Chapter 101 My Soul Is For My Compatriots
"Ms. Monica, what do you mean...!?"
"I'm not sure about the details either. It seems the situation isn't very good... Anyway, the Belmont family will be returning to the Ortria Kingdom. Ms. Yumie, please wait for further news."
"Wait for further news, huh... Are you planning to leave me behind!?"
"...From here on, it will be a real battlefield. We can't take Ms. Yumie, who just recovered and doesn't have the strength to fight."
"Ugh...!!"
As soon as I heard that the Bezelus Empire and the Ortria Kingdom were in a state of conflict, Monica and the other members of the Belmont family had to return to the kingdom.
But it seems they aren't planning to take me along.
Certainly, I did pick up a sword for the first time in a while a few days ago, but it seems it will take me time to swing it as freely as I used to.
"...I'm sorry."
Seeing Monica looking down with an expression of difficulty made my chest ache with guilt.
I understand it in my head too.
Even if a kid like me returns to the country now, there's nothing I can do.
Still... it's a much worse situation than just a simple internal conflict, and I can't help but worry about the family I left behind.
Even Elder Brother's letters, which usually contain lots of trivial things... This time, all it said was "Don't worry", which makes me even more anxious.
"Please let me be alone for a while"
In the hospital room that has become so familiar to me that I can call it my own, I stay in bed and agonize alone.
Monica is right.
I'd be a hindrance if we were to get into a serious fight, so I'm honestly happy that Monica is so kind and doesn't want to hurt me.
But I still wasn't mature enough to understand and accept it.
"Father... Mother... Elder Brother..."
I wonder if my family is safe.
The location of Granbell's territory is geographically close to the Empire... so it may be on the front line.
"Sigurt... Rifine..."
If it comes to war, the target will likely be the royal capital, and Sigurt, who is now at the top of the kingdom, is undoubtedly a target for assassination.
Rifine mentioned last time we met that she would join the knightly order, so she might be fighting to protect Sigurt.
I wonder if she's not injured and if she's spending her days able to sleep well.
Imagining a warzone like a movie, where I'd have to worry about infections from even minor wounds in a poorly made makeshift trench, I grit my teeth so hard that my lips almost get bitten.
"If only... I were stronger..."
I can't help but think that over and over again.
If I were a strong kid who could also fight with a sword and powerful magic.
If I had the strength to not bring shame to the name "Granbell"... could I have gone with Monica to protect everyone I left behind in the Ortria Kingdom?
"Yumie..."
"...Thea?"
As I was lost in thought, Thea entered with a gentle knock.
Having heard that I wanted to be left alone, Thea, who seemed shy and hesitant, made me smile wryly.
"Look, Thea"
I spread my arms and urged Thea to come over, reminding myself that I couldn't keep worrying too much.
Normally, she would jump into my chest right away... but Thea shook her head and instead hugged my head to her chest.
"Thea...?"
Thea didn't say anything to me, but just hugged me tightly.
How long have I been doing that?
As I felt my heart calming down in Thea's soft warmth, Thea spoke softly.
"I think Yumie can be a bit more selfish..."
"Huh?"
"Yumie is amazing. You helped me, Gray, my mother...everyone. You even made friends with the Golden Fox children...and brought back the days when we could all laugh together like in the old days."
So, Thea turned to face me and stared at me.
Those eyes, which had wavered childishly and unsteadily until a short time ago, were now completely strong and dazzlingly bright.
"If Yumie will become my support, I want to be a strength for Yumie. I'll gain the power to protect everything that Yumie wants to protect. So... don't cry, Yumie. I'll make all of Yumie's wishes come true."
"Thea..."
Hearing Thea's straightforward feelings, I couldn't help but tear up.
Even though we were born different and belong to different races, I have a friend who is trying so hard to support me.
Just that alone made me feel an infinite amount of courage welling up inside me.
"Thank you, Thea. You've really lifted my spirits."
"Um... you're welcome. So... Yumie, what do you want to do?"
Smiling at Thea, whose face clearly showed she would follow me anywhere, I voiced my first selfish request since meeting her.
"Could you go with me to meet Doctor Seius... no, 'the chairman'?"
Doctor Seius is currently holding a meeting of the Council of Beasts to discuss how Euphemia should respond to the sudden state of war between the Bezelus Empire and the Ortria Kingdom.
Right into the middle of that, Thea and I barged in.
"Excuse us!"
I thought I might be stopped along the way, but the guard let me pass without saying anything.
As we entered the meeting room, where heated discussions could be overheard, the previous noise fell silent as if it were a lie, and all the members turned to look at me.
"Yumie, and Thea...what's wrong?"
Doctor Seius always used to say, "I want to stop the chairman as soon as possible."
But when Doctor Seius is in the conference room like this, he is there with a dignified and imposing appearance as the "chairman," completely different from his usual peaceful demeanor.
The tense atmosphere made me want to step back, but just feeling Thea's presence beside me, holding my hand tightly, helped me to stay put.
"As Yumie Granbell, the eldest daughter of the Granbell Family of the Ortria Kingdom, I have come to ask a favor."
"...Tell me"
Despite having suddenly barged in, he allowed me to speak by pausing the meeting.
Grateful for Doctor Seius's kindness, I almost threw myself to the ground in a deep bow and begged desperately.
"Please... help my country, help our country!!"
I am well aware that I am saying something ridiculous.
This is a war between nations.
No matter how noble I claim to be, there's no room for a request from a nobody like me without even a royal letter of delegation, no matter how close we are.
Even so, I... I could do nothing but rely on someone.
"I'm not asking for you to fight. Even just providing support from the rear or hosting refugees would be enough. Please... lend me your strength...!!"
In the silent conference room, my voice echoed hollowly.
The fact that they listened to my words, which I couldn't offer anything in return for, was already a rare treat.
I was destined to be rejected.
Even so, I continued to bow my head, clinging to a thread of hope──then.
Doctor Seius, who had somehow come closer, gently placed his hand on me.
"Lift your head, Yumie. It's not right to bow like that without reason."
"...Yes, I'm sorry..."
As I slowly raised my head, Doctor Seius softly stroked my hair.
The doctor stood up from his kneeling position, turned to face the assembly members gathered in the conference room, and solemnly announced.
"You guys. Yumie has done a lot for this country. Not only did she helps Thea recover from her emotional wounds, but she also interacted with various clans, created new evacuation routes in times of emergency, and even when she was kidnapped unjustly, she did everything in her power to free our fellow countrymen."
With a thud of footsteps, Doctor Seius returns to his seat.
His eyes hasn't become even sharper, and he shows deep thoughtfulness and a firm conviction that belies his youthful appearance.
"Is there anyone who is still stubborn enough to not accept Yumie as a fellow human because he is not a beastman?"
"""No"""
"Is there a fool who would disregard the heartfelt wishes of our compatriots... the sincere desire to save their homeland? Is there a coward who would shrink back just because the enemy is a powerful empire!?"
"""No!!"""
All the members of the council stood up, gazing at Doctor Seius with determined eyes.
As if they were eagerly awaiting the declaration of the words that would follow.
"Everyone, take up your weapons!! We will now head to the aid of the Ortria Kingdom!! For the pride and honor of the Beastmen of Euphemia, give it your all!! 'My soul is for my compatriots'!!"
"""My power is for my friends!!"""
The proclamation, roaring like a battle cry, painfully stirred my heart.
Unable to hold back, tears overflowed, and Thea, who was by my side, gently wiped them away.
"Thank you, Thea... Everyone, I truly... thank you very much...!!"
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