Became The Adopted Daughter Of A Family Of Assassins

Chapter 45:

I Cry Often Too

 

If the combat compatibility wasn’t right, it was enough to change opponents.

 

Deon and Robenhaf conversed while dealing with the monsters.

 

“Where’s Riche?”

 

“She’s with her father.”

 

“Oh, right, they came today for a parent-teacher meeting with the headmaster? At least that’s a relief…”

 

…A relief?

 

Robenhaf questioned his own words and asked Deon.

 

“But Derkedeon, how much energy has the Duke of Lodwick accumulated?”

 

Ability users tended to refrain from using their powers after their 30s. Due to the buildup of energy, continued use of abilities started to consume their life force.

 

Blake had extensively used his powers in the war he fought in his youth. Hence, he probably had more accumulated energy than other ability users.

 

‘Isn’t the Duke of Lodwick in danger?’

 

Although his swordsmanship was superior to that of any knight commander, dealing with such a large number of monsters would require the use of his powers.

 

However, Deon’s face remained surprisingly calm.

 

“My father will be fine.”

 

“Really?”

 

It seemed there was something else Robenhaf didn’t know.

 

Robenhaf pondered while handling the monsters attacking from the side. Then, he suddenly released his power forcefully, freezing two monsters at once and stopping in his tracks.

 

“Hey, Derkedeon, I’ve thought of a rather absurd scenario.”

 

Robenhaf’s expression was unusually serious.

 

Deon frowned at the stench of the dead monster in front of him and asked.

 

“What is it?”

 

“It’s just a hypothetical? I find it hard to believe myself.”

 

Meanwhile, a scorpion-like monster twice the size of an adult broke through the floor from below.

 

Deon and Robenhaf dodged its stinger, which shot towards them like a crossbow bolt.

 

“Alright, just spit it out.”

 

“These monsters, they don’t have intelligence, right? Even if they came from the nearest Rom Desert, it would take five days on foot. They wouldn’t just gather here on their own.”

 

“That makes sense.”

 

“It’s like someone gave them coordinates to the academy.”

 

Their conversation was hypothetical. Robenhaf continued his thoughts without explaining who or why, just his suspicion.

 

“And today is the day the Duke of Lodwick visits the academy.”

 

“…You.”

 

Deon, using his power to strangle the scorpion monster, looked at Robenhaf.

 

Robenhaf nodded slightly.

 

“Someone has to protect the students from the monsters. Like we’re doing now.”

 

Just as Deon and Robenhaf were fighting monsters in the east of the academy, others would be fighting monsters elsewhere.

 

For instance, the dependable Duke of Lodwick in such a situation.

 

Robenhaf resumed his hypothesis, his voice now more confident compared to his earlier hesitation.

 

“If someone intentionally sent these monsters to force the Duke of Lodwick to use his powers? Today’s academy visit wasn’t a secret. Even I knew about it.”

 

—

 

Deon’s eyes changed. It wasn’t an outlandish story without any possibility.

 

If Robenhaf’s hypothesis was correct, there was no need to find a reason for the ‘why.’

 

Why? To force Duke Lodwick to use his power and thereby shorten his lifespan.

 

“What do you think?”

 

“Not a bad hypothesis.”

 

Deon nodded.

 

If this hypothesis was correct, the one who sent the monsters was targeting Blake.

 

And among the people with Blake…

 

“Riche might be in danger.”

 

Before Robenhaf could finish his sentence, Deon had already started moving.

 

Their destination was the western building where the headmaster’s office was located.

 

As the two moved, a large shadow loomed over them.

 

“More bird-type monsters?”

 

It was tiresome, but they had no choice but to deal with it quickly.

 

Robenhaf and Deon looked up, surprised and speechless.

 

“Huh? Oppas!”

 

Why was Riche greeting them from the sky?

 

And she was riding a red bird-type monster.

 

…A monster?

 

“Derkedeon, that’s a monster, right?”

 

“…”

 

Deon looked up at Riche with a bewildered face.

 

What on earth was she riding?

 

* * *

 

“Dad went with the professors to set up the protective barrier. They needed someone to guard them while they were chanting the spell.”

 

Riche explained the current situation to Deon and Robenhaf.

 

Including Ian, who had been with Riche, the four of them were flying on Siegbert, who had transformed into a bird-type monster.

 

“Ground-type monsters!”

 

Earlier, there had been some confusion due to the tremors in the headmaster’s office.

 

But Blake, the headmaster, and the professors were all experienced enough to handle the crisis swiftly.

 

Once the monsters were somewhat dealt with, the headmaster gathered the magic professors to set up the protective barrier, and Blake moved to assist them at the headmaster’s request.

 

Blake was able to move because Siegbert could transform into a monster.

 

“He can transform into a monster. But Siegbert, the Serdiyas can only transform into animals, right?”

 

When the headmaster couldn’t believe it, Siegbert immediately transformed into a beast-type monster. It was easier to show than explain, but it wasn’t a method the headmaster was particularly fond of.

 

Seeing Siegbert’s sharp, gleaming teeth, the headmaster quickly apologized.

 

“Zeke, how did you do it?”

 

“In the monster forest… Never mind.”

 

Riche asked, surprised at Siegbert, who had returned to his original form.

 

Siegbert tried to explain but ended up summarizing that it just happened.

 

It was an ability he had learned while passing through the monster forest on his way to visit Riche at the Duke of Lodwick’s estate.

