Chapter 19: To Change the Future

With the Founding Festival scheduled for tomorrow, the Imperial Capital was already bustling with activity in various places. People from both domestic and international locations were flocking in, and numerous food stalls lined the central square. Naturally, the Knight Order members in charge of the Imperial Capital’s security also looked busy. My sincere thanks for their hard work. Despite the situation, I was visiting the Euphonium Baronet residence in the Imperial Capital—Estelle’s home in the capital—accompanied by Arisa the maid and Tanya Celesta the escort knight. This house, originally Mother’s property, was sold to Baron Euphonium, Estelle’s father, through Grandfather. For now, it was apparently only used for short stays while they were in the Imperial Capital, but I really wanted to visit it once. Both Father and Mother gladly gave me permission when I said I was going to visit my friend.

“Welcome, Sakuraile-sama. We don’t have much yet, but we will offer you the best hospitality we can.”

Estelle curtsied and greeted me, along with her father Robert and two maids, at the mansion entrance.

“You don’t need to worry so much. I just came to visit a friend’s house.”

If they make too much of a fuss, I’ll be the one feeling awkward. They just need to treat me normally. Estelle seems to have gotten used to me, so she interacts normally, but her father Robert appears unsure how to behave toward a Ducal Daughter. Estelle’s parents were originally adventurers who later settled in Grandfather’s territory. Recently, when a town in the territory was about to be devastated by a stampede of demon beasts, Robert, Estelle’s father, led the charge and fought. His merit was recognized, and he was ennobled as a Baron. Since I am the granddaughter of the former lord of the place where they lived, it’s perhaps unavoidable that he feels reserved.

After parting with Robert, Estelle guided me to the garden, where a white gazebo had been set up for tea.

“What a beautiful gazebo.”

“The On Einsatz family gardener has been maintaining it regularly.”

I see, it was originally Grandfather’s, no, Mother’s property. Did that sound like self-praise just now? Estelle poured hot water from the pot herself and prepared the tea.

“I’ve only just started learning tea ceremony, so I’m not very skilled, but…”

“Don’t worry about it. Even I…”

“Ahem, ahem!”

Tanya Celesta, who was standing nearby, cleared her throat. Oops, that was close. I was about to say, ‘Even I only just started learning.’

“Ah… Even I used to make many mistakes in the past.”

I glanced at Tanya Celesta, and she gave a small nod. Safe? It seems safe. The tea Estelle prepared was delicious. Come to think of it, Elliott praised her tea in the game. That wasn’t just flattery. If she’s this skilled at six, she must have greatly improved her ability by the time the game started ten years later. I suppose Elliott falling for her was inevitable.

“What are your plans for the Founding Festival tomorrow, Estelle?”

“I promised to go around with my father. I also need to buy a souvenir for my mother.”

Oh dear, she already had plans. I was thinking of inviting her to go together. It would be wrong to interfere with a father-daughter outing.

“I really wish Mother could have come too, but…”

Estelle looked down, her voice sounding slightly dejected. That’s right. I need to remember about Estelle’s mother. Estelle’s mother was definitely deceased at the start of the game. I feel like there was a scene where Estelle talked about memories of her mother during a date with a capture target… but whose route was it? Was it 2? No, it must have been a capture target in 1. It definitely wasn’t 3. Hmm…

“So, at the Founding Festival tomorrow, I plan to buy lots of things my mother would like to bring back to her…”

Estelle continued talking, oblivious to my contemplation. The Founding Festival. Mother. Wait a minute. Something… Ah, ah, aaaah!

“I remember now!”

“Hyaah!?”

A surprised Estelle dropped her cup. It was the Elliott route! When Elliott and Estelle were going around the Founding Festival together, she said:

‘My mother passed away on the day of the Founding Festival. It was a sudden illness… so I can never enjoy this day wholeheartedly…’

That was the line! Does that mean… she dies tomorrow!?

“W-what is wrong? D-do you have some kind of appointment after this?”

Estelle, Tanya Celesta, and Arisa were all looking at me with shocked expressions. But I couldn’t focus on them. She said she died on the day of the Founding Festival, but it might not be tomorrow. It could be next year’s, or the year after’s, Founding Festival. But even if the possibility is small, I can’t ignore it. If Estelle’s mother dies because of this, I won’t be able to face Estelle for the rest of my life. There is a huge difference between being ignorant of it and knowing about it but doing nothing. Think…! How can I save Estelle’s mother!? She said she died of an illness. Illness… That’s right! Estelle’s [Gift] can cure her! Ah, but the recovery magic that cures illness is only available from Level 2! Um, to level up Estelle’s [Holy Miracle], I need to complete an event…! An event… I think the event was… ‘that’ one…! A slight hesitation surfaced within me, but it cannot be compared to a human life. Especially the life of my friend’s loved one. I can’t afford to hesitate!

“Tanya! Lend me that knife!”

“Huh? Ah, this one?”

“Quickly!”

“Ah, yes!”

