Chapter 66 The Next Step
It has been about a month since the incident caused by Alvine Neithardt.
Right now, I was on a ship floating on the ocean.
I am here to receive treatment for my body, which cannot be healed in the Kingdom of Ortria, at the Divine Beast Country Euphemia.
At least, that is what I have heard.
"Ms. Yumie, how is your health? I have heard that the sea breeze can sting your wounds, so please let me know if it is painful,"
But in reality, it is probably not just that.
While I am undergoing treatment for the injuries I received from Alvine, Sigurt suddenly became king, and I have not been able to meet with Rifine since she said she would become a knight.
Surely, in the kingdom, the political situation is about to change significantly due to Alvine's incident.
If I were there now, I do not know what kind of incident I would encounter again.
That is why I am being evacuated to another country like this.
Even if the relationship with that country is somewhat precarious, it is safer than being in the country right now.
I can understand at least that much.
"Ms. Yumie?"
"Ah, I apologize, Ms. Monica. I was lost in thought... I was wondering if Elder Brother and the others are okay."
I replied like that to Monica, who had been talking to me all along.
This time, during my temporary stay in the Divine Beast Country, Elder Brother and Father... the Granbell family members did not come along.
No, Elder Brother said he would force himself to come along, but I turned him down.
He doesn't have to worry about me; I just want him to support Sigurt by his side right now.
"...If that's the case, how about chatting a little with some magic communication? It's about time for our regular contact."
"Huh? But such long-distance magic communication uses a lot of magical power, so it might be better to avoid my idle chatter..."
"That's no problem at all. Come on, let's go."
Saying that, Monica pushes my wheelchair.
...Right now, it's difficult for me to stand and walk on my own.
Because my leg bones got all messed up once, they didn't heal completely back to normal.
It's the same with my arm bones; I can't move my dominant arm well right now.
Because of that, I can barely move the wheelchair by my own will.
The burns on my face are severe, and until recently, I couldn't sleep well due to the pain.
Monica was the one who took care of me diligently on behalf of my family.
Even though Elder Brother isn't around, Lisa is here, so I thought I shouldn't be too much of a burden, but Monica just said, "I'm just doing what I want," and didn't back down.
Honestly, I feel a bit guilty, but... right now, when I'm lonely without my Elder Brother, it's really grateful to have a friend who cares for me like this.
"Father, may I borrow the communication magic for a bit?"
"Oh, Monica, and Lady Yumie too. I was just trying to get in touch, so a little is fine."
As I entered one of the cabins led by Monica, there was her father──Duke Cas Belmont.
Seeing us, Duke, who had a stern face that did not match his surprisingly gentle smile, gladly made space in front of the grand magic device.
Pushed forward by Monica, the voice I heard through the communication device was Sigurt's.
'Yumie? Are you there?'
"Yes, I'm here. It's been a while, Sigurt. I'm glad to talk to you."
'Me too. How about you? Is everything alright?'
"Ms. Monica and the Belmont family have been treating me well, so I'm fine. How about you, Sigurt? Suddenly becoming king... are you okay? You sound a bit down; have you been getting enough sleep?"
I have only a vague image of what being king entails... it cannot be an easy job.
Noticing his worries, I asked, and I could sense Sigurt's slightly troubled demeanor through the communication.
'I'm fine. It's certainly busy, but the workload is much less than I thought. This is all thanks to you, Yumie.'
"Me...?"
As I tilted my head in confusion, Sigurt kindly explained.
It seems that Sigurt had anticipated that the sudden coronation and the forceful punishment of the Nobles belonging to the Neithardt family and its faction would provoke backlash from many Nobles.
However, in reality, there was hardly any backlash; instead, it seemed that most voices supported Sigurt's decisive actions.
'The birthday party for Rifine, organized by Yumie... because of that, many Nobles became fans of you and Rifine. Rather than opposing the punishment of the Neithardt family, a lot of people started making extreme statements urging for even harsher actions, and it became quite a challenge to keep that in check.'
