The Dutiful Kid Who Saved the Villainous Family - Chapter 147
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Episode 147
Chapter 24 Goodbye, Airi
* * *
Meanwhile, Airi was with Declan.
Berry had almost died because of demons.
Dark circles hung heavily under Declan’s eyes.
He had fought countless demons on the plain near Ortejo Castle.
And those demons acted as if their only purpose was to enter Ortejo Castle.
‘In the end, they invaded Ortejo Castle where Airi is.’
The snake demon he saw earlier was the same.
It seemed as if they were targeting just one person, only Airi.
He had said he would kill them all and return.
He had said he would protect her.
He couldn’t keep the promise he had made so firmly.
“I’m sorry, my daughter. But Berry just said she’s okay now.”
“Hehe! That’s a relief!”
Airi finally seemed to smile, letting out a sigh of relief.
Then she opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.
She could no longer delay leaving for the Papal States.
“I will go to the Papal States!”
“Father will figure something out. I was inexperienced today, but…”
“You know, the Pope’s tyranny is destined by fate anyway. Father can’t do anything about it! So I have to take the potion and go punish the Pope!”
“It would be tyranny.”
“Huh? The book said tyranny.”
“…How can I send you when you’re this foolish.”
Declan lifted Airi up and gave her a piggyback ride.
“We still have so many things we haven’t done. So… let’s do this first.”
Warm, soft feet kicked around near his shoulders.
“Yes! Hehe!”
This sight of her laughing “hehe” like this…
How long would he be able to see it?
Could he see it for one more day?
No, two days…
Declan quietly held Airi’s soft legs tightly.
Then he lifted Airi’s body and moved her around as if spinning her.
“Kyaaaa!”
Airi shouted with an extremely excited expression.
“Woaaah! More! I want to do more!”
Declan brought Airi down and hugged her tightly.
“Huh, huk?”
When Airi’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Declan lifted Airi up into the air as if carrying her in triumph.
“Uhahaha!”
Airi, with her hair disheveled, shouted excitedly.
“So so exciting! This is my first time doing this!”
“Really?”
“Yes! Playing with Father is so fun!”
“More than with Grandmother?”
When he mentioned her powerful rival, Airi’s eyes showed incredibly deep contemplation.
Declan lifted Airi to meet her eyes.
“Hmm? Is it more fun than playing with Grandmother?”
“Ah! Seraphine would really really love this too!”
…This clever little one.
She’s trying to change the situation by bringing up a topic Father can’t help but fall for.
At times like this, it would be better to do what the smart little one wants.
Declan grinned.
“Bring her, I’ll play with her too.”
Then, Airi held Declan’s hand tightly and muttered.
“Then, this kind of playing, it’s the last time, right?”
Declan looked into Airi’s purple eyes.
Airi’s eyes showed she had firmly resolved everything.
“In just one day, the knight uncle was really really sick, the maid sister who loved me almost died, and Berry was sick too. And if we just stay like this, Father and I will die too.”
Declan’s firm eyes wavered.
Then Airi grabbed his sleeve tightly and said.
“It’s not goodbye forever! And we! We’ll say our final farewell…”
Declan gritted his teeth.
“…Not final. You’ll come back, right?”
Unlike his distorted face, Airi smiled brightly and nodded.
“Then until I come back!”
* * *
Airi’s crooked invitation letters arrived at super high speed to Melissa Marquess’ Domain and Jackvell Domain respectively.
To Melissa Marquess Grandmother!
Grandmother, come play at the border village!
I miss you so so much!
The first and last Airi-style Northern Region party!
To Jackvell Marquess Uncle.
How are you?
I am Airi!
I formally invite Berry’s father!
I will treat you to a really really delicious meal!
To Yelshanad Grandmother and Milligan Grandfather
Have you been in good health?
I’m sad I couldn’t receive etiquette lessons from Grandfather lately.
I shed a few tears because I couldn’t show Grandmother my cool dance.
Today, I will definitely show you lots and lots!
After sending all the letters.
Airi unleashed her 4-star Purification Mage abilities without hesitation.
She created a small area cleanly purified of magi and demons at the border between the Northern Region and the capital.
In that place, Melissa Marquess, Jackvell Marquess, the Yelshanad Milligan couple, Father, Seraphine, and even Berry!
All the people Airi loved gathered together.
As she entered the small cabin, Melissa Marquess smiled warmly.
“Oh my, my child! Why have you become so thin and bony. Hmm?”
“I gained weight though…”
“You need to eat lots of turkey legs and cookies too, this won’t do.”
Grandmother doesn’t listen!
When Airi puffed up her plump cheeks, Melissa Marquess said solemnly.
“When I said our baby puppy invited me to a party, those Grandmother fellows were so envious.”
“The Grandmothers…!”
It’s sad to leave without meeting the Grandmothers one last time, but…
“You know, are all the Grandmothers really really healthy?”
