CH 351

“Yes… You’re right. But, even without a Special Grade Rune, you’re still bound in your own way…”

Selena’s expression turned melancholic.

“N-no, that’s not…”

Inglis understood what her mother was trying to say. A life where she was expected to be a hero for the people, even without the Special Grade Rune. If she could achieve the same goals without the Rune, she would still be expected to fulfill those duties in the future. Perhaps that was what troubled her.

However, in reality, that wasn’t the case. Inglis didn’t do what she did for the sake of the world or others; it was all for her own personal satisfaction. She sought out stronger opponents to further her mastery of martial arts, and she only engaged with the Prisma when the opportunity presented itself. That was all. If a similar situation arose in the future, it would be a battle that Inglis desired to fight.

Well, if anything, she might be bound by her own way of life. She was bound to seek out the strongest opponents, regardless of the circumstances, viewing it as an opportunity to improve herself. So, rather than being bound by others, she bound herself to her own will.

However, Inglis was still hesitant to openly declare this to her mother, causing her words to get caught in her throat.

“Then… It would put your mother’s heart at ease if you showed me a life unbound by those duties. Although, I don’t know if there’s anyone worthy of you.”

Selena smiled and handed Inglis the pamphlets she hadn’t opened yet. She seemed to be a mix of sadness and concern. Inglis could sense just how much her mother worried about her well-being. And she couldn’t disregard her mother’s concerns because she cherished her deeply.

“Uh… well, for now, if it’s just for casual conversation…”

If it was only that, Inglis might or might not play along. It was her own mistake that led to this situation, so she had to take responsibility and clean up her own mess.

Well, once she survived this phase, she would return to the Knight Academy. It would be a much longer time before she came back to Ymir, and hopefully, the flood of marriage proposals would decrease by then. Currently, the entire kingdom was caught up in the aftermath of the Prisma’s defeat, and Inglis and Rafinha had become the center of attention no matter what.

All she had to do was survive the present and wait for the storm to pass.

“Glis, is there someone who catches your interest? Maybe someone you like?” Selena asked.

“Rather than someone, there’s something I want to know… about all of them,” Inglis replied.

“What are you interested in?”

“Well, I just want to know who among them is the strongest…”

“No, no, that has nothing to do with matchmaking—”

“But, Mother…! A life partner means someone who supports and helps each other, right? I still want to become much, much stronger. So, it’s important to have someone who aims for the pinnacle of strength and grows together with me!”

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“Hm… I-I see. You’re right… Ahahaha,” Selena laughed bitterly.

Irina, who was listening in, joined in with a good-natured laugh.

“Ahahaha, you really can’t fight your blood, huh~ Did you know, Glis? Selena used to say the same thing, you know,” Irina said.

“Uh… S-sister… That was a long time ago.”

“What do you mean, Aunt?”

“Did you know that Selena used to be part of the chivalric order?”

“Yes, Father told me about it.”

“Back then, Selena was the strongest person in the chivalric order. She was so different from how she is now that you wouldn’t recognize her, but she used to say she was only interested in men who were stronger than her and would beat up anyone who dared to challenge her.”1

“I-Is that true, Mother…?”

It was hard to imagine, considering the graceful and soft-spoken Selena. But when Inglis thought back to the day when she was just a baby, Selena was the first to pick up a sword and fight the Magic Stone Beast that attacked the castle where they sought refuge. She showed her resolve to fight when the situation demanded it. Was that a glimpse of her unruly past?

“I-It was a long time ago. You know, we all make mistakes in our youth.”

“Well, everyone else gave up, but Sir Ryuk kept challenging her no matter how many times he lost. After losing to her dozens of times, he finally won, and they got married.”

“Wow. That sounds like something Glis would do, and it’s the elegant Aunt?”

“The Glis we see now is cute compared to Selena back then. She had short hair, spoke in a masculine manner, and was rough around the edges.”

“S-Stop it, Sister…! I-I reflected on that, didn’t I? I’m trying not to embarrass myself and be a good mother for Glis…!”

Inglis now understood why her mother was always particular about teaching her proper manners. Selena never reprimanded her for her language or behavior since she had already mastered those, but she often corrected her for lacking feminine manners. For example, she would scold Inglis for sitting with her legs spread open.

As someone who was originally male, Inglis naturally had masculine mannerisms, but her mother, Selena, always insisted on her being more ladylike. And Selena, despite her gentle nature, would become stricter whenever she addressed this issue.

That was why Inglis always practiced ladylike manners, perhaps as a way to honor her mother Selena, who had taught her in that manner.

Either way, Inglis heard something valuable. With this, she had an idea of how to turn the tables.

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“I see…! Then I will follow in your footsteps, Mother!”2

Inglis stood up and clenched her fist.