The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 187

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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 187
I had grown far stronger than when we last parted. Shalone couldn’t break free from my grip and was practically dragged along as if flying through the air.
“Ow, that hurts! Ow!!”
“We’re here.”
Screeeech—!
I came to a forceful stop with such momentum that it made a sound, then exhaled a long breath. Only then did Shalone’s feet touch solid ground, and she swallowed a hollow laugh.
“How did you even know this place was…”
“I sensed your presence.”
I grinned and immediately threw open the door.
As the darkened entrance swung wide, the stale, oppressive heat trapped inside rushed out.
“Hello~!”
I called out in a noticeably brighter voice.
“Wow, it’s really dark in here.”
I walked in quickly and yanked back the curtains covering the window. Something beneath the blankets stirred and writhed.
I tilted my head curiously.
“Shalone’s Mother, won’t you wake up for a moment?”
* * *
“Shalone’s Mother, won’t you wake up for a moment?”
A voice she despised hearing.
That was what Hila thought from within the blankets.
Ever since losing all motivation, she had wanted to do nothing.
Her child?
It was laughable.
She had merely used her because she was useful.
After her sole objective had been destroyed, she wanted to do nothing. She refused to believe that everything had been ruined because of that naive, innocent little brat.
“…Get out.”
“No. Shalone has something to say to you. As her mother, you should listen.”
“I said no!”
Hila bolted upright.
Beneath her disheveled hair, her eyes gleamed with fierce intensity.
I met her gaze steadily and smiled brightly.
“That child was merely useful to me, nothing more! Mother? I never once thought of her that way. I simply used her, and now she’s worthless! There’s no need to listen to anything she says!”
“Yes. But you should still listen. Because you’re the mother who raised Shalone.”
“You…!”
Hila gritted her teeth with a snarl, glaring fiercely at Shalone.
Shalone flinched, her shoulders trembling as she lowered her head. Her body quivered faintly, her hands gripping the front of her dress tightly. She had been in this state for some time now.
“…It’s fine. Let’s just leave. I’m okay.”
“Nope, I don’t like that. If I take you away, it’ll look like I kidnapped you again. I’m sick of being a kidnapper now.”
I placed my hands on my hips as I spoke.
Despite having slept for so long, my childish nature hadn’t changed one bit.
When Shalone let out a hollow laugh at the absurdity, Bunny shrugged her shoulders.
“Why aren’t you leaving already?!”
“Shalone, get going. Hurry up and say what you need to say, then leave.”
My head throbbed at Bunny’s reproachful tone as she dragged me here on a whim and then scolded me for it.
I bit my lower lip. I wondered what I should say, what words would keep Hila from growing angry, but I had no answers. Hila had despaired to the point of utter hopelessness, and I had come to realize that I could offer her no help whatsoever.
“Hurry up and finish. I need to meet Grandfather too, Shal… I mean, Sister.”
“Wait a moment!”
When I cried out for her to stop rushing me, Bunny pouted her lips and grumbled that I was always so temperamental.
“Always? It’s been six years since we last met?!”
“I don’t care. I slept for a long time, so it feels like yesterday to me. Always is always.”
At her blunt words, I glared at Bunny with an exasperated expression before letting out a deep sigh. Only after a long moment did I finally turn my gaze toward Hila, who had grown noticeably more haggard in the time I hadn’t seen her.
I still did not know precisely what Hila wanted, or what she had been yearning for. But one thing was certain….
Hila wished to return somewhere.
And that place surely held someone precious to her.
“Mother.”
“….”
Instead of answering, Hila glared at me with a face that had grown even more gaunt and fierce than I remembered.
The Hila I remembered had always looked this way. She hadn’t aged a day, which struck me as remarkable.
“…I don’t think I can find happiness here.”
Hila’s eyebrows twitched sharply.
She glared at me as though I had uttered something deeply insulting, then burst into a hollow laugh.
“What do you expect me to do about it? I told you to figure it out yourself. Aren’t you listening? I said you’re not needed. You’re no help anymore, and you’re worthless!”
“But even if you don’t think of me as your daughter, I think of you as my mother. You gave me life and raised me…. Regardless of your intentions.”
At the very least, Hila had never struck me or abused me. Though she had given me somewhat biased information, ultimately all of it had been done because she wished for my happiness.
Even if her desire for my happiness stemmed from selfishness, Hila was my entire world. That’s why I believed in her and followed her without question. But….
“That’s why I hope you get what you want, Mother.”
“….”
Hila’s cheek twitched once.
Looking at her face twisted with indescribable emotion, I smiled brightly.
It was a mischievous smile I had never shown her before—not particularly mature, and not seeming especially wise….
Yes, it was a smile that resembled Bunny’s exactly.
“So… Mother.”
I rolled my eyes and grinned widely.
“I’m going to live my own life. The life I chose. I….”
“….”
“Rather than finding happiness alone, I just want to be happy together with everyone. You said that without Bunny, I would monopolize everyone’s love and be happy….”
Even if everyone loved me, I didn’t think I would be happy that way.
Even with Simon, even with Grandfather and so many friends, even if the Servants adored me….
“It wasn’t like that.”
Ever since Bunny left, I couldn’t erase the hollow emptiness that had torn open in my chest.
“So that’s why….”
“….”
“I’m going to find my own happiness! I’ll go to the Demon Realm and live together with everyone there. It seems like that’s the path where I can be happiest. Even though I’m a younger sister who doesn’t listen to what you say, it was better to have me around.”
“….”
“Of course, I’m not saying I’ll be gone forever! I’ll visit Mother often. And I’ll continue my duties as a Saint… and I want to marry Simon too.”
As I rambled on, Hila’s face grew increasingly distorted.
What was she supposed to say? There were no words for a child who abandoned her parents and left to find her own happiness.
“So, Mother.”
Hila’s brow furrowed.
“Will you allow me to leave your side? So I can live my own life?”
“You’re announcing it to me, yet you need my permission?”
“Yes, I want your permission, Mother. I’ve decided to find my own life, but it would make me even happier if I had your blessing.”
Shalone spoke while looking directly into Hila’s eyes.
‘When did she become able to look me in the eye and speak like this?’
It was absurd.
Everything I had carefully nurtured was completely ruined by one little girl who went her own way. There was nothing to say to someone who rejected the path I had laid out for her.
This was already lost. The reversal had failed, and she would have no choice but to live on in this world.
“This is ridiculous. Do as you please. How you live from now on is none of my concern. I won’t help you anymore. No matter what hardships come your way, even if your path becomes thorny, I won’t care at all.”
Despite Hila’s cold words, Shalone’s face brightened. After all, she hadn’t said she wouldn’t see her.
Shalone nodded with a radiant smile.
“Yes! I’ll visit you often.”
“There’s no need….”
Hila stopped mid-sentence.
Ding—!
A notification appeared.
Congratulations!
“I’ll do my best to be happy so that you can obtain what you desire, Mother. Even though it’s frustrating… I think I was happiest when I was with this child.”
Hila stared blankly at the floating letters in the air, then lowered her gaze to look at Shalone. There was not a trace of worry or darkness on her mischievous smiling face.
Your child has chosen to leave your embrace and find her own happiness! Not every moment of the journey to escape predetermined fate and shackles and find one’s own happiness can be joyful, but now that your child has resolved to live her own life, she is surely experiencing profound happiness!
It was the text I had longed to see so much.

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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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