第１７７３堀：砦建設部隊出発直前 (Part1)
Chapter 1773: Just Before the Fort Construction Unit Departs
Side: Vilia
Whether one could call it "safe" is a matter of debate, but we successfully secured Baroness Siana and her people.
To any outside observer, it would appear as though they had been completely wiped out.
With that, there should be no repercussions for the Baroness’s homeland—or rather, her kin.
...Though the reason for that "honorable death" was infuriatingly absurd.
Regardless, there is no doubt that this will become a catalyst for the collapse of the enemy army.
After all, they abandoned their own allies.
Once Baroness Siana raises her voice later on, it will surely act as a siren song, drawing more deserters to our side.
Of course, I have no intention of letting the members of the anti-demi-human church escape.
After what they’ve done, there is no way I would let them walk away unscathed.
Besides, the soldiers’ testimonies have made it clear just how troublesome they are.
I have no intention of handing information over to the enemy.
As I was pondering these things...
"Vilia, how are your preparations coming along?"
"Yes, Tori-onesama. I am ready on this end."
Indeed, I am scheduled to head to the southern town from here and participate in the construction of the fort, so I won't be directly involved in the war against the humans.
After all, while I am no longer a mere slip of a child, I haven't quite reached the stature of a full-grown adult, either.
"Come to think of it, you’re in your usual form today."
"There is no longer any need for me to remain in my smaller state."
Yes, I am in my normal form now.
I had to blend in with the luggage during the teleportation, but now that we have secured a gate, there is no need for the "small" me to exist.
"I see~. That version of Vilia was cute, too, though."
"Ahaha, I’m happy to hear you say that, but personally, I prefer this form."
"Mm-hmm. You’ve grown into quite the beautiful young lady."
"I still haven't quite shed the air of a little girl, though."
I have grown larger since the day I was saved by Onii-sama, but unfortunately, I have yet to become a dignified lady like Tori-onesama.
"I think that’s just a matter of time, though."
"I understand that, but if I lack the presence of an adult, people will look down on me."
"I can't deny that. Especially since you, Hiiro, Aslin, and Firia all look like young noblewomen from somewhere. When we first became adventurers, we were just filthy little girls, and we were constantly underestimated."
"I experienced that as well. After all, I was a child of the slums."
Truly, a child of the slums is treated as little more than refuse.
It was common for adults to kick us aside simply for blocking their path.
Thinking back on it now, it’s a miracle I survived at all.
That is precisely why I am so grateful to Onii-sama and the others who pulled me from that abyss.
I want to be useful to repay that debt, but... it seems I still lack the "adult essence" required.
"Well, since you're young, you just have to do your job steadily and convince those around you. Riel and I were the same."
"That is true. I am recognized within Weed, but here, I am still an unknown."
"That’s the crux of it. You have a track record in Weed and are held in high regard by the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, but in the Ohe Kingdom, you’re still just a cute girl."
"That is what I find so frustrating."
When I mention to the Ohe side that I am heading to the southern town to assist with the fort construction, they treat me with excessive caution.
The reason is my youth; because I am considered a person of importance on the Weed side, they are reluctant to let me go anywhere dangerous.
"That’s only natural for most people. Well, no matter how much they fuss, these are Yuki-san’s orders, so there’s no problem. Oh, if there’s a chance to hunt monsters along the way, I’ll leave it to you. That should improve your standing a little, don't you think?"
"I certainly hope so."
I was treated like dirt, and now, before I know it, I’m being treated like a princess.
Both extremes are quite inconvenient.
"I wonder what would happen if Hiiro were here?"
"She is still a child. They would be worried sick."
I believe Hiiro only functions well because her superiors are Onii-sama and Dressa.
Of course, it’s not that Hiiro isn’t making an effort—she certainly has the ability—but because she is so prone to acting spoiled, it’s questionable whether she could be sent out on a standard assignment.
"I suppose so. Hiiro really doesn't grow, does she? Is that just her species?"
"That is how Onii-sama sees it. We cannot investigate the finer details regarding her specific species."
Hiiro is a canine-type beastman, and Onii-sama has suggested she might be a "small dog," but "small dog" is a term from Earth, isn't it?
No, it wouldn't be strange for such a species to exist here, but... I’m getting off track.
"Regardless, if Hiiro were here, she would cause the people of Ohe even more worry than I do. It is better for her to remain in Weed and focus on maritime defense."
"They have a party coming up over there, too. They need the manpower."
"That is true. I worry about that side of things as well."
I worry that Hiiro might cause trouble for the dignitaries of the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance.
Especially since she is on good terms with Emperor Yupia and tends to act spoiled around him.
As we were discussing this, Holly-san approached us.
"Oh, am I late?"
"It’s fine. Are you ready?"
"Ready? Everything is in my item box, so I can leave at a moment's notice. What about the prisoners?"
"That will still take some time. We’ll leave the rest to Yuki-san."
"It is true that I am curious, but that is no reason to delay our departure. The soldiers have surrendered safely, and there is no reason to postpone our leaving any further."
When Tori-onesama and I answered, Holly-san turned her gaze toward me.
"Vilia, you’re more of an adult than I thought. Especially for your age."
"I have reached an age that is generally considered an adult."
I retorted, feeling a bit piqued by her calling me a child.
Technically, I have already reached the age of an adult—that is, the age at which one can be employed.
I understand that my appearance does not match that fact.
"Just because you’ve reached a certain age doesn't mean you’ve become an adult. Well, you’re an adult legally, but there are plenty of brats who haven't grown up on the inside."
"I understand that. A small portion of the children my age take the world for granted. It is because Onii-sama is too kind. It is pathetic, considering how much they suffered."
They are the children who were brought along with me from the slums of the Roschur royal capital.
We spent winters together where we nearly froze to death, gnawing on hardened, rotten bread while facing starvation, struggling desperately just to survive.
Even though they are now in Weed, thanks to Onii-sama’s generous treatment, they have an environment where they don't go hungry, don't shiver in the cold, and can even study for free—yet they are fools who neglect their studies and dream of becoming adventurers.