Vol 2 Chapter 8.2 (2/2)

When he found Lim, she was about to be crunched between the tough jaws of a Meditortoise.

Her small body was bruised all over. Her breathing was faint. She was shouting something while crying.

「And… What happened then?」

Upon Doorey pressing him to continue, Arnold smiled bitterly.

「Although it was really dangerous, both Lim and I are now safe. In the end, one of my ears was torn off… I received wounds at several places on my body, but I was able to save Lim. This wound is from that time.」

「Haa~ so rash… 7 years old? Oh G.o.d!」

「I somehow shook the Meditortoise off. When we returned to the village, I was smeared in blood while Lim was crying. When we stepped into the house, Millay was about to faint.」

Thinking back upon it, the beastkin touched his ear, which was partly missing, and laughed hazily.

「But that’s what’s amazing about Lim. She presented, what she was grasping tightly in her palms, to Millay… What do you think it was?」

「Don’t tell me, Meditortoise moss……?」

「Haha! As you would expect of my daughter!」

According to Arnold, Millay had a strange expression which was a mix of anger and delight.

But what Lim received first was scolding for going to the forest by herself. After receiving a slap on her cheek, she started weeping once again.

Millay said, 『If you want to do something, the least required of you is your own strength. Do it only if you can do it.』

As to how Lim was able to bring the moss back, it was thanks to Arnold coming to her rescue. Had she been alone, she would have been in the Meditortoise’s stomach instead.

At that time, Lim couldn’t understand even half the meaning of those words and only sobbed, but now…

But now, Lim could only hold Millay’s words close to her heart and say…

『――Thank you.』

When the figure that used to tenderly and lovingly caress her head laid the anger bare, it was an unbelievable sight.

「――Thereon, it took a turn for the worse. Millay collapsed as was due to fever. My wounds kept bleeding. Lim started crying once again. Although the situation was seen through with the help of other villagers, it caused quite a ruckus.」

「That… was quite serious. For Millay-san to say such words… She was a splendid mother. Back then, no one would be able to guess that, considering how reckless she was…」

In ‘what?’ manner, Arnold enquired the nostalgic Doorey.

「Ah. You may not know this, but when Millay-san was a kid――――」

「What… Such words――That fellow said such words…――」

――Arnold kept nodding as if savoring each and every single word of that reminiscence. It brought about tears in the corner of his eyes.

「――Sorry, this is about the only story I have.」

「It’s fine. The conversation at the reunion with a long separated friend will surely be a cherished memory.」

As the two talked, time pa.s.sed.

「Alright, it may be a little early, but shouldn’t we move to a place where we can leisurely drink?」

「Your work… Will it be okay?」

「…Aah. If it’s today, there will be no problem. Let’s drink all the way.」

「…Umu. In that case, I know just the right place.」

The beastkin of large stature stood up, and the beastkin of droopy ears followed.

「So, is your business going well?」

「Appears to be so. I will know the details upon visiting the shop. The trade between Archipelago States and Lech.e.l.le Kingdom has been profitable. The trade with Archipelago States was steered by the introduction of a preferential policy. Banzai Albert-sama!」

Albert・Duo・Ballad――was the name of the lord who governed the peripheral areas of Merville.

Although he was a lord, he was current Lech.e.l.le King Hardin’s younger brother. He could hold an equal exchange with the King; such was their relations.h.i.+p.

He didn’t contest with Hardin, who excelled in governmental affairs, for the kings.h.i.+p and settled to the lords.h.i.+p of the commercial town Merville.

With his sound business ac.u.men, he developed trade with foreign countries. He was famous amongst the merchants for playing the part in national power augmentation.

In tandem with Hardin, Albert put forth the policy of preferential trade with Archipelago States.

「Lech.e.l.le Kingdom will soon be through with Souven Empire. They force-sell sub-par farm produce and livestock using military might and dirty tactics. It cannot be called trade!」

「Now, now. Calm down.」

「…Aah. However, the situation will shortly change with this preferential policy. I’m furious because those Souven guys despise other races besides humans. In the first place, it was because of them that we were forced to live down south――…」

「Alright, alright. I understand, Doorey. I’ll listen to all you have to say while drinking, so don’t yell.」

「Nah, that’s all for the rant. Next, I’ll tell you about my very first business deal――…」

――Thus, the two walked to the Commercial District.

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