The Regressor and the Blind Saint-Chapter 271: After Story: The Guest (3)

There was a peculiar fact worth mentioning about Elia.

This kingdom of Elia was a city-state with a single fortress as its territory.

Moreover, all the citizens living in this fortress were engaged in the same profession.

One might interpret this as a sign of strong unity among the citizens, but it could be put differently.

Elia was a countryside.

It was the kind of place where even the slightest oddity became widespread gossip in no time.

In other words, it wasn’t strange at all that the current hot topic stirring up Elia was the unusual atmosphere between Lennon and Erineth.

Like everywhere else in Elia, Vera’s cabin was also abuzz with the news.

“Vera, it seems like Lennon has already reached that age.”

“Lennon certainly wouldn’t do such a thing. It must be the bored people spreading baseless rumors again.”

Vera chuckled as he tried to calm down the flustered Renee.

From his perspective, his son was a boy who prioritized running around and playing over emotions like love.

Because of that, he suggested that the priests must have misinterpreted the friendly relationship between the visiting princess and his son. Vera’s reasoning was the closest to the truth in Elia, but Renee clicked her tongue and replied.

“Vera doesn’t understand. I’m telling you, there’s definitely something going on!”

Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, just like a young girl’s. Wouldn’t it be fair to say she was wearing rose-tinted glasses?

Vera could only smile warmly as Renee clung to him and chattered away.

“Is Vera listening to me?”

“Yes, I’m listening to every word you say.”

“Don’t try to wriggle out of it like that.”

Renee’s eyes narrowed.

Even her grumpy face is lovable.

Feeling emotions that hadn’t faded even after all this time, Vera soon responded.

“Won’t Lennon handle it on his own? I don’t believe it’s good for us to interfere unnecessarily with the child’s feelings.”

“Why not?”

“Children often deny their feelings out of embarrassment even if they like each other. That way, they sometimes end up hurting each other.”

Oh.

Renee blinked, showing she understood.

“Now that you mention it, that does make sense. How did Vera come up with such an idea?”

“It’s from my days as a beggar. I remember seeing a few children I stayed with behaving that way.”

“That’s before the legend began, isn’t it?”

Flinch—

Vera trembled.

He looked resentfully at Renee, who was already poking at his waist with a mischievous smile.

“From a beggar to the King of the Sl— Pfft! Slums...! If we made it into a book, it would be a must-read that would shake the entire continent!”

“Saint...”

“For part two, should we ask Ellen for a Chronicles of the Pirate King or something?”

“Renee...!”

“I’m just kidding. It’s a joke, so why are you taking it so seriously?”

Vera’s face turned red.

His sentimental mood vanished, replaced by embarrassment.

Renee never missed an opportunity to tease him. She was a woman who never allowed him to be sentimental for even a moment.

“Cheer up.”

Renee massaged Vera’s shoulders.

He sighed deeply and changed the subject.

“...Anyway, I believe it’s best not to unncessarily interfere with the children’s affairs.”

He said, desperately wanting to avoid the topic of King of the Slums.

Renee pouted her lips in dissatisfaction.

“But I’m curious...”

“I don’t want to create an embarrassing past for Lennon.”

“Like Vera?”

“Enough...”

Vera’s fist clenched tightly.

His knuckles were so white from the force that veins were popping out on the back of his hand.

Realizing that Vera’s patience was reaching its limit, Renee quickly shut her mouth.

Vera stays upset for a long time once he gets sulky.

It was important to tread carefully.

Renee watched Vera shake for a moment, then said.

“Then, how about this?”

“What is it?”

“Can we just secretly watch them? Lennon and the Princess, I mean.”

Vera’s eyes turned to Renee.

His face was scrunched up peculiarly.

“...Are you suggesting we spy on them?”

“Oh no, not spying, just observing. For a day or so. It’s more like... spectating. It’s spectating.”

Renee placed her hand over Vera’s, then rested her head on his shoulder.

Her voice took on a coy tone.

“I’d like it if Vera came along too... It’s been a while since we had a date...”

The core of her words delivered subtly was this.

“Slacking off is...”

“Just one day is fine, isn’t it? You’re too much of a workaholic.”

Vera started hesitating inwardly.

Have I really been that absorbed in work?

As he reflected on the past days with this thought, Vera realized that the days he spent time alone with Renee had become fewer.

Raising children kept us busy.

No matter how clever the children are, they’re still children after all.

Childcare was hellish, as it was for most people. However, he had been too busy with work to spend alone time with Renee, even aside from that.

Had I made her feel lonely?

Vera nodded, feeling a sense of guilt.

“...Then shall we observe for just one day?”

“Really?”

Renee’s face lit up.

Vera chuckled and nodded.

“Yes, I suppose I can leave work to Trevor for one day.”

“Wow, it’s a date!”

Should this really be called a date?

Feeling his guilt grow at the sight of Renee’s bright smile, Vera made an internal resolution.

We should go on a trip soon.

It’ll be nice to go with just the two of us.

Since the weather in the east will be nice this time of year, we can visit Renee’s hometown after so long.

As for work...

I can leave it to Trevor.

Vera’s thoughts naturally led to ways of tormenting Trevor.

*The stakeout conducted used even high-level divine arts.

The purpose was to uncover the truth behind the rumors surrounding Lennon and Erineth.

It was undoubtedly a meddlesome act, but fortunately, there was no one in Elia to point that out.

Vera watched the two children with his arms crossed.

“Lennon, here.”

Erineth handed him a cookie.

Lennon accepted it with a beaming smile and ate it.

