Chapter 175 - The Raid on the Elven Palace and the Bonds of Loyalty (Part 2)
Marianne's situation was growing dire. She was already breathing heavily, her shoulders heaving with the effort. Her all-or-nothing strike had been parried.
When Wake closed the distance, she backed away, unwilling to engage. After this dance was repeated several times, she lunged forward as if drawn in. But her slashes lacked the brilliance of her initial two strikes; they were missing their edge.
The difference in their power was obvious. I couldn't let her fight any longer. If this became a trauma for her, she would never be able to defeat Wake in the future.
This wasn't a duel; it was a raid. There was no need to be foolishly honest and fight one-on-one.
Just as I was about to glance at Mizuki to ask for help, someone tugged on the hem of my clothes. I turned to see Lini looking up at me with a serious expression.
"Lini will do it."
"Are you serious?"
She gave a firm nod.
"I see… so you're serious…"
My anxiety peaked when she pulled out a banana and began to munch on it.
"Alright. I'll leave it to you, Lini. If she fails, then I, Fam, Mizuki, Maira, and Yanan will attack. Marmie, provide magic support. Patricia and Shizuka, please stay back."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Did you buy that banana yesterday?"
Lini nodded again.
"They were selling them cheap at a stall. You should have one too, Mash."
So they have bargain sales in this world too, huh? I took a banana from her and began to eat. It had a soft, creamy texture, and a rich sweetness spread throughout my mouth. For a moment, I almost forgot that Marianne and Wake were in the middle of a swordfight. As I was lost in that thought, my eyes met Fam's.
"Ngh—I-I'm not doing a food review!"
"Then why are you looking at my face when you say that?!"
Lini offered a banana to the indignant Fam. Fam accepted it, peeled it, and took a large bite.
"Hmm, this is sweet, soft, and delicious. The flesh practically melts with just the pressure of my tongue."
And so began Fam's usual commentary.
"I was kind of hoping for a more sensual delivery… I'll have Mizuki eat one later."
"Wh-What are you saying?!"
While we were bickering, we finished our bananas. Lini collected the discarded peels.
"So that's your plan after all…"
Her strategy was obvious. The "Banana Funeral" plan: throw the banana peels at Wake's feet and wait for him to accidentally step on one, slip, and fall. I was certain it wouldn't work. I was about to stop her, but she was already carefully timing her throw. I gave up and signaled to Fam and the others, getting ready to charge in together.
Marianne and Wake's clash continued. It was then that Lini threw the banana peel. It landed right at Wake's feet, just as she'd intended. And then, Wake stepped on it.
"I did it!" Lini cried out.
But Wake didn't slip and fall. He continued fighting as if nothing had happened.
"Huh?" she tilted her head, confused.
After a moment of thought, she placed a banana peel on the floor in front of her. Then, she stepped on it. Before I could even react, her body flipped through the air. A dull thud echoed as her head hit the floor, and Lini went still.
"Lini!"
I rushed over and gathered her into my arms. She was completely limp.
"…Wake, have you no shame, fighting a child!" Marmie shouted.
"What? I am in a duel with the head of House Wanland. I have no time for such distractions!"
"…But because of you, a little rabbit-eared girl hit her head. Can your sense of justice not even save a single child? Or is it the kind that can only be built on the sacrifice of children?"
At Marmie's words, Wake lowered his stance.
"I have never fought for the sake of justice. Everything I do is for Marmie-sama's sake."
"…If you say it's for my sake, then all the more reason. I don't want to see a child like this sacrificed," Marmie said.
"In that case, allow me to speak my mind. Marmie-sama, you are said to be the last child of the elven race, the only one born into House Starunion. Those around you may say you are a slow learner, that your mind is dull, but I know the truth. You can be a little lazy and childish at times, but you only act that way to avoid causing trouble. In reality, you are wiser and more capable of sound judgment than anyone. So what is this? I did not devote myself to your service only to see you married off to some old man!"
"…Then who would be acceptable? Do you want me to just marry into House Leafclout as planned? I kept quiet only because I wanted to protect my own time. Besides, I knew that once every hundred years, a transferee is sent to this world. I just wanted time for that."
"Don't tell me you were hoping for an encounter with a hero from another world from the very beginning?"
"…That's not quite right. It was just a small hope that such a future might exist. And as I wished for it, Fam appeared and made it come true. I was shocked he was an old guy, too, but… Mash is different from other people. He lets me be myself."
