The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 189

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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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“Uh, well, brother? I understand you’re very confused. But don’t worry, I’ll explain everything from now on…”

“Do you even know what you’ve done?”

I looked toward the corner of the research room while being held in Grandmother’s arms.

I could see Rico and Theo’s heads poking out from behind a small partition.

The two exchanged rapid conversation in low, whispering voices.

“But I had no choice either… As you can see, Lady Lili already knows everything about the situation…”

“Even so, you shouldn’t have brought her here.”

Theo’s profile was pale.

At a glance, he looked terrified enough to seem paralyzed with fear.

“How could you not consult with me even once…”

“Where is Isabel now?”

At that moment, Grandmother interrupted their conversation.

Theo and Rico simultaneously turned their gazes this way.

While holding me tightly, Grandmother asked again in a stern voice.

“I asked where Isabel is right now.”

“…Your Grace.”

“Magtop Lord. How about we agree not to lie to each other? I don’t want to waste even a moment more.”

Rico cleared his throat with a “Ahem!”

“I know you have much you want to hide from me and Annellia. But given how things have turned out, what meaning would there be in hiding it?”

“Your Grace…”

“Where is Isabel?”

Theo bit his lips tightly.

His answer came only after a long silence had passed.

“She’s in the basement of the Magic Tower. Near Crookiatus’ Nest.”

A trembling breath burst from Grandmother’s lips.

The sound of Grandmother’s quickening heartbeat reached my ears as I was held in her arms.

“So Isabel is… really alive.”

Grandmother couldn’t continue speaking for a while.

Initially, Grandmother had planned to come to Debokio Island with the entire Abner army.

However, Rico strongly dissuaded her, saying it would be dangerous for many people to move.

As a result of the meeting.

Grandmother changed her plan.

Only a minimal number of people would secretly enter Debokio Island.

And there was a clear reason for making this decision.

“We need to rescue Lady Isabel.”

Everyone’s attention focused on me.

“That’s why we came here. To get Lady Isabel out of Debokio Island.”

Theo looked at me with widened eyes.

He immediately said firmly.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“There’s no reason. It just can’t be done, not now.”

“Is it because you’re not ready to self-destruct with Crookiatus yet?”

As if struck right on target, Theo stopped speaking.

His golden pupils shook confusedly under the light.

“I already know what plan Theo made. I saw everything.”

I continued speaking while my voice trembled finely.

“But you know what? I have no intention of letting Theo carry out that plan in reality. Why, why do you always do whatever you want?”

I thought I had cried enough earlier, but my eyes grew hot again.

“Why did you lie to me? Why do you always just run away?”

Theo had no answer.

He just stared at me blankly, frozen like a statue.

When my body started trembling along with my voice, Grandmother held me more tightly.

“If we help Isabel escape, Crookiatus will find out everything.”

Then, Theo answered.

He then walked with large strides to the desk where Wendel was standing.

A large piece of paper that had been buried under miscellaneous items was presented before us.

“…A map?”

The paper Theo presented showed a cross-section that vertically divided the ground and underground.

The Magic Tower rising above ground, and the enormous maze situated beneath it.

Theo pointed to the dense and massive underground maze as he continued speaking.

“The place where Isabel is located is right next to Crookiatus’ Nest. There’s no way to extract Isabel without Crookiatus knowing.”

Grandmother’s expression hardened.

“If rescuing Isabel had been easy, why wouldn’t I have done it already?”

“…”

“Taking Isabel out of Debokio right now would be like openly announcing it to Crookiatus. That I had betrayed him, the existence of the magic amplifier I created to eliminate him, and…”

Theo’s gaze finally turned toward me.

“…Even the fact that Annellia is of Michaeliann blood.”

Silence descended upon the research room.

The meaning of Theo’s words was clear.

If Crookiatus learned that I was of Michaeliann blood.

That meant I would also become a target for elimination that the evil dragon was after.

It meant that my identity, which Isabel had tried to hide even while being imprisoned in the Magic Tower, would eventually be revealed.

