Chapter 97: Back home
The next morning, I woke up to find it strangely difficult to breathe.
After several seconds of confusion, I realized the reason.
Lillith was lying directly on top of me.
Not partially on top of me, but completly.
Both arms were wrapped tightly around my torso while her face was buried into my chest.
I sighed.
"Lillith."
Her grip tightened.
"Lillith."
"No."
I blinked.
"No?"
"No."
I could already tell where this was going.
Slowly, Lillith raised her head and looked down at me.
Her eyes were slightly red.
"Please don’t leave."
I paused.
The desperation in her voice wasn’t something I heard often.
"I’ve really liked these past few weeks."
Her grip tightened again.
"I got to see you every day, and do so many nice things with you."
"Lillith—"
"And now you’re leaving again."
I sighed softly.
"Lillith we talked about this yesterday."
"No."
She shook her head.
"Last night I decided I’m not letting you leave."
I stared at her.
"But we already agreed to this yesterday."
"I don’t care."
I couldn’t help smiling slightly.
"Lillith, please remember what I told you yesterday."
She looked away.
"I know."
"We always find each other again."
"I don’t want to find you again."
Her voice became quieter.
"I want to keep you besides me."
I honestly didn’t know how to respond to that.
After a moment I gently placed a hand on her head.
"I’ll write letters this time."
That immediately got her attention.
She looked back at me.
"Really?"
"Really."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
She continued staring at me for several seconds.
As if trying to determine whether I was lying.
Eventually she slowly nodded and reluctantly loosened her grip.
It honestly looked physically painful for her.
"You absolutely promise?"
"Yes."
"Absolutely?"
"Yes."
She finally released me completely and I immediately sat up before she changed her mind.
A while later, after getting dressed and gathering my belongings, I was ready to leave.
Lillith followed me the entire time.
Naturally.
At one point she asked if I could leave at night instead.
"It takes days to reach Aldric territory."
She looked disappointed.
"But—"
"I need to leave now."
Lillith looked like she was personally being wronged by reality itself.
———————
A while later, I arrived outside where the wagons were waiting.
Most of my workers were already gathered.
Tools, supplies, excess materials and equipment had been loaded during the early morning hours.
Several workers greeted me as I approached.
I returned the greetings before climbing into one of the wagons.
Silvia climbed in after me.
The moment she did, Lillith’s eye twitched.
"Why does she have to come?"
I sighed.
"Because she’s important."
"How?"
"The Oil."
Lillith looked even less convinced than before.
"She’s still a dumb stupid stray cat."
I decided not to argue, instead I looked toward her.
For a moment neither of us spoke.
Then Lillith stepped closer, a lot closer.
"So you’re really leaving."
"Yes."
"I hate this."
"I know."
"You’ll write?"
"Yes."
"You’ll come back?"
"Always."
That finally made her smile.
A small one but a genuine one.
Then she stepped forward and hugged me tightly.
"I’ll miss you."
I returned the hug.
"I’ll miss you too."
Lillith looked up and me while I looked down at her, both of us right within the others embrace just staring at each other.
Slowly we moved our faces closer and our lips gently collided against each other.
For several moments neither of us moved, but eventually we separated and I got into the wagon.
The wagons began moving, slowly at first and then steadily rolling down the road.
I looked back and waved.
Lillith waved back with the most blissful and innocent smile I’d ever seen her make.
For a brief moment, everything seemed surprisingly normal.
Then Silvia suddenly popped her head out the back of the wagon.
The beastkin girl immediately dragged a finger beneath one eye and stuck her tongue out.
"Blehhh!"
Silence.
Then—
"YOU STUPID CAT!"
Even from this distance I heard it.
Then came more shouting.
More insults.
More threats.
Most of it was incomprehensible.
The only words I could clearly make out were—
"STUPID CAT!"
"THIEF!"
"GET BACK HERE!"
I slowly turned around.
I wasn’t getting involved.
Eventually the manor disappeared into the distance.
The shouting vanished with it and Silvia looked very pleased with herself.
She then climbed over and settled onto my legs.
"That scary lady won’t be where we’re going, right?"
I laughed.
"No."
"Good."
She nodded firmly.
"I like this place already."
———————
The following days passed fairly peacefully.
The journey back toward Aldric territory wasn’t particularly exciting.
Most of my time was spent reviewing notes and sketching improvements for the combustion engine.
Meanwhile Silvia spent most of her time either sleeping or asking questions.
Mostly questions.
By the time we finally reached Aldric territory, I was convinced she could ask about literally anything.
The moment the familiar manor came into view, I felt a sense of relief.
Home.
The wagons rolled through the gates.
Workers immediately began unloading equipment while others headed toward the industrial district.
I climbed down from the wagon and Silvia immediately attached herself to my leg.
I looked down.
She was staring around wide-eyed.
Everything here was new to her.
"Come on."
