I Won't Let Anyone Have My Beloved Daughter Rabi! ~The Love Circumstances Full of Misunderstandings Between the Former Strongest Mage and the Cursed Girl~
Douglas was once hailed as the strongest—an SS-rank royal mage who stood beside heroes. Now he's a washed-up old man with a rusty staff, a revoked license, and nothing left to his name. He's made peace with being needed by no one.
Then a soaked, mud-covered girl collapses at his door and calls him "Daddy."
Rabi carries a curse that destroys everything around her when her emotions surge—the same curse that killed her parents and burned her village to the ground. Hunted and cast out, all she wan
I Won't Let Anyone Have My Beloved Daughter Rabi! ~The Love Circumstances Full of Misunderstandings Between the Former Strongest Mage and the Cursed Girl~ - My Ex-Girlfriend Appeared in the Ancient Ruins of the Blizzard, and It Turned Out My Beloved Daughter's Curse Was Linked to Her Romantic Feelings for Her Father
The blizzard showed no sign of letting up.
White darkness swallowed everything — sound, light, warmth. Douglas pressed forward one step at a time across the snowfield that spread before the entrance to the Mistral Great Forest. On his back, the weight of an unconscious Rabi. His breath clouded white, and deep in his lungs a freezing pain gnawed at him.
(Damn it... my legs won't move.)
His knees were trembling. The snow caught at his feet, and he nearly fell again and again. The old wound in his left arm throbbed with the cold. His ether had long since run dry. His fingertips had lost all feeling — he couldn't even weave a spell circle.
Even so, he hitched Rabi higher on his back.
(I can't let this one die.)
Douglas gritted his teeth. The taste of iron spread through his mouth.
Rabi's left arm — the curse's markings — gave off a pale blue light. In the white darkness of the blizzard, that light alone stood out with startling clarity. It pulsed, pointing the way deeper into the forest. Deep into the Mistral Great Forest. Toward the ancient ruins.
(Is that light guiding me?)
Douglas turned his feet toward where the light pointed.
On his back, Rabi stirred faintly.
"Dad... so warm..."
A faint voice slipped from Rabi's lips. Douglas felt something tighten painfully in his chest.
"Yeah... just a little further. Hang in there."
His voice shook. He felt pathetic, felt furious at himself, and gritted his teeth.
(I've got to pull myself together.)
The snow fell without mercy. He couldn't see more than a few steps ahead. The feeling in his limbs had long since vanished. Only the light from Rabi's markings was a sure guidepost in this white hell.
How long had he walked?
His sense of time and distance had long since been lost. Just one step, then another, treading down the snow. Only the howl of the blizzard kept ringing deep in his ears.
—That was when it happened.
Rabi's markings pulsed hard.
Thump.
The earth trembled as if in answer. The snow beneath his feet shook, and clumps of snow dropped from the branches. Beyond the blizzard, from deep in the forest, a heavy wave of ether came pressing in.
(Close...!)
Douglas raised his head.
Beyond the white darkness, a black shadow rose into view.
A massive stone structure — the entrance to the ancient ruins. Moss-covered stone pillars stood quietly in the blizzard. The light of Rabi's markings resonated with the old spell formulas carved into the ruins' walls, and pale blue light spread across the stone like veins.
(So this is...)
Douglas stepped into the entrance of the ruins.
The blizzard stopped dead.
No — it hadn't stopped. The interior of the ruins was cut off from the storm. The air changed entirely. Cold, dry air clung to his skin. The silence pressed against his ears.
Douglas slowly lowered Rabi to the ground.
"Rabi... we made it."
Rabi opened her eyes a crack. Her violet-tinged eyes gazed vaguely at Douglas.
"Dad... where are we..."
"Ruins. Your curse led us here."
Douglas stroked Rabi's hair. The silver strands caught the pale light and shimmered like stardust.
"My... curse..."
Rabi looked at her own left arm. The markings were still pulsing. Their light dimly illuminated the passage leading deeper into the ruins.
"Don't worry. I'm right here."
Douglas took Rabi's hand. Her cold fingertips trembled faintly.
That was when it happened.
"...Oh my."
