Side: Elju Lau Roshure
"Rurua-sama!? Why did you play such a childish prank, Yuki-san!? Because of that, Rurua-sama got hurt!"
I raised my voice in accusation against Yuki-san.
On the screen, through the eyes of the Slime, I watched as Rurua-sama was struck by arrows from her pursuers.
All because Yuki-san had just gone and made that ridiculous sign...
When the Roshure Royal Guard came here before, he had also played around with signs like 【From here on, only groups of 6 may enter】.
"...Sigh."
Yuki-san let out a long breath at my reaction.
"W-Why are you acting like that!? More importantly, we should rescue Rurua-sama!"
I protested desperately.
"...Elju-sama, you really haven't thought this through at all, have you? There's no way Yuki would do something pointless."
A cute voice spoke up from the side.
There stood Labyris—the girl who acted like an older sister to Aslin and Filia—looking at me with an expression of pure boredom.
"I see. So Elju-sama is the 'straightforward' type, huh~? I bet you were quite easy for people to manipulate. Now, what does my fellow kinsman over there think?"
Oriel glanced at me once, then stepped forward and addressed Yuki.
"You deliberately delayed Rurua-sama and let her get injured, didn't you?"
"What!?"
My anger toward Yuki-san flared even hotter at Oriel's words. Why would he do such a thing?
"Well, it just happened to turn out that way. Though, since Elju doesn't seem like she'll settle down if I beat around the bush, I'll explain it simply."
Yuki-san looked directly at me.
For a moment, I felt a staggering amount of pressure, but I stared back without flinching. I knew I wasn't saying anything wrong.
"Elju, the anger you're feeling right now is exactly what that sign was meant to achieve."
"What are you talking about!? Making your own allies angry—what goal does that serve!?"
"I never said targeting allies was the goal. The purpose of that sign is to slow down the thinking of whoever sees it. Look at yourself—you're not making rational decisions. Right now, isn't the correct choice to go save Rurua, rather than getting angry at me or questioning my reasons?"
"...!?"
I couldn't refute Yuki-san's words. Yes, rather than questioning Yuki-san's actions, I should be going to rescue Rurua-sama. I couldn't afford to be arguing here. I tried to cut the conversation and rush out of the room, but Oriel stopped me.
"Please calm down! You'll only get in Yuki's way!"
Oriel's voice was uncharacteristically stern as she held me back.
"...Onii-san. Elju-sama is far too earnest. Maybe you should just explain everything clearly?"
"Well, she was the one who tried to run out on her own," Yuki-san said, shrugging.
Meanwhile, on the screen, we could see blood flowing from Rurua-sama's back as she staggered into the dungeon with heavy steps.
"We don't have time for leisurely chats! Look, the pursuers are already at the entrance!"
Rurua-sama hadn't made it very deep yet. At the entrance, a painful trail of blood marked her path.
『What's with this sign?』
『This shows just how incompetent Second Princess Seraria is!』
『Rurua fled inside, but she left a blood trail. We'll catch her in no time.』
『What's the plan? How many do we leave outside?』
『According to Seraria's declaration, the monsters and traps are disabled. However, the map of the interior hasn't been released yet.』
『Fumu. It'll be a pain if Rurua stops the bleeding and disappears into a maze.』
The knights continued their exchange.
"H-Hurry! We have to save her!"
『...Fool. This way, we can completely read their actions. And thanks to Rurua-sama being injured...』
Labyris said, her eyes fixed on the screen.
『In that case, we should kill her quickly before she gets too far. Two of you stay on guard outside. You, and you. The rest of us will sprint in and end Rurua!』
『Yes, sir!』
Led by the man who seemed to be their captain, they charged into the dungeon.
"See that, Elju-sama? Onii-san intentionally encouraged Rurua-sama's injury to successfully draw almost the entire enemy force into the dungeon. Judging by how those pursuers reacted to the sign, they aren't thinking deeply at all. They're incredibly easy to handle. It's a merchant's tactic: you intentionally act in a way that mocks or belittles the opponent to gauge their personality and judgment. That sign played its part in provoking them perfectly. Though, I suppose Onii-san is the only person in the world who would put such an idiotic sign on a dungeon."
The woman who was Oriel's kin said this.
"...Knowing Yuki, even if fewer of them had charged in, he would have handled it anyway," Labyris added.
"Who knows? Though that would have involved more steps and been a hassle. So, there you have it, Elju. The thing you called 'playing around' pulled this much information out of the enemy. Whether you choose to dismiss it as 'wasteful' is your choice, but it's more profitable to think of ways to make waste not wasteful."
But that's... all we had to do was capture them. There was no reason to let Rurua-sama be hurt...
