"Thank you, Mother ......."
I was sobbing but had cald down, so I got out of my mother's embrace and bailed out.
However, my face was red up to my ears from the embarrassnt of having been so spoiled by my mother.
Seeing like that, mother was smiling sowhat happily.
, "Hmmm, it's okay. No matter how strong you are, you are still a child. You can always tell how weak you are, so there's no need to hold it in. Is that alright with you?"
I smile and answer.
"Yes, we will discuss it again.'
When I spoke out how my feelings were in my mother's arms, the anxiety that had been inside of mysteriously disappeared.
As my mother said, the only thing I could do was to look forward and keep my heart beating.
Then, I will lead the beastn's children, save my mother, and be able to protect the Bardia domain without fail.
Just as I renewed my resolve, there was a knock at the door and Garn's voice rang out.
'Master Rid, Master Rainer wants to see you."
"I understand. I'll be right there."
I answered Garn through the door in a slightly louder voice and turned back to my mother.
"Mother, I will go now."
"Yes, have a good day. And ...... tell your father honestly how you feel. You tend to hold things in a little bit too much."
Mother spoke with a slightly worried look on her face, but at the end she smiled at .
I looked her straight in the eye and smiled.
"Yes, I will try that. Oh, and I will also introduce you to the beastn's children at so point. There are many really interesting people, and I think you will like them too.'
'I understand. I look forward to that ti."
I bowed in reply and left the room.
And then I went to the office where my father was with Garn and Diana who were waiting for outside the room.
◇
"Father, may I co in?'
"Yes, co in."
I carefully opened the door to the office and entered the room.
Garn and Deanna were with .
Father was sitting at his desk doing paperwork, but when we entered the room, he stopped working.
Then he took one look at and turned his attention to Garn.
"Garn, get a cup of tea. Rid, you want one?"
"Yes, I'll have a cup of tea, too."
"I will go and prepare it for you."
Garun bowed and left the room .
As Garun walked out of the room, Father got up from his desk and motioned for us to sit down on couch.
I nodded and sat down on the sofa across the desk from him.
Father was a strict man, and now he is more like a 'lord' than a father.
Dinas has told that the welcoming process has gone well, but I would like to hear from you for verification's sake. BPlease report back to .
I'll let you know what he has to say. I'll see you at .......
After that, I told him in order the events that had occurred from the ti we received the cargo in the carriage to the large conference room.
When I told him about the "enhanced bloodline" of the bird tribe, the "swearing" of the rabbit tribe and the cat tribe, etc., without concealnt, and also about the "Battle of the Bowls," the father wrinkled his brow.
"He wrinkled his brow. "It is not so different from the report from Dinas. But is it really necessary to have a "Battle of the Hachi-maki"? I don't think we need you to co all the way out here to tell us where we stand."
I'm sorry to repeat myself, Father, but there's a point in leaving.
"Well, then what is the point? Then, why don't you ...... tell what it ans?
The father's brow wrinkles loosen and his eyes light up with a sharp glint.
The way he looked at , it was clear that he was testing .
Not wanting to be defeated, I looked my father squarely in the eye and spoke.
'The children of the beastman will already realize that they are also blessed. But even so, there is still a sense of pride in being a " beastman" within them. When I show them that I am worthy of satisfying that pride, I know they will serve Bardia in the true sense of the word."
...... their pride so important to them?"......
"You know that, don't you Father? Who would allow soone to sully their own pride? I know that we all stand in reverence of those who honor their own pride. For this reason, I dare to accept their challenge in their ring and respond to their desire. Of course, I have no intention of being defeated."
As I finished, my father remained silent, his sharp gaze piercing through .
I stare back at him strongly, unafraid of his gaze.
Then, after a short silence, Garn's voice suddenly echoed through the room.
"Master Rainer, Master Rid, I've prepared so tea for you."
'Mm. ......"
'Thank you, Garn."
A cup of tea was placed in front of and my father.
He slowly reached for the tea cup and took a sip, his sharp eyes lit up and his heavy voice echoed through the room.
'If you insist so much, then fine. Then you, as the successor to the na of Bardia, must stand firm in your fight against them. If the " Bowl Battle" is their challenge, then do not show any rcy. And ...... you will not lose."
.....".Yes, I understand'.
I was almost overwheld by the sense of intimidation, but I nodded my head politely and answered.
When Father finished listening to my words, he relaxed his expression.
He then let out a sigh of disgust.
"I've heard about this from Dinas, but the bowl battle is as unconventional as ever. Do you have anything else to report?:
Oh, yes, I do. In fact, there was a werewolf child who suffered from the sa "magic depletion" as the mother.
The mont he heard the words "a child suffering from magic depletion," his face beca the grist I've ever seen it.
So ...... what happened?
'Naturally, I instructed him to give him the exact sa treatnt given to mother. Of course, I'm going to ask you to cooperate with in the "clinical trial" as well. Mother has already given her approval, so you can rest easy.
