第１３７７堀：戸惑う心 (Part2)
"Indeed. Micos, you don't have to push yourself, you know? People have their strengths and weaknesses. I'll make sure to explain things to the Princess."
"Ah, no..."
I couldn't find the words to continue. I couldn't bring myself to accept the suggestion, nor could I bring myself to refuse it. The crushing reality of being unable to fulfill the duty entrusted to me by Yuki-sensei, the gnawing anxiety of whether I could actually fight if war broke out, and the fear of dragging everyone else down with me.
Logically, I knew that if I were a hindrance, stepping aside would be the correct choice. But... to do so would be to betray the trust of everyone, and most of all, Yuki-sensei. That was more terrifying than anything else. Truly terrifying.
As I was lost in those thoughts, my vision suddenly blurred.
*Whack!*
A sharp sting bloomed across my cheek, my head snapping violently to the side.
"Ow—!? What was that for, Enora!"
Yes, the one who had slapped—no, punched—me was Enora.
"You’re always so pushy when it comes to prying into things, so don't go getting all timid now. You’re worried about betraying Yuki’s trust, but you’re also scared of the war, right?"
"Mmph. Well, yes, but..."
That was precisely why I couldn't say it out loud. Everyone here was swallowing that same fear just to be standing in this place. I didn't think I had the right to indulge in my own selfish cowardice.
"You don't have to think of it as a 'war.' Just think of them as a bunch of rioters or spoiled brats throwing a tantrum. You’re just going there to put them in their place."
"Eh?"
The bluntness of her words forced a sound out of me. But...
"Well, Enora has a point. At the end of the day, if conversation fails, force is the only language left. From an outsider's perspective, it’s just a bunch of selfish children throwing a tantrum and resorting to violence."
"Exactly. If there were a real risk of casualties, do you think Yuki would send you lot there? He wouldn't. It’s probably just a matter of giving them a good thrashing. What’s the matter? Are you saying you’d be fine with some rioter attacking you and laying their hands on you—someone other than Yuki?"
"Of course not! If they touch me, I’ll blow them away!"
That’s right. Micos-chan belongs to Yuki-sensei. So, obviously, I’d just have to beat the hell out of any scumbag who tried anything.
"Indeed. That’s the spirit. The enemy looks larger than life, which is why you’re afraid, but in this specific instance, it’s quite clear where the justice lies. Besides, do you really think Yuki would make a decision that leads to the total annihilation of his enemies?"
"No. I don't."
At Deryu-san’s words, Micos-chan immediately denied the possibility. It was impossible for Yuki-sensei to want to annihilate his enemies. He would always try to minimize the damage as much as possible. After all, that made things easier for him in the long run.
I see. Micos-chan is being properly protected by Yuki-sensei. And I have the strength to fight back against unreasonable violence. Most of all...
*'Um, Yuki-sensei. I understand why Kagura is coming along, but why Micos-chan too?'*
*'Well, it’s the perfect material for an article, isn't it?'*
*'An article? Like for a magazine?'*
*'We talked about starting a newspaper, didn't we? I was cautious because of the political implications, but this situation needs to be communicated not just to the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, but to other nations as well. This way, we can write the article fair and square.'*
That’s right. Micos-chan didn't come here as an envoy.
"Sorry, everyone. Micos-chan is going to fight with her pen!"
" " "Huh?" " "
Everyone tilted their heads, not quite understanding what Micos-chan meant. But when I explained that I would be distributing a newspaper—or rather, articles of that nature—to the Alliance, their reactions changed.
"I see. In that case, make sure you write that Sea-Cypho played a major role!"
"Ah, in that case, could you write that the envoy from Zuraburu persuaded the other side...?"
"Oh, right. Then, for the sake of Enaria’s reputation, maybe write that I led everyone and handled things smoothly..."
One by one, they started chiming in with their own requests. The fear of war had vanished somewhere along the way. Only a very small minority—heroes in novels or professional soldiers—actually get excited at the mention of war. For everyone else, feeling like Micos is the natural response, so don't lose sight of common sense, everyone.