Let’s Block the Ruined Route in Advance

The incident was triggered by the execution of Operation Cordelia Munchkin.

 

Drawing on her past life as a Rofan reader, Eileen set up a taunt to enrage the villain, Luis Roban.

 

Eileen’s plan was to use herself as bait to get under Luis’s skin and enrage him, and then when he was enraged, she would cause an “accident” and resolve it in a way that would make Cordelia look good.

 

This will at least keep Cordelia from being unhappy in the Duchy of Gaudium.

 

A plan that ended up enraging the Duke and Duchess at the door, but for now.

 “Is that what you’ve been saying all class, how dare you insult the Duke of Gaudium’s benefactor?” 

Oslo and the knights hurriedly led Theresa and the children outside as the glass began to shatter.

 “My lady, it is dangerous here, we must leave.” “Be careful not to splash glass on the ladies.” 

As they disappeared into the courtyard, a noise came from the annex, but Theresia didn’t even look at it, instead turning to Eileen.

 

“What little talent you have for a duke,” he said, “and now you are so young, and if you remain so, when you grow a little, your uselessness will be revealed! You shall be cast out at once! You are a base thing!”

 

The ferocity of his words against the child made Theresia barely breathe even now. Sinking to her knees, oblivious to the soaking of her clothes, Theresia clasped Eileen’s hands in hers.

 “Eileen, what that man said to you…” “It’s okay, I don’t care what he said. I’m sorry I bothered you.” 

Eileen just laughed. The plan had failed, but now that she had proven herself in the duke’s good graces, no one would be able to ignore Cordelia, and she smiled at the thought. She didn’t notice her hands trembling slightly.

 

‘Maybe she means more to me than I thought. We won’t get into any more trouble here, we’ll be fine.’

 

She would be lying if she said she wasn’t afraid of the screaming Luis did in his ghost form. What child wouldn’t be afraid of the wrath of a grown man twice her size? She choked as the reality of a situation that would have been exciting to read about in a book dawned on her.

 

But it had to be done, she really thought.

 

The immediate threat was something she had to take in order not to lose the people she cared about. It was the only way she could keep her place and her role.

 

So.

 “It’s okay.” 

Theresia pulled Eileen into a hug. Gently, she wrapped her arms around the small shoulders and guided the trembling head into her arms.

 “…Yes? I… I’m okay.” “It’s okay, honey, it’s okay.” 

It was such a strange feeling for Eileen.

 

An adult taking care of her. Held and soothed. Patting her on the back.

 

A feeling she never thought she’d have. It was so foreign, like wearing someone else’s clothes, that Eileen didn’t react easily.

 “It’s okay, I’m sorry I didn’t notice it before.” “Really… it’s okay.” 

Eileen felt like she was losing track of what was okay and what wasn’t, and yet the warmth of her embrace made her feel lazy, like she didn’t want to leave.

 

After remembering her previous life, being abandoned, meeting Cordelia, and seeing dozens of visions of the original story full of destruction, she had to figure it out. So, she saved the dying Lucian and left the orphanage, which was all she had.

 

Because she was an adult and only, she knew the future.

 

Responsibility came naturally. She wondered if it was really hard.

 “Maybe I was just a little tired.” 

The warmth of the hug made Eileen cry a little, and soon her walls crumbled, and tears poured down.

 

Tears she’d never let out before spilled clumsily out into the world.

 

Theresia and Cordelia stayed with her until she fell asleep from exhaustion.

  

* * *

  “Did he kill him?” “Miss, it’s not pretty here. You need to get back to your room.” “He’s still here.” 

Cordelia went back to the annex as soon as she was sure Eileen was asleep in Theresia’s arms.

 

She didn’t say a word, but she could see how angry she was by the tightening of her lips and the fluttering of her eyes

.

 

The knights peered in and stopped them with puzzled expressions. A disheveled Luis clutched the duke’s loincloth and begged.

 

The duke looked at Cordelia and ruffled her hair.

