The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 151

151. The Way to Save Rosette (2)

2024.03.30.

Joshua, who had been searching for information in the library all night, finally put down his book and sighed as dawn broke.

Silver, who had been pacing anxiously by his side, licked the back of his hand.

“Sometimes I wonder if you’re a wolf or a dog.”

[Woof!]

“Rose has completely changed your habits…”

Joshua sighed deeply, cutting himself off.

Silver nudged his arm with his snout, as if asking:

*Did you find a way?*

Joshua shook his head.

“No.”

He covered his eyes with the back of his hand, muttering as if in pain.

“No matter how much I search, I can’t find the magic Rose used. Well, if it were that easy to find, everyone would be clamoring to turn back time.”

[……]

“If I had known this would happen, I should have asked her properly what magic she used. Why didn’t I ask?”

Even if he had asked, Rosette probably wouldn’t have told him, but he still regretted it.

“Rose must have learned that magic from Duke Dallas. Dallas, that bastard shouldn’t have died like that.”

Silver licked his hand again, urging him to calm down. Joshua took a deep breath and stood up.

* * *

Ophelia was having tea alone in her room when Joshua visited without warning. She was greatly surprised to see Joshua, who had come early in the morning.

“Joshua, is something the matter?”

“Nothing special. Did you have a peaceful night, Mother?”

“I was fine.”

Ophelia, sensing the situation, dismissed all the maids and sat down with Joshua.

“Did you have trouble sleeping? You don’t look well.”

“I had some urgent business to take care of, so I stayed up all night.”

“Oh dear, you must be very busy.”

Joshua presented the necklace to Ophelia, who looked at him with concern. Normally, he would have engaged in light conversation with Ophelia, but he didn’t have time for that now.

“Mother, do you remember giving me this?”

Ophelia carefully picked up the necklace and examined it.

“Yes, of course, I remember. But why are you asking about this all of a sudden?”

“At the time, you told me that this would protect me and that I should always keep it with me.”

“That’s right.”

Before Joshua turned back time, he always wore this necklace around his neck. But looking back, Joshua had faced several near-death experiences at that time.

Assassins had visited his room countless times, and a trusted servant had been bribed to attempt to poison him.

Yet, this magic stone had never reacted until Rosette used her magic.

“As you know, Mother, I have faced many threats in my life. But this magic stone has never helped me.”

“Yes, it hasn’t.”

Ophelia smiled bitterly.

“What exactly is the identity of this magic stone?”

“To be honest, I don’t really know either.”

Ophelia returned the necklace to Joshua.

“As I said before, this is a family heirloom passed down from the Ivelin royal family. But I don’t know the details. My father didn’t tell me. I don’t know if he didn’t know either, or if he knew but didn’t tell me…”

“…….”

“My father simply gave it to me when I was leaving on a long journey, telling me to be careful. He probably wanted to give his daughter, who was sure to live a precarious life in a foreign land, something to hold on to.”

Ophelia continued sadly.

“As you said, it wasn’t very helpful. But I found comfort in just having it in this unfamiliar place. When you were born, more precious than my own life, I gave it to you, grasping at straws. I hoped that you would live in my place if something happened.”

Ophelia, who had revealed a little of her hidden feelings, now asked Joshua in return.

“But why are you suddenly asking about that, especially this early in the morning? Did something happen again last night…?”

“No. Nothing really happened. It’s just…”

Joshua put the necklace back in his inner pocket.

“I was wondering how to use this when the time comes that it’s needed. I came to see if you might know.”

“I’m sorry I can’t be of help.”

“It’s alright.”

Joshua gestured to Silver, who was sitting next to him, and then stood up.

“I’ve disturbed your time since morning. I’ll be going now. Rest well.”

“Why don’t you stay longer? You haven’t even had a cup of tea.”

“It’s alright.”

Joshua bowed and was about to leave the room. Then, as if he had remembered something, he turned back to Ophelia.

“Mother, if this really has the power to save someone, and if I use it on someone else, how would you feel about that?”

“Someone else?”

“Yes. I’m asking if it’s okay for me to use a family heirloom passed down to the Ivelin royal family for my own personal reasons.”

Ophelia looked at Joshua, paused to gather her thoughts, and then asked.

“Is something wrong with the Duchess, Rosette?”

“…….”

Joshua answered a little late.

“It’s nothing like that. I don’t know why Duchess Adrian is coming up here, but…”

“Is that so? It’s a relief if nothing’s wrong, but…”

Ophelia trailed off slightly and then spoke again.

