Author: TA☆KA	Original Source: Kakuyomu / Syosetu
Translator: Jiro	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“Sir Cloud… Please… take… care… me!” Looking at Howard, Susie spoke up, her cheeks flushed and her eyes brimming with tears that were about to spill over.

“Good. It seems we’ve concluded. In which case, let’s sort out the paperwork.” August promptly turned to his secretary to give instructions.

“Paper… work?”
“Yes, about your residency certificate. That’s why Sir Howard came here today.”
“What? Really?!” Susie exclaimed, looking at Howard in surprise, while Howard smiled warmly at her.
“As of today, Miss Susie, your guardian will be Sir Howard. And given that you do not have a family name, you will also take on the Cloud name.”
“What? Sir Cloud?!”

Susie asked, doubting her ears and pointing to herself in disbelief. Howard nodded, his expression filled with joy.

“Welcome, Miss Susie Cloud! Amukham Village greets you!” August declared enthusiastically. Standing, he extended his hand toward Susie.

“Pleasure… be… here.” Susie replied.

◆◆◆◆◆

As the paperwork was being prepared, the clock inched closer to noon. With the remaining tasks left in the hands of the staff, Howard took Susie out to the garden for lunch.

The garden extended to the north of the building, descending one level. At its center lay a round flowerbed, with pathways leading to it from all directions.

“The roses were in full bloom until last month, but now the irises have taken over.”

Howard said as they strolled through the vibrant greenery. Though the peak season for roses had passed, rows of small blossoms still dotted the garden, drawing Susie’s admiration as she marveled at their delicate beauty.

At the eastern end of the garden, a white arbor stood slightly elevated above the surrounding grounds. The octagonal structure, about three meters wide, featured a traditional design with wooden panels, columns, and a roof. Yet, its decorations were anything but ordinary.

The roof was built in two layers with arched breezeway windows between them, and the wooden latticework framed the area around with intricate patterns. The pillars themselves also bore finely carved details, and the ceiling showcased paintings of angels in flight, giving the impression of a small, sacred temple. Inside the arbor, benches lined the walls, while a modestly sized table occupied the center.

Howard led Susie to the arbor for lunch, and the two settled on a bench inside.

From where they were sitting, they enjoyed a breathtaking view of the surrounding garden. The garden stretched out before them, flanked by the village hall—a former count’s mansion—on the left and the majestic Daypahra Mountains rising to the right. Behind them, the elevated hillside provided a panoramic view of the village below, its quiet charm bathed in the midday light.

Susie carefully unpacked the basket, pouring soup from Elrose into a cup before handing it to Howard.

“Here… Sir Cloud.”
“Susie, you’re a Cloud too now, you know.”
“O-Okay… Sir Howard.”

Susie blinked in surprise, stammering as she spoke. Howard nodded in satisfaction before taking a sip of the soup.

The meal included tender venison cutlets in a sweet and spicy sauce, which brought a delighted expression to Susie’s face as she took a bite. It wasn’t long before she discovered the second dish, a bacon and vegetable sandwich.

(What?! Lettuce and tomatoes! It’s a BLT¹!)

(Oh! This tangy dressing—it’s so refreshing! It’s stimulating my entire mouth! This crispy sensation from the venison steak is to die for! If I take a bite of this and then the BLT, I can keep on eating forever!)

As Susie savored her meal, her cheeks puffed slightly from her enthusiastic bites. Howard watched her with quiet fondness and began to speak, his tone soft and reflective.

“Since I was a child, I’ve always loved this view,” he said. “It’s one of my earliest memories. The rice fields stretched out peacefully, the stillness around us, and the Daypahra Mountains to the north, always standing tall, watching over us from afar.”

Susie paused mid-bite, holding the cutlet sandwich in both hands. Looking up at Howard, she listened attentively to his story, her expression curious and engaged.

“But now, the Daypahra Mountains no longer have the heroic air they once did. Their body bears cruel claw marks, and even Mount Dea is exposed. The strange change that occurred to the Daypahra Mountains three days ago… Was it the wrath of a god? Or the descent of an evil deity? Either way, I cannot begin to imagine what this implies for the future of this world. The Great Iroshio Forest, sprawling at the base of the mountains, is too bound to experience a transformation before long. Perhaps this marks the beginning of the ‘Great Overflow,’ the legendary ‘Great Disaster.’ If it comes to pass, this world will not get away unscathed. We must conserve our strength and ready ourselves for the threats that are sure to come.” Howard spoke with quiet intensity, his words carrying the weight of his conviction.

Hearing this, Susie’s expression froze. Her face turned pale. A bone-chilling noise echoed in her mind as panic gripped her.

(I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It’s not god! It’s not an evil deity either! I didn’t know this was going to happen! I didn’t know I’d cause so much of a commotion!!!! I’m so sorry! I apologize! Please forgive me! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeee!!!)

Inside, she imagined herself shedding tears of blood like a waterfall, desperately pleading for forgiveness.

Howard, noticing the unusual worry on Susie’s face, leaned closer, his voice soft and reassuring.

“Did I scare you? I’m sorry. I went on without realizing that I was getting you involved in it. But rest assured, you’re safe while you’re here. We, no, I will guarantee it! Your task is to live without worrying about anything. So please do that.”

His words were gentle, filled with compassion as he looked at Susie.

(Noooo! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! It’s me! I’m the cause behind it! I’m the root of all evil!!!)

Susie’s mind spiraled with guilt. Despite the turmoil inside, she absentmindedly finished both the BLT and cutlet sandwiches.

(Aaaahhh! You lowly mouth! No! This is a manifestation of Miss Sonia’s love! Her love was able to fill the gaps in my heart and appease this desolation! Thank you, Mama Sonia! You are a true bodhisattva!)

Susie’s mind clung to this strange logic as she forced herself to focus on reality once again.

Once she had regained her composure, she cleaned up after their meal and followed Howard back to the village hall. Inside, Howard and August held a brief meeting, and after a while, both left the building.

When Susie stepped outside, Frank and the others had just arrived at the village hall in a horse-drawn carriage, carrying the boas and wolves.

Howard walked up to the goods, inspecting the wolves’ carcasses. He then snorted loudly before shifting his gaze to Susie. Noticing his stare, she felt a bead of sweat trickle down her back, but she relaxed when Howard exchanged a few words with Frank and the others, then waved the wagon with the wolves off.

Irvine, who’d just managed to locate Susie, was about to run over to her when another boy grabbed him by the neck and dragged him away, leaving Susie to watch the scene in wonder. Not pondering anymore on this, Susie and Howard left the village hall and headed home.

Upon reaching the Cloud residence, Sonia was waiting at the entrance.

Once Susie got off from the carriage, she walked straight up to Sonia and greeted her with a shy smile, as though returning home.

“I’m home!”
“Welcome home, Susie.”

Sonia greeted warmly, her face lighting up as she opened her arms to embrace Susie.

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