Chapter 15

The protagonist's perspective and content in Chapter 08 largely overlap. If you don't like it, please skip it.

"Gochisosama"

After finishing lunch, Yuri bowed her head just as she did while eating.

She brought food to her small mouth, and her cheeks puffed out as she chewed. Her appearance was as adorable as Tichis, and she looked incredibly happy and content, which made me feel very relaxed just watching her.

Even the team members at other tables who couldn't see Yuri from their positions moved to a visible spot to watch her, though she seemed completely absorbed in her meal and didn't notice.

After finishing, she seemed to be savoring the aftertaste, looking dazed and adorable.

After a while, Yuri noticed that Dilnan and I were looking at her with a smile and tilted her head in a curious manner.

...Ah, if I had a kid like this at work, I might be able to tolerate the incompetent team members a bit more.

As I thought this, a sound like a suppressed cough came from around us. Glancing sideways, I saw that about 70% of the team members from various units in the cafeteria were covering their mouths. They must have been so charmed by Yuri's cuteness that they almost spat out their food, and some might even have been holding their noses to stop a nosebleed.

"...Seems like almost all of our team members (fell for her)."

"...I think the same. Rather, didn't (all the units fall for her)?"

Dilnan, who had been looking into the kitchen, muttered this with a side comment, and I responded with a whisper about the situation in the hall.

In this northern demon castle, many people seek healing amidst the busyness and lack of flowers, so quite a few people keep small animals like Neria or Tichis in their rooms. Some of those with riding beasts even say that taking care of their beasts is a way to relieve stress.

While we were having this conversation, Yuri slid off Dilnan's lap onto the chair and then onto the floor, looking up at Dilnan. When I watched to see what she was doing, she asked Dilnan if she could take the tray.

What a helpful request. I couldn't help but smile, and Dilnan seemed to feel the same. Sure, why not.

Dilnan carefully placed the plates on the tray and handed it to her, and Yuri smiled happily.

Meanwhile, people around us couldn't help but groan, but Yuri, focused on not dropping the tray, didn't notice.

The surrounding people, who had been groaning, now watched her with bated breath. Even though Dilnan was walking alongside her to make sure she didn't drop it, they were clenching their fists.

What a sight, these battle-hardened team members.

I followed Yuri with my tray, and I had to suppress my laughter at the ridiculous scene around us.

Of course, she wouldn't make it to the return counter, so Dilnan placed the tray for her, but the surrounding people applauded silently as if she had completed a great task.

In the midst of this, Dilnan was making some gestures towards the kitchen.

Why are all the cooking team members gathered where they can be seen from the return counter?

As I wondered, Dilnan suddenly picked up Yuri.

"Yuri, wave to the people inside."

Yuri looked at Dilnan with a genuinely puzzled expression.

"Huh?"

"They liked how well you ate, so they want you to wave."

Saying this, Dilnan had Yuri wave to the kitchen. The cooking team members all waved back, and the hall was filled with glares from people saying, "That's unfair! What about us?!"

Yuri, looking happy to have received a wave back, smiled cutely, which only intensified the pressure from the surrounding gazes, especially from the paperwork team.

Good nerve. You'll remember this later.

"...Dil, don't lose to them."

"Of course not."

Nodding at the words of the veteran from the cooking team, I stood next to Dilnan while returning the tray.

"We won't back down either."

As I declared war on the cooking team, cheers rose from the hall.

"Captain, do your best!"

"Wave to us too!"

Some people were shouting their desires amidst the chaos, but, well, that's fine.

"Yuri, come here."

I took Yuri from Dilnan's arms. Her small body was so light, and I could feel how thin she was. It's a miracle she survived being left in the 'Deep Forest.'

"Wave to them too."

When I told Yuri to wave to the hall, she smiled and waved in response.

This way, it's almost certain that Yuri will have fans.

...That's fine, but. You idiots, don't show Yuri anything weird! What will you do if her eyes are tainted!?

Leaving the cafeteria with Yuri in my arms, we headed to a place where we could talk comfortably. Dilnan spoke up.

"Elies, what about your work?"

"It's not a big issue. The team can function without me."

If there were any problems, I would have returned long ago. Mars, the deputy captain, is an excellent man, so there's no reason for him to struggle. I won't return until everything is properly settled.

"Is this place good?"

The room Dilnan entered was a small conference room. Since it's used for discussions involving multiple units, we don't have to worry about being seen. Good choice.

We each sat on the chairs by the entrance, and Dilnan looked at Yuri to explain the decisions made while she was sleeping.

"Yuri, I'll explain what was decided while you were sleeping. Ask if you don't understand."

"Okay."

After the introduction, Yuri looked up at Dilnan and responded. Such a cute response.

"First, Elies has given you a provisional entry permit.