A woman's voice echoed from deep within the ruins.
Douglas sprang up reflexively, shielding Rabi.
From the depths of the passage, out of the pale light, a woman appeared. Long, reddish curled hair swayed as it caught the light. Narrow green eyes. On her left breast was embroidered the emblem of the hero's party. The mage's ring on her finger caught the ether light and glimmered quietly.
"I've been looking for you, Douglas."
Marie — a former comrade from Douglas's hero party, now a royal mage of the Kingdom of Randall.
Douglas was at a loss for words.
"Marie... why are you here?"
"Same as ever. Does looking for someone need a reason?"
Marie walked slowly toward them. The click of her heels echoed coldly against the stone passage.
Rabi stared at Marie.
(What a beautiful person...)
Red curled hair. Narrow green eyes. A perfect beauty that carried an adult allure. And above all — the familiar way she acted toward Douglas.
Something gave a small, sharp prick deep in Rabi's chest.
(What... is this person to Douglas?)
Marie stopped in front of Rabi.
"So this is her... the cursed girl I've heard about."
Marie's gaze turned to Rabi's left arm. The curse's markings pulsed hard, as if reacting to her stare.
"...!"
Rabi instinctively hid her arm.
"It's all right. Don't be afraid."
Marie crouched down in front of Rabi.
"Will you show me? Those markings."
Rabi looked up at Douglas. Douglas nodded silently.
Rabi timidly held out her left arm.
Marie took Rabi's arm gently and studied the markings closely. Her green eyes held a serious light.
"...This is terrible. These didn't grow stronger on their own."
Marie's voice dropped.
"Someone is deliberately amplifying them. They're feeding ether into the curse's source from the outside."
Douglas's expression changed.
"What...! Who would do such a thing?"
"I don't know. But I followed that presence, and it led me here."
Marie stood.
"The one behind this is deep inside these ruins. First, let's calm this girl's curse."
Marie formed a hand sign. Her fingertips took on a pale blue glow.
"This is a calming spell. It should ease things a little."
Marie held her hand over Rabi's arm. The light was drawn into the markings. The pulsing slowly grew gentler, calmer.
Rabi's breathing deepened.
"...Thank you."
Rabi bowed her head to Marie.
"It's fine. More importantly, don't push yourself."
Marie lightly stroked Rabi's head.
Rabi felt something complicated at the touch of that hand.
(She's kind... but why? My chest feels so restless.)
Douglas asked Marie.
"Marie. Do you know something about these ruins?"
"Yes. This was a curse research facility from the ancient Arcadia era."
Marie looked up at the spell formulas carved into the ruins' walls.
"There's a good chance the origin of this girl's curse is here."
Douglas caught his breath.
"And one more thing."
Marie fixed her eyes on Douglas.
"This girl's curse is directly tied to her emotions. Especially — Douglas, the stronger her feelings for you, the stronger the curse becomes."
The blood drained from Rabi's face.
"What...?"
Rabi pressed a hand to her chest.
(My feelings for Dad... are making the curse stronger?)
(Because I love Dad... I'm putting him in danger?)
Rabi's eyes wavered wildly.
"Then... maybe it's better if I'm not here."
Rabi's voice trembled.
"If I'm around, Dad gets hurt... my feelings might end up killing him..."
Tears spilled from Rabi's eyes.
Douglas knelt in front of her.
"What are you saying!"
Douglas gripped both of Rabi's shoulders.
"If you weren't here, I... I..."
The words wouldn't come.
(What happens to me?)
(If Rabi were gone, I—)
Something pulsed violently deep in Douglas's chest.
Marie watched the two of them with a complicated expression.
"Douglas. If you team up with me, we can chase down whoever's behind this. I need your strength."
Marie whispered to Douglas.
"This time, I want to fight alongside you. Like we used to."
Marie's green eyes looked straight at Douglas. In them, regret, lingering attachment, and feelings that hadn't yet faded were clearly visible.
Rabi felt her chest tighten at how close Marie and Douglas stood.
(This person... she loves Douglas.)
(She's so much more suited to him than I am.)
Rabi bit her lip.
That was when it happened.
The markings on Rabi's left arm began to pulse violently again.
