Chapter 142

"Of course." There was no need for Belith to say much more. This was something Xiarette had already decided from the very beginning. "Starting tomorrow, I will also call upon the Kingdom’s Knight Order to respond to Sheffy’s summons. I can’t say this will solve everything once and for all, but at least in the short term, many wars between the Demon Clan and the humans can be avoided."

54. Don’t Go Making Wild Guesses (4K)

"Heh, this is rather amusing. I never thought I would actually reach any kind of consensus with a human Hero."

"The fact that we can sit at the same negotiation table and talk... it’s all thanks to Sheffy."

"Of course. You should see how great Royal Sister really is. Don’t be fooled by how mischievous she looks most of the time—when it comes to serious matters, her vision is far greater than ours. Her thoughts are not something you or I could easily fathom."

"That’s right, that’s right! Sheffy is usually so quiet, but when something happens, she always remains calm. It’s just a pity that most people probably don’t realize this. Belith, you really understand her well!"

"Tch, don’t call me with such a nauseating nickname. But, well, it really helps a lot that you can understand how excellent Royal Sister is. Let me tell you something—when Royal Sister eats grilled fish, she likes it with green onions. And plenty of onions."

Belith was "showing off" her knowledge of Royal Sister, while also using it as a subtle way to intimidate her love rival.

Who would have thought Xiarette could completely take it in stride!

"I know... onions are basic. But not just onions—you also need mashed garlic, crushed finely, and it’s best to have a small bowl of broth made from simmered cabbage and mushrooms. That’s the flavor Sheffy loves most."

"What...?! Why have I never heard of this? Tell me more, in detail!"

"......"

Sheffy Harl sat by the lakeside among the water grass.

She patted the head of her horse, which was quietly munching on grass, and silently listened to their conversation.

Well... the two of them were chatting away happily. For once they weren’t quarreling. That was nice.

—But why did their conversation circle back to me every three sentences?

And also, could they stop exchanging my personal information as if it were some secret intelligence network?! I wasn’t some kind of classified file!

Her small hand patted the horse’s head harder and harder—reflecting Sheffy’s gradually suppressed mood.

The thing was...

To be honest, Sheffy was actually quite grateful to Belith.

Belith had surely intended to stay the night here.

But she couldn’t be willful like Sheffy herself could.

There were only two Demon Clan Princesses in total. One was already living in the Kingdom of Aurus. If the other were also to disappear from the Demon Domain, it would be tantamount to the Demon Clan losing its anchor, sparking countless suspicions. On top of the current unstable situation, it could very well stir up a storm throughout the land.

When Sheffy had just heard that Belith wouldn’t be staying here tonight, her “happiness” wasn’t true happiness.

She just didn’t know what kind of mindset she ought to use to face Belith at the moment.

It was obvious that Belith’s feelings toward her had, in a certain sense, undergone a faint... well, probably faint, distortion?

Belith had changed, but there was no way Sheffy could suddenly overturn the image she held of Belith in her heart.

In Sheffy’s heart, Belith had always been that child chasing after her, clutching a four-leaf clover while calling out “Royal Sister”—a girl who was somewhat fragile, yet always striving to become stronger.

Pulling the half-chewed grass out of her horse’s mouth and tossing it into the lake, Sheffy silently made a decision.

Mm.

In the next few days, she would take Xiarette and quietly return to the Demon King’s Castle for a trip!

It didn’t matter how she would face things yet. If it were anyone else, Sheffy wouldn’t even have thought about it—after all, that wouldn’t concern her.

But because it was Belith, she couldn’t escape.

If she wouldn’t escape, then she had to face it properly.

At the very least, she shouldn’t avoid her anymore. She could just take it one step at a time.

Of course… deep down, Sheffy still hoped that if she could somehow correct the distorted, warped form of Belith’s familial affection, that would be best!

While thinking of these things, the grazing horse had several times thought about kicking away the silver-haired girl in front of it, but constrained by the natural pressure she radiated, it could only seethe in silence.

And then—

Over there, it seemed the conversation had come to an end.

"Haha, I didn’t expect it. Hero, you’re not entirely ignorant about Royal Sister after all.

But let me make it clear first, just because of this doesn’t mean I’ll acknowledge you. For now, I won’t be taking Royal Sister away, I’ll let her stay here for a few more days. But it won’t be for long—she will definitely come home with me."

"Hm? Belith, you seem quite confident?"

"Wha…! You—you wretch… You really are utterly detestable!"

Xiarette hadn’t meant anything else, but as she spoke, she puffed out her chest. Coupled with her words, it made the otherwise plain Belith feel a wave of inexplicable humiliation!

That hateful Hero—did she really think she could charm Royal Sister just with that lump of excess flesh?! Royal Sister would definitely understand where her true home was!

Before Belith left—

She turned back, knelt by the lake, and embraced Sheffy, greedily drinking in her scent, so that when she went back, she could at least have a good dream.

"Royal Sister… I’ll be going first."

"Mm. Once you’re home, release a flame spell into the sky. I’ll be able to see it."

"Uuh… Royal Sister hasn’t asked me to send word of my safety in so long… Don’t worry! I’ll definitely do it!"

"Heh, your personality has really become much more obedient. Then listen to me again—stop sleeping in my bed, go back to your own room, use your own towel, and also—"

Money was but an external possession… money was but an external possession!

"I can’t do that."

"Eh?"

On the way back to the suburban residence, Sheffy lowered her head and muttered those six words in her heart over and over, barely managing to keep her tears from falling.

"All the things Royal Sister just said—Belith can’t do any of them."

Uuuh… Money she had earned with her own ability… why did it just vanish like that?!

"You can’t do it, and you’re still so self-righteous about it?!"