......"
I smiled at him, but after he finished listening, he rubbed the crease between his brows with one hand and looked up at the heavens.
After a short pause, he turned his sharp gaze on .
"I don't know how you feel, Rid ....... But the problem of the herbs from which the dicine is made has not been resolved. You know that better than anyone, don't you? Even if you make it mandatory for them to cooperate in the clinical trial, it is not an appropriately good decision. The result could be the downfall of both the child and Nanalee."
I understand. I also thought that if Mother knew of my decision not to save the beastman's child, she would be troubled and grieved by ......."
The father wrinkled his brow as he finished listening, turned his head to the side with a thoughtful look on his face, and then looked at .
"You said you saw a path to ...... an imdiate solution," he said. Then give it top priority.'
'Yes, I understand."
I nodded and replied, but my father continued speaking with a strict and stern expression on his face.
'Rid, you are the 'heir to Bardia'. There will co a ti when you will have to handle the Balance of Life. When that ti cos, you will not be able to make the sa kind of decision as you did this ti. You are a smart person, and you know what I an by these words."
The " balance of life" would be a situation in which you have to choose between human life and the consequences of various situations.
The Bardia territory is a frontier, a border domain with a neighboring country.
It cannot be said that we will not go to war with any of our neighbors in the future.
Even if we have no intention of going to war with them, they may suddenly attack us with their weapons.
At that ti, we will fight to protect our land and our families.
That is the duty of a nobleman.
Yes. At that point, I will make a decision ....... But even so, I will do everything possible to help.
"All right,......, I will say no more for now. But now that you have made the decision to save this case, I won't allow you to do anything half-assed."
The father nailed sharply, and I responded with a strong gaze and a quiet nod.
After that, I made a detailed report to my father and finished the tea Garn had brewed for , and slowly got up from the sofa.
"Father, that's all I have to report, so I'll leave you for today".
"Well, ...... Rid, what is it ......?"
Father looked at a bit awkwardly.
I was not sure of his intention, and when I was perplexed, he continued to speak.
"If you have any trouble at all, you can talk to ," he said. that's all."
'Yes, Father. I am sorry for causing you trouble. Thank you."
I bowed and looked up to see my father sipping tea to hide his expression as he coughed.
The awkward look on his face earlier may have been caused by embarrassnt or shyness.
I smiled at him and left the office.
May I speak with you, Master Lid?"
As I left the office, a voice called out after and I turned around.
"Oh, Garn, what's wrong?'
"Is it all right if I tell Lady ldy to go to Master Rid's room?"
"Yes, l wanted to talk to , right?"
Perhaps she is wondering about the children of the beastn.
l was also very interested in the beastman children and said she wanted to be there when they were welcod.
As expected, neither my father nor I could agree to that, and l was looking away and puffing up.
"That was it, wasn't it? Yes, it's all right."
"I understand, and I'm sure ldy-sama will be pleased as well."
I nodded and answered, and he smiled happily.
Then, Deanna, who had been watching our exchange, coughed.
'I'll go get Lady ldie, then. Garn-sama will be assisting Rainer-sama, I believe. ......"
"I understand. Then could you also tell l that I'm late and I'm sorry?
"Yes, Master '.
When I nodded and answered her suggestion, Deanna bowed and left.
Garn bowed to and went back to the office.
After I left everyone, I went back to my room with a contemplative look on my face and thinking about "sothing".
I stood in front of the mirror in my room and muttered to myself with a variety of expressions on my face.
"I think it would be better if I could make it look a little scarier. ......"
I am often told by people that I have a lovely face.
Of course, I'm more pleased when people say that than when they don't.
Besides, it seems to an that I look like my mother, so I don't feel bad at all.
However, Deanna pointed out to that 'she is nice and kind to everyone, but she can also make others misunderstand .
Besides, Mia, a cat person tribe mber, also told that I 'look like a girl' when I first t her.
So I thought it might be better to act the part of the 'awed ' just for the upcoming Hachimaki battle.
As I looked in the reflection and made various faces, I noticed sothing.
'Hmmm, when I make a slightly scary face, I feel like I look like my father in my eyes. With this face, could I put on the scary atmosphere afterwards?"
At that mont, a flash of inspiration ca to .
Why don't I just imitate the "villains" from my mories of my previous life, from ani, movies, video gas, etc.? Surely, if I asked mory, I would learn a lot of things about villains, including their images.
I called him up as soon as I had the idea.
"mory...... mory, can you hear ?"
"I can hear you. I know what you're thinking, but ...... you don't have to worry about it that much, right?"
His voice seems to carry a little bit of a stunned emotion.
However, in the "Battle of the Bowl," the father also told us to "et them resolutely and show them no rcy.
Then I need to show that attitude to those around .
If I decide to do sothing, I should be thorough.
Thank you. But in the "Battle of the Bowl," I think I need to show my "resolute attitude" to the beastman children and my father, don't I?
