What's going on...
What is this...?

　Leanne tried desperately to get up.
　But her arms and legs were numb and she couldn't put any proper strength into them.
　It was all she could do to move her fingertips, and she could only struggle.

''This........bee.......?''

　Suddenly, I saw a bee fly out of the corner of my eye.
　I've never seen one, but I know it.
　I've heard of them before from Arios.
　It's an Earlby, a bee with paralyzing venom.
　There was a time when Arios had complained about the cowardly hand he had been dealt when he fought Lean, sometime ago.

　Lean huffed as he remembered that time.

''No way, this couldn't be........the work of that little fish.......''
You're right.



----------



　Swiftly, we were able to find Leanne and Monica.
　We also managed to paralyze them by asking Earlby to do a favor for us.
　It was a perfect achievement.

"When did you... or rather, how did you know where we were...
You don't have to tell him the law.
Shh....

　Lean tries to force his unrestrained body to move and reach for a clear wand that looks like it's made of crystal, but

Grrrrrrrr!

　Sakura turns around and stops him by intimidating him.

'Oh, and you, too... um, don't move, okay?　Really, please...?

　Fearfully, Finia had tied Monica up behind her back.
　People seem to be scared even if the other party is paralyzed, and they are very jittery.

　However, it's better than being caught off guard.
　Although Finia is frightened, she is proceeding with things carefully so as not to be counterattacked.
　If this is the case, even if they counterattack, they won't be delayed.

　Resistance is useless.
　Seemingly understanding that, Monica remained quiet.

　
　I don't think he'll be caught honestly.
　He may not be able to resist now, but if he sees an opening.......he's definitely thinking about it.
　I'll have to make sure I don't get distracted.

''Well.......why are we here?　How could he do that?　What the hell are they up to?　You're going to get it all out.
Oh, God, I'm such a little piece of garbage...!
I'd love to say it, but that can wait.
'What?　Are you sure you want to...?　I think it's a perfect opportunity...

　Finia scowled and questioned him.
　All the while, she tightened Monica's restraints firmly.
　Although there is a frightening part, she's basically an excellent child, right?
　It's not the daughter of the chief of the village, as it were. That's what I'm talking about.

It's true that there's a lot to learn.
Then....
'But most of all, right now, I have to get back to the phoenix tribe's home. Maybe they think I've been sneaking my people around and, besides, I don't think Leanne and Monica just showed up to harass me. I'm sure they've got some nonsense going on. We have to do something about that first.
Nah, I see...
Does Finia disagree?
Well, you see...
'There's no need to panic. I'd like to hear what Finia thinks is an honest opinion.

　Feeling lost, Finia's eyes darted this way and that.
　After a bit, she returned her gaze to us.

''Oh, um........watashi too.......well, I think that's fine. I'm not sure if it's possible to tell the truth if I question him now. First of all, I think it's best to clear up any misunderstandings... and avoid any unnecessary disputes.
Thank you for your input.
My opinion is valuable?　Is that, you know, really?
Yeah?　Of course. If I'm alone, I'm bound to have a limited view, so I need someone's opinion. Besides, Finia is Elfin-san's daughter, so it would be very helpful to know how to think and so on.......yes, that would be very helpful. Thanks.
....

　I don't know why I'm pouting.
　Did I say something funny?

Finia?
...What?

　He was out of consciousness and shivered at my question.

"Thank you for my help...
Finia?
"I shouldn't be happy about being praised by a human... ah, but this thrill... uh, is it because I've never been praised like this before?　But.....
On!
Wow!

　With a single sound from Sakura, Finia jumps up.......and then her eyes come back into focus.

'Oh, that...?　Sakura-chan?
Wafu.
Oh, yeah I'm sorry. I guess I just kind of lost it.

　She's this girl and I'm sure she's got a lot going on.
　I'm curious, but....
　Like I said before, now I have to quickly clear up the misunderstandings of Elfin-san and the other phoenix tribe.
　The questions will have to wait until later.

''Lean, Monica. Do you know how to get to the phoenix tribe's home from here?
"...and...

　Well, there's no way I'm going to give you a straight answer.
　When it comes down to it, the interrogation...
　I don't have to think about it, but I'm just not good at it because I've never done anything like that before.
　I'm also very unsure if I can get them to talk well because I don't know what to do.

　Would I be better off not relying on these two and trusting my own strength?
　If you've decided to do so, I'd better move quickly.

"Sakura, Finia. Can I have the place to myself for a moment?
'Well yes, yes. That's fine, but what are you doing?
''Assimilate the hydrilla boss and lead the rest of the flock to search the area at once...''

　I got halfway through and noticed that Finia was scowling.

　Come to think of it, you don't know about assimilation.
　I'll briefly explain assimilation.


In the meantime, since I'll be completely vulnerable, can I ask you to take care of Leanne and Monica?

　I explained so that they couldn't hear me.
　It might be a bit of a heavy role for Finia, who seemed unsure of herself.
　However, considering the current situation, I think this is the best thing to do.

''........Wha, I understand.''

　After interrupting a small hesitation, Finia nodded with a coy smile, as if she had made up her mind.

''Wow, watashi............I'll manage it!　I don't mean to be a downer, but I'll do my best. I, too........care about my mother and everyone else.......and I don't want to hate you for no reason........so I'll do my best.