Chapter 40: Starry Sky and Dawn 1

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“Hey, thanks for coming. My Finn is always in your care, so this is just a small token of my appreciation. Please, have something to eat before you go.”

With that, Vasily placed sweets on the table along with drinks to match them. For Carla, tea from the Eastern Nations. For Astrea, popular herbal tea from the Elven village. For Marianne, the highest-grade black tea currently in fashion among the Church and the Kingdom.

“On the contrary, it is we who are always being helped by Finn-san. As members of 【Dawn】, please allow me to offer our thanks.”

Marianne replied with a gentle smile. However, there was no light in her eyes. More precisely, her eyes were not smiling at all. Only her lips curved unnaturally, and her gaze held a dangerous glint, as though she were plotting to harm and dispose of the other person at any moment. Yet Vasily simply received that gaze with a smile.

“Hehehe. Has Finn been of use?”

“More than you know. To us, Finn-san is like family.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried, you see. He refused even my support, saying he didn’t want to trouble me. So as a small act of atonement, I told the guild to help him find good companions. It seems he managed to weave a fine bond. That’s what matters most.”

Their gazes met. Vasily looked amused. Marianne looked displeased. While sparks practically flew between them in their heated exchange, the other four casually nibbled on the sweets set before them.

“…This is delicious. Nee-san, have you had this before?”

“Yes, I believe it was called gâteau chocolate. Apparently it uses fruit harvested somewhere in the Southern Islands, but I don’t know the details.”

“Heh… Impressive. Maybe I should ask how to make it later.”

“This tea also has remarkable depth. Barbarossa-dono seems quite knowledgeable about the East.”

“Isn’t that because she has traveled all over the world? She’s usually the one who handles procurement on trips, but she stuffs everything into her so-called item box, so we never really know what she’s carrying.”

“I see… Hmm, Finn. Would you like some as well?”

“Is that alright?”

“It is. Here—ahh.”

“Mmgh… yeah, it’s good.”

“Fufu, may I have a bite as well?”

“Sure. Ahh.”

“Ahh… mm, delicious indeed.”

As Carla calmly fed him, she believed that relations would not suddenly deteriorate here. She came from a samurai family in the Eastern Nations. On top of that, she had devoted herself to the path of the sword and understood master–disciple relationships well. This was a reunion between members of the same school after a long time. Would it not be improper to interfere? If Finn were to be harmed, of course they would consider their response but from the Hero who remained asleep in her room and did not come out, and from the Heavenly Saint who served them unfamiliar sweets, it was immediately clear that no such intention existed.

(She has the magnanimity to even offer Finn to our side. There is nothing for Marianne to worry about.)

If she had intended to monopolize him, she would have seated Finn beside her even now to flaunt their closeness. Instead, they were leisurely fencing with words. There was no problem at all. Though she might have come from an unremarkable household, she had received an education befitting her father’s reputation, and thus reached that conclusion.

(I feel sorry to him, but perhaps I shall enjoy this a little.)

Besides, Carla felt a measure of guilt. Finn had been gravely injured in his internal organs due to their immaturity while acting independently with their master, and now he had become a regular in the church.  To say, “Let the disciple live freely,” and actually mean it—that breadth of character was something she could sincerely respect.

(So I know she has no intention of taking Finn away. I know for sure that I could not go that far.)

If someone truly tried to take him, Carla would resist with her entire body and soul. The Hero had apparently invited him to live together, but Finn refused, saying he had a life with 【Dawn】. She felt that was enough. She did not know whom Finn would choose in the future. Even so, unless he told her she was unwanted, she would remain by his side.

(I love you. I cannot forgive it if he’s taken from me by a random intruder like Her Highness, but if it is a childhood friend with shared bonds, I can understand. Even so, you chose us. For now… That is enough.)

Someday, if he were to say she was unnecessary… Until that day, she would not let this life scatter meaninglessly. She loved him, literally with everything she had. Of course, she had possessiveness, too. There were even times she wanted to control him down to a single strand of hair. Even so, Carla did not want to force him. Because she loved him, she wished for him to live freely, long, and happily.

“By the way, Carla-san, you’re Shinemon-dono’s daughter, aren’t you?”

“Hm? Ah, yes. I never expected the 【Demonic Archer】 to know about him…”

“I met him during my travels. He seemed well.”

“As my father, I can scarcely imagine him declining as a warrior. If he remains in good health, that is more than enough.”

“I never imagined there was someone who could defeat Aria with a sword…”

“…He beat the 【Hero】? Is he really human?”

“She was a bit less refined compared to now, but even at that point Aria was already extremely strong…”

The four of them were chatting animatedly while Finn was silently eating cake.  Astrea had come prepared to fight if necessary, but upon meeting them in person, it was nothing of the sort. By all appearances, Marianne was simply being toyed with.

It was obvious that Vasily had no intention of fighting. After all, Finn himself had rejected the invitation to live together with his childhood friend and chose to remain with 【Dawn】. For Astrea, that was enough. That was what heroes were like, right?

Even if strange women’s blood mixed in, it did not matter. The one smiling in the future would be Astrea. If days came when she could dote on her descendants with Finn, it did not matter how many obstacles there were. However, anyone who tried to monopolize him or steal a march would not be forgiven, even if it were Carla or Marianne.

