A week had passed since that day.
Ever since Aurelia found hope for her mother's recovery, she had requested permission each night to visit home after her patrol. She would spend the night caring for her mother at her home and return here by late morning, usually just after breakfast, between morning and noon.
Everyone didn't think much of Aurelia's change, even as she returned each morning with a bright smile. Most assumed she had lost her mind, unable to cope with her mother's illness—except for me. Over the week, I spent my time reading books and doing light training to build my muscles. Compared to what an average child like me could do, I couldn't do much since my body was still weak. The devils in my mind, however, thought otherwise—why would a four-year-old be doing muscle training at all?
We were having lunch, though something felt off—Aurelia hadn't come back today. Normally, she would return not long after breakfast, but now, even as the afternoon sun rose high, there was still no sign of her. What could be happening? Everyone around me looked worried and saddened, though I didn't pry into their thoughts or feelings. Instead, I focused on eating my meal. Ever since I used Gluttony's Authority a week ago, I'd been constantly hungry, devouring almost everything placed in front of me. Thankfully, that unbearable hunger had finally begun to fade. I suppose this is the price for using Sin's Authority without properly preparing my body to handle it.
As we finished our meal and lunch was drawing to an end, Aurelia suddenly arrived. Everyone turned towards her, ready to ask why she was late and whether something had happened—but their words caught in their throats when they saw her pushing a wheelchair with someone seated in it. While everyone's attention was on Aurelia and her companion, mine wasn't. I stared blankly at the ceiling, thinking of only one thing... The side effect hadn't faded at all. Damn it!
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A few hours earlier, at Aurelia's mother's house.
Aurelia, having finished feeding her mother the last of the potion from the cauldron, quietly observed her. Unlike before, when her mother had been frail and weak, Lourel now appeared healthy. Though she still rested in bed, her body had clearly regained its strength. Her long, rich golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her warm brown eyes glowed with renewed vitality. A gentle smile graced her lips as she gazed out the window, basking in the sunlight she had long been too weak to enjoy. Her aura, once violent and unstable, now flowed calmly within her—no longer a force tearing her apart, but a natural part of her again. Her youthful appearance and vitality now seemed comparable to Cesline's age and beauty, though if there was a difference between them, it would be that Lourel looked slightly older and carried a more mature allure.
"Mother!" Aurelia cried out in joy as she threw her arms around Lourel, tears welling in her eyes. The warmth she felt from her mother's embrace was enough to assure her—it wasn't a dream. Her mother was truly cured.
"Yes, I'm healthy and alive now, sweetie," Lourel said softly with a gentle smile as she patted her daughter's head. It had been nearly ten years since she'd last done so without feeling unbearable pain from even the slightest movement. Now, for the first time in so long, she felt truly alive—free from the agony of her own aura slowly destroying her from within.
"Since I'm feeling fine now, shall we go for a stroll? Oh wait—" Lourel paused, realising her slip. "I forgot you have to return to the Destenebres. I'm sorry, sweetie; your mother's just a bit too happy and wanted to spend the day with you," she said gently, her tone warm yet tinged with guilt for sounding selfish.
"It's alright, Mother. I want to spend time with you too," Aurelia said with a bright smile. "I'll just tell them I was late because of that. It'll be fine." She gladly accepted her mother's wish to stroll together.
Lourel didn't protest. She simply tried to get out of bed, but the moment she placed her feet on the ground, her legs gave way beneath her. Aurelia quickly caught her before she could fall and gently helped her sit back down on the bed.
"What happened?" Aurelia asked worriedly, her eyes filled with concern.
"It's been a long time since I last walked, so my legs have grown weak after all these years without any exercise," Lourel said with a gentle smile, trying to ease her daughter's worries. "It seems we'll have to use the wheelchair for now."
Aurelia nodded and fetched the wheelchair, preparing a water bag just in case. Once everything was ready, she gently lifted her mother and settled her into the chair with care. After making sure Lourel was comfortable, Aurelia began to push the wheelchair out of the building, taking her mother for a quiet stroll through the streets outside.
As they strolled, the morning air was fresh and lively. Street vendors were still setting up their stalls, arranging goods and calling out to early customers. Some had already begun selling, the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted nuts drifting through the air. Seeing the colourful stalls, Lourel's eyes sparkled with childlike excitement. She eagerly pointed out snacks she wanted to try, and Aurelia, smiling warmly, indulged her every request.
