Chapter 14: I’ve Made up My Mind ③
Chapter 14: I’ve Made up My Mind ③
Translated by AmaLynne
Edited by AmaLynne
「Of course not!」
When Sam told Daphne that he would be leaving Baron Reinbach’s house tomorrow, she fiercely opposed it.
「How could such a thing happen to a pre-adult, ten-year-old bumpkin! I’ll go and protest to Master!」
「Wait, wait, wait! It’s not like he told me to leave.」
「Not the Master? Then it’s the Mistress?」
「No, it’s Manion.」
「―――That little shit.」
Finally, Daphne’s well-formed lips stopped speaking Sam’s brother’s name.
Her temples seemed to be tightening.
She must be very angry.
Sam tried to calm Daphne down for the time being.
「I’m not leaving because Manion told me to. You know I’ve wanted to get out of this house for a long time, Daphne.」
「That, yes. Yes, I know.」
「I was thinking of staying at home until I came of age, but I didn’t think I’d have to wait five years.」
「But those five years are important! I’ve never heard of an adventurer being on his own at the age of ten!」
「But I’m doing well so far.」
「―――Th-That’s true, but that doesn’t mean things will continue to go well! When you leave the Baron’s territory, there will be monsters you don’t know, and sometimes you’ll even have to fight humans!」
「I’m prepared for that.」
Sam is not a fool.
It’s not just about fighting monsters with swords and magic.
There are also criminals, thieves, and adventurers who do evil.
Sometimes, you may have to take a person’s life.
Sam is prepared for all of that, and he is trying to be independent.
Sam is am truly grateful for Daphne’s concern for him.
There is no one who is as kind to him as she is.
So it was hard for Sam to make her worry and make her sad.
Still, his desire to get out of this house has not changed.
「That doesn’t mean we can just throw it out there and call it a day!」
「Daphne.」
「Young Master, don’t trouble me too much.」
「I don’t want to be in this house for another five years.」
「―――!?」
Daphne choked on Sam’s words.
「My father doesn’t care about me, and my stepmother treats me like I’m in the way. My half-brother doesn’t even recognize me as his brother… Do I have to live with that for five more years?」
「…Th-That’s…」
「I don’t want to stay in this house for five years while they make fun of me. I’m going to miss Daphne and the others, but if I don’t go now, when will I go?」
Daphne began to shed tears as Sam told her how he really felt.
Sam knows he’s being unfair.
He knew that Daphne, who had always been there for him, was sincerely concerned about him, but he put his own needs first.
「I’m sorry, Daphne. You’ve done so much for me, and I’ve made you sad.」
With a heartfelt apology, Sam hugged the thin body of the person who had treated him like a sister and mother.
Daphne also hugged Sam’s small body back tightly.
「―――I am sure that the best thing for Young Master would be to leave this house. I understand. It’ll give me hard time, but I won’t stop you.」
「Thank you.」
「But! Please give me regular reports of your condition. Let Daphne know that you’re still alive and reassure her.」
「All right. I’ll write to you regularly.」
「I’ll miss you.」
Daphne put her arms around him in a hug.
Sam hugged her tightly, trying never to forget her warmth.
「I’ll miss you too, Daphne.」