Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Strategy Meeting
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Aruru saw right through the girls' desires.
It was so obvious she didn't even need to use her beastkin senses.
Her plan was to find fault with their words and ruin their little conspiracy.
Of course, things in life rarely go as planned.
The girls, through past experience, had now fully mastered how to handle the fox beastkin.
Nom, nom, nom.
Aruru was lost in a feast of sweet desserts.
She had fallen for their ploy to keep her quiet with food.
Aside from that, they had to be seated in a cafe for such a long conversation.
It was bound to be quite tiring, and there would be frequent moments when they needed to wet their throats.
Amidst the palpable tension, Luciel broke the silence.
“First… let’s be honest about our feelings. What does everyone think of the Hero?”
“The most wonderful man in the world…”
“We didn’t gather here to state the obvious, did we?”
“…I want to be more than just a comrade to him.”
“Hmm, it seems you’re still holding back your true feelings… but that will do for now.”
“What about you?”
“Since ancient times, the Hero and the Saintess have been a pair. There have been many cases where they became lovers. I intend to follow that tradition…”
“Huh? I’m a Hero too, you know?”
“And? Should I kiss you or something?”
“N-No, that’s fine!”
“I might be willing to humor you once. You are a Hero, after all. It’s not like I have zero interest…”
“—!!”
Esterize bristled instantly.
In the end, she could only grumble about why the Saintess had to be like that.
The girls took a sip of their drinks to catch their breath, then simultaneously turned to Ilensia.
“You should hurry up and reveal your feelings too.”
“We all know, okay? So just say it without feeling pressured.”
Ilensia was lost in thought for a moment.
Even by her standards of committing all sorts of foolish acts, this situation was truly chaotic.
“Well… I do have the desire to have Jace for myself. But perhaps I’m not as desperate as the rest of you…”
“You’re an elf who needs to be taught a lesson.”
“I agree. I never thought the one furthest behind would act so coy.”
“—??”
Ilensia felt wronged.
She had only stated the facts as they were, but they refused to believe her.
It was a sad misunderstanding arising from the difference between humans and elves.
Elves were a long-lived race, so it wasn't strange for them to test the waters for a year or so.
She explained this belatedly, but the two human girls’ attitudes didn’t change at all.
“Hmph. You expect us to believe that?”
“Your identity is closer to a human’s anyway. You’re an elf in name only, having sold off all elven dignity.”
“…”
“You’re probably the most impatient one among us.”
“In fact, I’m hoping you’ll break down even more. From my perspective, that would be a good thing.”
Ilensia gulped down her drink.
She felt a storm brewing inside, but at this point, she didn't even have the energy to retort.
There was no way she could take on two of them by herself.
For now, the best she could do was quietly watch for a chance to strike back.
Soon, all eyes focused on the last remaining person.
“Aruru, what about you?”
“I don’t think you even need to ask, do you?”
After a moment of thought, Aruru came to a decision.
She could have just brushed it off, but she wanted to take this opportunity to make a point.
“It’d be a problem if you misunderstood. I’m fundamentally different from you all.”
“…I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Your ultimate goal is to mate with Jace, isn’t it?”
“—!!”
The girls couldn't hide their astonishment.
They knew beastkin were open-minded, but they never dreamed she would be this blunt.
The fox beastkin didn't miss the opening and drove her point home.
“Compared to that, my feelings are utterly pure. It’s fine even if we don’t do anything. A spiritual love… in other words, platonic love.”
“…”
“Hm? Why are you looking at me like that? Anyone would think I’m the sly one here.”
The girls, one and all, flared up.
They had tried to endure it, but Aruru’s comment had crossed the line by a wide margin.
“Wow, how can you be so shameless! You’re the one who makes the biggest fuss!”
“I wonder who it is that hugs the Hero and wags her tail at every opportunity.”
“That’s right. All sorts of thoughts pop into my head whenever I see that! It makes me want to switch bodies with you!”
Despite their fiery accusations, Aruru didn't lose her composure.
In her eyes, it was nothing more than the futile struggle of her immature little sisters.
“Hmm, so… you’re talking about how I stick close to Jace and act cute?”
“Why are you playing dumb? It’s not like there’s anything else, is there?”
“But there is.”
“—??”