Before long, Lourel had eaten several small treats, with Aurelia joining her in the simple joy of tasting each one. As they walked, Aurelia felt something inside her begin to ease—a weight she hadn't realised she carried. The endless burden of watching her mother suffer, the fear of losing her without being able to do anything, the helpless pain that had haunted her every day—all of it began to fade. It felt as though chains that had bound her heart for years were finally broken, freeing her from a burden that might have followed her for the rest of her life.
As those thoughts surfaced in Aurelia's mind, she realised that all of this was thanks to Young Master Ragnar—a child not even four years old. He had created a cure that no one else in the world could have made. Even if others somehow discovered it, it would have taken far too long; by then, her mother, Lourel, would have already left this world. The mere thought made Aurelia understand just how extraordinary Ragnar truly was, despite being born with a weak body and a poor affinity.
She also remembered something that made her chest tighten with guilt—three years ago, she had once been ordered to assassinate him. The irony was almost cruel. The very child she had once tried to kill had not only saved her mother's life but had also freed her from the heavy burden of helplessness and despair. Thinking of all that he had done, Aurelia felt a deep ache of gratitude in her heart. How could she ever repay him for something so priceless?
Lourel, who was happily enjoying the snacks, soon noticed the change in her daughter's expression. Knowing what Aurelia had told her and understanding her nature well, Lourel could easily guess what her daughter was feeling. A gentle smile formed on her lips as she continued nibbling on her snack, pretending not to notice Aurelia's lingering emotions. As the sun rose higher and the morning slowly gave way to noon, Lourel decided to make a small request of her daughter.
"Aurelia, would it be alright if we went to see Young Master Ragnar together?" Lourel asked softly, her tone warm and sincere. "I wish to personally thank the child who made the cure that saved me."
Aurelia was taken aback by her mother's request. Her first instinct was to refuse—after all, Young Master Ragnar's existence was not meant to be known by anyone outside the Destenebres. The only reason she had told her mother about him before was because she had wanted to share everything before her mother passed away. Yet, because of his existence, her mother now lived—and for that, she was grateful. Still, Aurelia knew how dangerous it could be if such knowledge ever leaked. Just as she was about to explain why they couldn't go, her mother interrupted her.
"It is alright; I know someone who can allow us to enter," Lourel said gently, responding as if she had read her daughter's unspoken thoughts.
Aurelia couldn't help but feel that her mother was telling the truth. Meeting her mother's calm and confident gaze, she had no idea how Lourel planned to gain permission to see Young Master Ragnar, yet she chose to trust her and simply did as her mother asked.
As Aurelia pushed the wheelchair towards the Destenebres estate, the grand mansion soon came into view. When they reached the main gate, the two knights stationed there stepped forward, stopping her as she came to a halt before them.
"Halt! Civilians are not allowed beyond this point! Even if it's you, Aurelia, we can't let you through!" One of the guards barked sharply. Though he recognised Aurelia, his wary eyes shifted to the woman seated in the wheelchair beside her—someone he did not recognise.
"Hello, we are just here to visit a certain child—Ragnar. I wished to thank him, so I would really like to see him myself. If it is denied because of worries that I might leak his existence, I can assure you I will not. I also know a person who can guarantee my words as well," Lourel said gently with a warm smile.
Hearing her words, the guards raised their weapons towards her. It might have seemed rude, but they knew exactly what they were doing—no one outside the Destenebres was supposed to know of my existence. Seeing this, Aurelia panicked; she hadn't expected her mother to speak her intentions so openly. Now they were both in trouble. She knew what would happen next—she and her mother would likely be taken for interrogation by the Destenebres family for leaking such information. Just as she was about to reason with the guards, a knight emerged from the main gate. His mere presence was enough to silence the entire commotion as he glanced at the guards pointing their weapons at Lourel.
"What's going on here? What's with all the noise?" Sir Jagid asked calmly, his voice firm yet composed. The guards immediately turned towards him and saluted, and even Aurelia straightened up and offered her salute in respect.
"Sir Jagid, this civilian requested entry—and she knows about Ragnar!" the guard reported in a serious tone.
Sir Jagid listened to the guard's report, then turned his gaze towards the woman in the wheelchair. Aurelia, seeing his reaction, broke into a cold sweat. For a moment, fear gripped her heart—she thought she might never see her mother again. But that fear quickly faded when she heard what Sir Jagid said next.
"Hmmm....I see, let her in" Sir Jagid said calmly as if the situation was nothing.
Everyone was left speechless—except for Lourel, who sat calmly in her wheelchair, unbothered by the tension.
"Did you not hear what I said?" Sir Jagid asked in his usual composed tone, as though he simply assumed the guards had misheard him.
