第３３１堀：彼女だからこそ (Part1)
**Chapter 331: Because It’s Her**
**Side: Riel**
"Um, well... I was hoping you two might listen to what I have to say."
I spoke to the two women in front of me, feeling rather timid.
"..."
"..."
*Hmph.*
No good. This isn't going well.
But I have to try my best to bring them along; it would definitely be a huge help to Yuki-san. Besides, Yuki-san asked me to do this, and I don't want to look like I’m incapable of doing my job.
Come to think of it, the "simplification of thought" caused by mental control—that’s been lifted, right? So why are they still acting so prickly? They talk to Sia, Kishua, and Alfin just fine.
"Riel, that soft approach won't work."
"..."
"It's a waste of time."
I turned around at the sound of those voices to see Eris, Kaya, and Tori entering the interview room.
"I thought it might be better if the two of us came along, Riel."
"Tori, you’re a lifesaver. These two haven't reacted to anything I’ve said..."
It’s good to have friends. Or, I suppose, family?
"Wait, what? Are they shaking?"
I looked back at Kaya and Claudia, and sure enough, they were trembling slightly.
"It’s fine. They’re probably just happy to be reunited with us."
"..."
"Is that really it?"
They both look terrified to me. Hmm. But since two people of the same race are saying it, I guess I shouldn't doubt them?
"..."
"..."
They kept their heads down, trembling, and became even quieter than before. Why? At this rate, I’m never going to get any work done. What should I do?
"Riel, Tori. Please step out for a moment."
"..."
"They’re both embarrassed. They want to be alone with us."
"Ah, I see. Tori, let's go."
"O-okay. ...Though I’m pretty sure that’s not it."
"Did you say something?"
"Nope. Let's go."
We were about to leave them to it, but then—
"W-wait, please!!"
"T-that’s right! Wait! You, the cat beastman!"
"Huh?"
They suddenly called out to us, their faces desperate.
"I think there’s a better way to phrase that, don't you? First of all, you ignored Riel."
"..."
"I’ve never heard such a rude way to address someone as a 'cat beastman.' As a fellow fox beastman, it makes me sad. As Riel's friend, I think this requires some discipline."
"Eh? No, I didn't really mind that much..."
I tried to say that, but the two of them suddenly dropped to their knees in a *dogeza*.
"Riel-sama, we are terribly sorry for not responding to your call earlier. We were feeling a bit unwell and were unable to react properly. Please, we beg your forgiveness!!"
"Riel, I apologize for my rude behavior. I’ve been in a cell for so long that I’ve been on edge. Forgive me."
"Ah, um, it's okay..."
"Forgive you? Is Kaya an idiot?"
"Please forgive us!! We are truly sorry!!"
Yeah. It was clear now: Eris and Kaya >> Claudia and Kaya. Since they were the same race, Eris had been prioritizing their interaction, and something must have happened then. Judging by that "silent anger" vibe, they had clearly pushed the wrong buttons.
"Alright, alright, that’s enough. You’ll talk to me properly from now on, right?"
When I asked that, they both nodded their heads with incredible speed. ...I wonder what kind of "discipline" they were subjected to.
"Anyway, like I said before. We’re heading to the demi-human country—um, what was the name again?"
"..."
"It’s White Forest."
"Right, that. We’re going there, and I was hoping you could cooperate with us."
"..."
"Riel. Do you know what our position is?"
"Yeah, I actually do. Claudia, your brother is the King of White Forest, and Kaya, your younger sister is the Prime Minister, right?"
"..."
"I have no face left to show my brother."
"..."
"Me neither. I abandoned my country, pushed the burden onto my sister, and caused trouble all over the world. There is no place for us to return to there."
"But that’s..."
"We heard. We even met Comet-sama. I never imagined she’d become a Lich."
"Yes. That was a surprise, but Comet-san was just as she always was. Even though we were swayed by the power of the Holy Sword and struck her down, she still spoke to us with that same smile. I was happy, and I felt terrible. I don't think what we did was right, but it's also true that there were other ways we could have handled things."
"..."
"I am sorry, but for those reasons, we cannot return to our homeland now. Even if we could return, we couldn't just step over everyone else..."
"..."
"We have decided to stay with the other Holy Sword wielders. We’ve been shunned by the world due to our own actions, and we cannot leave behind the others who stayed with us."
They closed their mouths after that.
"..."
Huh, it seems Eris and the others don't have anything to say about this either; they’re just watching them quietly. But I’m different. I think they’re wrong. Yuki-san always says it, doesn't he?
"There’s no reason you have to choose one or the other, is there?"
"Eh?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean you don't have to choose between your comrades and your family. You can go see your family and still not abandon your friends. Well, you’ll probably have to settle down in one place eventually, but if a friendship or a family bond is so fragile that it breaks over something like that, then I don't want it. No, I’m going to grab both."
That’s right. You just have to grab both.
"I can't say anything about you not having a face to show them, since you’ve both been through a lot. But isn't it sad to just say goodbye like that? You’re both still alive. Or are you just afraid of fighting again? Afraid of being blamed?"
When I asked that, Kaya opened her mouth timidly, her eyes showing hesitation.
"..."
"I’m scared. I get weak in the knees just thinking about my sister screaming insults at me."
"..."
"Kaya... I also have the guilt of abandoning my duty as royalty to protect the demi-humans, and I am terrified of meeting my brother."
Claudia followed suit, voicing her anxiety.
"Yeah, I think I understand that feeling. I was kicked out of my village, too. I keep thinking about going back someday, but even now, I’m still a little scared."
"Riel..."
"But you know, I had everyone. I have a great husband like Yuki-san, and Tori, who came out of that village with me. I have so many comrades. And my mother is resting in that village. Someday, I’m definitely going back. No matter what kind of insults are waiting for me, I’m going to go get my mother."
"..."
"My mother is unfortunately no longer with us, but you two can still see yours. So, no matter what kind of insults await, I think you should go. Your comrades won't be happy if you say you aren't seeing your family for their sake, and using that as an excuse is just hiding behind your comrades."
"Ugh..."
They both seemed to understand that, and they looked uncomfortable. But they still didn't give me an answer. I get it. It’s scary.
"It’s okay. We’ll go with you. If anyone tries to bully you, we’ll beat them up for you!!"
"Well, I can't overlook unreasonable violence or bullying. As your guardians, we’ll help you."
"..."
"Kaya, I guess I have no choice but to protect you too."
"Eris-sama..."
"Kaya, what do you mean 'no choice'!?"
Claudia’s eyes welled up with tears, and Kaya started bickering with Kaya.
"Yeah. Looks like you’ll be fine. All that’s left is to talk to your comrades. Can you do it?"
"..."
"Yes. I’ll try to talk to them properly."
"..."
"I know. I’ll go talk to them."
They stood up. Eris and Kaya followed them without a word.
Thanks to Comet-san helping us, the mental control—or rather, the dampening effect—on the Holy Swords has faded significantly. They’re almost back to their normal states. Personally, I think it would be fine for them to just relax in Weed like Alfin, but perhaps because they feel the weight of the people they hurt with their own hands, they don't seem to want to go outside, almost as if they’re under house arrest.