Volume 6 - CH ss - 2

Gossip 2 – Mirei’s Whim

“Thank you very much, Mirei-sama. It was thanks to Mirei-sama’s help that Eto was able to give his opinion at the strategy meeting.”

Lana bowed her head.

“Lana understands my intention, huh. Lana has told me many times about that, after all, so it’s just a small matter. However, I hope Eto-san can at least thank me with a glance. Is he an ungrateful person?”

“Fufu, I’m sure Eto-san understands your intention too.”

At that time, the Commander didn’t bother hiding his anger at Eto’s direct words. Which means, there is no way for them to have a calm discussion at that time.

But as Eto’s childhood friend, Lana knows that even from when he was a child, Eto has always been someone who wouldn’t pull back once he made up his mind. But, when Lana was worried that the discussion would end up in a quarrel, Mirei asked Eto to tell them if he had a plan, not just complain to the Knights.

Although Eto’s proposal to prioritize the safety of the hostages was eventually opposed by the Commander, at least it was effective in changing Ronaldo’s mind. Because at dinner that evening, Ronaldo acknowledged Eto’s calm analytical power.

“As Lana says, I guess it is necessary to listen to what other people say sometimes.”

At a strategy meeting where the main members of the Hero’s party participated, Mirei often interrupted the talks of the Knights and magicians to begin speaking her opinion. When Lana gathered opinions about the issue in the Hero’s party, many were dissatisfied with the attitude of Mirei. So Lana took the opportunity to question Mirei about this.

“Mirei-sama always listens to my talks. And yet, Mirei-sama sometimes interrupts or even does not listen to what other people say. With all due respect, I don’t think it is good for Mirei-sama.”

“Their speeches are just too long. Besides, I can already see what they’re trying to see.”

“Still, the ones getting ignored may resent Mirei-sama, you know? Isn’t it a loss for Mirei-sama, who stands on top of people and also aims to be the leader of an organization of the Kingdom, to make an enemy in the mood at that time?”

“Hmm, well, I do understand what Lana is trying to say, but…”

“I know Mirei-sama is a smart person, so you are very quick to judge something. Once you think this person is no good, or this opinion is no good, you won’t listen anymore. But you see, Mirei-sama. Not everyone is good at speaking. Some people have to get rid of their nervousness to talk to finally be able to express their opinions. If you judge too early, you will end up ignoring all the opinions of those people, you know? Isn’t it wasteful?”

“That might be true…”

Lana patiently appealed to Mirei. The place of the strategy meeting is not only a place where Ronaldo and Mirei give orders from above, but also a place to gather opinions from the knights and magicians. If all they did was just give a one-sided order, that just means the party has not changed at all. Lana wanted to create an open relationship that would prevent misunderstandings by increasing the interaction between everyone in the party. She wanted to change the closed-ness of the Hero’s party that caused the lies about Eto to spread.

This time, Mirei was trying to conclude the discussion by gathering Eto’s opinion, which was unthinkable before. It may have been influenced by the fact that Eto is no longer her rival for the leader of the magic division position, but it was still a big change.

Lana stared at Mirei, who was drinking the tea in her hand. Even if her consideration toward Eto was just a whim, Lana could feel that Mirei’s mind was changing little by little.

“Mirei-sama. I, too, wanted to change.”

“Yes? I think Lana is pretty enough as you are now, but if you want to change, I will give you a new dress after we take the fort.”

“No no, it’s about the inside.”

“The inside? It is just tiring to use your nerves for such invisible things. Lana, let me tell you, humans have a hard time even in managing the visible part of life. Improving magic skills, making good relationships, and trying to walk on the stairway of success. Everything needs time and effort. So, I advise you to think about the matters on the inside after you’ve accomplished something.” (T/N: Damn, pretty realistic.)

“Fufufu.”

“Why are you laughing? I am seriously–”

“I know, Mirei-sama. Whenever I discuss something with Mirei-sama, you always give me a clear answer, and I think it is very amazing. But before, you didn’t seem to be aware of something like 『Making good relationships』.”

“…Even I think a lot.”

“The gradually changing Mirei-sama is also wonderful, though.”

“Ara, you sure said something that made me happy. Alright, I’ll give you two new dresses.”

“I think dresses are hard to wear, though.”

“Lana, what you lack is actually the etiquette of a lady. If you continue to act as the Sword Saint, you will eventually join the ranks of nobles. If you always act like a commoner, the one who will have a hard time will be yourself, you know? Firstly, you–”

While laughing bitterly at Mirei’s lecture, Lana thought about how she should change herself.