Chapter 72 Divine Beast Euphemia
It's been over a week since we left the Kingdom of Ortria.
On a morning when they say we should arrive at Divine Beast Euphemia by today, I was working on my usual routine from the past few days.
"Like this... okay, done! Hey, Thea, come here quickly!"
"Y-yeah."
I urged Thea to stand in front of the mirror.
Then, there was a reflection of her that looked completely different from before.
She styled her long bangs swept to the right and secured them with a hairpin, creating a hairstyle that covered her dyed black face.
Her outfit was modified with the absence of one arm in mind, so the right side was short-sleeved and easier to change into.
To help Thea gain even a little confidence, Lisa, Monica, and I all contributed our ideas to produce this new look for her: the newly styled "hidden eye (mekakure)" attribute Thea.
Honestly, it's incredibly cute.
"What do you think?"
"...I don't really feel like myself. But, um... I'm happy we match like Yumie."
While touching her bangs, Thea said something that made her happy.
Yes, the hidden eye attribute is meant to hide Thea's discolored skin, and since I have severe burns on my face, I styled my hair the same way.
As I nodded and exchanged smiles with Thea while giving a thumbs up, Monica muttered softly as she watched the scene.
"Matching with Ms. Yumie... Hmm, should I try the same hairstyle?"
"Oh, should we give it a try? We're all together!"
Seeing Monica looking envious, I clapped my hands, as if to say I've been waiting for this.
For fashion like this, it's better for Monica, who is able-bodied, to imitate it rather than me, who has the same disability; it should boost Thea's confidence.
Besides, Thea would probably be happier to match with Monica.
After all, it was Monica who helped Thea get back on her feet!
...When I said that, Monica replied, "I haven't done anything, it's all thanks to Ms. Yumie," but isn't it me who hasn't done anything?
I just made her mad, right?
Well, whatever.
Right now, Thea is smiling happily.
And that's enough for me.
"Monica, are you there?"
"Father, yes, I'm here. You can come in."
As she was saying this, Monica's father, Duke Cas, entered the room.
Seeing the 3 of us with matching hairstyles, Duke squinted his eyes, looking somewhat relieved, and quickly told us what he needed.
"We're starting to see Euphemia. If you want, you can go up to the deck."
"Oh~! Is that the Divine Beast Euphemia!"
Although we were still a bit far away, a large landmass had suddenly appeared in the view that was previously only the sea.
Unlike Ortria, which had many stone houses, the town visible from a distance featured wooden houses prominently.
As expected of a place where ships head towards, there were many ships docked in that large port town, making it feel like a scene from a pirate movie.
"Huh?"
While I was thinking like that, I saw 2 ships coming from the port heading our way.
The two ships, controlling the wind, turned around right next to our ship and began to sail parallel to us.
"Wow, so cool...!"
The lined-up ships were battleships with numerous turrets.
I'm not very knowledgeable about warships, but having 3 rows of turret windows protruding from the side of the ship seems like a pretty strong ship, right?
Indeed, it's the kind of ship that a commander would board if it formed a fleet, the biggest one.
The fact that there are 2 such ships means that the real strongest ship must be somewhere else.
Wow, I want to see it!
"Hmph... suddenly sandwiching us with warships, that's quite the greeting, isn't it?"
However, unlike me, Monica seems to be a bit dissatisfied with Euphemia's side's response.
No, looking closely, it's not just Monica; Duke and the crew members also seem to have a tight expression on their faces.
...Yeah, somehow, I feel embarrassed for being the only one getting excited about seeing a warship for the first time.
"I think it's fine for you, young lady. I like that carefree side of you."
"Lisa, thanks... wait, are you complimenting me!?"
I complained to the maid who indirectly called me silly, but she just smoothly ignored it.
Mpphh!
As I sulked, I noticed that the tension in the air inside the ship had dissipated, and warm, friendly gazes were directed toward me.
...I became even more embarrassed!!
Lisa, you idiot!!
"Hehe, after all, Ms. Yumie is the most wonderful in the world"
"...I don't feel that happy about it."
Puffing up my cheeks, Monica gently hugged me as if trying to cheer me up and started to stroke my head.
...Well, the result was that the mood brightened for everyone, so feeling embarrassed alone isn't such a big deal.
