Emmy let out a deep sigh of [Haaaaaaaaaahhhh….!] after the moment the
Demon Lord fully disappeared.
[Mouuuu, I was really nervous…! Is that Demon Lord similar with the one
you talked about before!? Are you serious? You really defeated something
like that, Russell!? Really!? Isn't that super scary!? I can't see myself
winning against tha—ohhh!?]
I silently listen to Emmy as she let out her accumulated nervousness until
her words got cut short.
What made her stop from talking is… a flying embrace from Sybilla.
Emmy is getting flustered as her eyes wander about from the unexpected
flying attack.
As I look at it… Yeah, I don't get what's happening either.
[…Emmy-chan.]
[Yay….]
Emmy replies in confusion as she returns the hug holding on Sybilla's
upper back.
Sybilla then let go of Emmy and face her then… starts to gently to stroke
her hair.
[Mouu~!!! How can you be this cute! You're making Sybilla-chan's heart
go doki-doki!]
[Aaa-uhm, ano, ahh, sonoo]
[For you to stand up for me, against a Demon Lord nonetheless! Ah~
really~, I am so loving this child~!]
Sybilla is showering Emmy with more affection as she continuously
caresses her head with a really satisfied smile on her face.
Emmy who is in the receiving end of Sybilla's warm affection remains
embarass and can only mutter sounds 'yawayawayawaaaa'.
Well, ofcourse. Emmy appeared really cool earlier after all. Even I was
taken aback of how angry Emmy was as she stands against the Demon Lord
for Sybilla.
[How about trying to learn a thing or two from Emmy-chan's cuteness,
Russell~? You've been both raised in the same place and environment but
how can you be so different? Really~~]
[Why don't you try to think for yourself why I'm treating you differently…]
[Fuuuun, you see, knowing that Russell only cares for Emmy-chan all this
time saddens me~. Particularly~… When it comes things like this.]
[Hahya!?]
With Sybilla suddenly snatching her wrist, Emmy can't help but flinch.
…Looks like she noticed it, huh.
[Nee~, nee~, why is that I, who've been taking care of Russell for some
time already, didn't receive anything?]
[Eh, Russell, did you not buy anything for Sybilla-san?]
[None. I only bought one for you, Emmy.]
[Eh…e, ehe, ehehe, ehehehehe. I see….]
After saying so, Emmy's face behind Sybilla's embrace started to
uncontrollably loosen its expression as she replies to me with a voice that is
tinge with the slightest bit of disappointment.
Sybilla on the other hand raised her brow so high to the point it looks
wrinkles might leave their marks on her forehead.
[…I like seeing Emmy-chan being so cute and full of happiness but that
doesn't change the fact that I'm still feeling irritated. Just what is this all
about, hm?]
I can't help but lower my head upon seeing Sybilla's face full of accusation
in front of me… Just why is that the only things this woman don't forget are
the most troublesome matters…
I cross my arms and look towards Sybilla.
Sybilla struck the same pose as as if she has no intentions of losing against
me.
[Emmy, did you feel grateful that the orphan Eve had been saved?]
[Eh? Ah, I obviously do? Russell, don't tell me that you have any
complaints on how Sybilla-san handled it!?]
I look at Emmy and stare at her for quite a while… Then I let out my breath
and heave a sigh as I gave my reason.
[…Just who owns that bag of silvers used for it, hm?]
[ah.]
Emmy then tried to look at Sybilla just for our beloved goddess to dodge
her gaze.
It appears you've finally remembered, huh.
[Ta-ta-times have changed and we're on the cashless age, you know….
There's no way I'll carry silvers with me… Besides, we're able to help Evechan so isn't that fine!]
[Well, yeah, I think so too. I'm thankful on how Sybilla used my bag of
silvers. Besides, I don't think I'll be able to put that money on better use
than hers anyway so I'm glad she's the one who spent it.]
[So, why did you bring this story up once again?]
[You still don't get it? Rather than buying for Sybilla a great piece of
jewelry, I believe I used the money for her on something much better.]
[GUhh…..]