She nodded.
Then followed me through the manor entrance.
Several servants immediately noticed us.
Or more specifically—
They noticed Silvia.
Eventually one gathered enough courage to speak.
"Master Leon..."
"Yes?"
The servant pointed toward Silvia.
"Why is there a beastkin child attached to your leg?"
I paused.
Then looked down at Silvia who then looked up at me before then looking back at the servant.
I sighed.
"It’s a long story."
The servant nodded.
Though judging by his expression, he definitely wanted the long version.
Unfortunately, I kept walking.
As we moved deeper into the manor, more servants stared.
Some looked confused.
Others looked curious.
One simply looked concerned.
Eventually I passed my father’s study.
As I did, I heard muttering coming from inside.
I slowed slightly.
The voice sounded frustrated.
Very frustrated.
"I’m sorry but I’m under strict orders."
A second voice answered.
Then more muttering followed.
The muttering continued from inside my father’s study.
After standing outside for several seconds, I finally knocked.
"Come in."
I pushed open the door.
Inside, I immediately found my father sitting behind his desk.
Opposite him sat a man in heavy armor bearing the Nightbane crest across his chest.
The two looked toward me.
The knight’s eyes lingered on Silvia for a moment before returning to my father.
Then he sighed.
"Again, I apologize."
His voice sounded genuinely regretful.
"But these are strict orders."
My father didn’t answer.
The knight continued.
"This operation will help bring an end to the war."
His expression became slightly strained.
"I’m truly sorry sir, but you will just have to endure."
The room fell silent.
A few moments later the knight stood up.
He bowed respectfully and turned to walk towards the door.
As he passed me, I noticed the tired look on his face.
The expression wasn’t one of arrogance or indifference.
It looked more like guilt.
A moment later he disappeared down the hallway.
I closed the door behind him.
Then turned back toward my father.
His elbows rested on the desk while both hands covered his face.
For several moments neither of us spoke.
Then I finally asked.
"Everything alright?"
My father laughed.
A bitter laugh.
"Quite frankly?"
He lowered his hands.
"No."
That immediately got my attention.
My father wasn’t someone who complained often.
If he said things weren’t alright—
They probably weren’t.
He leaned back into his chair.
Then looked directly at me.
"Do you remember the incident with the B-rank mage?"
I stared at him for a moment.
Then slowly patted my left leg.
A metallic clink echoed through the room.
"Of course."
I laughed slightly.
"How could I possibly forget?"
My father didn’t smile but he nodded.
"Then you’ll remember what happened afterward."
I became more serious.
"The Nightbane reinforcements?"
"Exactly."
My father folded his hands together.
"After the attack, Duke Nightbane deployed additional forces to support the border."
I nodded.
I remembered that a High B-rank mage along with several other highly trained solders where deployed into our territory.
The deployment had significantly strengthened the territory’s defenses.
My father then continued.
"Those reinforcements are being recalled."
I frowned.
"All of them?"
"Every single one."
That definitely wasn’t good.
"The same thing is happening across the kingdom."
His expression darkened.
"The duke, along with a couple other high ranking nobles and the crown are preparing a major offensive."
My father sighed.
"They intend to end the war with one big strike."
That certainly sounded ambitious.
Unfortunately, I already understood the problem.
If the major territories were gathering their forces—
The smaller border territories would be left exposed.
My father confirmed exactly that.
"The Aldric territory isn’t the only one affected."
He gestured toward a map spread across the desk.
"Several smaller border territories are losing troops."
The situation wasn’t ideal, not at all.
For a few moments I silently studied the map.
Then an idea appeared, causing my eyes to narrow slightly which father noticed.
"What are you thinking?"
I looked up.
Then spoke.
"I wanted to ask something."
His expression became cautious.
"That usually worries me."
I pointed toward the map.
"What if I armed some of our troops?"
My father blinked.
"With what?"
I stared at him.
"The rifles."
Recognition and intrigue immediately appeared on his face.
"The weapons you and Finn used against the B-rank mage?"
I nodded.
"Those rifles."
Silence filled the room as my father studied me carefully.
Then slowly asked.
"You can make more?"
I smiled.
"As many as you want."
That surprised him, I then continued.
"The production methods are finished."
I crossed my arms.
"The factories are running."
Then I grinned.
"And Blackwater’s processing facility has been completed for a while now."
His eyes widened slightly.
"You can mass-produce this gunpowder too?"
For several moments my father simply stared at me.
Then he leaned back in his chair.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Considering.
Eventually he spoke.
"How effective are these weapons?"
I immediately answered.
"You’ve already seen the results."
The room became quiet.
Neither of us needed to mention the B-rank mage.
My father slowly nodded.
Then made a decision.
"Fine."
I smiled.
He pointed at me.
"I’m giving you ten men."
He leaned forward.
"You will train them."
I nodded.
"And?"
