The Dutiful Kid Who Saved the Villainous Family - Chapter 148

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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 148

Airi slipped her body deep into the bomb shelter.

Now it was time to wait for the evil demons coming to kill her.

‘It would be a lie to say I’m not scared!’

But still, it was something she had to do because she was a hero.

‘At least I’m grateful.’

Even though it was a very, very short time, she was able to meet everyone before leaving.

From outside came noisy sounds as if a war was being fought.

But Declan whispered softly.

“It’s okay.”

Yes, it will be okay.

After hearing the noisy sounds of clashing blades and several fierce confrontations.

Declan gradually gave openings near the bomb shelter as if it were intentional.

As the demons targeted the bomb shelter, even when trying to lie down properly, her body kept bumping against the walls on both sides.

A loud sound came from outside the slightly open bomb shelter door.

Airi narrowed her eyes and looked outside the bomb shelter.

Soon after, the mad roar of a demon was heard right next to the bomb shelter.

‘Is it now?’

Declan allowed the approach of only the weakest single creature.

Through the crack of the bomb shelter door, the strange wings of a palm-sized bat-type demon could be seen.

As if artificially created, small gems inside were sparkling and shining.

And…

The moment the bat-type demon burrowed into the bomb shelter.

Airi opened Cookie’s status window.

[Status window of the strongest hero Airi and the ‘Guardians’!]

…

☞ Go to Item Window

After grabbing a potion from the item window, Cookie raised her hand.

Airi closed her eyes tightly while lying with both hands together inside the bomb shelter.

Then she shared the potion with Cookie, taking sips together.

“Etetete.”

It’s strawberry syrup flavor!

I thought it would taste like delicious mugwort rice cake!

It was when Airi, who was quite disappointed but still diligently swallowed the potion, let out a deep sigh.

Her body gradually stiffened as if paralyzed.

She could see the demon slowly approaching.

“It’s ready now. Just save me.”

Cookie said in a warm voice.

“Yes, the other friends aren’t beside me. But summoned beings are always by my side.”

“Yes!”

“You’re not alone.”

There was a heavy burden on the shoulders of the five-year-old child.

Airi recalled writing crooked letters on a pure white page before coming here.

“That’s right, I’m not alone!”

I decided to let Father live for a long, long time and bring Mother back too!

Father’s wife, Serafin’s mother, and Grandmother’s daughter.

And…

The person called ‘Olivia’ who loved this world.

‘I will definitely bring her back!’

What kind of person would Olivia become to Airi?

Would she tie her hair when going to school.

And put delicious toast in her mouth when she came home, like mothers in dramas?

‘Would she be similar to Grandmother?’

The answer was still unknown.

Airi closed her eyes tightly and then held Cookie’s hand.

I’m five years old, but I’m a hero who will save the world!

Totally possible!

And…

“I love you.”

“…”

“Father will definitely protect you.”

So even lying on the cold floor, Airi wasn’t afraid.

‘…Because Father said that, because Father believed in me.’

When the demon approached near Airi.

The consciousness of Airi and her summoned being, Cookie, had already completely faded.

It was a blackout.

…And so the next day, morning.

News that would alarm the world was delivered.

It was news that Airi Ortejo had fallen into critical condition due to the Pope’s demonic beasts.

Airi’s unconscious body was barely recovered.

The physician determined that Airi would never wake up again.

Declan Ortejo, who cherished his daughter terribly, collapsed.

The same went for Lord and Lady Ortejo, who loved their granddaughter.

In addition to the tragic news that Melissa Marquess had fainted, the Zackwell Family in the East and the Imperial Palace also expressed their condolences.

Amid the chaotic political situation, the Papal States were finally sealed.

It was said that no one knew when they would open again.

* * *

Atop the highest tower of the Papal Palace.

This was a place where the entire Papal States could be seen.

The Pope, who had climbed to the highest place and was looking around the sealed Papal States, asked quietly.

“How did it go.”

Then someone hidden in the shadows muttered.

“The sealing of Airi Ortejo’s abilities failed, but she died from contamination during the process of purifying the magi.”

“…Did you secure the body?”

“Declan Ortejo appeared and we failed to retrieve the body. However, we confirmed for certain that she had stopped breathing.”

“I see.”

Seeing the Pope’s subtly displeased expression, the High Priest spoke carefully.

“Here is a recording stone that captured the situation at that time, Your Holiness.”

The Pope who confirmed the situation in the recording stone made a subtle expression.

‘It ended too easily.’

But the Pope was overconfident in his own abilities.

‘As expected, something like a Purification Mage was no match for me.’

Moreover, he had numerous test subjects before him.

Now the gates of the Papal States were completely sealed.

No matter what attacks came from outside, they couldn’t be breached unless it was the power of God.

He looked down at the thousands of test subjects prostrating below the tower.

“Ah, you who will become my new eyes and ears, hands and feet, and divine authority!”

Experiment on them.

Transplant abilities.

Grant powerful magi…

“Our time has come! Spread the divine authority throughout the entire empire!”

