A Genius Boy Who Was Exiled From His Family Home for “Not Being Able To Use Magic” Becomes a Witch’s Apprentice and Masters All Magic in the Right Way. This Is How You Use Your Magic, You Know?

Chapter 154. The End Of The Turmoil

Once a tentative plan was settled. It was already late at night, and without a nearby town, Hermes and his party began preparing to camp out where they were.

Fortunately, Jurgen had brought along a full set of supplies when he escaped from the Trakia household. In a strange twist of fate, his past experience escaping with Katia, who was once falsely accused, proved useful, and he had prepared everything they would need.

…That said, everyone here, aside from Hermes, were all royals or nobles. None were particularly skilled in these methods, so inevitably, most of the preparations fell to Hermes. Of course, everyone did their best to contribute, and above all…

“Master! I’ve finished gathering firewood!”

“Master, is there anything else you’d like me to do?”

“Please tell me anything you need, Master!”

As you can see, Liliana was more active than expected. She moved her small body tirelessly, showing no sign of exhaustion from the day’s turmoil. Surely, she’d never done such a muddy job before, but she worked without a single complaint.

Thanks to everyone’s efforts, despite the many inexperienced hands, the camp preparations were completed without incident. They were able to prepare for bed early in anticipation of tomorrow’s journey.

As the night deepened, the plants and trees lay still. Hermes sat beside the tent to keep watch, under the gentle moonlight filtering through the trees. There were two tents. The group was split three to three, male and female, so the arrangement was settled without debate. By now, Katia, Sara, and Liliana should be resting in the other tent.

“…”

As he gazed at the clear full moon, Hermes was lost in thought. Assessing their current state, re-evaluating plans, predicting actions—he’d gotten into the habit of thinking things through alone thanks to his magical research. And so, as he sank into contemplation, searching for a way to overcome their dire situation—

“…Hermes-san.”

A voice broke his thoughts. Looking up, as he expected, he saw the blonde-haired girl standing beside him.

“—Sara-sama. Is something the matter?”

Her expression was too serious for it to be simply a case of sleeplessness. It seemed something was on her mind. True to his guess, Sara, in a slightly strained yet gentle voice, pointed toward her tent and spoke.

“Would you go to the other tent? …I’ll take over the watch.”

The reason for Sara’s words became clear the moment he entered the tent. …Actually, he’d already anticipated it.

“…ah. …ngh…”

In the middle of the tent. In the bed where the young, red-haired girl lay asleep. —Stifled sobs escaped from within.

It was likely worrying her; Hermes sensed Katia, the girl on her left, was also awake, and he had received her permission to enter beforehand.

Hermes approached the center of the room and crouched down. Finally noticing his presence, Liliana lifted her face in surprise.

“—Master?!”

She hadn’t expected him to be there, and her voice rose in shock. Realizing what was happening, she looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment.

“Wh-what are you doing? Even as my master, entering a maiden’s sleeping quarters without permission is—”

“Lily-sama.”

Cutting her off gently, Hermes spoke her name.

There was no need for her to explain. Even in the dim light, her puffy eyes and the damp spot on her pillow told him everything. —She had been crying. Alone, muffling her sobs in bed so no one would hear.

…It was only natural. No matter how firm her resolve, how strong her determination. So much… had happened. Far too many cruel and tragic things had befallen an eleven-year-old girl in a single day.

There was no way she could simply ignore all that. No, it was because she chose not to ignore it—because she decided to face it—that the weight of it all was bearing down on her now.

And so, Hermes asked.

“I apologize for entering without permission, Lily-sama… but I couldn’t just leave you be.”

“!”

“…Is there anything I can do for you?”

Just as she seemed about to answer, Liliana pursed her lips, hesitating, then spoke in a faint, uncertain voice.

“P-please don’t…”

She said.

“Please don’t, don’t spoil me. …I’ve decided not to rely on others, to do my best on my own. So…”

“…”

…This was no surprise. Liliana had thrown herself wholeheartedly into helping with the camp preparations. She worked tirelessly, giving her all, not stopping to think.

—If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have been able to bear it. If she hadn’t kept herself occupied, she couldn’t have avoided facing the weight of everything she bore.

And so, as she tried to sleep. The moment she lay down alone, with nothing to occupy her mind, it all surged over her.

Yet still, she tried to shoulder it all herself. She tried to bear it alone, even if it meant shedding silent tears. Such resolve is indeed admirable, but—

“…You won’t last, Lily-sama.”

A voice other than Hermes’s interrupted. Liliana looked up to see Katia.

“…Katia?”

“Your resolve is admirable. But… constantly tightening your heart will only lead you to a breaking point. You must sense this yourself, don’t you?”

There was weight in her words—weight that could only come from someone who had experienced such a breaking point firsthand.

“Katia-sama is right.”

“…Master.”

Hermes added his support to Katia’s words.

“You resolved to move forward, and you achieved results. That’s more than enough for today.”

“…!”

“Besides… it would make me a little lonely if you suddenly stopped relying on me.”

