MHR 14

Chapter 14

I couldn’t answer the barrage of questions. There wasn’t a single person there waiting for me or missing me.

Seeing me hesitate and remain silent, Murray Craig smiled kindly and said,

“Who you are is defined by the people around you. In this world, you have your husband and me, your father-in-law. You’re doing very well. Thanks to you, we solved a huge problem.”

“I haven’t done anything, though.”

“That’s impossible. Recently, Damon tried to move all that salt to the barony using magic, and it gave me such a headache. If the salt piles up in the wetlands, it will melt, won’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“And then my beloved crocodiles, bugs, and mosquitoes would all die.”

“Oh, you adore crocodiles. I didn’t realize you cared so much for bugs and mosquitoes too.”

“All life is precious. Of course, that includes you as well.”

Hearing someone call me “precious” for the first time, I felt awkward.

He was probably encouraging me to live well with the difficult Damon. Not wanting to miss the chance, I hurriedly spoke.

“Um, Father-in-law… about the magical sword.”

“Oh, right. You said you wanted to ask about that, and then forgot. Who told you the Crown Prince would go mad because of the sword? Hmm?”

“Ahem. I know the future.”

Well, whatever. It felt like anything I said in front of Murray Craig would be fine, so I let out another explosive declaration.

“Is that so? Didn’t I tell you? I said you’re a special child, didn’t I?”

Murray Craig’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“You also know about Damon’s future, right?”

“……Yes.”

“In that future, does Damon take revenge and restore the honor of Rochen?”

“No.”

I hadn’t read to the end of the novel before coming to this world, but Damon was the villain and a supporting character. The main hero, Ian the Paladin, would defeat evil, meet the heroine, and live happily ever after.

“So Damon fails, then?”

“Yes.”

“You truly are blessed by the gods. A special child indeed. You’ll be able to save Damon so he doesn’t fail.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say, Why should I do that? and just smiled awkwardly.

Murray Craig held my hand warmly, as if I were Damon’s savior.

“I’m counting on you, child. Everything rests in your hands. If you ever need my help, just ask. I’m always on your side.”

“Millan. Wait outside.”

When Damon arrived at the remote village, he handed the reins to Millan.

Coming by carriage would have been more comfortable, but it was too slow. They had lost time waiting for Clarissa to join for dinner.

Even when letting people search, she couldn’t be found. Not even someone who saw her earlier that evening had noticed her.

Apparently, she had gone outside the estate, proudly showing off the necklace she received as a gift—the first she had received since marriage.

I didn’t choose it myself; Millan bought and delivered it for me.

He worried she might make things more troublesome after receiving the gift.

“I’ll just have to speak clearly so she understands.”

Setting thoughts of Clarissa aside, Damon strode into the building.

Then—

“Oh my, Father. Is fire magic really this easy? It’s nothing at all.”

Clarissa’s voice struck his ears.

Turning toward the sound, he saw Clarissa happily producing a small flame at her fingertips.

“Clarissa!”

“What on earth are you doing here?” Damon’s face darkened.

“This late at night? Father, it seems Damon came to fetch me.”

“Is that so? Welcome, Damon.”

Murray Craig greeted him warmly.

“You let her discover your identity?”

“I told her directly. I couldn’t hide my joy at meeting my daughter-in-law. So I confessed everything, including pretending to be dead.”

Once, he had requested people to consider him dead to avoid visitors, and now he wanted to live as a living person?

Damon frowned, placing his hand on his forehead, glaring at Murray Craig.

“You must feel relieved.”

“Indeed. I had repeatedly said I wanted to see my daughter-in-law. My wish is fulfilled.”

“Having fulfilled your wish, now return to the barony.”

Damon’s cold words made Murray Craig laugh heartily.

“Ha! If Clarissa likes it, we might even go together to the barony. My estate has many fascinating magical tools. I’d like to take you as my apprentice and teach you magic.”

“I’d love that.”

Clarissa clasped her hands, delighted beyond measure.

“No.”

Damon said firmly, glaring at Clarissa.

“Go to the carriage, Clarissa.”

“…Father, perhaps I should leave now.”

