55 Chapter 48: Give and Take

[3rd POV]

Purin: "Is there a lead in mind, Leila?"

Leila: "Yes."

Armed with tools for mining, the men and women followed the two beautiful ladies in front of them. The ladies, wearing a stern expression, exchanged words with each other as they try to think of a plan to realize their objective.

Miner A: "I-It feels weird following behind two little girls…"

Miner B: "Fool. That's that best part! This is the day that made me think I'm glad I became a miner."

Miner C: "Right. And now I know that I should hide my daughter away from you, creep."

Miner B: "I-It's not like that! I-I'm just admiring how cute they look with their height, yet having those serious expressions!"

Miner A: "I could only hear excuses."

Miner C: "Same here."

They have walked for almost a kilometer, looking for a better spot to execute the said plan. All the while, the miners and researchers had their own waya of being calm during their dire situation.

Purin: "I see. Mind if pray tell?"

Leila: "There's only one thing that can bore such a hole underground, aside from the Marburrows, in this mountain range. And first, we have to find one of those."

Purin: "The Triatredents, I see."

Leila: "Correct."

The Triatredents are known for their huge colony and are said to build their nests under cold grounds that are rich in magical properties. They make pit-fall traps everywhere to lure in their prey and attack in such a way that there will be no escape for them. They gang upon the prey, leaving them with no choice but to succumb to their fate as food for their predators.

Purin: "Then that means, we must make haste."

Leila: "… You're quite different earlier, don't you think?"

Hearing the words of the small girl beside her, Purin jerked from her place and averted her eyes. Looking closely, it would seem like a blush appears on her cheeks.

Leila: "Don't tell me… That way of talking and that child-like self-referral are on purpose… or something?"

Purin: "… No comment, purin."

Releasing a suppressed laugh, Leila covered her mouth with her hand to hide her opinion on the matter.

Leila: "You seem to be devoted to your master, or so it would seem. I suppose that's one way of being a proper servant."

Purin: "… Mm. Milady is young. I wish for her to be at ease, even at least with me. She have already suffered more than enough. … Yet, that trash… That trash made his way to Milady's heart as if my worries are all for naught…!"

Purin clutched her hands into a fist, as if she is trying to crush something in her hands. Anger is apparent on her face.

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Ciel: "Atchoo…!!"

Fina: "Hm? Cold? Hyaha~ Weakling~"

Fleur: "That will not do, Master! You have to rest!"

Ciel: "Hmmm… I think it's not. I just felt a shiver run down my spine, is all. Somehow, I feel like I'm scared or something. (This feels rather familiar. A murderous intent. Like, when I take a look at Fleur's boobs, for example.)"

…

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Leila: "It seems like there are certain circumstances between the three of you."

Purin: "Oddly enough, that is the case. I would rather not talk about it, however."

Leila: "I don't mind."

They have reached a spot where a medium sized space is located. The ceiling is only 2 meters high, making it bright enough because of the scattered Glow Stones.

Leila: "Purin. Do you have some food-… I guess, none, huh?"

Leila glanced over Purin, only to find nothing of what she was expecting. She only has a small pouch strapped on her waist, small enough for people to think that there is a limit for things that may fit in it.

Purin: "I have this small preserved meat."

Purin made it look like she brought it out of the pouch, where in actuality, she brought it out of her Storage Skill. A Skill that can store unlimited items into a space, separate from the current dimension.

It is a Skill of rarity. Only a few can master such Skill, hence the notion of having the Skill can imply many kinds of descriptions. Thus, Purin's reason for hiding the Skill.

Leila: "That's a great smokey smell you have there. What is it?"

Purin: "It is supposed to be called 'bacon.' I only learned such way of preservation from that trash."

Leila: "Fumu. This will do. It's smell will certainly draw them here."

Bacon is awesome after all.

Receiving the piece of preserved meat from Purin, Leila placed the said snack at the center of the room. She then instructed the men to follow them behind a huge rock, as if they are hiding from the bacon.

