The Time-Stop Breeding Uncle Wants to Retire – Chapter 79

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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We were immediately exiled from the forest.

In a way, it was natural.

To the elves, the World Tree was akin to a god.

It was a guardian that protected their home unconditionally and was the law of nature.

Although there was the condition of accepting elves as sacrifices, other elves couldn’t have known such a fact.

Considering that, it was fortunate that it ended with just exile.

However, though we had dealt with the corrupted World Tree, not everything was resolved.

Rather, this was just the beginning.

They had to move forward without the World Tree now.

“Exile, huh. I suppose we won’t be seen in the forest anymore.”

“That’s right.”

“Do you have any regrets?”

“No, I have no regrets.”

“I see.”

Before leaving, Cluna had a brief meeting with Emily.

At first, I was worried they might fight, but thankfully, the meeting started in a calm atmosphere.

“With what face do you come to see me?”

“You’re prickly~ Well, I guess that’s natural?”

“It was a mistake to touch my daughter.”

“I know. But I have no regrets either.”

For a very brief moment, Cluna and Emily’s gazes met.

An unyielding, stern aura clashed, pressuring the surroundings.

The only one who could stop this was Clara.

“Mom, I’m okay.”

“Clara…”

“I can’t forgive being controlled, but I understand, Aunt.”

“You still call me Aunt?”

“Yes, because after all, you were trying to save Mom.”

“…You’re naive, Clara. Or are you just stupid?”

This time Clara tried to lunge at Emily, but Cluna barely managed to stop her.

Looking at them, they seemed less like enemies and more like bad friends.

However, Emily had made the wrong choice.

She had tried to sacrifice everything for Cluna, and that included Clara.

Naturally, they could only become enemies.

After that brief exchange, we immediately boarded the carriage.

Soon the horses galloped forward with a clamorous noise.

We just sat quietly amidst the horses’ vigor.

“Are you both really okay with this?”

In the carriage, I broached a sensitive topic.

It was about being exiled from the forest.

Emily would be punished, but she hadn’t received the massive punishment of exile right away.

According to the elders, offering people was the right decision at that time, or something like that.

Certainly, I had wondered why those years kept coming up from beginning to end.

So that was what it was about.

“Is it to shift responsibility?”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. More importantly, what’s your answer?”

“I’m fine.”

“Me too.”

Cluna and Clara didn’t regret leaving the forest.

They had originally intended to leave the forest, and having seen so much until now, they were unwavering.

As a result, it was a good thing for me.

At least they wouldn’t rebel like the elves.

Unlike them, the elves said they would remember this incident.

“Relations with the elves will be strained for a while.”

“It can’t be helped.”

“Ignorant belief is a frightening thing.”

Things would go badly for now, but I think someday they’ll become friendly again.

The game meta was like that too.

In the end, I set off alone again.

“By the way, I never expected you to leave the forest so soon.”

“Is that so surprising?”

“Of course it is.”

Of course, they were part of the story, but apart from that, elves were famous for being very conservative.

Just like how they defended the World Tree’s system even with a sword pointed at them.

The elves’ evaluation wouldn’t change much either.

Even if they were to revive the World Tree again.

I sighed.

They were quite a troublesome bunch.

Our carriage continued to travel without rest.

There was a way to return using the forest paths, but that was difficult to use because Cluna and Clara were too exhausted.

Having left the fortress empty for quite a long time, I thought I’d just hole up and sleep when we got back.

Anyway, when we were almost there, Clara showed an uneasy expression.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s just… a bit awkward.”

“Awkward?”

“Yeah, I don’t know how to put it.”

“Ah, I see.”

I smiled slightly.

Come to think of it, when Cluna had left the letter and departed, Clara had shown great anger in front of everyone.

She seemed to be embarrassed about her behavior then.

“Don’t worry too much. Nobody will think deeply about it.”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Of course, I remember everything though.”

“Commander! That’s mean!!”

“What are you talking about?”