What was troublesome was when Finn, acting alone, picked up some unknown woman. The three of them (though now his master and childhood friend had appeared) were the ones closest to him. And yet, what if some random noble lady suddenly appeared alongside Finn to announce their engagement? Just imagining it was terrifying enough. Marianne, Carla, and Astrea together would plunge the royal capital into chaos without a doubt. At the very least, the incident with Her Highness’s 【Lily Garden】 had raised that possibility, so they could not let their guard down.

Marianne’s near rampage was undoubtedly partly due to that. Their encounter with Lily Garden had made the reality of Finn being united with an unknown woman painfully vivid.

(If that happens… I don’t think I could let him go without a fight…)

“…Ah—Finn-kun. Maybe you should have some of Astrea’s cake too?”

“Hmm. Is that alright, Astrea?”

“Of course it is. But then I’ll have yours as well.”

“Naturally.”

Smiling while her cheek twitched, Astrea went along with Alicia’s suggestion and fed Finn.

Delicious.

From the look of it, Finn’s cake was generously topped with fruit. This white, soft paste with its mysterious flavor harmonized with the fruit’s tartness, blending pleasantly in her mouth. On top of that, she was being fed by the man she loved. An act they did not usually do during ordinary meals. Unwittingly, Astrea felt her heart flutter.

“…It’s delicious. Thank you.”

“Yeah. Yours is good too, Astrea.”

“Phew…”

Her sister let out a sigh of relief. What was that about? Surely her sister did not also—

(…No way. They only met a day ago. Just one day…………)

The thought of Her Highness crossed her mind.

(……………………)

“Bwah!! Gah—cough, hack!”

“!!!?!?”

As if sensing something, Alicia suddenly spat out her mouthful, spraying Finn who was right in front of her.

“S-sorry—eh!?”

“It’s fine. Are you okay?”

“I-I-I’m fine!! Huh!? What!?”

For some reason, Alicia looked at the concerned Finn as though she had seen something impossible, utterly bewildered.

“Hm? …Hm??”

“…??”

They stared at each other, confused.

“…Finn. You’re not trying to lay a hand on my elder sister too, are you?”

“…If that is so, we must bring you back to us. Honestly, Finn, why are you always making moves on women you don’t even know when we are right here—”

“A-ahhh!! Th-that’s impossible! Absolutely impossible! Stop it! Don’t drag me into this!!”

“…As she says, we have nothing to do with each other.”

Finn muttered, sounding slightly lonely. Alicia, still panting, handed him a handkerchief as an apology. The intensity of her demeanor was such that even the two who had sworn their love to Finn could not dismiss it as a lie. Just as things settled down, the two who had been locked in a war of words rejoined them.

“Good grief! What are you all making such a fuss about? You were supposed to come help me!”

“Oh, is it over already? So, did you win?”

“I got completely crushed!”

“Ah, I see…”

“It’s good to see Finn is so loved.”

Marianne had been thoroughly beaten by Vasily. She had wanted to declare that Finn belonged to them, but when Vasily overturned the premise by saying that it was thanks to her that they had met Finn in the first place, she had no chance of winning.

Still, she knew she had been toyed with. If she had truly intended to take Finn, she would have acted more swiftly and laid the groundwork to ensure it. Rather, this had become an opportunity to heighten their vigilance. Infuriating, but—

(Infuriating beyond measure, but this time, it is my loss. I must be content that she did not truly try to take him…)

Moreover, she was someone close to Finn. It would not be wise to become enemies with her. Whether Finn would marry in or take a bride was unknown, but considering a future where they were united, it was better to make her an ally. Though she bore anger toward Vasily for many reasons, it was also true that she herself had been naïve. She would use this as nourishment for her future self.

(But… next time, I will not lose…!)

Finn belonged to them—no, if she were honest, to her. Of the three, she knew she was the most jealous one. Though called a Saint, she was ultimately an orphan. Without Finn, she might never have borne such a role. She had already given more than enough unconditional love. At the very least, Marianne wished for her own personal love. She wished for love directed at only one person and to be fulfilled.

Seeing her like that, Vasily gave her a wry smile.

(A Saint not recorded in <Knowledge>. I wondered what kind of girl she would be, but she is quite adorable.)

If the three members of 【Dawn】 had been unreliable, she might have considered forcibly taking Finn back but there was no such concern. Astrea, whose strength alone ranked among the very highest in the world. Carla, a step behind but unmatched in close combat. And Marianne, the Saint whose annihilation power against evil was the greatest of all. With such members, there was nothing to worry about.

(I don’t know what lies ahead… but even if I step away a little, it should be fine.)

There was no guarantee that she would be able to rush to his side whenever and wherever she wanted. Just like he had done three years ago, she might even be saved by Finn again. But this time, she wanted to be the one who saved him. What could Vasily, whose fate had been altered, do for Finn from here on?

A human life was short. Even the world Vasily had spent three thousand years improving had not truly become better. There was even the possibility that Finn might die of illness. To prevent that, surely there was something she could do.

(I don’t want him to die like Johan…)

These days would not last forever. Marianne, overprotective and unafraid to use force if necessary. The other two, able to step back and observe. With this, Finn would not easily come to harm.

(Though… Perhaps this too is the influence of the <Original Work>? There are strangely many women who care for Finn.)

She hoped that Finn would choose without regret. But… If Finn could not obtain the ending he desired…

(Since I survived, I must repay you by offering everything I have. If you are to be unhappy, then I will be the one to bear the mire.)

She cast a lingering gaze at Finn, who was surrounded by his companions.

“……………………”

“…Alicia-san? What’s wrong?”

“…I want to go back to the village…………”

“Eh!?”

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