Elies is the captain of the paperwork team in this northern demon castle, and various applications first go through Elies for a provisional permit. If the provisional permit is approved by the council of all fourteen unit captains and recognized by the Demon King, it becomes a formal permit.

At this point, we've cleared the first hurdle."

As Dilnan explained how she got here, Yuri nodded in understanding. Just as Dilnan said, she listens well.

"Next, we need to decide on your assigned unit.

The fourteen units are roughly divided into internal and external duties, but you are definitely an internal duty."

"Internal? External??"

When I told her what we needed to decide, Yuri asked Dilnan honestly. She follows Dilnan's advice to ask if she doesn't understand.

"Non-combat units are internal, and combat units are external. In other words, whether you specialize in combat or not.

However, the northern demon castle is a small, elite group with a minimum number of personnel. Even internal duties require a minimum level of combat ability."

"...Can I become strong too?"

When I answered Yuri's question, she asked another one.

She understands her own abilities and the required level.

This means she is much quicker to grasp things than I expected.

She can also greet people, so it's not as if she lacks the qualities needed to work as a new member.

"Any weapon is fine. Magic is also an option. ...You're small, but it's all about how you use it. I said I'd train you to be able to make a living, didn't I?"

"That's right. The cooking team mainly uses knives, the medical team uses surgical tools and poisons, and the paperwork team has some who use paper as a weapon. The cleaning team uses mops and brooms, and the farming team has the spicy Arg bomb, a rare weapon."

As Dilnan provided support, I also gave examples of weapons.

Teaching her that even unconventional items can be used as weapons made Yuri's big eyes round.

...What kind of weapon will this child end up with?

"Weapons can be custom-made by the blacksmith team if you provide a detailed image. So, you can think about your combat skills later. First, we need to decide on your assigned unit."

After summarizing the weapon discussion, Dilnan returned to the main topic, and Yuri looked up at us.

"I want to learn how to make delicious food."

When Yuri declared this without any hesitation, I couldn't help but call for a pause.

"Yuri, it's better to hear about the units before deciding. There are different types of internal duties."

"...Well, I didn't know anything about myself, but I was really hungry."

I was about to explain that not listening at all wasn't a good idea, but I was speechless at the determined look in her eyes.

"I searched really hard for something to eat. I almost ate something, but then I met you. And, the food you gave me in the forest was so delicious that I cried. So, I want to learn how to make it too."

Her speech was childish and limited in vocabulary, but when she looked at me with such a straightforward gaze, I knew that no matter what I said, her resolve wouldn't be easily swayed.

I could try to persuade her, but Dilnan would be the biggest obstacle.

It's a shame to let such a promising child go, but I can't force her.

"...Your resolve is strong."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

Even after a brief meeting, this child is full of potential.

I have a strong feeling that she will be able to show her abilities by the time of the unit captain meeting.

"...Hey, Elies."

"What is it?"

As I thought about Yuri's future and felt a sense of joy, Dilnan spoke to me.

"Can we make Yuri's official assignment to the cooking team and her second special assignment to the paperwork team?"

Dilnan made an unexpected proposal.

In the northern demon castle, where personnel are kept to a minimum, those with special skills are registered in other units as second special assignments to help out when needed.

Why is this coming up now?

"Yuri is small. She has many handicaps that can't be helped. She needs to get enough sleep. We need to consider these conditions and her pay when the official decision is made.

My team is an internal duty, but it's a tough one. So, can you take her once a week? She can do simple tasks like data entry if you teach her."

Dilnan's proposal made sense.

The cooking team, while an internal duty, is known to be as demanding as an external duty, requiring high combat skills.

If Yuri is recognized as having the potential to handle both the cooking team and the paperwork team, which are completely different, it will certainly be advantageous for her.

This man is really thorough.

"That's true. It might be necessary. ...Yuri."

"Okay."

Also, it would be a problem if Yuri's health deteriorated. For me, having Yuri in the paperwork team would mean a more peaceful work environment.

Even if it's just data entry, it would free up other hands. There's no need to hesitate.

When I called Yuri, she responded cutely.

"Can you come to the paperwork team once a week? I'll prepare delicious snacks. How about doing some simple tasks together?"

"Okay. ...I'll do the work with you. Thank you."

When I smiled and made the proposal, tears welled up in Yuri's eyes.

This child understands the reasons behind our proposal. Crying is very childlike, but she managed to say thank you and bow, which shows how smart and well-behaved she is.

"For now, it's provisional, but please do your best."

"We'll work hard to get the formal approval."

While Dilnan was wiping Yuri's face with a towel, I gently patted her head.

Yuri's tears didn't stop easily, but since they weren't tears of sadness, we didn't feel anxious or awkward, just calm.

[Additional Explanation]

Tichis: A hamster the size of a palm. It's popular as a pet because of its cute appearance when it puffs its cheeks to eat. It has a gentle and sleepy personality.