Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Reconnaissance (3)
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Taking care of younger children wasn't such a difficult task for Vespa.
After serving the world's worst kid for so long, just watching over some children was a piece of cake.
"Sis, sis, what do you do?"
"What's your relationship with the Hero?"
"You look close with Carlyle!"
Besides, these girls were so lively and friendly that it was hard to believe they were daughters of influential families. Being around them wasn't unpleasant at all.
Truth be told, when she first heard they were noble ladies from prominent houses, Vespa had braced herself for at least a bit of trouble—not as bad as Gray, but still. They turned out to be far more polite and kind than expected.
...Aside from how they'd been clinging to Carlyle just moments ago.
"Okay, okay, one question at a time."
Vespa answered with a gentle smile.
The warm atmosphere led to quick introductions all around.
The red, yellow, and green ladies took turns introducing themselves.
Nina, Anna, Kara—in that order.
Their full names were undoubtedly much longer, but they laughed and said it was fine to call them that.
And so, in the quiet entrance to the deserted factory district, a cheerful chatter among the women unexpectedly unfolded.
"Oh, Sis, were you a Cradle student too?"
"We're entering Cradle next year!"
"You're our senior!"
"But I haven't heard your introduction yet."
"Oh, about us!"
From what she gathered, Nina was the daughter of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anna the granddaughter of the Guard Captain, Kara the eldest daughter of the Minister of Industry...
"..."
No, she'd heard they were from influential families, but their backgrounds were more impressive than she'd imagined.
It was clear these were the kind of children who could make even Vespa, mid-conversation, break out in a cold sweat without meaning to.
Families like these were the sort where if Carlyle didn't fit in at all, you'd say it was too much to handle.
If you went by pedigree, they were right below Grand Duke Chasefield and Margrave Pohaven.
But considering they held current high positions, the pressure was on par.
'...No, but sending kids from such great houses out here alone?'
Realizing anew just how remarkable these children were to be out in a place like this, Vespa felt a twinge of gloom.
Their very presence probably meant their families had sent them to somehow connect with Carlyle.
Which just went to show how important he'd become to so many people.
'...I could do without more rivals, though...'
In the blink of an eye he'd gone off and built up a ton of connections somewhere, becoming famous among people.
"..."
Vespa gripped the hem of her skirt tightly.
'Carlyle sure is popular...'
Truth be told, she often thought it would be weirder if he wasn't.
No matter where or what disaster struck, he always showed up out of nowhere, handled it smoothly, and vanished.
To Vespa, that man was someone she could rely on more than anyone.
...He always gave her strength whenever he was around.
'I'm just a nobody, though...'
If Carlyle hadn't reached out to her first—back when no one paid her any attention.
She never would have mended things with Gray, never realized her talent for magic and developed it.
-Who are you again?
...Just like before.
A nobody to everyone.
A person no one cared about.
That's why.
Carlyle, who had changed her from that into someone else, was incredibly precious to her.
So.
She felt anxious.
With him piling up connections with so many people nearby.
Someday, he might go back to being like before.
Someone 'precious to no one.'
The ladies, Carlyle, everyone.
Back to how it was. Living as background, dying as background, a nobody no one remembered—
"Sis?"
Vespa snapped back to attention and looked up.
Nina was gazing up at her curiously from right below.
"Are you okay? You look pale."
"...Ah, no. It's nothing."
Vespa forced a smile and shook her head.
"Just thinking about Carlyle a bit."
"...Are things bad between you two? Did we say something we shouldn't have...?"
"No, no! No! It's not that things are bad with Carlyle! If anything—"
Vespa hurriedly tried to explain but clamped her mouth shut.
...There was a word that immediately came to mind.
But her mentality was far too fragile to say it out loud...
"...)?"
As Vespa flushed and fidgeted, the traffic light trio stared at her with puzzled expressions.
Wondering what was up, they watched her for a moment.
Then Nina, Anna, and Kara exchanged glances in an instant.
Soon, the same knowing tone came from all three at once.
"Aah—"
Kids were sharper than you'd think.
Reactions this obvious—even a fool couldn't miss them.
