CH 304

“You’re finally here!…” (Michelle)

“Hmm? What’s up?” (Mitsuha)

After a somewhat lengthy absence, I’m here on the new continent, the Kingdom of Vanel. Specifically, at the residence of the Marquis of Mitchell.

There’s still time before the next society meeting, but what is going on? Something is wrong with Micchan. She seemed to be irritated.

“We have a problem! You’ve been away for days… Where the heck have you been playing around!” (Michelle)

Oh, she seemed to be in a very bad mood. If I mishandle it, it’ll just fuel the fire. I don’t want to lie too much to Micchan…

No choice, let’s be honest… (for once)…

“I was attacked by an assassin in another country, and Colette-chan, who was protecting me, ended up getting a knife growing on her side…” (Mitsuha)

“Hiii!!” (Michelle)

Oh, Micchan, fainted…

=====

“I, I’m sorry about that, too. I didn’t know that was the case, and I spoke out of line. Please forgive me……” (Mitchell)

After she fainted, Micchan was carried to the bed in her room by the marquis who flew in. And after I somehow managed to calm him down, the first thing he did was apologize.

“…And, how is your sister’s condition?…” (Mitchell)

Yes, Colette-chan and Sabine-chan have already been introduced to Marquis Mitchell and the rest of the society as my younger sisters. They are my mischievous half-sisters who followed me here to help me, to watch over me, and most importantly, to play with me.

So that means, Micchan is acquainted with Colette-chan.

I guess Micchan would be surprised to hear that the sister of her friend had been stabbed.

And the Marquis was also upset.

It would be upsetting to know that I was attacked and then my sister was stabbed…

But when he heard that the incident took place in another country and that the attackers were from my home country’s neighbors, he was overtly relieved.

Well, I understand how he feels.

“The knife was aimed at me, so for Colette-chan, who jumped in from the side and pushed me away, it wasn’t just a light wound, but a gouging knife in her side that punctured her stomach, causing a gushing stream of bright red blood and a slight wound to her internal organs. Even so, she’s okay now…… Wait, Micchan, are you okay? You don’t look so good…” (Mitsuha)

“And whose fault is it? Who would be stupid enough to explain in such graphic detail?!!” (Michelle)

I managed to piss her off by doing my best to explain the situation.

“By the looks of it, it seems your sister was saved… and I’m surprised she survived that…” (Mitchell)

Yeah, being stabbed in the abdomen and damaging the internal organs is a high mortality rate not only in the old continent but also here in the new continent.

Moreover, it happened to a young girl…

“I heard she was lucky…. but unfortunately, the scars would remain…” (Mitsuha)

““…………””

Colette-chan, like me here, is considered to be a child of the royal family, so a large scar on her body would be fatal for a woman… they probably think so. They both have somber expressions.

“……Even so, Colette-chan was overjoyed and said, “It’s a medal, a proof that I protected my sister. I’ll be proud of it for the rest of my life!” Sabine-chan was jealous and wanted a scar herself…” (Mitsuha)

““…………””

“Mitsuha-san, I don’t know what you’re talking about anymore…” (Michelle)

“It’s okay. I didn’t know what those two were talking about either……” (Mitsuha)

‘““………………”””

“……Well, all I can get from that is how much Mitsuha is liked by her sisters……” (Mitchell)

“But it’s a little too heavy, isn’t it?…” (Michelle)

“““………………”””

“…So, let’s get back to what you were saying. What is that “problem” you speak of?” (Mitsuha)

As I asked Micchan that, she looked at the Marquis.

Since it’s an issue about our “Society”, did she intend to signal the outsiders to leave?…

“I have already reported it to my father. I will ask you to listen to it together.” (Michelle)

Micchan said with a serious look.

Apparently, it was a pretty big problem.

=====

“…Then, the lady of the duke family…” (Mitsuha)

“Yes, it seems that she is trying to take over the ‘Society’.

Well, to be exact, her father was…” (Michelle)

Well, that’s right, of course.

…But they should know that it is impossible to take over the “Society”…

“Maybe because the girls of the society are called saints and are very popular, but by taking the lead, she can monopolize their popularity and achievements, and even aim for the throne of the princess.

So, she may think that she only has to hold on for a very short time until she can become the first prince’s fiancée. As long as she is on top temporarily, she doesn’t care about what happens after that.

Or maybe, she plans to use her position as the crown princess to turn the Society completely into her own private army…” (Mitchell)

“”Ah~…””

The Marquis’s explanation made me and Micchan look dismayed.

I wonder if I have to use them as an example…

“Marquis-sama, may I crush the Duke and his daughter?” (Mitsuha)

“”E e e e eh~? “”

Yes, eliminate the enemies and malicious saboteurs.

Naturally, we are prepared for that.

The Marquis told me that the duke in question was not an enemy of Marquis Mitchell and that although they were allies, they were of a different faction from the Marquis. He also told me that neither the duke himself nor his daughter has a good reputation… In other words, “Their reputation is not good, to begin with, so even if they lose a little more reputation, it won’t be much of a problem”, that’s what he said.

Well, if he was a good person, I would not use such a move.

And no matter how much they are not enemies, there is no way such behavior would amuse him in an organization sponsored by his own daughter, is there?

So the Marquis never refutes my smirking.

Even if he did, though, it wouldn’t have changed the situation at all.

The “Society” is our organization and it has nothing to do with the Marquis.

=====

“…Here’s the situation.

Apparently, the daughter of the Duke, who hasn’t done anything until now, wants to take all your achievements and use them as a stepping stone for her own rise to power.

And since you are called the “saints” by the royalty and the ducal houses, it’s convenient for them to run the “Society”, even the royal court seems to think it’s a good idea…….” (Michelle)

At the society’s tea party, Micchan explained this to everyone, then took a deep breath and declared.

“If that happens, I will retire from the Society.” (Michelle)

“And of course, as a noblewoman from another country, I cannot belong to an organization that has come under the control of royalty and is only being used by the powerful, so I will also leave the Society.” (Mitsuha)

Following Micchan, I also declared my withdrawal.

What will happen to the Society if I leave?

Delicious sweets.

Items from the Viscount Yamano territory.

Cosmetics.

All other sources of access will be lost, the Society will be tied down, and become compliant with the royalty and the duke.

Such a thing is no longer a fun “Society”.

“And the day before yesterday, I received an order from Duke Keriskor, via the royal court, to accept his daughter as the Society’s presiding officer.” (Michelle)

“……”

““…………””

““““““………………””””””

Silence prevailed among everyone.

And…

“I take that as a declaration of war!” (Michelle)

““““““We are ready to intercept!!!””””””

Everyone’s voices united.

Of course, I have a lot of stories in store for everyone as the story of my home country.

Including stories of revenge, punishment, good punishment, complete super-villainy, evil aesthetics, …and “messy punishments” stories… (『ざまぁ物』)

=====