TMLOH 104

Chapter : 104

Mehen let out a groan.

“So… are you planning to go to war?”

“Nothing stopping me.”

“And the current Emperor…”

“Does Ed’s opinion matter?”

At the genuine expression in his clear eyes, Mehen realized: this man may be his lord, but he was truly insane in the most proper sense.

The idea that he could casually carry out something that could easily be considered treason…

“…You’ve managed to stay quiet all this time?”

“There were more important things than getting rid of that guy.”

For Valer, Arelrin always came first. Above revenge, above Halbern, even above his own life.

“Ha, fine. Do as you like. Since when have you ever listened to me anyway.”

“I’ve listened perfectly well.”

“When did you?”

“Mehen.”

“Yes?”

“You still need to be on my side.”

Mehen frowned.

“You’re all I have left now.”

“….”

“You know that.”

Mehen clicked his tongue.

Where did this guy get the nerve to pull such a stunt?

“Save that kind of talk for a woman.”

“Cold, Mehen.”

“Disgusting.”

“But women—”

Valer smiled with a teasing glint in his eyes.

“—don’t know me like you do.”

“I’d rather not know either.”

“Hahaha. Just kidding, right?”

This wretched enemy… yet when he shows a vulnerable side like this, Mehen can’t bring himself to push him away.

“I feel alive.”

Valer leaned casually against Mehen and exhaled.

“I really missed you. The Northern Castle was so dull and boring. Zaren only thought about dragons, the other knights were desperate to leave the Northern Castle quickly. And I had no one to play with.”

Mehen tried to push the whiny Valer away, but with his strength, it was impossible. Mehen groaned in irritation.

“Don’t you feel sorry for me?”

“I’m sorrier than you are.”

With a complaint that it was really unfair, silence fell. A familiar, comfortable silence. They were briefly swept by nostalgia, as if they had returned to childhood.

“Mehen.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

Valer rested his cheek on Mehen’s shoulder and looked out at Arelrin.

My cute, lovely daughter.

“If it weren’t for you, Halbern wouldn’t exist either.”

“….”

“I would have burned it all down and buried it.”

The aftermath of his abilities seemed strong. It had been a long time since Valer had shown such vulnerability.

Mehen let him lean however he wanted.

“You’re not going to leave me, right?”

The gloomy voice was unusually pleading today.

“You won’t abandon me, right?”

“I will.”

“Cold.”

Valer brushed back his hair and laughed brightly.

“That’s why I like you.”

“….”

“Because you could leave me without mercy the moment I disappoint you.”

Hearing the whisper asking for help to remain human, Mehen hid his unease.

“Ah… I miss my sister…”

That wretched enemy. He even makes it impossible to hate him.

Life goals were being reset.

Previously, I had thought I’d just live and die when the time came, but much had changed, so my life goals had to change too.

First goal: Become healthy.

“If I just become healthy, that’s everything.”

I diligently took the unappetizing elixirs and exercised, but I knew… my illness wasn’t just a simple one.

‘I need to find a way to get healthy.’

It was an overwhelming and high-difficulty goal, but not entirely impossible.

After all, I had read the novel. I was the only “reader” of this world.

Only I knew the future of this world.

“I think there was an item that could grant any wish.”

I strained my brain to list not only health-related items but also any other items I might need and how to obtain them.

“Still, I need to prepare for the worst… for when I die.”

I was the type to anticipate pessimistic outcomes first and prepare for them, rather than being optimistically naive.

Even when preparing for a competition, I first considered failure and made a plan B.

So the second goal: Plan B — ensure Halbern doesn’t fall apart even if I die.

Finally, the third goal: Create as many happy memories as possible with those around me until my death.

“All right, first, I need to prevent Halbern from falling apart.”

That part was easy.

I got up and headed to Mehen’s office.

“Arel? What’s the matter?”

“Mehen.”

“Yes?”

I spoke to Mehen with a serious tone.

“Even if I die, don’t leave Halbern.”

“…Pardon?”

Mehen, looking tense, stared at me as if asking what I meant.

There was a deep reason behind this. Halbern’s ruin would start the moment Mehen left. As long as he stayed, it could be prevented.

I grabbed his hand, even linking our pinkies.

“You absolutely cannot leave. Got it?”

Flustered, Mehen nodded.

“Yes, understood.”

Good, one problem solved.

After lunch, playing one piece became part of my daily routine.

Instrument: violin or piano.

Piece: whatever comes to mind.

I still couldn’t play pieces over five minutes, but it didn’t matter. Everyone enjoyed it.

“Wow.”

“Is the young lady a genius?”

This time had become a performance everyone in the mansion eagerly anticipated, regardless of rank.

Initially, the performances started in the music room my father gave me, but now they took place on a stage in the mansion hall, arranged voluntarily by the staff.

“How does she play such music…?”

“Every day feels new.”

Seeing people enchanted after the music ended was my small joy.

Yes, Bach is nice.

The problem started with the twins I had summoned for a favor.

As soon as the performance ended, Ciel grabbed my hand.

“Arelrin!”

“What is it?”

Why are you calling my name normally?

I watched warily as Ciel’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Let’s perform!”

“Perform?”

Suddenly?

“We’re opening the largest art hall in Albrecht on Prudé Street in Sperom. How about performing there?”

Wasn’t that the place where the auction was held? I had been keeping an eye on it for the items I needed.

I had summoned the twins to get help with the auction, secretly from Mehen or my father… but why was it suddenly my turn to perform?

“If it’s Arelrin, it will definitely be a performance remembered in history…!”

“I’m not doing it.”

“…!”

Ciel pouted.

“Why not? You’re not going to let anyone hear such amazing music?”

“I’m letting you hear it.”

“Music like this should be heard by everyone. It must be widely known. No one has ever heard genius music like this before!”

Of course, playing only the best pieces composed by geniuses warranted this praise.

But a performance would require at least three pieces, and with my current poor stamina, consecutive performances were impossible.

“One piece is all I can manage. I’m tired.”

“Then just perform one piece!”

“That feels… inappropriate.”

Courtesy toward the audience matters.

As Ciel passionately tried to persuade me, convinced that I couldn’t monopolize this art, Noel suddenly spoke.

“I’m against it.”

Noel opposed it out of nowhere.

“If Arelrin’s performance becomes famous, we’ll lose the chance to hear it ourselves. I don’t like that.”

“What?”

“I only want to hear Arelrin perform.”

Ciel and Noel glared at each other.

“Even now, she only performs once a day. If we add a public performance…”

“But not sharing this incredible music widely is wrong!”

“I still don’t like it. I oppose it.”

Sparks seemed to fly in the air.

Ciel and Noel’s expressions instantly turned fierce.

Huh? What’s going on?

“Noel, why are you being so selfish?”

“What? How is this selfish? What’s wrong with wanting to monopolize something good?”

Why were these two suddenly fighting?

Browning was surprised at the twins’ dispute, eyes wide.

Noel huffed.

“Ciel’s always like that. Never thinks of others. And Arelrin said she doesn’t want to perform.”

“When did I say I didn’t want to perform? I said my stamina isn’t enough. Noel, why are you being so irritating?”

Ciel raised his voice too.

Noel scowled, and the two glared at each other before suddenly turning to me.

“Arelrin, choose!”

“Who?!”

Turning the blame to me now?

“…?”

I was completely confused.