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I Kidnapped the Hero’s Women Chapter 190

The Sword that Cuts the Past (7)

‘There is indeed a way, huh…’

 

The thought that there was actually a way to restore Sylvia to her original state left me stunned.

I had started the investigation with hope, but now that I had found the answer, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.

Perhaps it was because the answer was much closer than I had anticipated.

 

‘Who would have thought the Empress herself was the case study?’

 

Even the Empress, Vanessa Friedrich, had been exposed to a mana storm in the past, causing her mana detection organs to fail and reducing her to a childlike state.

To think she resolved that and rose to her current position…

This was information that hadn’t appeared even in the game’s lore or main story.
Of course, I had only played up to Chapter 1 of the original…

 

Regardless, it was almost certain that I had found a way to return Sylvia to normal.

I didn’t know the exact method the Empress used, but the mere fact that a solution existed could inspire hope in Sylvia.

 

And Sylvia… she would likely succeed.
No matter how arduous or grueling the process.
Sylvia would undoubtedly pull through.

 

“If it’s possible to restore her, it’s only right to do so…”

[The Evil God ‘Kali’ expresses regret, saying they wish Sylvia could remain as her adorable self forever.]

 

To some extent, I sympathized with Kali.

Sylvia had been exploited as a hero candidate from a young age and dragged to Vermont to live as a servant.

Part of me wanted to keep her away from swords or weapons and ensure she never faced danger again.

 

But that wasn’t what Sylvia wanted.

Through her time serving me, Sylvia had changed significantly.

She had learned she no longer needed to sacrifice herself for me or the family.
Yet, even now, she willingly risked her life.

 

At this point, I had no choice but to admit it.

Sylvia shone brightest and found the most meaning when wielding her sword in battle.
To remove her from combat in the name of her well-being would only be hypocritical.

It would be a selfish act to ease my guilt and comfort my heart, not something done for Sylvia’s sake.

 

So, if it was possible, restoring Sylvia was the right thing to do.

And yet… there was still a bittersweet taste lingering in my heart.

 

Childlike Sylvia…
She’s so adorable…
The thought of undoing her current state felt oddly regretful.

 

“Gah…”

 

[The Evil God ‘Kali’ fully understands your feelings and offers solace for your wounded heart.]

 

If only I had never seen Sylvia in this state.

Having witnessed her charming innocence with my own eyes, I couldn’t help but feel a lingering attachment.

To return her to her former self, where there wasn’t even a trace of that adorableness, was a painful decision.

 

But just as children grow up and leave their childhood behind, Sylvia, too, would return to her adult self, stronger than ever.

In the face of the natural flow of time and life, I realized my own powerlessness.

In the vastness of the universe, I was but a small, insignificant existence.

 

‘Why does the garden seem so noisy?’

 

Upon arriving at the mansion and stepping out of the carriage, I noticed commotion coming from the garden behind the estate.

Among the noises, Sylvia’s voice occasionally stood out.

 

Why was Sylvia in the garden?

Curious, I headed toward the scene, only to be greeted by an entirely unexpected sight.

 

“Ah.”
“Ah.”
“Ah.”
“Ahaha… Hey, where are you all hiding?”

 

Charlotte, Julia, and Yuri froze in place the moment they noticed me, their faces betraying their surprise.

But Sylvia, with a towel blindfolding her eyes, seemed unaware of my presence, flailing her arms and running around with laughter.

 

It was the first time I had ever seen Sylvia laughing so freely.

 

“Oh? Hm? Ah…”

 

Realizing the sudden stillness around her, Sylvia removed her blindfold, only to spot me.

Her face flushed a deep red, as though the merriment just moments ago had never happened.

She quickly straightened her posture, her demeanor suddenly prim and proper.

Though her face remained unmistakably crimson.

 

“Welcome back, my Lord.”
“Indeed. You seemed to be having a delightful time. My apologies for interrupting.”
“Not at all. I simply noticed the children seemed bored, so I decided to entertain them. Look, I even volunteered as the seeker, blindfolded myself, and chased them around.”
“And your hairstyle? That’s for the children’s entertainment as well?”
“Hm? My hair?”

 

Sylvia, puzzled, reached for her hair.

Her face turned even redder when she realized she was wearing twin-tails, a style I had never seen on her before.

Hurriedly, she undid the twin-tails, leaving her hair in disarray.

 

“Yes, yes… It’s all for the children, of course…”

“…”

 

Her voice grew quieter, and her head drooped.

I glanced at the children, who were all wearing expressions of disbelief, as if to say, “She’s lying.”

From the dirt and grass stains on her clothes, it was evident that Sylvia had been enthusiastically playing along.

 

Still, for Sylvia’s dignity, I decided to let it slide.

 

“Let’s go with that. Now, all of you, prepare for an outing tomorrow. Sylvia, you too.”
“For what purpose, my Lord?”
“We’re going to visit Her Majesty. She may know a way to resolve your issue.”
“Is that true…!?”

