(EP-265.1) Song #2

265 – Cicada’s Song #2

Mirna Draco.

She was capable enough to manage her entire family’s affairs at a young age.

Sometimes her high pride and meticulous adherence to rules would cause mistakes, but even so, she was deserving of being called wise and perceptive.

“So, what’s the issue with Lady Lioness?”

It seemed that she noticed the peculiar tension between me and Elga.

Honestly, it must have been obvious.

Even though I was maintaining strict discretion, someone as familiar with me as Mirna would inevitably pick up on the rift between us.

Seuk-.

━Kyuuing.

As she waited for my answer, Mirna hugged the cotton candy-like creature in her arms. Crackle, crackle—the campfire’s glow beautifully reflected on her silver hair.

I pondered how best to explain the situation to Mirna.

If I were to tell the truth, I had to carefully consider how much to reveal.

The scope of my story would determine the trajectory of my future, so I couldn’t afford to start carelessly.

As I’d been thinking for a while, Mirna added.

“I owe a lot to Sir Theo. Looking back, there are many instances where I should have officially expressed my gratitude and reciprocated, but I haven’t.”

Indeed, I had helped Mirna with many things, including the matter with Professor Balan.

I also mediated the fight between Mirna and Narmi. Though my role in their sibling dispute wasn’t actually that much of a mediation….

Nevertheless, the sisters were grateful to me.

“Sir Theo, you’re not one to seek credit for your deeds. Despite everything you’ve done, I’ve never seen you boast or seek recognition.”

“Well, that’s because I didn’t do those things expecting gratitude. I merely did what was necessary to survive.”

Mirna might not know, but…

In fact, beyond helping Mirna, you could say I had already saved the world once. Without me, Angmar would have already perished, and the dark army behind the barrier would have trampled the world.

I was certain of this.

However, I didn’t want to brag about such a fact to anyone, nor did I feel the need to.

As I told Mirna, I was merely doing what was necessary to survive. No one would have believed me anyway.

And….

My struggles were not over yet.

My survival was still ongoing.

There was still the kind of malice that constantly sought to end my life.

These threats laid hidden all around me, like traps with concealed claws, continuously aiming at their target.

Fate seemed determined to see my head on the guillotine. Of course, I had no intention of letting that happen.

I…

At that moment, something cold touched my face.

━Kyuiing.

It was the Cloudling that Mirna was holding. It felt cooler than I expected, forcing me to snap out of my thoughts.

“It’s colder than I imagined.”

“Isn’t it? Try holding it for a while. It’ll help clear your head.”

━Kyuiing.

Following Mirna’s advice, I held the Cloudling Yingying in my arms. It felt as refreshing as hugging a cool pillow on a summer day.

Seeing this, Mirna spoke with satisfaction.

“I’ve always noticed that you think a lot, Sir Theo. The more thoughts you have, the more your head gets hot. And if your head gets hot, you mess up. So it’s important to cool down sometimes.”

“I suppose so.”

“In any case, I owe you a lot. If you have any worries or concerns, talk to me. No matter what, I’m on your side.”

No matter what, huh?

For a moment, I was tempted by her soft words. However, I wasn’t foolish enough to take that sweet bait. If I were, I’d be dead by now.

Still.

I was also human with soft sensibilities. Sometimes, when someone opened their arms to you, you just wanted to jump in and be embraced.

So, I asked.

“Will you really be on my side?”

“Of course.”

“Even if the whole of Angmar, even the world, turns against me, will you still be on my side?”

Mirna narrowed her eyes and met my gaze, as if to say, ‘What are you talking about all of a sudden?’

Then she solemnly said.

“Isn’t that a bit too exaggerated? Such a grand promise isn’t something to be made lightly. There’s a saying in the scriptures about not making promises recklessly.”

Cold.

But very much like her.

* * *

In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to tell Mirna the truth.

Asking for her help with the issue involving Elga would be the most effective and logical course of action.

「You have calmly judged the situation!

You have gained experience points through the talent 《Calm Thinking》.

All job experience +5」

However.

That would be a cruel thing to do to Mirna.

Confessing a problem with another girl to the woman I had asked to be my family? Could there be a more terrible confession in the world?

Of course, when I kept my mouth shut, Mirna pouted and muttered, “I guess you don’t trust me.” But she didn’t press further.

Crackle, crackle.

We simply roasted sausages we’d brought on sticks over the burning campfire. Adding butter to the pot and making a stew with the meat from the Trap-Crabs we caught earlier turned out to be very delicious.

“Would you like to try some, Mirna-nim? They say the meat of Trap-Crabs is a high-quality delicacy often served to the nobility.”

“Eating monsters is a bit…”

Mirna accepted a bowl with a reluctant expression. But when she took a spoonful of the hot stew, her expression softened.

“It’s tastier than I thought? Sir Theo, you’re quite the cook! You could sell this.”

“I just make it edible.”

After finishing our meal, we poured ourselves some milk tea with the tools we had brought. As Mirna sipped her tea, she spoke in a nostalgic voice.

Edited by: faker