42　A Loner’s Scheme

　The female doctor of the Earl's House examined Eko and determined that, due to overeating, her gastrointestinal activity declined and caused abdominal bloating, and symptoms such as mild dyspnea were present.

　By following her instructions, she will quickly recover by resting in a comfortable posture.

　Eko said "But it was a waste to leave the food there", almost like she hasn't repented. Was it because it was that delicious? Or maybe some habit of cat-type demihumans? At any rate, it will be necessary for us to manage the amount of food she consumes. Eko becoming fat isn't the same as a fat cat, since that will interfere with her main role.

　Along with a "Thank goodness", everyone felt relieved for now.

　After relaxing in a large communal bath, similar to those of a public bathhouse, I spent the night in a room that was nothing short of those of a luxury hotel.

——————————-

　Next morning.

　Breakfast was served in a buffet style, and then the final meeting was held.

　According to what Yukari said, acquiring such a volume of Mithril Alloy as to be enough to make a profit of over 30 billion CL will be tough. I'm not sure about the details, but what I have to do is quite simple. And it would be a nice bonus to earn that much valuable experience while in the Proline Dungeon.

　After the meeting was over, we had lunch with some important people. What we were brought were heavy, high-quality bento boxes. Silvia and Eko seemed to also be eating the same high-class lunch in another room at the mansion.

　After that, we signed the contract and the procedures were finished.

"I'm looking forward to seeing you again, and everyone in Firstest."

　The Earl had a beaming face. It's great he's happy.

　After politely returning the greeting, we left the mansion.

"Will you go back to the town of Badgordo? "

　As we prepared to leave, Forest-san called out to us. Apparently, he will be bringing us back. Furthermore, it seems he took care of our horses during our stay here. I can feel the fur of Seventh Teiō was getting slightly better. They really left nothing to be desired.

"Hey, what should we do now? "

"Hmm?　What do you mean? "

"Well, you know, about sightseeing Leñador?"

"I leave it to Master's discretion."

"Discretion! "  (TLN: just as a side note, Eko tends to repeat the last word someone said when she answers most of the time)

"I'm fine with whichever you choose."

　Seems like the girls aren't really in the mood for sightseeing. Then, I guess this was enough.

"Alright, then, let's go back... eh? "

"Master? "

　Then, it suddenly came to mind.

　A feeling like I've forgotten something.

　I wonder what was it... hmm...?

"Well, it doesn't matter, let's go back home."

"――Hey, wait a moment! "

　...Ah.

"I will go together with you all too! "

　I completely forgot it. I forgot about the stubborn tomboyish Earl's daughter that picked a fight with me.

　Forest-san, confused by her actions said "Young lady, that is…", to which Chérie just pushed through while saying "You're annoying! ", and got inside the carriage.

　...Eh, do I really need to ride with her?　With this 'tsun tsun' girl?　Half a day with her?

"This... I am very sorry."

　Forest-san looked at me with quite the apologetic face. I guess this is a daily occurrence for him...

"Master, what is the meaning of this? "

　And for some reason, Yukari-san looked very scary. What did I do to deserve this?

"...For now, let's hop inside."

　A huge sigh leaked from me. And after giving up, I too boarded the carriage to go back.

　　＊　＊　＊

　An irritating man.

　Father fawningly lowered his head to him and gave him a grand welcome.

　I heard he was an excellent Spirit User.

　Eh… is that sooooo…. hmmmmm.

　I am the Earl's daughter, the youngest Spirit User ever. An A rank adventurer with a promising future. A super, super, super elite who uses an earth spirit. Even if you search the whole world, I'm the only one with this title.

　Father, Mother, the guild, the nobles, the commoners, everyone has always complimented me.

　...But despite all that.

　I've never been involved in any "business" like that guy. I've never been useful. I've never been helpful to anyone. There's nothing resembling bustle nor liveliness around me.

　All there is are comments like "incredible", just giving me praise. After that, people just leave as if to say I was neither beneficial nor harmful. Wrong, it's because of this personality of mine. Most likely, people are simply avoiding me.

　Yes, I admit it. It's jealousy. I am jealous of that man.

　That's why I called out to him. I figured that way I would understand the difference in our positions.

　Spirit User Second.

　If I had to use one phrase to describe him, it would be "a strange person".

