kscans

Chapter 232 - Famu, Sameim, Marmi, and a Morning in Richel

Sunlight streamed through the window, reaching deep into the room. The lattice door, which should have been closed, was open. I rubbed my eyes and sat up, only to find that Famu and Sameim, who should have been next to me, were gone.

I scanned the room for them. In the corner was a desk that had been pushed aside, and there they were, sitting side-by-side on chairs. Their shoulders were touching as they huddled together, staring intently at a single book on the desk. It was the "World’s Guide"

Laciel had given us. The quiet air between them seemed to blend softly with the light from outside. From the edge of the bed, Marmi sat with her hands on her knees, watching them from a slight distance.

"Morning."

"...Good morning."

Marmi must not have noticed I was awake; she turned her head slowly, looking a little surprised. The light reflected in her eyes seemed somehow dark and sunken. I placed a hand on her head and stroked her silver hair. It was fine and silky, glinting in the sunlight.

"Where's Mizuki?"

"...I think she probably went to wash her face."

"And what's Mo up to?"

"...Nothing."

She pursed her lips and looked down.

"You want to join them, don't you?"

I whispered, leaning close to her ear.

"...That's not it. Besides, I'm a new friend..."

"Don't be an idiot. A friend is a friend. It doesn't matter if they're new or old."

"...Do you have people like that, Mash?"

"N-never mind me!"

I gave her a push on the small of her back, urging her off the bed. I got out of bed myself.

"Go on. If they give Mo the cold shoulder, I'll give them a swift kick in the rear."

"What are you going to do, Mash?"

"I'll look for Mizuki. I'm hungry, so I'm going to get some food. You all come down whenever you're ready."

Marmi nodded and pattered over to Famu and the others in a light jog. She glanced back once, then looked at them again and took a small, deep breath. Her hands were clenched tightly.

Breakfast was a soup of stewed beans and bread. It was another nostalgic flavor. I still didn't know what kind of beans they were, but they were cooked so soft you could crush them with your tongue. Still, there was a subtle difference in texture, which made me think it was a mix of several types. Or maybe it was just unevenly cooked.

"Mizuki, any idea what kind of beans these are?"

She tilted her head, just as clueless. Just then, Myra appeared.

"Good morning."

She gave a small bow and sat down next to me, then scooted her butt over until she was pressed against me. The three of us lined up at the long table felt strange. Myra was getting a little too close, so I nudged her chest with my elbow.

"Hyaa!"

She clutched her chest and put a little distance between us. I wonder what her logic is, that her butt is fine but her chest is off-limits.

"So, what's the situation with Sameim?"

In response to Myra's question, I shook my head. There was a mountain of things I wanted to ask. But, much like with Marmi, there was an unapproachable air between Famu and Sameim this morning. I was wondering if Marmi had managed to fit in with them when the three of them came downstairs. They sat down across from us, with Famu in the middle, flanked by Sameim and Marmi. Famu began to eat her breakfast with a prim expression, and Marmi and Sameim followed suit. How should I put it? It felt like their own little world, one that still wouldn't let anyone else in. Not just Sameim, but Famu and Marmi too, felt distant somehow. As I sat there, frozen, Myra cleared her throat and once again closed the gap between us. I understood one thing: she was rushing me.

"S-Sameim, can I ask you something?"

She looked up and nodded.

"So... uh... are you a virgin?"

Beside me, Mizuki spat out a mouthful of bean soup, which sprayed directly onto Marmi's face. Marmi just frowned in annoyance, not even trying to wipe it off. Mizuki frantically grabbed something to wipe with and dabbed at the soup on her face.

"...It's fine. I'll wash it later with cleaning magic."

Marmi turned her face away, as if even that gesture was an annoyance. She doesn't take care of herself. Patricia must have always helped her. That attitude comes from her upbringing. I understand that. But right now, even that attitude felt like they were putting up a wall against me.

"Are you an idiot? Ask a proper question!"

Mizuki protested.

"Ugh, I can't do it. Sorry, Mizuki, you take over."

Famu's stare was painful. I tried my best, but this was my limit.

"Huh?!"

"You want to know about Yuki, don't you?"

She handed the cloth to Marmi and returned to her seat. Mizuki looked troubled, tapping her chin with her index finger before nodding with determination.

"Sameim, are you still planning to fight us?"

Sameim shook her head at Mizuki's words.

"Can you tell us how you met Senpai... Yuki-senpai, and Clovis?"

"..."

Sameim fell silent and lowered her head.

"Mizuki, Sameim can't speak,"

Famu said.

"Is that so?"

"Is it congenital?"

Mizuki and I asked at almost the same time.

"She could speak normally when she was in the settlement."

Hearing Famu's reply, Mizuki and I both turned to look at Myra.

"Don't tell me you failed. Is it the useless priest's fault?"

"That's not it. The spell cast on her should have been completely broken."

Myra placed a hand on Sameim's neck.

"I believe it's psychological..."