 

Sylvia’s eyes sparkled with hope, her face lighting up as she stepped closer.

The sheer joy radiating from her expression took me by surprise.

Who knew she could smile like this…

 

“Then I must go select my outfit for tomorrow immediately!”

“…”

 

And with that, Sylvia vanished as quickly as she had spoken.

It was the liveliest I had seen her in recent days.

 

So, she’s found hope.

 

As expected, Sylvia is much better like this than when she seemed resigned and hopeless.

There are few sights more beautiful than a child brimming with excitement.

 

‘If I had met Sylvia when she was even younger, it could have been dangerous.’

 

It was fortunate that I took over midway through her life.

Had I met Sylvia when she was a child, I might have been tempted to raise her as a potential bride.

I couldn’t decide whether to feel relieved or regretful that we only met after she had grown up…

The feelings were bittersweet.

 

***

 

“The carriage feels a bit cramped!”
“It’s because there are too many of us, Charlotte.”
“Really!?”
“This outfit is uncomfortable… Should I change into the spare clothes I brought?”
“No, Instructor! That outfit suits you perfectly! It’s the best! You’re the prettiest I’ve ever seen you! Really!”
“Yuri, wipe your drool.”

 

Inside the carriage heading to the Imperial Palace, I found myself surrounded by the children, feeling mentally drained by the noisy atmosphere.
Charlotte, Julia, Yuri, and even Sylvia.

With four children crammed into one carriage, the chatter was nonstop.

 

I only needed Sylvia to accompany me to hear the solution to her problem.
However, the reason for this overly complicated group outing was none other than the Empress Vanessa’s demand.

Technically, I could have ignored her and only brought Sylvia, but I couldn’t predict what kind of mischief the Empress, suffering from “separation anxiety”, might cause.

So, I reluctantly complied.

 

Soon, the carriage arrived at the palace.

I stepped out first, followed by the children piling out one after another.

As I led them to the office and opened the door, Empress Sister greeted us, resting her chin on her hand, looking displeased.

 

“Why are you so late! Isn’t this much too tardy!?”
“My apologies, Your Majesty. Traffic conditions were not favorable.”
“Do you think that’s an acceptable excuse!? You should have anticipated the traffic and departed earlier—”
“Sorry, Empress Sister! The roads were super-duper jammed!”
“If that’s the case, then there’s nothing to be done.”
“…”

 

The Empress, who had been scolding me harshly, suddenly softened her expression when Charlotte spoke.
I was momentarily speechless at the abrupt change in her demeanor.

 

“Charlotte, and Julia. Have you been well?”
“Yes! We’re always doing great, Empress SisterS!”
“Thank you so much for checking on us…!”
“Yuri too… Hmm. It’s good to see you looking healthy.”
“Th-thank you.”

 

The Empress beamed at Charlotte and Julia as usual, then turned to Yuri with a satisfied smile.

 

The last time we visited the palace, she wore a mask and kept her distance from the children.
Now, seeing her so naturally mingling with them made me smile with satisfaction.
Even without saying it aloud, I could tell she felt the same.

 

Finally, her gaze fell on Sylvia.

 

“And you must be… Hah… Pardon me, I lost my breath for a moment. You must be…”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am Sylvia, Count Vermont’s bodyguard. Due to unavoidable circumstances, I suffered mana erosion, which caused me to take on this appearance.”
“…”

 

The Empress’s shoulders trembled, and her pupils wavered.

It was clear that the sight of young Sylvia’s cuteness made it difficult for her to maintain composure.

I completely understood that feeling—I had gone through it all myself.

 

“I see. It seems you have been… unlucky, to say the least. But do not fret too much. I know how to resolve this for you.”
“What is it, Your Majesty?”
“If you pay a small price, I can tell you—”
“I’ll pay anything! Please, just tell me, Your Majesty!”
“Ah! Forget the price! It doesn’t matter!”
“…”

 

The Empress, who had been glaring coldly at me while mentioning a price, completely melted under Sylvia’s earnest gaze and offered the solution freely.

It seemed the sudden assault of cuteness had overwhelmed her resolve.

For once, it was refreshing to see the Empress on the back foot instead of me.

 

“In truth, the solution is quite simple.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Become a Sword Master. More precisely, once you learn to wield Aura, your condition will naturally resolve.”
“Pardon… Your Majesty…?”

 

Sylvia, who had been replying enthusiastically, tilted her head in confusion.

What? Becoming a Sword Master would fix everything?

Even I was dumbfounded.

 

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I Kidnapped the Hero’s Women

I Kidnapped the Hero’s Women

용사의 여자들을 납치했다, 저 빌런 아닙니다
Score 7.4
Status: Ongoing Type: , Author: Released: 2024 Native Language: Korean
I’ve possessed the mid-boss who tortures the protagonist and receives true education. Am I crazy? How dare I do such a thing to the person who is supposed to be the protagonist? I even planned to treat all the protagonist’s friends hospitably…   “Everyone, wait for me! I will definitely become stronger and come to save you!”   Oh. Running away.

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