Positive little sun, magical girl, I am awesome

Chapter 493 Russell Mansion

The Russell family mansion is now so quiet that you can hear a pin drop.

The sky darkened, from clear blue to hazy gray, and finally to a deep indigo. The shadows in the room stretched longer and longer, spreading from the windowsill to the floor, then climbing up the edge of the desk, and then even the shadows disappeared. It was completely dark, and from beginning to end, Knight Russell sat at the long table in the study, motionless.

This was the scene Daniel saw when he pushed the door open. There was no light in the room, only the generous light from the moon, which illuminated the incomplete silhouette of Knight Russell, as if it would be swallowed by the darkness at any time.

"——Grandfather, you're looking for me?" Daniel observed for a moment and greeted casually, "Why don't you light the lamp?"

He turned and closed the study door.

Knight Russell placed his hands under the table, head down, stroking the letter sent by the princess. He had read the letter over and over again since returning home, and the paper had become wrinkled and frayed from being pinched by him.

He raised his head and looked at his grandson standing in the dim moonlight.

"Why are you back so late? Where have you been?" Knight Russell asked in a low voice while crumpling up the letter.

Daniel hesitated for a moment, then explained, "I went to see Angie. She was in prison and had no preparations. I went to give her some clothes and food. You know, she has never suffered any hardship."

He could feel Knight Russell in the shadows staring at him, so he tried hard to adjust his expression, but thought with some regret: I shouldn't have shaved my beard. No wonder men like to grow beards when they grow up, it's really the best mask.

"...You were also present at the King's Court today, right?" Knight Russell did not ask any questions about the letter.

“Yes.” There was nothing to hide. Perhaps his grandfather or other family members had already seen him. Daniel simply admitted it directly. “I heard the news and rushed over. Because I was too panicked, I didn’t have time to inform my family—”

"Why didn't you respond for Angie in that trial by combat?" Knight Russell interrupted his meaningless addition, "Daniel, Andre is gone. Now you are shouldering the future of the family. When necessary, you should stand up. Angie is your relative."

He really said this to everyone - Daniel's eyes darkened and he drooped his eyelids. After wandering outside for half a day, he had already thought of what to say.

"Grandfather, even though I have been in Goletia for these years and have been hanging out with those magicians all day, I have never abandoned the light in my heart." He raised his head and said sadly, "I am a servant of light. Facing a sinner who falsely accused the Church, I cannot go against my conscience and stand on the opposite side of justice, even if it is... even if it is my family."

He spoke righteously, but also with a hint of sorrow, as if he was in great pain making the choice between morality and affection. No one could find fault with such a reason. The study became quiet again, with only the stereotyped "click" sound of the floor clock in the corner swinging.

"We caught a kid distributing flyers on the street this morning." When Daniel thought the interrogation was over, Knight Russell suddenly said something out of the blue.

Daniel's hands hanging by his side trembled, and he changed his posture uncomfortably and put his hands behind his back.

"—he said that a young gentleman had asked them to do it, and that he and his companions had earned a gold coin each for it, which was very generous."

"...Is that so." Daniel responded softly.

"I know my own granddaughter very well. Creating public opinion, arousing public indignation, and suing the Vatican are all steps that she could not have thought of on her own." Knight Russell said in the dark. He fumbled for the letter under the table again, and looked at the young man in front of him, his heart chilled.

"Are you doubting me, Grandfather? If I had known in advance that Angie would do such a reckless thing, I would have stopped her."

"Really? The captured kid is still at home. I asked the butler to arrange dinner for him. Would you like to meet him?" Although Knight Russell's tone was still light, it was full of oppression.

Daniel fell silent, and Knight Russell did not urge him. After an unknown amount of time, Daniel straightened his slightly shrunken neck and his back. His aura suddenly changed, and even in the dim moonlight, Knight Russell could see the change clearly.

A knight is different if he has killed someone or not. He looked at his descendants who no longer showed cowardice on purpose, and secretly laughed at himself for not seeing things clearly all these days. As time passed, he lost his former sharpness.

The two of them stared at each other quietly for a long time. Although they didn't say it explicitly, they both knew that the other had seen through everything.

"Angie is Angel from the Russell family." Knight Russell looked at Daniel.

"So I want to ask you the same question, Grandfather." Daniel's eyes flashed with disgust, and he asked back, "You are the sharpest sword of the family. At that time, why didn't you stand up and fight for Angie yourself?"

Knight Russell's cheeks were bulging, and his silhouette was clearly visible. Although he couldn't see his expression clearly, Daniel knew that his grandfather's face must be very ugly at the moment.

"I am responsible for the rise and fall of my family, and I must consider the future of everyone." Knight Russell's voice was a little unstable. "Even Cecil cannot blame me for my decision--"

"Me too, Grandfather. I am always thinking about the future of the Russell family."

Daniel, no longer hiding his ambitions, stared straight at the tall and lonely figure in front of the desk, "You made the wrong choice, and the family's path forward needs to be corrected."

The anger in Knight Russell's voice became more obvious. "It's not your turn yet-"

"There are rumors that the King's health is getting better. Whether it is true or not, I believe you, who have always been by his side, know better than anyone else, right? The succession of the Princess is nowhere in sight. As the First Knight of the Empire, you once had the honor of attending important meetings on behalf of the King. But now, how long have you been idle at home? This mansion is like a tomb. There may not be a single visitor in a month. I think the Russell family name will disappear from High Court before the Princess succeeds to the throne!"

Knight Russell's breathing became rapid, and the letter paper in his hand was crumpled into a ball. He looked at the young man in front of him, feeling that the other party was so strange and dangerous. He ruthlessly revealed his pain, like a wolf cub baring its fangs at a wolf.

"That's your sister—"

"Cousin," Daniel corrected, "Change will inevitably bring pain. Family interests are above all else, and necessary sacrifices are unavoidable. Isn't this what you taught me, Grandfather?"

Knight Russell was speechless.

"You see, now Angel is involved in the case of Knight Viente. She lost the protection of her noble status because of her self-accusation to the Holy See and went to the gallows. In order to appease the nobles, His Majesty will definitely compensate you. Now you have returned to the position of 'First Knight', right?" Daniel looked at Knight Russell, his tone carrying a hint of pride.

The other younger generations are not worth mentioning. There is no one more suitable for the position of heir than him. As for which king he serves, what does it matter?

"——Have you already determined that Angie will lose in the trial by combat? Even if it's Taylor?"

"Even if it's Taylor." Daniel said without hesitation, "The sacred majesty of the Holy See cannot be violated."

…………

Knight Leila Taylor, who was to take part in the trial by combat, is missing.