"...Sorry, but I'm not going to take any risks that would put this dungeon at a disadvantage just to save Rurua from Rithea. To be blunt, I wouldn't have cared if Rurua died here. Rithea would have been overjoyed and left us alone. However, there's always the chance they'd use her death as a bargaining chip against us later. So, I chose to save her. Honestly, either outcome is fine with me."
As if sensing my unspoken thoughts, he spat out words that felt utterly heartless.
He doesn't care what happens to Rurua-sama...?
"How can you—"
"—BE QUIET!! YOU USELESS SAINT!!"
The shout echoed through the room... it was Milly-san, someone whose happiness I had once taken from her...
"All you've done is complain!! Yuki-san is... he's someone who cares us!! Without even considering how he feels about having to make these choices!! You just keep running your mouth!!"
"...Honestly, it's hard to listen to. Elju-sama, who do you think you are? Ah, right, a Saintess? But Onii-san might not react, but if you keep making that squeaky noise, I'll shut your mouth for you."
"...She's right. Besides, Yuki never intended to let Rurua-sama die from the start. Five arrows were fired, you know? Do you really think soldiers assigned as guards would only hit two out of five? The momentum of the arrows dropped strangely. I'm certain Yuki did something."
The two of them stared at me with eyes full of contempt.
Oriel stepped in front of me to shield me.
"The anger of you three is justified. However, to Elju-sama, Rurua-sama is like an older sister, much like Seraria-sama or Aria-sama. Please, for my sake, can you let this go?"
She bowed her head deeply.
"...Fine. I understand your situation. But think before you speak next time. Honestly, we value Onii-san more than you or Rurua-sama."
"...Don't take your frustrations out on Yuki."
"...Besides, Rurua-sama being hunted is ultimately your fault, isn't it?"
Milly's final words hit me like a blow to the head.
...She was right. Rurua-sama lost her position as saint because I had claimed that title. I could have performed healings without calling myself a Saint...
The thought made something surge up from my stomach.
"...Urgh."
I vomited, staining the grass-covered floor.
When I looked up, Rurua-sama was there, her face pale as death, looking at me.
"Well, Rurua has arrived. She's being assisted by the Goblins, but it looks like she doesn't have the strength left to cast healing magic on herself. What'll it be, Elju? You going to keep vomiting and leave it to me? Or are you going to heal her yourself?"
When I looked up, Rurua-sama was there, her face pale as death, looking at me.
"...Elju-sama... It is not your fault... I was the one who could not... control Rithea... This is what I deserve... ugh!"
"Rurua-sama!!"
"...Elju-sama... what you tried to do... was never wrong..."
"If you aren't going to heal her by the time I count to five, get out of the way. I'm not interested in hearing deathbed confessions. Just do it."
"...! Yuki-san, you don't even... have to tell me!! Lilyshe-sama, please grant me your healing power—Extra Heal!!"
I immediately pulled out the arrows and cast the most powerful healing magic I could. The color began to return to Rurua-sama's face.
"...Elju-sama. Thank you. You've improved your skills again. I am proud of you. So, please, do not let your face be clouded. What you did was never a mistake. You have truly saved my life just now."
Hearing Rurua-sama's words made me feel as though I had been saved as well, and tears overflowed from my eyes. Just like with Aslin and Filia, a simple word of pure gratitude made me incredibly happy.
"Now then, sorry to interrupt the touching moment, but care to hear about the report on the pursuers?"
"What happened!? Are they still chasing!?"
Rurua-sama looked at Yuki-san as if she had just remembered.
"The ten who invaded are currently saying hello to a pitfall trap. The two waiting at the entrance were successfully ambushed from above by Slimes 04 and 05 after 02 and 03 provided a distraction—same tactic used on Mobu's group. Their airways were blocked, and they've been captured. Current remaining enemy forces: zero. We're moving to alert status. The slimes are currently transporting the captured soldiers."
"...Yuki, what about the trap I designed?"
"They didn't make it that far. A shame. Maybe next time."
"...That is a shame."
Yuki-san stroked Labyris's head.
In the end, this was the most favorable outcome for us.
"Ahh, man. That sucks for them..."
"Yeah, normally Slimes don't coordinate like that. It's rare for more than one to attack the head at once..."
"We were caught off guard and had them all over our heads before we knew it, too..."
Mobu-san and his group muttered, remembering their own experience. They, too, had been neutralized just as easily.
"Ten people have died..."
"...If you have something to say, say it."
"...No. Thank you for saving me. If possible, I would like to request to be present when the two captives are interrogated."
Rurua-sama bowed her head to Yuki-san.
...Is that the kind of dignified attitude I should be striving for?
In the end... I really am just a child.
And that realization... frustrates me deeply.
