Chapter 212 - 212. Hyakka's Determination and Mizuki's Thoughts
Once Mizuki returned, everyone took their seats. There was our Levante, Hyakka and the others from New World, and Melanie and Patricia. With this many people, the dining hall looked a bit cramped, but we could probably fit another group. Melanie had come in place of Tulsa, who had left. Melanie and Hyakka were meeting for the first time, so I briefly introduced them. There were grapes on the table, and Patricia was pouring tea for everyone. Before she could finish pouring for everyone, I popped a grape into my mouth. It was more sour than sweet, just the kind of stimulation my tired head needed.
"Apparently, Lord Ishutovan is sending a maid who can cook," Melanie said, watching Patricia busily at work.
"What's the reason for that? We can't afford to hire a maid."
"It's to get in good with Mash. The Airally family will pay her salary."
"Like the guards outside?"
Melanie nodded vaguely. "Probably."
"Do you think she'll cause trouble with Patricia?"
I had a feeling Ishutovan wanted to drive me out of the city, if anything. Was he trying to increase my options? Or if he couldn't get rid of me, was he trying to incorporate me instead?
"It's hard to imagine someone trying to get in good with Mash bringing the seeds of conflict. Besides, Patricia is Mo's attendant, right? The person Lord Ishutovan sends will mainly serve Mash, so I don't think they'll clash."
Melanie didn't know Patricia's current position. Patricia seemed to tense up at her words, pouring Fam's tea until it was right at the brim of the cup.
"So, did you meet Yuuki?" I asked.
Mizuki shook her head. "I just left a message at the guild for now... Wait, why are you glaring at me so seriously?"
Everyone's eyes turned to me at her words. I knew it, but it seemed I had to tell her.
"It's hard to talk about, but I decided we're going to apologize to the Leafclout family for what happened last night. I'm thinking of bringing some sweets as a gift. I'll make the box, so can you bake some cookies?"
"Huh? Right now? I guess it's fine, but…"
Mizuki nodded, not quite understanding. Myra, who was sitting next to her, cleared her throat.
"That's not right! You have to take things seriously!"
Since Cecily, the usual straight man, was gone, Mizuki's comebacks had seemed to lack punch lately. Everyone in Levante was acting as the funny man, so there was no one to call them out on it. Myra was probably trying to expand her comedic range. Next to her, Fam was carefully bringing her cup to her lips, trembling. But mercilessly, the tea spilled from the cup due to the shaking. She hurriedly tilted her head to catch it.
"Ouch!"
More tea spilled. I just wanted to watch Fam forever. I didn't want to talk to Mizuki. My mind kept wandering. But this was something I had to talk to her about now.
"Mizuki, actually, about Clovis, the elf who shot me and Fam last night... Hyakka knew about him."
"Huh? Is that so?"
She looked at Hyakka, who quietly lowered her eyes. It was a truly heavy atmosphere. The smile on her lips disappeared, urging me to continue.
"Clovis was apparently a companion of Yuuki, who killed Hyakka's comrades."
"..."
The blood had drained from her face. She probably wasn't thinking that Yuuki and Yuu were different people. I briefly told Mizuki what I had heard from Hyakka. And then I explained Fam's situation and what happened last night to Hyakka again.
"Yamase-san... I mean, Mizuki, Clovis's negotiations will be left to Mash. But no matter the outcome, we'll challenge Yuuki to a duel."
"No way, Mash would never say that!"
Mizuki stood up and looked at me.
"I disagree with Hyakka challenging them."
"Whaddaya mean?!"
Hyakka stood up as well.
"Both the other party and us have special skills. The outcome of a head-on clash would be unpredictable. Besides, they ambushed us first, so they can't complain if we ambush them."
I was also curious about the girl who was crouching and hiding her face's special skill. She negated Rachel's arrows and charm. There was a possibility that Hyakka's special skills wouldn't work. Moreover, she let friendly attacks pass. In that case, Hyakka and the others would be unilaterally attacked by Yuuki's special skill. Hearing my words, Hyakka sat down and took a sip of tea.
"In other words, we don't have to fight fair. We can do whatever we want to Yuuki and the others, right?"
"That's not right! Senpai is also a transfer student!"
Mizuki shouted at Hyakka's words.
"Mizuki, it's not just Hyakka who was attacked by Yuuki. Emma too. Actually, her partner is dead. And Joe and the others also said they know other transfer students who were attacked by Yuuki."
Mizuki turned back to me.
"I don't believe it! But, Mash, you said you wanted Sam-Aim, who is with them, to be saved, right? Why won't you save Fam's friend, but you'll help my friend?!"
"She wasn't with her comrades when she attacked Hyakka."
But that was a sophistry. I had decided from the start that I would save Sam-Aim no matter what. And I had only been thinking about how to defeat Yuuki. That was even if Yuuki was Mizuki's senpai.
"That's not it! I believed Mash wasn't the kind of person who would go out and kill someone, and wouldn't condone that kind of behavior. And yet, you won't look for a way to avoid it for me? Weren't we traveling to make sure all the transfer students could be happy?"
"Mash, Mizuki... sorry, but no matter what Mizuki says, Yuuki and the others will be defeated. If you're going to help that man or let him escape, then everyone is equally guilty."
Hyakka muttered quietly. It felt like a cold blade pointing at my throat. Mizuki probably felt the same way. She took a step back.
"I don't believe it. But, if senpai is really attacking transfer students, I'll do my best to make him reform. Mash, please stop Hi-Chan and Hyakka!"
Myra had said the same thing.
"The ending of Fairy Tale is a happy one... right?"
No matter what happened, Levante had to be one and get through it together. That was the resolve we had built up with each battle. I was weak. I was easily swayed by my emotions, and I made mistakes when I hesitated. But there were others besides her: Fam, Myra, and now Marmie. Everyone had to believe in each other and overcome it.
"Mash, I don't want to give up. I want you to be on my side until the end. I want you to find out with me. I don't want to believe that senpai attacked other transfer students. Even if he did, I believe there must have been a reason."
Her hand touched my head. She stroked my hair.
"First, we need to find out, right? And Mizuki..."
"What?"
"It won't make a good impression if you talk while bleeding from your nose."
"Ugh! It's Mash's fault! I'm worried about it, but it won't stop!"
I took the cloth she was holding and wiped under her nose.
"We still don't have accurate information. We don't even have anything to think about. First, let's go to the Leafclout estate."
She nodded at my words.