Chapter 88

As cherry petals danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

---

In the matter of the confrontation with the clan, it turned out that I was not overreacting and was not to be blamed.

The biggest reason was my status. As a viscount's daughter, I had the status of a noble, and it seemed that the five people who were caught, along with the others from the clan, were forced to confess to everything, including their plan to lynch and kidnap me.

After that, I was not going to be escorted by Leonis, but Naga returned, so I ended up going home with Naga.

"Sorry about earlier? Nice to meet you, I'm Ars."

"I'm Crein. Granos' sister... um, you're the same person from earlier, right?"

"Yes, the same."

Earlier, he was trembling so much, but now he was acting like a different person. No... what was this strange feeling? Earlier, because of the hood, I hadn't seen his face clearly, but now, with the hood off, he looked really good. Despite seeming like a disappointment, he looked handsome when he acted confidently, so being good-looking was advantageous.

Ars' hair color was black, short and a bit unruly, but not from bedhead. His right eye had a large scar, which seemed to be the reason his eyes were different colors. His right eye was a pale blue, and his left eye was blue. While scars are not uncommon among adventurers, it was unclear whether the scar couldn't be removed or if he chose to keep it... his right eye might not have any vision.

"Crein, I'm sorry for causing you trouble because of me."

"Um... Naga, really?"

"It's weird when Granos is around..."

From what I heard, he recently realized that his behavior was strange when his brother was around. However, he had been acting strangely even before that. The impression was that he was not against his brother but was overly dependent on and believed everything the girl said, who made Granos extremely angry. ...After a while, he would say things like, "Why did I do such a thing?"

He was brought over to our side as an enemy of the girl, but in the past few days, it seemed that his words and actions towards his brother were gradually becoming strange. I tried to investigate using 'Observation' and 'Appraisal,' but I couldn't understand it...

"Mary, if he was under some kind of suggestion, what would happen?"

"Is he under a suggestion?"

"No, I'm not sure, so I'll take him to the church to be examined."

"Then I'll give you an appraisal certificate, so please get it verified there."

"Understood."

I confirmed with Mary, who was nearby. She also felt that his attitude was different from before and said that if there were any circumstances, they might be considered.

So, I decided to take Naga and Ars to the church... but his way of interacting with me and Naga was quite different. If he had been acting with the girl, he wasn't a woman-hater, right? He seemed a bit prickly.

"...Indeed, he is under some strange suggestion. It has been a while since it was cast, and the person who cast it is not around, so it has weakened... here's the appraisal certificate. The fee is..."

"I'll take care of it."

"Got it. I'll prepare it, so please wait."

"...I'll go pray for a bit."

The priest prepared the appraisal certificate, and Naga left his seat. Naga was praying in front of a statue, so I sat at the back of the church to wait without disturbing him. However, he didn't seem to be letting me relax.

"Um, Crein, can I ask you something?"

"If I can answer?"

"Was I being controlled?"

"Not entirely, but it seems you were under some kind of suggestion... you should ask the priest for the details."

He looked shocked... but it seemed he had some awareness that his actions were strange. He started to talk a bit, grumbling. About how he was saved by his brother, but the girl acted as if being saved was a given and was selfish. Even though he thought it was strange, he would nod along with the girl or think that being given things was a given.

When they were heading to this town, Naga told him to "help out," and he finally started to help with meal preparations. This kid seemed to have a low mental age, just like Naga. He didn't seem to be making his own judgments.

"What should I do...?"

"Try to think about it yourself for a bit? The suggestion is fading, right? And... if you just go with the flow, you'll end up repeating the same thing... right, Naga?"

"Yeah... I'll take you home. You come with me."

When I confirmed with Naga, who was approaching, he nodded. "Think about it for a night," Naga said, and he nodded sadly. He needed time to think. The priest nodded when I glanced at him, so it seemed he would take care of the troubled lamb.

"...Sorry, Naga."

"It's not your fault... he needs to think about it too."

Naga, who chased after him, might have been trying to get me on his side when his brother wasn't around and get him to recognize me. However, we might not be compatible. He seemed to be unconvinced by my words. I asked the priest what kind of suggestion it was, and he said it was a type that constrained the person's consciousness but wasn't very strong, only enough to make them agree with the person's opinion. However, it seemed he was susceptible to suggestions. Hmm... but I felt he was more cautious towards me... what was the difference?

---

When we got home with Naga, my brother was preparing the meal, and the three of them were doing their own things.

"Brother... I talked to Ars, and the priest examined him and found that he was under a suggestion, so I think it's best to wait until he calms down. I left him with the priest."

"Understood. ...So, can the suggestion be removed?"

"I think it can. In fact, it's almost gone. It's troublesome, so it's better to ask the priest... anyway, I got a certificate proving he was under a suggestion."

