Chapter 70: Clara, Hehe, My Clara???

At this point, Venti had no choice but to lightly tap his head, sticking out his tongue like a cheerful idiot.

"Oops, I’ve been found out."

"Pfft. What are you doing, Sister Venti? That’s such a weird gesture."

Clara covered her mouth with her hand, giggling shyly.

However, she soon remembered the original purpose of her and Mr. Svarog’s visit. After confirming that Sister Venti was safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Since arriving at the upper district’s shelter last night, she had been searching everywhere for Sister Venti. Unfortunately, she hadn’t found her, but she had heard a lot of rumors about Sister Venti, most of which were positive.

This made Clara feel proud, believing that the Sister Venti she admired was doing well in the upper district and was someone everyone looked up to.

Moreover, did this also mean that with enough effort, Clara could one day become someone just as dazzling?

Holding onto this hope, Clara approached the Silvermane Guards she had met earlier and expressed her desire to help them.

At first, no one believed that a child like her could repair automatons, so they brought her some toy-like automatons to play with.

It was only after Mr. Svarog intervened that the issue was resolved.

After that, she started with simple part replacements, gradually moving on to troubleshooting and repairing damaged mechanical units.

By the time the Silvermane Guard responsible for automaton repairs arrived, Clara had already single-handedly maintained all the automatons.

The guard was skeptical that a child could complete repairs that even a professional would take considerable time to finish.

This led to a public mechanical repair competition.

Clara versus his apprentice—

The result was obvious. While the useless apprentice was scratching his head, trying to figure out what was wrong and why there were a few extra screws, Clara had already successfully repaired the Gearwolf automaton.

The comparison was stark. Not only did it debunk the Silvermane Guards’ earlier skepticism, but it also saved the old man from complete embarrassment.

Fortunately, this "Sister Venti" had appeared just in time to save him. Otherwise, he would have been so embarrassed that he’d want to crawl into the belly of a Ursus-type automaton.

Without Venti’s knowledge, the mechanic was already casting grateful glances his way.

"By the way, where were you earlier, Sister Venti? Mr. Svarog and I couldn’t find you anywhere."

After confirming that Venti was safe, Clara asked where he had been.

"I was performing at the Goethe Hotel in the administrative district. But then Stormterror suddenly appeared, scaring away all my audience. Even I was escorted by the Silvermane Guards to the nearest shelter."

At this point, Venti chuckled mischievously.

"However, I still wanted to sneak out and see what was happening. After all, such a once-in-a-century scene—it’s sure to give me some great inspiration for my new work."

"Hmm... Even though you’re already so good at playing, Sister Venti, you’re still working so hard. This must be what Mr. Svarog calls professionalism, right?"

The innocent girl smiled like the warm spring sun.

"In that case, Clara will also work hard, just like Sister Venti!"

"Ah, that’s a bit..."

Venti turned his face away, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Was it his conscience pricking him?

After all, all of this was caused by Sister Venti. If people found out, his career as a bard would probably be over.

Not only would he become a public enemy, but he might also be arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

When Clara came to visit him in prison, she would wear shoes she didn’t like and look at him with sorrowful eyes.

Because this was a dark and miserable place where terrible adults lived. Walking barefoot here would feel like her very existence was being tainted.

That’s something I don’t want… At least, at least wait another ten years, until Clara is an adult, right?

Being disliked by a child who was once so close to me…

The bard, suddenly sinking into a depressed state, naturally drew the girl’s concern.

She pattered over, but just as she was about to reach Venti, she stumbled, her body uncontrollably falling forward.

It was then that Venti noticed she was wearing shoes, something she rarely did. Probably some kind-hearted adult in the upper district, seeing her walking barefoot in such cold weather, had taken pity on her and given them to her.

But unfortunately, Clara had a certain ability, whether it was "misfortune" or a "curse."

That is, she would inevitably fall whenever she wore shoes.

While it was likely a habit she had developed since childhood, in terms of comfort, walking barefoot was the most comfortable state for Clara.

It didn’t feel restrictive, and it allowed her to directly feel that she and her family were striving to survive on this land.

Or, to put it in a more childish way—

This was Clara’s style!

As his thoughts wandered, Venti instinctively caught Clara before she could fall. If such a pretty little face were to get a big red mark from a fall, although it would only make her look even more adorable, it’s best to avoid things that hurt, right?

He carefully steadied the girl, watching as Clara’s panic turned into a sense of security and attachment.

The bard couldn’t help but tease her.

"It seems these aren’t the glass slippers that fit you best, my little Cinderella."

"Mm—!"

Clara’s face quickly turned red, her ruby-like eyes taking on a hint of indescribable charm.

"Sister Venti, don’t tease me at a time like this..."

"Hehe. If you don’t mind, I can weave a pair of magical shoes for you. They’ll be invisible but tangible. When your prince appears, he’ll personally put them on for you—"

After whispering this into the girl’s ear, Clara’s body softened even more. She breathed lightly, her legs trembling slightly.

Even in such a tense moment, her heart still held true rationality, and she could accurately express her current thoughts.

There was the shyness of making a fool of herself in front of everyone, the joy of being treated so gently by Sister Venti, and a certain willful thought that she could rely on him for anything, entrust everything to him.

She, just like she loved Mr. Svarog, also loved Sister Venti!

Being able to become family with each other made Clara really happy…

But, to be excluded like this, to be left out in the cold—

"I don’t want to hear it!"

"Clara doesn’t need a prince from a fairy tale. As long as Sister Venti and Mr. Svarog are always by my side, that’s enough!"

The girl stood on her tiptoes and whispered softly into the bard’s ear.

Such bold and straightforward words didn’t seem like something Clara would say. After saying this, she darted back behind Mr. Svarog like a rabbit, her eager gaze fixed on Venti.

Through the concept of "gaze," Venti finally snapped out of his daze. Had he just been swayed by Clara’s words?

No, no, the age gap was too big. Only a terrible adult with a mind full of inappropriate thoughts, who should turn themselves in to the authorities, would think like that.

The bard, who had automatically excluded himself from such thoughts, was certain of this.

I only see Clara as a little sister, absolutely no extra thoughts, so—is it still possible to preserve the air Clara just breathed in!?

The bard of the wind had completely forgotten his companion’s instructions!