Chapter 38: Knight Attendant (Tsukaeshi) ⑬ — Ruriha and Mineha
I am Ruriha — a First-Class Explorer, known by the title “Fairy Empress.”
I also serve as the chief of the Fairial Village.
Normally, I remain in the village, so this is my first time coming down to the lower world in three years.
And this time, I’ll finally be seeing my daughter, Mineha, for the first time in two years.
According to Emi, whom I entrusted her to, Mineha is now active as a Third-Class Explorer.
That’s wonderful news. There’s no mother alive who wouldn’t rejoice to see her child achieving her dreams.
However, I do have one concern— It’s about the OOPArts my daughter uses.
The “Fairy Phantom Lance” is a weapon that holds deep meaning for me as well.
It’s a memento of my late husband.
Of course, my own armor and spear are mementos too.
The spear was originally found by the witch, and after I received it, my husband repaired it so I could use it.
It’s one of the most precious keepsakes from our adventures together.
He wished for our daughter to have it after he passed away—so I gave it to her.
Mineha has continued using that Fairy Phantom Lance, knowing all of this.
But the Fairy Phantom Lance is a weak OOPArts.
According to my husband, it was only a prototype, and a failed one at that—
a weapon unsuited for real combat.
Among the Fairial, the spear is a symbol of pride.
Even if it’s a precious memento, I can’t stand the thought of the daughter of a First-Class Explorer and village chief wielding such a fragile weapon.
If anything were to happen to her…
If she’s still using that spear even now—
…In any case, this is our meeting spot, isn’t it? The fountain in front of the hero’s statue.
But she’s not here yet. Where could she be, Mineha?
I even made myself bigger to avoid standing out in my Fairial form…
There’s a young woman standing alone by the fountain. My, she’s breathtaking—absolutely gorgeous.
Radiant beauty, alluring charm—her figure is almost jealousy-inducing.
Honey-colored hair, honey-colored eyes… just like mine, by coincidence.
Her coat, shirt, and skirt are all modest, yet clearly of fine make.
There’s this mix of maidenly innocence and mature allure about her… how enviable.
If I were younger, perhaps I could’ve become that kind of woman too.
Ah—of course. She’s drawing attention. Some men are trying to hit on her.
She looks troubled… perhaps I should step in if they get too pushy.
Oh? She just looked my way.
And now she’s walking toward me, ignoring those men, wearing a radiant smile—
“Mother!”
“Eh?”
“Mother… I’m so glad. I finally found you.”
“…Mineha…?”
“Yes, it’s me, Mineha. It’s been so long, Mother.”
“…It’s been two years, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You’re… ten years old, right?”
“Yes. I’m ten now.”
“…You are Mineha?”
“Yes, see?”
She shifts into her Fairial form—
Now smaller, yes, but still stunningly elegant and beautiful.
No way.
“…You’re ten… right?”
“Yes, I am, but… Mother, what’s wrong?”
How…? In just two years, my daughter became a woman.
Only two years.
For us Fairial, who live for a thousand years, two years should feel like two months.
No… it’s still two years.
And yet, in that time, my daughter became a mature woman—so beautiful it makes even me jealous.
Mineha has truly grown.
“Who’s the man?”
“Mother?”
Mineha tilts her head in confusion.
“The one you’re dating.”
“I’m not seeing anyone.”
Immediate denial. Impossible.
“Don’t play dumb!”
“I’m not! I’ve never dated anyone. What’s gotten into you, Mother?”
She looks genuinely upset… which means she’s probably telling the truth.
Then why… why is she like this?
“You’re in love with someone, aren’t you?”
“There is someone important to me.”
“I see…”
Just falling in love could change someone this much?
Apparently, yes.
“I’m living with that person now.”
“What—!? You’re living together? You didn’t mention that in your letters!”
“I wanted to tell you in person.”
“I’m shocked, Mineha.”
“I’m sorry, Mother. It was hard to write about.”
“I understand, but… I can’t help worrying. Are you living properly?”
“Yes. I’m taking care of things. Lately I’ve even been making breakfast.”
“Wait—‘morning after’ breakfast?”
“Mother?”
“Ah—sorry, never mind. So you’re the one cooking, I see.”
I had taught her a few dishes, but she never seemed interested in cooking at home…
“Yes, I used to dislike it, but now I enjoy cooking.”
…Such a radiant smile.
Did she always have a smile this bright? I’ve seen her smile before, but not like this.
“I’d like to meet this person who’s so important to you.”
“You can. He’s my Tsukaeshi—my Knight Attendant.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yes. He’s the witch’s apprentice. His name is Wof.”
“Wof…”
That name—where have I heard it? Wait. The witch’s apprentice!?
“Let’s go, Mother. To the Hydrangea Grand Hall.”
We begin walking side by side.
“I’d like to hear more about this Wof.”
“Gladly.”
“Oh, and I met a very kind young man recently.”
“A kind man?”
“Yes, when I got lost earlier.”
We chatted pleasantly as we walked.
It’s funny—writing letters never felt like this. Talking face to face is so much more fun.
Then Mineha suddenly stops.
“There’s one more thing I didn’t tell you.”
“What is it?”
