Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 99

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 99
Aiden gently stroked my cheek, his expression tinged with bittersweet resignation.
“Tania, I’m grateful that you think of me, but I’m already happier than I could ask for, being here with the people of Papiope.”
“But you care for the members of the Golden Silver Mercenary Company too, don’t you?”
“….”
He couldn’t bring himself to deny it, so he fell silent instead.
“See? I knew it.”
I tapped the floor idly with the toe of my shoe.
“Father, you know what?”
“What is it?”
“When you left the Mercenary Company, what reason did you give them?”
“I told them that circumstances had arisen and I would need to leave the company.”
“And you didn’t tell them that those circumstances were me?”
“….”
It seemed he had left the Mercenary Company without any proper explanation.
No wonder the company members still hadn’t given up on Aiden.
Had he provided a convincing reason and explained it sufficiently, the transition of leadership might have concluded cleanly.
“Father, the truth is, I hired the Golden Silver Mercenary Company for this monster subjugation.”
“What? Why would you hire them—!”
“Is there any reason I shouldn’t?”
I continued with confidence.
“Since I cannot participate directly in the monster subjugation, this is how I’m helping instead.”
Officially, I had summoned them to deal with the monsters plaguing the Papiope Dukedom.
“Is there a more powerful mercenary company in the Empire than the Golden Silver Mercenary Company?”
As I tilted my head thoughtfully, Aiden let out a groan of resignation.
“Just as the Duchess and Lucian participate directly in the monster subjugation, I, too, as a member of the Duke Papiope’s Household, have merely endeavored to protect the safety of our domain’s people.”
“Your words flow as smoothly as a river.”
At that, I laughed, reversing the mood entirely.
“Of course, as you’ve likely guessed, I didn’t summon the Golden Silver Mercenary Company merely for monster subjugation.”
“…Tania, what is it that you truly want?”
“A conversation. I want you to talk with them, Father.”
“From the moment I left the company, I became a stranger to them.”
“Can a bond really be severed so easily?”
Perhaps that would be true if he were merely an ordinary mercenary.
But Aiden was the very founder and captain of the Mercenary Company.
The members had lived with their eyes fixed solely on him.
“Father, if you suddenly had to leave me one day and go away, could you remain as composed as you are now?”
The moment Aiden heard the example I presented, his face contorted painfully.
It was the face of a parent who had lost a child.
“There’s no way I could bear such a thing.”
“Then please don’t be too harsh with them either.”
This came from a sense of kinship.
Perhaps he felt my sincerity.
Aiden, whose expression had been complicated, finally spoke words of consent.
“Once the Monster Subjugation Squad finishes, I’ll meet with them.”

✦ ✦ ✦
The moment Duchess Papiope arrived at the Dukedom, she immediately assembled the Monster Subjugation Squad.
Thanks to her swift action, we could depart rapidly starting the next day.
She took the vanguard herself, and our target was the location where monsters would begin their invasion in the future.
The plan was to reduce their numbers before they could invade the Dukedom first.
Before setting out on the monster subjugation, the participating forces lined up in the lobby of Papiope Castle.
This first subjugation would take four days, during which we’d clear the entrance to Monster Mountain and assess their numbers.
Duchess Papiope, Lucian, Elysion, Raspi, and the Papiope Knights.
And separately, the members of the Golden Silver Mercenary Company that I’d hired on my own.
Looking at all their faces, I felt incredibly reassured.
Except for one person.
No one would know that I’d restarted today.
I glanced at the cause of the accident that had made me turn back time on the first day and let out a small sigh.
But this time I’d taken precautions, so it should be fine.
That’s when it happened.
“Tania, just a moment.”
Aiden, who had been standing beside me, excused himself and approached Duchess Papiope.
Knowing what was about to happen, I watched with an amused smile.
“…Aiden?”
When Duchess Papiope looked at him questioningly, Aiden tied his handkerchief to her sword.
Then, contrary to his gentle gesture, he spoke calmly.
“I know it’s superstition, but I wanted to do this for you.”
In the Empire, there was a custom of tying a handkerchief to a weapon or body when someone dear to you embarked on a long journey or went to war.
It was a prayer for them to return safely without injury.
Duchess Papiope’s face flushed as if she’d just received a public confession.
“…Thank you. I’m grateful for your feelings.”
Even though I was seeing this scene for the second time, it never got old.
As I was enjoying the romance between the two, I felt a sharp gaze from somewhere.
It was Elysion.
He strode toward me and brazenly held out his hand, making a demand.
“Tie your handkerchief on me too.”
I raised one eyebrow.
“Sion, you don’t even have a weapon. If I tie it on your wrist, it’ll just get in the way when you cast spells.”
“Tie it anyway.”
Actually, before I rewound time by a day, I had already tied a handkerchief to each of the Papiope people one by one.
But doing that again was exhausting….
I had tried to be fair and do it for everyone equally.
I never expected Elysion would make such a separate request.
In the first place, how could he be so composed after saying I was his ideal type, kissing my forehead, and running off like that?
It was just as I was about to pull out a handkerchief, bewildered.
“Lady Tania, I must ask as well.”
Raspi also stepped before me and requested a handkerchief.
These ruffians…!
I was in a bind.
I only had one handkerchief. I should have brought more if I’d known it would come to this.
It seemed right to give the handkerchief to Elysion in every way….
But thinking of Raspi feeling disappointed, it wasn’t easy.
As I pondered what to do, I suddenly flicked Rosemary, who had been watching this situation with interest.
She had just decided to live as my temporary maid at Papiope Castle for the time being.
“Mari, what are you doing? Hurry and pray for your brother’s safe return.”
“Eh? M-me?”
“Yes. If not you, then who?”
“Ah. Um. Y-yes…!”
Rosemary hastily pulled out her own handkerchief and tied it to Raspi’s sword.
“Brother, come back safely!”
Raspi looked at the handkerchief his younger sister had tied and couldn’t express whether he was pleased or displeased, simply pressing his lips firmly together.
I observed that subtle shift in his expression, then quickly pretended not to notice and pulled out my handkerchief to tie it around Elysion’s wrist.
“Raspi has Mari, but you don’t have anyone, so I’m doing this for you.”
He seemed delighted to have monopolized my handkerchief, his lips curving into a full smile.
“Haha, Lord Lucian would be upset if he heard that, wouldn’t he?”
“Let’s keep it a secret from him.”
I glanced toward where Lucian was standing.
Fortunately, his gaze was fixed on the Duchess and Aiden.
Judging by the hopeful gleam in his eyes, Lucian also seemed to be supporting the romantic connection between the two of them.
Both the Duchess and Aiden clearly had affection for each other.
Even their children were rooting for them to be together, so I couldn’t understand why they remained in such an ambiguous relationship.
…At this rate, wouldn’t Elysion and I get married faster?

✦ ✦ ✦
After the handkerchief presentation ceremony concluded, Duchess Papiope began her address before departure.
“The reason we draw our swords today is not for mere combat.”
The Duchess swept her gaze slowly across the assembled crowd.
“We wield our blades to promise a safe tomorrow for those we hold dear.”
Shing—!
The Duchess unsheathed the sword at her waist and raised it high toward the sky.
“Prove with your strength how you earned your place in the Papiope Knights!”
The knights of Papiope answered her brief, powerful speech in unison.
“We accept your command!”
Watching the knights’ spirits soar, I alone bore an expression of unease.
I could only pray that the timeline would not shift again.
Lucian.
He would lead the Red Knights separately and venture recklessly deeper into the Mountains, suffering grave injuries.
Wounds so severe they would leave lasting aftereffects for the rest of his life.
That was why I had turned back a single day.

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