Seeing Sybilla droops her shoulders makes me realize that isn't this the first
time I win against her in bickering with just words alone?
Ah, what a great feeling. Seems like I'll be able to sleep better tonight with
my pillows raise higher.
Then there's Emmy now who doesn't hesitate anymore to show off as she
puts her hand with the bracelet on top of her mouth. The bracelet is already
discovered after all.
[…fufu, fufufufu…]
Sybilla who was looking down earlier started to laugh out of the blue and
met Emmy's eyes after such a strange reaction.
She then straightened her back and what appeared on her face is her usual
fearless smile.
[Didn't we just met a demon lord earlier? But look at us now talking and
laughing like it doesn't really matter.]
[ah!]
Emmy got surprised with Sybilla's sudden remark like she just remembered
then muttered [Right—] with a voice not filled with any tension.
[Really, I thought we're really screwed when Russell's abyss nail was
dodged but… With everyone of us in here, I don't fear anyone. With this,
with the desperation and nervousness getting out of the way, we can
immerse ourselves into the fight which is really important.]
I see… We've just met a demon lord but there's no one who's letting it get
into their nerves.
It feels the same with our condition before we descended onto this floor.
This time, Sybilla started to stoke Emmy's head with less excitement than
earlier.
Emmy looks like she feels ticklish but she didn't resist Sybilla's hand and
just closed her eyes.
[At worst, worries and anxiety can reduce one's ability to half. Fears are
always hard to overcome alone but… We really have a good party. We'll
get him this time. I'll find a way how to deal with the demon lord and as for
you Russell… you know it already, no?]
[Ofcourse.]
For fast enemies, I have to throw dark spheres until they lose all the places
they can escape to.
I know this isn't absolute but fast enemies generally are those who don't
excel with their durability and defenses as they put emphasis to their
evasion and quickness.
Grind them gradually and slowly, and surely, they'll fall on to my hands.
Besides, Sybilla already said that she'll find a way how to deal with that
devastatingly strong demon lord.
No matter what method she comes up to, I can't help but raise my
expectations.
[Yosh, let's then get started on clearing up the lower levels!] (Sybilla)
[Roger! I won't let the pressure get me this time! Besides…] (Emmy)
[N?]
[Ah, nevermind.]
Sybilla tilts her head shortly before starting making her way to collect our
spoils from the red giganto we had defeated earlier.
We watch Sybilla's back… then Emmy turns to me.
There's no trace of brightness and happiness that was there earlier on her
face.
We're looking at each other's eyes with serious expressions.
…Yeah, I know. That's right.
Me and Emmy are both orphans.
I never felt bad even once about it and more than anything else, the
orphanage is the place where we were raised by Fredrica and Gemma-baasan full of affection.
Certainly, there are days where the amount and flavor of the food we eat
were light and small.
All of our clothes aren't expensive and what's everyone is wearing are
obviously from donations.
We were so lacking in money that a toy of tiara alone is something we can't
afford to think of as replaceable.
But even so… I never once thought that my childhood was something
tragic.
I don't believe Emmy thinks of her memories from the orphanage as bad as
well.
It doesn't matter how old or battered that tiara was but the most important
thing about it are the memories inside that shaped us for who we are right
now.
…and that guy treats such thing as nothing but 'cheap'.
Even worse is he treats people like Fredrica and Gemma-baa-san as filth.
–That's right. We won't just let that pass.
Me and Emmy stares to each other's eyes before we nod towards each
other.
I'm sure the strength behind Emmy's eyes right now are the same as when
she's talking to the demon lord earlier.
..
[What's up? We're moving-]
[…Roger!]
Emmy then turned around and started following after Sybilla.
I look at their backs as I slowly make my way and think for myself.
You've made a mistake, Seiris Demon Lord.
For you to treat the place that is most important and memorable for us… To
throw insults and degrade orphans like nothing but cheap and filth.
At least for us, that's a landmine you should never even thought of stepping
on.
I'll make sure to wring out your very life.
Brace yourself. I'll be there soon so just wait.