“—About the Fairy Phantom Lance.”
“You’re still using that, aren’t you?”
I could tell by her tone alone.
I suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed made my heart tighten.
Mineha takes a spear out of her pouch.
Wait… this isn’t the same.
The old lance was pure white—
but this one is a blue spear with white triangular patterns spiraling around it.
And not only that—
the Fairy Edict spear I carry reacted faintly to it.
“This is the Fairy Stellar Lance.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes it is, Mother. The Fairy Stellar Lance. I’ve obtained the ‘Star.’”
The look in her eyes—sharp, almost challenging, yet dazzling.
Interesting.
“So, you’ve finally taken your first real step forward.”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then you can prove it to me in an exhibition match.”
“Mother… understood. I’ll prove it.”
“Show me your Star.”
“Yes. With everything I have.”
Ahh… to think a day like this would come.
I’m so proud I could cry.
I can’t wait.
…Though honestly—what is this “Star,” anyway?
“That aside, I’m getting hungry.”
“Me too. I know a great place—I’ll take you there.”
Mineha puts her spear away.
And then—
“Ah, there they are♡ There they are♡”
“Heh, not bad—actually, damn fine.”
“And they’re Fairial, right?”
“Whoa, a mother and daughter combo. That’s going to be fun.”
Oh my, we’re surrounded by a group of men.
Judging by their gear, they’re probably explorers… or maybe just thugs.
“You’re that guy from before.”
“Pretty cold of you, ignoring us like that.”
One of them reaches out, far too casually, trying to grab Mineha’s shoulder—
but she sharply slaps his hand away. Good girl.
“Ow! What the hell!?”
“Hey, that’s no way to treat a guy.”
“Oh, my. What do you want, exactly? If you’re trying to flirt, I’m not interested.”
“This ain’t flirting, sweetheart♡”
“Mother, let’s go.”
“Hey now, don’t just walk off.”
The men block our path. My goodness.
One grabs Mineha’s arm roughly. How rude.
Another grabs mine—ouch, that hurts.
“What do you think you’re doing!?”
“Enough talking. Let’s drag ’em into the alley and have some fun♡”
“Yeah.”
“C’mon, stop struggling.”
“Resist and I’ll stab you.”
They draw swords and knives. Impatient fools.
But the back alley, hmm… that’s actually convenient.
As Mineha tenses to fight, I quietly say—
“Mineha. Stay calm.”
“Mother!?”
“It’s fine. Don’t resist.”
“Oh? She gets it.”
“Yeah, don’t bother fighting back♡”
“We’ll have our fun first.”
“Then sell ’em off. Fairial mother and daughter like this? They’ll fetch a fortune.”
“Mother!”
“Let’s go. To the alley.”
And so, we let ourselves be taken into the alley.
Now, I wonder… what will happen next?
In the alley.
Mineha looked furious.
“You didn’t have to scare me like that, you know.”
“I know, but you could’ve told me what you were planning.”
“Sorry, dear. The alley was perfect, and letting them lead us was simply more convenient.”
“Haah… fine. So, Mother, what happened to them?”
The men from earlier were now collapsed on the ground, twitching violently.
When we reached the alley, I’d sent a jolt of current through the ground beneath their feet.
Not to brag, but I’ve mastered the Lightning Relic.
Pulling off something like this is child’s play for me.
“I don’t know,” I say.
“This was your doing, wasn’t it, Mother?”
“Yes. I sent a fairly strong current through them, so who knows if they’re alive or dead.
Either way, it doesn’t matter, does it?”
“I… suppose not.”
Alive or dead—it makes no difference.
Even if they are alive, they won’t be moving anytime soon.
The guards will find them eventually.
Considering what they intended to do to us, this is only fair.
That boy was right—this place is dangerous.
“Now then, let’s go.”
“Whoa, what the hell!?”
“What’s going on!?”
“Those guys—!”
Just as we were about to leave, more appeared—one after another.
How annoying.
It’s like cockroaches—see one, and there’s thirty more hiding somewhere.
These ones number about twenty.
“What do you lot want now?”
“Oh, oh, look what we’ve got here.”
“Damn, they really killed those guys, huh?”
“Oh my, oh my—well, I don’t really care if they’re dead.”
“Mother?”
I was getting irritated.
I didn’t want to waste any more precious time with my daughter.
So I took out my beloved spear—
a silver weapon with four black wings and a yellow band inscribed with black runes.
And I chanted:
“‘Fairy Ordinance,’ Article One — In the name of the Fairy Empress,
let all fools bow before me.”
The moment I swung the spear down, every man dropped to the ground, prostrating in agony.
“Guh—gaaah!”
“Gyaaah!”
“Gaaaahhh!”
“Gyaaaaa!”
“Guhhhhhh!”
Such filthy, pitiful screams.
“So this is your Relic, Mother…”
“Mineha. Now we can finally go. I’m starving.”
“Mother, are you just going to leave them here?”
“Don’t worry. Someone will clean up the mess.”
“…”
Don’t make that face, dear.
You’re dazzlingly beautiful—enough to make others jealous.
But it’s fine if you don’t surpass me in allure…
At least, not yet.