WDIHTVYB Chapter 38

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“So, you believe Sei is intentionally pretending not to know?”

“…Yes.”

Duke Pantheon let out a long sigh through his nose.

“Why do you think that is?”

Arthur Sothes hesitated before responding, pressing his lips together.

“To be honest, I’m not sure. It’s not something I can judge rashly.”

It might seem like a somewhat irresponsible statement, but it was precisely this quality that Duke Pantheon appreciated in Arthur.

Among his retainers, Arthur was one of the few who spoke plainly, without embellishment, even in the presence of a duke.

“You’re right. It’s not something to speculate about lightly, nor is it an issue that can be resolved easily.”

“Yes. I’ll observe more closely from now on.”

Even after they reached this conclusion, Duke Pantheon’s serious expression remained.

Arthur Sothes studied him silently before speaking again.

“It seems to be weighing on you.”

At this, Duke Pantheon stroked his chin. His somber eyes stared blankly into space before he gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“To tell you the truth… my heart is a bit heavy.”

A son cursed by a mysterious affliction, the son of an old friend who survived alone after losing all his memories—raising these two children was proving far more difficult than he had anticipated, even putting aside the complex circumstances surrounding them.

“I just want my children to be happy… but it feels like I’m failing at everything.”

If it weren’t for his wife, Liliana, he wouldn’t have managed even this much.

Without her, he would have turned out just like his own parents—cold and unfeeling.

“I know it’s laughable for someone like me, without children, to say this, but… there is no definitive answer. All we can do is our best.”

“Our best… Do you think that’s enough?”

Arthur chuckled faintly at the duke’s near-soliloquy.

“There are far too many parents who don’t even bother to question themselves.”

Arthur’s own parents had been like that—though “parents” might be an overstatement, as they were so only in name.

The love his birth mother had poured into him was the only reason Arthur hadn’t burned himself out with resentment against the world.

That same love was also why, despite his brilliance in history and theology, he had chosen to remain as nothing more than a private tutor.

Duke Pantheon’s expression softened slightly at Arthur’s words.

“You’re right. I should think more and act better. As Liliana said, I should express myself… a bit more openly.”

“In that matter, I’m firmly on the madam’s side.”

The duke gave a brief laugh, but his face quickly turned serious again.

Seeing this, Arthur broke the silence first.

“And… about the holy power.”

The duke’s throat bobbed visibly.

Arthur raised his hand from under the table, revealing a sphere of black mist swirling in his palm.

He carefully placed it on the table before the duke.

“This is…”

The duke’s expression twisted into something indescribable, a mix of disappointment and relief.

“It hasn’t been purified.”

“…No.”

When the holy power of Sean was first mentioned, Duke Pantheon had started to speak—“If Sean has…”—but he’d trailed off into a long silence, his uncertainty palpable.

Sharing this with Arthur, who was helping him find a cure for the curse, meant the duke wanted to proceed with further verification.

Arthur understood why the duke hesitated.

If his late friend’s son truly possessed holy power, it was a possibility he couldn’t overlook as a parent.

Yet the idea of using a boy who had lost his family brought on inevitable guilt.

“…I see.”

The duke exhaled deeply and rubbed his face with his hands.

“So, it wasn’t, after all…”

“Still… I believe we should observe a bit longer.”

The duke’s crimson eyes fixed intently on Arthur.

“Do you really think so?”

“Our experiment is based on ancient records about holy power. Holy power is said to have purification and healing properties. According to the records, those with holy power unconsciously purify dark energy around them.”

“Yes. The saintess was said to heal wounds with a mere touch, and barren lands would spring back to life wherever she stepped.”

The duke’s gaze lingered on the sphere, its dark energy untouched.

“Are you suggesting the records might be exaggerated?”

“That’s part of it, but I’ve been considering the possibility of a broader interpretation.”

“A broader interpretation?”

Arthur nodded.

“Holy power is still a type of power, like mana or aura. But as you know, not all aura is the same.”

The duke’s eyes widened slightly at this realization.

“…So, it could be a different kind of holy power?”