"But, Sir—" one of the guards began, only to be interrupted.
"It's alright. If this is about Young Master Ragnar's identity, I can assure you this woman won't leak any information," Sir Jagid said evenly, his voice leaving no room for doubt.
The guards exchanged uncertain glances but eventually stepped aside, allowing the two women through. Aurelia, still confused about what was happening but relieved they were permitted entry, began pushing her mother's wheelchair past the gates.
As they moved forward, Sir Jagid turned slightly towards Lourel.
"I would like to hear how you have been," he said calmly, his tone softening beneath his Silron armour.
"If we ever meet again, Jagid," Lourel replied gently, speaking to him as though addressing an old friend rather than a knight.
Aurelia was shocked by how casually her mother spoke to Sir Jagid, but she chose not to question it and instead hurried towards the building as quickly as she could. Since Sir Jagid made no move to stop them, she took it as permission to proceed. Once the two women had disappeared from sight, the guards turned to Sir Jagid, one of them voicing the question on both their minds.
"Sir Jagid, who is that woman? She even spoke to you informally," one of the guards asked, clearly puzzled.
"Though she may look like a civilian now, that woman was once a Guardian of the Empire," Sir Jagid said calmly. "She was known as the Golden Mane Guardian—one of the heroes who fought in the Great War..."
As those words sank in, the knights swallowed hard, realising the gravity of what they had done. The woman they had just pointed their weapons at wasn't just any civilian—she was one of the heroes of the Great War, and among its greatest contributors. Every aspiring female knight had heard tales of the Golden Mane Guardian, a name spoken with awe and admiration. To think they had stood before a living legend left them both shaken and speechless.
Meanwhile, Sir Jagid simply turned and went on his way, his expression calm and unreadable.
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At the present time, back at my home.
"Wait, so my son created a cure that could cure your Aura Degeneration?" my mother said with a surprised expression, shocked after hearing from Lourel that I was the one who made the cure for her illness.
"Yes, he did. His eyes were calm and focused as he made the cure to save me. If I were younger and still in my prime, I might have fallen in love with him," Lourel said with a gentle smile, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness.
"Ma'am, you still look so young and beautiful! If I were to compare your beauty to Madam Cesline's, I'd say you're evenly matched. The only difference is that you seem a little older and have a more mature charm, while Madam Cesline has a youthful and cute charm," Rina said excitedly.
I agreed with Rina's opinion as well.
"Horny monkey," Lust said playfully in my mind, mocking my thoughts.
Shut up.
"Horny monkey," Wraith repeated in a provoking tone, clearly trying to get a reaction out of me.
These damned devils.
The others remained silent in my mind.
Everyone was chatting casually with Aurelia and her mother, asking countless questions about how she was cured and how I managed to create such a potion. Only Aurelia truly knew the answer, yet she kept silent—bound by her promise to me. She understood that what I did involved methods dangerously close to those of dark arts practitioners, especially when I used Gluttony Authority to drain mana from the Mana Glow Flowers.
Rina, however, couldn't contain her curiosity and asked about my method, wondering if she could use it to earn money, since curing Aura Degeneration was thought to be impossible. After all, if such a cure truly existed, people would pay fortunes for it.
As for me, I didn't care. Having lived through many experiences in my previous life, I knew it was best not to share. I might unknowingly cure a future enemy—or even someone who could become one. I wasn't going to take that risk. I would only help those I knew and had a genuine connection with.
"By the way, what brings you here, Miss Lourel?" my mother asked calmly, curious about the purpose of Lourel's visit.
"Well, my purpose for coming here is to thank your son for saving both me and my daughter. I'm also aware of what happened a few years ago—if I had known then what I know now, I would have stopped my daughter back then. At the time, though, I had already accepted my fate," Lourel said with a gentle smile.
"But thanks to your son, I was cured and can now live a life I never thought I'd regain—and he also freed my daughter from the burden she's carried for years," Lourel said as she turned to look at her daughter.
Aurelia was taken aback, surprised that her mother understood the weight she had been bearing all this time—and even more so that she voiced it before Aurelia could say it herself.
"At first, I wanted to thank him by offering my assistance. If he ever needs help in the future, he may call upon me. Not many people know much about me, but I was once a skilled knightess before I was afflicted with Aura Degeneration," Lourel said calmly and gently.
