Chapter 278 The Structure Of Conflict
Rebecca, who had been watching the exchange between Sara and Marquis Grandchester, asked Sara a question.
"Sara, can you tell me, do golems learn and grow?"
"That's right."
"So, having golems in the army is like giving weapons to children and teaching them to hurt people?"
"Yes, I think that's a good way to think about it."
"I've heard rumors about inhumane assassination organizations that train only children to kill. They say even young kids end up killing whoever the adults tell them to. Golems are learning to protect people, right? So teaching them how to hurt others is really cruel. I can't agree with that."
Rebecca quickly sided with Sara. In fact, since the golems had witnessed attacks from suspicious people, it was likely they had already learned combat skills. If they continued joint training with the knights or practice battles with Sara, they would acquire significant skills. What Sara was worried about was teaching the golems, or Magi, that it was okay to harm humans if there was a reason.
"If you want to leave Grandchester because of this, I will leave with you. You're my daughter, and you can just come to our territory. Rob will be fine with it, right?"
"Of course. I can't agree with my father's opinion either."
Robert, like Rebecca, was on Sara's side. However, this statement made Marquis Grandchester furious.
"I'm not wishing for anything inhumane! Are you trying to say I'm like a heartless lord? I just want to protect the people of Grandchester! Why can't you understand that, Robert? You are from Grandchester too."
"We just need to keep protecting them as we always have. Sure, golems can be a powerful force. But those are magical tools created by Sara's magic and alchemy. Even if they seem to move on their own, it's clear they are ultimately under Sara's control. It's like telling an 8-year-old child to make weapons and fight because of a lord's order. Do you really think that's not inhumane?"
"That child is also from Grandchester."
"I wish you would stop joking around. You left them to starve for over 7 years, and now you calmly claim your grandfather's rights? You almost let her die in the mansion in the capital after taking them in! Why do you think Sara came to me? Don't try to push Grandchester's duties onto someone who has done nothing until now."
Marquis Grandchester had no way to argue against this point. It was an undeniable fact.
"Even so, Sara saw through the clever trap set by Edward and is providing funds to the family of the person who bullied her. Even if you add up all the child support Grandchester has given this child, the land, buildings, funds, and horses that Father has given this child, it still doesn't compare to even one percent of the wealth Sara has brought to Grandchester. Just the other day, didn't she just receive payment for the wheat? Moreover, by starting a new industry, new income is expected. Where is there anyone who contributes to Grandchester more than Ed or me? If you absolutely need a golem, then Father should just make one himself."
"If I could do that, I would have done it already!"
"Is it okay to force Sara?"
"I'm asking because only Sara can do it."
"That's not a request from Father; it's an order, right?"
'Rihito, I understand. You were worried that this would cause a conflict. Because I carelessly created a golem, I dropped a spark between this parent and child...'
Sara understood that neither side was wrong. However, she also realized that a ruler who demands personal sacrifice for the people and the country cannot coexist with a father trying to protect his daughter.
Sara felt a deep pain in her chest, and her eyes grew warm. Memories of being lifted by Marquis Grandchester and Robert, laughing and sulking, flashed through her mind like scenes from a game. Without even realizing it, large tears began to fall, and she quietly let go of her consciousness.
"Milady Sara!"
"Sara!"
Maria, who was standing behind Sara, hurriedly lifted Sara up, but there was no response from her. Rebecca quickly tried to use her light healing magic, but there was absolutely no reaction.
Marquis Grandchester and Robert, who had been shouting at each other, also rushed over to Sara. However, suddenly Mike, Pochi, and Sedrick appeared and blocked their way.
"Will... if you keep bullying Sara, I won't hold back, even against you."
"If you intend to hurt Sara, I'll make all the plants in this territory wither."
"I can't understand why you would do something so cruel to Milady Sara, who has devoted so much to Grandchester."
The fairies were extremely angry.
Sedrick quickly picked up Sara and laid her on the bed, then transformed into a large black panther, baring his fangs to intimidate the approaching humans.
"Wait, I'm Sara's ally. I won't let her do anything she doesn't want. And if she's feeling unwell, I think it's better to have a healer check on her."
"Sara is upset because of your argument. Just look at her."
When Marquis Grandchester and Robert looked over, they saw that even though Sara was unconscious, tears were still flowing from her eyes.
"Sara..."
"Why... how could this happen?"
