Chapter 170 Catching Up With Family
By the lake along the Wareels' side, after turning a corner for a bit. Looking at the total length of Lake Edna, I think we've traveled about 30% of the way.
"Hey hey, is Berberi-san here?"
Maya-chan tilted her head up towards the coachman's seat as if to say, 'You're here, right?' while calling out.
"Yeah, Maya-sama?"
There he was, peeking from the carriage ceiling, Berberiguru-san. Seems he's dropped the 'Goshujin-sama'.
"Any pursuers on our tail?"
"No, none at all. It's quite the relief, honestly."
Berberi-san seems a bit downcast too. In a way, Maya-chan (the boss) and Berberi-san (the chauffeur) might be alike.
"Oh, speaking of Maya-sama..."
"What's up?"
"Is Diemirena holding up alright?"
"Huh, you know her?"
"Yeah, she's my cousin."
Berberi-san turned out to be Rena-san's cousin.
"Oh, really? Is Mii-cchan also related?"
"Yes. She's a maid entrusted with the role of a guard."
So, whether they're Tigerman (Kojinzoku) or Cat-people men, they seem to be either into battles or not.
Genoruira-san looks like she could fight, but shrine leader Gefiliona-san seems unlikely. Jam-san doesn't look like he could fight either, despite his physique.
"Is that so... Surprising. Thanks for your help. You're Maya's favorite."
"Thank you."
Now, we arrived at Ensgard. It turns out there were no pursuers after all. It was quite anticlimactic, to be honest.
After that, we reported everything to Mother. Before the report, I got hit with a 'Tiger hug,' which is unavoidable. I thought I might die for a moment. I didn't, though. Maya-chan gave a gentle hug. She held back a bit.
Mother listened to my suggestion and made a decision quite easily.
"Ah, don't worry about it. We're originally from the same country, after all. And besides, expanding the country's territory is no big deal, so don't stress over it."
Mother said she'd take in refugees in this country. She's as chill as she was back in Watterhill. For her, it's like, just expand the country's territory and everything's cool, you know? It's like she thinks it's as easy as tending to a garden or something.
"So, Tatsuma-kun."
"Yeah?"
"The 'thing' you asked for is progressing smoothly, could it be that?"
"It's exactly as Mother thinks. Definitely."
"I see, it's getting interesting."
The day after tomorrow, we're heading back to Wareels. This time, I'll go first, and then Maya-chan and Rosalier-san will come later with Alesion and Centrena.
That evening, during dinner, I suddenly asked about it.
"Her Majesty Queen Myla"
"My-la"
She pointed her index finger at me, as if to say, "No way," with a cute little scold. So adorable. I guess I'm definitely a cat person after all.
"Oh, yes. Myla, um...-san"
"Yes, what is it, Tatsuma-san?"
The queen of this country is undoubtedly Her Majesty Queen Myla. But when Mother is around, she acts like a duke on rare occasions, almost like a regent, making decisions.
Well, Ensgard has been a pretty trouble-free country so far, except for Oso (the Dreadful Element). Still, I've heard that even Her Majesty Queen Myla's parents, before they passed away, gave her and her sister an excellent education to prepare them for becoming queens. So, it seems like they've been running the country quite well.
"What's your level in Holy attributes, Myla-san?"
"It's 2, why?"
"Ah, I see. So that's what Mom (Danna) was talking about."
"What do you mean? What happened?"
"Maya-chan and I level up more easily."
"Ah, maybe that's because you both are from a different world?"
"So, that's the reason."
Both Maya-chan and I have some sort of special protection (cheat).
"Anyway, leaving me aside,"
"Yes? What's up, big brother?"
"The purification thing, is it sanctification?"
"Yes."
"Between Her Majesty Queen Myla and Maya-chan, whose effect is stronger?"
"Ah, that. It's Her Majesty Queen Mylavirna."
"Really?"
"We compared them before. That's how we figured it out."
"Yes, we compared them. But we stopped because we thought Tatsuma-sama would get mad."
"Oh, he would, definitely."
"I don't want to break the conversation, okay?"
"Yes, sorry."
"So, Myla-san, what we found out was,"
"Yes?"
"Maya-chan levels up easier than Her Majesty Queen Mylavirna, but her magic's effect is less than half..."
"Really?"
"That's probably the case."
Her Majesty Queen Myla is standing there with her arms crossed. I can totally tell she's like Mother's sister. Their gestures are so similar.
"Yeah."
"Yeah."
"Experience over the years, or differences in that kind of thing, I guess."
"Oh, I see what you mean. Skill level."
"Is that even a thing, Maya-chan?"
"Well, it's not quantified, but there could be hidden parameters, you know. 'Cause big brother is way too overpowered."
"Oh, I get it. So maybe mine's high."
"Yeah, that's right. Easier to level up and improve skills. Hence, higher magical effects, you know?"
"Yeah, thanks for that, Myla-san."
"No worries, I'm happy if you're interested in Myla."
"Big brother's popular, huh?"
"It's because we're family, you know."
"That's it. So that's why Maya..."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing at all!"
* * *
After that, I'm just relaxing on Centrena's back after two days of not seeing her. We're not exactly lounging in front of the TV because, well, I don't have one in my room. So, I'm just leaning against her in the living area by my bedroom door, scrolling through my phone. It's pretty cozy since she's a dragon-type creature with wings, so it's warm back there.
I'm about to doze off when suddenly I feel a nip at my collar, and next thing I know, I'm being dragged off to bed. Is Centrena low-key nurturing, or just a slob?
'Ping'
'Can I call you?'
''Ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring''
Before I can even reply, she's already calling me. Talk about eager. I tap to accept the call.
"That's unusual."
'Alesion-tan's 'Please Let Me Ride Challenge' ended in failure.'
"Hahaha. Well, that's not surprising. Berberiguru-san can switch roles, but Alesion's not so versatile, huh?"
'But still, I'm happy he lets me ride him sometimes.'
"Didn't mother say you could ride whenever she's not using him?"
'Yeah, she did. But he hardly ever lets me. Mother's stronghold is tight.'
"Well, Mother's still the active head manager, after all. Oh, if only Maya-chan could do it—"
'No way, no way, impossible. Do you realize how much she needs to handle? Knowing the global situation, the employment status of adventurers, and all that jazz without an Appraisal Skill or a smartphone. It's all through Hifumicho's messages. Mother's like a superhuman, seriously.'
Oh, I get it. So, Mother is like a total pro at running things, like, she's the queen bee of organizations, right? I gotta admit, I really look up to her, but, trying to be like her? That's a whole different story. Honestly, seems kinda impossible for me.
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