Chapter 126
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Orphelia Verite.
She is the Sword Dance girl belonging to the clan Seventh Blue. Although she was once considered promising, she had requested a leave of absence from clan activities due to certain circumstances. Currently, she is engaged in the task of guarding Sofia Goa, the beloved daughter of a major trading company’s chairman, in Boldaf, the southernmost region of the Arcana Kingdom.
That was supposed to be the case.
Orphelia, who is staying at Sofia’s manor for protection, is caught off guard when Sofia and Laura suddenly approach her with an unexpected request. After a moment’s thought, she simply responds:
「I wasn’t informed about this.」
…she responds with just that.
「Orphe, we’re so sorry…」
「We’re really sorry…」
The two mischievous young ladies have asked Orphelia to defeat monsters that have leaked out from something called the Sealed Domain.
Orphelia’s expression turns sullen in response.
And for good reason – she is currently employed as their bodyguard. Yet despite this, she’s being asked to deal with monsters that have escaped from the Sealed Domain.
For a while, her plan had been to carry out this high-paying bodyguard job in this big city while gathering information about the person she’s searching for.
「Look, it’s not that I’m refusing to take this on. I’m upset because you got approval from Seventh Blue before talking to me about it.」
Orphelia knows she’s being naive and immature. But she thought she had built a relationship with these two that went beyond the simple dynamic of protector and protected – one where they were somewhat close friends.
That’s why she’s angry that they went over her head to her clan before asking her directly to deal with the Fog.
「I’m so sorry… By the time I found out, my father had already- No, my father’s actions are my responsibility. Orphe, I truly apologize.」
Sofia bows her head deeply.
Orphelia lets out a long sigh, vigorously scratches her head, and lets out a loud 「Ahhh!!」 It’s not that she wanted to see the top of her friend’s head.
「Alright, I understand. Let’s consider this matter closed with your apology.」
Orphelia is a woman of great understanding.
At her words, Sofia quickly lifts her head, and Laura, with an apologetic expression uncharacteristic for such a tomboy, both lunge at Orphelia, sandwiching her in an embrace.
Sofia quietly says 「Thank you」 while tightly hugging Orphelia’s arm. Laura, sobbing 「hiin-hin-hin,」 confesses, 「I thought you were going to quit.」 Orphelia naturally lets out another sigh. But it’s not a sigh born from any unpleasant emotion.
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The Hidden Mountain – an extremely dangerous spot in Boldaf.
Every local knows about it. From a young age, they’ve been strictly warned by adults: 「Monsters come out of the Hidden Mountain! They’ll eat you! Do you want to die?!」
In reality, it’s a monster den that even S-rank adventurers find challenging. Unless there are special circumstances, almost no one living near Boldaf willingly sets foot there.
Those who do venture to the mountain are either reckless fools or true experts.
The monsters that occasionally come down from the mountain are considered weak among those that exist in the Hidden Mountain. Nevertheless, they’re strong enough to give even A-rank monster hunters a hard time.
Not only are the Hidden Mountain monsters strong, but they also possess rare materials and magic stones that match their strength. Therefore, if one manages to defeat them, the rewards are immense.
For this reason, it’s not uncommon for desperate individuals seeking instant fortune to disappear into the mountain, never to be seen again.
In the past, a certain clan attempted to make a fortune by defeating a monster in the Hidden Mountain. They failed, and as they fled, the monster chased them down the mountain, causing significant damage to Boldaf.
The monster invasion from the Hidden Mountain was nearly a disaster.
Fortunately, unless provoked by outsiders, it’s rare for monsters to come down from the Hidden Mountain.
However, since it’s not impossible, multiple clans operating primarily in Boldaf have contracted to take turns staying at the foot of the mountain to cull any monsters that do come down. This routine has managed to reduce the damage to almost zero.
The Large Mirage Almirage that Orphelia once faced is considered one of the weakest monsters in the Hidden Mountain. Yet even that monster could potentially wipe out an A-rank party without a scratch, depending on how the battle unfolds.
Now, after this long explanation about the Hidden Mountain and its threats, it’s clear that this mountain is a realm beyond human comprehension.
So, who stands at the top of the ecosystem in the Hidden Mountain?
The answer is a white girl.
Her name is Sena.
Before she parted ways with Sensei and met Yamada Ichiro, time held little meaning for her.
She would dance her routine as the sun rose and night broke. This act alone tethered her to daily life.
Of course, she didn’t need to eat, as she could absorb natural energy, and the same was true for sleep.
As such, once she finished dancing, it wasn’t uncommon for her to lie down in the meadow until the next morning’s sunrise.
Sena was a girl who could easily blend into nature.
However, even after her family, Yamada Ichiro and Sensei, left the mountain, she maintained a relatively regular lifestyle similar to when they were there.
Although it was completely unnecessary for her survival, continuing their daily routines was her way of preserving her bond with them.
And so, on this day too, Sena returns from her dance and partakes in the meal Ichiro had prepared for her. After that, she begins preparations for what’s to come, and once that’s settled, she reads through the books he bought in town – spending her day like this.
It’s a life like that of a hermit, but compared to Sena’s previous existence, it’s far more cultured.
— Even when far apart, my heart is always with you.
They are always in her heart.
As she puts down her book and looks out the window,
At that moment—
「One talisman…」
Sena had given Ichiro five talismans.
They were her handmade masterpieces. Their effect was to summon a shikigami possessing a part of her abilities to protect Ichiro when danger approached him.
She realized that one of the talismans had been activated.
It was proof that Ichiro was in danger.
「It’s okay… No matter what happens, I will definitely protect you.」
As she voices her determination, a breeze carrying grass blades stirs her hair.
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