"Understood. I'll put it off for now. Also, after talking with them, they decided to become slaves of the Medici family."

"Really?"

"Yeah. They will belong to the Medici family, but I don't intend to give them orders. Naga, is that okay? Also, you will be taking orders for medicine and personal requests."

I glanced at Tiga, who smiled. He seemed to agree. Leus was a bit pouting but didn't object. Crow winked at me after a sidelong glance, but I didn't understand what he was trying to convey. Also, since we couldn't take personal requests for medicine anymore, I thought there would be a significant difference in earnings... but we needed money, so it might be okay.

"I didn't expect you to make them party members or slaves. I thought we would discuss it... "

"Well, I was also listening to the conversation. If we can cooperate, it's better to make them comrades. I heard you were hesitant about making them slaves, so I thought it was better to follow your judgment."

"Oh, no... I lacked the resolve..."

Actually, after being told by Lord Laz and then by Crow, I finally made up my mind... But I didn't think you would consider making them comrades. I thought you were more xenophobic than me, but you accepted them easily. What happened?

"If you were hesitant about making them your slaves, there might be a reason you haven't noticed. I investigated how Master handled it and decided that it was dangerous for you to have slaves. Also, if you accept them, I will accept them, regardless of whether they are foreigners."

"No, I don't understand that part... How did you have the time for that?"

"Well, I've been gathering information too. ...Getting back to the topic, there's no point in doubting someone you've judged to be okay. You have the ability to judge danger. If you say they're okay, Naga and I will accept them... and numbers are strength. There are limits to what we can do alone."

Brother's criteria were heavy. I was surprised that he placed so much importance on my judgment. I knew a little, but... maybe I should have been more careful.

"Isn't it more dangerous to gather them?"

"We'll be careful. But if you felt you didn't want to make them slaves, we should respect that. Your choices can have meaning later."

"Really?"

No, did that ever happen? I don't remember, but Naga nodded, so he didn't seem to object. I wanted to help but didn't want to make them slaves... so, is making them the family's slaves a good solution?

"Um... it might not work out well?"

"That's fine. Life isn't that sweet. We should do what we can."

Brother thought that it wasn't necessary to be friendly all the time, but it was important to unite when needed. Being from the same world might increase solidarity, but it also had risks. It had pros and cons.

"But... what do you think? Are you going to include the person you brought?"

"Considering that... he's not a bad person. Also, his unique skill is a level 3 combat skill, so there's a strategic benefit."

"Are you doing it for his abilities? I think gathering combatants is dangerous too."

Crow had a point, but he was a level 3 skill holder, following Brother and Naga. His combat ability was likely to be high. However, his immature mental state was a bit scary. His susceptibility to suggestions and other traits were concerning.

"Hmm..."

"Maybe it's better to take more time to observe him. We don't need to rush, unlike us."

Tiga's opinion was indeed correct. Crow and the others had a deadline set by Lord Laz and had to consider their relationship with the empire, so it was better to act quickly. I nodded at Brother, and he replied, "Understood."

"Tomorrow, I'll request the commercial guild to draft a contract. We'll make a slave contract with them... can I handle it?"

"If you do it, it will be a help... Also, I'll be leaving in the afternoon. I might not be back for five days, so don't overdo it."

"Where are you going?"

"With Master, to the capital of the province, Kyuranoede."

Huh? I thought something was up. It turned out that he had to appear in Kyuranoede because of the trouble he caused... with Master.

"Did you cause trouble for Master!?"

When I confronted Brother, Naga grabbed his arm to prevent him from fleeing. Thank you, that's a help! But if he's taking Master, it needs to be clarified.

"No, well, not exactly. Calm down... there's also the matter of the title. It seems it's faster for Master and me to go together."

"...Crein, he caused trouble in the neighboring province. We need to talk about it, and Master needs to be there."

"Naga! Don't spill the beans!"

Naga's addition made Brother explain the situation. A few days ago, when I was removed from the party, there was an argument with the guild master of that place. The person was the third son of the previous lord and a former noble. It had become a significant issue, and he had to report to the Duke. That's why Master was also going.

The large, rough ring Brother wore was the head of the family's ring. He used it to corner the other party, so Master also had a responsibility.

It seemed he wasn't telling everything, but maybe he didn't want to explain in front of Tiga and the others, so I didn't press the issue.

"Should I go too?"

"I'll take you eventually, but not this time. I'll handle my mistake. You do what you need to do... and Naga, stay with Crein. Until we reconcile, Crein's safety is the priority."

"...Okay."

Maybe I shouldn't have told Brother about facing someone related to the viscount's family. But I acknowledged that Christina and the clan members were there. It would be speculation to report to the guild who they were...

I had contact, so Brother might have wanted to keep the viscount family's information from me. If Brother created a conflict, and I joined it, all relationships would be severed... and it would be a