***Arc 5 The One Who Obstructed, Chapter 98 The Young General Girl***
It was at the main tent of Christand.
Inside was Selene, sitting on a chair with her chin on her hand on a simple desk, and Gallen with his arms crossed.
And Anne stands next to them, looking confused.
In front of them were Krische, Mia, Kahlua, and Elvena.
Also, Eluga, who happened to have come to see Krische on the pretense of having some business, sitting in a chair with a wicked smile seemingly joyful.
Next to him was Quinez, who was backing away from his superior's evil appearance.
Selene looked down at the contract in her hand and massaged her eyes.
"Well, you didn't hurt the merchant or do anything like that, did you?"
"Muu... Krische didn't do that. After talking to him properly, he came up with the idea on hhis own. That merchant seems to want to do his best for Kreschenta..."
Roland's execution comes out of the blue.
Elvena's bond purchase, and installation of logistical support.
The story she heard upon her arrival gave Selene a headache.
Although the detailed contract stated that the purchase price of Elvena's bonds was included, it was clear that it was only a formality.
The price on the contract was two-thirds of the market price――a figure that makes one doubtful whether the merchant could even make a profit.
It was clear that the contract was made under threat, but since Krische insisted that mucu, at least she did not do it consciously.
She just unconsciously threatened the merchant.
"Haha, isn't it just fine? The result is good. Regarding Roland, It was my fault that I forgot to tell report it."
That’s what Eluga said, and Serene glared at him.
It seems that this old man was also secretly cooperating with the cliché, and he was quite familiar with what was going on in Kielzaran.
"Certainly, that's true, but you have a bad personality, aren't you, Commander Faren, I wonder if you kepr me the general out of the loop?”
"No, I didn't mean to. That's why I'm here to report. I could not contact you with the situation dividing the north and south, so please don't scold Krische-sama. Regarding the execution, it was our consensus who was in the south.”
Seriously, Selene sighed and pinched Krische cheek across the desk.
"Uuu..."
“It’s quite complicated dealing with merchants. They have a wide connection after all. This time it can't be helped, but from now on you should talk to me properly."
“…Yeas”
Selene smiled and put her hand that had been pinching Krische’s cheek on her head.
“However, that is as the family head and as a general. …As a sister, I'm happy that you worked so hard for someone else like that."
"... Selene"
"To tell you the truth, I wanted you to wait until I came and then talk together.... I understand how you feel, but please trust me more."
"...Yes. Sorry."
Kalua and Elvena.
She must have wanted to help these two people no matter what.
But if Selene says no, Krische would not be able to do it.
In that case, Krische would surely give priority to Selene's conclusion.
That’s why Krische took the form of ex post facto consent.
Looking at it negatively, it could be said to be a cunning way of doing things, but even with such a cunning way of doing things, Krische still wanted to help the two of them.
She was very happy that Cliché thought of others that way, but that was from an adult's point of view.
Personally, Selene still wanted Krische to rely on her in such situations, which was why her feeling was a bit complicated.
Krische is serious, and honest, and usually doesn't say anything selfish except to be pampered, so Selene wanted her to be more selfish with her.
"...Thank you, General."
Kalua bowed, followed by Elvena and Mia.
Selene waved her hand and sighed.
“You can thank Krische. ...And don't worry about the debt, since the amount was the same as nothing."
"yes. However, I have made a debt that I can't ever pay back after all, so I will pay it back with my work."
Kahlua smiled and Selene nodded.
"I'd be happy if you did. Please take of Krische."
“Yes.”
Krische turned to Kahlua, who salutes.
"Hmm... the way it ended was somewhat unsatisfying, for Krische, so you really don't have to worry about it, you know?"
"Fufu, don't say that. From now on, I'll do my best for Usa-chan."
Kalua stroked Krische’s head.
Krische looked a little annoyed, but smiled happily and leaned closer.
Eluga and Gallen nodded their heads in delight at the fact that Krische was being so genuinely favored by her subordinates, while Selene stiffened again, just as she had the other day.
