40

“My lord!”

Shion and Harnet stood in the way of Robbins together.

Sedrin was so terrified that he couldn’t even think of running away.

Roberns exhaled heavily and tried to raise his sword.

“Get out of the way! If you draw once, you have to see the end!”

“It is true that I did something wrong, but I did not commit a crime worth taking my life for. How about putting down the sword first?”

“That bastard disgraced me! I told you not to do that!”

“My sister is not such a cruel person. I wouldn’t want my brother to die over something like this.”

Shion continued, choosing his words carefully.

It happened so suddenly that I was a bit taken aback.

Of course, he could have been trying to shake his mind by showing extreme behavior, but now he had no time to argue.

“The reason I quietly passed on was because I believed that my family would be able to understand each other. But didn’t the work grow like this? Since it stemmed from my stupidity, shouldn’t I take care of it myself?”

“My lord! The same thing wouldn’t have happened if they had punished them from the start.

Why are you trying to punish me now!”

Harnett raised his voice as he met Robbins’ gaze.

Originally, the mansion was going to be noisy, so I was going to pass it on, but the root cause was Robbins.

Every time there was a problem, I would have to check it properly and punish it, but I sent it back as it was with only words.

This meant being a nuisance to himself, and also meant protecting his half-brothers.

“If you are doing this because of Shion, let go of the sword. Shion can get angry over things like this, but he doesn’t try to kill people. You can’t do that because of me.”

Surprisingly, the right words came out, but Shion sympathized but kept silent.

Harnette was already blocking Robbins with herself.

Even if he had to talk back, he might incur anger at Robbins, but since he was by his side, he wouldn’t be able to reprimand him.

“Do you dare go against my will?”

“When have you ever listened to me? You always said I was wrong, but you didn’t think of my position. Is it so wrong for me to wear a suit like the sons of nobles? I don’t drink and gamble too much, so what’s not to like about it?”

Even with the sword in front of her, Harnette spoke without hesitation.

I don’t know why he’s saying this, but he was just following his instincts.

If Robbins really had a conscience, he wouldn’t try to use a sword here.

“Have you ever been so talkative? When you pull out the sword, you can see everything.”

“The head of the family did not listen to me. You’re trying to kill your child, so you did it like this. I hate Sedrin, but not this one. Please put away the sword.”

Robbins takes a slow breath and looks down at Hannette.

Normally, he would just avoid himself, and if he did run into him, he would just say hello and quickly run away.

However, at this moment, he was expressing the rebelliousness he had accumulated for a long time while blocking himself.

‘…now I understand why he said he looked like me.’

Harnette had often heard that she looked like herself since childhood.

Of course, by the time she was called the foolish young lady, even that was considered meaningless, and was dismissed as a nuisance that had to be dealt with somehow.

After facing each other like this, I wondered if I felt a strange sense of distance because it was like seeing another self.

“…what do you think?”

“I think you are right. If it’s because of me, I want you to take the sword. If you quietly end this matter, I will not make any protest.”

In the first place, Shion had no intention of creating controversy over this.

Sedrin had already been warned, and so far the Duke of Adelaira had been living happily.

Harnette’s position had to be taken into consideration, so it would be best to end it without friction.

Above all else, I had to keep this relationship stable until Hannette left.

“In that case, it would be right for me to step back.”

Roberns slowly put down his sword and put it in the scabbard.

Only then is Shion and Hanette relieved and opens the way.

Sedrin could only sniff as tears poured out.

“Cedrin. You are banned from going out for a week. I won’t give you pocket money for a month, and I’ll hold your mother accountable. Go back to your room.”

Robbins turned his back with a lighter expression.

Sedrin seemed to hesitate for a moment, then quickly left the office.

Shion and Hanette looked at it and shook their heads.

‘If I stay still, I’ll go somewhere in the middle…’

‘Don’t you have a brain to think about things like this while arguing well?’

“I will apologize instead. It’s my fault for having an ugly son.”

Roberns put the sword back in place and murmured softly.

Of course, this was a common occurrence between Hanette and Sedrin, and he himself had mediated only with words.

In the end, he neglected it like that and even showed it to Shion, so it should be seen that it happened because he couldn’t manage it.

“Hanet, I apologize to you too. I didn’t care about you.”

Hearing that, Harnette doubted her ears for a moment.

In all his life, Robbins had never even spoken a warm word, let alone apologized.

I wondered if it was probably because of Zion’s sake.

“What should I do to relieve my anger?”

“I was angry then, but I am fine now. The Duke of Adelaira is already taking care of me, so that’s enough. How about taking care of your sister rather than me?”

Shion has been receiving support from Robbins for stopping the surprise attack of the rebels.

The cost of entering the magic society, purchasing books related to magical power enhancement, handling other expenses, etc.

He had already been treated excessively, so he gave Hanette that opportunity.