“Anyway, that’s a beastkin instinct, so I can’t help it. You all just have to accept it with an open heart. If you feel that wronged, then get reborn as a beastkin.”
“…”
Such ridiculous sophistry.
The girls were dumbfounded for a while before rising up in unison.
Squawk, screech, cheep...
The feast of noise created a terrible cacophony.
“This is absolutely absurd. Do you think we don’t have instincts?”
“I want to do this, and I want to do that tooooo!”
“You shameless fox beastkin… Get on the ground and apologize right now!”
Aruru tilted her head once.
Why are they making such a fuss over nothing?
It's perfectly natural to express one's affection for another through physical action.
The so-called law of nature.
Of course, humans tended to be overly conscious of what others thought.
Aruru had experienced the human world and had come to understand and respect their culture, but the girls before her weren't even trying to understand beastkin culture.
Moreover, they were an elf, a Saintess, and a girl who was once a princess.
Logically, they should have been overflowing with refinement, but instead, they were showing their rudeness.
Hmm, maybe it’s because they’re still immature?
In any case, it was incredibly loud.
Her fox ears were sensitive, so there was a limit to how much she could listen.
Aruru thought it was about time to stop them.
Of course, she had no intention of clashing directly with these barbaric girls.
Raising her voice along with them would only bring her down to their level.
This was the time to show a sophisticated response, like an older sister.
She smiled brightly with the most innocent expression in the world.
“Want me to show you the real thing?”
“—??”
“What do you think would happen if a fox beastkin really set her mind to seducing a man?”
“—!!”
It was a hint that what they had seen so far was nothing.
Her words implied that whatever they imagined, it would be far beyond that.
The girls, every one of them, flinched.
They weren't sure about others, but it felt like Aruru could really pull it off.
“Geez, what’s the fun if you back down right away? Anyway, I have no intention of pouncing on Jace like you all do. For now, at least.”
“…”
Aruru didn't get greedy.
Provoking Ceria would be foolish, and her current situation was satisfying enough.
However, she couldn't guarantee what would happen in the future.
Meanwhile, the girls stared at Aruru, half-believing, half-doubting.
Can we trust this fox?
Even if she tried something, they could picture Ceria stopping her in her tracks.
“Let’s just leave this annoying fox alone.”
“That seems best. There’s a limit to what she can do, anyway…”
“No, wait… I just remembered something terrifying!”
“—??”
Esterize shoved her face right up to Aruru's.
Aruru blinked, as if asking what was wrong.
She looked pure and innocent, but they couldn't be fooled by that cute appearance.
If nothing else, they had to confirm ‘that one thing.’
“I heard it’s almost that time of year for foxes…”
“Hmm? Oh, if you’re talking about my mating season, you’re right on the mark.”
“—!!”
“The pure white winter, the cold season when snow falls… That’s when I especially feel the urge to be held by the opposite sex.”
“…”
Everyone was at a loss for words.
The fox beastkin, who not only remained calm but even smiled leisurely, was amazing in many ways.
The girls hurriedly put their heads together and started devising countermeasures.
“Until now, we’ve let it slide as just being cute, but…”
“Once that starts, it will be no laughing matter.”
“She might even raid Jace’s bedroom in the middle of the night…”
“Huh? I’ve already done that.”
“…At this point, I’m not even surprised.”
“Let’s ask, just for the sake of it. What was the result?”
“I got caught by Ceria and almost got scolded!”
“And the reason you’re bragging about it is?”
“Because I got her tacit approval. It was a blessing in disguise!”
“…”
The girls looked grimly at the fox beastkin’s fluffy tail.
Winter was approaching soon.
A scarf made from that would probably be warm.
“This won’t do. We need to take drastic measures.”
“How about we find a male fox beastkin? Someone to be Aruru’s mate…”
“Ah, so you mean to make them mate beforehand…”
“…That’s not what I meant.”
Esterize couldn’t help but sigh.
A deep sense of regret washed over her.
They were supposed to be members of the Hero’s party that would save the world, yet the content of their conversation was appallingly pathetic.
She wanted to turn back time.
Aruru also shook her head, as if they were hopeless.
How could they be so childish?
It was a good thing Jace was there to keep them centered; otherwise, things could have gone horribly wrong, leaving no room for dreams or hope.
“That’s enough nonsense. This isn’t the time to be worrying about me, is it?”
