I’m The Brave Puppy That Will Save The Villainess - Chapter 43

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 43

 

I firmly grasped the Holy Grail.

 

With a pounding heart, I looked at the back of my hand…!

 

‘I don’t feel anything at all!’

 

A few minutes later, I let go of the hand holding the Holy Grail.

 

“Unfortunately, the Sacred Mark did not manifest.”

 

Duke Ardos’s expression subtly contorted.

 

Was that a somewhat disappointed look in his eyes?

 

The embarrassed-looking Priest glanced nervously at Duke Ardos.

 

“Still, tomorrow’s ceremony will proceed as scheduled.”

 

“Oh, understood.”

 

The Priest nodded his head.

 

I stared at the Holy Grail and fell deep into thought.

 

‘Huh, why on earth didn’t it work?’

 

…I’m definitely someone who has received Dog God’s abundant blessings.

 

My Special Ability is incredibly, incredibly strong too!

 

I thought the Sacred Mark would naturally appear…!

 

I stroked the back of my hand where there was nothing.

 

‘Why?’

 

There must be a reason, but I couldn’t guess what it was.

 

* * *

 

Feeling dejected, I sat on the swing in the Small Clearing.

 

As I sighed heavily while swinging, I saw some soot near my feet.

 

It was a Shadow that wasn’t mine.

 

‘Another cat followed me!’

 

I kicked at the Shadow with my foot and said quietly.

 

“Caligo! You followed me again? Aren’t you playing with Elder Brother?”

 

Then, I heard a small voice from behind me.

 

“We were together this morning. Elder Brother said he had something to find at the Duke’s Estate.”

 

“Ahh…”

 

Come to think of it, I think I saw Grand Duke Rivera and Advisor Uncle earlier.

 

The Aide kept making a tearful face saying they had to keep going.

 

“From now on, I want to play with you.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah. You’re my first friend.”

 

Caligo sat down casually next to the swing as he spoke.

 

“But why do you look so upset about it?”

 

“I’m the Blessed Child! I received so, so many blessings, and I have so, so many special abilities!”

 

“Really?”

 

“But when I held the Holy Grail, my Sacred Mark didn’t manifest…”

 

After a moment of silence, he stared at me intently and said.

 

“Your special ability is different from what’s known, isn’t it?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Besides Animal Affinity, what is it?”

 

“Um…”

 

Isn’t Future Sight a special ability?

 

Becoming incredibly smart when I think of Sister.

 

Light sparkling in my hands when I get close to Sister.

 

How should I explain this?

 

“Ah, is it the ability to win people’s hearts?”

 

“It’s not like that…”

 

Caligo stroked his chin while looking at me.

 

“Divine Blessing has the same nature as special abilities. People with fewer abilities receive fewer blessings. So, how about developing your special ability?”

 

“…”

 

“By tomorrow, it would be good to satisfy the conditions for your special ability to manifest clearly.”

 

There was only one answer.

 

‘Maybe that light that sparkled in my hands whenever I was with Sister might be my special ability.’

 

Then there’s no choice but to get closer to Sister.

 

‘I’ll stick to Sister’s side like gum.’

 

And if we become even closer.

 

Tomorrow my Sacred Mark will really manifest!

 

As I was about to leave excitedly, Caligo quietly murmured to me.

 

“And don’t worry too much even if you can’t become the Blessed Child. This isn’t just consolation…”

 

I observed Caligo’s expression.

 

An incredibly indifferent expression!

 

But shadows danced at his feet.

 

“…You can just come to the Northern Region with me.”

 

“To the Northern Region?”

 

“Yeah. Instead of the people here who keep making a fuss about whether you’re the Blessed Child or whatever. Let’s go to the Northern Region and keep playing ball together. You don’t need to be with people who don’t welcome you, right?”

 

“…”

 

Just as I was about to answer that no, I would stay with Sister.

 

I heard a small presence behind me.

 

‘Gasp, familiar footsteps!’

 

I quickly turned around.

 

‘It’s Sister!’

 

I jumped up and ran toward Sister with quick steps.

 

Caligo called out from behind asking where I was going, but I pretended not to hear and ran toward Sister.

 

But Sister’s expression was strange.

 

A little,

 

No, quite a lot sad.

 

* * *

 

Chloe watched Coco bouncing toward her and muttered quietly.

 

“What if you fall running like that? Just play quietly with your friend.”

 

Even as she said this, Caligo’s words from earlier echoed in her mind.

 

“…You can just come with me to the Northern Region.”

 

“To the Northern Region?”

