Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 166

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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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Episode 166

The Castrain Family Fortress was vast in scale.
Built with the assumption that all residents of the estate could be evacuated and housed within it before battle commenced, it was practically a military stronghold. The chambers where the family’s household regularly dwelt occupied the central sector, and security was stringent. The furnishings were lavish. Beyond the outer walls the cold bit deep, but within the buildings, warmth reigned supreme.
“Wow, I can sense where the Barriers are positioned even here!” ヽ(ﾟ◇ﾟ )ノ
‘That much?’
“It’s nowhere near the same strength as the Southern Region!” ヽ( ˙▿˙ )/
After washing and changing into fresh clothes in the luxurious chamber assigned to me, I made my way to the Library. Raymond had apparently prepared the way—I was given free access. The moment I opened the Library doors, the distinctive scent of aged paper pricked my nostrils.
“Wow.”
My jaw dropped. Even the Library at the Imperial Palace, which only royalty could access, was nowhere near this scale. The collection was staggering. Still, the information I sought was straightforward. I began methodically sifting through an entire section of books, gathering details about Magic Beasts.
‘…Twenty-five years…. Thirty years…. You’re memorizing all this?’
“What exactly are you using me for?! ╰(⊡-⊡)و✎⮹ Surely not as some sort of notepad or ledger?! Me?! •̀ㅅ•́ I mean, I did commit most of it to memory, but still!”
‘Fine, fine—as always, much obliged.’
As the sword continued to complain while dutifully following my lead, I turned the pages and silently catalogued the information within.
Records unique to the Castrain Family Library—battle accounts against ‘special’ Magic Beasts.
Of course, even here in the fortress archives, several names and passages were blacked out, and entire pages had been torn away. The implication was obvious.
Casualties among the family itself.
The pattern suggested something substantial emerged roughly every fifteen years, ten years, or conservatively, five-year intervals. Without fail, every ten to twenty years, a particularly special Magic Beast had appeared.
These special beasts possessed power and abilities so extraordinary that ordinary people could not kill them. It seemed that for generations, the Castrain family had made it a custom to face these creatures themselves.
When there were enough siblings, brief notes survived—”The Lord’s brother was killed,” “So-and-so was wounded”—but the damaged records…
“…indicate information that would be dangerous if it reached the Lord himself, the heir, or the family’s enemies.”
Still, the information about the beasts themselves was meticulous. Recent records—those extending to the current generation of Dukes—hadn’t yet been compiled into books and were hard to find, but the patterns established over time could still be discerned.
“Your Contractor’s Magic Beast Encyclopedia, now reporting for duty! (*ゝω・)ﾉ These beasts can definitely be understood as servants of Chernobog.”
‘Servants?’
“Weaker Magic Beasts have intelligence no different from animals, but the stronger they become, the more cunning they are. Chernobog has retainers to whom he has given names personally. When the Barrier’s strength is high, only weak Magic Beasts unaffected by the Barrier can ascend. But… (·•︠_•︡ )”
‘The Barrier’s weakening, which means the strong ones are starting to come up now.’
“…Yes. (◞‸◟；)) If they can’t breach the Barrier itself, it’s possible to send only Fragments of Consciousness up to take root in new hosts. But that takes far too long, and their abilities vary wildly depending on what kind of body receives them. There’s too great a risk they won’t be able to exert their full power.”
‘Then there’s no way to figure out who’s actually inside Brian’s body?’
“Last time, thanks to you, I managed to extract a tiny sample of blood for analysis, but that wasn’t enough. I need more information! It’s certain he’s a high-ranking Magic Beast, but depending on whether he originated from Underground World fire or lava, underground springs, or what kind of power Chernobog granted him, the characteristics are all different….”
‘So you’re saying we need to exploit the type matchup. Like Pokémon.’
“Well, your blood contains highly purified Power of Light, which makes it a weapon in itself. But I’d really prefer you only use it against tremendously powerful Magic Beasts when you truly have no other choice….”
I was on the verge of being forced to fight using self-harm as a threat.