“Hanet, do you want anything from me?”

“… do not have. Can I go back now?”

Harnette answered indifferently and avoided Robbins’ gaze.

I needed more money, but I didn’t want to go this route.

It was painful enough just to cheat and siphon off money.

Above all, it was even more reluctant to show condescension for Zion’s sake.

“You can come back if you change your mind.”

“Yes. I will.”

Harnette lightly lowered her head and turned her back first.

Shion understands that feeling, but belatedly chases after Hanette.

‘… It’s working out well. If she went out for her fiancé, she must have a heart.’

Robbins looked up at the sword hanging on the wall with satisfaction.

Although he pulled out his real sword, he had no intention of cutting Sedrin.

In order to comfort Shion, he had to show his emotions and actions, even superficially.

No matter what happens, I don’t want to lose my son-in-law who uses sword skills.

‘I’m sure Hanette has complaints too.’

When Harnette was young, she always cared for her and disciplined her so that she could grow up properly.

However, at some point, Hanette showed behaviors that went against expectations, and began to be called a crazy young lady, enjoying drinking and gambling.

Although he was constantly angry and rebuked, Hannette did not break his stubbornness.

In the end, I couldn’t leave it as it was, so I backed away a bit after finding a compromise.

‘There is nothing I can do for you.’

He had come too far to turn his relationship with Harnette.

He had always criticized Hannette, and Hannette only felt helpless and resentful of herself.

It was already distorted, and even if I wanted to put it back, I couldn’t even find a way to start.

‘If Shion Reggiard can take his place… Yes. Wouldn’t that be enough?’

Harnette had stopped herself and brought up the story of Shion Reggieard.

He spoke as if he knew better than anyone else, and seemed to have a clear belief.

Even if that belief didn’t stem from love, if it meant believing in a noble named Shion Reggierd, it would have meaning.

‘Even if it’s a momentary feeling… Looking back, it turns into a momentary memory.’

Robbins had been thinking about the consequences of breaking up the engagement all along.

Unexpected situations were bound to happen at any time, and there were many changes in Shion Regard as well.

I just hoped that this arranged marriage would end smoothly while Hanette experienced more things.

‘I hope this doesn’t keep the two of them apart… I need to make room for them.’

* * *

The capital of the Alain Kingdom, the headquarters of the Sadpore Magic Society.

In general, a unique name is given to the Magic Society after the surname of the founder of the school.

Rather than researching and creating magic, the Sadpore Magic Society has established its studies in a way that understands the fundamentals of magic and does not go against its flow.

This should be seen as a process of adapting to magic itself while solidifying the foundation of magic.

Shion prioritized magic augmentation but wanted to learn how to use it in a simple way, so he chose Sadfor Magic Society after much thought.

‘Money is good.’

Shion and Hanette were listening to a lecture from a magician belonging to the society.

Usually, it is divided into theoretical lectures and practical training, but the level of education and training environment were divided in detail according to the cost.

In other words, it meant that if you could pay a lot of money, you could comfortably receive instruction while being treated by the Magic Society.

‘Because I can’t even say anything about Hanette…’

Robbins had long stopped Harnet from learning magic.

If the daughter, who was already selfish, even used magic, it could have caused an accident.

Even if he had a talent for magic, he didn’t want to make him a knight, so he had no choice but to suppress Hannet even more.

However, now that the value of the arranged marriage has increased because of himself, he must have been watching quietly so as not to disturb it as much as possible.

‘It seems to be going back as planned.’

Since Shion started listening to the lecture, he has gradually increased his magic power, and Hannett pretended not to be interested but was listening to the lecture.

From now on, even if you use sword skills, you will have some magic power left, so it will be possible to apply acid rain widely.

Harnette would be of some help, since she could still manifest her talent.

‘Now, let’s move on to magic…’

“Today’s lecture ends here. If you have any questions, please contact me at any time. I’ll be waiting for you.”

The wizard belonging to the society greeted politely and went out first.

Shion gathers her writing utensils and secretly looks away.

Hannette was looking back and forth between the blackboard and the notes she had made, thinking over and over again.

“sister.”

“…”

“Sister, the lecture is over.”

“…”

“sister!”

“yes? Why, what… why?”

Harnette pulled herself up in shock.

Shion is amused by the reaction and deliberately pretends not to know.

“It seems like you’ve got a sense of your magical powers to some extent? So I’m thinking of taking magic training… What do you think?”

“That… why are you asking me that? You’re doing it with your money.”

“Sometimes the money came from my sister’s family.”

“Oh really. Why are you talking about that?”

“I’m just going to watch today, so would you mind hanging out with me for a little while?”

“… I think that would be fine.”

Harnette spoke nonchalantly, but her eyes were subtly shining.

Shion immediately notices the change and smiles.

‘I don’t know how helpful it will be… but it’s right to do this much. I have to prepare to get the flame magic sword.’