Chapter 7: Pedophile

“Mina is a very beautiful and capable woman. Please treat her well.”

“Don’t worry. I will.”

“…Hmm, it seems like mother was correct after all.”

Showing him an understanding smile, Risa stepped out of the dining room, leaving Mina and Colt alone. Everyone but Mina had finished eating. Colt decided to wait and play the role of the nice fiance.

The two had just gotten engaged. It would be weird for Colt to just up and go all of a sudden. What if he gets stabbed in the back in the future for it? Thus, Colt with Mina as she ate. He watched over her with a smile. Mina’s perfect complexion brightened as she blushed.

“Um, please don’t stare too much…”

“I apologize, you must have been uncomfortable.” Colt apologized.

“N-no, my heart simply cannot take too much stimulation…Dear.”

Colt turned away, closed his eyes, and felt an itch in his chest.

‘Ack, what the hell?’ it was weird for him, ‘It’s like I’m a teenager again, ack!’

Breakfast finally finished, and the newly engaged pair decided to leave the manor. It was still around 9:00 am when they made the sudden decision to head to the city.

The single comment “I have not gone out for a while,” from Colt triggered the notion.

“Then let us head out, my dearest.” Mina was ecstatic about the idea.

They ended in a carriage.

Despite everything else, Colt only wore simplistic clothing in order not to stand out so much. He’s well aware that his reputation in the city was not that good. Thus, he wished to avoid getting seen by too many people, Colt went ahead and wore something the original wouldn’t usually wear. Even Mina wore a simple one-piece dress. She brought it with her to combat any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

‘I supposed a change of pace would not be so bad.’

Colt thought as such and left on a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage they got on was similar to the design of the ones seen in the medieval period back on earth. It had four wheels, a vast space inside, and was very comfortable.

But the only difference to the medieval era was that this carriage was, first and foremost, not drawn by ordinary horses. Instead of conventional ones, these horses had the mane of dark flames, making them look menacing.

But they were gentle, so it was all right.

These horses weren’t animals, but a creature known as Magical Beast. Most of them were dangerous man-eating demons, but nowadays, some Magical Beasts were bred like normal animals, most of them were even turned to cattle, ‘That’s neat.’

The carriage was also different in terms of its functionality. The carriages that could be found all over the continent have layered magic runes engraved in them so its weight would be lighter and have less rocking motion even on a bumpy road.

These kind carriages were once only available to nobility. But when the new and current King was seated to the throne, he implemented a lot of noble-exclusive miscellaneous to help the common people’s day-to-day lives.

Colt had always seen the King of the Kingdom as someone unique. He liked him as he was not a greedy villain.

“Where to, Young Master?”

The Coachman asked. Colt looked at Mina.

“Is there a place you wish to go to?”

“Anywhere you wish is fine, dear.”

“Then, the Garden of Serenity.”

“…Yes, Young Master.” The Coachman nodded his head with a severe expression. Still, deep within, he was smiling. Colt Edgeworth doesn’t go to teahouses like the Garden of Serenity as he was a regular to the many bars around the city. Almost every day, Colt would disappear and then reappear hammered outside the doors of the Edgeworth Manor.

And for the past few days, the Young Master’s been disappearing more frequently, ‘He must have wanted to say goodbye to the bars.’ The Coachman held a smile.

News of Colt’s grandiose ways settling down had spread, and it was said that Mina was the cause of this change. Seeing what’s happening right now, the rumors proved to be true.

They reached the Garden of Serenity reasonably quickly.

Colt could hear the ramblings of others and some girl selling flowers by the wayside.

Getting out of the carriage, Colt offered his hand to Mina and assisted her down with grace. In front of them was a three-story building. On its entrance was the very eye-catching sign, “Garden of Serenity”.

“What time does the Young Master wish for me to get you?”

“Around lunch would be fine. I merely wish to stay here and read some books.”

Colt entered the Garden of Serenity, and everyone inside went silent. Numerous well-off regulars were present when Colt and Mina arrived. Colt ignored them and approached one of the male attendants. He avoided any female like they were the plague.

“Is the third floor open?”

“Y-yes, there is currently no one in there.”

“Good, we’ll be going to the third floor to have some tea. Send us your best.”

“Understood, Young Master.”

Colt had Mina follow him to the third floor with peaceful steps. Soon after disappearing from the first floor, Colt could hear a burst of commotion.

“Did you see that lady the wastrel Colt was with? She was so beautiful, do you know who she is?”

“I don’t know her, but she’s wasted on someone like him.”

Mina stopped dead on her tracks, she turned around with a smile, but a dark expression loomed over her sweet smile.

“Mina, please don’t. We can’t refute them anyway. Their words are all true.” Colt said without turning back.

“But…”

“I don’t need other’s opinions other than yours.”

“Dear…yes, I understand.”

