I'm sure that in that letter,
Cliff's grandfather talks to him about how much money has been spent raising him.
And why that money was spent.
For the sake of him aiding his family's faction.
When will you help us?
Now, right!
Something like that is probably written there.
I must read it with caution.
"Oh, it's not that serious a problem."
Cliff scratched his cheek while saying that.
He has an uncomfortable expression.
"We already talked long ago about how I'd return once I graduated. He's just concerned about the cost of travel and the journey back."
Told that, I looked at the letter.
It started off with words of concern for Cliff's body.
After that, advice about how if the travel costs are too much, to show the enclosed Milis religious order leadership insignia to the Milis church.
A stern part about how the conflict is in an unfavorable situation, and he should resolve himself if he returns, and that if he's not resolved he doesn't have to return.
Lastly, he closes with words about how although he'd written some severe things, he wants to see Cliff's face again and looks forward to his return.
Overall, it was a heartwarming letter full of concern for Cliff.
I've never met Cliff's grandfather, but he seems like a nice guy.
I wonder what part of this is a problem.
"To be honest, I'm hesitating."
When he says hesitating, I suppose he's referring to that stuff about resolving himself.
"My intention was to immediately return to Milis after graduating. I've been training for that, and up to now that was always my intention. I had the confidence that I could fight my way through the scheming within the Milis religious order and win."
"I thought so."
Cliff has always been going on and on about that.
He said that after graduating, he'd return to the Holy Kingdom of Milis, and succeed his grandfather...
Although recently, he'd appreciated how difficult it is to become the successor to the Pope, and had been steadily training as a priest.
"But......"
Cliff sat in the sofa with his head in his hands.
"I've gotten married, and have a child now."
With just that, I understood his worries.
In short, it's the same type of thing that I'm always worrying about.
"The Milis religious order readily targets the weak... the enemy's family."
"......"
"Lize is one thing. She has the ability to protect herself. But Clive can't even stand on his own feet yet. I....... don't have the confidence that I can protect him."
I understand his feelings of worry.
You always want the people who are important to you to be in a safe place.
"First of all, I haven't even told my grandfather that I've married. If it's known that the Milis Pope's grandson married an elf, an unexpected scandal might occur. He might be dragged down by that and get overthrown."
The Milis religion has strong feelings toward other races.
The elves are a people of the Great Forest, so they aren't rejected that much,
but some of the radical factions persecute anyone who isn't human.
And Elinalise isn't looked upon that well by other elves, either.
"When I keep going in circles thinking about this, I no longer know whether I should return or not, and I just let Lize spoil me...... Recently, that's been repeating...... Only now do I finally understand why Zanoba acted so stubborn back then......"
Cliff himself probably wants to return, and thinks that he needs to do so.
But he'd be exposing his wife and child to danger.
Furthermore, because of his wife, his grandfather might even become in danger.
In this situation, is it okay to continue on your own path?
He doesn't know.
I don't know either.
But today, I came here to talk with him about this issue too.
The current me is capable of sending him a rescue boat.
"Cliff-senpai."
"............What?"
"Would you be willing to officially join Orsted-sama's faction?"
Cliff looked at me with a puzzled expression.
My way of phrasing it may have been poor.
But I don't want to say "become my comrade" and have him misunderstand.
It would be better to say it clearly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"If you become Orsted-sama's subordinate, Orsted-sama and I can go all-out to back you up. It would be possible to protect Elinalise and Clive while guiding Cliff-senpai's faction to victory."
Cliff furrowed his brow.