kscans

Chapter 54 - The Master's Daughter Descends Upon the Unit

No matter how much Leonhard trained, there was a limit to how much luggage he could carry in his arms.

"If we could get to the ice-attributed mountains, I could make an alchemy item to lighten the load. ...Well, if we had the wind components for it."

"We might find some on Sacred Peak Mountain, but we don't have time for that now."

He rolled up his sleeves and tried to lift the luggage. ...Heavy. It's really heavy.

Though if it were Mireille, I could lift her as much as I wanted.

"...Looks like we'll have to make two trips."

But there was a more serious problem than the luggage. Mireille's clothes. The idea of letting her appear in public wearing the clothes Kyle had chosen infuriated him. Letting her appear in front of Kyle... that filled him with murderous rage.

...It can't be helped. It can't be helped. No, but really, it can't be helped!?

"Alright, let's go. Don't hold back if something happens."

"Okay!"

He picked up the obediently nodding Mireille, luggage and all, and put on the ring.


They teleported to the base of the Tree Sea Defense Force.

The soldiers were gathered around some limp potatoes, an atmosphere like a funeral hanging over them.

And into that scene appeared... a girl with flowing pink-blonde hair. Long eyelashes, a doll-like face.

What happens when such a girl (in my eyes, the cutest girl in the world) appears?

...The answer is simple. The soldiers' suspension bridge collapses in an instant.

Everyone's faces softened, their expressions looking like they were about to melt.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Mireille, the daughter of former captain Ariel. I heard my alchemy items might be of use, so I brought them!"

She smiled brightly and placed a line of luxury items next to the boiled potatoes. High Potions (three months' salary). Potions. Sleep Orbs. Antidotes. Monster-Repelling Bells. All-Purpose Bandages.

Other alchemy items they had never even seen before were also laid out on the table.

Huh??

The soldiers were just "............"

Everyone was dumbfounded. Well, of course they were.

"And also, some smoked meat from the Helkaarn I defeated the other day! Potatoes need a side dish, right? Please make do with this for today. From now on, let's have a barbecue every day after we defeat one!"

...Wait? You defeated a Helkaarn???

The former First Knight Order members were gaping. In contrast, the four veteran soldiers were so moved they were tearing up.

"Captain Ariel has returned...!"

"She used to catch monster birds every day and say, 'Today's special is fried chicken!' didn't she?"

"She used to carry a Helkaarn on her shoulder and butcher it, right?"

"She captured a Foglion (mist lion) alive, grabbed it by the neck, and took a shower with it, didn't she?"

...Hey. Don't talk about such inhuman episodes so casually.

Completely ignoring my stunned silence, Mireille tilted her head innocently.

"I see! So I just need to tame a Foglion! Maybe with a charm item? Then I wouldn't need a bath, and I could butcher it and eat it. Two birds with one stone, right!"

The soldiers' faces were "............"

Yep, everyone's faces turned pale. The funeral mood from before had turned into heaven for a moment, and now... it was an execution ground.


Mireille knew everyone was taken aback. Still, seeing the soldiers reminisce about her master, she was certain.

...So that's how my master really was.

Though she smiled, her heart ached. She understood all too well the feelings of her master, who, as written in the diary, had worried about the gap between her senses and those of others.

Master, I'll be your substitute until you return. Because I am your daughter.

It was at that moment.

Kyle, who was tied up in ropes with a cloth stuffed in his mouth, began to stir. Tension ran through the group.

Leonhard instinctively tried to hide Mireille from Kyle's view. But... Mireille stopped him.

She took a long metal chain from her bag.

"You're going to interrogate him now, right? Would it be alright if I helped you with that, in my master's place?"

Her voice was low and sharp. Even Leonhard couldn't help but flinch.

"Master Ariel only opened her heart to certain people, I hear. She was called a living weapon, and so on. ...Since we have the chance, shall I, her daughter, let you experience even half of that?"

With those words, Mireille wrapped the chain around Kyle without hesitation.

"I'll make sure to return the favor for what you did to Leonhard-san. Of course, I won't let you die. ...Even if you want to."

The soldiers held their breath as they saw Mireille's expressionless face looking down at him.