Just then, Marmie glanced over at Fam.
"I sense a subtle barb in those words. Does Marmie perhaps dislike my master? If so, that is equally unforgivable," she muttered under her breath. It seemed Fam showed no mercy when it came to Marmie's words. I suppose that's what a friendship between kindred spirits is like. Not knowing for sure, I kept my mouth shut.
"To you, Marmie-sama, we are beings who can only share less than a tenth of your life with you. However, it is the first tenth that will define your entire life. I implore you to think more of yourself. Furthermore, the other elves will never permit a marriage with another race. Not even for a hero from another world."
"…I want my first to be Mash. Besides, the First Matriarch adventured with many heroes from other worlds. If she had regretted it, she would have ended her dealings with them after a single adventure. Perhaps, within my body…"
"Marmie-sama. That is forbidden. You must not speak of it further," Patricia interjected.
"…Patricia, from now on, I will touch upon that subject with Mash."
"Marmie-sama…"
Patricia lowered her face. Marmie turned back to Wake.
"…Wake. I will be leaving House Starunion for a while. This might be the last time. Be my Wake. And extend your hand to the fallen child."
Wake looked down at Lini, who was still lying in my arms. He took a step, then another, approaching us.
Just then, Lini's body stirred, and she pressed the end of a rope into my hand.
"Pull!"
At her shout, I yanked the rope. A loop that had been laid out in advance cinched tight, ensnaring Wake's feet.
"Wha—"
As he lost his balance and fell, we wound the rope around him again and again. Unlike with Mizuki, we tied him with all our strength.
"Mash, the clubs from your storage!"
As Lini commanded, I took the clubs out of storage, and my companions grabbed them one after another, descending upon Wake.
"Alright everyone, at 'em!"
At Shizuka's command, the clubs came down in unison. I was surprised to see not only Marmie, but Patricia as well, joining the circle and starting to beat Wake with a club.
I also took a club, but the scene was so brutal that I hesitated to join in.
"Mash, you'll rarely get a chance to take down such a big prize. You should get a commemorative whack in, too," Marianne called out to me, her words utterly absurd.
Her bright, refreshing smile was a world away from the tragic air she'd had about her during the fight just moments ago. And then, the attacks stopped. It was just like with Mizuki. The group was waiting for me to hit Wake. But for some reason, I just couldn't bring myself to strike him.
As I hesitated, Shizuka stepped on Wake.
"Everyone! A victory cry!"
"""""""OORAH!"""""""
"Hm? That was weak, again!"
"""""""OORAH!"""""""
"Once more, with feeling! Heeeeyah!"
"""""""Heeeeyah!"""""""
"Hey, cut it out! What is this, a prime-time comedy show?!"
I pulled Shizuka back.
"They can see your underwear, you know?"
"It's not like I mind if they see what's under there, but does it bother you, Mash? Hmm?"
She pressed her shoulder against me, a strangely delighted look on her face. I pushed Shizuka away and turned back to Wake. He wasn't struggling, just lying there quietly with his gaze fixed on the ground.
"Mizuki, what does 'prime-time comedy show' mean?"
"I don't really get it either."
Mizuki and Fam were chatting. Shizuka's antics were just plain weird. I don't get it either, I thought, turning my attention back to Wake.
"Sorry about that. You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"
"Who knows. Go on, hit me as much as you like."
I bent down to untie his ropes.
"Could you leave me like this? I still don't know if Marmie-sama's choice is the right one."
"…Got it."
I nodded and stood up.
"Patricia…" Wake murmured.
"Yes," she answered.
"Is this really for the best? Will Marmie-sama truly be happy?"
"I do not know either. But while Marmie-sama acts childishly around me and you, Wake, she is usually docile and behaves so as not to bother anyone. And yet, sometimes, when no one is looking, she sighs. When I see that, I cannot bear it…"
"…"
"I cannot protect Marmie-sama the way you do, Wake. I will simply serve her so that whatever she decides becomes the right thing for her."
"…I see."
Wake's gaze remained fixed on the floor. I couldn't read his expression. Marmie tugged on the hem of my clothes.
"…I don't think I can be the kind of ruler those two want. But I swear on my Patricia and my Wake that I will live a life I am not ashamed of."
"Marmie-sama, I am glad that you have always shown me a gentle heart. I will die for that heart of yours."
He closed his eyes.
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