　Always wearing an expression of composure. He never humbled himself just because I was the Earl's daughter. Neither was he hesitant. He was actually quite rude, never taking me seriously.

　...Weird.

　I feel something was wrong with me.

　I should've been jealous, I should've been disgusted, but deep inside my heart I began to think such a foolish talk with him was 'rather comfortable'.

　I wonder if friends are something like that.

　He not only received my "harsh words", he even took them as a 'tsukkomi'. I never thought that would be so pleasant.

　I felt like I was looking at myself in a mirror, and started to think he might actually be really kind. If that's the case, then...

　...No, nonono. I'm being deceived.

　This is probably that, I'm just being deceived by that kind mask.

　That calmness and his attitude, I'm sure he's trying to make a fool out of me.

　I'll never acknowledge it. If I accept it, I lose. Yes, I'll make him acknowledge me.

　I'll make him understand. The difference in our positions, that is. Am I going to let him get ahead of himself just because he signed a contract with Father?

　I also have to make him respect me. He won't be able to oppose the genius, Chérie-sama.

　And then, and then...

The carriage which was supposed to be peaceful, became quite chaotic.

　First of all, it began with the quarrel of Yukari vs Chérie, and Silvia getting sandwiched in between their bickering. I was just playing in a corner with Eko, but because I was a related party, the brunt of the discussion eventually reached me. From there, it then became me vs Chérie instead of Yukari, and she along with Silvia simply left the front line while saying "I leave the rest to you", and went to play with Eko. Isn't that unfair?

　From there, for two hours it was just me and Chérie talking back and forth. When I tried to play the fool and leave that matter alone, Chérie would butt in, playing the straight man. Therefore, making the arguing start up again, and then it became an eternal loop of 'boke' and 'tsukkomi', as if we were a comedic duo.

　She was quite bothersome, but as time went by, it appeared to me that she was getting a bit happier, making me wonder if she was having fun. The way she tried to enjoy herself, while at the same time complaining about something, made me think she was a bit similar to Maine.

"By the way, why did you come along with us? "

　Since keeping up that idle talk was becoming hard, I tried to change the topic to a different one.

"Hmph, a match, it's a match!　You and me, I'll make clear which one of us is the best Spirit User! "

"And how should we do it? A fist fight? "

"Why should we do that!?　For Spirit users, it's obvious it should be using spirits."

　Strictly speaking, I'm not a Spirit User.

"Well, whatever. The method? "

"...Uhmmm."

"You're thinking about it just now?"

"No, I'm not!?　There are so many ways, so I was just thinking which one to use! "

　She's very easy to understand.

"Ah, That's right. Let's make it a match of earning Guild Contribution points! "

"That 'that's right' sounded like you just came up with it."

"How rude, I did not."

　Let's go with this...

"Or rather, how is a guild contribution points battle related to using spirits? "

"Eh?　Since you're a Spirit User, you use the spirit to earn points, right? "

"...Ohh, I see."

"Haa…"

　Because of such a huge leeway, I could hear a sigh next to me. Tehe☆

　The thing is, I can earn points without even using a spirit. As opposite to this girl.

"Okay, I understand. How long will the match last? "

"Just 1 day!　Tomorrow... no, the one who earns more contribution points from sunrise to  sunset of the day after tomorrow, wins!　OK? "

"OK."

　Prepare yourself. I'll make that beautiful face of yours dumbfounded by the huge difference in score.

　While thinking that, I continued to talk to Chérie while pitying her in my mind until we arrived at the town of Badgordo.

—————————-

　Night.

　After getting a room at our usual inn, I had dinner and returned to my room.

　Chérie took the room next to mine, and at dinner she was also with us, which made it quite noisy.

　The tavern in the first floor of the inn is quite frequented by adventurers. And 90% of those were "It's Chérie Lumberjack! ", "It's that genius Spirit User! ", "Amazing, she really is here! ", in excitement. Chérie seems to be quite the celebrity in the adventurer community. She really is incredible, or rather, "incredibly bothersome! " is what I'd like to say. Everything she says and does is a bit comedic.

　Well, little by little I'm getting used to it. In fact, playing the fool and seeing her butt-in with a straight comment is a bit fun. Silvia is just too serious, Yukari is way too cold, and Eko is simply cute, so a good tsukkomi cannot be expected for our team members. She might be an existence that compensates for that lack, in a sense.

