𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
They stayed for a day, but nothing visited the village.
If they stay for two more days and no demon appears, they’ll move to the next village.
Esterize and his group used the village’s community center as their lodging, while Albero and his team were allowed to use an empty house in the village.
The girls stayed in the vacant house, and Albero and Kid set up tents outside. . . . . .Honestly, it wasn’t much different from camping.
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Esterize’s group was always holding meetings inside the community center, leaving the village’s security and surveillance duties entirely to Albero’s group. Fugil seemed apologetic, but he couldn’t go against Oswald and Esterize. . . . . .Moreover, Fugil himself was busy taking care of personal matters for Esterize’s group.
It seemed like Yorha might join the meeting, but. . . . . .Sanbalt refused. Yorha was treated as one of the S-Class Summoners and no longer had the status of royalty.
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Another day passed.
As Ridelle patrolled the village, she noticed a group of children around ten years old playing.
The boys were swinging sticks pretending to be swordsmen, while the girls had their Summoned beasts beside them, chatting happily.
Moved by this heartwarming scene, Ridelle decided to stop for a moment.
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“Hello. What are you all doing?”
“Wow! Cool people!”
“Wow, that lady looks cool!”
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The boys, still holding their sticks, and the girls, cradling their Summoned beasts, approached Ridelle.
While Ridelle was embarrassed being called 『cool』, she responded maturely.
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“Haha. Thank you. Oh, what a cute Summoned beast.”
“Hehe.”
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The girls held small 『juvenile』 Summoned beasts.
A Summoned beast grows as its summoner matures. Ashe’s Gryphon started out the size of a small bird but grew large enough to carry people.
However, some don’t grow. They are called 『pets』, small and not very useful, often referred to as 『dud Summoned beasts』.
The girls had little birds, puppies, kittens, and weasel-like Summoned beasts. It’s unknown whether these are 『pets』 or ones that will grow.
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“This one’s called Momoko.”
“Mine is Ami.”
“Hehe, this one’s Popon.”
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The children showed off their Summoned beasts.
Ridelle petted each one carefully. . . . . .they were all fluffy and adorable.
Then, the boys exclaimed,
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“Hey, nee-chan! You’re a super-strong summoner from Asgard Kingdom, right? Teach me!”
“Hey, me too!!”
“Me as well!”
“Whoa, haha. . . . . .Do you all want to become strong?”
“””Yeah!!”””
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The boys raised their wooden sticks in unison.
Boys will be boys, Ridelle thought, chuckling.
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“My Summoned beast is amazing!”
“So is mine! Come on!”
“And mine too!”
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The boys summoned swords, spears, and twin blades.
These were beautifully decorated 『Equipment-type』 Summoned beasts, but they seemed too challenging for kids to handle.
That’s why they practiced with wooden sticks.
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“When I grow up, I’m gonna be a soldier in the Asgard Kingdom!”
“Me too!”
“I’m going on a 『warrior’s pilgrimage』 journey!”
“. . . . . . . . . . . .Alright.”
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Ridelle had a younger brother and sister.
Her brother’s summoned beast was a dagger.
She remembered how her father used to say he’d become a great warrior, but her brother would laugh and say, “I want to be like dad.” Her sister seemed to have just recently laughed at hearing that.
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“Do you all want to become strong?”
“””Yeah!!”””
“Then. . . . . .remember. That strength is to protect someone, not to hurt. It’s power for protection.”
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Saying that, Ridelle looked at the girls.
The boys were also looking at the girls, blushing a little.
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“My power came because I couldn’t protect something precious. So. . . . . .well, it’s a complicated story.”
“I don’t really get it, but Nee-chan, you’re cool!”
“Yeah, yeah. Onee-san is cool!”
“T, Thank you. . . . . .”
“Hey, show us your summoned beast, Onee-san!”
“Eh? Well, just a little bit.”
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The kids’ sparkling eyes were dazzling, and Ridelle reluctantly struck a pose.
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“Run━━『Red Queen』!!”
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Ridelle’s legs transformed, turning red and metallic.
Armor plates shifted, springs expanded and contracted, gears meshed and rotated. Electric sparks flew from thin cords, liquid flowed through thin tubes. Expanding steel made a squeaking sound, and steam hissed out.
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“”””””Woahhhhh!!!””””””
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Excited, the children approached to get a closer look at Ridelle’s legs.
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“That’s so cool!”
“Can, can we touch it?”
“Onee-san is amazing!”
“Wow!!”
“What model is this?”
“It looks tough!!”
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The children’s excitement continued for a while.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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In the end, no demons appeared.
Oswald and the others were talking to the village chief at the entrance, preparing to leave.
Albero and the rest waited, ready to depart on their horse carriage.
Then, the children. . . . . .
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“”””””Onee-san, come back again!!!””””””
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The children waved at Albero’s horse carriage.
Albero opened the window of the carriage.
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“What? . . . . . .Onee-san? Is it Ashe?”
“No, it’s Ridelle, right?”
“Yeah. Can I?”
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Ridelle switched places with Albero and waved to the children.
Then, one child approached the horse carriage.
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“Onee-san, I want to give you this!”
“Eh?”
“Hehe. A drawing of cool Onee-san!”
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It was a drawing that looked like Ridelle.
Her legs were red, in a posed stance.
“. . . . . .Thank you.”
“Yeah!! Onee-san, see you!”
“Yeah. See you.”
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Then, the horse carriage departed.
Ridelle looked at the drawing she received, wiping away tears that were about to fall.
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“Hehe.. . . . . .Somehow, I’m happy.”
“What did you do to those brats?”
“Don’t call them brats!! I just showed them something cool.”
“. . . . . .?”
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Kid tilted his head.
Albero and the others exchanged glances and tilted their heads as well.
Ridelle carefully wrapped the received painting and asked KuroPiyo to store it.
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“I think I’ll come to this village again. Hehe, it’s starting to feel fun.”
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Saying that, Ridelle smiled as she looked at the receding village from the window of the horse carriage.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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However, Ridelle’s wish would never come true.
For the village was destroyed three days after Albero and the others left.
Everything was burned to the ground, and it’s said that not even the bones of the villagers remained.
Translator’s Blog
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