Chapter 73

(Note) This is my second post today.

19

First, I decided to start the conversation.

What happened two months ago at Chiria Fort. What we did there. ...However, Kato and Rose, who are here, were not at the fort at that time. Only I can explain the detailed circumstances.

Iwano seemed to want to interject a few times, but he listened to my account until the end.

Next is Iwano's turn.

I'm not interested in Iwano's heroic deeds in the deep forest while rescuing other transfer students, so I want him to be brief and get to the point about what happened after he arrived at Chiria Fort.

"I see. So, Iwano was in Seratta, huh?"

I nodded in response to Iwano's story, then tilted my head.

"...But, isn't it a bit too quick for you to catch up?"

Iwano returned to Chiria Fort forty days after heading into the deep forest. Since it has been about two months since we left Chiria Fort, Iwano must have caught up with us in just twenty days. That's after stopping by Seratta and then extending his journey to Fort Evinus to hand over information to the exploration team leader. Even though it wasn't a hurried journey for us, this can be considered an abnormal speed.

"I was with everyone I rescued and the Imperial Knights until we left the forest, but after that, I was alone. It takes me two days to get to Seratta."

"You ran...?"

...Even if you ride a fast horse, it should take four days.

"From Seratta to Evinus, it's also two days."

"Sure, 'Vedaten'..."

The journey from Chiria Fort to the edge of the forest usually takes about a week on foot. Iwano, who was accompanied by the remaining students, should have taken about that long.

So, from the time he left Chiria Fort, it would be about two weeks, and even considering the time it took to reach the Kitrus Mountains, it should have taken ten days to get here. In fact, the journey had a lot of leeway. I can only be amazed.

"So, Iwano heard from a man named Louis in Seratta that I was one of the attackers at Chiria Fort?"

The man who leads the army of the MacLaurin Margraviate. Louis Bard.

He seems to be the cause of this incident.

Or, considering his position, the cause might be the person behind him.

Kato, who had been listening to our conversation, tilted her head.

"The character of the MacLaurin Margraviate that Iwano heard about... is quite different from what we heard."

"What? Are you saying I'm lying?"

Iwano turned a sharp gaze toward Kato.

"I didn't say that."

"Then, Louis? I only talked to him for a short time, but he was definitely a sincere person."

"Don't snap at me, Iwano."

I interjected in their conversation.

"We also heard from Shiran, and she's not the type to lie. We can't tell who is right. People can look different depending on who is looking at them."

I want to believe Sharan's words, but Iwano is saying this. Perhaps Louis is a righteous and brave man, and this situation arose from a misunderstanding. That's why things have become so complicated. Or, he might be a despicable fraudster who deceived Iwano.

I don't know.

But, that's not the main issue.

The problem is that he... or rather, the MacLaurin Margraviate behind him, considers me the attacker of Chiria Fort.

Why did it come to this?

The captain of the Allied Knights, who should have known the true circumstances, was taken to the capital to be questioned for the fall of Chiria Fort. The MacLaurin Margraviate was the one who detained her.

From the fact that the circumstances of the fall of Chiria Fort and the information about Kato and Jūmonji were conveyed, it's clear that the captain explained the situation to the MacLaurin Margraviate.

If so, the MacLaurin Margraviate didn't believe her.

That's not surprising. Historically, the MacLaurin Margraviate and the Northern Five Countries, including Akel, have been on bad terms. Moreover, my ability to control monsters is something that is hard to accept in this world.

Given that another monster tamer, Kato, attacked the fort, it's not surprising that I was suspected.

Or, it might have been a simple misunderstanding of information.

In any case, from what I've heard, it seems that bringing Sharan to Akel was the right decision for me as well.

No matter how powerful the MacLaurin Margraviate is, they can't extend their reach to other countries. If they do, it will lead to war, and the Holy Knights will move, leading to their destruction... as I heard before.

"You should turn yourself in to the Empire if you have nothing to hide."

That's why Iwano's claim is something I can't comprehend.

"Putting aside what you heard about Louis... you said you fought the attacker at Chiria Fort, right? If that's true, I think you did the right thing."