With a soft smile, he gently placed a hand on her head. …It seemed this was her limit.

“…Ah…uh…!”

Liliana clung to him. And then, a muffled sobbing sound began.

Hermes held her small, warm, soft form in his arms. Katia also stood up and placed a hand on Liliana’s back.

A faint, questioning voice emerged. She mourned her changed siblings. She grieved the enormous things she had lost in just one day. She vented all her frustrations, sorrow, and despair. They accepted everything. And then, once more. Liliana performed the ritual that would allow her to move forward.

With this, she had finished preparing to rise again tomorrow. Liliana, finally, returned to her bed. …Incidentally, Hermes stayed with her.

“…Only until I fall asleep. So please, stay with me…”

With her remaining tears glistening in her delicate gaze, Hermes couldn’t refuse. With Katia on her other side, he took turns with her to soothe Liliana, receive her words, and provide warmth.

After a while, exhausted from crying, Liliana’s breathing grew steady in sleep. With one last gentle stroke of her soft red hair, he realized his task was complete.

“…She turned out to be much stronger than I thought.”

Timed perfectly, Katia’s voice drifted over from where she lay opposite.

“We spoke about many things before you came… but not once did she say ‘no.’ ──Even though I thought there was no point in it.”

There was an unmistakable warmth and respect in her tone. …To be honest, the relationship between Katia and Liliana hadn’t always been the best, from Hermes’ perspective.

Though they respected each other due to their positions, Hermes recalled many times when they subtly competed within that framework.

When asked about it…

“…Well, I won’t deny it. Because, well… it felt unfair. It’s a bit much to say this, but she was like someone there just to learn from you… and she clung to you without hesitation.”

She spoke while averting her eyes, with a touch of embarrassment and jealousy in her expression. …Hermes sensed she didn’t want to delve any deeper, so he decided to change the topic.

“…Today was quite eventful.”

“…Yes, it truly was.”

An audience with the king, a meeting with Liliana’s siblings, a reunion with Laplace. Then came the night-time palace assault, the seizure of the capital. And the subsequent escape.

…Thinking back, it seemed impossible to believe that all this had happened in a single day. He doubted even he would believe such a tale had he told it to himself that morning.

“…What do we do from here?”

Katia asked cautiously.

“For now, I plan to follow the Duke’s lead. We lack information and need to gather whatever we can, even just fragments, from the northern rebellion.”

If all goes as planned, Hermes added,

“From there, we will gather our forces, make all the necessary preparations and countermeasures, and return to the capital. We will confront Laplace-sama and whatever unseen organizations stand against us. It’s easy to say… but the road ahead will undoubtedly be harsh.”

There was a hint of tension in his voice. For himself, harsh journeys were nothing new.

…But for everyone else?

As Hermes pondered, a soft hand rested atop his own. Looking up, he met the gaze of amethyst eyes.

“…It’ll be okay, Hermes.”

She spoke with a beautiful yet resolute voice.

“Wherever you go or whatever you do… I’ll be by your side.”

“──”

Guided by her words, he found himself nodding with a calm expression.

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

──Until they realized. In the late hours, inside the small tent, they lay down together within easy reach, with a sleeping child nestled between them, speaking as if in some private, gentle moment.

…This is… embarrassing, isn’t it?

“…………”

She, too, seemed to realize it, her face flushed as she glanced away, unable to find the words.

“…I should get going. We shouldn’t keep Lady Sara waiting.”

“Oh…”

Hermes stood up quickly. For some reason, Katia let out a faint, hesitant sound. Turning back, he saw her embarrassed by her slip.

“Y-Yes. Tomorrow comes early. Leave His Highness to me and rest as well.”

“Y-Yes.”

It felt like a familiar exchange, one that hadn’t happened in some time. With such trivial thoughts, Hermes exited the tent.

◆

He stepped out, calling to Sara, who had taken over the watch. After updating her on Liliana’s condition, she smiled with relief and returned inside.

…But as she was leaving, Sara paused and turned.

“…Hermes.”

“Yes?”

At her quiet call, Hermes met her gaze.

“I understand… now isn’t the time, and I’m sure Katia feels the same, but…”

Moonlight caught her blonde hair, highlighting her pale, youthful face tinged with red.

“…You’ve been focused entirely on Lady Liliana lately. I… would be glad if you could speak with me too.”

With that, she bowed slightly and hurried back to the tent, leaving Hermes momentarily breathless.

“…………”

Stunned by her words or her delicate, moonlit beauty, he stood motionless for a moment before resuming his watch.

Then…

“…Well, I can’t say anything.”

Albert, who had somehow woken, caught his eye.

“…Uh.”

“I really can’t say a thing. I’m considered too uptight for such matters.”

His face made clear that he simply didn’t want to comment. Staying true to his word, he moved straight to the point.

“It’s not yet time for a shift change, but you should rest. You’ll be bearing the heaviest burden.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Touched by Albert’s keen perception, Hermes expressed his gratitude and returned to the tent.

And thus…

The tumultuous day quietly came to a close.