"Ah, also, it seems that Elvena has nowhere to go right now, so Krische is thinking of asking her to be a servant (attendant) like Anne..."
"E-Elvena..."
*glance*, Selene looked next to Krische.
Elvena who looked nervous being looked at――her face looked just like Kalua who was stroking Krische’s head in front of her.
"Yes, she's very attentive, and she's excellent, so Selene can relax. She's also good at making tea, and she can help with cooking. She takes care of her personal belongings perfectly..."
Krische glanced at Arne.
It was a glance crammed with meaning. This time, Arne stiffened.
"Anyway, Krische think I'll treat it like that until this battle is over, but"
"Y-yes... I don't mind."
"Ehehe, that's good. Well then, Krische will in your care for a while, Elvena."
“Y-yes…”
Krische leans towards Elvena and smiled.
Elvena gave a wry smile and smiled at Krische saying, ‘Thank you’.
An indescribable feeling danced in Selene's heart.
――Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow will be devoted to reorganization and the rest of the soldiers, and they will depart in three days.
And that will be the end of this civil war.
For Krische, it was her final rest.
Once this is over, she would say goodbye to Serene for a while again――it was only natural to think that she would be spoiled by Selene as usual.
However.
“U-umm Selene…?”
"what?"
"Hamu..."
The two of them were alone――they moved to Serene's tent, Krische was made to sit on Selene's lap and was given as many cookies as possible, which Anne had bought in the city.
Her head was stroked so much that Krische could felt a slight heat.
For a whole koku (~2 hours), Krische’ hands were held down by a hug from behind, and she was transformed into a cookie cracker doll, unable to move even a twitch.
For some reason, today's Selene was so kind, enough to make Krische feel uneasy.
The situation, which filled her head with question marks, left her in a state of intense bewilderment.
If anything, it wouldn't be strange for Krische to be scolded by Selene for doing various things on her own.
She was prepared for Selene to be little bit angry and a bit of scolding, but before she knew it, she found herself in this situation.
Truly sugary sweet――Krische was so thoroughly pampered that it made her pure white skin blush, causing unprecedented chaos within Krische.
She loves Selene, but compared to Bery, she was a strict person by Krische’s standards.
Basically, Krische is spoiled by Selene, but Selene doesn't do that for her very often, but Selene was strange today.
Selene ordered Elvena to rest first, saying that the sisters must have a lot to catch up on each other.
Anne, who had been fearful of the appearance of a new strong enemy, was also kicked out, telling her to go to Gallen, who looked tired today.
Normally, Cliché would have brewed the tea, but Serene said, ‘I'll brew it today,’ and moved quickly――It's been like this since then.
Krische was both delighted and feared that this was a harbinger of something to come.
"delicious?"
"Y-yes. It's a cookie made with Serish nuts, Selene's favorite. It's delicious to eat once in a while."
The acidic serish berries are small berries that you can pick up with your fingers. They resemble lemons, but the aroma was rather sweet.
Selene was especially fond of cookies made with serish.
"I'm glad. Krische has been working hard for a while, so I thought I'd take care of Krische once in a while."
"I-is that so..."
“What is it, hate it?”
“Not hate it…Uhh, Umm…”
Krische twist and turned her body and asked.
“Selene, you sure you're not angry?”
"... why doed Krische think I’m angry?"
"Um, Krische, selfishly..."
“I told you. I'm not mad at you for trying to do something good for someone.”
Selene sandwiches Krische’s cheek with her hands and asked.
“Do I look that scary to you?”
"That's, not it, but Selene, today is kind of a Bery, so sweet..."
Serene looked a little unhappy at the word berry, and her well-shaped eyebrows twitch.
She then brings her face closer and fix her gaze firmly.
“Humm, unlike Bery, I’m always scary?”
“No, i-it’s not…uuu”
That's what makes Selene a bit scary.
But keeps those words in the back of his mind.