Tanya Celesta hurriedly handed me the curved knife she wore at her waist. As a knight’s possession, it was well-polished and looked very sharp.

“Sakuraile-sama, what in the world are you doing…?”

Ignoring Tanya Celesta’s words, I steeled my resolve and plunged the knife deep into my left hand, which I had placed on the table.

“What!?”

“Kyaaah!?”

“Ojou-sama!?”

Bright, fresh blood gushed out when I pulled out the knife. Everyone around me panicked, their faces drained of color. Mine too. The pain was so intense I wanted to cry. However, I suppressed it and smiled as I spoke to Estelle.

“Estelle. Can you heal this wound with your [Gift]?”

“I-I can’t… My [Gift] can’t heal a deep wound like this…!”

“It’s alright. You absolutely can do it. I believe in you.”

Estelle’s surprised expression lasted only a moment before she rushed to my side and activated her [Gift]. However, the wound only closed for an instant before the skin broke open again, and blood continued to flow freely. Ah, this might be bad… my head is starting to feel dizzy…

“It’s no good after all…! My [Gift] isn’t enough…!”

“Don’t give up…! One more time! You can absolutely do it… Believe in yourself!”

“…Yes!”

Estelle, who was about to give up, activated her [Gift] again with strong determination. A light, unlike before, enveloped the area. When the light subsided, my left hand was perfectly restored. There was absolutely no pain. My dizziness was gone too. The name ‘Miracle’ is not just for show. Even the lost blood was probably returned to normal. But the table and my dress are covered in blood, so rather than the blood being returned, maybe the volume was just increased to the normal amount? As expected of miracle healing magic.

“I did it…?”

“That’s right! You did it!”

I grasped Estelle’s hand and confirmed the divine crest. Yes, it has definitely reached Level 2. She should be able to use the recovery magic of [Holy Miracle] now. In the game, Elliott suffers a serious injury, and Estelle learns the ability through level-up as she tries to heal him. It’s like I forcefully triggered that event, but now she should be able to cure Estelle’s mother’s illness!

“Estelle. I am sorry for doing this abruptly. But I did this to save your mother. Will you believe me?”

“…I believe you. I can believe anything Sakuraile-sama says.”

Ugh… Estelle is truly a good child! Why did the game-version of me bully a girl like this!

“Arisa! Bring Baron Euphonium here!”

“Y-yes!”

Arisa ran toward the mansion as I instructed.

“[Store Summoning]!”

With a dazzling display of light, my kitchen car appeared in the Euphonium Baronet residence’s garden. Everyone, including Estelle but excluding Tanya Celesta, looked wide-eyed.

“Tanya, you can drive, right?”

“Huh? W-well, I can, but… where are you planning to go?”

“To the Euphonium territory, of course. Estelle’s mother is in danger. We’re going to save her.”

“T-to the Euphonium territory!? You, Sakuraile-sama!? Absolutely not!”

Mutter. That’s a natural reaction from Tanya Celesta’s perspective. But I can’t back down. I must get Estelle to her mother somehow! While Tanya Celesta and I were arguing about whether I would go or not, Arisa returned with Robert. Robert, who didn’t know what had happened, turned pale at the sight of the pool of blood on the table and me covered in it. Ignoring him, Tanya Celesta raised both hands and proposed to me.

“I understand! I will ensure that Baron Euphonium and Lady Estelle are delivered to the Euphonium territory by tomorrow! In return, Sakuraile-sama must wait at the mansion!”

Ugh. So that’s her compromise. It’s true that I wouldn’t be much help if I went… It’s only slightly past noon. If they speed, they can reach the Euphonium territory by nightfall. A full day is enough for a round trip, so they can return before the kitchen car disappears. I want to confirm the result with my own eyes, but it seems I have no choice but to back down here.

“Estelle. That blessed [Gift] is the power to cure your mother’s illness. Tanya will drive you there, so go and save your mother. Do you understand!”

“Yes! I will definitely save her!”

Good! Now that the decision is made, hurry and get in! I put Estelle in the passenger seat, and despite feeling bad for Robert, I had him sit in the kitchen area. Tanya Celesta naturally took the driver’s seat.

“Drive safely, but hurry as much as you can! If you get hungry, you can eat a hot dog!”

“A hot dog? What is a hot dog—Hyaaaah!?”

Estelle, who was tilting her head in the passenger seat, let out a scream and vanished as the kitchen car sped away. I hope they are okay… I hope they make it in time. Even if the illness that kills her mother doesn’t strike until next year, Estelle’s Level 2 [Gift] should be able to cure her mother’s illness. I was cutting it close, but I’m glad I remembered. If I had remembered a few days later, I might have regretted it enough to wish I were dead. I pray to Samonia, the Goddess of Summoning, and Hōly, the Holy Goddess, that they make it in time without incident. That was all I could do now.

That day, when I returned home in my blood-stained dress, Mother immediately fainted on the spot. I received my first scolding from both parents after they heard the story from Arisa. It lasted two hours. Even though it was my own fault, maybe I should have thought things through a bit more before acting. But that was the only idea I had…