As the two of them were flustered and distressed, they heard a knock on the door. When Maria asked who it was from inside, it turned out to be Rihito, who had come to visit Sara's room.
"I apologize for coming at this late hour. I know this is the young lady's private room, but I was called by the fairies, so I came."
"Mr. Paracelsus, no, Mr. Rihito. Sara has collapsed. Please examine her!"
"Understood."
Since Robert, who was flustered, asked for help, Rihito entered Sara's room and walked over to the bed. The black panther, Sedrick, did not stop Rihito and shifted his position slightly to give Rihito space.
Rihito used multiple types of magic to check Sara's condition, providing necessary treatment while noting the materials needed to prepare medicine. After finishing his notes, he handed them to Maria and asked her to tell Amelia to gather the materials.
"I'll go just in case. We might be short on herbs."
"That's a good idea. Pochi, I'm counting on you."
"Leave it to me."
Maria stepped outside the room and called out to one of the female servants who could drive a carriage. Since Sara had collapsed, she urgently asked the servant to deliver the herbs listed in the note to Amelia at Maiden's Tower and entrusted her with the note. At that moment, Maria vowed to train herself to ride horses and drive carriages as well.
With nothing to do until the materials arrived, Rihito quietly walked over to the 3 members of the Grandchester family, who were waiting on the sofa.
"I understand the situation. This conflict arose much sooner than I expected. I don't know all of Miss Sara's past actions, but I felt a sense of danger just from what I've heard."
"Let's put that aside for now. Why did Sara collapse? Is there something wrong with her body?"
"There are no major abnormalities in her body."
"She collapsed suddenly without any warning, and you're saying there's really nothing wrong?"
Robert spoke rapidly.
"Right now, Miss Sara is not able to control her feelings well. If she were a normal child, she would be causing a magic overload, but Miss Sara instinctively holds it back. She probably understands what kind of results her magic overload could bring."
Rihito looked at Sara with pity.
"I can't really say much about others, but Miss Sara regained her past life memories at a very young age. Because she has the memories of an adult, people tend to think she is mature inside, even if she looks like a child. But in reality, her body and mind are those of an 8-year-old girl. Before her memories returned, she was probably a more grown-up child. She may have lost her parents and had to mature mentally as well."
"That's true. Since we took her in, she hasn't really acted like a typical child. She didn't throw tantrums or act spoiled; she seemed very calm."
Marquis Grandchester recalled the first time he met Sara.
"Even if her memories come back, her essence doesn't change. However, since adult memories are poured into an immature body and mind, she can't process them well. She probably had a high fever and collapsed right after her memories returned."
"Y-yes. That's definitely true. When Milady Sara fell into the pond and regained her memories, she had a high fever and was bedridden for about 3 days. I thought she just caught a really bad cold."
When Maria mentioned the big change Sara went through, Rihito nodded.
"Perhaps Miss Sara doesn't remember everything. The experiences and knowledge she couldn't process at first are probably on hold for now. Because of that, there are many things she can only vaguely recall. I was the same way."
"So, are you saying that Sara is in a situation where she's processing those memories on hold?"
Robert asked Rihito.
"To be precise, she is always processing them. As her body and mind grow, she gradually remembers more and more. She unconsciously uses her magic to process these memories, which often attracts fairies with its glow."
"Then why did she suddenly collapse?"
Always cheerful and bright, and overly confident Sara was now crying softly on the bed. She looked so weak and fragile that it made Robert's heart ache.
"When a person experiences a great shock or is in danger of their life, their body instinctively tries to recall past knowledge and experiences to improve the situation. Miss Sara probably realized that she was the reason you two had an argument and strongly wished to resolve it."
"Is it really possible to collapse over something like that? Honestly, thinking back on Sara, it doesn't seem like she would be shocked enough by that to fall like this..."
Rihito turned to face everyone in the room, his expression blank.
"To adults, it might seem like 'just that much.' Sure, if they were adults, they could probably just brush it off or push back, even if they were confused. But as I've said many times, her mind is not necessarily that of an adult. She can't just calmly accept that the people she cares about are fighting because of her. Let's at least hope that Miss Sara isn't the type to keep blaming herself."
"What do you mean by that?"
"If Miss Sara starts thinking that 'being here is making everyone around her unhappy,' there's a chance she might never wake up again."
"Whaat!"
"What did you say?!"
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