I Kidnapped the Hero's Women-Chapter 190: Guilt and such (7)

'There is a way after all...'

To think that there actually is a way to return Sylvia to her original state.

I had started my investigation expecting to find a solution, but now that I've actually found it, I feel a bit dazed.

Maybe it’s because the answer was much closer than I anticipated.

'I never imagined the Empress herself would be the case I was looking for.'

The Empress had also been exposed to a mana storm in the past, which damaged her mana detection organs and caused her body to regress to a younger age.

I never thought she would have overcome it and risen to her current position.

This information wasn't in the game's setting guide or even in the main story—so it was something entirely new. Of course, the original story only covers the first chapter, but still...

In any case, the method to return Sylvia to her original state is essentially already found.

I don’t know exactly what method the Empress used, but just knowing that a possibility exists is enough to give Sylvia hope.

And knowing Sylvia, she’ll probably manage it.

No matter how difficult the process is, Sylvia will find a way to succeed.

"If there’s a way to reverse it, it’s definitely the right thing to do..."

[The Evil God, 'Cali,' expresses sorrow, wishing that Sylvia could stay adorable like this forever.]

I can somewhat sympathize with Cali.

Sylvia had been overworked as a potential hero candidate since she was young and had ended up dragged to the Vermon family, living as a servant.

I wish I could keep her away from things like swords and battles, keep her out of danger.

But that’s not what Sylvia wants.

She has changed a lot since she started serving me.

She’s learned that she no longer has to throw her life away for me or the family, but still, she willingly throws herself into danger.

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At this point, I have no choice but to admit it.

Sylvia shines brightest when she holds a sword and fights.

It’s where she feels most fulfilled, most valuable.

So, for me to keep her away from fighting under the pretense of protecting her—it’s just hypocrisy.

It’s not for Sylvia, but for my own guilt and comfort.

That’s why, if possible, it would be better to restore Sylvia to her original form. But...

For some reason, there’s still a bitter aftertaste in my heart.

The younger Sylvia...

She’s so cute...

And now I have to turn her back into the serious, formidable person she used to be...

It’s painful, but I can’t avoid making that decision.

Like how childhood ends when children grow up,

Sylvia too will have to become an adult again and grow stronger.

In the flow of time and the natural order, I realize how helpless I am.

It’s a moment when I realize how small and insignificant I am in the vast universe.

'Why is the garden so noisy?'

When I arrived at the mansion and got off the carriage,

I heard the commotion coming from the garden at the back of the mansion.

Amidst the noise, I could faintly hear Sylvia’s voice.

Why on earth was Sylvia in the garden?

Curious, I walked toward the garden, only to be greeted by a sight I never expected.

"Ah."

"Ah."

"Ah."

"Ahahaha...! Where are you, kids?"

Upon seeing me, Charlotte, Yulia, and Yuri froze in surprise and stood still,

but Sylvia, her eyes covered by a towel, was running around, waving her arms, apparently not realizing what was going on.

I had never seen Sylvia smile so brightly...

"Huh? Hmm? Ah..."

Realizing the awkwardness of the situation, Sylvia hastily removed the towel, and when she saw me, her face turned bright red.

She stood before me, now adopting a dignified and serious posture, as if nothing had happened, but her red face remained as it was.

"Have you returned, Master?"

"Yeah. Looks like you were having a lot of fun. Sorry for interrupting."

"No, I was just playing with the kids because they looked bored. Look, I even volunteered to play tag and blindfolded myself to chase them."

"So your hair got all messy because you were playing with the kids?"

"Huh? My hair?"

She touched her hair, puzzled, and then her face turned even redder.

It was a twin-tail hairstyle—something I had never seen on Sylvia before.

She quickly untied the twin-tails, and her hair became all messy.

"Y-yes... Well, yes... I was just playing with the kids and having fun..."

"...

As Sylvia’s voice grew smaller and she lowered her head, I noticed the children’s expressions—they all looked bewildered, as if they were trying to say something ridiculous.

It seemed that Sylvia had voluntarily tied her hair into twin-tails and started playing with them.

The dirt and grass stains on her clothes were clear evidence of that.

For Sylvia’s social dignity, I decided to pretend not to notice.

