Guide to the Education and Training of Girls with Mentally Abnormalities

Chapter 27 "Backup"

Edmund and his party returned to 179 Green Oak Street by carriage, by which time it was completely dark.

The bright moon replaced the sunlight and took over the earth, casting a silvery glow under the thin mist of night.

The streets, shrouded in water chestnuts, were silent. Occasionally, a few crows or other birds would perch on the eaves or branches, briefly fluttering away and leaving a fleeting black shadow.

If it weren't for the magic crystal on the streetlamp constantly emitting its orange-yellow glow, one might truly be unable to distinguish whether the light on the stone pavement and between the cracks was the afterglow of the remaining snow or a gift from the starry night.

Throughout the journey, Edmund pondered matters concerning the Enfield family.

Shortly after Alicia finished her speech.

The old butler, whom he had met a few times before, quietly approached him. Dressed in a black tuxedo, he resembled an elderly yet still elegant raven.

"Mr. Edmund Clemens, my master requests your presence."

This was Edmund's first real visit to Enfield Manor.

The carpets, so expensive they would cost an equivalent weight in gold, are laid out in the hallway like floor mats.

Ordinary glass windows are adorned with intricate carvings and patterns at the junction with the frame, while the precious mahogany frames gleam warmly under the lamplight.

Each crystal on the gold chandelier is more dazzling and colorful than those in Edmund's house, yet here they are placed as casually as pebbles.

After going through many twists and turns and undergoing several security checks by the knights, they finally met the Duke of Enfield.

"Edmund Clemens, I already know your background and origins very well, so you don't need to elaborate further."

The stern-looking man behind the desk waved the bound documents beside him.

He glanced at the grandfather clock on the wall; the hands ticked away, driven by the pendulum.

"How much do you know about Utumno?"

"hell."

"Hell," the Duke of Enfield repeated, but his expression did not reflect the doubt in his tone.

"A hell that can devour anything without leaving a trace."

"A terrifying hell where one can be hailed as an adventurer by others simply by escaping unscathed."

"Hmm, very good." The Duke did not seem to have any intention of verifying whether Edmund had actually entered the dungeon. He nodded and reached out to take a letter from the butler Gareth.

By the light of the lamp, Edmund could vaguely see the griffin emblem, a symbol of royalty, printed on the letter.

"The underground palace of Utumno contains countless treasures and secrets. The long war has kept the royal family of the Holy Kingdom and the Holy Light Church from exploring this vast underground palace. Their strength has been consumed in repairing the ruined cities ravaged by the war and restoring the large but damaged military organization."

"Until today."

"The Papacy and the royal family have once again turned their attention to this underground palace left behind by the Demon King. In the past, they mostly relied on purchasing the output of adventurers, but clearly, their appetite is no longer satisfied with this meager output."

"As far as I know, they will once again enter the Utumno dungeon with their squires, mages, and paladins."

The Duke picked up the white porcelain cup and took a sip of the warm black tea inside.

"Of course, it won't be an entire, fully-organized army corps. These days, it's not the war-torn era we live in."

"It would be more accurate to describe it as a trial."

"This is a great opportunity for the Enfield family. Thanks to your efforts, Alicia has become an excellent novice adventurer. You heard her speech at the banquet today. She has decided to try to join one of the princes' teams to fight for a valuable future for herself and for the family."

"It's not just the Enfield family vying for opportunities, and Alicia, who has ventured deep into the underground city, isn't the only one facing danger."

As he spoke, he flipped through the very first document again.

"Mr. Edmund Clemens, your background check shows that you are a seasoned adventurer who was able to escape Utumno unscathed. Your experience proves that you are a believer in the Holy Light, keeping your promises and acting with integrity. Whether it is your past teaching of Alicia or your 'work' under Edith these days, the reliability and integrity you have shown have been seen by Gareth and me."

When the Duke spoke of "Edith's work," he smiled gently, like a father reminiscing about his daughter's adorable days of playing house.

"More importantly, you were able to bring the woman you had been keeping by your side from a distant foreign land to Karenbel City unharmed, and give her a relatively stable and comfortable life, even under such dangerous circumstances."

"That's why I found you."

Edmund understood the subtext in the Duke's words.

The exploration of the dungeon is just a pretext; the real purpose of the royal family and the Papacy is more likely to use the trial as an opportunity to select the true heir.

The struggle for the crown prince position has always been a matter of the victor becoming king and the loser becoming villain.

Choosing the wrong side means certain death and utter ruin.

That's why the Duke of Enfield found an opportunity to openly expel Edith from the family, while secretly having Willow protect her closely.

Today's summons is so that, if the Enfield family falls into its worst situation in the future, I can take Edith away from this place of trouble, just as I took Esty away.

Of course, this would happen if such a situation did not occur.

And so, as Edith and Edmund had agreed, she continued to live a peaceful life as her mentor and housekeeper.

After all, in Edmund's view, for the willful and domineering Edith, staying in the orderly and hierarchical Enfield family was no different from being in prison.

Edmund's Adam's apple bobbed.

"I see."

"I enjoy dealing with intelligent people like you, Mr. Clemens," the Duke of Enfield said with a wave of his hand and a smile. "We'll meet again sometime."

……

"Edmund? Edmund?? Edmund!"

Edith gently punched the young man in the chest, pulling him back to reality from his wandering thoughts.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Edmund looked at Edith, who was staring at his face with some annoyance.

"It's nothing, hmph," she muttered under her breath. "It's just that you seem so distracted."

Esther glanced at Edmund and tugged at his sleeve from a corner where Edith couldn't see.

Willow opened the door with a click.

"Miss Edith, Lord Edmund, and Miss Esther, please come in."

Get some rest early tonight.

As soon as she entered the house, Edith gave instructions like a hostess.

"I have something to announce tomorrow morning."

"A very, very important thing."