V5 Chapter 41 – Until She Is Exterminated

Schnitt stepped into the courtyard of his home.

He had business with the destination where his 『wife』 had rushed off to first thing in the morning.

Continuing his quiet walk, he found it by the pond in the center of the courtyard.

There was his wife… Camille, who was swinging something around violently while holding it firmly in both arms.

「If you swing it around like that, it will start crying.」

「Yeees. But small children are happier when they are treated roughly～」

Even so, swinging an infant around was too rough.

He took the baby from her and handed it to a maid waiting nearby.

「Keep it away from Camille.」

「Yes, Schnitt-sama.」

「Aww～. How sad～」

Though she made a sorrowful sound, the girl peeked at the baby held by the maid.

Since there were many other 『older brothers and sisters』 here besides her, it should be fine.

Relaxing his cheeks slightly at his wife’s behavior, he remembered his original purpose.

「Where is Mother?」

「Yes. In the tent area.」

「Understood.」

Listening to the maid soothing the baby, he moved on.

Crossing the bridge over the pond and proceeding deeper and deeper, it appeared.

It was a white cloth screen stretched out to conceal all sides under a large tree.

「Mother. Good morning.」

「Oh, Schnitt, good morning. This is unusual… coming here before work.」

Perhaps because her health was good, her voice this morning was bright and energetic.

「Yes. There is something I wish to ask you, Mother.」

「Oh? What is it? If it is something I can answer, I will.」

She clapped her hands in front of her chest with a ‘pan’, making a cute sound, and waited for her son’s words. He calmly regulated his breathing.

「I have been seeing Sieck around Argusta recently.」

「Yes, yes, that. When I asked you guys, you seemed too busy to get through, right? So Sieck promised to bring 『him』 to me.」

「…Is that so.」

As his younger brother had worried, the legendary monster had begun to move.

If she had made a promise with the Queen, it was certain that Argusta would appear here.

「…Did I perhaps do something wrong?」

A concerned voice came from behind the tent.

「Not at all. I just wanted to confirm one thing.」

「I see. That’s right… I’m sorry.」

「Yes, Mother.」

Schnitt smiled gently at his mother, who apologized with a dejected voice.

It had been ten years since his mother, the Queen, disappeared from public view… She lived like this, surrounded by cloth. The reason for this could never be told to others.

Above all, Halfren feared the arrival of his younger brother’s partner in this place.

「One last thing, Mother.」

「What is it?」

「Did you order Noie to come as well?」

「Yes. Since they finally got married… I wanted to meet them. They are both like my own children, after all.」

The Queen said this with genuine happiness. Her tone was almost like that of a maiden.

Schnitt turned his face away and closed his eyes, knowing she couldn’t see him.

Her time had reverted to the past from a certain day and stopped moving there. It was concluded that the cause was shock from losing a large amount of blood.

The woman who miraculously survived two severe injuries… was the current Queen and his mother, Linea von Univance.

「Hey, Schnitt.」

「Yes.」

「I am thinking of a name for the child brought this time… but what was that child’s original name?」

She seemed to be asking out of genuine curiosity.

She probably didn’t question the feelings of a real mother giving up her child.

If she thought the child had lost their caregiver due to an accident or something, it was quite good enough.

Such a reaction was somewhat similar to his younger brother’s partner.

Apparently, it had taken great effort to peel the infant away from her, as she had continued to exterminate dragons while holding the baby.

In the end, she had reluctantly let go after being persuaded by her husband, his younger brother. He didn’t know what magic words he had used.

「I do not know that child’s name.」

「…Is that so?」

「Yes. They were left alone at home, having lost their family.」

「Oh my… How pitiful.」

She was a being who truly cherished and loved children. That was the current Queen of Univance.

Even now that she could no longer bear children herself, her love for them remained unwavering.

「Then I must think of a good name that suits that child.」

「Indeed.」

-0-

After that, Schnitt announced he was going to the castle and parted ways with the Queen.

Walking quietly and passing through the courtyard, he spotted someone waiting at the entrance.

「As expected, Sieck is on the move.」

「So, where is that monster?」

「She is not in the mansion. She is likely outside to accomplish her task even if she is noticed.」

「Then we will find her and exterminate her until she is exterminated.」

Schnitt frowned at his younger brother, whose shoulders were tense as he radiated quiet killing intent.

Thinking back… he had also changed the air he carried since ten years ago.

He had come to contain a terrifying presence.

「…It is fine to rampage, but do not make Mother sad.」

「That is difficult. It depends on the opponent.」

Indeed, his younger brother was right.

-0-

「The baby…」

「I understand.」

I continued to rub Noie’s head vigorously, listening to her complaints.

Noie, who was staring at her arms that still retained the sensation of holding the baby tightly, suddenly looked at me with a resentful atmosphere.

「Noie-san. Your eyes are a bit scary.」

「It is Arg-sama’s fault.」

「…I am truly sorry for various things.」

I had secrets I couldn’t tell her, and because of that, we couldn’t have children… I was indeed a hopeless husband.

As I bowed my head deeply, Noie’s hand landed on top of my head. She rubbed it vigorously.

「Arg-sama. Do your best.」

「…Yes.」

That’s right. I had no choice but to do my best. For now, in the end.