◇19 To Change the Future
With the Founding Festival scheduled for tomorrow, the Imperial Capital was already bustling with activity.
People from both inside and outside the country were pouring in, and the Central Plaza was filled with many food stalls. Naturally, the knights on duty, ensuring the safety of the capital, were busy as well. Thank you for your hard work.
Despite the hustle and bustle, I, along with Maid Alisa and my bodyguard Tanya, visited the Euphonium Baronial Mansion in the Imperial Capital. It was Estelle's family home in the city.
Originally, this house had belonged to her mother, and after passing through her grandfather's hands, it was sold to Estelle's father, Baron Euphonium.
For now, it seemed to be a residence used only when they were in the capital, but I had wanted to visit it at least once.
When I told my parents I was going to visit a friend's house, they were happy to allow me.
"Welcome, Sakuraile. Although we don't have much prepared, I will offer you my best hospitality," Estelle greeted me with a curtsy.
At the entrance of the mansion were Estelle, her father Robert, and two maids.
"You don’t need to worry about that. I’m just visiting a friend’s house," I said, not wanting them to make too much of a fuss. I would feel awkward if they treated me too formally.
Estelle seemed to have gotten used to me and responded casually, but Robert, her father, seemed unsure of how to interact with a noble daughter.
Estelle's parents were originally adventurers who later settled in her grandfather’s territory.
Recently, when a town in their territory was nearly destroyed by a stampede of magical beasts, Robert took the lead in fighting them off. His achievements were recognized, and as a result, he was granted nobility.
Since Estelle is the granddaughter of the former lord of the area, it’s understandable that Robert would be cautious in his treatment of me.
After parting ways with Robert, Estelle led me to the garden, where we found tea already prepared under a white gazebo.
"It's a beautiful gazebo," I remarked.
"It’s maintained by the gardeners of the Ainztats family," Estelle explained.
Ah, I see, this house was originally my mother’s, and now it seems like I had been praising it in my head.
Estelle poured hot water from a teapot and began making tea for me.
"I’ve only just started learning the proper tea ceremony, so it might not be very refined…" she said shyly.
"Don’t worry about it. I’m not much better myself…" I started, but—
"Ahem, ahem!" Tanya, who had been quietly standing nearby, cleared her throat.
Oh, that was close. I was about to say, 'I’m just a beginner too.'
"Ah, I mean... I used to make mistakes all the time when I started," I corrected myself.
Looking at Tanya, she nodded approvingly, seemingly confirming that I was safe from trouble.
The tea Estelle brewed was delicious. Come to think of it, Elliot had praised her tea in the game. I guess that wasn’t just flattery.
If she could make tea this well at six years old, she’d probably have improved even more by the time the game started ten years later. It makes sense that Elliot would eventually fall for her.
"So, Estelle, what are you doing for tomorrow’s Founding Festival?" I asked.
"I promised to go with Father. I also need to buy something for Mother," Estelle replied.
Ah, she had prior plans. I was thinking of suggesting we go together, but it wouldn’t be right to interrupt such a family outing.
"Actually, I wish Mother could come too," Estelle said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
Oh, right. I remembered now. Estelle’s mother…
Without a doubt, Estelle’s mother had passed away by the time the game started.
There was a scene in the game where Estelle mentioned her mother’s passing during a date with one of the romanceable characters. I think it was from Elliot’s route…?
"That's why, for tomorrow's Founding Festival, I want to buy a lot of things Mother would like," Estelle continued, unaware of my thoughts.
Founding Festival. Mother. Wait, hold on. Something's not right. Ahh, I just remembered!
"I remembered!!"
"Yikes!" Estelle exclaimed, startled as she almost dropped her teacup.
It was from Elliot's route! I remembered that when Elliot and Estelle walked around the Founding Festival together, she had said,
"My mother passed away on the day of the Founding Festival. It was a sudden illness… So, I can never fully enjoy this day."
Does this mean... her mother is going to die tomorrow!?
"W-Wait, what's wrong? Do you have any plans for later?" Estelle asked, looking concerned.
Estelle, Tanya, and Alisa all stared at me in shock. But I wasn’t in a state to pay attention to that.
Just because she had passed away on the day of the Founding Festival doesn't mean it has to be tomorrow. It could be next year, or the year after.
But if there’s even the slightest possibility, I can’t ignore it. If Estelle’s mother dies now and I do nothing, I’ll never be able to face this child again.
There’s a huge difference between living in ignorance and knowing but doing nothing.
Think…! What can I do to save Estelle’s mother!?
She said her mother died of a disease. A disease… that’s it! Estelle’s Gift can heal it!
Ah, but healing magic to cure diseases only becomes available at level 2!
Right, to level up Estelle’s Holy Miracle, I need to complete an event… That event… it’s that one, right!?
A moment of hesitation flickered in my mind, but I couldn’t afford to hesitate when it came to someone’s life. Especially the life of someone important to my friend.
I won’t let myself hesitate!
"Tanya! Give me that knife!"
"Huh? Oh, this?"
"Hurry!"