His eyes narrowed.
"And I will personally observe the results."
Fair.
Actually more than fair.
If rifles really worked as well on the battlefield as they did in small engagements—
Everything would change.
My mind immediately began calculating.
Training schedules.
Production quotas.
Ammunition requirements.
Maintenance procedures.
Field testing.
The list grew longer by the second.
Meanwhile my father looked increasingly concerned.
Probably because he recognized that expression.
The expression I always got before creating something dangerous.
"Leon."
"Hm?"
"Try not to start a military revolution."
I looked at him.
Then looked away.
My father immediately sighed.
"You already are, aren’t you?"
I smiled.
Which unfortunately answered the question.
From behind the desk outside of my father vision Silvia looked up.
Then finally spoke for the first time since entering.
"What’s a military revolution?"
My father groaned, after noticing the random child I had attached to my legs.
My father stared at Silvia for several seconds.
"Do I even want to know?"
I looked down and Silvia stared back up at me with a innocent expression looked back up at me.
Then toward my father.
"It’s a, complicated story."
My father immediately groaned.
That answer apparently told him everything he needed to know.
I stood up from my chair.
"Anyway."
I stretched slightly.
"Send the soldiers to the industrial district tomorrow."
My father raised an eyebrow.
"That’s it?"
"That’s it."
"You’re not even going to explain anything?"
I shrugged.
"I’ll show you instead."
His expression somehow became even more worried, which was understandable.
Usually when I said that, something exploded shortly afterward.
Thankfully, before he could ask more questions, I started heading for the door.
Silvia followed immediately still attached to me.
I wasn’t entirely sure how she managed it.
A moment later we entered the hallway.
The manor was considerably busier than before.
Servants moved throughout the corridors carrying documents, supplies and various items while discussing the recent military developments.
Most of them stared at Silvia as we passed to which she always stared back them.
A few minutes later, we rounded a corner.
Then almost walked directly into my mother.
She immediately smiled.
"Leon."
"Mother."
She stepped forward and hugged me briefly.
Then her gaze drifted downward.
Toward Silvia, smile vanished but not completely, although it definitely changed.
The expression became more concerned.
More confused along with a hint of worry.
"Leon."
"Yes?"
She pointed downward.
"Whose child is this?"
Silvia immediately hid behind my leg peeking a fraction of her head out to look at my mother.
I sighed.
Here we go again.
"Her name is Silvia."
My mother blinked.
Then looked at Silvia again.
The beastkin girl slowly leaned out from behind me.
White ears twitching occasionally .
My mother looked surprised.
"A beastkin?"
I nodded.
Then briefly explained everything and eventually I had finished my explanation.
"...and after I finish helping arm the territory, I’ll take her home."
My mother listened quietly.
Then slowly nodded.
Unlike most people, she didn’t immediately bombard me with questions.
Instead she crouched down.
Bringing herself to Silvia’s eye level.
The beastkin girl immediately looked nervous as she retreated behind me more.
My mother smiled gently.
"Hello."
Silvia hesitated but then quietly waved.
"Is my son treating you well?"
Silvia immediately nodded.
Very enthusiastically.
"He gives me lots of food, and head pats."
My mother’s smile widened.
I immediately knew what was coming as she slowly turned toward me, the look in her eyes said everything.
"Don’t."
"That’s adorable."
"Mother."
She ignored me.
Then returned her attention to Silvia.
"Has he been nice to you?"
Silvia nodded again.
"Mostly."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Mostly?"
Silvia pointed at me.
"He won’t let me eat with my hands."
My mother laughed.
After a few moments, my mother stood back up.
Then gently patted Silvia’s head.
The beastkin girl immediately seemed pleased.
Apparently she had become addicted to head pats from anybody.
Wonderful.
My mother then looked toward me.
"I hope everything goes well."
I nodded.
"Me too."
Her expression softened slightly.
Then she reached up and fixed part of my collar.
Like she always did.
Even now.
"Try not to get yourself killed."
"I’ll do my best."
"That answer doesn’t inspire confidence."
"Fair."
She sighed.
Then smiled.
"Just come back safe."
I nodded.
"I will."
A moment later she continued down the corridor.
Several servants followed behind her.
Silvia watched until she disappeared around the corner.
Then she looked up at me.
"Your mother is nice."
I smiled slightly.
"Yeah."
"She gives good head pats."
I laughed, of course that was her main takeaway.
A few moments later, Silvia grabbed onto my sleeve.
"Where are we going now?"
I thought about it for a moment.
Tomorrow I’d be training soldiers.
Testing rifles.
Possibly changing warfare.
But today—
Today I had something far more important.
I grinned.
"Finn."
Silvia blinked.
"Who’s Finn?"
I started walking.
"The person who’s going to be the most annoyed about meeting you."
Silvia immediately looked excited.
And somehow that made me feel very sorry for Finn.
