The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 164

※ Regarding the length of the chapters, you may refer to the translator's note at chapter 1.

Chapter 164

Translator: Yonnee

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However, after being a witness to Arachne’s actions, that belief of hers had started shaking from its roots.

All this time, she thought that monsters had no other purpose other than to thirst for human blood, but she saw how one of them had ignored even its own life just to protect another of its kind.

Then, she realized that they also had a will. They were not simply incarnations of evil.

Recalling what the merchant Largot told her before, Radis murmured,

“The possibility of it…”

She looked up, overhead.

Streams of sunlight gently pierced through the gaps between the white branches and its lush greenery.

It was beautiful.

* * *

On their way back to the stone gate, Radis managed to bring up one problem that she hadn’t been able to ask until now.

“Captain… Where are you staying right now?”

It’s clear that Robert wouldn’t want to continue staying at the Roderick residence, just as Radis loathed the thought of staying at the Tilrod residence.

However, there were some things that Radis had not thought of.

“For now, I’m staying at the knights’ quarters of House Roderick.”

Unlike how it was for Radis in House Tilrod, where the only place she could hide in was a closet, Robert had many places to stay in the prestigious House Roderick.

“But I’ll have to leave that place soon, too. Heron doesn’t want me to make friends with the knights.”

“By any chance… Do you intend to join the subjugation squad again?”

However, Robert shook his head.

“As it is with the subjugation squad currently, they won’t need me there.”

“Then, you haven’t decided yet what you’ll do.”

Radis took a deep breath and held one of Robert’s hands in hers.

And, she looked up at Robert, eyes sparkling with eagerness.

“Captain! I have an idea. Want to try it out with me?”

As Robert’s hand was now being held by Radis, he instantly turned into a rock.

In that state, Robert nodded and answered simply.

“Sure.”

“Captain… I haven’t even told you what it is yet.”

“Sure.”

“Listen to me first.”

“Sure.”

“At this point in time, no one will know every inch of Monsterwood as well as we do. We’ve gotten younger, but the knowledge we hold remains the same.”

Radis’s black eyes glimmered like a starry night sky, filled to the brim with dreams.

“Captain, I visited the northern region recently, and it’s such a beautiful place. The southern and the northern regions are being separated by Monsterwood, but wouldn’t it be great if they can be connected?”

“…Sure.”

“I’ve been thinking about some things, but I think it would be best to start gathering people. And it’d be great if you can help, Captain!”

“Su…re.”

“Then, we’re in this together, right?”

“Sure…”

Radis was truly happy.

So happy that she almost cried.

In the past, her entire meaning of life was tied to her family.

And it’s for this reason that she couldn’t find happiness anywhere else other than pushing herself—almost always to her own detriment—just to make her family happy.

When she was given a second life, she gave up on living for the sake of her family. She decided to live for herself.

But even with that firm resolve, she didn’t know what kind of life she should lead.

Life in the marquisate was pleasant, but it wasn’t what she wanted.

The abundance she was experiencing now was something that she hadn’t achieved with her own strength, and it inevitably made her uncomfortable. It felt like she was wearing clothes that didn’t suit her.

Then, she had a realization here.

About what kind of life she wanted for herself.

‘I’m also someone who can have another dream. No matter how many times, I’m free to find the meaning of life.’

This realization filled her heart.

Something swelled within her.

Something warm and fuzzy that seemed to push all other painful memories away.

Even the pain she had felt as her skin was being torn and as her bones were being shattered, even the guilt she had carried while deceiving everyone, and even the emptiness she bore as she was not loved by anyone at all until the very end as she had given up on everything.

“Ah…”

Bowing her head to conceal the overwhelming rush of emotions surging inside her, Radis found something on the ground.

They were very small, fragile sprouts that were growing through the black soil.

Radis crouched down and shook off the dirt that was covering the sprouts.

With round leaves, the small budding flowers were unlikely to stand out even after they had bloomed to the fullest.

It was a common weed that just grew anywhere and everywhere, but no one would have ever thought that even such a weed would be able to grow in this desolate land.

Radis pointed at it and said,

“Captain, there are flowers here.”

Robert smiled faintly at her and the little flowers.

“That’s right.”

To hide the tears that were about to well up in her eyes, Radis smiled brightly.

“Do you know what these flowers are called, Captain?”

Seeing him shake his head, Radis continued speaking.

“What reckless little things, aren’t they? The warmth of spring hasn’t even come yet, and even if it’s a little sunny now, it’s still dangerous here. But, Captain, if even these sprouts can manage to live in this barren and dark place, maybe there’s a little hope left in this world.”

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