Why Did You Summon Me?

“Mia-chan? Why are you here?” As Tisdale was speaking, she noticed Baiyi who was standing right behind Mia. Immediately, she stood up and bowed slightly towards him to show her respect. Seizing the opportunity that presented itself, she quickly kept her emotions in check and once again, she returned to the sunny, dazzling beauty, as if the gloomy person just now was not her at all. “Did Mr. Hope bring Mia here to have lunch? Ah, that’s great! Let me treat you today!”

Having said that, she made a gesture to ask for the waiter, wanting to use that method to ease the awkwardness in the air. However, before she could do that, Mia interjected and said, “S-Sis Tisdale, we’ve already taken our lunch. A-And besides, we also heard and saw the scene just now…”

“….I-Is that so?” The smile on Tisdale’s face turned bitter once again. Rubbing her face in embarrassment, she said, “I’m sorry for showing you my ugly side, Mia.”

Mia did not say anything in reply. Taking a few big strides forward, she quickly went and threw herself into Tisdale’s arms, hugging her tight. Somehow, it seemed like she wanted to use her warmth to ease the pain that was in Tisdale’s heart.

Sigh… Baiyi could only let out a sigh in silence. Following Mia into the private room, he shut the door and cast a Sound Barrier over the room. He was actually hesitant to ask her about the internal strife in her family but knowing Mia who would not leave Tisdale alone, he did not stop her from asking any further.

“S-S-Sis Tisdale, does your family want you to marry a man that y-you don’t like?” Mia asked with concern. Isn’t that the problem of every girl who came from an aristocratic family? Even some of Mia’s classmates were already beginning to feel distressed over that matter.

What Baiyi had in mind was actually much more complicated than that. Just a moment before, he saw the heavy burden that was put onto Tisdale’s weak shoulders. That burden probably had something to do with responsibilities, honors and family pressure. It was pressing down on that tiny and slender body of hers, making her looked more exhausted than Undine who shouldered the task of reviving her family’s glory. A burden that had managed to strengthen her to be so tough that she even dared to risk her life and rescue Mia at such a young age was most likely much more complicated than a simple marriage problem.

But, how low could the aristocracy in this world stoop? Why does it seem like every one of these aristocratic family is throwing heavy burdens onto young girls? Baiyi thought silently while using his Mana to put aside all of the eating utensils to the side of the table. Then, he poured two cups of hot tea for the two girls from the teapot next to them and sat down quietly to listen to their conversation while sipping on his own tea.

“No, it’s not like that, Mia-chan,” Tisdale replied, “There are things that are much more complicated than you think.” Then, she reached out and ran her hand through Mia’s long hair before pinching her little cheeks. Perhaps, Mia’s concern really did make her feel much better because once again, her iconic gentle smile began to appear on her face, transforming herself to the Tisdale that Mia was familiar with.

“Don’t worry about me, Mia-chan. I can handle it. Have faith in me, alright? Just like how you did two years ago,” Tisdale reassured.

“B-But…” It was apparent that Mia wanted to continue pursuing the matter but as she looked at Tisdale’s gentle yet determined gaze, she swallowed her words.

“Did you forget that I’m your amazing Big Sis Tisdale? Stop worrying so much,” Tisdale assured her as she lowered her head and carefully looked at Mia’s outfit. With an admiring tone, she complimented, “Look at you today, Mia-chan! You look so pretty! You’re the one who has to be careful about those aristocratic boys. I’m sure they will fall for you if they see you!”

“I-I’m not afraid! I have Mr. Hope right here with me!” Mia protested as she pouted. At the same time, she threw a glance back towards Baiyi who was still keeping his silence. Tisdale followed her glance and nodded her head towards him politely, still, there was an awkward shyness that could be seen on her face. Perhaps he had reminded her of her immature thinking last time.

“Psssst ~ How did our little girl know that you forbid her from getting married? Is that the so-called woman’s intuition or sixth sense?” Curious, the Archmage asked.

Err, no… I’ve never said that I forbid her from getting married! As long as the guy meets with my requirements, I’m absolutely fine with it! Baiyi argued. Then, he suddenly asked the Walkers in the Void again, Guys, should I ask Tisdale about her family problem?

The beautiful and generous Tisdale was indeed very lovely. Baiyi’s impression of her was quite good as well. When he saw Tisdale, he had the intention to help her out actually. But, because he was the Voidwalker’s hope in escaping that place, he decided to seek their opinions first before meddling with those troublesome aristocratic family.

Without a doubt, his teacher was on his side. The Archmage was the first one to agree, “Tisdale always give me a sense of friendliness, that’s why I always tell you to have more contact with her.”

Being an older woman, the Scholar had the trait of a middle-aged lady— you know, like how they love to poke their nose into somebody else’s affairs all the time— agreed as well, “If you have the extra time and energy, helping Mia’s friend is a good thing actually. She doesn’t have many friends and you can’t expect her to just stick to you all the time.”