 

“Yeah. Instead of staying with people here who keep making a fuss about you being the Blessed Child and all that. Let’s keep playing ball. There’s no need for you to be with people who don’t welcome you, right?”

 

From before, continuously…

 

‘It’s annoying.’

 

But there was nothing wrong with what Caligo said.

 

So she had planned to just let it be.

 

Freely.

 

As Coco wanted.

 

But…

 

“…If your Sacred Mark doesn’t manifest, are you planning to go to the Northern Region?”

 

Her mouth moved on its own.

 

Coco asked with a slightly dejected expression.

 

“Why? Am I… going?”

 

“…”

 

Before she could tell him not to go, the child hung his head low. Then he suddenly lifted his head again and spoke firmly.

 

“I’m absolutely not going anywhere! I won’t go to the Grand Ducal House either. I’m going to stay right by Chloe’s side!”

 

“…”

 

“Tch. I came here to get closer to you…”

 

It seemed like this child had read her heart.

 

Chloe’s face suddenly turned red.

 

And she finally had to admit it.

 

‘I don’t want you to leave.’

 

The moment she acknowledged her own feelings.

 

Chloe unconsciously reached out her hand toward Coco.

 

“Lift your head.”

 

Coco sniffled and raised his small hand.

 

Chloe grasped Coco’s small hand as if wrapping it.

 

“…Huh?”

 

Then light flickered from Coco’s hands before disappearing again.

 

“Light… is this your Special Ability?”

 

“It might be!”

 

“…You really might be the Blessed Child.”

 

Though she spoke casually, her voice trembled.

 

“Yes! Then I’ll really become Sister Chloe’s little sister! So, I’m not going to the Northern Region!”

 

“Real little sister…”

 

As she lightly mulled over those words, Coco grinned widely.

 

“Sister Chloe’s real, real family!”

 

If she went to the Rivera Grand Ducal House, she would receive generous treatment.

 

That place was full of monsters, but there would be no storms from the Social Circle, so her heart would be at ease.

 

Even if she became the Blessed Child in this Mansion, she would only be used or kept in check by the likes of Duchess Lucretia or the Council of Elders.

 

Even if she had a Special Ability, there would be nothing fortunate about that little one’s future.

 

Somehow, it seemed like she could see her own heart wanting that small little one to stay close, calling her Sister, Sister.

 

She habitually wanted to avoid her own emotions.

 

But then it happened.

 

Coco’s tiny hand pressed close against Chloe’s large hand.

 

“You know, if you’re going somewhere, I’ll go with you too!”

 

Because of that voice.

 

“…I’m not going. I was just, testing the waters.”

 

Chloe absolutely couldn’t leave her position.

 

“I’m going to be recognized as the Blessed Child tomorrow.”

 

“…”

 

Priest Pygmalion had loose lips.

 

So the story that no Sacred Mark appeared when Coco held the Holy Grail had already spread as rumors throughout the Ducal House.

 

‘So, everyone says you probably aren’t the Blessed Child.’

 

Why was this tiny little one so confident?

 

She didn’t say anything negative.

 

Instead, she hesitated as she placed her hand on Coco’s small body.

 

“…Let’s see tomorrow.”

 

“Before that, there’s something I really want to show you.”

 

Coco made a solemn and determined expression.

 

Then she quickly looked around…

 

“Did I get fat?”

 

Coco made a shocked expression.

 

Then her well-fed, plump and round belly went up and down.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“This is strange. Usually people like this. I thought we’d become closer. I thought light would come out with a whoosh…”

 

Coco’s pupils shook violently as she stared at her own hand once, then at Chloe once.

 

‘What, she’s acting like a puppy showing its belly to its owner because it likes them.’

 

Chloe unconsciously let out a small laugh and asked back.

 

“What exactly are you doing?”

 

Seeing the smile that appeared on Chloe’s lips, Coco grinned widely and quickly sat up.

 

“Hmph, anyway, since I showed you my belly roll, please grant me one favor! Okay?”

 

…She’s acting like she made a huge decision to show me that.

 

Chloe answered while recalling Coco’s round, protruding belly.

 

“Let me hear it. What kind of favor?”

 

“Yes. If, just if. If I become the Blessed Child, and don’t get disinherited, and the adoption becomes complete…”

 

A slight anxiety appeared in the child’s expression.

 

What could she be trying to say with such a serious expression, I wondered.

 

The child who had been bright and cheerful all this time asked quietly in a slightly trembling tone.

 

“From now on, instead of calling you Chloe-nim… could I call you Sister?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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