However,

[When you return, do what you want to do most first.]

[Think about who you are.]

Lasandra’s voice that I heard just before awakening continued to circle in my head.

‘Think about who I am.’

I pondered for a long time after waking up.

What that could possibly mean.

Everything was complicated, but there was a part I could vaguely guess.

‘I am a Michaeliann, and also…’

A descendant of Crookiatus as well.

A Michaeliann mixed with Crookiatus’ blood.

It was strange, but perhaps because of that, there might be something I could do.

‘…At least theoretically.’

I finally opened my mouth.

“Crookiatus will inevitably weaken without Lady Isabel anyway.”

Grandmother, Theo, and everyone else stared at me.

“Rather than letting Lady Isabel suffer, it’s better to bring her out even if Crookiatus finds out everything.”

Strength entered Grandmother’s arms as she held me.

“And whether Crookiatus learns of my existence or not, I don’t care at all.”

Theo’s face slightly contorted.

“What’s the point of me being safe by sacrificing someone else?”

“It’s not such a simple problem! I, Isabel is…!”

“I’d rather be in danger but have everyone together than have my life be safe without those two people!”

Without realizing it, I was gasping for breath.

I could see Theo’s bloodshot eyes.

I knew he was suffering, but I couldn’t yield on this matter.

“…Yes. Then.”

At that moment, Theo spoke quietly.

“I understand.”

Muttering, Theo turned his head to stare at Rico.

“Rico. Go and bring all the displayed artifacts. Call Tick, Jorgian, and Denise from the Magic Tool Development Department and have them wait behind the tower.”

Rico had a tense expression but quickly nodded.

When he opened a portal and disappeared somewhere, I gaped in bewilderment.

‘I thought I’d have to persuade him much longer?’

Theo’s agreement came so quickly that I had an ominous feeling.

Theo approached.

“Time is the key. The longer we delay anything, the more disadvantageous it will become for us.”

Grandmother silently gripped my hand tightly.

Suddenly, Theo turned his head to stare at Wendel.

“Sir Lucian. You must make an oath.”

“…An oath?”

“Yes. When escaping from the basement of the island. Even if someone in our party falls behind, you must swear as a knight that you will absolutely not try to save them.”

Wendel’s expression hardened.

But Theo simply continued speaking calmly.

“If you try to save someone out of misguided sympathy, we’ll all die. Neither Annellia nor His Grace the Duke will be safe.”

“…But.”

“Aren’t you a knight of the Abner Household? Then you should know what mission you must fulfill and who you must protect.”

Theo stared directly at Wendel with sharp eyes.

“Swear that in an emergency situation, you will protect Annellia and His Grace the Duke as your top priority.”

My eyes widened.

Theo was now instructing Wendel not to worry about him or Rico if they fell behind and to escape.

And those words, to me who knew the situation, somehow sounded like this:

‘Again, again he’s planning to make himself bait if things go wrong.’

I urgently stepped forward from Grandmother’s embrace.

“What are you doing? Such nonsense…”

“Wendel. Make the oath.”

At that moment, Grandmother spoke.

I looked up at Grandmother with wide eyes.

“Swear that in case of an emergency, you will protect Annellia, Isabel, and me as your top priority.”

Wendel stared at Grandmother in surprise.

However, he soon bent one knee and answered.

“I swear it.”

All strength drained from my body.

Meanwhile, relief crossed Theo’s face.

I stared at Theo with a face that felt betrayed.

Theo lightly avoided my gaze and turned around, heading toward the drawer full of miscellaneous items.

“Annellia, it’s alright.”

As I watched him, Grandmother spoke.

Grandmother was looking at me as if telling me to be reassured.

“What you’re worried about won’t happen. This old woman promises you.”

Grandmother let go of my hand and turned toward Wendel.

And she whispered something in Wendel’s ear.

I silently bit my lips tightly.

Somehow, I felt like I knew what Grandmother was saying right now.

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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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