"Alright, enough of that. You all need to get ready to go out tomorrow, including you, Sylvia."

"What’s the matter?"

"We’re going to meet with the Empress. She says she knows how to fix your problem."

"R-really!?"

Sylvia’s eyes sparkled as she raised her head in excitement.

Seeing her expression, I was taken aback.

This girl... I didn’t know she could make such a face.

Her radiant smile hurt my heart.

"Then I’ll go pick out clothes for tomorrow!"

"...

With that, Sylvia quickly dashed off, more energetic than I had seen her in a while.

Perhaps this is the hope she needed.

This is much better than her resigned, defeated attitude.

There’s nothing more beautiful than the sight of a child full of excitement.

'If I had met Sylvia when she was this young, I might have been in trouble.'

I’m lucky I arrived here in time,

otherwise, I might have wanted to raise Sylvia from childhood as my bride.

Now that she’s grown up, I’m grateful, but I also feel a bit of regret.

I’m feeling a bit conflicted.

"The carriage feels a bit cramped..."

"It’s just because there are so many people, Charlotte."

"Is that so!?"

"This outfit feels a bit uncomfortable... Should I change into the spare clothes I brought?"

"No, no! You look perfect in that outfit! You’re the most beautiful I’ve seen!"

"Yuria, wipe your mouth."

Inside the carriage heading toward the palace,

I was surrounded by the children and feeling a bit dizzy from the noisy atmosphere.

Charlotte, Yulia, Yuri, and even Sylvia—all four of them in one carriage, and there was never a moment without chatter.

We were on our way to meet the Empress to hear the solution for Sylvia’s problem.

I thought it would only be me and Sylvia, but we were all traveling together because of the Empress's request.

I could have ignored the request and just taken Sylvia,

but since the Empress hadn’t seen the children for a long time, I couldn’t predict what kind of trouble she might cause from withdrawal, so I decided to comply.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the palace.

I got off first, and the children followed.

We headed straight to the office, and as I opened the door, the Empress appeared, resting her chin in her hand with a displeased expression.

"Why are you so late!? Is it not too late!?"

"Sorry, Your Majesty. There was heavy traffic."

"Is that really an excuse!? You should have anticipated the traffic and left earlier..."

"Sorry, Your Majesty! The road was completely blocked!"

"If that’s the case, then there’s nothing to be done..."

"...

Clearly, I used the same excuse as everyone else, but when Charlotte spoke, the Empress’s expression softened, and she seemed to be in a better mood.

I was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Charlotte, and Yulia. How have you been?"

"Yes! We’re always fine, Your Majesty!"

"Thank you for caring!"

"Yuria, you too... Hmm. You look healthy, I’m glad."

"T-thank you."

As she smiled warmly at Charlotte and Yulia, the Empress turned her gaze to Yuri, giving her a satisfied smile.

It was clear she was pleased with how naturally she was interacting with the children, unlike before when she would only talk to them through a mask, keeping her distance.

It was an unspoken connection between us, and I couldn’t help but smile.

"And you... Oh, I see. I just let out a sigh. You..."

"Yes. I’m Sylvia, the Count’s bodyguard... Unfortunately, I suffered mana erosion, and as a side effect, I ended up like this..."

"...

The Empress seemed to fidget at the sight of Sylvia, her shoulders moving and her pupils shaking.

She was obviously having trouble maintaining her composure after seeing Sylvia in her current state.

I could completely understand her reaction—after all, I’d been through something similar.

"I see. You’ve had bad luck... but don’t worry too much. I have a way to fix you."

"What is it, Your Majesty?"

"If you’re willing to pay a small price, I’ll tell you..."

"I’ll pay anything! Just tell me, Your Majesty!"

"Ah, that’s enough! No price is needed!"

"...

The Empress, now smiling mischievously, softened at Sylvia’s earnestness, completely melting.

She couldn’t resist Sylvia’s charm, and it was a refreshing change for me to see the Empress lose her composure for once.

"Actually, the solution is quite simple."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"All you need to do is become a Swordmaster. More precisely, if you learn to control your aura, everything will naturally resolve."

"What...?"

Sylvia, who had responded energetically, tilted her head in confusion.

What? Becoming a Swordmaster will solve everything?

I was just as puzzled as she was.