Chapter 10
The atmosphere in the garden was still heavy.
“It was basically a declaration that he intended to win her over.”
With that single observation, the temperature of the room seemed to drop another degree.
“…You can take back what you just said, can’t you?”
Mishnight’s voice was calm.
So calm that it was frightening.
His sword was no longer drawn, yet the pressure he emitted alone was enough to make people freeze.
“There is no reason for me to retract it.”
Verunoa answered immediately.
Without the slightest hesitation.
“You… are you seriously saying that?”
Shurles growled.
“I am.”
“Don’t answer so confidently!!”
Meanwhile, Sole—
“…Fluff.”
Was still holding the magical beast.
Soft.
Warm.
The perfect method of escaping reality.
“Sole.”
Yuris called to her quietly.
“Were you actually listening to all of that?”
“I was, but…”
Sole looked up.
“It was so complicated that halfway through, all I could focus on was the fluffiness.”
“I figured!!”
At that moment—
Verunoa’s gaze drifted back to Sole.
It seemed just a little softer.
“That is fine.”
“Huh?”
Sole tilted her head.
“There is no need for you to force yourself to understand everything.”
“…Wait, was that actually something nice?”
“It is simply a fact.”
It was rationalism disguised as kindness.
Mishnight stepped forward.
“That is enough for today.”
“Father!”
Yuris tried to stop him, but Mishnight ignored him.
“There is no need to continue this discussion.”
His gaze settled on Verunoa.
“I will not permit you to stay here.”
Verunoa narrowed his eyes slightly.
“I was not requesting permission to stay.”
“Then what exactly did you come here for?”
“To confirm something.”
The atmosphere froze again.
“To confirm?”
Aalto repeated.
“Yes.”
Verunoa looked at Sole.
“I merely came to see with my own eyes that she is still alive.”
For a moment, no one could find any words.
Even Sole froze.
“…Wait, you tore open space just for that?”
“It was an important matter.”
At that moment—
The magical beast in Sole’s arms twitched.
It looked toward Verunoa.
And then—
“…Kyu.”
It let out a small cry.
“…?”
Sole looked down.
“What was that?”
“A greeting.”
Verunoa answered immediately.
Shurles frowned.
“Do magical beasts know who you are too?”
“They do not.”
“Then what was that?”
Verunoa replied calmly.
“It is merely reacting to her magical power.”
That single statement caused the atmosphere to shift once again.
Mishnight’s eyes sharpened.
“As I thought…”
But Verunoa did not continue.
Instead, he quietly stepped back.
“That will conclude matters for today.”
“Running away already?”
“No.”
Then, for the last time, he looked at Sole.
“Before we meet again…”
A brief pause.
“Make sure you understand your own condition.”
Sole blinked.
“…I’ll do my best.”
“Yes.”
At that response alone, his eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as if he were satisfied.
Then space distorted once more.
Together with the men in black cloaks, Verunoa disappeared.
The garden was left behind.
The wind returned.
The flowers swayed gently.
Yet the atmosphere remained just a little heavy.
“…We’re going back inside.”
Mishnight said.
Sole looked down at the magical beast she was still carrying and muttered quietly,
“Hey.”
“What is it?”
Yuris turned around.
With a slightly troubled expression, Sole asked,
“…Is going outside always this exhausting?”
No one was able to answer her right away.
