第７８５堀：無垢な援護 (Part1)
Chapter 785: Innocent Support
Side: Aslin
Ever since I first met Carrie-oneechan, she was always angry or crying.
At first, I thought she was crying because we were about to lose the war against the Findall Empire, or because Onii-chan had wrapped her up like a sushi roll. But even after we returned safely to Haiden, Carrie-oneechan didn’t change.
Ah, maybe that’s not quite right? Every time a problem was solved, she would brighten up a little, but then a new problem would pop up, and she’d be crying again.
But since I’ve always solved problems alongside Onii-chan and everyone else, I didn’t understand the reason behind it. I was worried about it, and so was Firia-chan.
However, I finally understood the answer today.
"Everyone was bullying her," Firia-chan said, sounding angry.
"Yeah. There wasn't anyone kind around her, was there?"
"…That’s true. Even the King and Kagura-san can’t be with her all the time."
"Under Yuki-san’s instructions, we always move with someone, and when we go home, everyone is there."
Unlike us, Carrie-oneechan was always all alone.
Oh, there was Kuno-san, the maid, but perhaps because she was a maid, she always kept a respectful distance. I think Carrie-oneechan understood that and didn't want to be a burden by asking for more. Still, it was because of Kuno-san that she managed to make it this far.
But, she must have been lonely.
That’s why she had such a sad smile during the meeting with the King earlier.
"Hey, Onii-chan. Can I stay with Carrie-oneechan today?"
"Firia is going too!"
"Sure. Go on."
"Yay!!"
"We’re going!!"
Seeing Onii-chan nod readily, Firia-chan and I ran over to Carrie-oneechan...
"Princess. Where shall we start first..."
"Yes, I suppose we should take down the big fish first..."
Carrie-oneechan was talking about work with Kagura-oneechan with that usual difficult expression on her face.
"Carrie-oneechan."
"Carrie-onesama."
"Oh? Aslin-chan, Firia-chan, what is it?"
"We’ll help you with your work!"
"We’re helping!"
When Firia-chan and I said that, she looked surprised for a moment, but then her face immediately softened into a gentle smile.
"Yes. Let’s work together."
She reached out her hands to us. As Firia-chan and I each took one of her hands, Carrie-oneechan looked so happy.
As the three of us walked along holding hands, Stasia-oneechan, who was watching, said...
"My, Carrie. You look quite happy."
"Yes, Stasia-onesama. I was the youngest of three, so it feels wonderful to finally have little sisters of my own."
"Indeed. The way Age acted like a big sister toward you was likely because she was just as happy."
"That is precisely why she risked her life to protect me."
"She is a sister to be proud of."
"Yes. Age-onesama is a sister I am proud of."
As we were moving along like that, holding hands, Kagura-oneechan looked uncomfortable, but...
"Um, Princess. It is truly difficult to say, but we are going to request cooperation, so holding hands with Aslin and the others is..."
Kagura-oneechan is serious, so she was warning us about holding hands.
Yeah, we have to be serious about work.
We’re going to ask for their cooperation, so it wouldn't be right to be holding hands with us, would it?
I thought that and tried to let go, but Carrie-oneechan held on tight; I couldn't pull away.
"Carrie-oneechan?"
"Carrie-onesama, what’s wrong? If we don't let go, it will get in the way of your work."
"You don't need to worry about what Kagura says. Let’s head to the cooperation request just like this, holding hands. Of course, Yuki-sama should also keep Labyris-sama on his shoulders."
"Oh, how lovely."
"Trying to provoke them, are we?"
Just like Onii-chan said, it’s a provocation.
I’m sure the people who bullied Carrie-oneechan will say something the moment they see us.
Kagura-oneechan seemed to realize that too.
"Princess!? If you do that, it will only cause a backlash..."
"It’s fine. Anyone who would yell at children is disqualified as a negotiation partner anyway. Since they already refused once, let’s have them stick to their guns. They were going to grumble even if they reluctantly accepted, or they were bound to move against us behind the scenes regardless."
"..."
Whoa, Carrie-oneechan is completely furious.
But, it can’t be helped.
It’s the people who bullied her who are in the wrong.
"Carrie-oneechan, let's finish them off all at once!"
"We’ll crush them completely!"
"Yes, that is the plan. Both of you, lend me your strength."
"Yeah!"
As we were forming that pact, off to the side...
"W-wait, Yuki. Stop the Princess."
"I mean, 'crush them'... Yuki-sensei, if Aslin-chan and Firia-chan go on a rampage, won't it be terrible?"
"Labyris-chan, can't you do something? This is going to be a disaster..."
Kagura-oneechan and the others were turning pale, begging Onii-chan to stop us, but Onii-chan and Labyris-chan didn't seem concerned at all.
"No, no, that’s just a figure of speech. Actually crushing them is the last resort. Right?"
"Yes. Those two know how to hold back properly."
That’s right. We are proper, grown-up ladies who know how to hold back.
Just as I was thinking that, Shera-chan suddenly looked at us...
"When we first came to Baide, we did leave the backyard of the Baide lord's mansion in tatters during a weapon test, but we can hold back enough not to kill anyone."
"Ugh."
Shera-chan’s words pierced right through my and Firia-chan’s hearts.
But that time was just to show Georgin-ojichan the performance of the weapons!!
As I was thinking about that, Carrie-oneechan patted my head.
"It’s alright. I know that you two are very kind. Or is it that Kagura and the others think these two are that dangerous?"
"Ah, no..."
"That’s not what we meant..."
"Senpai, stop it. That’s enough."
"If I may add, Aslin-chan and Firia-chan are senior officials representing Weed. If someone is going to make a fool of them, they will cut ties without hesitation. And then, we can have those people try their best elsewhere."
"..."
Exactly. People who don't want to work hard should just quit their jobs.
There’s no need to force yourself to work where you don't want to.
Onii-chan and the others said that people like that are better off changing departments or jobs to show their true strength elsewhere.
Even where Firia-chan works, there are Dwarves who quit blacksmithing to become regular cooks; it’s strange how people have different aptitudes for different things.