"Right thing?"

"Yes."

I frowned and asked, and Iwano nodded.

"But, if that's true, shouldn't you return to the Empire and cooperate with our investigation? That way, you can prove your innocence. Conversely, if what you said earlier is a lie, you can't just let you go. In any case, you should receive a fair judgment."

"Fair... huh."

I muttered and looked at Iwano's face.

Somehow, I felt I could grasp her principles.

"In short, your job is to secure suspicious individuals. The rest is up to other appropriate people to judge."

This is not a sign of irresponsibility.

Police officers don't pretend to be judges. They catch suspicious individuals, interrogate them, and gather evidence. Iwano understands that this is what she can do, and she was actually trying to subdue us.

If there is a problem, it's only one.

"But, where is the guarantee that it will be fair?"

"Huh?"

"This isn't Japan. There's no guarantee that a fair judgment will be made. Isn't that right?"

"That's..."

For Iwano, this might have been a given.

She hesitated in response to my question.

"That... might be true, but..."

She didn't have a counterargument and just let her gaze fall.

Strangely, a small sense of disappointment arose in my chest when I saw her like that.

So, Iwano Yuna was just a thoughtless person, after all?

I thought that, but then...

"I understand."

To my surprise, Iwano immediately raised her head.

Her sharp gaze pierced my eyes.

"Then, I'll accompany you and protect you until a fair judgment is made. Is that okay?"

"..."

It was a completely serious tone.

"I won't attack anyone, no matter who it is. I promise."

"Are you aware of what you're saying?"

"Don't belittle me. I said no matter who it is. It means anyone."

Iwano said this clearly.

There was no return on this action. Yet, she didn't hesitate at all.

From my perspective, there was no lie in Iwano's attitude.

Of course, this is just what she says.

Even if she is serious now, she might be scared when the time comes.

However, Iwano was the one who, in that critical moment, tried to save Kato without hesitation. I know she's not the type to think about what's advantageous or disadvantageous.

Moreover, there's one more thing...

I glanced at Kato.

Earlier, Kato used a fake magic stone to blind Iwano and stabbed her thigh with a knife.

In response, Iwano didn't counterattack.

She didn't even reflexively push Kato away and fell into the river below.

If Kato had been roughly pushed by the 'Vedaten,' who was famous in the colony, her body might have been broken like matchsticks. Iwano didn't counterattack because she knew this.

If the essence of a person is revealed in their immediate response, at least Iwano's resolve is not fake.

Therefore, it wouldn't be fair for me to judge Iwano's words as just empty talk.

Kato also said this earlier.

Even if Iwano wasn't treated as a hero in this world, she would have acted the same way.

If Kato's quick thinking hadn't prevented Iwano from being defeated and knocked down, I might have been having this conversation with her.

If I had said I don't trust the Empire, she might have accompanied me until the end.

Iwano Yuna is a thoughtless person and a troublesome nuisance to me... but she's not just a carefree person.

At least, she has something that can be called a belief.

I don't have the right to condemn such a person.

Because...

"Let me clarify, there seems to be a misunderstanding."

I threw my words at Iwano, who was staring at me intently.

"I didn't fight at Chiria Fort with Jūmonji and Kato because it was the right thing to do. I fought because there were people I wanted to protect there."

At Chiria Fort, there were Sharan, Kai, and my friend Kanshi.

I wasn't without righteous anger for the lost lives, but I didn't fight just for that reason, as Iwano did.

For that, my strength is far too weak.

I can hardly protect the ones I want to protect.

That's why, if necessary to protect Lili, I'm willing to do anything.

As a result, if the justice of this world turns against Lili, I will become a villain. Even if I become something that is neither human nor monster, as Sharan said, I won't regret it.

This is the path I have chosen.

I made up my mind when I decided to be with Lili.

But...

If I had Iwano's overwhelming power, perhaps there would have been another path, I can't help but think.

I don't think the path I have chosen is the right one.

Because, wouldn't it be better if I could laugh and say I would protect everything, both what is important and what is not?

That would be a perfect answer, like a gem.