"Ah, haha..."
I do think that's a bit concerning, but knowing that there are many allies in Sigurt and Rifine, and that the worst-case scenario of civil unrest in the kingdom I had been worried about seems to be avoided, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Just as I was feeling relieved, a new commotion started to stir on the other end of the communication.
'Yumie!! Is it true that you're communicating with Yumie!? Hey, Yumie, can you hear me!? It's your big brother!!'
"Elder Brother, are you there?"
Hearing the voice of my beloved Elder Brother made me feel an overwhelming joy.
In truth, I really want to hug him right now, but that's impossible... so to feel his presence close by, I began to talk to him a lot.
"Elder Brother, how have you been? Are you sleeping well? You need to eat your green peppers without being picky. And you must always be polite so you don't trouble Sigurt!"
'Wait, Yumie, don't start talking like Mother! I'm doing my best to protect Sigurt, you know!?'
As I bombard him with questions that feel like a lecture, I hear Elder Brother let out a scream.
In that normal atmosphere of Elder Brother, both good and bad, my heart feels so full.
"And then...! And then..."
──I want to see you soon.
Those words almost slipped out, but I swallowed them.
The daily pain of treatment and rehabilitation is tough, and to be honest, I just want to return to the kingdom right now and cry my heart out in Elder Brother's arms.
But that would be too embarrassing, and saying nothing but selfish things like a spoiled child isn't cute at all.
I want to always be the proud little sister for Elder Brother... so.
"I will definitely get better and come back. Please wait for me."
Suppressing my feelings of loneliness, I restate my determination.
Elder Brother paused for a moment as if considering what I said and then spoke gently to me.
'Hang in there, Yumie. No matter how far apart we are, I'm cheering for you. But don't push yourself too hard, okay? No matter how you look or what your body becomes, it doesn't change the fact that you're my precious little sister.'
"Ugh..."
Oh man, seriously... Elder Brother always gives me exactly the words I want.
Even though he's my family, hearing something like that just makes me love him even more.
"Thank you so much, Elder Brother. I love you."
'I love you too, Yumie. You're welcome.'
After the call ended, I stood still for a while, holding Elder Brother's words close to my heart.
...My limbs don't move like they used to, and my face looks terrible because of the burns, yet my family continues to love me just the same.
That makes me unbelievably happy, and that's why I feel motivated to try even harder.
Of course, there's rehabilitation... but I have one more thing I want to do on this ship.
"Ms. Monica, how is 'that child' doing now?"
"That child... oh, if that's the case, it's just like before we set sail. She's been cooped up in her cabin the whole time and hardly touches her meals."
Sighing, Monica released a breath.
"That child" is the main reason the Belmont family is accompanying me on this visit to the divine beast country.
No, to be more precise, this visit is led by the Belmont family, and I am the one being allowed to accompany them.
The Neithardt family's secret, heinous magic experiments.
Their despicable idea of using magic tools to implant monster factors illegally collected into humans and turning them into biological weapons.
The victim of this, a beast girl, is a citizen of the Divine Beast Country that I'm heading to... I'm going there as an ambassador to explain the circumstances that led to her protection and the treatment of the Neithardt family to the Divine Beast Country.
"It's difficult to even talk to her, and I still haven't heard her name... But what's the matter?
"I want to talk to her. I think she must be feeling lonely, not knowing who to trust."
Being separated from her family and hometown, losing an arm, and having her face altered to the point of disfigurement by the people of her own country, she has to live with me, alone in this small ship.
It must be much, much harder than the loneliness and pain I feel now.
I have Monica and Lisa with me.
I know the Belmont family is on my side, and Elder Brother gave me encouragement.
So, it's my turn next.
If there's a child in pain within my reach, I want to help as much as I can.
That's my pride, as someone carrying the name of Granbell.
"I understand... But it's dangerous to leave you two alone, so I'll accompany you. Is that okay?"
"Yes, thank you."
With a new goal in mind, I take the next step forward.
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