Chapter 27: After That

“Hmm…”

I thought there might be some reprimand, but there wasn’t.

I feared they might tell me to leave the house at worst, but that didn’t happen either.

Well, they might still say something later, but just in case, I want to have the ability to be self-sufficient.

“After all, a dungeon…”

If I can make money in the dungeon, things will somehow work out… For that, I need to delve deeper into the dungeon.

I might need to increase my raid speed. I’ll do my best.

“Leonhart-sama!”

“Hm?”

When I turned around in the hallway, I made eye contact with Celia, who had a worried expression.

“Leonhart-sama, about earlier—”

“Oh, I’ve already talked about it. There was no reprimand.”

“Eh!?”

Well, that’s right. It’s no wonder Celia is surprised. Even I was surprised that there was no reprimand after burning off my brother’s little finger. I sometimes think I might have gone a bit too far.

But, in terms of responsibility, it was just a little finger, so it can’t be helped.

“Leonhart-sama, please don’t overdo it. I’m fine.”

“It’s not something for Celia to worry about. I just didn’t want to let Celia go no matter what. Also, I had to make sure to take responsibility.”

“Leonhart-sama…”

Celia looked at me with a sad expression.

Come to think of it, according to the official setting book, Celiahad a younger brother. However, since only Celia survived, he must have passed away.

Maybe there was a part of her that overlapped with Edgar because of her brother.

However, while Celia may not know this, Edgar has explicitly stated that he intends to destroy Celia rather than cherish her. He is not someone who can be trusted.

“So, Celia, you no longer need to follow my family’s orders. You are my maid alone.”

There’s also the possibility of revenge. In that case, it would be Celia, who is in a weaker position, rather than me, who would be targeted.

“But…”

“Please, Celia. My relationship with my family has worsened even further because of this incident. This is to protect you.”

I took Celia’s hand and bowed my head, begging her.

“Please raise your head!”

“As long as Celia does not give her consent, I will keep begging. There may be things you don’t understand. But for now, I need you to trust me.”

“Leonhart-sama… I understand…”

In the end, Celia nodded.

I’m hopeless. I keep causing trouble for Celia

　◇

Since the day I burned off Edgar’s little finger, the servants have been distant and look at me with fear. The only exceptions are Camilla and Celia.

Well, objectively speaking, I’m the man who burned his own brother’s finger. They probably think that if I do something wrong, I might burn them too.

But I wouldn’t do something like that.

And as for Arthur and the others, I thought they might make a move, but so far, there has been no action. They even flee immediately when they see me in the hallway.

Well, if I’ve instilled fear in them, that’s fine. It should keep them from doing anything stupid.

“Leonhart-sama… You have a scary expression…”

“Oh, sorry, sorry.”

I apologized to Celia, who was sitting on the opposite sofa, and reached for the second piece of cake.

“Yeah! As delicious as ever! You should have some too, Celia.”

“Yes.”

Celia and I were enjoying a snack time in my room.

But it’s about time I should talk to Celia about something.

“Celia.”

I took a bite of the cake, finished my tea, and looked at Celia seriously.

“Yes.”

Perhaps my seriousness was conveyed, as Celia set down her tea and looked at me.

I wanted to take a screenshot…

No, that’s not it.

“Celia, I think it’s best to tell you now… As you know, my relationship with my family is strained. It might just be a matter of time before I’m forced to leave the house. When that happens, I want you to come with me. I think I’ll cause you a lot of trouble and make things hard for you. But I promise I’ll make you happy. I’ll do my best!”

“!?”

Celia blushed slightly and nodded.

“Leonhart-sama… Yes… I will follow you, wherever you go.”

“Thank you, Celia. I think our first priority should be dungeons.”

“…Huh?”

Celia’s face, which had been sweetly melting, suddenly turned serious as if she had been doused with cold water.

What’s wrong?

“I can’t be like a craftsman. I have neither the skill nor the knowledge. So, I think it’s better to earn money as adventurers. If Celia and I work together, we can delve deeper into dungeons. That way, I think we could manage to live even with just the two of us.”

“Leonhart-sama… Well… Yes…”

Celia nodded, looking a bit exasperated.

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