The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 267

267.

#12 The Second Daughter’s Epilogue.

“Why is that?”

I couldn’t read Dad’s mind.

His soul’s level was somewhere far beyond even dragons.

This was the same for Aki and Mir. Even with many Wyvern souls, they couldn’t match the level of a True Dragon.

“Nen, why do you think you were given such an ability?”

“It’s because I was stuck with the soul of the evil Dragon Slayer for so long!”

“He read Miria’s mind before, huh? That must have had some influence, but I think there’s another reason.”

“What is it?”

“That’s something you have to learn on your own life’s journey.”

Setsunen puffed out her cheeks and stood on the desk.

“Keeping me in suspense and not telling me is evil! If you love justice, you should never do that!”

Then, Rain looked far into the distance with a longing expression.

“You’ll learn a lot in this world. There’s so much in this world. Beautiful things, scary things, fun things, sad things…….”

“There’s evil and justice too!”

“Yes, and it isn’t *just* evil and justice. Among people, there are strong people, weak people, funny people, pitiful people, evil people, and righteous people.”

“……!”

“If you see those things with your own eyes, hear them with your own ears, and touch them with your own hands, you’ll gradually realize them without even knowing it.”

Dad got up from the desk, lifted Setsunen into his arms, and gave her his warmest smile, which Setsunen loved the most.

“How to use that power you were born with, just like your sister did.”

I was sure that day would never come, but it came quite quickly.

A theft occurred in the class. Sophia Duren, the second daughter of Duke Duren of the North, had her hairpin stolen.

The suspect was Torres, a commoner student leader who was always in competition with Sophia for the top spot.

“No, no. There’s no way I would steal something like this! Why would I?”

“I heard your family is struggling financially. Weren’t you trying to sell Princess Sophia’s hairpin to fill your coffers?”

“That’s nonsense!”

However, contrary to Torres’s denial, the hairpin was found in his locker!

“No, this, what…”

It was Setsunen’s mind-reading that solved this problem.

“Everyone stop, rash accusations are evil!”

“Accusations? Didn’t you see the hairpin actually came out of that locker? Setsunen Ludwig?”

“The real culprit is in here, eeeeevil!”

She read the minds of several students and uncovered their alibis.

Thus, she revealed that the real culprit was not Torres but Vasa Croft, Sophia’s attendant student from a northern noble family.

This incident brought a very big change to Setsunen’s life.

“You’re amazing, Miss Setsunen Ludwig!”

“To reveal this!”

The number of friends who approached her with sincere goodwill increased noticeably.

And Sophia Duren abandoned her dignity as a great noble and apologized for Vasa’s actions, bowing her head.

It was like glimpsing the power she possessed and the possibilities of this world!

From then on, for some reason, living in the world became really fun.

And soon, an opportunity arose to help Dad with this power.

“Next is the reorganization of the legal system.”

Because one day, I was able to eavesdrop on a conversation between Emperor Raida and Dad.

I liked to hide in the large drawers of the Prime Minister’s office and surprise Dad, so I was in the drawer that day when this happened.

“Yes, I have reviewed the proposal you submitted. The establishment of district courts and high courts under the Imperial Court…….”

“It is a measure to prevent people from experiencing unfairness, Your Majesty.”

“I know. But this is no different from weakening the power of the central government and giving local gentry an opportunity to become corrupt.”

“……!”

“I know you’re trying to take this measure because the law is far from the people, but if you implement this as it is, the nobles will rebel, and the people will ultimately suffer the consequences.”

“Certainly, after hearing Your Majesty’s words…….”

At that moment when Dad seemed perplexed, Setsunen opened the drawer and appeared!

“There’s a saying that if you only have a heart that loves justice, distinguishing evil is a piece of cake!”

Ryuhyun Rain Ludwig’s eyes widened.

“Ah, no. Nen? Where did you…… Get out of here quickly. Your Majesty, I’m sorry. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Of course, he only said that formally, and a smile that said, ‘I can’t stop her,’ was on his lips.

It was possible because he lived with the Emperor, the highest in the Empire, as a friend rather than in a superior-subordinate relationship.

The Emperor, who liked to tease Dad, also accepted Setsunen’s actions with a playful smile.

“It’s okay. Rudeness to a Dragon? Isn’t your behavior rude instead?”

“You’re always kind to Setsunen. I’m worried that Your Majesty’s excessive kindness will spoil this kid. What was it? In the early days of your inauguration, you even tried to propose the Aki Protection Act. If a man proposed to Aki, he would be executed? The joke was too much.”

“I am grateful, but I was serious.”

“…….”

“…….”

“Then I’ll say it sternly. Nen, just having a heart that loves justice doesn’t mean that justice will be realized in this world. You need the ability and power to do so.”

“Such words that don’t trust Nen are also evil! Nen has that power!”

“Prime Minister, what does that mean?”

“That is…… Nen can read other people’s minds.”

Emperor Raida, who tilted his head as if he was dumbfounded, shone his eyes the next moment.

“Wait a minute. Yes, no, your legal reform plan might be completed with Nen’s help.”

“What do you mean?”

“Transfer the highest legal department to the Law Emperor Hall. Setsunen, who will grow up later, will be in charge of that department.”

“……?”

“If the trials of people who have been harmed by corrupt officials go up to Setsunen, wouldn’t the lawsuits be perfectly separated there?”