Seeing her acting like such a little money-grubber, Xiarette half-covered her rosy lips with a laugh. But soon after, she rummaged through the pocket of her long skirt, found a gold coin, and flicked it with her finger, tossing it to Sheffy.

....................................

Sheffy saw the glittering gold coin and leapt forward like a big fish snapping at bait. She snatched it up in one grab, her eyes sparkling with golden light, unable to let it go!

Sheffy Harl raised her hand high, waving as she watched Belith’s figure gradually fly farther away with her five wings spread in the sky.

“Wow… Xiarette! A gold coin fell from the heavens!”

Belith could have flown much faster, but this time she flew slowly, perhaps because she wanted to catch more of Sheffy’s gaze at her farewell.

“That was me tossing it to you… really now, sometimes I truly don’t understand you, Sheffy. You lose a hundred white gold coins and get all gloomy, but the moment you pick up a single gold coin, you immediately cheer up again?”

Before leaving this time, Belith had repeatedly warned Xiarette—not to lay a hand on Royal Sister again!

Sheffy held the coin close to her face, smiling brightly as she tucked it into her pocket. She walked forward while swaying her head side to side, looking so carefree that even Xiarette’s mood lightened just by watching.

Xiarette’s gaze wavered left and right, neither affirming nor denying, giving no direct answer.

“Xiarette, you just don’t get it~ I’m not greedy for money. I just like the shiny feeling of gold coins.”

But not answering was already a kind of answer.

“Mm? Wouldn’t collecting some reflective magic stones be better than this? Those shine even brighter.”

Belith had also said she would return as soon as possible, but exactly how soon—she hadn’t mentioned.

When Belith had completely flown out of sight—

“Eh… what are you talking about, you can’t trade magic stones for strawberry donuts.”

Xiarette slowly wrapped her arms around the petite figure in front of her from behind.

“Then aren’t you still greedy for money?!”

Sheffy’s head sank deeply between two soft mounds. With the night wind’s comfort, she couldn’t help but let out a soft, soothing sigh.

Xiarette’s complaining spirit was at full power. She really couldn’t understand Sheffy’s bizarre outlook on money!

“Haa… Xiarette?”

With her new gold coin in hand, Sheffy hopped and skipped with Xiarette back to the front of their residence.

“Sheffy…”

Once they reached the door, she stopped skipping.

Xiarette’s voice came low, but with enough tenderness to convey everything.

The two of them simultaneously fell into a brief silence.

“Elder sister won’t hand you over to anyone else…”

In the end, it was Sheffy who spoke first, lips curving into the faintest smile, her voice soft.

“Hhh…! Don’t—don’t suddenly say things like that!”

“Time for a guess~ Xiarette, do you think that fire lizard is still at home or not? I’ll guess first. My guess is—she slipped away, so she’s not.”

“Sorry… Belith really is excellent, so I felt a bit of a crisis… Let me hold you a little longer…?”

"Do we really need to guess? With your 【Visual Magic】, wouldn’t you know at a glance?"

"Mm… well, that’s true, but still."

"Don’t say it like that. If you use that magic, then it’s no fun anymore. Life needs a sense of ritual! Just make a guess."

Anyway, the warmth Sheffy felt leaning her head back didn’t encourage her to end this gesture right away.

The lakeside was quiet, fish swam softly, shadows lay beneath the moon, and the wind blew gently.

"Mm… I suppose. Then I’ll guess she’s still here. After all, she fought so brutally in the arena, who knows if she’s even recovered yet."

Squinting her eyes in comfort, Sheffy’s silver hair and Xiarette’s golden hair swayed in the same direction with the breeze.

"Bet one fish!"

"Two."

Slowly, Sheffy remembered something else that made her feel just as pleased.

"Deal!"

Letting Xiarette hold her from behind, Sheffy leaned her head back, resting it against the softness, and from there she could see Xiarette’s content face beneath the starry sky.

Sheffy snapped her fingers, urging Xiarette to hurry and unlock the door to reveal the answer.

"Haa… that reminds me, the arena’s prize money still had a hundred white gold coins. We’ve struck it rich, Xiarette. Mm… Since the final match wasn’t fought, that should mean Sylatrella and I split it, right? But that doesn’t matter. Mine is mine, and Sylatrella’s is also mine, so in the end it’s all mine anyway."

Xiarette gave a wry smile while rummaging for the keys to open the door, all the while readying an instant-cast defensive spell just in case.

"Not quite… we probably won’t be able to get that prize money."

Xiarette’s guess that she was still inside wasn’t just random.

"Why…! Don’t tell me those merchants want to cheat us! Even if the match ended without a result, there’s no reason to take back the money once it’s already been put out!"

Once one’s strength reached a certain level, sensitivity to high concentrations of magic power would naturally sharpen. For someone like Timani, whose body contained extremely dense magic power, if she were in the residence, it would be nearly impossible not to sense her presence.

"It’s not that… They really did put the money out, and they never intended to take it back."

But the current situation was—there truly was no trace of it.

"Then why…!"

One possibility was that she had already left.

"Because Sheffy, your spell evaporated the entire arena… The white gold coins were sitting right on the award platform. They got evaporated right along with it. So we can’t get them anymore."

The other possibility was that she had used some secret technique to conceal her magic presence, lurking inside the house waiting for a chance to strike.

"!"

That was why Xiarette had already spread her defensive magic beforehand.

"Sheffy, step back a little. I’m opening the door."

"Haha, go ahead, go ahead. She’s not about to attack us, right? Inside there’s a big soft bed, warm water, fine tea, and the grilled fish we didn’t finish last night. Transferring her to such a good place to recover, she should be more than grateful. If she turned around and bit back, that would be far too ungrateful—uh."

Swoosh!!

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