Her face brightened.

“Does it taste good?”

“Mm! It’s not as good as Mother’s cooking, but it’s still tasty!” Lennon replied.

Renee reacted to this.

“Did you hear that, Vera? Lennon said the food I make is the most delicious!”

Renee was overjoyed as she covered her mouth with her hand, but Vera couldn’t share in her joy.

Yes, Lennon is probably the only one in the world who thinks that.

Even Vera, who had resolved to love everything about Renee, couldn’t bring himself to love her cooking.

It was the kind of cooking that only Lennon, of all people, could eat with pleasure.

Is it fortunate that Lennon inherited that palate?

After pondering this for a moment, Vera shook his head.

No.

Lennon’s bizarre taste was becoming poison for Renee.

It was making Renee think that there was nothing wrong with her cooking.

Memories of his past humiliation flashed through his mind.

—Don’t be a picky eater! Lennon eats it, doesn’t he?

—If Lennon can eat it, how can a grown man not eat this?

—If you don’t eat this, I’ll tell Lennon about the ‘King of the Slums’!

He trembled, and his complexion turned sickly pale.

Vera felt gloomy as these memories suddenly surfaced.

Meanwhile, the conversation between the two children continued.

As he listened, Vera became certain.

As expected...

It was a one-sided interest from the Princess.

Lennon didn’t feel even a speck of romantic attraction towards her.

With such an obvious reaction, even Renee must have noticed.

Thinking this, Vera turned his head, only to see Renee squealing with delight, her eyes sparkling.

“...Renee?”

“Oh myyy, they look so good together!”

She said, hitting him on the shoulders.

It was then that he realized one fact he had overlooked.

...Right, how can anyone be rational when it comes to their own child?

She’s so happy that it feels cruel to tell her the truth.

So Vera shut his mouth and held back his words, letting Renee be happy a little longer.

“Lennon!”

As that was going on, Erineth called out to Lennon loudly.

Renee’s face turned even redder.

“She’s about to say something!”

Following her excitement, Lennon tilted his head.

“Hm? Why are you calling me?”

“L-Lennon, what’s your ideal type?”

As Vera flinched, Renee started screaming ‘KYAAAH!’ internally.

Lennon started contemplating, his face looking deep in thought.

Erineth swallowed hard while waiting for his answer, and he finally responded after much thought.

“I like older women!”

Freeze.

She froze.

Renee also froze.

A dark shadow fell over both women’s faces.

Erineth immediately thought of Ellen, while Renee thought of Annalise.

Older women...

Without any particular thoughts on this, Vera could only seriously contemplate Lennon’s preferences.

It wouldn’t be bad to be open-minded. Lennon tends to lose focus quickly, so someone who can guide him well would be good.

Was it intentional?

Or something he instinctively realized?

Vera chuckled while in thought, then he suddenly trembled at the killing intent he felt.

“Renee...?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing. Well, I just remembered something I need to do so...”

He shivered, an inexplicable chill traveling up his spine as he saw her put on an empty smile.

A thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Whoever it is...

I just hope they can survive.

“W-What else besides an older woman?!”

When Erineth’s voice echoed through the surroundings again, Renee flinched but soon regained her composure.

...No, unlike before, she began to express her full-hearted support.

“That’s right! Push harder! Make him forget about older women!”

She cheered, clenching both fists.

However, her cheers didn’t reach them.

“I like tall people! I like upturned eyes... and I think that red hair is attractive!”

What came out of his mouth described Ellen perfectly, and at the same time, the late Annalise.

The white of Renee’s eyes turned blood red.

And while sobbing there, Erineth vented her frustrations.

“W-Whyyy...!”

“Ah! While those are important, there’s something even more important!”

“Huh?”

Her sobbing stopped.

Lennon straightened his shoulders, smiled brightly, and added.

“I like people with beautiful smiles! Someone whose smile is so pretty that just seeing it makes me happy!”

Freeze.

Vera and Renee froze.

Hearing his final words, they erased all the emotions they had been feeling and made blank faces.

In its place, the same emotion filled both of their hearts—an indescribable warmth.

“...Wow, it seems Lennon understands what really matters most.”

“Yes, he truly has a righteous and kind heart.”

Gentle smiles formed.

The clasped hands of the couple gave off warmth.

“Then there’s no need to worry. They seem to be getting along very well. This is enough, so shall we go now?”

Vera nodded at her words, which were spoken with a satisfied smile.

“Yes, let’s return.”

Wasn’t this quite a nice entertainment?

They had seen a different side of their son from usual and had also been reminded of his good nature, so there couldn’t be a better outing than this.

Just as he was about to lead Renee away with such thoughts...

“Pirate King!”

Lennon’s shout stopped the couple in their tracks.

They turned their heads.

What they saw was Ellen appearing out of nowhere and the children making contrasting expressions upon seeing her.

In that moment, Vera had to doubt his eyes.

Lennon’s expression...

A flushed face, a starry-eyed gaze, and his lips, which mumbled embarrassingly.

It was because that looked exactly like the face of someone in love.

“Kid, what have you been up to?”

“Playing with the Princess!”

“Is that so? Good job.”

As Ellen stroked Lennon’s head, he began to laugh happily.

Vera’s eyes started to turn bloodshot, strength entering his fists.

“Vera?”

“...It’s nothing.”

Vera, hidden in the shadows, began to engrave every single action Ellen took into his mind.

While doing that, he muttered.

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

“I suppose the list of things to do has grown.”

His mind filled with thoughts of resuming their training, which had been postponed due to his busy schedule.