After talking with Erika for a bit, the maid guided me to the reception room at the entrance.
They are sitting around a table and each on a sofa.
We were divided into three groups of adventurers: me, Nimi, and Erika.
Behind Erika was a butler who didn't show much expression.
Erika's complexion has improved somewhat, so I ask her to explain.
Erica's mother, Elicia, is the count's second wife.
Elicia had been in poor health since Erica was 10 years old and spent a lot of time in bed.
Apparently the Earl would take her to see a doctor once a year.
Still, my condition did not improve.
It seems that she finally gave up on Elicia and Erica and left just now.
Elicia was awake today, so she was talking with the Count.
Erika's face twisted in anguish as she squeezed out the words.
"Mother... Mother is not feeling well, how dare that bastard!"
I heard what Erika said and glanced at Nimi.
Nimi also looked saddened after hearing Erica's story, as did the three adventurers.
Nimi and the three adventurers must have noticed it too, as the Count hadn't gone to see a doctor.
...There's no way I can say that, it would definitely lead to decline.
no...
"Should I crush it...?"
Three adventurers picked up on my mutterings.
Niimi, who was standing next to him, didn't notice as she was looking at Erika.
I asked Erika with a serious expression.
"Erika, do you need the Deus family name?"
"if, if I can protect the maids, I don't need it."
"Got it... Okay, let's do it."
"...Huh?"
Erika, who had an expression that said it was about to end, was dumbfounded by my words.
He smiles at Erica's reaction and stands up, then looks at the butler and asks.
"Butler... do you serve the Deus family or Erica?"
"...My family has been serving the Deus family for generations."
"Who prepared the medicine?"
"...It's me."
"Did you drink it yesterday or today?"
"I didn't let him drink it."
"...I see, take care."
The butler bowed deeply in response to my words.
The butler gave a wry smile and told the maids to pack their things while Erica didn't understand what was going on.
Then I asked to meet Elicia, and although she was hesitant, she nodded and led me there.
As I was leaving the reception room, someone grabbed my arm.
When I turned my head, Nimi had a pleading look on her face and seemed to want to say something.
So I smile, say it's okay, and follow Erika.
On the way to Elysia's room, Erika asks me without showing me her face.
It wasn't Erika's usual voice, but a weak one.
"The butler... did something with the medicine?"
"...It's probably a mild sleeping pill."
"...why?"
"Because he serve the Deus family... I understand how he feel, but I would never want to follow it."
"is that so"
Erica fell silent after muttering this, so I gently took her hand and turned her towards me.
...You're on the verge of crying, you stubborn person.
So I get down on one knee and try to make eye contact as much as possible.
He said with a smile, as if to advise her, to make sure she didn't make any mistakes.
"Listen Erica, we start from here. Are you ready for this? I'll be there too, so don't worry."
"...Is this also preferential treatment?"
"Rather than preferential treatment, it's more like being treated like family."
"Normally, don't instructors not flirt with their students?"
"...You're smiling now."
"...Come on."
When I stood up, he lightly tapped me on the arm with a happy smile.
We talk a little to make ourselves feel more positive, and then we stop in front of a door.
After Erika knocks twice, a woman's voice comes from inside, and Erika goes inside first.
A little while later, Erika comes out of the room and it seems she wants to talk to me alone.
Then, when I entered the room and closed the door, I saw a woman who looked like Erika sitting on a luxurious bed.
Her silky blonde hair was long enough to touch the bed she was sitting on, and her face looked calm.
She is wearing a white negligee and exudes elegance.
Her figure is slender like Erika's, but her breasts are slightly larger than Erika's melons.
She's different from Erika; she has a certain charm.
Elicia smiles at me, so I bow slightly and open my mouth.
"We're moving out today. It's going to be tough on you, but we'll support you."
"...You've noticed, haven't you?"
"...What are you doing?"
Elicia stood up from the bed and unhooked the straps of the nightgown she had been wearing from her shoulders.
The negligee fell to the floor, revealing Elicia's beautiful naked body.
I wonder if she's about the same height as Erika.
Her beautiful white skin is so shiny it's hard to believe she gave birth to Erika.
...But her expression... it overlaps with Nimi's expression that day.
I approach Elicia and lift up the negligee that had fallen to the floor.
Even so, I said with a serious expression to Elicia, who was still smiling.
"From now on, you'll never have to do this again."
"..."
"I have noticed and understood. I have stopped a woman with the same expression as you before."
"...I am the child's mother."
"yes"
Hearing my words, she lowered her head and muttered in a weak voice.
The next time she looked up, she had a worried look on her face.
...Damn, it overlaps. It's too similar to Nimi's expression.
Up until now, Elicia had sacrificed her own body to ensure Erika's safety.
I gently embraced Elicia, who seemed on the verge of breaking.
It may be inappropriate, but it smells the same as Erick's.
She spoke while tightly grabbing the clothes around my chest with both hands.
"I... for my daughter's sake..."
"...yes"
"For Erica's sake, it was no hardship."
"...Leave the rest to me."
"If it makes Erica happy, then I'll go anywhere."
"Elicia-san, you will also be happy... I bet on the name of Reid that this will happen."
As she said that and pulled away, she finally gave me a genuine smile.
It's fine if she's teary-eyed. It's fine if she's smiling. I open the door and call out to Erika, who is outside.
Maybe she heard the voice and realized what was going on.
She slipped past me and hugged Elicia with tears streaming down her face.
...Now, what should I do?
Let's start by attacking the outer moat.
Let's get a present for the two of us from those who have been making a killing.
I left the room with a wicked smile.