Everyone was shocked to learn that Lourel had once been a knightess—everyone except me. I already understood how Awakeners' Degeneration, or Aura Degeneration, begins. I also knew just how powerful she must have been. When I analysed her condition back then, her aura had been of remarkably high quality. Judging by the amount she possessed and how long she managed to endure it, I would estimate that, before she fell ill, her strength had reached at least the rank of a Master Knight by this world's standards.
"Until I learned of your circumstances, I realised I couldn't grant that wish. My apologies," Lourel said softly, a hint of sadness in her tone. She understood my situation; after all, anyone who truly knew about me wouldn't be spared easily. The Destenebres feared that if any information about me leaked, they would be forced to erase the rumours—or erase me entirely. Even now, it's almost amusing how I remain an unwanted existence.
"It's alright. I didn't help you expecting anything in return. I helped you because you're Aurelia's mother, and Aurelia has always helped me a lot," I said calmly, making it sound like it was nothing. Inside, though, I let out a sigh — the favour I had quietly hoped for never came. I really hate this bloodline family.
As I finished speaking, Lourel nodded, then turned her gaze to Rina and asked softly, "May I borrow your sword for a moment?"
Rina, though unsure of her intent, obeyed and handed over her sword. Lourel grasped the hilt firmly, resting the blade upright before her as she sat in the wheelchair.
Then, in front of everyone, she closed her eyes and began to recite something solemnly.
"I shall pledge my loyalty to Ragnar Destenebres. I shall devote my body, my soul, and my mind to him, as a devotion of my loyalty and faith toward my new master," Lourel recited calmly, her voice steady and serious. She slowly turned the sword so its tip pointed downward, then drove it gently into the floor before her.
"Please accept this woman as your knightess, Young Master Ragnar," Lourel said in the same calm tone, her eyes still closed as she faced me.
Hearing her words, everyone fell silent. This was a knight's declaration to their master—a formal vow made only when one truly chose to devote their life to another. All knights who wished to serve had to make such a declaration and hope their master accepted it. That was why everyone in the room was stunned, questioning why Lourel would do this—everyone except me.
I understood. So this was how she had decided to repay me. It was excessive, perhaps even unnecessary, but since she was willing to offer this in exchange for the life I'd saved, I would accept it.
"I, Ragnar Destenebres, accept your loyalty and devotion. I hope you will serve me well from now on and in the future," I said calmly, meeting her resolve. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the faint smile on Lourel's face—a smile of acceptance, as if she had already accepted her new fate.
After I accepted Lourel's service, she turned to Aurelia and gave her a subtle wink. Unknown to everyone—including me—Aurelia understood the meaning behind that gesture. Without hesitation, she took the sword from her mother's hands, grasping the hilt firmly as she positioned the blade upright before her, her posture straight and unwavering.
"I shall pledge my loyalty to Ragnar Destenebres. I shall devote my body, my soul, and my mind to him, as a devotion of my loyalty and faith toward my new master," Aurelia recited, her voice calm yet filled with determination. Slowly, she rotated the sword so its tip pointed downward, then drove it carefully into the floor before her. With the sword still in her grip, she sank to one knee, head bowed.
"Please accept this woman as your knightess, Young Master Ragnar," Aurelia said with the same steady tone, her words echoing her mother's vow.
Everyone fell silent—even I was caught off guard. I hadn't expected this at all. All eyes turned to me, waiting for my decision. Though Aurelia was still weak and merely an apprentice knight rather than a full one, it seemed reasonable to accept her loyalty and devotion. Considering she was Lourel's daughter, her potential was likely high; accepting her would be a wise investment.
"I, Ragnar Destenebres, accept your loyalty and devotion. I hope you will serve me well from now on and in the future," I said calmly, meeting her steady gaze. As my words reached her, I caught a faint smile forming on Aurelia's lips at my acceptance of her as my knightess. Seriously… I don't know why, but the two of them are truly alike, mother and daughter through and through.
As that thought crossed my mind, I suddenly heard shouting echoing inside my head.
"What the heck, you got the mother-and-daughter package combo!" Lust barked aggressively, even panting as he spoke.
Shut up.
"Wow, the playboy and womanizer is finally kicking in!" Wraith added smugly, his voice dripping with provocation. For some reason, I could even picture a smug version of him grinning inside my mind.
Hey, you and I both know that's not who I am… okay, maybe I can't entirely deny it, but it's not my intention.
"Your status is finally getting better…" Pride said coolly, his voice calm as ever.
Pride… I appreciate the comment, but at least give me more than that.
The others stayed silent.
I honestly didn't know what to think anymore. As I looked around at everyone, still stunned by what had just happened, I could only watch as the mother and daughter devoted themselves to me as my knightesses.