Was it from when her settlement was attacked, or from something that happened afterward? While I was struggling with how to interpret that, Mizuki cleared her throat as if to reset the conversation.

"Sameim, do you want to go back to the Messiah party?"

There was a long pause. Then she lowered her head and shook it. I couldn't tell what her true intention was. Mizuki was frowning, too.

"Sameim, do you... you know... like Yuki-senpai?"

"Hey, that's not any different from my first question!"

"How is that the same?!"

While Mizuki and I were glaring at each other, Sameim gave a small shake of her head. There was something about that fragile gesture that made me feel like we were bullying her, and a sudden unease stirred in my chest. The women I'd met in this world all had a certain strength of will; most were tougher than me. The only one who seemed a little unreliable was maybe Claire, but now she was the branch manager of the Mateo Trading Company in Miglutt. The only other would be Myra, I suppose. She sometimes comes on to me with a somewhat childish demeanor. Even now, she was playfully pressing her butt against me. But in terms of raw power, she's the strongest among us. Besides, Sameim, just like Famu, was sold as a slave, forced to fight in a strange city, and was now being interrogated by strangers. I was starting to wonder if it was right to keep pushing her.

"Um, Master, I can ask her the questions. She might regain her speech eventually."

Famu spoke as if reading my thoughts. I felt saved by her words and nodded. She nodded back, her gaze firm. Her hand rested reassuringly on Sameim's back.

"Wait. Then just two things. Was it Clovis who bought Sameim from the slave trader?"

Sameim nodded at Mizuki's words.

"Then was it also Clovis who ordered her to fight?"

She shook her head.

"...Was it Yuki-senpai?"

She remained still for a long time, then eventually nodded. Seeing this, Mizuki bit her lip and looked down. I put my hand on Mizuki's shoulder and pulled her close.

"Let's leave the rest to Famu. And Famu, please ask Sameim what she wants to do from now on, too."

I headed to Aidan's place with the members of Levante: me, Mizuki, Myra, and Marmi. Unlike at night, the city was full of life. I bought some skewered meat from a passing stall and bit into it. We'd left Famu and Sameim behind. Marmi had wanted to stay too, but I had business with her specifically, so I made her come along. I was uneasy about leaving the two of them alone in a city of different races, but Myra said it would be fine.

"No one in this city would discriminate against a dog-eared person dressed like that."

"Why's that? Famu looks normal, is there something strange about her?"

"I don't think there's anyone who doesn't know she's your companion, Mash."

At the arena, where the whole city had gathered, I had summoned Laciel, and Famu, clad in her light-blue outfit, had been there. No one would willingly make an enemy of a god's associate. That was Myra's reasoning.

"By the way, what about Reed from 'Wind Blade'?"

I had asked her back in Frucht to get him released.

"The Priestess spoke to the city's influential figures, but even duels have their own city customs. It seems they can't simply release someone who has broken them."

Her expression clouded over. I thought it would be fine if I, the one involved, said something, but it wasn't that simple.

"Also, there's the fact that he comes from a noble family in the Western Kingdom..."

Currently, there were no signs of war between the empire where Richel was located and Reed's home, the Western Kingdom. But that didn't seem to mean there was peace. There were constant power plays between the two nations, and the embers of conflict were likely smoldering somewhere. We stepped into the district where the blacksmiths gathered and headed for Aidan's workshop, the sound of metal being hammered ringing in our ears from all sides. When I opened the door, it led directly into the workspace, and I immediately saw Aidan and Petra. Their short stature was likely a characteristic of the dwarf race. But their frames were solid, and their backs still radiated a sense of dependability. Petra, meanwhile, was swinging a hammer alongside the other workshop members, having blended in as if she'd been there for more than a day. Aidan caught sight of me, and his eyes widened.

"I heard the gist of it from Petra. Did you really... come back?"

"I did. Sorry to spring this on you, but I need to get back to Miglutt as soon as possible."

I wanted to ask him to come to Miglutt with us, but I swallowed the words and firmly shook the hand he offered.

"I think I'm fine staying here, though,"

Petra said, shrugging beside me. Her voice was full of life and vigor. Was it Maryanne who told me she used to swing a hammer under Aidan?

"So, I want to borrow the power of an elf, skilled in high-level mana and its use, and a dwarf, skilled in the accumulation of mana and the techniques to process it, to get back to Miglutt. And as far as I know, the best elf and dwarf are right here."

At my words, Marmi and Aidan exchanged a look.

"...Like I said yesterday, that's impossible,"

Marmi answered.

"Flight, teleportation, spatial transfer, anything will do. Isn't there some way?"

"...You're being too vague!"

"Even a way to get to Laciel's room would work. It seems the places you can travel to in this world from that room are fixed. Couldn't we trace that path in reverse? If it's about gods, we have an expert right here."

I pushed Myra forward.

"Huh? Me?!"

Myra looked troubled. Marmi and Aidan crossed their arms, their expressions grim.