Purin followed them and waited. She had understood that plan Leila is trying to execute, so she had decided to believe in them and acts accordingly.

Purin: "… Will it be baited with a simple aliment?"

Leila: "Triatredents have a strong sense of smell. They can even smell a possible food from kilometers away."

Purin: "Ohh. I only care about Milady, so I did not know."

Leila: "… Such loyalty."

They waited and waited, until…

*crumble* *crumble*

Leila: "They're here. We'll wait for them to get it. Then we'll follow them to their den to find the whereabouts of the three."

Everyone who heard the instructions of Leila nodded in unison. They braced themselves for the coming monster and gripped their weapons tighter.

Purin: "Wait for me, Milady… This Purin will certainly come and save thee."

*crumble!*

The ground crumbled and created a huge hole beside where the preserved meat was placed. Strangely, everyone gulped in anticipation as they waited for the visuals of the expected monster.

Leila: "It's here…!"

And not a while later…

??: "Told you so. I knew there's a bacon here."

??: "Myu? It's true. It IS a bacon!"

??: "It certainly is a bacon. How did it end up in such a place, I wonder? Right, Master?"

Three shadows of people appeared from the hole.

And they were the target of their rescue.

Purin: "WHY ART THOU BEING THE ONE BAITED, TRAAAAASH?!?!?!"

…

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[Ciel's POV]

*cling!* *clang!*

*crumble*

Those sound effects are the sound of miners doing their best at their job.

Using their pickaxes, shovels, and pulling along their carts, they've been extracting the ores they can get from the walls and even under the ground.

As for me, Fleur, and Purin, we're just sitting somewhere we won't be a bother for these hardworking people.

Yep. Hard work is good work.

We successfully rendezvoused with Purin and the others after following the smell of the bacon. I mean, there's only one implication if you smell a bacon out of nowhere. I taught Purin how to cook it and she has some in her Storage. That can only mean that they're near.

Leila: "Ms. Ciel and Ms. Fleur. Once again, let me express my gratitude for bringing back our Fina safe."

Leila approached us with Fina in tow. She bowed her head and forced Fina to do the same using her little hands. So I stood up and accepted the gesture.

She's been thanking us ever since we came out of the Triatredents' lair. Of course, I've been telling her that she didn't need to be that way, since well… It's kind of my fault for letting it happen, even though I can just simply use my skills to return.

I'm kind of guilty, anyways. I just used the chance to learn more about Fina, after all. Ahaha.

But all is well, now I know that Fina is Chloe. It's a result I couldn't ask for more.

Ciel: "Ms. Leila. I have been saying this, but it's fine. I've just done what a person would do in such cases."

Leila: "… 'A Human person would do in case an Aelf gets stuck with them.' Moreover, a Half-Aelf. Hm. I heard from Fina that she told you things about us."

Oh right. Humans and Aelves view each other as enemies in this world. Or rather, every races sees each other as enemies.

Leila: "Truly fascinating."

Ciel: "Not as fascinating as half-Aelves, I tell you. … Ehehe…"

I smile as to not give any ill implications, but my eyes were dragged by some of the few woman researchers with exploding body curves.

I mean…

THEY'RE HALF-ELVES and AELVES! Who can't resist Aelves and Half-Aelves??

Those divine-like elegance, sacred-like appearance, and purity that would make any act of defiling worthy of eternal punishment.

Ciel: "… Half-Aelves and Aelves are WORTH DYING for, yes. *nods*"

The romance of it makes it better, I tell you. The romance.

Leila: "… T-Truly fascinating…"

Though I hear her say the same thing, I don't feel like she meant as what she said… with her wry smile…

Ciel: "My bad. I swore to myself to be true to my desires, you see."

Leila: "Ahaha. I see. Our Fina does have some weird tastes."

Ciel: "Thanks for the complement."

Leila nodded and smiled.

