Chapter 7: Magic City Sharia – Greyrat Estate

"...So this is Rudeus’ home."

After more than a month of traveling, I watched as Mother stood frozen before Father’s mansion, and I let my mind wander back over the journey that brought us here.

At the start, Mother and Ghislaine decided to skip the safer roads and march straight through the forest to save time. Normally that would be reckless to the point of madness, but with seasoned Mother and sharp-nosed Ghislaine, I thought it would be fine. Instead, we walked right into a monster nest. Even before meeting the Dragon God Orsted, the two of them ended up putting on a battle worth telling future generations about—but in the chaos, I lost the hat that had been hiding my hair.

We somehow made it out and reached the nearest town, but the moment a fanatic follower of that strange Millis religion saw my hair, another uproar broke out. Enemies piled on like a rolling snowball, and we lost even more time.

Still, Mother had once been an adventurer, a warrior who roamed from job to job, and once she regained her instincts, things went smoothly. By the time we entered the country of Ranoa, our journey became surprisingly easy, and we finally reached Sharia, where Father lived.

The houses we passed were unusually large and splendid for families that weren’t samurai. Likely because this winter country had land to spare but few people who could manage to live here, with harsh weather demanding special care.

At Sharia’s adventurers’ guild, we had no trouble finding information about Father. They told us not only where he lived, but also rumors about him and even about the beasts he supposedly kept. (That his eyes glowed or his arms flew off; that he had two wives, one of whom looked childlike; that he had a beast used like a horse bought in the inhospitable Begaritt Continent where horses couldn’t survive; and that he kept a monster from the Demon Continent, one that disguised itself as plants and tended his garden.)

Truly, what a splendid estate. To gather his scattered family over just five years—after losing his homeland and even the house he once served—and still acquire a place and land like this… Father really was extraordinary.

"Th-the garden… there are rice fields!?"
"What’s wrong, Edith? Something about those… rice fields?"

To think there would be rice paddies here of all places…! In this life, the staples had always been bread, meat, dairy, and tubers, but it wasn’t as if rice cultivation was completely unknown! That Father would go out of his way to create rice fields in such a wide garden—I deeply, deeply agreed with his sentiment, and I explained to Mother what they were.

"Come to think of it, even when Rudeus wasn’t feeling well, he always ate rice until he was full!"

"I understand, Father, I truly understand…"

As we spoke of such trifles, Mother still hesitated to step forward, and we both lingered in front of the mansion. It was then that a red-haired girl dressed in a maid’s uniform—common servant attire in this country—approached us.

Her name was Aisha Greyrat, Father’s half-sister, the daughter of Grandfather’s mistress. Once, during Father’s travels, she had been rescued after being captured by scoundrels, and thanks to that bond she now treated us warmly. Guided by her, we entered the Greyrat estate.

Inside, we were received by her mother, Lilia Greyrat. Aisha then left to summon Lady Sylphy and Lady Roxy, and in the meantime, Lilia told us of Father’s situation and that Lady Sylphy had a daughter: Lucy Greyrat.

Mother gazed at young Lucy—still hardly weaned—with a complex look, before softening her eyes and telling me gently:

"Edith, she may not have the same mother, but she’s your little sister. You must protect her from now on."

"Yes, Mother."

Lucy was the daughter of Lady Sylphy, the lawful wife. Until a male heir was born, her life would weigh the heaviest. Compared to her, Mother wasn’t even a concubine yet, and I myself was but a cursed child.

After greeting Lucy, I made a vow in my heart to protect her… and yet, bitterness lingered. I clenched my newly bought hat tight, pressing it against the green hair it was meant to hide.

Before long, Aisha returned with Lady Sylphy, Lady Roxy, and Father’s daughter with both wives’ blood—Lady Norn. We exchanged introductions.

"Nice to meet you, Eris…san?"

"Just call me Eris!"

"And that girl with the hat must be Edith. I am Roxy M. Greyrat. Feel free to call me whatever you like."

"I’m Edith Greyrat. It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Roxy, Lady Sylphy."

Though Lady Norn looked displeased, the two wives received us warmly, already intending to welcome Mother as a third wife. After some introductions, they began passionately speaking about Father.

I had braced myself for hostility, so their acceptance was a relief. Mother could never become the lawful wife, but so be it. As a swordswoman, I could praise her endlessly, but as a wife or mother she was hopeless—better that these two were here.

"And where is Rudeus now?"

Once Mother asked that, the room grew somber. They revealed Father had already gone off to fight Orsted.

Mother erupted, demanding to know why they had let him go alone, accusing them of trying to get him killed. But that was a swordsman’s logic. A wife’s duty was to guard the home and children in her husband’s place, not to fight at his side or die with him.

Lady Sylphy wept as she explained that Rudeus himself had told her not to follow—that she would only hold him back. No one could blame her, for that was a woman’s role.

────But,

"I am not a burden! I will save Rudeus, you’ll see! Come, Ghislaine!"

Mother was different. She had cast aside her home, her name, even her life, to fight at Father’s side. Only she was allowed to stand with him, no matter the risk.

Roused by her resolve, Lady Sylphy and Lady Roxy steeled themselves as well, setting off to join Father. But…

"Mother! I’ll go too!"

"No, Edith! You stay here!"

"Wait for us, Edith! We’ll definitely bring Rudy back!"

"Yes, let’s save all the talk for when Rudy is with us again. At our home… at your home. Please wait there for us."

Each left me with their own words before departing with Ghislaine.

Of course, I had neither the strength nor the right to fight alongside Father. I had trained with all my might, but I was still too weak—even unworthy of being a burden.

As I collapsed, my hat slipped off, revealing my hair. Lilia and the sisters gasped.

"Edith-chan… your hair—"

"Lady Norn. I am the daughter of Rudeus and Eris. Lord Ruijerd has nothing to do with this."

There was no time for discussion. I cut the matter off firmly, and until the four returned carrying a young man with pale, colorless hair who looked like a tattered rag, none of us spoke another word.