I Kidnapped the Hero's Women-Chapter 189: Guilt and such (6)

"How is it? Can you feel the mana?"

"No... Not at all..."

Sylvia, with a downcast expression, bit her lips.

I drew my sword, holding it, but it seemed like the lack of mana still persisted.

Her slender arms were shaking, and holding the sword was difficult for her now. Her hand trembled as she held the sword.

Sylvia eventually released the sword from her hand,

and it was absorbed back into my chest.

"With my current strength, I can’t even swing it properly..."

"It'll be okay. We’ll find a way to overcome this soon."

"Really...?"

I gently patted Sylvia’s head in silence, offering comfort.

She had probably taken her duties as a bodyguard too seriously.

Even if Sylvia’s strength had weakened and she couldn’t use mana anymore, I had no intention of abandoning her.

'This girl... her cheeks are surprisingly soft...'

But was Sylvia’s head and her cheek always this pleasant to touch?

As I rubbed her, I felt a strange satisfaction that was hard to describe in words.

At that moment, I felt a sharp twinge on the back of my neck.

Startled, I turned around, only to find Charlotte and Yulia awkwardly hiding behind some bushes, staring in our direction.

Damn it. Did I give the future wives some kind of worry?

I quickly removed my hand from Sylvia’s face, and she immediately snapped out of her daze, taking a step back in surprise.

"Ah. Sorry. Your touch was so warm, I... didn't realize..."

"...It’s fine."

"But Master, your tone seems a bit softer and kinder towards me now."

"...It's just your imagination."

"Earlier, when we got off the carriage, you reached out to help me first."

"...I did that because it seemed inconvenient for you to get off."

"Before, you never reached out to me like that, but now you keep stroking my face whenever you get the chance."

"...

"Usually, when I’d just be standing in your office, you’d tell me to go into the shadows, saying I was being too noticeable. But now, you always invite me to sit next to you and even offer me a chair."

"...

"Clearly, your treatment of me has changed."

"...

Silence. Quietly. Hey, you guys...

The future wives are listening, you know.

The burning sensation in the back of my neck intensified as I realized that I might have unintentionally created some misunderstandings.

"I understand that you care a lot for the little ones, Master, but I’m fine."

"Sylvia..."

"You don’t have to go out of your way to care for me. I’ve just reverted to this appearance, but in reality, I’m still just a weak, useless bodyguard who can’t even detect or create mana. Please treat me as I am, Master."

"...

[The Evil God, 'Cali,' swallows tears in sorrow.]

Sylvia gazed up at me with her hand over her chest, her earnest eyes making my previously lighter mood sink.

Though her appearance may have changed, Sylvia still believed that her true nature hadn’t.

In reality, as Sylvia said, she had become an ineffective bodyguard, and it wasn’t wrong to see her that way.

I couldn’t argue against it and simply kept silent.

Children grow.

Children have futures as adults.

But with the side effects of mana erosion causing Sylvia’s body to regress, she had no future or growth to look forward to.

That was the harsh reality that Sylvia was facing right now.

"I’ll find a way to fix this somehow."

"Yes... please, Master..."

With a tired voice, Sylvia lowered her head deeply.

I gently patted her head and turned away with a heavy heart.

For some reason, I could feel something stirring inside me.

"Is this all the useful information in the library...?"

I began collecting as many books as I could related to mana erosion.

Since I had been collecting various books on dark magic, I was able to find a few in the mansion’s library.

However, I failed to find any meaningful information in those books.

After all, cases of mana erosion causing physical age regression were extremely rare.

And cases of overcoming such a thing?

...Maybe there are none at all.

"I brought some clothes, Master! Want to try them on?"

"Ugh... I don’t think frilly clothes really suit me..."

"What!? You’re wrong! I think you’d look adorable in them! Try wearing this and get closer to Yulia and Charlotte... Hehe..."

"Yuria. There’s a drop of blood."

Watching Sylvia, now getting along so well with the children, brought a smile to my face.

But a corner of my heart still felt uneasy.

It was probably the same for her.

Although she seemed happy, wearing clothes with the kids and making snacks,

there was an unmistakable feeling of someone who had been forced into early retirement, like a racehorse with a leg injury or a retired police dog.

Thinking about that made it clear: I couldn’t slack off on my investigation.

I need to check every library.

I’ll go through the libraries of the Empire’s Magic Academy and even the palace.

I need to find any case that could apply to Sylvia.

"I heard you’ve been frequenting the library lately. So it was true."

"Your... Majesty!?"

Just as I was flipping through the books, a familiar voice came from behind, startling me.

When I turned around, the palace library was completely empty except for me and the Empress.

"Don’t worry. Everyone ‘voluntarily’ left, so you can speak freely here."

"Y-yes..."

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"So? You don’t have anything to say to me?"

"...?"

The Empress stared at me, her eyes expectant and filled with confidence.

Did she want something from me...?

I had nothing to say to her... right?

"I’m grateful for your concern, but there’s nothing that could trouble Your Majesty just yet."

"...Surely, you must have something you want to ask?"

Her expression immediately turned gloomy when I tried to decline, her voice lowering as she seemed a little upset.

I had refrained from asking her for help with the books since I thought it wasn’t something that would typically require her assistance...

"And you told me to speak comfortably, yet you’re being so formal. Is my kindness wasted on you?"

"But you said everyone had ‘voluntarily’ left just now."

"...Forget that. I misspoke."

The Empress grumbled and clicked her tongue.

It seemed like she was trying to threaten me, but it wasn’t as intimidating as I thought it would be.

Still, I figured it was better to go along with her intentions.

"Actually, my bodyguard has experienced mana erosion, and as a side effect, she’s suffered significant damage to her mana detection organs..."

"Oh?!"

I started to explain the situation, and the Empress reacted as if it was news to her.

But her forced response gave away that she already knew about it.

Of course, she knew; that’s why she came to find me first...

Her overtly obvious reaction made it clear she already had all the information, but I still explained everything as it was.

"Her body regressed to the age of thirteen? That’s such a fantastical... oh, I mean, horrific thing to happen. Truly tragic... No, no, I mean, so unfortunate... But why didn’t you bring her today!?"

"According to her own wishes, I’ve temporarily suspended her duties as a bodyguard."

"That can’t be..."

The Empress suddenly became frustrated, clicking her tongue in annoyance.

It seemed she had been wanting to see Sylvia in her thirteen-year-old form.

Indeed, little Sylvia was incredibly cute.

Her current appearance was nothing like the strong and commanding figure she would one day become.

Wait a minute...

Does this mean Charlotte might also have the potential to revert like this...?

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit me.

"Next time, bring her along."

"Huh? Next time?"

"You said you’re looking for a way to restore your bodyguard, right? Maybe I have a method for that. So, bring her to the palace next time."

"...!?"

With a meaningful smile, the Empress said those words.

Could she really have a way to help?

I felt my heart race as I realized that she might have the answer.

"Can I ask how you know the method?"

"You’re asking me where my confidence comes from after I’ve already stated it so clearly? How rude. Well... it’s simple. The case you’re looking for is standing right in front of you."

"...!"

The case I was looking for.

So, the Empress had also experienced mana erosion, regressed in age, and lost her ability to sense mana...

But she had overcome it?

I was stunned by this unexpected revelation, completely dumbfounded, and it took me a while to speak.

There was one crucial question remaining.

"Then, Your Majesty, did you also fail to overcome the physical age regression and ultimately remain...?"

"...This is the result of overcoming it. How dare you ask such an impertinent question."

Ah, so she overcame it too.