第１１９１堀：やるからには全力で (Part1)
Chapter 1191: Giving It Everything
Side: Orelia
"How did it go? The three of you?"
The one who spoke to me so gently, as I stood there staring at my still-trembling hands, was Kirika-sama. She is a direct subordinate of Yuki-sama—the very foundation of this magnificent nation of Weed—and someone we look up to as a senior.
For this event, a "Battle Royale" that demanded an extremely high level of skill, she had fought in our stead. Of course, we had technically participated as well, but even with the knowledge imparted to us through skills, putting it into practice proved incredibly difficult. We had done nothing but fumble about.
"I am so sorry. We were of no use at all."
"Yeah... Orelia, you’re actually amazing for being able to hold a gun so calmly. I couldn't stop myself from hunching over."
"Ahaha, the vibration is just so intense, isn't it? I’m so sorry about that..."
"There is no problem at all. In fact, that is the natural reaction. Even if you have the knowledge of how to use a firearm, actually firing one is a different matter. Hesitation is only to be expected. If you could pull the trigger without a second thought, it would mean you either have a rare talent or you’re fundamentally broken."
I felt relieved by Kirika-sama’s kindness, but then—
"Hey! Priestess Lilishe-sama, I heard you shot me!?"
"That’s right! You were so focused on Kirika-chan that it was easy."
"You’re still green, Wazfi. Nilua and Fiora, you shouldn't be letting your guard down like that either. I just couldn't help but take the shot."
"...Is it really okay to say that as if it were just a slip of the hand?"
"Nilua. It means you must never let your guard down."
...I could hear the members of Kirika-sama’s team—priestesses who are supposed to bestow healing upon the people—chattering happily about how they had shot others.
"Please, just ignore them. They are people who have been properly trained, so they have a certain... tolerance for such things. They are what you might call an exception."
Kirika-sama, usually the picture of composure, turned her head away with an expression of genuine distaste. In other words, that was a topic best left untouched.
However, the world doesn't always work that way.
"Oh, Orelia-chan and the others. How was it? Did you have fun?"
The very priestess who had been so gleefully firing her gun moments ago walked over to us.
"W-well, to be honest, I didn't have the luxury of enjoying it."
"Yes. We were so bewildered by how to handle the guns..."
"In the end, we ran out of energy before we could even reach the shrinking map’s safe zone, and that was that."
It was true; we hadn't even properly memorized the rules, and we struggled so much with simple movement that we were eliminated without a fight. We had been desperate just trying to keep up with the situation as it shifted moment by moment.
"It’s your first time, so that’s to be expected. You can enjoy it next time. Honestly, once you start firing a gun, it becomes quite a thrill."
Hairen-sama said this with a beaming smile. Um... what exactly is this "thrill" of firing a gun? I have a vague feeling that this is not a healthy state of mind...
"Hey. Don't go putting strange ideas into my precious subordinates' heads."
"Ouch!?"
Suddenly, our master, Yuki-sama, appeared behind us and delivered a sharp rap to Hairen-sama’s head. We scrambled to stand at attention, but...
"Relax. It’s a social gathering today."
"Y-yes, sir."
Even when told that, it isn't so easy to shake off the tension. Yet, as if Yuki-sama’s status meant nothing to her:
"Hey!? Why did you hit me on the head!?"
"If someone is saying things like 'firing a gun is a thrill' with a smile on their face, I have to bring them back to their senses before they start saying things like 'it’s fun to go around shooting people.'"
"Who would turn into a murderer like that!?"
"Now, now, calm down, Hairen-chan. You won't win if you try to compete with Yuki-san. Just focus on winning the game."
"Hmph. You’re right, Lilishe-sama. Just you wait, I’ll have your head!"
"Yes, yes. I’ll be waiting, so try not to get eliminated."
"Grrr!?"
"Alright, alright. Let’s head over there."
Hairen-sama was placated by Lilishe-sama and led away. I had already gathered that she was that kind of person, but still...
"Um, Yuki-sama. You are quite strict with Hairen-sama. You actually raised a hand to her."
Indeed, it was a rare sight to see Yuki-sama strike someone. Yayui, Hobis, and I all know that he is not the type of person to do such a thing. After all, even to us, who are nothing more than slaves, he tells us that if we make a mistake or fail, we should simply learn from it for next time.
Under normal circumstances, we would deserve a reprimand, but Yuki-sama never does that. He values solving problems through proper dialogue. He once laughed and said that if one were to resort to violence too quickly, it would lead to war between nations. To see someone so kind raise a hand like that was a shock.
"Hm? Ah, well, Hairen is just... she’s not the type to listen to reason. Look, Orelia, Yayui, Hobis—you all try to listen to what I say and keep your promises, right?"
"Yes. Isn't that only natural?"
Regardless of the master-slave dynamic, failing to keep promises in a professional relationship makes one unworthy of trust. No, it makes one untrustworthy as a person, too. It is a fundamental requirement for interacting with others. One cannot be with someone who does not keep their word.
"Exactly. It’s natural. But Hairen isn't the type who can keep those promises. You understand that, don't you?"
"W-well..."
It was true; Hairen-sama would suddenly force us to take care of children, then for some reason buy them sweets, or go out of her way to help a child in trouble...
"You don't have to hide it. Hairen certainly produces good results, but in the process, she doesn't consider the trouble she causes others at all."
"I’m sorry, I don't quite understand."
Yayui voiced our confusion. What could he possibly mean?
"Hmm, it’s a bit complicated. Ah, let’s use money as an example. If you promise to entrust her with 100, she might somehow take 1,000 more from you, but in the end, she returns 10,000."
"Ah... what is that, exactly?"
The explanation was so bizarre that Hobis tilted her head even further.
"Hairen is the type who brings about a very good final result. However, along the way to that result, those around her are inconvenienced."
"But in that case..."
I couldn't help but think it might be better to just leave her be. After all, even if she takes 1,100 instead of the promised 100, if she returns 10,000 in the end, the profit is substantial.
"Ah, in terms of money, sure. But what Hairen causes isn't something as simple as that. She invites resentment from people who don't understand her. After all, from an outsider's perspective, it just looks like she’s breaking her promises and acting on her own whims."
"I see."