His voice echoed loudly.

Then the test subjects’ eyes, devoid of hope and warmth, gazed up at the spire.

They didn’t know at that moment.

About the spring-like breeze that gently circled around the test subjects.

Around the time the Papal States’ gates were completely sealed.

There was a shadow that slipped inside.

The Small Warrior Ghost and Summoned Cookie Ghost stealthily entered the Papal States.

It was a step taken by a very small and brave warrior who wanted to save this world.

* * *

Several days after the Papal States were sealed, the atmosphere in the capital was ominous.

From the day the Papal States were sealed, the Emperor issued an alert for the entire city.

Princess Rashe, still young in years, personally stepped forward to inspect the capital directly and placed purification stones in places where demons might appear.

In the harsh atmosphere, the capital’s streets were desolate.

Only a few newspaper boys and street vendors were having conversations.

“I heard all the temple doors have been closed. And all the priests who were doing relief work have left too?”

“What on earth is happening…”

“Her Highness Princess Rashe said so. Because of the Pope’s schemes, demons could appear at any moment.”

“Th-that can’t be. Demons only appear in the Northern Region…”

“But is it really the Pope’s fault? I have no idea what’s going on!”

Regardless of their confusion, the situation was getting worse.

The newspaper boy showed today’s printed newspaper headline and said:

[Citizens of the empire in the capital should be cautious as the Pope may have plotted a conspiracy]

“What exactly is this conspiracy?”

And…

That was the moment.

Along with the sound of loud wind, what the Pope had prepared happened.

The demons he had hidden in the basement of the temples in the capital appeared on the streets.

“Th-that thing coming over there…”

“Isn’t that a demon?”

The newspaper boy fell flat on the ground and shouted.

“Take cover!”

With a loud noise, a large winged demon appeared.

And…

“Everyone take cover!”

Countless knights rushed in to eliminate the demon.

The first day of localized warfare due to demons within the capital.

It was the beginning of what would be called the 【Dark Age】 in society.

* * *

Meanwhile, the Northern Region was in a more agitated atmosphere than usual.

The Ortejo Family, leaders of the North.

House Melissa, the prestigious family of the South.

The Zackwell Family, guardians of the East.

The three families declared war on the Papal States that wickedly used divine power.

However, the gates of the Papal States would not open.

Those who borrowed divine power had locked the gates of the Papal States…

They could not be opened by human strength.

But there was one thing.

The most important thing was…

The entire empire was boiling with anger toward the evil Papal States.

And the Ortejo Family’s anger over losing their precious baby princess was the greatest.

A maid cleaning the courtyard of Ortejo Castle in the North gritted her teeth.

“Damn temple bastards. Trash!”

The Pope’s recent attack.

Because of it, Airi, the youngest princess, had died.

They said Airi’s body was buried somewhere in the castle.

Declan was devoting so much care that he visited daily.

The cleaning maids gritted their teeth and muttered.

“How dare they harm our round little baby!”

“She was so cute and lovable…”

Airi’s first day at the castle.

They couldn’t forget how the castle’s atmosphere brightened with just one smile from Airi.

A senior maid shouted in fury.

“Exactly! I want to crush the Pope’s heart with my own hands.”

But just as they were grinding their teeth furiously.

Serafin and Berry appeared, holding wooden swords as if they had been training.

Then the two shouted loudly in unison like a chorus.

“You were talking about Airi again, weren’t you?”

“Oh my, th-that’s not it.”

They knew that Serafin, who had lost a blood-related family member, would be sadder than them.

The maids answered with awkward smiles as if keeping their mouths shut.

“W-we were just talking about how winter might be a bit long.”

Then Serafin said.

“It’s okay if winter gets longer.”

“Oh my, what?”

When the maids looked puzzled, Berry spoke first.

“Winter is just a very cold preparation period before spring comes.”

“Right! Our father says that no matter how long the preparation period is, spring will come someday!”

It seemed like some kind of very philosophical metaphor…

The maids, who couldn’t quite understand their meaning, looked at each other and nodded.

“Of course, spring will come.”

Strangely, that ‘spring’ didn’t seem to simply mean the season.

Serafin and Berry, who glanced at the maids, held each other’s hands tightly and ran eagerly toward the training ground.

Even so, Berry thought to herself.

‘Lady Airi, you said we could meet again someday.’

On the very day Airi died.

There was a story Declan secretly told only to Berry, Serafin, and the grandmothers.

“Airi will come back.”

“What?”

“So everyone wait. I’m waiting too.”

No one knew exactly what it meant.

Declan said it was difficult to explain in too much detail because of the world’s laws.

But his eyes seemed truthful.

And Berry unconditionally believed Declan’s words.

He never lied about anything concerning Airi.

Because he was an adult who loved Airi tremendously.

So…

Whenever they felt Airi’s absence, Berry and Serafin would recall those words of Declan’s.

And they would habitually speak to Airi in their hearts.

You know, Airi.

When warm spring comes again….

There are so many things I want to do together.

So come quickly.

Everyone is waiting.

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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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