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The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

Chapter 220

"So, why was Karmarike banished?"

"Simply put, it's because she became the owner of the 'Holy Bow: Dew Harvester' that I received recently."

"How did that happen?"


Things progressed quickly, and it was decided that Lilith would live with me.


I thought the girls might complain, but since Lilith is my sister, no one objected to family living together, and she was welcomed smoothly.

The topic soon shifted to Karmarike, who hadn't fully explained why she was here.


After I explained up to the point where she was banished from her village after I kidnapped her,


"Ruruk, you're the worst."

"You're just a criminal."

"Master..."


My companions looked at me coldly.

Karmarike, with teary eyes, said:


"I-I don't think it's Ruruk-sama's fault. It was just a series of unfortunate coincidences... But being banished... even though I know it's partly my fault too, it's... uuu..."

"I'm really sorry! I apologize!"


I prostrated myself immediately.

Karmarike forced a smile and said:


"No, what's done is done... Ruruk-sama, please don't worry about it. Because thanks to that, I can be close to you now. Just being allowed to live here is more than enough."

"I do feel sorry for her..."


Saaya's gaze softened a little.

Though her eyes remained cold when looking at me.


"I know Ruruk likes to play pranks, but you need to consider the extent. Karmarike is forgiving you because she's kind, but normally this would be grounds for arrest, you know?"

"Yes. I deeply regret my actions."

"Good. Your ability to reflect sincerely is one of your good points. There, there."


Saaya patted my head as I shrank back.

Is this motherly love...?


"Saaya, you're being too lenient. This kidnapper should be thrown in jail for a while for the good of society."

"Really? If he's reflecting on his actions, it's not good to just keep scolding him."


Nagi sighed as Saaya tilted her head.


"Alright, then we're okay with Karmarike staying here. Well, I still object to her sleeping in the same room though."

"Why not?! If it's okay for Lilith-chan, it should be okay for me too!"

"Lilith-san is his sister. Karmarike is just a guest, right?"

"Why do you get to decide, Saaya?! Let Ruruk-sama decide!"

"...Well, that's true. Ruruk, what do you want to do?"


Both of them glared at me.

Feeling maximum guilt towards Karmarike, I--


"It's fine if we share a room, but we'll have separate beds."

"Why?!"

"Why, you ask... well, why indeed?"


I tilted my head when asked.

But I couldn't imagine Karmarike joining the bed rotation system.

Probably because she's in the pet category. Even Punisuke, whom I love so much, isn't in the rotation.


Since I felt bad about making her sleep alone in a separate room due to my guilty conscience, this was my compromise.


"That's cruel, Ruruk-sama... In Stoania, I was considered your lover..."

"Hold on, tell me more about that story."

"Mm, infidelity."


Elen and Saaya closed in on Karmarike.

Leaving Karmarike to proudly boast about what happened in Stoania with her flat chest puffed out, I turned to face Lilith.


"So Lilith, if you're moving in, what about your luggage? Want me to help carry it?"

"It's alright, brother. I have a convenient tool."

"I guess you have something like an item box."

"Yes. It's a bit different though."


Saying that, Lilith took out the pendant she was wearing around her neck.

It looks exactly like an item box.


"Please appraise it."

"Is that okay?"

"Yes. Anything about Lili is fine."

"Then I'll take you up on that offer."


With her permission, I went ahead and appraised the pendant.


[Multi Box]

> A modified item box. Used the same way as a regular item box.

>> All registered Multi Boxes share the same space. Storage capacity increases proportionally to the number of connected Multi Boxes. Exponential expansion storage.


"...Don't tell me, this is..."

"Yes. Lili made it."


Lilith smiled brightly.


"You may have suspected, but Luney Trading Company almost never runs out of stock. Because all our stores share inventory through this Multi Box, you see."

"Isn't this too powerful?"


Even an idiot like me can understand.

With this, logistics costs for any store become almost zero. Plus, there's no need for inventory storage space, so the entire store can be utilized.

No wonder their store expansion is terrifyingly fast, and existing trading companies can't compete even if they try.


"If you combine this with a speaking stone... wow, Luney Trading Company is scary."

"I have many more proud inventions!"


In high spirits, Lilith brought out various items:


The dimensional barrier ring "Phalanx."

The bracelet "Heroic Mode" that nullifies damage for a certain time.

The magic stone "Rune Gate" that connects spaces.

The necklace "Karma Reality" that constantly halves status.

The secret device "Command" that forces certain actions.

The box "Chronos Hands" that rewinds time for objects placed inside.


And so on.

All of them were legendary-class items. The last one was even mythical-class.

The speaking stone is quite a convenient invention, but compared to these, its impact is indeed lesser.


"I mean, you can't release these to the public, right?"

"That's why we use them as equipment for Luney Trading Company. If there's anything you'd like to use, brother, please let me know right away! Except for 'Chronos Hands,' I can mass-produce everything else and give them to you anytime!"

"No need, no need. Ah, but Phalanx might be good."


From what I saw when it was used in the duel with Savey, its defense power was incredible.


"I've given a degraded version to the royal family members, so practical tests have been completed and safety is guaranteed. The degraded version only protects the body from damage by narrowing the effect range, so it couldn't prevent kidnappings and such."

"Then... how about this. As an apology for earlier, can I give it to Karmarike?"

"Feel free to do as you please."


I tossed the ring I received from Lilith to Karmarike.


"Eh?! Ruruk-sama, you're giving this to me?"

"You're going to be an adventurer from now on, so keep it just in case."

"Wow, I'm so happy! I'll treasure it!"

