My mother used to say, "Live.

　Live.

　Live.

　And then she went on to say.

　It's not your fault.

　There's nothing wrong with Nero.

　You see...

　Be happy, she said.

　I was going to die because of me - and yet my mother still smiled at me when she said that.

　I couldn't forget that smile.

　She didn't know why she was smiling.

　The girl wanted to know a little bit of the reason for it, so she twisted her mouth to show it.

　She asked if smiling would make her happy.





◇






'Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!　A cock as big as this Nero, Master Minalia!
　Nero's screams echoed through the silent streets.

'How nice.'

'Oh, no!　That's what Pops says!　Solarus is dangerous!　They want me to laugh and do it in front of the family, even if I'm forced to!
　Nero is a self-proclaimed bandit.
　It would be no surprise to know that.

　This is because the assassination families of the Seven Kingdoms, whether in the Seven Kingdoms or abroad, are a symbol of fear for those who make a living doing that kind of work.
　In particular, as for the head of the family, Minalia, the name is the only one that spreads, and unfounded rumors are spreading after him.

　It is said that he is a straggler's ear chief (elf) of over seven hundred years of age.
　It is said that she is an old woman who repeatedly rejuvenated herself by dabbling in forbidden magic.
　It is said that she is a member of the demons that have mixed with the world of man.
　The name is false, and he is a big man who has practiced martial arts in the east.

　But the one in front of me is a girl of similar stature to Nero.
　It is natural to be suspicious.　　

"Don't believe anything other than what you have seen with your own eyes. That's a basic rule for assassins.

Well, you're a child!

Even though I look like this, I've had a lot more years than you have. Respect your elders, daughter of a beastman.

'Ugh. Uncle....
　Nero, unable to bear Minalia's gaze, looks at Duran for help.

'You can call me Grandma--'
　Duran said, and Minalia's face wrinkled up.
　You stepped on a land mine, the next moment Duran came to his senses. Minalia's figure was drowned out.

''-- You foul-mouthed brat, die.

Grrrr...

　The spinning kick that was released with a terrifyingly cold voice was received by the belly of the great sword.
　Then a tremendous impact was transmitted and the street that supported Duran was unable to bear the load and caved in.

　Where does that little body have this monstrous power?
　It's a good thing that the girl Duran encountered, the abominable monster he just recently met and the unpleasant woman in front of him, are both abnormal.
　It's because behind the lovely exterior, she hides an incredible monster.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. I'm relieved, boy.

What are you doing, you old b*tc*?

Haha-- Not enough punishment, old man?

　This makes it even worse in nature, since he thinks it's a playful thing to do.
　Next to me, Nero was pale as a sick man as he recalled his past words and actions and came to the realization that violence could come to him at any moment.

'Totally, you're getting carried away in the city--'
　Minalia says this at the sight of the shattered street, and she doesn't take offense.

'Hey!　In my city, it's my business what I do with it.
　He is a very self-centered ruler.
　I can't help but feel sorry for the pitiful residents of this city.

''..........''
　A completely surrendered Nero watched the exchange between the two of them.
　Minalia laughed softly and opened her mouth.

'Do not be so frightened, beast girl. They often say I am kind to children.

'Yes, sir!　Oh, I'm not intimidated.
　And Duran wonders why Nero is so fearful of Minalia.
　It's a good thing that the girl who jumped into the land of the dead so nonchalantly is a Nero. It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends and family.

You're too scared. Where did you have the luxury of that time?

That time?
　But Nero tilted his head curiously, looking puzzled.
　After a while, Nero opened his mouth to answer Duran's question, as if he thought it was when he turned his blade on Duran.

''Yeah, because my old man said that. He said there's someone you can count on!　And--
　Nero's words added inclusions to an encounter that should have been nothing more than a coincidence.

'And?'

Besides, your uncle smelled like a kind man!
　Kind?
　I don't know who he's talking about, but the idiot in front of me seems to have a grand misunderstanding.

'Kake!　They've grown quite fond of you~

'Hmm--so, should I go out of my way to make contact with you and avoid a glance--and ask you what you want?
　As much as I am concerned about what Nero said earlier, there are probably more things to be concerned about than that.
　Even if I say scattered, it's probably a small check, but Minaria ramped up, and still, there was no shadow of a person at all.
　It was already planned that this would happen, and after paying people off, they approached Duran.

