Side: Tori
After the meeting, everything proceeded smoothly.
Envoys from both Jilva and Enaria expressed their desire for a ceasefire, and before long an agreement was reached to hold peace talks and formally sign a peace treaty. Our mercenary company was ordered to escort Princess Miffy safely to Enaria.
It was exactly what Yuki-san had predicted.
"If it's this predictable, that's exactly why we need to stay alert," he warned.
Once our preparations were complete, we departed immediately.
We were grateful to be heading to Enaria so quickly, especially since the heavy topic Aegil-san brought up had been weighing on our minds.
"""We're off!!"""
"""Have a safe trip!!"""
That being said, we were part of the group staying behind to hold down the fort this time.
"Ahhh~ I wanted to go along too~"
"...Riel, even if we went, we would only drag them down."
"I know that, obviously. We can't just brute-force our way through everything this time around."
"Besides, if those of us who are demi-humans went along, it would only breed hostility. I wonder if Ratz and Eris will be alright with their disguises?"
"They'll be fine. Besides, even though I wanted to go with Yuki-san, I'm terrible at investigations, so staying behind was probably the right choice."
"Geez, typical Riel."
"Hehe. Besides, Yuki-san entrusted the town to us. If we protect this place properly, it'll become the first step toward humans and demi-humans getting along."
"...You're right. The stubborn people in the demi-human village are already being approached by Mobu and the others. Hopefully they'll slowly become friends too."
"Yeah. Let's work hard and turn this into a place where various races can live together happily, just like in Weed."
"Agreed. I'm much better suited for this kind of work anyway. I'm gonna give it my all so Yuki-san will praise me~"
As Riel spoke, it seemed Aslyn and Fearia caught wind of her words nearby...
"Riel-oneechan! I'll do my best too!"
"Riel-anesama! I'll work hard too!"
"Good, good! Let's all do our best together!"
With a bright smile, Riel scooped the two of them up into her arms.
"Eee! Riel-oneechan's just like Onii-chan!"
"Ane-sama! Let's patrol like this!"
"Alright! Let's go!"
"Ah, hey! You can't just kidnap the two of them!"
"Ah, wait!"
As Riel bolted down the path while cradling both girls, Labyris and Sheera quickly chased after her.
Honestly... Riel never changes.
"...She's as energetic as ever." said Kaya.
"Yeah. But I never imagined we'd ever be able to be this free. Back when we became slaves, and even when we were back in the village, Riel was always the one leading the way."
"Heh... Come to think of it, you said you and Riel were adventurers together."
"That's right. Riel and I have been through all sorts of things together. We did a bit too much, to the point where I didn't know what to do when we ended up as slaves."
"...I understand that feeling."
A brief silence settled over us.
"...Come to think of it, I've told everyone about myself before, but I don't think I've ever heard the story of you and Riel."
"Really? In that case, since we have plenty of time, why don't we have some tea while I tell you about it?"
"...That sounds nice. Let's wait until Riel gets back and tell everyone together. I'm sure they're interested too, and it'd be a pain repeating it later."
"Ah, good point. If that's the case, should we connect via Call to the Enaria squad? They're probably bored out of their minds just riding in the carriages anyway."
"...Yes, that's an excellent idea. While we're at it, it might be fun to ask everyone exactly what made them fall for Yuki."
"I like that! Though personally, I just love absolutely everything about Yuki-san~"
"We should probably ask them to be a bit more specific, otherwise everyone is just going to say 'everything' too."
"Haha, you're probably right. Well, let's get in touch with them."
And so, since everyone had some downtime, we decided to settle down with some tea and share our stories.
* * *
『This timing is perfect. I was honestly starting to get thoroughly bored of this carriage ride.』
『Indeed. We're in a separate carriage from Princess Miffy, so this is a wonderful distraction.』
"Hm? Where's Onii-chan?"
『He's riding in the same carriage as Princess Miffy. Officially, he is considered a member of royalty, after all.』
『In a way, this is quite convenient. I could never bring myself to talk about what made me fall for Danna-sama right in front of him.』
『What? Rurua is surprisingly maidenly about these things, isn't she? And here I heard a rumor that you once prostrated yourself stark naked before him.』 (Derieu)
『Kyaah! Please stop!! That was... that was just a temporary lapse in judgment! Right now, my heart is entirely filled with pure love!!』
『What are you talking about? Looking back, that might've made for a rather enjoyable roleplay.』
『E-Even you, Eris-san!?』
"Ah, I remember that! Mufufu... maybe I'll ask Yuki-san to try that with me next time~"
"...Riel, you're actually a massive pervert, aren't you?"
