Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou

The Charm of Flour Dishes is Terrifying

「Uu, thank youu~, really thank youu~. I don’t wanna go into interrogation room anymore……」

「N-no. I only make our identity clear so……」

Even though their tone and attitude were courteous, the policemen were surrounding Kousuke with pressure that would brook no argument.

There was no comparison between their strength, and Kousuke had so many options to choose if he wanted to flee, but it was a mystery why it was so hard for him to resist against the pressure.

Or rather, why was his presence that was usually the equivalent of dead didn’t work only when it was against policemen?

Perhaps the cause was the timidity of Kousuke who had never got rid of his lower middle class mentality no matter how many carnages he had struggled through. Or perhaps it was because of the officers’ determination to carry out their professional duties.

In any case, Kousuke had become half detached from reality at that time but, a timely help arrived before the policemen asked him to go along with them for a questioning with absolutely no intention of letting him got away.

Actually there was one more person who accompanied him in the mission this time.

Zhu was just too depressed (?), in despair of the world (?), in rage……(?), anyway, she was emotionally unstable, so that person dashed to a nearby convenience story to see if she could at least give Zhu some kind of tasty drink.

That person returned just as a policeman’s hand reached toward his radio to call for backup. She explained their identity to the policemen, and also used her ability a little to make suggestion to their minds and somehow avoided Kousuke from going to his second interrogation room visitation.

「I’m sorry……I’ve troubled you there, Liu.」

「No, Nee-sama. It’s not any trouble at all……」

Yes, it was the “words of power specialist” who was formerly from “Shadow Monk”, and called Zhu fondly as “Nee-sama” ──Liu.

Her bob cut black hair and big and round eyes made her looked quite adorable. There was also her petite build that didn’t really suit her suited figure.

In fact, her actual age was 16 years old. She was a cycle younger than Zhu.

Even so Liu had adjutant-like position in Shadow Monk because other than “words of power”, she also had excellent talent in linguistics, and her administration ability along with her plan devising ability were high. She was an extraordinarily talented woman.

Even without cheat ability like “Language Comprehension” that was possessed by Kousuke and classmates, she was already able to speak six languages like native speaker in her age, and if it included her ability to differentiate between American English and Britain English, and the different regional dialects within China’s domestic, it could be said that she was able to handle twelve languages which was astonishing.

Originally the policemen before this too would be suspecting a lot more things based on Liu’s appearance, but the moment they heard her voice that was pleasant to a mysterious degree, her suggestion smoothly took root in their minds and they withdrew.

「Or rather, both Shen Yuan(Abyss)-dono and Nee-sama are carrying your own identification, so why didn’t you show them then?」

Both Kouzuke and Zhu were carrying their identification from the response division. It showed that they had the same affiliation with the policemen’s parent organization. Kousuke was like an outside collaborator, but Zhu was officially affiliated with the parent organization although she was a temporary transfer, so position-wise they were actually above the policemen.

And so, all the suspicions should be cleared if they simply showed their identification and made up a vague explanation but……

「Welll, it’s something that I received after the Onmyou Bureau got formed, so I’m still not in the habit of showing ID like that.」

「My mind was full with enduring the humiliation that I received from this man.」

Apparently it was something like that. To this even Kousuke’s eyes turned staring fixedly at her.

Zhu-san who was still being held in princess carry glared back. You wanna say something you bastard, it was that kind of expression. Coming from an extraordinary beauty that glare had intensity behind it. Kousuke averted his gaze quietly. Weak…

I won! Zhu wore such fearless smile but, it reversed. She noticed Liu’s gaze and immediately casted her eyes down awkwardly.

「Don’t look at me who’s like this, Liu……」

「Nee-sama……you don’t need to make a face of someone who despaired after everything she has is taken away like that……although, as expected isn’t that rude toward Shen Yuan-dono?」

Zhu went Uu at a loss for words after her protegee admonished her with a wry smile.

