Chapter 157

Chapter 157: Waking up in the Morning
Episode 157 – Waking up in the Morning
[Morning, Fai!]
A pleasant and gentle voice entered my ear . At that moment, it felt as if any damage I took on my heart from the fight last night instantly healed .
When I slowly opened my eyes, there was the smiling face of Roxy right in front of me, bathed in the morning sunlight .
[Morning . ]
[You slept so soundly . You did not even wake up once no matter how many times I prodded your cheek . Could it be because of the evening study?]
[Probably half of it . ]
[You!]
The private tutoring…recalling back on how strict Roxy was when tutoring me, I suppose it’s only natural if I got tired .
I was just trying to be honest, but still got myself a light poke in the forehead anyway .
It wasn’t hurt actually, more like a playful one .
[Sorry . ]
[No need to apologize . I also think that Fai’s schedule yesterday was too hectic . But it is fine as long as Fai learns everything I have to teach you very quickly . If you can keep that up, I believe you will soon hold an important role in the capital!]
[Ahahaha…I don’t think that I’m suited for that kind of position . ]
[What are you talking about? Fai is the current head of Barbatos family . You need to be more knowledgeable as a part of the five great families . No need to worry though . I am going to teach you everything!]
[……please be gentle to me . ]
Roxy was already in high tension this early in the morning as she raised her fist up to the sky .
There’s no stopping her now . Today’s lecture would most likely be even harsher than yesterday .
And I would probably fall asleep on the desk again . Ah, right!
[Thank you for yesterday . ]
[Nn? What do you mean?]
[I mean, I fell asleep on the desk last night, right? But I woke up in my bed . Roxy must’ve carried me, haven’t you?]
[That is right . I may look like this, but I am actually pretty strong . ]
Of course . She is after all, a Holy Knight .
Back when I was still working as a Heart Family servant . I still remember… . how she split the gemstone I gave her as a present in two with her bare hands . She’s also more than capable of fighting monsters on her own .
Of course it’ll be easy for her to carry my body .
I chuckled from imagining the sight of Roxy carrying me from the desk to the bed .
[Now that I think about it, where did Roxy sleep last night then?]
[Why of course, I slept here!]
[EEEEeee!! For real!?]
[Yes, I did . It was really rough!]
[No way… don’t tell me]
In my head, the faces of Eris and Mimir immediately came to mind . Moreso, they had a fearless smile on their faces .
[It was just as Fai expected . The battle last night was fierce . ]
Looking around, I only realized how messy my room was . Seeing me looking around, Roxy immediately apologized .
[Sorry . I didn’t mean to ruin Fai’s room…]
As I started to pick up the stuff piling up on the floor and returned them to where they belonged, something suddenly popped out from under the pile . This is… The scorpion tail… Could it be!?
Before I knew it, Snow already grabbed on me .
She appeared to be still half asleep, as she started to open her eyes with a yawn .
[Morning!]
[You…why are you here?]
[Everyone was playing around happily, so I joined in . ]
[They weren’t playing though!]
According to Roxy, last night was a rough three-way battle . Snow apparently sneaked into the room without their notice .
[But Fate was asleep, and everyone ignored me, so I decided to sleep here . ]
[Buried in all that stuff? You really are a deep sleeper, aren’t you…]
I pinched Snow’s cheek playfully, then turned back to Roxy as I noticed that she’s staring at me .
[Ermm, what is it?]
[Even if you say that, Fai is also the same . No matter how tired, you should’ve at least woke up once with all the fuss last night, but you didn’t . ]
[Now that you mention it… You’re right . Ahahaha… . ]
I was trapped in the spiritual world, forced to fight off my shadow . Of course I couldn’t wake up .
[Nn? Is there something wrong?]
[Nah…I was just really tired . ]
Roxy had enough trouble as it is . I don’t want to burden her with more .
That’s why I told her a white lie .
[Many things happened even before we reached Hauzen, so I suppose it cannot be helped . Especially with Fai meeting your father . ]
[My Dad, huh… Honestly I don’t know if I should be happy or not to see that he’s alive . ]
[I think I could relate a little . My father is also revived… I am happy, but at the same time I wonder if it is a good thing or not . In Fai’s case, the mystery behind your father’s actions really did not help either . ]
[From stealing the philosopher’s stone to kidnapping Raine… He really went wild . ]
But Roxy was quick to remind me .
[But he helped us back in the desert, did he not?]
[… . Un . ]
At that time, it felt like the Dad I knew from my childhood had returned to me . However, him trying to open the door to his land had made us enemies .
[Since their purpose is similar, I think Dad will also be here just like Myne . ]
[I think you are right… I am also worried about that Libra we met at the oasis . ]
In the discussion with Seto yesterday, I asked him if there were people who resembled Libra or my Dad coming to Hauzen . Unfortunately, after the reconstruction was over, too many people had come to visit Hauzen to take note of a particular person .
Due to the lack of manpower, the checkups had been kept light .
It was a stroke of luck that there is a report of someone resembling Myne entering Hauzen .
Letting Snow sit on the bed, I continued with cleaning up my room .
[Alright, looks decent now, doesn’t it?]
[Looks good . Alright then, go change your clothes . When Fai is ready, let us have breakfast . ]
[Yeah… . . Nn? Don’t tell me, Roxy is the one cooking the breakfast?]
[Why of course . Fufufufu…]
Taking Snow with her, Roxy winked at me .
That was a sign of confidence . She must’ve put her mind and soul to prepare this breakfast .
[Fai, I will catch you later . ]
[Bye bye, Fate!]
[Breakfast, huh . ]
Holding hand with Roxy, Snow waved her free hand at me as they walked away . I guess she had gotten used to Roxy along the way to Hauzen .
After this, I wish she can also get along with Eris… Although I felt that it would be difficult .
Snow was a Sacred Beastkin . On the other hand, Eris had a past grudge to the Sacred Beastkin . Libra for the most part . Snow’s presence might cause her to recall all the bad memories of the past .
Like during yesterday’s dinner . Eris was all smiles when Snow was around her, but she’s also sweating profusely at the same time . Most likely because her trauma flared up .
The unusually dull expression that appeared on Eris’ face back then came to mind . Can she actually fight Libra under this condition? It worries me .
I quickly changed my clothes and left my room . Not to forget bringing Greed with me as well .
『It was tough on you yesterday . 』
[At some point I was wondering what will I end up with . ]
『Luna said that she’ll strengthen the defense of the spiritual world . That shadow will not attack again tomorrow . 』
[Good to hear that . I was worried that I’ll have to face it everyday . ]
Now then, after breakfast, maybe I should head out to the town?
I need to check the location where Myne was last seen according to the report . I also wanted to see how far the city has been developed .