"...A-ah...!"
Rabi let out a cry of pain.
Pale blue light spilled from the markings. The light swelled in an instant, shaking the air around them. The ether was running wild. Uncontrollable power poured out of Rabi's body.
"Rabi!"
Douglas rushed to her.
"Stand back! I'll hold it down!"
Marie formed a hand sign and stood in front of Rabi.
"Be calm—!"
Strong light burst from Marie's hands. It collided with the light spilling from Rabi's markings, scattering fierce sparks.
"Ngh...!"
Marie's face twisted in pain.
"No good... this girl's curse is too strong. Even my magic can't fully suppress it!"
Marie shouted.
"This girl's curse — she has to control it herself—"
That was when it happened.
"Rabi! Are you all right!?"
A man's voice echoed from the entrance of the ruins.
Neat, refreshing blond short hair. Clear blue eyes. Handsome features. The magic-stone earring in his left ear caught the pale light and glittered.
Kyle — a young B-rank adventurer.
"I followed you all the way here. It was rough out there in the blizzard."
Kyle tried to rush to Rabi's side.
"Stay back!"
Douglas blocked Kyle's path.
"Old man, would you mind getting out of the way? Rabi's in danger."
Kyle gave Douglas a cold glance.
"You can't protect Rabi, can you? Just look at her. She's suffering."
Douglas was left speechless by Kyle's words.
(...He's right.)
(I haven't protected Rabi.)
(Just as Kyle says, I'm powerless.)
Douglas's fist trembled.
"Kyle! I'm staying with Dad!"
Rabi shouted, even through her pain.
"I... I won't leave Dad...!"
Rabi's voice rang through the ruins.
Kyle stared at Rabi.
"Rabi... but this dad of yours can't protect you, can he?"
Kyle's voice was quiet.
"I'm the one who'll protect you. I won't put you in danger."
Kyle held out his hand to Rabi.
That was when it happened.
Rabi's markings began a black pulse unlike anything before.
Thump.
Black light began to erode the pale blue light.
"W-what... is this..."
Rabi's body convulsed violently.
"Rabi!"
Douglas threw his arms around her.
Black light poured from Rabi's body and began to resonate with the ancient spell formulas carved into the ruins' walls.
"These ruins... they might be a curse research facility from the Arcadia era. The origin of this girl's curse is here."
Marie looked up at the ruins' walls.
"And this resonance... whoever's behind this is deep inside these ruins. I'm certain of it."
At Marie's words, the air in the place turned taut in an instant.
"Then let's settle this fast and give Rabi some relief!"
Kyle started to draw his sword.
"Don't rush. There may be traps."
Douglas held Kyle back.
"Old man, are you scared? Don't worry, I'll protect you. You and Rabi both."
Kyle said it with a refreshing smile.
Douglas felt his gut boil at that smile.
(This brat... he mocks me at every turn.)
In Douglas's arms, Rabi was staring at the spell formulas on the wall.
"Somehow... I feel like I know them. These patterns..."
Rabi's voice trembled.
"I... I've seen these patterns somewhere... my head hurts..."
Rabi clutched her head.
"You don't have to remember. Right now, just think about moving forward."
Douglas held Rabi's shoulders.
(Is her past connected to these ruins?)
(Is the secret of Rabi's curse somewhere deeper in?)
Heavy unease spread through Douglas's chest.
As they advanced deeper into the ruins, Rabi's curse began to resonate even more strongly with the ancient spell formulas carved into the walls. The formulas covering the walls gave off a blue-black light, illuminating the passage eerily.
"These ruins might be a curse research facility from the Arcadia era. The origin of this girl's curse is here."
Marie said it while analyzing the formulas on the walls.
"Look at these formulas. They're meant to amplify curses. The ancient mages must have studied curses here."
"Then let's settle this fast and give Rabi some relief!"
Kyle showed his impatience.
"Don't rush. There may be traps."
Douglas held Kyle back.
"Old man, are you scared? Don't worry, I'll protect you."
Kyle laughed again.
Douglas ignored Kyle and took Rabi's hand.
"Rabi, are you all right?"
"Yeah... as long as I
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