Chapter 28

"Are you saying that it's also fine for someone to leave this group?"

I nodded in response to Libia's question, as if confirming the meaning of my words.

"Yeah. There are probably people like Sphie and Vanya who have grudges against the Upper World. I don't intend to stop them."

I'm not sure if this decision is the right one.

I just want to respect everyone's individual will.

Not everyone is going to be obedient to me, after all.

"I understand. I'll check with everyone in the goblin community. But I want to declare in advance that I won't go to the Upper World, okay?"

I nodded at Libia, who smiled gently.

Then, Orphe spoke up.

"Me too. I'll check with the werewolves, but I like living here. I don't have any particular attachment to the Upper World."

At Orphe's words, Sphie nodded firmly.

"I also intend to stay here. Going up there would just bring back unpleasant memories. Besides, I have to stay for Crest's sake."

I'll let the part about staying for me slide.

I then turned my gaze to Vanya, Gorga, and Katrina.

"What about the three of you? You don't have to force yourselves to follow us."

"I want to stay here. The Golem race was born and raised in the Lower World, after all."

"I see. What about you, Vanya?"

I asked Vanya, who was folding her arms as if in thought.

"Hmm... I intend to stay below. However, some of my subordinates might want to go to the Upper World."

"Understood. I won't stop them, so it's fine."

I don't intend to discriminate against anyone who feels that way.

It's only natural to hold a grudge if you've been wronged.

The extent to which people act on it varies from person to person.

"What about you, Katrina?"

"I want to stay. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, you're more than welcome."

She smiled happily in response, and I could tell from her smile that her words were heartfelt, as she usually doesn't show much emotion.

Finally, I looked at Eris.

Among us, she probably has a stronger attachment to the Upper World than I do.

"What about you, Eris?"

"I'll just go wherever Crest is."

However, she answered immediately without any hesitation.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, of course. I don't have any particular attachment to the Upper World."

"But don't you have family and friends there...?"

"I hate my family, and my friends are just surface-level acquaintances. They're the kind of people who would only stick around as long as I'm a duchess."

"...I see."

Eris said this matter-of-factly, and Sphie raised her hand to ask a question.

"Wait, Eris, you didn't have any friends?"

"I never had anyone I could truly call a friend."

"Wow, you were a loner, huh?"

"Being called that makes me a bit concerned. There were certainly people who swarmed around me because I was the daughter of a duchess."

"Swarmed around you...?"

Indeed, many people are drawn to power, but she didn't have to put it so bluntly.

"Ah, being a noble seems pretty tough. I see, I see. So, does that mean I'm your first friend?"

"Friend... Yes, I don't mind."

Eris looked at Sphie with a slightly surprised expression and smiled.

Eris was probably surprised because she rarely had relationships that weren't based on gain or loss.

Both Eris and I were always seen as nobles, and most people who were friendly to us had ulterior motives.

In a way, Eris might have become twisted because of this.

But I wish she wouldn't take out her frustrations on me.

"Yay, then let's sleep together tonight!"

Sphie stood up and hugged Eris, who widened her eyes in surprise.

"Does being friends mean sleeping together?"

"Yes, that's right."

I don't think that's necessarily true, but Eris looked very confused, which was quite rare.

...If her aggressiveness could just disappear like this, we could live in peace.

"Alright, that's all for now. I'll let you know if anything else comes up."

With that, I dismissed the meeting for the night.