Colt wished to throw up. He could not believe this nonsensical playboy words were coming off his mouth. In his mind, he was already killing himself, ‘You saved a dozen people today, Leo, you’re a hero.’

The two continued their way up to the third floor.

After picking up books from the laid out bookshelves, Colt picked an area closest to the window.

The books he picked weren’t novels, but historical books that detail different landmarks. The World Building of the story [Sword of Heaven] happens around Vol. 4, but even then, Colt had no means of knowing what’s to expect of the world. 

He desires knowledge, the reason being he wishes to do something interesting in this world, run a business.

He refers to it as a business when in actuality, Colt simply wants to take the hidden treasures scattered about.

These treasures came from ancient times. And these treasures ranged from a sword to a book that teaches ancient techniques. Even though this world was already advancing in terms of magical technology, ancient weaponry and methods were still somehow stronger.

‘I want the Ocean’s Sword and the World Devouring Book. Now, where is the Heaven’s Plateau and the Thunder Tiger Mountain.’

“I didn’t think dear likes reading books such as those? Do you like legends?” Mina commented as she took a sip of tea.

‘She’s really hung up on using the word, dear.’

To others, the book in Colt’s hands was something a scholar would be fond of reading. But to Colt, it was a fantasy book with fantastical locations. Even though he does not like reading an educational book, it still felt like he was reading some World Building thread on the internet, so it wasn’t as tedious.

“I am choosing where I should go in the coming months.”

“Are we going on a trip?”

“…Yes, I have been fascinated by the Thunder Tiger Mountains. I heard they have some good hot springs there..”

Mina squirmed and blushed. She held onto her burning cheeks, “Don’t you supposed it is still too early, Dear? I do believe marriage has to come first, but if that is your wish, I do not mind at all.”

Colt looked at Mina, at a loss for words. Right now, there were three choices that could lead his relationship with her down to three different paths. There was a cold path, a loving path, and just right.

Colt obviously picked the just right and said with a smile while holding her hand.

“It is just for vacation. We can take our time after the marriage.”

Mina nodded her head, and Colt heaved a sigh of relief. He turned his head and looked down the road. He looked around, and when his eyes caught sight of one particular alleyway, he creased his brows and stood up.

‘Sigh, this really is a fantasy world, idiots do idiot things in broad daylight…also why does this feel like Deja Vu?’

“Where are you going, dear?”

“Um, please stay here, where I am going might be dangerous, I don’t wish for you to get hurt.”

“Dear, I do not know what you are trying to do, but I saw your swordsmanship last night, and I can say that I more capable than you are.”

“…okay.”

Colt’s dignity as a man was hurt. The crack was tiny, but it cracked nonetheless.

He shrugged her words off and headed down the teahouse.

“Are you leaving already, Young Master?”

“No, I am simply going to head over somewhere real quick. Don’t touch our table.”

Colt, head out with Mina. Walking exactly twenty steps away from the teahouse was an alleyway. He went in that alleyway and immediately caught sight of four people.

“Hey, young girl, you’re from the orphanage on the hill, right? Your sister owes us a lot of money. It should be your obligation to pay, correct?”

“Leave me alone!” the girl growled.

“Oh, you have quite the nice voice there, missy…”

Three burly men with tattoos all over their bodies and even face entrapped the girl who was selling flowers by the wayside. The little girl was not even half their size.

The girl had her back against the wall.

Colt sighed at their petty attempts to become villains.

‘Sigh, these pedophiles are something else…’

“Hey! Enough of that! Do you even know where you’re doing this?”

The three men turned around, the instant they saw Colt’s mug and the beauty by his side caused them to feel irritated at the bastard almost by instinct.

“Hey, dipshit, don’t try anything stupid or else, what do you want, lady do you—ack!”

“What the!?” everyone exclaimed.

Mina moved, and using her palm, she hit the pedo thug who badmouthed Colt right on the jugular. The thug held his throat. Mina went ahead and used some of the Mana and placed her hand on his chest.

“Don’t badmouth my husband like that.”

BaM! The pedo thug was sent spiraling across the air.

Seeing this, the remaining two did the routine of every thug.

Scamper about and then pick up their beaten friend and announce the three words of-

“You’ll regret this!”

Once they disappeared from her sight completely, Mina turned to Colt with a smile, but that smile quickly transformed into an icy glare.

“What are you doing, dear?”

She asked Colt, who was being hugged by the little girl.

“It’s big bro, Sparkly. You saved me!”.

Colt was petrified for many reasons. Not even thinking about how this girl knew him, or if this lass was connected to the gaps of his memory, Colt had a headache about one thing.

‘She’s also jealous of little girls? Damn, what would happen if we have a daughter in the future…?’

Despite the uncertainty of his fate, one thing’s clear. He’d already rescinded to a future with Mina.