"Hey, I don't want to hear that from you, Tori. You love doggy-chan play, after all."
"T-That's completely different!! Riel, what on earth are you saying!?"
"Onee-chan, what's a 'doggy-chan play'?"
"What kind of game is it?"
Sitting at the tea table, Aslin and Filia tilted their heads in confusion.
Mou, Riel, what are you saying in front of these two!?
"Well, you see, you two. It's a special method for—"
"—Hey! Labyris!!"
Good grief, it is far too early for these two to hear about that!
I hastily reached out to cover their ears.
BONK!
"Unyu! That hurts!"
"Uuu, Tori-anesama, what was that for all of a sudden!?"
"Ah! I'm so sorry!"
I instantly pulled my hands away from their ears. Because the two of them had been sitting right next to each other, my sudden movement had accidentally pushed their heads together, causing them to bump into one another.
『So, weren't we supposed to hear the story of Tori-san and Riel-san?』
"Ah, right!"
Riel always gets sidetracked like this.
She really never changes.
『Come to think of it, I knew you two used to be adventurers, but I never heard the fine details. I'm quite curious.』
『We have plenty of time, so please, take your time and tell us.』
Seraria and Eris encouraged us through the Call line.
"So then, Riel... where should we begin?"
"Hmm, let's see~ Shouldn't we start from how we first met? Since we have all the time in the world anyway."
"True... Riel and I met for the very first time just on the outskirts of our old village."
* * *
We lived in the same village, and I... well, I was the village chief's daughter.
I was raised rather strictly as a sheltered young lady, so I didn't really have any friends.
One day, bored of studying by myself inside the house, I snuck outside on a whim.
And that was when I ran into Riel.
Honestly, I was utterly shocked at first...
...Because there she was, completely stark naked, happily roasting a fish over a fire and eating it.
When I asked her, "What are you doing?"
She simply answered, "I'm eating."
I mean, it was exactly what it looked like, but looking back, Riel really has been exactly who she is since the very beginning. I thought she was a strange kid, but whenever I spoke to her, she always answered me, and she became a wonderful friend to me.
Using that as an excuse, whenever I had any free time, I would secretly slip away from the house to go see her.
* * *
Then one day...
I noticed bruises all over her body.
"Hey, Riel. You're hurt! What happened?"
"Ah, un. I don't really know. The adults always punch me for some reason. I just wasn't fast enough to dodge today."
"What?! That's horrible!"
"Is it? It happens all the time, so I thought it was just normal. They kept saying something about how my hair—the way the white and black are mixed together—is a sign of betrayal."
Riel said, lifting up a section of her dark hair to show me.
But back then, I had no idea why having hair like that would ever mean "betrayal."
"Well, it's fine! More importantly, I caught a fish for you too, Tori, so eat up!"
"Ah, okay. Thank you."
I accepted the fish and munched on it happily, but as I did, a sudden realization hit me.
"Riel, why do you always eat fish and fruit out here? Don't you eat at home?"
"Hmm, ever since my mom died, I've been all by myself. The village chief kicked me out of our house, so I live in that shack right by the river. Look, right there."
She pointed toward a tiny shack.
Following where Riel was pointing, I saw a dilapidated little hut that looked barely sturdy enough to keep out the wind and rain.
And when I realized that it was my own grandfather who had done such a cruel thing to her... I was completely devastated.
"I-I'm sorry..."
"Huh? Why are you apologizing, Tori?"
"Because... because it's my grandfather's fault that you're..."
"It's not your fault. You're kind to me and talk to me normally. My mom told me the important thing is to talk. You shouldn't fear or reject someone just because of their family or rumors before you've even spoken to them. My mom said she'd fought constantly with my dad before they fell in love. But the more they talked, the more they discovered each other's good points. Then I was born. So I can endure it."
"...Riel."
"I'm sure I'll be able to get along with everyone else in the village someday, just like I do with you, Tori. So I'll endure it. My mom always said that you can't move forward if you do nothing but fight."
Hearing those words, I went back and asked my grandfather about Riel.
But that turned out to be a terrible mistake.
The moment my grandfather heard her name, he flew into a violent rage and ordered me never to go near her again.
* * *
When I snuck out to see her the very next day, Riel was sitting there with a terribly swollen face.
"Riel! What happened to you!?"
"Ah, un. The village chief came by. I don't really get it, but he beat me. He told me that if I dodged, he'd kick me out of the village completely. My mom's grave is here, so I just stood there and let him hit me. It doesn't hurt that bad, see?"
"That's a lie! I'm so sorry... it's because I talked to my grandfather about you..."
"...I'm totally fine, because I have you here with me, Tori."