“…”
Only then did the girls come to their senses.
It was a truly sharp point.
Jace might dote on Aruru, but that was all.
Their relationship couldn't move beyond that of more than friends but less than lovers.
Therefore, the person they needed to discuss countermeasures for was, ultimately, Ceria.
His childhood friend, whom he had known for a long time.
Her absolute position as his fiancée.
No matter what they did, usurping Ceria’s place was next to impossible.
“But we can’t just stand by and do nothing. We need to bring about some kind of change.”
“I agree, but the situation is too difficult. It feels like we’re stuck right from the start…”
“Ah! I have a great idea!”
Ilensia clapped her hands with a bright expression.
Everyone instinctively looked at her, but with zero expectation.
The image of her as an airhead was firmly established.
There was a high probability she would spout some nonsense.
Still, thinking there might be a slim chance, the girls listened in silence.
“I think we can just follow what I’ve read in books.”
“—??”
“Hm? Why the bewildered faces?”
“You read books?”
“Yes. Reading is my hobby.”
“—!!”
That doesn’t suit you at all!
If you’re going to claim to be a literary girl, you should at least have some basic refinement!
Everyone wanted to shout that, but they decided to hear her out first.
Indeed, could there possibly be a book that could serve as a reference for their current situation?
No matter how they thought about it, they were skeptical.
“These days, the villainess and hero-party-expulsion genres are selling well.”
“Huh? I’ve never heard of those. What are they about?”
“There are minor differences, but it’s roughly like this. In the former, framing the fiancée and kicking her out is the standard formula. In the latter, they use the protagonist to their heart’s content and then banish him… In the end, the key words are ‘framing’ and ‘expulsion.’”
“…”
Everyone was speechless.
It was beyond absurd; it was utterly baffling.
Of all the books out there, she had to read ones with plots like that?
Ilensia, unfazed by their reactions, added one last comment.
“It sounds quite plausible, doesn’t it? Of course, I’m not saying we should kick Ceria out. It’s just for reference…”
“Ilensia. Do you know something?”
“What is it?”
“If we had to expel someone… you’d be the number one candidate.”
“—!!”
Aruru couldn’t help but be fed up.
Why is she digging her own grave?
Anyway, she had to get the conversation back on track.
She spoke more seriously than ever before.
“If you make an enemy of Ceria, Jace will come to hate you. That much is certain.”
“…”
The woman Jace cherishes most is Ceria.
In the end, to get closer to Jace, they needed Ceria’s consent and concession…
“We’ll have to win her favor.”
“Hmm, Ceria has a flawless personality, so that seems difficult…”
“In any case, we have to at least try.”
Aruru breathed a sigh of relief.
With this, she had prevented the girls’ conspiracy from heading in a bad direction.
“I don’t plan on interfering with whatever you do, but I hope you’ll act a little more carefully. After all, we’re the righteous Hero’s party that will stand against the Demon King. We should maintain a certain level of dignity, right?”
The girls slowly nodded.
They started to feel ashamed of their actions.
But that was only for a moment. They then glared intently at Aruru.
“You’re the biggest problem here!”
“That’s right. Your appearance is so cute that it ruins the serious mood.”
“You’re always clinging to the Hero, and it’s making us weird too…”
“I can’t help that. You’ll just have to deal with it. I told you, it’s instinct, right?”
“Ugh, you annoying fox beastkin… Why are you so lenient only with yourself?”
“I’m just being true to my role.”
I’m already the Hero’s party’s mascot.
With that sentiment, Aruru confidently stated her conviction.
It was a very obnoxious attitude, but they couldn't scold her because of her unique beastkin cuteness.
The girls suddenly realized a certain truth.
Now that they had experienced the softness of Aruru’s tail, the option of kicking her out was gone forever…
“Alright, let’s start planning our countermeasures in earnest now.”
“There’s a saying: to catch the general, first shoot his horse. It seems like targeting Ceria first is the only answer.”
“First, we’ll have to get close to her.”
Aruru didn't participate in that discussion.
It was something she had already achieved.
She had now become Ceria’s closest confidante.
The fox beastkin swallowed a bite of sweet cake, lost in ecstasy.
It had been a chaotic situation in many ways, but it seemed to have been resolved well, anyway.