“Explain yourself! Katia!”
“That’s right. Why were you hiding your power?!”
“Um…”
What should I do!
Is there anything in Onii-chan’s memories that could serve as an example!?
…
Nothing, there’s absolutely nothing! Onii-chan is terrible at lying!
It’s always found out! How come no one figured out that he was originally a man? It’s very strange.
But I have to say something, anything.
Umm, umm.
“It’s, like…there are times when I can do it, and times when I can’t… that’s how it is.”
“Really? Weren’t you firing magic with full confidence?”
“When I can do it, I just kind of know!”
“Hmm, like the Ice Witch, huh?”
“The Ice Witch?”
Who’s that? It doesn’t seem to be anyone in Onii-chan’s knowledge either.
“Huh, you don’t know? She was one of this country’s heroes from long ago. She was in top form when it was cold! And in terrible shape when it was hot, you know.”
Fina made a crisp face when talking about the top form part and a dejected face for the terrible shape part.
That’s funny!
“Well, magic is generally easily influenced by the environment, but she was apparently particularly extreme in that regard.”
“Yeah. That’s why Neil thought maybe Katia-chan is the opposite version, and is in good shape when it’s hot. It’s hot here.”
“It seems there have been a small number of people specializing in a single type of magic who have been like that since ancient times. One theory is that it’s a phenomenon that occurs because they are close to the four great elements. It seems the Ice Witch was good at manipulating ice among water magic.”
Wow. So there was someone like that.
Also, it’s hot here? I feel like I’d be fine even if it was hotter.
But, Onii-chan probably wouldn’t be, so I should deny it, right?
He’d find out when we switch back.
“I think mine is different from that. Um.”
Onii-chan’s memories are useless, so something from his knowledge! Umm, it’s harder to detect a lie if you mix in some truth, that’s it.
“When my aura is disturbed, I suddenly get a boost.”
Onii-chan can’t use the fire magic from earlier.
He can’t use it without me, and I can’t use aura well, so, um, this has some truth in it, right?
“Fina-nee, aura is directly affected by one’s mental state. If that’s the case, then what happened earlier was a shock…”
“That’s right. Okay, I won’t ask anymore. More importantly, let’s take a bath as soon as we get back! And then, let’s celebrate completing the mission.”
Yay!
I don’t really understand, but it seems like they’re convinced.
Onii-chan, praise me!
…Oh, right. I can’t see him as things are now.
Sigh, I want to see you, Onii-chan. Even though you’re closer than anyone.
Ah, did I say something clever? Did I?
“Mufu~”
“Katia-san, why are you making a smug face…?”
“I knew it, Katia-chan seems different from usual.”
Oh no, I’ll be found out.
Huh, but I’m getting sleepy.
The noise from the entrance hasn’t stopped yet. It seems it will take some time to fix the collapsed path.
If I pretend to rest now, can we switch naturally? Onii-chan, wake up already?
“Excuse me. I’m a little tired, so is it okay if I sit down?”
“Yes, please leave the perimeter security to me.”
“Yeah, yeah. You can even lie down. Big sis will give you a lap pillow.”
“Okay, thank you very much~…”
“Huh!? Katia-chan is being too obedient! Something’s definitely off!”
Even though she says that, Fina-san still gives me a lap pillow…
Ugh, calling her that is Onii-chan’s way, so it doesn’t feel quite right.
Fina-chan, is that okay? Fina-chan is kind.
I’ll call Neil-san, Neil-chan next time too.
Her lap is soft and feels good. The time I was awake was short…
After all, for this body, I’m the one who’s –
Suddenly, I felt something warm enter from deep inside my body.
–What was I doing?
Strangely, the discomfort I felt earlier has eased. Also, there’s a soft feeling under my head.
What is this?
“Nn, Katia-chan… Don’t rub all over me…!”
“Eh?”
I twisted my neck and looked up.
Fina-san?
Our eyes met. …She has a red face. Even her characteristic long ears are red.
“Hwah!? I’m sorry!”