"Ah! That's unfair!"

"Unfair."

"Unfair!"


The three musketeers started making a fuss about not receiving rings.

By the way, next to Karmarike, Nagi was showing off her "Ring of the War God" with a smug face. They really get along well.

Glancing at the girls who had started arguing, I said:


"But well, as expected of the Demon Empress Monon."

"Not as much as you, brother. This is all thanks to your power."

"Mine? Even I can't accept that much flattery."

"It's the truth. You'll understand if you appraise Lili."

"...Alright, alright."


Thinking there's no way it could be related to me-- I appraised Lilith for the first time.


[Name] Lilith Muuteru

[Race] Human

[Level] 23


[HP] 310 (+420)

[MP] 970 (+1100)

[STR] 270 (+310)

[END] 360 (+440)

[AGI] 280 (+330)

[INT] 1270 (+1820)

[LUK] 99


[Theoretical Magic Proficiency] 1470

[Practical Magic Proficiency] 2240

[Mystic Arts Proficiency] 2820


[Skills]

<Automatic Type>

"Admiration"

"Trap Detection"

"Optimization"

"Imitation"

"Mathematician"

"Water Magic Aptitude"

"Earth Magic Aptitude"

"Light Magic Aptitude"

"Holy Magic Aptitude"

"Numerology 0: Analytical Eyes"


<Activation Type>

"Technician"

"Clairvoyance"

"Spirit Summoning"

"Transcription"

"Refinement"

"Threshold Compilation"

"Word Soul"


"Admiration"... Constantly active towards one target. The stronger the feelings towards the target, the easier it is to acquire skills that help the target.


"Optimization"... Increases concentration and reduces unevenness in actions.

"Imitation"... Allows use of magic or skills whose composition formulas are fully understood, regardless of aptitude.

"Mathematician"... Greatly increases understanding of magic formulas. Improves mental calculation accuracy and speed.

"Technician"... During all production activities, greatly increases speed, precision, perception, and endurance.


"So that's it. It's because of this 'Admiration'...!"

"Yes! The more I think about you, brother, the more I become a woman worthy of you!"


Lilith's eyes sparkled even more than before.

So that means the other skills convenient for production are the result of her actions while thinking of me...


Oh, this is heavy.

It's certainly heavy, Lilith!


Well, no matter how heavy Lilith's love is, it won't be a burden.


"But it's amazing. You've even gained Numerology and Holy Magic Aptitude."

"I worked hard! By combining 'Analytical Eyes' with other skills, I can understand the composition formulas of magical devices I obtain and even arrange them. Holy magical devices were quite difficult, but as I traced the magic formulas over and over, I gained the aptitude and could make more and more. This is all because of my feelings for you, brother!"


Lilith's breathing was rough.

Moreover, 'Analytical Eyes' is Zero Numerology. It's the same talent as Roze.


"As expected of my sister."

"If you wish, Lili can make even more amazing things! Right now, I'm feeling the most... yes, the most motivated I've ever been! I feel like I could even make a magical device capable of defeating gods right now!"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down."


Lilith in Empress mode is cute too, but right now there are many things I'm curious about.


"More importantly Lilith, you can use 'Word Soul' now?"

"No, actually I can't use it as is. I can barely use it with the help of this secret device."

"...Don't tell me, this is..."

"Yes. It's the magic formula for 'English'."


It's the English "Word Soul" that I couldn't use.

The stronger the thought is preserved in the world's memory, the stronger the magic formula becomes. I couldn't activate it because my understanding of English was too poor.


That's why my "Word Soul" is in Japanese, so its effect is quite low compared to English. If I could use it in English, I thought it would become so strong that level differences wouldn't matter.


"...Did you learn from Koneru?"

"Yes. I can now speak both 'English' and 'Japanese'."

"I see."


Lilith is a talented woman who received education from a duke's family. It's not surprising at all.

But the fact that she's speaking so honestly means...


"Then, you knew about me in detail, right? You heard it from Koneru?"

"Yes. That you have a previous life, and that the real Ruruk brother is already dead."

"I see. ...No, that's not it."


I bowed my head to Lilith.

It's something I couldn't say all this time. Something I didn't want to say either.


"I'm sorry for keeping quiet all this time. The truth is, I'm not really Lilith's brother, I'm a person from another world. I'm truly sorry for not saying anything."

"Brother..."

"I've been pretending to be your brother after reincarnating, and it must have felt creepy. You might not forgive me for deceiving you even if I apologize... but I truly thought of Lilith as my real sister. Lilith was the first ally I had in this world. I was able to face forward and live because Lilith was there."

"...Brother. Please raise your head. Lili is also sorry for keeping quiet about knowing. When I learned that you weren't the real Ruruk brother, I was surprised... but Lili thinks it was for the best."


Lilith placed her hand on my cheek as I bowed my head.


The wind blew in through the window, making the curtains sway.

Illuminated by the setting sun, Lilith smiled brightly.


"Lili loves the current Ruruk brother. It's because you're the current Ruruk brother that I wanted to be by your side. It's precisely because you have a previous life, like playing pranks, and are a bit childish but reliable that Lili can feel this strongly. I don't think it's creepy at all, and it's not even a matter of forgiveness. Lili loves the current Ruruk brother with all her heart and soul."

"...Lilith..."

"No matter what Ruruk brother thinks, Lili is your sister. Lili is immensely proud of being your sister, and I'm cunningly using that position too. According to Nagi-san, I'm a bit heavy and dark-hearted, but I'm properly your sister. I have been, and will continue to be."


Saying this, Lilith smiled innocently, just like she did seven years ago.

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