Hearing the melancholy in the sword’s voice, I simply rubbed my cheek. I didn’t like pain either, so I had no intention of spilling my blood carelessly unless absolutely necessary—yet I could sense the sword’s unspoken lament: ‘I know you won’t listen even if I warn you….’
The maid who had guided me refused to enter the Library herself, saying access was forbidden to servants. Left alone in the collection, I was tidying the cluttered table when I heard footsteps.
“Oh, Your Highness Titania. Hello?”
The boy froze for a moment upon seeing me, then broke into a bright smile. It was Rasper. His arms were full of papers.
“I never expected to find anyone else here besides myself! What has piqued your curiosity? Whatever it is, I think I might be able to help….”
“I heard that you know this library very well. Is that true?”
“Yes!”
The boy smiled brightly. The quiet, sparsely-trafficked Library would have felt desolate for a child to spend time alone, but Rasper’s eyes were full of affection for the place.
“I can’t claim to have read everything without a gap, but I do know the general layout. Since Your Highness has come to help us, I would very much like to be of assistance to you as well….”
“You’ll be a tremendous help, truly.”
“What are you looking for?”
Rasper approached the piles of books I had spread before me. His manner was unguarded as he peered about here and there—exactly like a small bird.
“The Tide of Oceanus.”
“…!”
The defenseless young frame stiffened in an instant.
A beast remains a beast, no matter its youth; the gentle, well-mannered expression hardened in a heartbeat. But sensing his mistake, the soft features slipped into a smile in the next moment.
“…Oh, such a precious treasure—I know nothing of it. I’m still too young; my brother and father manage such things….”
“No. You do know.”
There are six Divine Weapons in total.
Of those, Gloriana’s Mantle belongs to me, and Dagda’s Iron Staff is presumed to be kept within the Temple.
Alberich’s Nibelung Ring is missing. Aside from those three, the Castrain Ducal House originally guarded three Divine Weapons.
Chloris’s Necklace, Flan­berge’s Wrath, and the Tide of Oceanus.
Chloris’s Necklace has been missing for some time—in the original story, before Regression, Bibi had possessed it, but it vanished after my return. I’m uncertain of the details now—while Flan­berge’s Wrath went to Lisianthus.
And the last, the Tide of Oceanus, rests in the family’s treasure vault.
This generation of Castrain children was special in many ways. I expected Rasper might be chosen by a Divine Weapon, still too young to understand, sleeping soundly and unaware.
Rasper, whose body was delicate, concealed his identity as a mage and lived quietly in seclusion within the family. Despite such a keen appetite for knowledge, he had accepted the reasoning “it’s too dangerous, we have no choice”—while his brothers moved freely between the Capital and their domain, he alone remained in the frigid North.
Judas had said the boy possessed outstanding curiosity and thirst for knowledge. If he attended the Academy, if he went to the Magic Tower, he would become a remarkable talent. Any path he chose would lack nothing.
The Castrain Family’s accumulated archives were certainly excellent. The quality of the library was exceptionally high. But no matter how many tutors had been hired from outside, it was impossible to satisfy such intellectual hunger within the confines of this narrow domain. Impossible for a truly gifted student.
Divine Weapons choose their masters. And in truth, the form of such a weapon can change according to circumstance and time.
I walked slowly forward and lightly touched, with my fingertip, the pale-faced Rasper’s blue-hued Brooch, which gleamed brilliantly among the Ribbon Tie around his neck.
It shimmered—within the transparent crystal, white foam as if from a handful of sea spray rose and vanished.
I truly did not want to do this. To grip as a weakness something a child had not even disclosed to his own brothers and family.
But there was no time.
Cursed as it was. Bibi and Rasper were nearly the same age. An age where they should have been shown only precious and beautiful things.
To properly conduct the Master Ritual, I could not do without this child’s aid. I lowered myself to one knee before the frozen Rasper, matching his gaze, and whispered.
“You’ve already been chosen.”
Rasper’s face drained of all color.

* * *

Rasper was a good child. A child who demanded little. An obedient child. A child whose frail health caused everyone worry.
Pitiably, a child who had lost his mother shortly after birth.
A child raised without a mother. A pitiable child.
But Rasper did not think himself unhappy. For he had never known anything else; one cannot resent what one has never known.

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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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