“……!”

“What would be the level of punishment of the Law Emperor Hall? Wouldn’t officials try to handle things as fairly as possible to prevent such things from happening in advance?”

“That’s…… But I’m worried. Whether Nen can do that. If the trials of the entire Empire ultimately go to Nen, how difficult would that task be?”

“Nen is okay!”

“Nen.”

“Saving Dad’s face is justice! Nen likes justice, but she likes Dad more and more, so judging evil is not difficult at all!”

“Nen…….”

“Dad said it! I’ll find out why this ability was given to me! Nen wants to go learn like her sister! Please let me go to learn the skills to protect justice and eliminate evil! To Grandpa Yoshhar.”

Nen could not forget the expression Dad had at that time in her eternal life.

Ryuhyun Rain Ludwig, who smiled as if he was happy, lonely, and proud, beckoned to Setsunen.

“Nen, come here.”

Dad hugged Setsunen tightly and didn’t say anything for a while.

And although I couldn’t read his mind, it took root deep in my soul more than any other memory.

And the warmth I felt that day always became a compass of light in Setsunen’s long and arduous life, guiding her way.

Because I had a dream.

Someday.

I have to become someone who can hug someone like this.

* * *

The scale of the Yellow Dragon Corps’ delegation that came to pick up Setsunen was so grand…….

No, rather than being grand, the dignity of the existence that came to pick her up was so high.

Because of that, Setsunen’s identity was completely revealed to the world, but it was time for everyone to know anyway.

“It’s been a while, Yoshhar.”

The yellow True Dragon, Cardinal Yoshhar.

The True Dragon who was like a father to Rista. He was also the one who gave Lynn the Golden Seal of the Light Stone Staff.

This is why Setsunen calls Yoshhar grandfather.

I met him once during the Black Spot incident, and again before being appointed as a Magic City. Because Miria had to return the Extreme Star Sword Shirpang.

– Actually, Rista’s memories are as blurry to me as looking through a mirror.

– ……. [Ellipsis indicates a pause or trailing off]

– But when I meet you, what should I say, I can’t help but be happy. Really. Is this what it feels like for the soul to be happy?

That is the reunion of Yoshhar and Miria.

And the other Wyverns cried sadly when they saw Setsunen, because the Wyverns that made up Setsunen’s soul were their old kin.

「Child of the spring breeze. And child who has been given the mission to pity this world. Thank you for the guidance of the gods who have allowed us to meet again like this.」

“Setsunen said she wanted to receive education.”

「I have already read it in the letter you sent. You have a very commendable heart, Setsunen.」

“Please…… take good care of Nen.”

「Don’t worry. Since she has the insight that only the Light Dragon had, this child, prepared by the providence of the gods, will surely become a light that brightly illuminates the last era.」

There was a strange regret in Yoshhar’s expression and voice, which was always solemn and strict like a Yellow Dragon.

「And since she is Rista’s child, I know what kind of heart you humans look at your descendants with.」

“I know that feeling well too.”

「If that is the case, do not worry. This Yoshhar will do his best to pass on all my light.」

“I’m really happy that you said that. Miria will also be grateful. Nen, it’s time to go.”

Setsunen, who was holding Rain’s hand tightly, took a deep breath, then gathered her will and walked towards Yoshhar.

Looking at her back, blood came out of my lips. Did I bite my lip without realizing it?

Even though I know I have to let my children leave the nest, why can’t I get used to the pain of that moment?

“Dad!”

Setsunen called Rain at that moment when he was groaning in heavy pain.

Smiling as dazzlingly as the sun, placing both hands on her belly button, and bowing politely.

“Setsunen will study hard and become the incarnation of justice and then come back……!”

Just for a moment.

I felt like I had glimpsed, just a little, how Nen would illuminate the last era, that distant future.

Rain approached Setsunen. He took out a soul treasure from Seresia’s subspace pocket.

“This is a very precious item to me.”

For Aki, there is not only gratitude towards Alakish, but also a bond that has been with her from the beginning of the longest years and the most difficult journey.

Mirngardia has been together for the shortest time, but in that the soul of old Toureina is embedded within, its very existence is a powerful bond made up of the miracle of God.

“Dad’s hat! Symbol of justice!”

But Nen has nothing.

I don’t think so at all, but I think Nen will think so someday, and I’m afraid that she might be sad because of it someday.

To let her know that that’s absolutely not the case, so that she can look at this for the rest of her life and remember it.

“Now, I’ll entrust it to you.”

Only then could I know.

At this moment, 300 years later, only after giving that hat to my child leaving my arms did I finally realize.

What kind of expression the headmistress had when she put on the hat that she bought as a gift.

“So will you promise me? That when we meet again, you will be an adult who can share the light in Nen’s heart with the world.”

I tried to hide my expression by pretending to put on the hat, but Setsunen slightly lifted the hat and peeked out her face.

When our eyes met, a smile bloomed as if the first sunlight was shining in the dark dawn.

“Worrying Dad is evil! Setsunen is the incarnation of justice! You don’t have to worry about that!”

I am a really happy person.

To meet such children, not just one but three. To be able to watch the growth of such children so closely.

I am a blessed person.

I am a truly blessed person.

“Yeah, I’ll be waiting.”