————————-

"...Ahh, that's right."

　In the midst of my relaxing, I recalled an existence that I had completely forgotten related to Chérie's match.

　So, as I lay in my bed, I summoned Angolmois.

"――My Second, hasn't it been too long? Don't you think so? "

　He was angry again.

　Probably because I called him to talk on a whim, and after the "BZZZT!" incident in 'manner mode' I sent him back for quite a while.

　Angolmois puffed his cheeks, bringing his face closer and closer.

　...It would be good to be approached like this by a beautiful girl, but this gives me a strange feeling.

"My bad. I've been busy with a lot of things."

"...Like? Well, why don't you let me hear it?"

　I suppose he wants me to tell him about it. Does he want me going to the trouble of speaking about it with my own mouth instead of just sharing it using the "sense of togetherness"?　Or is he just harassing me, knowing that I had a terrible day today?

　While not understanding what he wanted, I explained everything to Angolmois.

"Ohh, so you met Gnomides."

"Terra also used that name. She gave me a fluffy impression."

"I imagine. She's somewhat unrestrained, that girl."

"Speaking of which... you killed her father, didn't you?　Is it okay for you to meet her? "

"I did not kill him, I destroyed him."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Hahaha, worry not. There is no problem. Rather, she was delighted to be able to become a Great Spirit."

"...Seriously? "

"I'm serious."

　Terra-san, she might be a surprisingly cold spirit.

"I see, then, it should be okay to meet her."

"Umu. And since we're there, let's give that Chérie girl a surprise too."

　Saying so, Angolmois laughed mischievously. He has an unexpected playful side, contrary to his vicious appearance.

"Then, do you want to go now?　They are in the next room."

"...What? "

　As soon as I said so, the look of Angolmois changed.

"What's wrong? "

"You said they are in the next room, right? Is it the left one? "

　In the neighboring room to the left is Chérie, and to the right are the three girls.

"There's no sign of people in the left room."

　There's nobody in the room?

　Where did they go in the middle of the night?

　...Eh?

　Wait. Something feels wrong.

　What did Chérie say?　A match of Guild Contribution Points, right? And as of when, she said the day after tomorrow.

　Why not tomorrow?

　In the first place, what's the point of such a sloppy match she came up with in the moment?

　Why did Chérie pick a fight with me?

　Why did she come following after us?

　Why does she want a match?

　...Can it be, her real purpose lies somewhere else?

"It's jealousy."

　Angolmois pointed out.

　I see, jealousy. I can't deny that.

　Chérie was jealous of me. I'm pretty sure it's because of the Spirit User thing.

　And how would she get rid of that jealousy? I'm sure as a result of her thinking about that, she decided to travel with me.

　Her purpose was to take away the meaning of my existence, or something like that.

　In other words, in Badgordo, that would be...

"――eh!　Is she for real!? "

"Yeah, there's no mistake."

"Whoa, shi—t!　How far does she plan to be a bother, that woman! "

　I held my head.

　I have understood Chérie's purpose.

　It's a reckless one. And an excessive one too.

　And if things go as they are, she will probably die.

　Ahh, ahhhhh, ahhhhh...

"Daaaaamn!　Seriously!　Shit, how bothersome! "

　After jumping down from the bed, in which I was gently welcoming sleepiness, I rushed out of the room at once.

"Fufu. You keep on complaining, yet you rush to help, my Second."

　　＊　＊　＊

　I will capture the Proline Dungeon earlier than Second. That is my strategy.

　In that case, then.

　He will have to acknowledge me.

　He will have to raise his evaluation of me.

　Both Father and Mother, Second too, they all will look at me.

　Nobody will leave me anymore.

　That liveliness around Second will become mine.

　That way, I won't be lonely anymore.

　I will change.

　I will use that guy as a stepping stone, and I'll change.

"Terra, let's move on."

"...Yes, Master."

　You're a good girl, Terra. Only you've been by my side since I was a child.

　Together with me who was so cynical, high-handed and harsh with words.

"...Hey, we're going to capture the dungeon."

"Yes."

"They will tell me "join us"... as a companion. If that guy says that... will you follow me too? "

"Yes～! "