 “Whoa, go back to your room. This guy’s going to get what he deserves.” “Excuse me, I have to do something.” “…?” 

Confused, the Duke raised an eyebrow. Nodding to see what she was doing, Cordelia stepped inside and turned to face him.

 

The child’s face was expressionless, as if the sight of the bloodstained place wasn’t frightening enough. The expressionlessness, almost cold, was a side of her she had never shown Eileen.

 “Co-Cordelia!” 

The duke’s hand was stepped on by a toothless, mispronounced Luis, who reached for the child’s skirt as if he saw salvation. Cordelia, who had been staring at him like a leper, opened her mouth.

 “If I’d known it was like Eileen said, I would have done it first.” 

Lynn. The child’s cold voice summoned her spirit. The water wolf seemed to respond to its master’s emotions, appearing even larger and more ferocious than usual.

 “Ugh…” 

Luis’ spirit was violently manifested by a spirit of much greater power than his own. It took the form of a small fish and tried to wriggle away, but it was bound by a contract and could not leave his side.

 “Eat, Lynn.” “What! No!!!!” 

The large wolf simply devoured Luis’s spirit. He twisted in pain in the aftermath of the forced breaking of their bond.

 “Don’t worry. I didn’t kill it, and I’m going to set it free. It’s too poor to be chained to a scum.” 

Stroking the wolf affectionately, Cordelia continued.

 “I wonder if any of the spirits will give future contracts to someone who can’t keep his own.” 

Luis’s eyes widened in horror and despair. Giggling at the sight, Cordelia turned and left the room.

  

* * *

  “Mmm.” “Ah, Eileen. You’re awake!” 

Lucian, who had entered the room carrying a large teddy bear, threw it down and rushed to the bed where Eileen lay. 

 

Eileen, who had just woken up and was unsure of what was going on, looked around and saw stuffed animals all over the bed, as if to envelop her.

 

Lucian narrowed his eyes and watched Eileen’s reaction. His black hair, which had carried the dolls a moment ago, was covered in white doll strings.

 

When she saw it, she burst out laughing. She woke up crying, but somehow, she felt better.

 “Ahaha!” 

Lucian’s face lit up as Eileen laughed. If he had a tail, it would have wagged, an

d Lucian laughed in relief. But soon he spoke with a somber face.

 “I’m sorry, I should have been there to help Eileen, but I was in sword training and couldn’t keep up with my father.” 

Eileen shook her head.

 “Never mind. Don’t apologize. I’m just grateful for your kindness. And that stuffed animal is cute.” 

Picking up the bunny, Eileen grabbed one of its hands and waved it in Lucian’s direction.

 

Lucian’s vision flickers for a moment as he looks at the doll and Eileen, then he drops to one knee, as if imitating a knight, and politely takes the doll’s hand.

 “Eh?” “I’m late this time, but next time I’ll protect you, and I’ll be stronger, stronger than father, and I won’t let you cry or anything!” 

It’s going to be hard to be stronger than the swordmaster.

 

Eileen giggled in anticipation, but Lucian said he wasn’t joking.

 “Yeah, yeah. Come on. Future Swordmaster.” “I’m serious, just wait. I’ll save you next time!” 

It would be better if he didn’t have to do anything dangerous, Eileen thought, which was a nice gesture.

 “Eileen!” “Oh, you’re awake.” 

Theresia came in with Cordelia and the honey water.

 

Eileen took the honey water and smiled awkwardly. They didn’t know how to react, thinking they’d seen every ugly thing there was to see.

 

Then Theresia looked at Eileen and grinned wickedly. Then she playfully ruffled the child’s hair.

 “Awww.” “Eileen, it’s okay if you don’t trust us yet.” “…….” “But we care about you and we’ll stay here with you until you’re brave enough.” 

Eileen fidgeted unnecessarily with her tangled hair. After a moment, a very thin, very small voice came out of her mouth, still.

 “It’s…” 

A pleasant silence fell over the room. The honey water tasted so sweet.

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