Even Krische could understand such worldly wisdom.
"Well, Bery is very kind, can do anything skillfully, and is good at cooking, which Krische loves, completely different from the clumsy and scary me. She's much kinder to other people than I am, and I'm just a scary big sister after all."
“T-that’s…”
"Don't lie. Krische must be thinking that I’m scary after just me pampering you like this already enough to make you scared. You must be thinking that it's strange that I do this."
That was half-true, but she still kept her mouth shut.
Krische thought he wasn't angry, but she still felt like Selene was angry for some reason.
Even though Selense said she wasn't angry, was she still angry after all——but Krische hesitated to ask that.
――What should she do?
What comes to her mind was the words her mother used to say.
‘Krische, honesty is a virtue. The most important thing is to be honest with yourself. Of course, you shouldn't be selfish, though――’
And Bery's words to Krische, who was wondering what to say to Selene, who was worried about Bogan on the battlefield.
‘Krische-sama, honesty is the greatest treasure. Even if Krische-sama have difficulty saying, there is no one who will dislike your words if you sincerely think about the other person. That feeling, properly, to Ojou-sama――’
Krische recalled those words and said to Selene.
"I-it's not a lie, it's the truth? K-Krische was, just a little bit scared, but... Krische loves Selene, so this kind of thing makes Krische very happy, and Krische is just a little bit suprised..."
It was not just a little bit scary, but quite scary, but Krische had learned a bit of the art of softening her word.
Selene narrowed her eyes when she heard those words, although it was a bit, in truth it was not wrapped at all.
"... what part does Krische like?"
“W-what part?”
Krische’s eyes swam around, and Selene's eyes narrowed even more.
"Um, uh... Selene is really kind to the Krische, she works hard for the cliche, she's trying to do a lot of things, t-that's why Krische loves Selene…”
Falteringly, awkwardly Krische said, and she glanced at Selene's face.
Selene's cheeks were slightly red, but she was looking at the Krische expressionlessly.
And said.
"One more time. What do you think?"
“K-Krische love Selene?”
"…again"
“K…Krische loves Selene.”
"……again"
“Krische loves, Selene.”
When Krische told her, Selene finally smiled and kissed her.
“Fufu, I love you too.”
Silver mixed with gold, and Selene intertwined her fingers with Krische’s hand.
She smiled happily and pressed her forehead against hers.
"I'll be strict when it's needed, but I also love Krische. That's why I want to make Krische happy like this. Is it strange?"
"...it's not strange."
"That so. Then please understand that I love Krische."
‘Understood?’ When asked, Krische nodded and smiled.
Reassured that Selene doesn't look angry for the time being, she presses their lips together and smiled.
"Yes, Krische understand……"
"Good. If possible, I would like to let Krische be pampered, you know? I wonder if I look so angry all the time?"
Hugging her tightly, Selene asked.
Krische’s eyes swam around.
"Th-that's not true, but...uuu."
"... you're really bad at lying. Though I would be troubled if Krische got good at it.”
She chuckled and continued.
“I have a little time tomorrow afternoon, so why don’t we take a quick look at the market and do some shopping?”
"Ehehe, yes..."
"happy?"
"Yes, Krische is happy."
"That so. Krische can be as selfish as Krische wants tomorrow, and It’s Krische’s reward for your hard work.”
Selene, seeing Krische jumping, Selene breathes a sigh of relief at the definite response.
She was exasperated at himself, wondering what she was fighting against, but when she saw Krische’s smiling face, she thought ‘Oh, well’ and become convinced herself.
――Then the next day.
"Here, Selene, say aaahh."
"A-aaaah..."
In Kierzaran, the appearance of the General who kept eating fruit fed by Krische while her face turned bright red became a hot topic.
The cheerful Krische who didn’t care about the eyes of the guard soldiers or the citizens around her.
Selene regretted what she said, but Selene somehow seemed happy.
She grabbed Krische’s hand and slowly walked around the market.