　I can't shake the bad feeling from past experience, but I won't be able to close my ears and leave Solace like this.
　So, with a hint of resignation, Duran asks.

"What, little man, I have one thing--I didn't bring you a request...
　The word "request," couldn't be more ominous than this.
　Starting with Sydonis' coup, there has not been a single decent request from Minaria.

'I refuse.'
　Duran returned with an immediate answer without a pause.
　But even Duran's attitude seemed to have been foreseen by Minalia, who laughed weirdly.

"You're sure?　You have come all the way to my city to accomplish something, haven't you?
　With that, Minaria's gaze shifted to Nero.
　Duran's purpose was cylindrical, and a sharp, threatening gaze came back to Duran.
　Pulling an agenda behind the scenes, I wouldn't go so far as to say that Duran's arrival in this city might be due to this woman's deviousness.

''--What do you want me to do?''

At stake. Don't get all defensive - just let the boy flail about, as he always does...
　After a terribly prolonged voice, there is an unnatural pause of one beat.

''Only, this time it may be a bit of a big festival.

And now you've made a mistake.

Take it or leave it. I'm done playing. It's time to go. We'll start the festivities with a bang!
　Recalling the memories of the past, there was a horrible smile that Duran had never even glimpsed, not even once. Duran's intuition alerted him to that eerie smile.
　The scent of trouble couldn't be more palpable.
　There was a slight hesitation now in the trouble that Duran would have joyfully embarked on before.

　As if to interrupt Duran's hesitation, the hem of his clothes was pulled on with a quick tug.
　He lowered his gaze and turned back slightly to find Nero, who looked up at Duran with an anxious look on his face.

'What's wrong?'
　At Duran's words, Nero lowers his gaze sadly.
　Come to think of it, when Duran was trying to push Nero around in the villages, I think he was looking down like that too.

''.........Because of Nero.......my uncle is bothering you......?''
　Such a look of guilt, almost crushing. Nekomimi drooped and Nero said that now.

　A little bit of my childhood self went through my head.
　That wasn't a good face for a child to make. A face like that, with his lips twisted and his cheeks lifted, trying to smile and failing.
　Maybe the girl's face, which she tried not to look at, had an unspeakable sense of guilt on it every time she was spoiled by Duran.

''........................''
　Aloud, one sigh.
　Then, with a pop and a big hand, I stroke the nekomimi messily.
　Just like Duran did when he was a kid.

'Nyah!　Meow, you're tickling me, uncle!

I'm always bothering you. It's so depressing to have you following me around. Every time I enter a city, I'm treated like a pervert, and I can't stand to fight. I even wanted to push you to some little girl's pet hobbyist, but, well, at least when you're a kid, you're bothering them with your selfishness --you should be allowed that much. You're only ten years old, aren't you?
　Turning away, Duran says.
　Duran lost his affection when he was seven years old, and he was abandoned when he turned eleven. There's no need for the girl in front of me to walk the same path.
　Following Duran's gaze as he turned his head to the side, Nero was looking up at Duran.

''-- Uncle!
　With all his strength, Nero jumped as if he was going to hit his body. I felt a shock so strong in my body that I'm sure I would have fallen to the ground if it wasn't Duran.

'Don't hold on to it.'

Yeah!

Step away.

Yee-hah!

You know...

'It's okay to be spoiled!　Nero is spoiled by his uncle. You spoil him, spoil him, spoil him!

He's not an uncle, he's a brother.
　Duran says in a throwback.
　But the girl's reply was not what Duran expected.

'Yes, brother Duran--'

What--!
　Duran was simply overwhelmed by Nero's smile, which was probably the first time he had seen him smile since he started traveling.

You look like you're having a lot of fun. You may indulge me, too.

Pui!

Well, you don't like me very much.

　While pulling away from Nero, who was hugging him around the waist, Duran turned his attention to Minaria.

''So, what are you planning to do this time--''
　He looks at Nero for a moment, then looks hard at Minaria again.

''--You seem to be doing a lot of things for me.
　Duran's gaze, more vicious than that of a predator, has a coldness to it that could be shot to death just by being stared at, but instead of being moved, Minalia's smile deepens.

''I'll tell you the details in my castle--''
　Minalia continued to speak with implications.

'Just, well, I guess I'll just have to make good on my promise to my old friend - and to do that, first - let's destroy these stagnant nations.
　She said.
　As if to say that it was nothing at all.