All other answers seem like mere stones, an impossible ideal.

And, in a sense, the girl named Iwano Yuna in front of me embodies such an ideal.

"Oh, I see. That's why... huh?"

I realized something and smiled wryly.

The reason I've been feeling irritated toward Iwano. Why I can't control my emotions.

"Hey, Iwano."

With a somewhat clear mind, I spoke to Iwano.

"It seems I don't like you."

"What...?"

This is jealousy.

Naturally, I feel more irritated because a person I don't like hurt someone important to me.

"What? What is that!?"

Iwano, who was stunned, immediately snapped back angrily.

"So, you can't return to the Empire with me!?"

"No. That's a different issue."

I shook my head.

I'm not stupid enough to make decisions based on likes and dislikes.

Iwano might act to prevent us from being unjustly belittled.

However, even if she is 'Vedaten,' she can't guarantee 100% safety. I have no reason to take the risk of entering a dangerous place.

Moreover, Iwano, who has a straightforward sense of justice, might not protect Lili and the others, who are monsters.

In conclusion, the proposal is rejected.

I'm sorry, but Iwano will have to return to the Empire alone without any results.

"Rather, shouldn't you worry about yourself?"

I reached for the clothes I had spread on the riverbank. They were drying near the fire.

As I grabbed the clothes and stood up, Iwano's voice rose in panic.

"Wait, where are you going!?"

"Nowhere. Lili should be arriving soon."

I answered as I put my arm through the sleeve.

Kato quickly followed my lead and stood up, and Rose handed her the clothes. Iwano remained seated, her face pale.

"Are you leaving me here?"

"...What do you think, Kato?"

I asked, and Kato, who had just emerged from the collar, blinked.

"Yes. If we try hard, we can get down the mountain within a week. Even with just the upper body, we can repel monsters."

"Are you telling me to crawl!?"

Iwano, shocked, Kato tilted her head.

"Because, Iwano, you'll attack us again when you recover, won't you?"

"That... is..."

Iwano averted her gaze. She seemed to have been caught off guard.

Seeing this, Kato said in a disappointed tone.

"If you do that, Jūmonji-senpai won't be able to ask Lili to cast a recovery spell, will he?"

"Ugh..."

A look of frustration appeared on Iwano's usually strong face.

She seemed to realize there was nothing she could do and finally slumped her shoulders.

"Fine. I promise I won't capture you."

"I don't trust you."

"That... that's...!"

Kato immediately responded.

Iwano opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water.

"I'm serious! I won't capture you! I'm not lying!"

"That's not the point. You don't trust Jūmonji-senpai, do you?"

"Ugh... At least take me to the entrance of the mountain path. I can return on the horse I left there."

Kato's response might be a bit mean because, like me, she doesn't have good feelings toward Iwano.

I smiled a little and turned to the approaching presence of Lili.

"How long do you think it will take to get to the entrance of the mountain path?"

"How long does it take?"

"We've been on the mountain path for more than ten days. We often stopped to repair the path, but even without that, it will take at least three days."

"Three... days...?"

"Besides, why don't you know how long it will take? You came here on foot, didn't you?"

"I caught up in half a day after entering the mountain path..."

I waited for Lili while listening to their conversation.

I noticed I was a bit restless and smiled wryly.

Even knowing she's safe, I can't settle until I see her face.

Is she here yet? She should be arriving soon...

"Maena, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"What is it, Rose?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt. I have a question for Iwano... um..."

Rose stopped speaking.

On the narrow riverbank where we had been sitting, a girl appeared, pushing aside the undergrowth.

"Lili."

I called her name, and a smile instantly appeared on her delicate face.

Lili looked me over from head to toe and sighed in relief.

Then, she responded to my call.

"Master."

A voice filled with affection and a girl's unwavering devotion.

Even though we were apart for only a short time, a sense of relief spread through my chest.

I probably have a part of me that really doesn't want to be separated from her, even for a moment.

When this feeling surfaces unexpectedly, I realize how much I love her, and it makes me feel ticklish.

My precious, cute Lili.

—A chunk of rugged iron protruded