Leila turn her heads towards Fina, who is now having a fun conversation with Fleur and Purin. It's just so her to get along with anyone she meets, even for the first time. Leila and I moved a few meters away from them to talk, but I can still hear her loud voice from here.

She hasn't changed, ever since we reunited back in high school. Different from when she was a child, she would speak with almost anyone in the class, trying to get along with them as much as possible.

Of course, that includes me who was trying to avoid her then.

Thinking back, I was really an idiot.

How can I just leave a cute girl unattended??

Leila: "That girl… I see her as my own. That's why when I saw her fell down the pit trap of the Triatredents, I almost fell into a despair. I can't thank you enough."

Ciel: "… Your own…"

Because of our height I gap, I look at her from above.

Leila: "Your eyes says I don't look like the type to have a child. Or I look like the child herself. You really don't have any plan to hide it, huh?"

Ciel: "She's kind of troublesome, after all. I understand what you mean."

Leila: "… You're just going to ignore that, eh?"

Her glare almost killed me… It's almost as if a dark and ominous aura was about to consume me that instant.

Ciel: "You don't have to worry, Ms. Leila. I know there are some of those extremist who will love the way you- Ow-!"

*bonk*

… I saw Fina getting hit by that mace, but… It really does hurt a lot.

Leila: "Hm. Whatever. … It's just as you say. You see, I look after her when her mother is out of the village. I only take my eyes away from her for a second, I would already find her doing something unbelievable the next."

Ciel: "Ahaha. I can't agree enough. But she wasn't like that before, you know."

I nod to myself, reminiscing about her actions back in our world. She loved moving her body and chatting with her friends. Though, as her childhood friend, I can only see it as her trying to ease her loneliness by sharing her time with her friends.

She's often alone, but I can see that she's trying her best to fill her schedule and have fun with the others. Though I think they consider her as their friends, Fina herself usually finds herself alone.

I guess that part of hers when we were children doesn't change, even with time.

Leila: "…"

Hearing my words, Leila stared at me wondrously, pondering about something.

Leila: "… You sound like you already know more than enough about her."

Ciel: "Fairly, yes."

I nodded and faced her with a serious expression.

Leila: "… I see. There's something you want to talk about in private, I presume?"

Ciel: "… Right. This is something only you can know, aside from Fina. Hearing how you treasure Fina, I believe you will take this to heart."

She gazed into my eyes, peering to whatever inside them. I even felt like her eyes is trying to look inside my soul in the process.

Leila: "… I understand. In the name of Euralec, I swear whatever I hear now will be kept hidden within me."

Although I feel like it's weird how this goes easily well, I guess I don't have anything to worry about. Leila sees Fina as someone irreplaceable. I doubt she will do anything that would harm her in any way.

Let's believe in her.

Ciel: "I know it's what you've been doing, but… I want you to look after her. Protect her, even."

I lowered my head to bow as a plea.

Leila: "… Hm. Is that because she's from another world?"

Ciel: "…!"

She knew about it?

I see. So that's why she just went along with my words and accepted my request. If she knows that much, then I'll assume she knows more than commonly.

Ciel: "I see. So you already know."

Leila: "Yes. But I won't tell you how. I can only tell you that I know."

Ciel: "… That's fine by me."

I want to take Fina with me, but I want to leave that decision to her. If she wants to come, then I will gladly take her along. But there's also her parents to think about, after all. So for now at least, I want her to go home first.

Ciel: "I want to leave the decision to Fina herself, but… I want to take her with me. Well, not now, at least. I want her to go how first and tell her parents about what happened."

Leila seemed to show a slightly worried face. But when she heard me say that I'm not taking Fina for now, her worried expression turned into a relieved one.

If Fina decided to go with us, better. I'll protect her with my life. But if she decided to stay, I'll respect her decision.

That's why, I'm asking Leila right now.

Because if it's Leila, I know Fina will be safe.

Ciel: "Don't worry. I don't want any trouble from the [Aelf Goddess' Magus]. I'm not that suicidal."

