𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎: 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞!

Naturally, or rather unsurprisingly, the trio of Asuka, Miliaria, and Meisha became famous.

They were prominently featured in illustrated newspapers, with cute illustrations that were thirty percent more adorable than the real thing adorning the pages.

And the three girls, who are easily carried away, are grinning as they gaze at it.

By the way, Asuka bought ten copies, Miliaria bought five, and Meisha bought seven.

What do I mean? The number of illustrated newspapers featuring them that they bought up.

It’s the epitome of wasteful spending.

Even newspapers aren’t cheap.

At most, they should have kept it to three copies for viewing, preserving, and spreading the word.

“Although, I can’t really talk about wasteful spending myself.”

・・・

『”𝘈𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮” – 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯s𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘸i𝘵𝘩 “𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴” 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 “𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴”.』

・・・

One day, I was visiting General Kytes’ mansion.

I had a confirmation of a previous request, and another new request.

“I’m really sorry for bothering you so many times, General.”

“It’s fine. I quite enjoy having you owe me. I plan to have you repay me eventually.”

“Yes. When that time comes, I’ll try to repay you with a little interest.”

“I’ll wait without expecting.”

The general laughs heartily.

In the spacious inner courtyard of the grand mansion, under a pavilion.

Despite being a pavilion, it seems to cost more than our clan’s hut, but that comparison is probably meaningless.

After all, no matter how many times you multiply zero, the answer is still zero.

“So, about that matter.”

“No problem. I released him in the form of a pardon. Of course, in my name. There’s no element that would reveal Lionel’s involvement.”

“But?”

“That guy might have noticed. His eyes were like those of a wounded beast.”

The general smirks.

“If it were me, I would kill him right away to avoid future trouble,” he adds.

But his eyes clearly seemed to be enjoying the situation.

He must have been somewhat interested in the fact that he was still fighting, even though he was at rock bottom.

“He might come after your life eventually.”

“I’ll fight back when that happens. It’s like, a matter of principle.”

“You’re a strange man.”

Without expressing any further thoughts, the general urges me to continue.

I nodded lightly.

The real issue starts here. The previous conversation was just a preface or confirmation, or rather, a relatively unimportant part.

“There are some fools who pour all their wealth into the operation funds for trivial matters.”

Please leave me alone.

Anyway, that’s not the important part.

“I assume you’ve heard about the recent incident, General.”

“Hmm. You did a great job.”

The trio of [Hope] are being celebrated, featured in newspapers, and have become somewhat famous.

On the other hand, Anita’s position is delicate.

Of course, she is being sympathized with. People say it must have been hard for her. But at the same time, she is also exposed to curious gazes.

What’s worse, it seems she no longer has a place in the company she belongs to.

The company that produced the seven rapists is, to put it mildly, on the brink of bankruptcy. It’s not the company’s fault at all, but that’s how public opinion works.

And Anita, who caused this situation, is being blamed by the employees.

It’s pure resentment.

It’s pure nitpicking.

According to their logic, it would have been better if she had just endured it in silence.

Well, that’s probably what they think.

If they might lose their jobs because Anita was saved, they probably can’t pretend to be good people. I’m sure.

“So, I want you to extend a helping hand to her, General.”

Specifically, I want you to introduce her to a merchant in the Kytes family, or even hire her in this mansion. Anyway, I want you to provide her with a way to live.

That’s my request.

“That’s a small request, and it would also enhance my reputation, so I’m not stingy about granting it. But wouldn’t it be faster to hire her in your clan, Lionel?”

The general asks, resting his right hand on his lower jaw.

Yes.

That’s exactly right.

That’s exactly right, but there’s a reason I can’t do it.

“I don’t have the money. . . to hire her. . .”

It’s a painful response.

Our clan [Hope] is poor. Very poor. Our clan’s savings are almost zero. It’s all going to the repair and maintenance of the clan hut.

It’s tough.

“I always wonder, why does a strategist like you live such a poor life? If you wish, you could easily get a government position.”

I have a letter of recommendation from General Kytes, and frankly, I’m sure Count Doros, the lord of Gaillia, would welcome me with decent treatment.

But, I can’t just abandon Asuka and the others and only think about my own success.

Until they become top-class adventurers. . . until they become. . . can they even become top-class? Can they even become competent?

Ugh. . . my head. . .

“I’m their. . . their teacher.”

“I get it, I get it. You don’t have to cry while declaring your determination. Being a mother is tough, isn’t it?”

I was patted on the shoulder with very warm eyes.

Even the general sees me as a mother. Me.

It makes me want to cry.

“If you’re so short on money, should I put out a request for you while you’re in the capital?”

“Please! I would appreciate it!”

I jumped at the general’s words with a bitter smile.

After all, it’s a request for me.

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