“Then, stay healthy.”
“How many more years will you be healthy?”
“Very, very long and healthy, probably.”
At Melissa Marquess’s declaration, Airi’s expression brightened cheerfully.
Melissa Marquess grumbled, not knowing why Airi’s face had become so radiant.
“Why. Do you like those guys more than this old lady?”
Airi shook her head back and forth.
“No! Grandmother is the best! Hehe!”
At that moment, Yelshanad and the Milligan couple’s mouths protruded like ducks.
Like the quick-witted child she was, Airi raised her hand high.
“I like all of Grandmother’s grandfathers!”
“Then what about father-in-law?”
At Jackvell Marquess’s words, Berry and Declan’s faces turned red for different reasons.
“My daughter will never have a father-in-law.”
Seeing Berry’s dejected face, Declan muttered.
“Well, someday, anyway…”
Seeing Declan’s expression, Airi tilted her head and stamped her feet.
‘I don’t know why everyone has that expression, but there’s no time!’
Now it was time to get to the main point!
“So, the reason I called everyone here is!”
“Yeah, what is it?”
Everyone’s attention focused on Airi.
Airi took a light deep breath and said.
“Actually, I might go on a very, very long journey.”
Melissa Marquess made a puzzled expression.
“Huh? Really? Leaving this grandmother behind?”
“I have to go alone.”
After saying that, Airi distributed appointment letters written in crooked handwriting to each of them.
Appointed as friends of the hero who protects the world!
Father, Seraphine, Berry, Grandfather, Grandmothers, Uncle!
“I made it like a really, really cool certificate!”
At her very proud expression, small smiles gently burst from all of them.
Looking at the letters Airi had worked hard to write, Declan chuckled.
“Your handwriting is really crooked.”
Airi’s lips protruded like a duck’s.
Declan naturally grabbed Airi’s duck lips with two fingers and grinned.
“So, we just need to save people and be good?”
“Yes! And you have to be really, really strong and survive!”
“Survive strongly, got it.”
“Yes! You can’t get beaten up by bad demons. Everyone!”
Everyone would still think this was all a joke…
“But, I will definitely come back!”
Airi hugged everyone gathered there one by one tightly.
When hugging Jackvell Marquess, there was a bit of crisis due to Father’s terrifying gaze, but she managed to do it all anyway!
Airi hugged Berry tightly and said.
“Berry, thank you so, so much! Always.”
“No. I will definitely protect you from danger.”
“Yeah!”
“By becoming very strong.”
Hearing Berry’s words, Airi smiled brightly.
“Yeah, I’ll look forward to it!”
Right now she couldn’t call this farewell a farewell…
That would be Father’s job to convey after Airi disappeared.
So Airi decided to only say this for now.
“I love everyone so, so much!”
At Airi’s polite bow and words, everyone smiled brightly…
Outside was still cold, but inside was like a warm spring day full of warmth.
* * *
After the brief meeting ended, on the way home.
It had become deep night.
Airi and Declan’s gazes met in the air.
At that moment, Airi was certain.
Declan’s actions had somehow become slow as if predicting their parting.
He wrapped a scarf around Airi and put gloves on both her hands.
“Now, shall we go for a walk?”
“Are you a puppy? Liking walks.”
His voice, muttering small as if it didn’t matter, as if it was trivial, was filled with subtle worry.
Because Declan also knew well what this ‘walk’ meant.
“…Are you ready?”
Airi smiled with effort and stamped her feet.
“Yes! Now, we’re going for a walk!”
Airi ran out of Ortejo Castle energetically.
Declan and Airi thus reached near the meadow of Ortejo Castle.
Knights were everywhere around them.
As planned with Declan, Airi entered the bomb shelter.
Airi placed Cookie on her palm.
Cookie danced on her palm and said.
“I’m summoned being Cookie. I’ll come often to deliver news of Airi!”
“…”
His eyes showed he found it completely unreliable.
And…
Near the meadow, noisy sounds like fireworks exploding were heard.
“The Pope’s demons have swarmed in. Just as you predicted.”
“Then now we need to make the Pope think he ‘killed’ me!”
“…”
Declan slightly furrowed his brow and pushed Airi into the prepared bomb shelter.
“When I become a spirit, please protect my body safely. Promise!”
“…Of course, I promise.”
“Hehe! That’s enough!”
Declan silently turned his head.
Then, Airi smiled brightly.
“Father, don’t cry!”
…Was I crying?
I didn’t even know.
“Airi will come to wipe your tears later!”
…How foolish.
Declan gritted his teeth and pulled himself away from the bomb shelter.
As he closed the bomb shelter door, he muttered.
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t hurt. So…”
“Yes!”
After glaring at the demons charging through the cold wind, Declan turned his back again.
And he firmly grasped Airi’s hand through the gap in the bomb shelter.
“I love you.”
“….”
“We’ll meet again, for sure.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————