Chapter 18
Just then, a small, sleepy voice called out to her.
Winter.
When I turned around, Tiya was gesturing next to Lev, who had already fallen into a deep sleep.
As I approached, Tiya whispered as if telling a secret.
“Thank you for helping me, oppa. You know what? I think meeting Winter was the greatest luck of my life.”
<… … Stop saying such embarrassing things and go to sleep.>
“Mm. ……Winter.”
Yes.
“I, Winter, *yawn*, really like him…….”
Blink, blink, a young trust flickered between the eyelids in the child’s eyes.
Winter smiled bitterly, steeling herself against the temper of giving up.
What am I supposed to do? I’m not exactly a good adult.
“Uh…?”
Cowardly, it was only after Tiya was half asleep that his true feelings finally came out.
Don’t forget, Astia.
She has no right to feel regret or guilt.
Didn’t you resolve it when you summoned the Spirit of Time? That you would sacrifice whatever it may be, whether it be family or conviction?
Even she herself.
Everything is for Vladizev.
Winter murmured, as if speaking to himself.
Eventually, as Tiya fell asleep, darkness descended upon Winter’s world as well.
There is a mystery that has remained unsolved for 10 years for the merchants on the street of Molbert, where all kinds of shops are gathered.
How old is Roxanne, the owner of the Golden Owl?
She looked almost in her mid-twenties when she inherited the shop from her grandfather, so isn’t she in her thirties now?
No. Actually, I have such a youthful appearance that I’m in my forties, no, maybe I’m in my eighties because I’m a witch who doesn’t age.
All sorts of speculation ran rampant regarding her, who had not aged for 10 years.
However, no one could guess the correct answer, because they did not know that she had started managing a business when she was only fourteen years old.
How did a fourteen-year-old look like someone in their mid-twenties?
The secret was with her assistant.
“Roxanne! I’m back!”
Black hair, golden eyes, and even front teeth sticking out like grains of rice.
Upon Tiya’s visit, which brought a ray of interest to her boring life, Roxanne immediately took the little girl to the VIP room.
And serving plain water, he asked.
“How did you know my assistant was a wizard? How did you know I had taken that?”
At Tiya’s first visit.
“Your sister’s assistant, you’re a wizard, aren’t you? If you don’t want to be reported to the Magic Alliance for ‘illegal drug misuse,’ share the potion of becoming an adult with me, too. You’re becoming an accomplice!”
This audacious blackmail method stole the growth promoter ver10 that the assistant had made from Roxanne.
I have no use for this anymore, and I haven’t lived such an easy life that I would be nitpicked over a mere remark.
Nevertheless, the reason Roxanne gave Tiya Growth Stimulant ver10 is—
There is something I really need to do, but my age is getting in the way. So, I absolutely need a potion to become an adult.
It is because this cheeky little kid’s words shook her.
Come visit again sometime. You can call me ‘Unnie’ then.
Tiya stared up intently at Roxanne, who was prying into her about this and that, then glanced at Winter.
I can’t say that Winter told me—
It’s a trade secret.
and said briefly.
To think you wouldn’t carelessly spill information.
Extra points for being smart for a child.
Tiya, unaware that her stock price had risen inside Roxanne, asked while glancing at her.
“I need more Growth Potions. Do you have any left?”
You already ate all of that?
The effects were inconsistent regardless of the dosage, so what?
Tiya repeated Winter’s words exactly.
Roxanne clicked her tongue briefly.
“Since it is a magic potion crafted to fit my body, the duration of its evil effect must be inconsistent.……”
Her gaze scanned Tiya in detail.
“Well, it’s not that I can’t make it for you, but if you take a magic potion tailored to someone else’s body so carelessly, you’re going to experience side effects later. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
It’s not okay. But there was no time to wait for Tiya’s exclusive Growth Potion to be made.
“Phew, I guess you could say I’m shouldering a mission? But my age is holding me back from that mission.”
Roxanne also fully sympathized with that feeling.
She, too, had to grow up to protect and run this pawnshop her grandfather left her.
Roxanne began to like this audacious blackmailer more and more, as he reminded her of herself when she was young.
As the conversation deepened, Tiya asked.
“Unnie, do you happen to remember who sold the Memorial Box I bought?”
Actually, I didn’t ask expecting an answer.
Even though I am the owner, a pawn shop is a place where dozens of items come in and go out every day.
I considered it fortunate just that their records were preserved.
However, Roxanne’s reaction was unusual.
For a moment, Roxanne’s pitch-black eyes lost focus, making it impossible to tell where she was looking.
Then, she slowly closed and opened her eyes as if turning the pages of a book.
Blink, blink, blink.
The moment the light returned to her eyes, Roxanne spoke in a stream, as if she were peeking into that moment in the past.
April 12, 548 Imperial Year. Around 4:00 PM. Female. Wearing a black cloak. Eye color: Unidentifiable. Presumed to be light blonde. Height: Between 163cm and 165cm. Judging by the Gillian satin dress and silk shoes glimpsed beneath the cloak, she is presumed to be a commoner from a wealthy family or a noblewoman.
“……?”
This is the information of a customer who visited the Golden Owl and sold a Memorial Box.
“That’s amazing! You remember all of that?”
Not only Tiya, but even Winter let out an exclamation of “Oho.”
Roxanne patted her temple and said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Everything I see and hear is stored here.
It was practically a walking library.
After returning to the mansion, Tiya pictured the person who sold the Memorial Box based on the information she had heard from Roxanne.
It does look like someone, though.
Perhaps it is because the information is completely devoid of personal feelings. I could hardly picture a person who fit the description perfectly.
* * *
After giving Lev the Frost Spirit Egg as a gift.
A sense of relief washed over me at the thought that I had finally prevented my brother’s death, but I soon realized that this was not the end.
Tiya steeled herself and asked Winter.
“I’m ready. So please tell me honestly. My family… how are they all going to die?”
She could no longer simply avoid it. Tiya finally mustered the courage to face the death of her family head-on.
Contrary to expectations, Winter willingly told everything.
<… … And so, Vladizev’s direct line was completely annihilated.>
Tiya trudged out of the pile of luggage, took her comfort doll, and crawled under the covers.
And I cried my eyes out for half a day.
“Ugh, to die a soldier, to die in battle, to die a false accusation!”
There is no such thing as dying by false accusation. Since you died because you were framed, it’s just a meaningless death.
“Ughhhh. Dad is dead!”
Shurka Baloz, executed for treason.
Rodion Vladizev died of pneumonia.
Ekaterina Vladizhev, died of an epidemic.
Astiya Vladijev, killed in battle against barbarians.
There were far too many wrongful deaths to ponder over.