“I’ve already given you the necklace. It would be best if that necklace were used for you, but if you use it on someone else, how can I stop you?”

“…….”

“If that’s what you want, and if it makes you happy, I don’t care how you use it.”

“…Yes.”

Joshua bowed once more and then left the room again. Just before the door closed, Ophelia whispered softly.

“Give my regards to Rosette.”

* * *

After leaving the Empress’s palace, Joshua officially visited the Adrian Duchy. As he got out of the carriage, the head butler, Sebastian, who had been informed in advance, greeted him with a dark expression.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Is my teacher inside?”

“My lord is currently out. I will guide you to Master Daniel instead.”

Daniel, who greeted Joshua in the reception room, looked even worse than Sebastian. He still wore his usual smile, but he couldn’t hide the worried look on his face.

“I should be treating Your Highness properly, but I apologize for the atmosphere of the mansion.”

“No, it can’t be helped. I understand.”

“If it can’t be helped…?”

Daniel and Joshua looked at each other at the same time, expressing their confusion. Joshua realized that Daniel didn’t know about what had happened last night and asked back.

“Didn’t Lucas say anything?”

“Well, I don’t know what Your Highness is talking about.”

Joshua hesitated for a moment whether to play dumb, but decided to be honest. It was something that would be revealed sooner or later anyway.

“I heard the Duchess is in critical condition.”

“How did you know…? Did Lucas send a letter to Your Highness, by any chance?”

“That’s not it. It’s a long story, but anyway, I came to check on the Duchess’s condition.”

“Rose’s condition…”

Daniel, who had been examining Joshua’s face, seemed to have made up his mind and guided him.

“Let’s go to Rose’s room together.”

Lucas was in Rosette’s room, just like last night.

He was sitting next to the bed, and when he found Joshua coming in with Daniel, he gaped.

He looked like he had a lot to say, but he glanced at Daniel and then shut his mouth tightly. Instead, he bowed casually.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Joshua nodded roughly to Lucas and asked the two Adrians.

“Can I see the Duchess alone for a moment?”

Daniel, of course, looked troubled.

“Your Highness, that’s a bit difficult.”

“I know it’s an unreasonable request. But it’ll only be a moment. Silver will be with me too.”

“But…”

“Brother.”

Lucas, who had been quietly watching Joshua, grabbed Daniel’s arm.

“Let’s go out for a moment.”

“Why are you suddenly doing this…?”

“Let’s go, let’s go. Let’s go out and get some fresh air together.”

It wasn’t usually possible for Daniel to be pushed around by Lucas. However, he was inadvertently pushed out of the room by his brother.

Before the door closed, Lucas gave Joshua a meaningful look. Joshua nodded once and approached Rosette.

Rosette was lying down with her eyes closed, like the sleeping princess in the fairy tales he had read as a child. Her face was pale, and her lips were slightly purple.

She had a slight frown on her forehead, as if she was having a nightmare.

“Rose.”

Joshua reached out to Rosette. But he couldn’t bring himself to touch her and stopped his hand in mid-air.

Silver, unable to bear it any longer, approached first and tapped Rosette’s hand with his snout.

Only after hearing Silver’s whimpering did Joshua caress her cheek. The cheek that touched his fingertips was surprisingly warm.

“Rosette Adrian.”

Joshua called Rosette, who didn’t answer, several times before putting his hand in his inner pocket. Then, he carefully hung the pendant, which had now almost regained its light, around her neck.

Please…

A desperate voice escaped from Joshua’s mouth.

He knelt down on both knees next to the bed, holding Rosette’s hands in his own.

Like praying before the Asella goddess statue, he pressed his forehead against Rosette’s hand and murmured earnestly.

The person who had become more precious than his mother Ophelia, his teacher Duke Adrian, and his best friend Daniel.

He never thought he would lose Rosette like this.

Joshua, who had finished his prayers countless times, opened his eyes with difficulty. But the scenery in front of him did not change.

Rosette was still motionless, and there was no change in the pendant around her neck.

The necklace that had saved him from hell did not pull him out of hell this time.

Silver and Bipi, who had been waiting with anticipation, also realized the situation and cried sadly.

Joshua heard the voices of the two familiars and left the room. Then, he said to the two Adrian brothers, who were waiting in the hallway, as if declaring.

“I think it would be good to ask the Magic Tower for help.”