“She seems to be quite close with my descendant, Undine, so I do hope that you’ll at least show her your concern, Sir Hope,” The Merchant chimed in as well.

The representative of the Hentai Walker— the Paladin, who was released temporarily, quickly said, “All five of us strongly agree that if we can’t even safeguard a girl’s smile then we’re not worthy of being called supernatural beings! Not only that, look at how tasty Tisdale is! Pero-pe…”

Alright! I get your hentai point of view. Go back to being silent now!

The Assassin and the Warrior, who were the representatives of the Walkers who remained neutral did not object as well. The Thane even said, “I agree with the opinion of the Scholar. Everyone needs a friend.”

Even the Lich and the Devil from the Evil League did not express their disagreement blatantly. They just told Baiyi to be careful and not to get bogged down by other people’s problem.

Now that he had finally obtained support from the Walkers, Baiyi interrupted the conversation, “Tisdale, I can help you if you want.”

Although that sentence seemed to be quite ordinary, it actually represented a promise from the Voidwalkers that held a heavy meaning.

Mia who already knew about Baiyi’s ability through firsthand experience lighted up with delight. Pulling at Tisdale’s hand, she cheered excitedly, “Sis Tisdale, if Mr. Hope is willing to help you, y-you don’t have to worry about anything anymore. Everything can be solved with that smart mind of his.”

Tisdale froze for a moment. She did not expect that the seemingly arrogant Master Hope would actually take the initiative to offer his help to her. She could not refrain herself from remembering the warm scene of how his father-like hand had guided her Mana gently that day. Instinctively, she was about to open her mouth to agree to it but her family’s promise that suddenly appeared in her mind stopped her.

The contradictory feeling that was in her heart put her in turmoil. For a moment, she did not know what to say and just simply stared at Baiyi in silence. The heart that was already cooled down a moment ago began to stir with emotions again, her tears welled up in her eyes threatening to drip down anytime.

Mia immediately noticed Tisdale eyes that were turning red again. Worried, she quickly asked, “S-Sis Tisdale? W-Why are you crying?

“…N-Nothing.” Rubbing her eyes hastily, Tisdale apologized, “I-I’m sorry to show you such an ugly side of me, Mr. Hope.”

Is this problem so serious? Baiyi could not help but wonder as he tried to console her, “It doesn’t matter even if you don’t accept my help. But I think maybe you should try sharing the problem with us. You’ll feel much better after that.”

“…A-Actually, it’s not really a serious problem.” Tisdale shook her head as she let out a forced smile, “I-It’s just that there is a pledge that has been in our family for a very long time and now it’s my turn to honor that pledge…” Then, softly, she recited a short sentence using a strange language that Mia could not understand at all before she continued saying, “This pledge is the glory and duty of our family for the past several thousands years. I just did not expect that I’d have to honor it…”

When Mia was just about to open her mouth to ask her the meaning of that strange sentence, a crackling sound of porcelain could be heard coming from the back. Surprised, she turned back to look and saw the cup that Baiyi was holding was crushed into pieces in his hand. Obviously, something must have affected Baiyi’s emotion.

“Eh?” The two girls were stunned at the same time. They knew that Mr. Hope was not a person whose emotion could be easily affected.

“It’s nothing, just leave me alone.” Baiyi brushed them off. However, he immediately turned to the Voidwalkers and asked, Is it possible for a family to last for 6000 years?

“Well, for human being, it’s very hard actually…” The Soul Armature Practitioner replied, “Even with the invention of Soul Armatures, and even with the extended life span of a supernatural being, it’s only common for a family’s lineage to last for a few hundred years, at the most, one or two thousands years. But 6000 years is just impossible. This means that they have to have a very long lifespan supernatural being in every generation! On top of that, there should not be many incidents that affect the family in these 6000 years. It’s too difficult! Human being is too fragile compared to the unforgiving time.”

“If… If there really is such a family that is able to survive for this long, then there is no doubt that this family is very mighty,” The Soul Armature Practitioner added again, “But if there really is a pledge that has lasted for 6000 years long, well, I really don’t know what kind of faith this family has to be able to honor it for so long.”

“What exactly is that pledge actually? To the point that it could trigger such a reaction from you. I could even feel the Void trembling slightly just now you know…” The Sorcerer asked.

You’re wrong. All I did was just crush the cup. The person who was worked up to the point of trembling is actually my teacher. Baiyi answered, As for that sentence, it’s actually in Ancient Rohserl language. The meaning of that sentence is…

“In the name of my king, I vow to patiently await for his return, forever until the end of time. This is my duty, my honor that I shall glorify!” Softly, Baiyi recited the pledge that had been carefully upheld for the past 6000 years.