“Perhaps. It might have specific conditions for activation, or it could possess traits we’re unaware of.”

Tap, tap.

The duke tapped the table lightly with his fingers.

“Still, there’s not enough evidence to support that theory.”

“You’re right. But dismissing it as not being holy power at all might be premature.”

Arthur was alluding to reports from the Crows about Sean and Raizen’s movements.

The most notable report stated that Raizen, the cursed one, had been meeting Sean regularly, as if conducting an experiment.

“That’s true.”

“So, for now, I believe we should continue observing. I’ll look into it further.”

The duke pressed his temples firmly, then nodded.

“Understood. I leave it to you.”

He turned away from the sphere, gazing out the window.

Through the tightly drawn curtains, the sound of fierce winds echoed.

∗ ∗ ∗

“The families representing the western part of the Empire are primarily the Duchy of Pantheon and the March of Kreveta.”

The next day, Noah, who had taken the half-finished glass bead I’d painstakingly created, sent an absurd message.

[Training is on hold for a while. Don’t slack off—use the time to study on your own.]

I was dumbfounded, but I figured training would resume soon enough.

Yet over a week passed without a word from Noah.

‘It’s one thing to suspend training, but how could he not send any message?’

No, it’s not like I’m waiting for Noah’s messages or anything.

Actually, it’s been quite refreshing not seeing those random pop-ups.

It’s just… just…

‘I’m curious. That’s all.’

Yes, that’s all it is.

Meanwhile, that bastard Raizen still insisted on meeting me every day to hold my hand.

‘Seems like my gift is working, at least.’

It was obvious he was trying to keep me tethered, making sure I wouldn’t run away.

The problem was… even knowing that, I couldn’t help but lose my composure whenever he acted so tenderly.

“About the Marquis Kreveta… Your Grace?”

A sudden voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I blinked, startled.

Only then did my surroundings come back into focus.

Standing at the blackboard was Arthur Sothes, diligently giving his lecture.

And there I was, mindlessly doodling on the edge of my textbook with the fountain pen in my hand.

‘I’m screwed.’

I’d worked so hard to build a diligent image, and now it was ruined.

All because of Noah and his silence for over a week.

“I—I’m sorry.”

At times like this, groveling was the best strategy.

I quickly apologized, and Arthur immediately responded.

“It’s fine.”

His response was so brief that it was hard to gauge his feelings.

His expression remained as composed as ever.

‘Is he not upset…?’

If he were following the personality described in the novel, he should’ve reacted coldly or at least scolded me.

Sure, Arthur had always been a kind teacher to me, but even now, this calm reaction felt odd.

‘Is his loyalty to the Duke of Pantheon that strong?’

Honestly, I couldn’t imagine I’d be a particularly welcome student from Arthur’s perspective.

Even if he knew I was the missing heir of the Marquis Kreveta, it must be a far cry from teaching the genius Raizen.

‘I don’t know what he really thinks of me, but it’s a little uncomfortable.’

Especially that occasional gaze of his, as if he were studying me.

‘Of all times, he had to be talking about the Marquis Kreveta just now.’

Even though I’d lost my memory, I’d been acting far too composed for a child in my situation.

Most kids would’ve broken down crying, asking, “Where are my real mom and dad?”

‘But I’ve been too preoccupied to care about that!’

It was already absurd that I’d been reincarnated, and now I had to survive the schemes of a damned villain.

On top of that, people were suddenly claiming I had divine powers!

‘Screw it.’

I bit down hard on the soft flesh inside my mouth.

The taste of blood spread, sharp and metallic, and tears sprang to my eyes.

I blinked, and, as if on cue, a tear rolled down my cheek.

“…Your Grace?”

“Oh? I-I’m sorry. I’ve been holding it in, but…”

“Oh, dear. It’s all right, Your Grace.”

I wiped away the tears and lowered my head slightly.

“Teacher… where are my real parents? Why don’t they come to see me…?”

‘Wow. I should win an award for this performance.’

Even I had to admit it was a disgustingly convincing act.

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