Saying it on purpose, I imply that I'm not someone ordinary.

Leila: "…!"

Leila, without waiting for a moment's delay, pointed her staff to me. We're a bit far from where Fina and the others are, but it seems like she's not hiding her bloodlust even the least.

Purin noticed the intense bloodlust, with the others oblivious to it, So I signaled to her that it's fine.

Leila: "How do you…"

Ciel: "… Hmm. Alright. I guess we should do a give and take here."

Leila: "Give and…"

And so, I told her everything about me. Including the fact that I was the one responsible for the disappearance of the Evil God's remnant. Of course, I didn't tell her anything about Fleur. I just told her that she's my sister and all.

I know it's quite a risk to take, but I want to believe in her care for Fina to take priority in her mind.

Ahaha. Though it kind of looks like I'm taking Fina as a hostage.

But making allies more than enemies is better than anything right now. If I can get her on my side, it will be easier to move in this world.

Now that we've encountered other residents, the planning and preps for the upcoming tackling of the goal should be laid out.

And now that I've come this far, I want to this properly.

If I want her to trust me, as I want to trust her, then this is the easiest way to achieve that. All I want her to know is that I only care for Fina's safety more than anything.

Give and take.

I want her to know that I have the capability to protect Fina as well. Well… It's kind of like I'm just declaring my desire to take Fina with me. Ahaha~

Leila: "*sigh* Way to drop the bomb there… To think that I'll be meeting an even more unbelievable existence instead of the Evil God's remnant…"

Ciel: "I'm awesome, aren't I? Ahaha~"

Leila: "… I'm weirded out, to be honest."

Leila shakes her head as she presser her temples, as if to endure an incoming headache.

I can't blame her though. I think it's a natural reaction.

Leila: "Then… If I may ask, are you also a Summoned One?"

Heaving another heavy sigh, Leila turned to face me and asked. The bloodlust earlier was nowhere to be found. It seems like I got through her somehow and made her understand.

At any rate. Hm. That Summoned One again. And according to Fina's status, she's one of those Summoned Ones… Hmm…

Ciel: "Well… I think I'm not. But it's true that I'm someone from the same world as hers. She was my friend back then."

Leila: "Oh. What are the odds?"

Saying that, she let out a light chuckle as she covered her lips with her hands.

Ciel: "My thoughts exactly. You really wouldn't know what is bound to happen even in other worlds."

I myself found myself smiling, as I look at Fina who is laughing with Fleur.

Leila: "She must be someone important, I see."

The sound of the clinging impact from the pickaxes and rocks echoed inside the spacious room. The sound of shovel digging through the damp soil sounded even more louder.

And the shouts of the miners brought me back to reality.

Ciel: "… Yeah."

Taking a short glance at Leila, I saw her shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head. Maybe she noticed the pause between her statement and my reply.

Leila: "You won't tell her about it?"

Ciel: "I've already told her. I just wanted to let you know too, since I thought if it's you, Ms. Leila, you would accept it if it's for Fina. For the time that I won't be with her, I want to know that she'll be in good hands."

Leila: "I see. Our Fina's really loved."

Ciel: "That goes the same for you, Ms. Leila."

We laughed together, until Fina and Fleur saw us. Fina ran towards us, raining us with questions about what we were talking about. But of course, there's really is no reason for us to tell her so we just set it aside and changed the subject.

Not a later then, Leila beckoned me to crouch down.

Doing so, I immediately feel her breath on my ear.

Leila: "I assure you that she'll be safe. I'll keep her so. I promise."

Hearing those words, I instantly felt relieved more than anything ever since I came to this world.

Fina: "C-Ciel… Y-Y-You were a lolicon…?"

Leila: "Hoh… So you're saying that I'm a loli, eh? Interesting, little lady."

Fina: "Eeeeeeeekkkk!! You're eyes are scary, Leila!!"

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Chapter End