CH 286

“Do you think we should hurry?”

“That’s difficult to answer, I guess. If we assume that they don’t notice us, we should still be okay. In the meantime, we should enter the estate pretending and detain Sonia-san.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this. After all, we should hurry.”

After splitting into two groups with Himmel-san, we were making our way towards the town, but I have a bad feeling about this. It’s as heartbreaking as when Retzel planted poison in the king and his men’s food when settling the score with Brao.

They all agreed with me and hurried on.

“Kuon.”

“Oh, do you want to be with Lars? Hey, I think he wants Lars to hold him.”

“What?”

I looked over to see that the baby bear was fidgeting and reaching for me. I had no choice but to take it from Makina, who sniffed me and hugged me tightly.

“Kuon♪”

“He’s very fond of you …… I thought deadly bears were more vicious.”

“It’s a clever demon, and I think it knows that you saved its parents’ lives.”

“Grrr ……”

“I don’t know if his parents like that too. I don’t think he would have allowed me to ride him if it wasn’t for you, Lars-kun.”

“Well, I can’t let them into town anyway, so we’ll have to say goodbye at the exit of the forest.”

“Hmm, I wonder if it will be alright ……?”

Makina sounded worried, and I was a little concerned too.

Just as I had feared, when I dropped him off at the exit of the forest, he clung to my leg and began to cry out.

“Kuon! Kuon!”

“Oh, man.”

“Can’t you do something?”

Fath-san turned to Basleigh-sensei, but she said that it was impossible to let monsters into the town when no one, not even the minister, had a tamer’s license.

“Didn’t you ever learn what to do in a situation like this, apprentice tamer Lars-kun?”

“…… I guess I can try it.”

I picked him up, patted his head, and tapped him on the bridge of his nose. He stiffened and made a little noise.

“Kuon ……”

“I can’t take you guys with me, I’m sorry, but you have to go back to the forest.”

“Grrr ……”

I put the baby bear on the parent’s back, and the father and son still stare at us with reluctant to part eyes.

“Please, don’t make this hard for me.”

Just as I said this, the ring that Basleigh-sensei had given me glowed dully.

“What is it? Oh ……”

“Grrr.”

“Kuon ……”

The moment the ring’s light disappeared, their body stiffened, and soon after, although they seemed to be reluctant, the Deadly Bear father and son quietly turned on their heels and walked toward the forest. Apparently, they understood me.

“Take care! Don’t show yourself in front of humans too often!”

“Goodbye!”

“!!”

I stood there until I could no longer see the father and son I had somehow grown attached to, although I was wasting time.

“All right, let’s go to the Zanbia’s estate.”

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

“Darling, I need to have a word with you.”

“What is it? …… Come in.”

Sonia knocked on the door of the office and Zanbia invited her in, though she sounded unhappy.

“What’s the matter? The Clansmen Sonia called have not returned yet, have they? Even if the knights from the castle are with us, there’s no way they’ll be able to get rid of the monsters so easily.”

“Yes, it’s probably in the middle of the forest. And I’m sure they haven’t gotten rid of the ones from the castle yet.”

“Oh, I’m busy. Can you wait until I’m done–“

Zanbia, who was looking at the document, looked up at Sonia’s disturbing statement.

“Sonia, what did you just say!? You said you were going to get rid of the people in the castle ……! It’s not like you don’t know what will happen if you do that!”

“Yes, of course I know? But this is necessary. In order for this territory to prosper.”

“Don’t be ridiculous …… The country is the territory, the territory is the country. I’m sure you understand that after living here together for the past 25 years. Stop this nonsense and send the clan people you left over here!”

Zanbia’s face turned pale as he shouted angrily at her, but Sonia listened with a charming smile on her face. While feeling uncomfortable with her calmness, he came up with an idea.

“No, this is not right …… Why are you telling me this now? Don’t tell me, you!”

“Yeah.”

As soon as Sonia snapped her fingers, three men rushed into the room. In their hands, they were holding weapons.

“What do you mean by doing this ……!?”

“It’s simple, darling. It’s time for you to retire to make Varnish the lord.”

“Stop saying nonsense …… He’s still inexperienced. With his limited knowledge and experience, it would only last a few years if he inherited the estate. And that’s because of your spoiled upbringing, remember?”

Zanbia fled to the corner of the room, and Sonia twisted her mouth in astonishment and ruffled her hair before replying.

“It’s all right. I don’t want the lord to be too smart. I’ve been waiting for this year when Varnish turns 20 …… It was unplanned that the people from the castle came, but the people from the clan, including Albatross, are all skilled. They will not be outdone by the knights. The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Inquisitor have even more room to maneuver. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of the territory without a hitch.”

“W-What the hell are you talking about ……”

“……”

She did not respond to the questioning voice, but raised her hand and the men attacked Zanbia at once.

“H-Hiiiii!?”

“Ahahahahaha! Tear him apart as brutally as you can, okay? Let’s see, Lux, who disappeared came and attacked …… Let’s go with that!”

“That’s how it is, die!”

“……!”

The moment the sword was raised high in the air, Zanbia prepared to die and bent down on the floor to protect his head. But the blade didn’t swing down, and instead–

“Aqua bullet!”

“Guah!?”

“Woah ……! From behind!?”

“What!?”

–Aqua bullets flew over the back of the men closing in on Zanbia, bringing him to his knees. At the same time as Sonia turned around, a figure slipped by her side and took the men by surprise.

“‘Old man, are you okay!”

“What!? I-Is that you, Lux!?”

The figure standing in the corner of the room, covering Zanbia, was definitely Lux. He glares at Sonia as he unleashes his magic in pursuit. 　

“I sneaked in after Lars and the others left, but I never I thought I’d arrive at a nice timing. And you’ve finally showed your tail, mother-in-law …… No, Sonia!”

“Lux ……! I don’t know where you’ve been hiding, but you’re just in time, I’ll have the medallion back ……!”

“If only you could take it ……!”

This is my last update for the year!

Thank you all for your support this year, everyone!

I’ll keep updating, so please support me!

[Afterword Theater]

“…… Zzz …… Hatchoo!? Happy New Year!?”

It’s not the new year yet, though!?

“Then wake me up after one minute!”

You’re so unreasonable ……

※ This afterword was written at 20:00 on December 31, 2020.