In the days that followed, Edward had the Aurora Order continue searching for this "Tarik," while also assigning n to quietly keep watch on Marcia. Find the newest release on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
That night, after regaining consciousness, Marcia was clearly terrified. She cowered in her residence like a quail, not venturing anywhere nor contacting the outside world again.
As for Edward himself, he played the role of a respectable rich man without complaint. Every day, he took leisurely walks, attended various salons at clubs, and blended seamlessly into the Trier noble circle. If Edward's true objective was rely to infiltrate the aristocracy of Trier, then his progress was undeniably going smoothly.
Originally, moving into a new house should have warranted a proper housewarming banquet, but since Roselle had already visited ahead of ti, Edward simply cancelled the plan. Instead, he treated the household servants and slaves to a lavish feast.
By Dubois' suggestion, they ought at least to introduce themselves to their neighbours. But the family to the left had gone south on holiday, while the villa to the right belonged to an elderly couple who disliked socialising. So, the matter was dropped.
In this way, ti passed until the day of Roselle's voyage.
Although Edward was displeased, he rembered well that Roselle's diaries had explicitly ntioned his experience at sea—this was part of history itself.
The night before, Edward paid a personal visit. Roselle greeted him with his usual warmth.
"Klein, did you co especially to see off? Tomorrow morning at ten, I'll depart from Trier's harbour. Be sure to co!"
"Of course!"
They sat down in the drawing room with drinks. Roselle raised his glass. "I only wish you could join this ti. With soone as seasoned as you aboard, I'd save myself no end of trouble."
Edward chuckled. "But isn't exploring the unknown what makes it exciting? If everything is prepared, every step already mapped, doesn't that take away the fun?"
"Hahaha, that's true enough."
"Hm? Where's Bernadette?"
"She's been sulking ever since she found out I wasn't taking her with . Matilda is coaxing her now. Honestly, the whole thing started when I made an offhand promise at your house that night. Children take such things seriously." Roselle spread his hands. "I can hardly bear to leave her behind, but she's only six years old. How could I dare bring her on such a dangerous voyage?"
"Then why insist on going to sea at all?"
Rossell thought for a mont, then replied seriously, "Because…the sea is right there."
Edward froze, then understood. He was echoing that famous line from his past life: 'Why climb a mountain? Because it's there.'
"Oh? You caught my aning?"
Roselle looked pleasantly surprised, and imdiately clinked glasses with him. "Ah, if only I'd t you sooner! A kindred spirit is hard to find."
"Don't forget, when it cos to the sea, I'm your senior. I've had those sa thoughts before."
"That's true!"
Roselle leaned back in his chair with a grin. "All right then, Klein. Tell , what brings you here tonight?"
Edward feigned embarrassnt. "You saw through ?"
"Of course. It's written all over your face."
"The truth is, Roselle…I need a favour."
"Go on. If it's within my power, I'll help."
"I don't know if Bernadette ntioned it, but I also have a daughter. We were separated years ago."
Roselle's smile faded. His brows knit together. "How could you lose her?"
Ever since becoming a father, he had been painfully sensitive to such matters. In his heart, he felt a stab of anger—what sort of father lets his daughter slip away?
Edward's words were half fabrication, half truth, but the sorrow in his tone was genuine. "At the ti…I was being hunted by enemies. To draw them away, I had no choice but to separate from her. After that, we were lost to each other completely."
"I've been searching for her all these years. Part of why I ca to Trier, why I've tried to integrate into noble circles, is to et 'important people' who might help ."
"Oh? So now I count as one of these 'important people'?" Roselle gave a solemn nod. "Very well. Give her description, her portrait. At least within Intis, I'll do all I can."
"I've been searching for so long…"
Edward's expression dimd. "Sotis I wonder if perhaps she's already…"
Roselle cut him off firmly. "No. She's alive."
"I've told myself that again and again. Later, I thought—since ordinary ans have failed, perhaps I should try extraordinary ones."
Edward looked at him intently. "To be frank, during my years at sea, I learned of the existence of Beyonders."
Roselle's brows lifted, though he wasn't particularly surprised.
His first thought was Zaratul. "I do know soone skilled at finding people…"
Edward's eyes lit up, his voice trembling with hope. "Truly? Where is he? What must I pay to hire him?"
"This…"
Ever since Zaratul had fled, there had been no word of him. He had always been elusive, and Roselle had no idea where he was now. "That person…I may not be able to contact him for so ti."
"I see."