Cluna, who had left earlier and didn’t know the situation, tilted her head, and as I tried to explain to her, Clara grabbed me like she was catching a mouse.

It was noisy, but not a bad atmosphere.

And as expected, when we returned to Lionheart Fortress, everyone welcomed us without concern.

Especially when they confirmed that Cluna was with us, they finally felt relieved.

“Didn’t I tell you? Everyone’s welcoming you.”

“…You’re right.”

“Well, they’ve probably forgotten all about the past already.”

Of course, it was too recent to call it the past, but Clara blushed and turned her head at my words.

It seems she was convinced by what I said.

That was good.

“Good work, Commander.”

“Thank you for working hard in my place, Commander Yuren.”

“It’s nothing. This much is no big deal.”

Commander Yuren said with a shrug.

However, this time Commander Yuren’s contribution was not small.

She had properly fulfilled the role of acting commander in my place.

If she hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have pretended to be crazy and rushed into the elven forest.

Nothing works without the commander.

Was there anything else unusual?

“By the way, there was one unusual request.”

“An unusual request?”

“Yes. We haven’t dispatched anyone yet because we still have some leeway, but I think we should read the contents first.”

Yuren said that and handed me a letter.

Damn, they weren’t letting me rest for even a moment.

I couldn’t openly grumble, so instead I received it while frowning.

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I truly owed the Commander a great deal.

From the moment I first met the Commander until now, the favors I received from the Commander were beyond repayment.

Coincidentally, mother and daughter were thinking the same thing.

From Clara’s perspective, he was an excellent commander who had rebuilt the fallen Royal Knights.

From Cluna’s perspective, he was practically a family savior who had saved both her and her daughter at the same time.

The Commander had said it would be good for them to have a discussion when they got back.

They agreed with the Commander’s words.

So as soon as they arrived here, they entered the room.

Of course, there was a barrage of questions from their colleagues, but it was none other than the Commander who blocked them.

‘Once again, I’m indebted to the Commander.’

Thinking that, Cluna spoke first.

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh? For what?”

“For always acting on my own without telling you anything.”

“…”

She thought it was for her family’s sake.

Now as before, family was the most precious thing to her after all.

But because of that, she had forgotten that it could hurt her family.

If it weren’t for the lesson she received from the Commander, she probably wouldn’t have noticed this.

Clara, who had been surprised by Cluna’s apology, soon smiled broadly and replied to Cluna.

“I’m sorry too. For not listening to you well, Mom.”

“Clara…”

“So, let’s make a promise. To never let this happen again.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Clara held out her pinky finger with a smile, and Cluna responded with her own pinky finger.

The promise made by intertwining their fingers carried a much heavier weight than it appeared on the surface.

“By the way, I wonder what the Commander is doing right now?”

It was just simple curiosity.

It was natural to wonder what someone you’re interested in was doing.

However, an unexpected response came back.

“Th-The Commander? Why are you suddenly bringing him up?”

“…???”

Clara narrowed her eyes.

The flustered response given without thinking, her red face, and her gaze losing its way.

No matter how you looked at it, it could only mean one thing.

“Mom, could it be…?”

“W-What nonsense are you trying to say?!”

“No, it’s okay. I understand.”

I understand.

I completely understand.

After all, wasn’t her mother in an arranged marriage to begin with?

Of course, it couldn’t be said that there was no love at all, but a long time had passed.

And certainly, even to herself as an elf, the Commander was an admirable man worth falling for.

He was someone who took responsibility for his words once spoken, and never ran away no matter the situation.

“But I have no intention of backing down either.”

“Clara? Those words, could you possibly…?”

“That’s right. Somehow, it turned out that way.”

Cluna silently looked at Clara.

Clara didn’t avoid that gaze either.

Was it an illusion that sparks seemed to fly between them?

No, it probably wasn’t an illusion.

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[MILF AND DAUGHTER ACQUIRED BABY WE BALLIN, cant wait for them r18 chaps later in the story]