90. Fulfilling A Child’s Wishes Is Good, Isn’t It?

This is a story from around the time when preparations for the wetlands subjugation squad were in full swing.

Leafan and I have been doing many things together.

Whenever we leave the production guild, the new staff member Plum Frutia gives us an exaggerated half-eyed look.

Uh, what?

“Oh, it’s just that you two get along so well.”

“Isn’t it better than fighting?”

I often get made to sit in the seiza position, but it’s not a fight.

“Oh no, I wish you everlasting happiness.”

“…Somehow, that sounds off.”

“Plum-chan! It’s not like that!”

“Sure, sure. Isn’t Kyle waiting? You should go quickly.”

“Geez! Geez!”

I don’t get their conversation, but apparently, it’s different.

…Different how?

Though puzzled by the mysterious conversation, I walk with Leafan while checking the report details.

As usual, we head to Kyle’s residence to make a report, but…

Maina was pushing Leifan.

You might not understand what I mean, but she was pushing with all her might using both hands.

“Um, Myrna-sama?”

It happened when Leafan was about to sit in her usual chair next to me. Myrna pushed Leafan to a seat one spot away from me.

Myrna didn’t have the strength to push Leafan, but Leafan moved as she was gone.

“Myrna-sama? Is this where I should sit?”

“…Mm.”

Myrna nodded contentedly and climbed onto my lap.

She exhaled with satisfaction, looking very pleased.

On another day, while waiting for Kyle who was running late, Myrna came again.

It’s not unusual for her to come, but that day she also pushed Leafan to a different seat.

It was easier to look at the same materials side by side, though…

Yet another day.

While out on an inspection led by Kyle.

It was a peaceful time, leisurely moving with the horses side by side.

I had Myrna on the front of my horse and was chatting with Kyle. Myrna seemed happy too.

But when Kyle switched to chatting with Persia, and I started talking to Leafan, Myrna’s mood suddenly soured.

“Myrna, does your butt hurt?”

“…!!”

I got a slap on the cheek.

“Wow. Craft-kun, you’re the worst.”

“I was just worried! About her butt!”

This time, I got a chop on the head from Leafan.

Ouch!? That hurts a lot!

Lately, I can’t read Myrna’s actions at all.

And the final straw…

“…Mm!”

Early in the morning, Myrna was firmly clinging to my leg.

Today is the departure day for the wetlands subjugation squad.

“Um, Myrna? We’re about to leave…”

“…Mm!”

Persia also looked troubled. I could force her off, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Kyle showed up then.

“Myrna?”

“…”

Kyle looked back and forth between Myrna, who was clinging to me with all her strength, and me.

After a silent moment, he seemed to make a decision.

“Myrna, you want to come along, right?”

“…Mm.”

Whoa, that’s unreasonable.

Protecting the two of them from the Hydra is easy for us now, but anything can happen in the frontier.

I really don’t want to take her.

“Myrna… yes, I understand.”

Kyle murmured gently.

What do you mean, “yes”?

“…Craft-niisama. I’m fully aware that Myrna will be a burden, but please. Just to Zaid Village, please let my sister come with us.”

“What?”

It was an unexpected request.

“What will you do once we get to Zaid Village?”

“We’ll leave her at Zaid-niisan’s mansion. Is that okay with you, Myrna?”

“If it’s just traveling to the village, not only us but also Raidoc and Eva will be with us, so safety is pretty much guaranteed. But are you sure you want to leave Myrna with Zaid?”

“I understand Craft-niisama doesn’t trust Zaid-niisan, but Myrna will be fine.”

“Really?”

Alphard and Persia both affirmed with wry smiles.

“Zaid-sama is surprisingly lenient with Myrna-sama. When she stubbornly insisted on staying with Kyle-sama, Zaid-sama offered to take care of only her.”

Persia continued with a bitter expression.

“But Myrna-sama insisted on staying with Kyle-sama, so I became her escort.”

Ah, I see why she looks like that.

“And now, Myrna-sama is acting just like then… she won’t budge.”

That’s why Kyle suggested the compromise.

Kyle continued.

“In any case, it’s a good time for us siblings to visit Zaid-niisan. It’ll show our sincerity and seriousness about the wetlands reclamation.”

That’s true.

I looked at Myrna, who was clinging to me.

“Myrna, do you really want to come?”

“…Mm.”

I thought for a few seconds before continuing.

“That won’t do. If you want to come, say it with words.”

If silent Myrna can show her will here…

“…I want to… be with Craft-niisama.”

Whoa.

That was more words than I expected.

Is this the longest sentence I’ve heard from her?

I raised my hands in surrender.

Her determination was genuine.

She must really not want to be separated from Kyle going to Zaid’s place.

“Alright. I’ll protect you. It’s a promise.”

Maina slowly let go of my leg and stood up.

After lightly dusting off her dress, she gently pinched my cloak.

“Mm.”

Myrna lowered her head, so I couldn’t see her expression.

Oh, right. If we can’t leave her with Zaid, we can ask Jabil-sensei for help.

He’ll be busy, but let’s ask once we get there. Yeah.

And so, with these circumstances, Myrna accompanied us to Zaid Village.

…

Little did I know this decision would lead to such an incident…

◆

On my farm horse, Black Dragon, Myrna is riding with me.

Maina is in high spirits.

A faint, pretty hum drifts from her on horseback.

…Her instrument skills are disastrous, but she can carry a tune.

However, conversations with Myrna remain difficult.

Without Persia to interpret, and Kyle organizing the formation elsewhere, it’s challenging.

Hmm, her horse handling is getting better.

Well, might as well try talking with Maina…

Even though she listens to my stories and has heard my adventure tales many times, we’ve never really had a back-and-forth conversation.

Let’s see if there’s something to talk about…

Oh, right.

I grabbed the slightly creepy doll hanging from my waist.

“I treasure the doll you gave me, Myrna.”

Her hum stopped abruptly.

Myrna turned her body and looked up at me with a piercing gaze.

(Stare)

…Um, Myrna? Could you please say something?

“Uh, well, having this doll with me made the lonely frontier surveys bearable. Thanks.”

“…(Stare)”

Please say something, Myrna!

As I was at a loss, a faint voice from Myrna reached me.

“…Important?”

Oh! It’s the first word from Maina besides the morning request!

Next, let’s try a sentence!

Jokes aside, let’s respond properly.

“Yeah. It’s important.”

“…Mm.”

Myrna nodded contentedly and turned to face forward again.

Wait, is the conversation over?

I heard her hum again, so I guess it’s fine.