“Ah, it’s the usual Katia-chan.”
Situation check, situation check! This is a man’s dream, a beautiful woman’s lap pillow!
Ah, I got up in the heat of the moment, what a waste!
I wanted to enjoy it more!
“Are you okay? Did you feel refreshed after a nap?”
“Ah, yes.”
Did I fall asleep after that? Is that why they let me sleep like this?
But, somehow.
It feels like I’ve forgotten something important.
That frustrating feeling remains.
“What’s wrong, Katia-chan?”
“Um, I feel like I’ve forgotten something important…”
“Hmm… Katia-chan, do you know this story?”
“? What is it?”
“When you have a bad experience or something painful, it’s better to sleep. Because the fairies will take away the bad things and the pain.”
“Fairies?”
“Yeah. And after you wake up, you thank the fairies. Thank you, I’ll do my best again from today.”
“Are fairies satisfied with just being thanked?”
“Fairies, you see, disappear when they are forgotten by everyone. So they’re happy when you remember them from time to time and offer your thanks.”
“I see.”
I kind of understand, but I kind of don’t.
But, I certainly feel like saying thank you.
Because I don’t feel bad after waking up.
Thank you, fairies.
“You two, the sound is getting closer. It looks like we’ll be able to get out soon!”
“Ah, Neil-san. Thank you for watching the surroundings.”
“Katia-san. Can you stand up?”
“I’m sorry for worrying you, I’m fine now. Fina-san, thank you very much.”
“It’s okay. You can show me your weaknesses anytime. Because I’m your big sister!”
Wow, what a smug face.
“No, no more smug faces.”
“Eh, is this the second time?”
“Katia-chan was doing it.”
“Katia-san was doing it. Especially in situations where it didn’t mean anything.”
Eh, when?
I don’t remember? Huh?
As I was searching my memory, I heard the sound of the rocks at the entrance collapsing.
Oh, is it open?
Several people emerge from the dust cloud.
“Alright, we broke through! Are you guys alright?”
The people who appeared with pickaxes were familiar faces.
People I had met just recently.
“Van-san! And the people from the workshop too!”
The white-bearded dwarf old man and his companions.
“Why did the blacksmiths come?”
“Well, you see. I heard that the mine closure had been lifted, so I couldn’t wait and came to collect wootz steel myself. But I heard there were people trapped by a cave-in, and when I heard it was the sixth tunnel, I rushed over to help.”
“I appreciate it, but the closure was lifted while we were here? So fast! What about the remaining worms?”
“Ah, the worms. Only the fourth, fifth, and sixth tunnels have been swept, but they’re done. Apparently, the ones that were left were pretty weak? Well, most of them probably returned to their nests.”
That man wouldn’t bother managing the worms’ food.
It’s a convincing story. He probably intended to use them as disposable tools anyway.
It seems like the worms in this cavity were gathered because they were healthy, but he probably just gave instructions to the worms attacking in other tunnels and left them alone.
Besides, worms live underground. I hear they rarely attack unless provoked.
Now that control is gone, the worms that returned to their nests will probably not be a problem.
“Well, let’s leave the details for later. You must be tired, right? Let’s get out of here for now.”
Van-san’s words of care are soothing.
No, I really was tired this time.
Mainly mentally.
“Yes… Ah, Neil-san, Fina-san, um… What about that guy’s body?”
“Let’s leave it to the intelligence department. Aren’t they around here somewhere? Neil.”
“They probably are, somehow. Is anyone from the intelligence department here!”
The intelligence agent who was found didn’t sneak up from behind like Nanashi-san, but raised his hand normally and came over.
Neil-san is briefly explaining the situation.
Once that’s over, we can finally get out.
…Hmm? There’s ash on the ground.
Did we use fire? I don’t think there was any when we entered this cavity…
“Katia-chan, let’s go~”
“Yes, I’m coming!”
The conversation seems to be over.
Fina-san is calling me.
I toss the ash I picked up, along with my doubts, and head outside.