Chapter 5

It's because today, I felt like acting alone for the first time in a while.

But, upon thinking about it, leaving Ellis behind and going alone made me feel uneasy.

When I come back, there's no guarantee that Ellis won't have half-destroyed the place...

In that case, it might not be bad for her to come along, so I can keep an eye on her.

"Then, I'll go and get ready."

Ellis said this with a cheerful look and headed toward the house.

As I watched her retreating figure, I felt a gaze on me.

Turning around, I saw Libia.

"W-What is it?"

"Weren't you going alone today?"

"...No, I was thinking that leaving Ellis here would be too worrying."

"...May I come along as well?"

"No, Libia—"

"I'm worried about any unforeseen circumstances. I need to keep a proper watch."

"If it's Ellis, I'll be fine on my own."

"Would my presence be a hindrance?"

She smiled.

But that smile was a bit scary.

I could only nod with a wry smile.

Libia also went home to prepare.

I let out a small sigh and rested nearby.

"It seems like a battlefield, doesn't it?"

"Orphe... don't joke around. It's not like that."

Orphe approached and stood next to me.

From his comment, it seemed he had been watching my interaction with Libia and Ellis.

"No... it reminds me of my father."

"...Your father?"

"Yes. The chief had several women serving him. For various reasons, like having stronger children, and so on... but dealing with all of them was quite a challenge."

"Challenging... like a battlefield?"

"Yes. They all competed to see who was the best. There were official wives, concubines, and so on. My brother and I were the children of the official wife, so we had the right to lead the group... but there were also various conflicts on that side..."

Looking at Orphe's tired expression, I could imagine it.

I had heard stories of official wives being killed so that the children of concubines could take over the household.

Indeed, when it comes to issues like succession, it's probably better to have just one.

Next time, if Sphy tries to cause trouble, I'll handle it that way.

"Well, it's entertaining to watch."

"You..."

Orphe laughed teasingly, then as if he had just noticed something, he looked up.

"Anyway, I'll get back to my work. Be careful."

"...Yeah."

Turning around, I saw Ellis coming to prepare.

Orphe must have noticed her and left.

"Was that person Orphe?"

"Yes, that's right. Libia will be here soon, and then we'll head out to slay the monsters."

"Libia is coming too?"

Her tone was confirming.

There was a hint of tension in her words, which reminded me of the past.

At the same time, I felt a bit nostalgic.

"Yes, just in case."

"It's good that it's just the two of us."

"...We're not like that anymore."

I remembered Orphe's words and made sure to set the record straight on that point.

After a while, Libia arrived.

"Please take care of me."

"Yes, please take care of me."

Ellis smiled, and Libia smiled in the same way.

...But, it seemed to me that there was a mutual sense of pressure between them.

It felt like they were having a silent battle under their smiles... no, it was probably just my imagination.

There's no point in overthinking it.

I left the village with both of them.