20demayo Chapter 118
Chapter 118
Meg’s Wish
“...And after that, did the patriarch say anything to you?”
“Of course he did. But I simply told him the truth, or rather, a version of it. I said that she vanished after I activated my magic. There’s nothing wrong with me bestowing my blessings.”
“But then, you’ll be...”
Martinelshiela-san was still smiling gracefully as she spoke. I’m just going to call her Mara-san... I’m sure I won’t be able to properly pronounce her name.
And I understood the Demon King’s concerns. He was worried that Mara-san had been reprimanded.
“Oh my, are you worried about me? It’s fine. He’s my younger brother. I respect him as patriarch, but he doesn’t interfere with my personal actions that much. He just... gave me a lengthy lecture, and a few snide remarks.”
That’s right, they were siblings. I see, so maybe Mara-san is like a guardian to Schelmelhorn, someone special.
But she wouldn’t question his role as patriarch, huh? It’s a mini-dictatorship.
“...Meg was in a dungeon in Centrei. Not exactly what you’d call a safe place...”
Gil-san, who had been silent up until now, said this, breaking the silence. Ah, that’s right. A dungeon, infested with monsters, is dangerous, isn’t it?
“A dungeon? A space where monsters spawn easily, used by adventurers for training? She was there?”
Mara-san’s eyes widened slightly when she heard this, seemingly surprised.
“...Actually, a dungeon might be the safest place for Meg-sama.”
Kron-san, who’d been pondering this with her hand on her chin, said this. Eh, a dungeon, safe? My mind was filled with question marks. She continued, explaining her reasoning.
“Meg-sama is in a unique situation. And considering her state back then, she wouldn’t have been able to survive without a guardian. And yet, Yenna-sama sent Meg-sama off alone. ...That means being immediately found by a guardian was also part of what she considered ‘safe.’ And with a powerful protective barrier, a dungeon would be even more convenient.”
If I’d been on the streets, or in a town, I might have been taken in by an ordinary citizen. But what they needed was someone who could protect me, considering my circumstances. And so, by sending me to a dungeon, creating an anomaly inside it with her incredibly powerful protective magic, Yenna-san had created a situation where they’d have no choice but to call in skilled individuals.
I-I see... she’d planned it all out before sending me here. Mara-san’s amazing! She didn’t even know what had happened, but she’s so versatile!
“Oh my, how incredible. And she was found by someone who could protect her, right? I’m so good, aren’t I?”
Absolutely! Mara-san, you have a playful side!
Shou-chan and the others weren’t by my side, it seemed like they’d been blown away by this gust. Maybe Shou-chan could still hear me because it was my contracted spirit, and a Voice Spirit. A high-ranking Wind Spirit would have to be the one casting this... but why...? The reason soon became clear.
“Why are those insects here, in our sacred village!?”
This might be the first time I’ve ever seen someone so enraged. His eyes were blazing, and his entire body was trembling with anger. To think that a handsome face could look so terrifying when twisted with rage.
His long, silver hair was standing on end, probably from magic power leaking out because of his emotions.
How scary...! To be terrified by someone just by looking at them. I clung to Gil-san.
“Martinelshiela! It’s you, isn’t it!? Even if you’re my sister, you’ve crossed a line...!”
“...I’m sorry.”
No! Mara-san’s being scolded...! She was just trying to fulfill Yenna-san’s request!
“What happened with Yennaliearl and her child, and now this... It seems that I must punish you, once again!”
The silver-haired man said this and then instantly appeared before Mara-san. It was so fast that I didn’t even see him move.
“Leave.”
Mara-san closed her eyes, as if accepting everything. Eh, ehh...!? Wait, why...? She’s your sister!
“No!!”
The shout that escaped my lips was drowned out by a deafening roar, and a deep blue figure suddenly appeared between the man and Mara-san.
“It was us who barged in here. She was just threatened.”
“Threatened? There’s no way my sister, a High Elf, would yield to mere insects. To think you’d even consider that, your minds are truly as simple as those of insects.”
The Demon King, standing protectively in front of Mara-san, said this, meeting the silver-haired man’s gaze. He’d seemingly deflected the attack. I wasn’t sure what had happened, but!
“Then surely defeating these insects should be a simple task, right? How small-minded, to make such a fuss about a few insects entering your home. Is the patriarch of the High Elves incapable of even dealing with insects himself?”
The Demon King provoked him, releasing his pressure. Sparks flew between them.