Seeing Clarissa dejected, Murray Craig clasped her hands tightly.

“It’s best to go for now. I will come to visit you soon.”

“Visit me where?!”

Damon was about to erupt in anger but noticed the bandage on her ring finger and tilted his head.

He didn’t know how she got injured, but it concerned him; blood from her finger was crucial when handling the holy relic and magical sword.

But he quickly dismissed the doubt. Clarissa wouldn’t have performed the blood ritual to claim the sword herself, nor would Murray Craig have watched passively.

The adoptive father loved Damon excessively and helped him with everything he attempted.

“Clarissa, remember my words. You’re truly special. We shall meet again soon.”

“Yes, Father.”

For a brief moment, a tender bond seemed to form as Clarissa and Murray Craig exchanged affectionate looks.

As Clarissa left, Damon approached Murray Craig abruptly.

“Do not meet Clarissa alone again. Our marriage is formal. Therefore, Clarissa is not your daughter-in-law. Understood?”

“…Old man.”

“W-what did you just say?”

“I said old man. You say worse things than that raccoon.”

Tsk! Murray Craig frowned in displeasure.

“Since you treat Clarissa that way, people think I raised my child poorly.”

“Who dared say that?”

“It seems I did raise him poorly. How dare you glare at your father like that!”

The adoptive father who had always given him only love now glared with hatred. Unthinkable.

Is Damon here to take the magical sword?

Thinking this, I climbed into the carriage and stretched my legs. My body ached from traveling far before fully recovering from the carriage accident.

Leaning against the window, I raised my fingers and cast a spell. Pop! A blue flame flickered at my fingertips.

“Truly amazing.”

The flame quickly died out, probably due to my weak skill.

It might not be useful for much, but being able to create magical fire was satisfying.

“I can use it when going to the bathroom at night.”

I calmed down, remembering Murray Craig’s words:

“Not only your memories, but your emotions match Clarissa’s. Perhaps that’s because you are Clarissa.”

Although I thought that impossible, the unease lingered.

I just need to never live like Clarissa. That’s all!

I simplified my thoughts and lifted my left ring finger, where a bandage was wrapped. To claim the magical sword, I had drawn blood.

As the red drops fell, the sword trembled and cried out.

When Damon later presented the sword to Valentine, I could step in and recite the incantation to become the true owner.

According to the original story, the sword’s owner could defend against any attack.

Even if I couldn’t wield it properly, the sword would protect me.

Being the sword’s owner will make life much easier.

I wouldn’t be helpless against Aileen or threatened by Damon’s assassination attempts.

Feeling rewarded, I closed my eyes. Heat radiated from beneath my eyelids.

“Perhaps I’m coming down with something.”

Exhausted, I fell into a deep sleep.

“Enough. I surrender. I admit it’s all my fault.”

Damon had reached the limit of tolerating Murray Craig’s nagging.

“Please return to the barony for now. After the engagement of His Highness Valentine, I’ll visit the barony.”

“And if you refuse?”

Murray lifted his chin stubbornly, hands on his waist.

“Father is dead. He wanted people to forget him, so why do you linger outside the barony so long?”

“The raccoon is guarding here. No one can enter.”

“The barrier might be broken.”

I planned to strengthen it to prevent that, but Clarissa had no ill intent; the barrier was useless. She would surely return to please Murray Craig. If they grew close and recognized each other as family, it would be troublesome.

I have no family.

Damon had lost his father, the wise and beautiful mother Grace Rochen, and gentle sister Asthea Rochen all at once. His heart was empty.

Warm times, tender feelings, trust, and mutual care had vanished.

Murray was a magic teacher and benefactor. Damon only had a sense of duty to repay and protect him.

“Father must rest peacefully in the barony for my peace of mind.”

“You express dismissal with such elegant style.”

“Then I shall leave.”

As Damon turned, Murray magically chained the door handle.

“Damon. Clarissa lives only for you. If the wife you live with is sad, you cannot be happy.”

“The family was exterminated. Happiness? Father, never say such things before me again.”

Bang! Damon shattered the door with magic.

“Oh, why did I teach him magic…”