 

When in the form of a monster, other monsters did not attack Siegbert, so Blake moved to assist with the protective barrier at the headmaster’s request.

 

Otherwise, Blake would not have left Riche behind.

 

“So Zeke, Ian, and I were rescuing people outside and bringing them to the shelter. Jed and Philip tried to come along, but Zeke said it was too heavy and told them to get off. Ian, are these the last ones?”

 

“Yeah, I don’t see any more people to rescue.”

 

Deon and Robenhaf looked at the beaming Riche with dumbfounded faces.

 

Is this really our Riche who looks so reliable now?

 

[All grown up. Really grown up.]

 

Pythons, who had climbed onto her shoulder, patted Riche’s cheek with his small hand.

 

Two days ago, Riche had asked Pythons to cover his upper body if he was going to stay in a form similar to his original one. Pythons then transformed into a squirrel.

 

Despite the perception manipulation, he couldn’t bear to cover his proud muscles with mere pieces of cloth.

 

“Is that a squirrel…?”

 

Deon squinted at Pythons, unsure.

 

Come to think of it, it was the first time Pythons had shown himself in front of Deon since his return.

 

“Yeah! Oppa, remember? It’s Pecan! He’s back!”

 

Riche pointed excitedly at Pythons.

 

She was still thrilled about Pythons’ return and got excited every time she talked about him.

 

Deon smiled at the happy Riche.

 

“That’s great. You cried for days when he disappeared.”

 

**”Oh, Contractor, did you cry? Did you cry because you missed me?”**

 

“N… no…”

 

Riche stammered, her face turning red.

 

She knew Deon didn’t mean any harm, but it was still embarrassing to have her hidden past exposed in front of others.

 

“Riche, I cry often too.”

 

Ian, who had been quietly listening, offered some comfort to Riche.

 

Robenhaf, who hadn’t understood the context of Deon and Riche’s conversation, finally snapped out of his daze.

 

**”Ian de Wain, sneaking in like that?”**

 

“Yeah, what’s wrong with crying? I cry sometimes too.”

 

“…You cry?”

 

“Haha, Deone! I cry a lot. I’m very sensitive. I could cry right now.”

 

Deon, who had been looking at Robenhaf with a disgusted expression, subtly leaned away from him.

 

A little later, Siegbert landed in front of the shelter.

 

As soon as the four touched the ground, Siegbert returned to his original form and stood next to Riche.

 

**”You all did great. Come to think of it, we’re all in the same club, right?”**

 

Robenhaf, who was expressing his appreciation, suddenly realized that all the club members were present.

 

Riche and Ian, looking around, also expressed their surprise.

 

“Really? That’s interesting.”

 

“It’s quite a coincidence.”

 

Deon and Siegbert, uninterested, looked around and then glanced at each other before turning their heads away.

 

**”How about we go eat something nice?”**

 

Robenhaf, offering to treat them since he was the club leader, was interrupted by the opening of the shelter door.

 

“Robenhaf!”

 

A professor urgently called Robenhaf from inside.

 

It was one of the professors in charge of the third-year classes. Recognizing him, Robenhaf greeted him sociably.

 

**”Oh, Professor Brown! You’re safe. Are you alright?”**

 

“Come inside quickly!”

 

What’s going on?

 

Professor Brown, who always greeted them with a smile, now looked anxious.

 

Robenhaf immediately followed Professor Brown into the shelter.

 

**”It’s Robenhaf.”**

 

“Robenhaf is here!”

 

Students inside the shelter stood up and made way for Robenhaf.

 

Sensing the serious atmosphere, Robenhaf quickened his pace.

 

And then.

 

“……”

 

On a makeshift bed inside the shelter lay a person, struggling to breathe.

 

Robenhaf’s sky-blue hair, identical to his own, was soaked with sweat and disheveled. Normally, it would have been neatly styled.

 

**”Father?”**

 

Robenhaf’s blue eyes shook with emotion.

 

* * *

 

After the protective barrier was set up and no more monsters appeared, people began to leave the shelter.

 

Duke Hivetsman was moved to a VIP room at the academy.

 

A physician from the Royal Academy examined Duke Hivetsman.

 

**”They said it’s because he used his power too much.”**

 

Robenhaf relayed the physician’s words to the people gathered in the living room after coming out of the bedroom.

 

Blake, who had gone in with him, stayed behind with Duke Hivetsman.

 

**”He probably has about ten days left.”**

 

There was a reason why there were fewer ground-type monsters at the academy compared to air or land-type monsters.

 

Duke Hivetsman had been on his way to the Royal Academy to assist Blake, who he was concerned about facing the formidable Rumblizmatic.

 

Near the academy, he encountered ground-type monsters. While fighting them, he ended up underground, where he discovered a tunnel full of monsters and engaged in battle.

 

As a result, after emerging from the underground, Duke Hivetsman collapsed, and the cold air from the frozen monsters spread throughout the academy, making it feel like winter. People had to put on thick clothes and light the fireplaces.

 

**”…Why did he come instead of staying home?”**

 

In the end, Robenhaf’s voice trembled with emotion.

 

Although the Hivetsman family took pride in the short lifespan of those with abilities, accepting a sudden farewell without any emotional response was still difficult.

 

Everyone in the living room approached Robenhaf to offer their condolences.

 

Except for two people.

 

**”Contractor, will you purify?”**

 

‘First, let’s check the Duke’s condition.’

 

Riche, who was looking at the closed bedroom door while conversing with Pythons, and Deon, who was watching Riche’s back in silence.