Watching the light of hope fade in Edward's eyes, Roselle frowned and thought hard. "Don't despair. There are other ways."
Edward hadn't even needed to remind him—Roselle quickly thought of the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery. Surely the church possessed Sealed Artifacts capable of locating people?
As it happened, that evil god had also asked Roselle to retrieve a Sealed Artifact from the church. It would kill two birds with one stone.
Roselle lowered his head in thought for a mont. "I…I'll think of a way for you."
"Thank you so much, Roselle."
Roselle smiled easily."You risked your life to save my daughter. Helping you find yours seems only fair, doesn't it?"
At first, he felt that helping Edward twice already counted as repaying the favour. But now that he knew Edward had been searching for his daughter all this ti, he no longer wanted to be so precise about counting favours. It was the empathy of a fellow father.
He stood and patted Edward's shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll find her."
Edward nodded. "Mm."
———
When he returned to 28 Erald Street, it was just after eight o'clock.
Roselle had agreed to help—and he had clearly thought of borrowing a Sealed Artifact from the Church. But the odds of it happening to be Arrodes were still quite slim.
Still, progress had taken another big step forward.
If not this ti, then the next. And by the next ti, success would be almost certain. The only regret was that "next ti"…might have to wait until Roselle ca back from his voyage.
"Boss, you're back."
Dubois was waiting at the door, as if he had been standing there for so ti. "I asked Endili to prepare a hangover soup."
"No need. I didn't drink much."
"Boss, did everything go smoothly tonight?"
Edward gave him a look, teasing. "Are you asking because you're worried about …or worried about Roselle?"
"Of course you."
Edward sat down on the sofa. "It went smoothly enough. But…smooth doesn't an success."
Dubois opened his mouth, hesitating whether to press further.
"You're a smart man, and you've helped a great deal these past weeks. So there are things I won't hide from you." Edward said frankly, "It's true—I ca to Trier for Roselle. But only because I hoped he could help with one thing."
"What thing?"
"To find my daughter."
Dubois was stunned. "You have a daughter?!"
"For certain reasons, we were separated. You know how vast the world is. Normal ans won't suffice. So I thought to use…special ones."
"I understand."
Dubois exhaled in relief.
———
At the grand villa of the Roselle family.
Once Bernadette learned the exact date of her father's voyage, her little face had been drawn tight for days.
Daddy is a big liar!
He clearly said long ago that he would take with him to see the world, but now he's going back on his word!
She sat on her bed, propping her chin in her hands, every line of her face spelling: This young lady is furious.
Of course…she could beg Mr. Sparrow to take her to sea. But that wasn't the sa. Mr. Sparrow didn't owe her anything—he couldn't always be expected to help her unconditionally.
It was all Daddy's fault!
At that mont, the door creaked open.
She glimpsed Roselle sneaking in, hands hidden behind his back. At once she turned her head with a sharp huff.
"My darling~ my angel~ Bernadette~"
Roselle grinned shalessly, leaning toward her. But whichever way she turned her face, he darted around to follow. At last, when she was brimming with irritation, Roselle revealed what he had been hiding: arms full of dolls.
"Ta-da-da-da!"
Bernadette calmly glanced at them. "So, you feel guilty, and you think you can make up for it with toys?"
"…"
Sigh, kids are too smart nowadays. It's really a headache for us parents.
Roselle sat beside her. "The truth is, no one wishes more than I do that you could co with ."
She cocked her head, narrowing her eyes. "But…"
"But…this is my first voyage. Everything is unknown, uncertain. I don't want to drag you into danger."
To his surprise, Bernadette shouted back: "That's exactly why I'm angry!"
"Wha…what?"
"Because it's dangerous, Mama and I can't stop worrying about you! You'd leave us at ho, while you go off alone to risk yourself? If sothing happened to you, what would beco of us?"
"N-nothing will happen."
"Then take Mama and with you."
"Too dangerous."
Bernadette jabbed a finger at him. "See? You're contradicting yourself!"
"…"
Roselle pressed a hand to his forehead. He had never felt so helpless—not even when facing evil gods.
After a long silence, Bernadette sighed. "Forget it. I know. Once you've made up your mind, not even a dragon could drag you back."
Roselle scratched his head, muttering, "A dragon…really could drag back, though."
Her voice softened. She clasped his large hand in her little one. "Daddy, you must promise —be careful, and co back soon. Mama and I will be here, waiting for you."
She stuck out her pinky finger. "Pinky promise!"
———
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