Ch#84
Breaking the silence, Basto was the first to speak.
"F-Fac... What are you talking about, Factory Chief."
Veil also chimed in hastily with an awkward expression.
"Yeah. What nonsense is that about not being a disguise?"
He quickly glanced around at the members.
"Our leader wandering around disguised as a child is already an established fact. But suddenly......"
"In over seventy years of living, this is the first time I've seen it."
"Seen what?"
"An adult man grinning so innocently at the sight of a Bear Doll while disguised as a child."
Veil shut his mouth.
He hesitated, avoiding Berugon's gaze.
"No, that's because our leader is just that good at acting......"
"I'll be frank. Those who only briefly crossed paths with the Sovereign King on the way might be fooled, sure."
"......"
"But anyone who's watched her even a little up close would say otherwise. It's obvious enough for anyone with eyes, isn't it?"
In Berugon's mind.
The Sovereign King, beaming with excitement as she stuffed the Bear Doll Orb into her pocket, came to mind.
And that wasn't all.
Prior to that, there had been the Sovereign King repeatedly asking about difficult words.
'Even inside the subspace, her unique clumsiness showed.'
'Factory Chief didn't do anything wrong!'
The Sovereign King seemed unaware of the Hederdel tragedy.
The Hederdel tragedy that virtually every imperial citizen knew about.
Then, once the story ended, she had gripped Berugon's hand tightly and said,
'That knight is bad!'
It was just one sentence.
A short sentence, yet brimming with her intent to comfort Berugon somehow.
At those words, Berugon felt the festering pain in his chest ease slightly.
It was clumsy comfort that felt strangely warm.
Just like wildflowers haphazardly picked by an innocent child.
'A child's purity always stands out, no matter where.'
Nothing proclaimed existence so quietly yet intensely.
Basto's throat moved slowly at Berugon's convinced expression.
But just as he tried to deny it again,
"Enough. That's enough, Basto."
Someone blocked his path with an arm.
It was Nordics, who had been quietly listening from behind.
Stepping forward before the members, he met Berugon's gaze steadily.
"That's right. Astie's appearance is not a disguise."
Berugon clicked his tongue as if he had expected that.
Nordics continued, narrowing his brow.
"The child awakened her abilities at too young an age. We had no choice but to spread rumors that her appearance was a disguise due to our many concerns."
Berugon's eyebrow twitched.
He replied with a face full of exasperation.
"Fine, let's say that's all true. But common sense-wise, how could a child pretend to be an adult? Even if she tried, how well could she pull it off?"
He looked around at the other members.
"Whose idea was it? Surely not yours?"
Veil sighed and shook his head.
"......No. It was the kid's own idea."
Berugon tsked.
"Then it finally makes sense. But even if it was the person's own idea, you all made a mistake. What's the difference from restraining the child so she can't act childish in front of people?"
Veil's lips parted slightly.
Because Berugon had pinpointed exactly what had vaguely bothered him all along.
"You should have seen the Sovereign King inside the subspace, or at yesterday's meeting. Her eyes rolling like a frightened rabbit......"
Once suspicion took hold, Berugon could see it.
The child's fingers curling tightly in front of someone whose identity must not be revealed.
Her back tensed to appear as large as possible.
"You burdened a child with a heavy load and even saddled her with the leader position."
"We planned to resolve it as soon as the mercenary group grows."
Nordics stepped forward.
"Once the mercenary group grows, there won't be a sturdier fence to protect the child. Besides, there's something you don't know, Berugon."
"Something I don't know?"
"Let's just say it's related to the child's biological father."
Berugon's eyes widened slightly.
He repeated 'I see......' several times before staring at Nordics.
"How do you plan to grow the mercenary group?"
"Nothing concrete yet. We have a few combat-capable members, so we'll probably head to the Capital first, then focus on magic stone sieges for a while."
"......And the child's safety is fully guaranteed?"
"Despite appearances, she has the ability to protect herself. You saw it in the subspace, Factory Chief."
Berugon nodded.
Nordics continued.
"But you've changed a lot too, Berugon. Did Astie consider you and make those Orbs?"
At those words, Berugon coughed loudly as if something caught in his throat.
"......N-No, it's not like that?"
"Doesn't seem that way. Giving a mercenary personally crafted gear without compensation or reward."
Berugon turned away with a displeased expression.
Then, after a brief silence, he added softly.
"Even in this harsh era."
"......"
"Shouldn't we protect and look after children?"
Berugon waved his hand dismissively as if it were nothing.
"Enough, enough! I made it, so I'll give it—who are you to interfere?!"
Then he made his usual fierce expression.
"You weren't like this with the Sovereign King...... Seeing you lot makes my eyes water for no reason. If you've finished touring the Armory, pack your bags! I'm a busy man."
He promptly passed the members and descended the stairs.
* * *
Meanwhile, upon reaching her room, Tie opened the bag zipper with a pounding heart.
Ppuppu immediately scampered out and climbed onto Tie's lap.
"Kyuu! Kyuwoo!"
"Uung, Ppuppu. Wait just a bit."
"Kyuuuk......!"
Ppuppu staggered with a betrayed expression.
But Tie ignored Ppuppu and pulled out the black stone from the bag.
Then, clutching the stone tightly in her hand, she whispered to it.
"Lucarion, Kkamang-i, come out."
Even inside the stone, Lucarion could surely sense the outside situation.
That must be why he often emerged in emergencies(?) to help Tie.
So he was definitely hearing her voice now.
"Come out quick! Tie has something to give you!"
As she urged and lightly stroked the stone's surface, a subtle vibration followed.
The next moment, Tie yelped 'Aco!' and dropped the stone to the floor.
Atop her palm sat not the stone, but Lucarion.
Lucarion glared at Ppuppu with a sullen expression.
"......You still haven't thrown that thing away?"
"Kyuuut-!!"
Ppuppu immediately bristled in anger.
Tie quickly wedged herself between them.
And held out the donut device (which Berugon called the Battery) to Lucarion.
"Don't fight, it's a gift!"
Lucarion's face filled with incredulity.
"You want me to wear a dog collar?"
Tie's mouth gaped wide.
'I didn't think of it that way, but now that he mentions it......!'
The donut device did look a bit like a puppy collar.
"Uung, it's not that."
But Tie racked her brain, recalling Berugon's explanation of the device.
Then summarized it.
"It's super good for you!"
"What?"
"Try it on, okay?"
"No."
"Just once, just once, ung?"
"I said no."
Tie had no choice but to pull Lucarion close and hug him tightly.
Then, ignoring his sigh, she slipped the stretchy device over his head.
The device, catching on his small horns and nose bridge, finally settled around his neck.
"Kyuu! Kyuuut-!!"
Ppuppu, exploding with jealousy, bounced up and down in place.
But at that moment.
"Tie, we should pack soon......"
Basto entered the room, spotted Ppuppu, and froze in place.
