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 .