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A while after the victory gala ended, I stepped out onto the balcony of the Claudel manor. Marius had been kind enough to offer us a room at the estate for the night, so we didn't have to worry about finding an inn.
"Oh, Orun-san. Good evening. I'm sorry for calling you out so late."
As I reached the balcony, Sophia, who had been staring up at the moon, noticed me and spoke up.
"Don't worry about it. You really do love the moon, don't you, Sophia?"
"I suppose so. It is the motif of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky, after all. Looking up at it makes me feel like I’m being given strength."
As she spoke, Sophia’s expression was incredibly bright.
"...I think you’ve already guessed, but I was talking with my brother—ah, Marius-san—until just now. It might be the first time in my life we've actually spoken properly."
"The meeting he called you away for during the gala, then. Since you're calling him 'brother,' I take it you two managed to reconcile?"
"Yes. I always believed my brother hated me. But after talking with him, I realized he’s actually been protecting me all this time."
Sophia then shared the details of her conversation with Marius.
It turned out that Marius was a man of deep affection. He had apparently built a wonderful relationship with Selma as her brother and had wanted the same with Sophia, but their circumstances hadn't allowed it.
While Marius and Selma’s biological mother was the former Countess, Sophia’s mother had been a servant who died during childbirth. The former Countess was obsessed with lineage and had been deeply displeased that commoner blood had entered the Claudel house.
Marius realized that if he showed any public affection for Sophia, the Countess’s hostility toward her would only intensify. To prevent his parents' negative emotions from being directed at his youngest sister, he had maintained a front of cold indifference while working behind the scenes to safeguard her position.
"...I used to think my sister was my only family, but I was wrong. From the moment I was born, I had a brother, too. Realizing that makes me so happy! The Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky is my home, but now I have another place where I belong."
"That’s wonderful, Sophia."
"It is!"
Since I no longer have a family of my own, the complexities of kin don't quite resonate with me. However, I can imagine that being estranged from family despite them being right there must be painful in its own way. That’s why I was truly glad she had found peace with her brother.
"And, um... the reason I asked you to come here, Orun-san, was because there was something I wanted to tell you."
"Something you wanted to tell me...?"
Unsure of her intent, I repeated her words. She gave a firm nod and continued.
"On the day you became our Master, you asked us a question, didn't you? You said, 'Tell me your dreams and goals.'"
"I remember. You told me then that you became an explorer specifically to find a dream or a goal. Does this mean you've finally found it?"
"Yes. I have. I want to be like the moon—shining through the darkness to light the way for everyone."
Sophia answered with a beaming smile.
"...I think there are many people out there like me and Carol who have suffered through painful experiences. And if the war between the Kingdom and the Empire gets worse, the children of today and the ones yet to be born will face a very harsh world. I want to be someone who can dispel that darkness and guide them through it."
"A guide for others, huh? That's a noble dream. But it won't be an easy path."
"I know. Or at least, I think I do. But I’ve made up my mind. I'm going to become even stronger for that sake—both in mind and body. Just you watch, Orun-san. One day, I’ll even overtake you and my sister!"
Sophia turned a piercing, straightforward gaze toward me. It was an expression I couldn't have imagined from her when we first met.
I see. She already has the strength to move forward on her own now. My help might not even be necessary anymore. It was a little bittersweet, but ultimately, it was exactly what I should be celebrating.
"You've certainly learned to talk big. I won't let you pass me that easily, you know?"
"It wouldn't be worth the chase if you did! I wouldn't have it any other way!"
As she laughed beneath the brilliant moonlight, her expression was the most radiant I had ever seen.
Thank you for reading to the end. With this, Chapter Six concludes.
It was a longer road than I initially envisioned, but I have finally made it this far! As I mentioned in the afterword for Chapter Five, Chapter Six was a lead-up; in a sense, the real story begins with Chapter Seven.
I plan to gradually provide answers to the mysteries I’ve been hinting at, so please look forward to it!
The next update will be on Friday, November 3rd. I apologize to the readers who have been waiting, but I appreciate your patience and understanding.
Thank you for your continued support!