"Hmmm. I think that what Rid calls a "resolute attitude" is a little different from what everyone thinks it is. Well, it looks interesting, so I'll help. I'll try to find out what villains are in your mories from your previous life."
"I'm sorry, but I'm looking forward it.'
After the conversation with the mory is over, I start staring in front of the mirror again.
Then I mumbled a line from a villain in my mory.
."... my magic power is fifty-three thousand."
"What are you saying? ".
Wow!
The sudden voice made jump back from in front of the mirror, shouting uncontrollably.
I turned around in the direction of the voice, and there, in front of , in addition to l, who was looking at with a puzzled expression, were Cookie and Biscuit near her.
Also standing there were Danae and Diana, who were holding ...... sothing desperately.
"I was so surprised...... l, you have to knock before you enter a room⁉"
I did, but I didn't have an answer, so I had to ask both of them to confirm it.
The two are both shaking their heads as if to indicate to each other.
I wondered if they had seen just now. I asked l timidly.
"Um, ...... by the way, did you hear what I just said?"
I asked l fearfully. What do you an by saying ."... my magic power is fifty-three thousand."
......⁉"
Needless to say, I blushed so much that my ears turned red with embarrassnt.
After that, I had to explain to l, Deanna and Danae what I had just been doing.
l's eyes lit up and she said, "This is so interesting, Nii-sama, I'll do it too!
Danae, as usual, seed to be trying desperately to endure sothing.
Cookie and Biscuit are lying down on the spot, stretching out their arms.
Deanna was listening to my explanation and looked kind of dumbfounded.
'Huh,...... not the aning I wanted to tell you ......, but...... ......, well, that's okay.'
Hmm, Deanna,...... what did you say?"
She seed to whisper sothing, but I couldn't quite make it out.
"What did she say? "
I was curious, so I asked her. She gave a small shake of her head and then smiled at .
I'm not sure if it's possible for you to show your awe-inspiring appearance to the children of the beastn, considering the future.
Oh, you think so too, Deanna? I think that if it's only during the 'Battle of the Bowls', I and everyone else can just laugh about it because normally it wouldn't be fashionable."
I can't help but think that there is so kind of suspicious light in Deanna's eyes. ......
At that mont, l turned to us and asked
Hey, hey, Nii-sama, wha's the ...... aning of this ....... ......?"
What? Awe ans "fear and trepidation." To put it simply, it's like when you see your father with a scary, angry look on his face and everyone shudders with fear.
...... ...... bwahaha⁉"
The explanation hit so kind of nerve, and Danae, who had held sothing back, erupted.
And Deanna also showed her back to and shook her shoulders slightly.
I don't think the analogies are right either, but ...... you guys aren't being rude, are you? I was about to say, "I don't think that's a good analogy either," when l's face lit up.
"In other words, we should show everyone our scary faces, just like Nii-sama and father ?'.
"I think so. I think it's sothing like that. But I'm not going to get really angry, right? I guess I'll 'act it out' like I do when I read a picture book."
l listened to and began to think about sothing with a cute, thoughtful expression on her face.
Then, she seed to have a flash of inspiration on her face and looked up.
, "Danae is very good at acting, and when there is a bad person in an illustrated book, she gets really scary.
"Oh, really?'
l's unexpected remark drew our attention to Danae.
She was surprised at the sudden nomination and flapped her hands in front of her face.
"And, no, it's not at all ‼ Well, I used to play with my younger siblings a lot, so it was an extension of that ......."
I've been playing with my younger siblings a lot, so this is an extension of that. But since it's a good opportunity, may I see Danae's performance?"
Eeeeee⁉"
Danae was so startled that she let out a scream.
However, perhaps realizing that she could not win the curiosity in our eyes, she turned her head down as if in contemplation and muttered, "It's just one ti. ......" and agreed to show us her performance.
I imdiately told Danae the image and lines I wanted her to perform.
"Yeah, what's that, it doesn't make any sense. ......"
"No, no, no, please."
"Huh,...... I'm just going to ...... really do it one more ti, okay?"
After hearing my explanation, Danae takes a deep breath and concentrates.
Then, she put on a cold, high-pressure, evil person face turned cold and high-pressure, and with a sharp glint in his eye, he spat out, "Hmph ......, only five magic power ......, you piece of trash."
I couldn't help but let out an exclamation at the sight of Danae, who had gotten into the role more than I had expected.
"It was great !"
'Sure, what you're saying ...... doesn't make much sense, but I think it's a great performance.'
"Isn't she good?"
We were so impressed by this new side of Danae that we gave her a round of applause.
Danae also seed to be not too full of praise, and she looked happy with a shy expression on her face.
Well, it's not that much of a complint. ......
". Can I ask you to do another performance?"
Oh, again⁉ Well, , I don't mind. ......"
After that, we enjoyed Danae's monologue, a.k.a. "Theatre of Villains," for a while.
'Then it was decided that I would receive acting lessons from Danae for the "Battle of the bowl ."
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