"How did it happen? Tell us!"
"Weren't there any heart-pounding moments?"
"Share some fun stories!"
The girls swarmed Vespa, squealing excitedly.
Vespa floundered, eyes spinning, like a teacher being begged for first-love tales by her students.
'H-how do I even explain this...?'
She gave a troubled smile, sweat pouring down.
She wished some situation would arise to save her...
And as she thought that, it actually happened.
...In the worst imaginable way.
----!!!!!
A deafening roar exploded from within the factory district.
It was so terrifying that Vespa and the traffic light trio whipped around in shock.
The kind of boom that made every hair on your skin stand on end—not ordinary at all.
And emanating from where the sound burst forth was.
"...Lady?"
No matter how you looked at it.
It was Gray's mana.
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Opportunities to talk with Gray weren't actually all that common.
In daily life, this person was always busy.
Training, studying, or dispatched somewhere to handle work.
As the Hero, she couldn't not be busy, so it was normal there weren't many chances for casual chats.
So even if she didn't feel like bringing it up in a situation like this.
She couldn't miss the chance.
"...When do you plan to apologize?"
"...?"
While searching the factory district, Carlyle's sudden remark made Gray tilt her head.
"Apologize for what?"
"Princess Ilia."
"..."
Gray's expression twisted as she realized what he meant.
Previously.
When the 1st Prince and 2nd Princess had incited killing Ilia, and she'd abandoned her without defending her.
"She seemed pretty hurt by it."
She wasn't saying it outright, but it had clearly left a trauma on the young princess.
When Carlyle had brought it up before, her face had darkened instantly.
She understood it logically as unavoidable, but emotionally, it was hard to accept.
"...Why should I apologize."
"..."
...She still had a real talent for the worst possible responses.
"Lady."
"At the time, that was the right call."
"..."
"If the same situation happened again, I'd judge it the same way."
"...But it turned out to be a false accusation, so isn't there ample reason to apologize?"
"......Why?"
Gray scratched her head blankly.
This person.
She'd grown quite humane in how she treated Carlyle.
But for 'anyone else,' she still had a long way to go.
"It's her problem to understand. That's how a Hero acts in that situation."
"Why be so stubborn, Lady? It's not like apologizing causes some huge disaster."
"I don't like apologizing for doing the right thing. Even if trying to kill an innocent was my mistake, I won't apologize for the action itself."
Gray replied firmly.
"If I deem it necessary, I'll sacrifice anyone. To save many people. Don't meddle in that."
"Then what about apologizing as a friend?"
"..."
Gray faltered at Carlyle's words.
She worked her lips, then turned her head away.
"You have convictions as the Hero, sure, but wrong is wrong."
"..."
"Princess Ilia cried a lot."
At that, Gray irritably scratched her head vigorously.
"...Fine, fine, I'll do it later."
...Still as arrogant as ever.
But she listened. Just like he'd always said.
[That's progress for the lizard.]
'Who says otherwise.'
As they exchanged words with the Holy Sword.
Gregory, following behind and overhearing, chuckled and chimed in.
"You seem to rely on this young man a lot, Hero."
Gregory Priest interjected softly, a kindly smile on his face.
His eyes alternated between Carlyle and Gray with evident intrigue.
Gray, called out like that, flushed red and muttered curses.
"Rely? What the fu—"
"No, no, it's just fascinating."
Gregory chuckled on.
"I never imagined the inhuman Hero would empathize with someone this much."
"...What?"
Gray's eyes narrowed at the subtle undertone in his voice.
...As if sensing something off.
"No, I mean, it is fascinating."
With that, he extended his finger straight out.
"A blatant weakness on display like this."
It was a light motion.
That's why Carlyle's reaction—and even Gray's—was much too slow.
"..."
Carlyle blinked slowly, looking down at his stomach.
Gregory's outstretched finger.
Had plunged deep into his gut.
As if stabbed by a knife.
"I just don't get how you two can be this defenseless after falling for the same trick first."
Carlyle, with a coin-sized hole punched in his stomach.
Staggered and collapsed.
"-"
Gray's pupils contracted.
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