was impossible to guess.

Really? He said he would follow soon.

Could it be

Lucia raised her head sharply.

Did he run off?

Huh? What are you talking about?

Siriel looked down at Lucia, puzzled by her seemingly random comment. She wondered if Lucia was making a joke to lighten the mood, but her usually shy friends face was dead serious.

Lucia scrunched her face and clenched her fist.

That guy. He might have run off after sending us here.

No way.

Its not impossible. He has a history of doing that.

What do you mean? Run off? From the adult ceremony?

Glen tilted his head, then looked forward again.

In the distance, the dining hall where the meal would be served came into view.

Lets have our meal first. There might be some misunderstanding.

Glen chuckled and went to open the heavy door.

He tried to.

The door opened by itself without him touching it.

Glen was startled. Such a future wasnt in his mind.

A black-haired young man came into view.

You were here first.

Lord of the house. Youre late.

At the head of the table.

A one-horned demon was serving the young man.