Young as I was, I desperately wanted to understand why my grandfather and the village could do something so cruel. I began to subtly ask around, questioning the villagers indirectly.
Eventually, I learned the truth behind why Riel was being ostracized.
Riel was actually the child of my father's younger brother. He had overridden my grandfather's fierce opposition to marry Riel's mother. Because of that, a deep chasm formed between my grandfather and Riel's family.
To make matters worse, Riel's mixed hair was a biological anomaly—normally, a child would inherit only one of the parental hair colors. Because her hair was a blend of both, the villagers labeled her an "ominous child" and shunned her.
When Riel's father died of a sudden illness, leaving only Riel and her mother behind, the hostility grew even harsher. The villagers, pressured by my grandfather's authority, refused to lend them a helping hand.
And when Riel's mother finally passed away, my grandfather successfully banished Riel to that miserable shack by the river.
...But after that, nothing progressed.
Riel stubbornly clung to her mother's wisdom, bearing the abuse in the firm belief that they would all understand each other eventually.
* * *
...One day I found Riel's mother's grave destroyed.
And that very night, a mob of adults, led by my grandfather, gathered with the explicit intent to kill Riel.
I couldn't wait for the day when everyone would get along like Riel's mother hoped.
Because if things continued, Riel would be killed.
"Riel!!"
I screamed as I burst into her tiny hut...
"Uuu... Mom, Mom... how much longer do I have to endure this...? They destroyed your grave... It hurts so much..."
She clutched the small gravestone that remained of her mother's grave and cried.
The moment I saw that...
I...
I made my decision.
"Riel!! Let's run away!!"
"...Tori...? But..."
"Just come!! Instead of waiting in a place like this, let's go find it ourselves!!"
I shouted with everything I had.
There was absolutely no reason for Riel to stay in a village like this.
I knew that out there, somewhere, there had to be a place that would accept her.
"...Okay... Mom, I promise... I promise I'll come back someday."
Seeing how desperate I was, I think Riel finally realized her life was in mortal danger. She gently set down her mother's headstone and quickly packed her meager belongings.
"Alright, follow me! Tori, you've never been outside the village before, right?"
"Ah, un."
"Then let's head to the city first and look for work! Once we save up some money, let's see... we can become adventurers and search for that place Mom talked about—a place where everyone can get along!"
"Yeah! I'm sure we'll find it!"
"Me too! I feel like as long as I'm with you, Tori, we can find anything!"
* * *
"And so, we successfully escaped the village, worked ourselves to the bone in the city, became adventurers, got caught up in the war in Roshure, and eventually ended up here."
"Yep, yep, that's pretty much how it went! Wow, hearing it out loud like that makes me feel kind of embarrassed! Hehe!"
Riel covered her face, squirming bashfully, but everyone else on the Call line was completely silent, stunned by the gravity of the story.
『Uh, Riel, that is an incredibly intense and deep backstory, you know.』
Ratz pointed out, and everyone else murmured their agreement.
Yes, that's just how Riel is.
『Indeed... Riel-san, did you ever think about taking revenge on the villagers during all this time?』
Rurua asked, her voice laced with surprise.
"Nope! Because everything turned out exactly like my mom said it would."
Riel said with a genuinely happy smile.
『...What do you mean by that?』
Seraria asked, sounding thoroughly mystified by her reasoning.
"Tori and I went on adventures, and yeah, we even ended up as slaves along the way, but it all led us to Weed. We joined the police force, and even though there are plenty of problems to deal with, everyone there is working hard to live together and get along. See? It's exactly what my mom said would happen. And..."
"""And?"""
A radiant, beautiful smile broke across Riel's face.
"Because of all that, I got to meet Yuki-san, who tells me that my hair is beautiful! And he's such a great guy that he took Tori right along with me. Right, Tori?"
"Mm-hm, exactly."
When I agreed, a warm wave of laughter echoed through the communication line.
『I see. Now I understand exactly why my husband brought you two into the police force, and why he brought you along to Jilva, where demi-humans face such harsh discrimination.』
Seraria nodded, her voice filled with warmth.
『You two are a bridge, aren't you?』
Ratz added.
"Yeah! Yuki-san said something like that too. He told us that we're bound to do the most important thing on this new continent, though I don't really get the details."
『Well, that's just so typical of you, Riel.』
"Ah! I'm not stupid, you know! Yuki-san always praises me for making sure to ask whenever there's something I don't understand!"
"Riel-oneechan is amazing!"
"Amazing nodesu!"
Indeed. Riel really is amazing.
Coming to Weed and being with Yuki-san was truly the best thing that ever happened to us.
And from here on out, I'm going to keep giving it my all to protect those smiles.