"Ah, yes!"
Tanya quickly handed me the curved knife she had strapped to her waist. As expected of a knight's weapon, it was polished to a fine shine and looked incredibly sharp.
"Sakuraile-sama, what are you…?"
Ignoring Tanya’s words, I steeled myself and, with a forceful thud, drove the knife deep into my left hand, which was resting on the table.
"Wha—!?"
"Ahhhhh!?"
"My lady!?"
As I pulled the knife out, fresh blood began to pour out. Everyone around me panicked, their faces draining of color. I was no different.
The pain was so intense that I almost cried out. But I forced a smile and turned to Estelle.
"Estelle. Can you heal this wound with your Gift?"
"Th-That’s impossible… My Gift can’t heal such a deep wound…"
"It’s okay. I know you can do it. I believe in you."
Estelle’s surprised expression only lasted for a moment before she rushed to my side and activated her Gift.
However, the wound only closed for a brief moment before the skin broke open again, and blood began to flow out once more.
Oh no… I’m starting to feel a little dizzy…
"It’s not working… My Gift can’t heal it…"
"Don’t give up… Try again! I know you can do it… Believe in yourself!"
"...Okay!"
With renewed determination, Estelle activated her Gift once more. This time, a brilliant light enveloped the area.
As the light faded, my left hand was completely healed. There was no pain, and the dizziness I had been feeling was gone. The name Miracle was no exaggeration. Perhaps even the blood I had lost had been restored.
But the table and my clothes were covered in blood, so maybe it wasn’t just restored—it might have been increased to the normal amount. Truly a miraculous healing magic.
"Did… did it work…?"
"Yes! It worked!"
I took Estelle's hand and checked the divine crest. Yep, it was definitely level 2 now. This meant she should be able to use the healing magic of Holy Miracle.
In the game, it’s Elliot who gets seriously injured, and Estelle tries to heal him, leveling up and learning this magic during that event.
It’s like I’ve forced that event to progress, but now, with this, I should be able to cure Estelle’s mother’s illness!
"Estelle. I’m sorry for doing something like this so suddenly, but I did it to help your mother. Do you trust me?"
"...I trust you. I can trust whatever you say, Sakuraile-sama."
Ugh… Estelle is really such a good child! Why did I ever bully her in the game!?
"Alisa! Please bring Baron Euphonium here!"
"Y-Yes!"
Alisa immediately dashed off toward the mansion as I had told her.
"Summon Storefront!"
With a dazzling flash, my kitchen truck appeared in the garden of the Euphonium manor. Everyone, including Estelle, stared at it with wide eyes.
"Tanya, you can drive, right?"
"Huh? I- I can, but... where are we going?"
"Of course, to Euphonium Territory. Estelle’s mother is in danger. We need to go save her."
"To Euphonium Territory!? Sakuraile-sama, are you going!?"
"No way!"
Hmm. From Tanya’s perspective, it’s a reasonable reaction. But I can’t back down now. I absolutely have to get Estelle to her mother!
While Tanya and I argued back and forth, Alisa returned with Robert. Robert, confused and not knowing what was going on, turned pale when he saw the blood pooling on the table and me, covered in blood.
While he stood frozen, Tanya raised both hands and proposed a solution.
"I understand! I’ll make sure to get Lord Euphonium and Lady Estelle to Euphonium Territory by tomorrow! In exchange, Sakuraile-sama, please stay here and wait for us!"
Ugh, so that’s her plan. It’s true that I wouldn’t be of any help if I went, but...
It’s still only a little past noon. If we hurry, they can reach Euphonium Territory by nightfall. A full day should be enough for a round trip, so they should be back before the kitchen truck disappears.
I want to see the result with my own eyes, but it looks like I have no choice but to back down.
"Estelle. Your blessed Gift has the power to heal your mother’s illness. Tanya will take you there to help her. Understand?"
"Yes! I’ll definitely save her!"
Good! Now that it’s decided, let’s go!
I had Estelle sit in the passenger seat and had Robert, though it felt bad, sit in the kitchen area. Of course, Tanya took the driver’s seat.
"Drive safely, but hurry as much as you can! If you get hungry, you can have a hot dog!"
"Hot dog? What’s a hot do—Hyaaaa!?"
As Estelle tilted her head, puzzled, the kitchen truck started moving, and she disappeared into the distance with a scream.
I hope she’ll be alright... I hope they make it in time.
Even if Estelle’s mother is supposed to die next year or later, with Estelle’s Gift now at level 2, she should be able to cure her mother’s illness.
I’m glad I remembered just in time. If I’d remembered a few days later, I might have regretted it so much I could have died.
I pray to the Summoning Goddess, Samonia, and the Holy Goddess, Holly, that everything will go smoothly and in time.
There was nothing else I could do at that point.
Later that day, when I returned home covered in blood, my mother fainted right on the spot.
After hearing the story from Alisa, my parents gave me my first-ever lecture. For two hours.
It was my fault, but I guess I should have thought things through a bit more before acting. Still, it was the only thing I could think of…
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