It's not that I'm just some easy kid who gets cheerfully happy from being petted.
"We've received word that we'll escort you to the port. Everyone, please start preparing to dock!"
Amid all this, it seemed a discussion had taken place, and the captain of the ship called out to the crew.
To avoid getting in the way of their hurried movements, we retreated to the cabin for a moment.
And soon after, the ship arrived at the port.
"Whoa, amazing...!"
As I got off the ship with Lisa pushing my wheelchair, my eyes sparkled even more than when I saw it from a distance.
I had heard that Euphemia was the same country of beastmen as Thea, but seeing it in person still felt refreshing, like I had come to another world.
Well, it was originally another world for me, anyway.
I had completely stopped being conscious of that lately.
"It's my first time coming to another country too, but it's completely different from what I've heard. ...Is it a familiar scene for you, Ms. Thea?"
"Yeah. But... I never thought I'd be able to come here again..."
Thea, standing next to me with Monica, gazes out at the port with a distant look in her eyes.
It seemed like her eyes were filled with so many emotions that couldn't be expressed in words, making me hesitate to speak to her.
Deciding to give her a little space, I joined her in slowly taking in the comings and goings of the port town.
"Welcome, people of the Kingdom of Ortria!"
While we were doing that, a boy with a lavish ethnic costume came over to us.
His green hair radiated a vivid color and presence like a towering tree, creating a unique atmosphere.
He looks to be about the same age as Sigurt, but there's a red-haired, tiger-like person beside him acting like a bodyguard, so maybe he's someone important?
"I am Seius, the current chairman of the 'Council of Beasts.' By the way, even though I look like this, I'm over a hundred years old, so please treat me well."
"Eh!?"
I couldn't help but shout in surprise at his unexpectedly shocking words, and I hurriedly covered my mouth.
Oh no, I remember hearing beforehand that the chairman is the most important person in this country, right?
My reaction toward such a person was way too rude.
I can't help but feel that the tiger-faced man standing next to me is angry too.
Please stop glaring at me, it's scary.
But the chairman doesn't seem to mind too much and starts to laugh heartily, "hahaha."
"Well, if you can be so honestly surprised like that, it's definitely worth it for me to have brought it up."
"Chairman..."
"There's no need to get so fired up, Lygar. You really understand without needing to rush."
The chairman's gaze turns to Thea, who is sitting next to me.
Even though they're from the same country...
No, maybe it's precisely because they are of the same nation that Thea looks nervous and retreats a bit in front of someone in the position of chairman.
I gently took Thea's hand.
"It's okay, just be confident," I said.
"Sir Seius, thank you for making the effort to come here. I am Cas Belmont, here as the king's representative regarding this matter."
"Thank you for being so courteous. I never expected to have the esteemed Duke from Ortria come here. However, if possible, I would have liked to meet the new king."
"Unfortunately, the king has just undergone a succession and cannot leave the capital. He has expressed his wish to visit here as soon as he is settled, so perhaps another time."
"I will be waiting at any time."
The duke and the chairman are engaged in a pleasant conversation.
...but somehow, it feels like the atmosphere is getting a bit tense again.
When people representing their countries stand here, even trivial conversations might be a form of diplomacy, I guess.
"Now then, I've prepared the meeting place, so Lord Cas, please come this way. We would like to check the health status of our citizens under your protection, so if it's alright, we can retrieve them here."
"Of course!"
After that kind of exchange, a young man known as Lygar approached Thea.
I thought he looked a bit intimidating, but when he knelt before Thea, he extended his hand with a gentle tone.
"That must have been tough; it's okay now. Come here."
"......"
Not knowing how to react to the extended hand, Thea kept glancing back and forth between Lygar and me.
To encourage Thea, who seemed to be hesitating, I smiled at her.
"Go on, and when you feel calm again, let's meet up."
"...Okay. Yumie, see you later. ...Promise, right?"
"Yes, it's a promise."
After exchanging a pinky promise with Thea, who still looked a bit anxious, we pledged to meet again.
Lygar watched us with a somewhat surprised expression.
"...Well then, shall we go?"
"Yes..."
With Lygar leading the way, Thea started to walk away.
On the way, Thea kept turning back to look at me and stopping, and I waved back at her with a wry smile several times.
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