「B-but, he should just leave me alone! It would take time but I’ll be able to dispel this with my own strength!」

「There’s no way I can just leave my ally behind even though she won’t be able to move for three or four hours right……」

This woman is really obstinate huh, Kousuke thought with an exasperated face. Perhaps she herself was aware of that. Zhu sullenly looked aside, while Liu sighed. But putting that aside, Kousuke also had something he wanted to say to Liu and faced her with a fixed stare.

「Say, I want you to stop calling me that Shen Yuan-dono though. Why are you obstinately keep calling me that even though I have asked that many times? Hey, why?」

「? Wasn’t it you yourself who introduced yourself like that?」

「Y-yeah, that’s true isn’t it? But, that was me when in a slightly not normal state should I say, okay?」

「Queer movement, weird gesture and speech, numerous abilities that feels completely like a joke. And yet, we got cornered into annihilation while still not understanding what was going on, it’s still a bit traumatizing……」

「Sorry for that!」

「I’m still even getting dream of black shadow flooding out from the abyss……」

「I’m really sorry!」

「But, you’re reliable now that you’re an ally. Therefore, I hope you will allow me to call you like that as a sign of respect in my own way.」

「H-hm~m……」

Somehow, he got the feeling that he was getting cajoled.

Perhaps because she was a user of words of power and a linguist genius, Liu also excelled in the art of conversation itself. Even in the previous missions, Kousuke was deeply impressed by her skill in distracting or questioning other with only her conversation skill. Just how many people had avoided the fate of turning into villager thanks to her……

「T-then it can’t be helped I guess.」

Although doubting someone who was showing him respect with a straightforward gaze was also making him felt bad. And so, Kousuke gave in completely like usual at the end.

「……As I thought, you should stay behind in our country. You shouldn’t come along with someone like me……」

Zhu was watching the exchange between Kousuke and her protegee with her gaze alternately going back and forth between them when she suddenly became dejected.

Certainly, in combat ability and skill as Taoist, Liu was completely inferior to Zhu. Not only that, her rank within the “Shadow Monk” could be found faster by counting from below.

But, Liu had astonishing ability that could cancel that out. She was also still a teenage and had immense room for growth.

Zhu knew that better than anyone, so she must be thinking “it’s my fault” no matter what. Perhaps she was destroying the future of her precious protegee.

「Nee-sama, with all due respect our current role is also important.」

「I know. Amidst the rapidly changing situation of the world, a position that is able to contact the central figure of the returnees and the Onmyou Bureau is vital. It’s also deeply affecting the relationship between the two countries in the future.」

「Then, isn’t it fine for you to not debase yourself like that?」

「I’m not debasing the work itself.」

The cause of her dejection started from when the demon king made her cosplay as maid, then she wanted to get a payback from Kousuke who devastated her force while screwing around like crazy, and yet her effort really didn’t go well.

It was also like that with her miss in the mission this time.

All her efforts were just turning in vain. Unlike when she was in “Shadow Monk”, a lot of things just wouldn’t go well like how she imagined them in her head.

「For me to continuously get saved by a guy like this who like to turn over and over meaninglessly……uu, I’m pathetic-」

「Sorry for turning meaninglessly……I can’t stop it……」

「U-umm Nee-sama? The environment here, the terrain, and even the nature of the people we are facing are all different, so perhaps it can’t be helped that you’re still adapting and a lot of things don’t go well. You’re gradually getting used to here, so it’s only a matter of time until you stop making mistake. ……Though certainly I don’t understand the meaning of Shen Yuan-dono turning on the spot at random……」

「That’s right isn’t it. I myself don’t understand it you know……」

The two women with sisterly bonds continued speaking while ignoring Kousuke who was muttering weakly with dead eyes.

「I’m also keep getting looked down by that kind of little girl……」

「I don’t think that Fujiwara princess is making light of Nee-sama though.」

「No, she’s looking down on me! Certainly I recognize her talent. I don’t know anybody else than me who can invoke a deity to reside into herself. The willpower she’s containing within is also monstrous. But, she’s still green when it comes to real battle! That was why, this me offered to her to instruct her personally, not only that I even offered to help her with her duty, and yet, kuh, she always always refused with that prim face!! How cheeky!」

「C-calm down, Zhu-san.」

She didn’t look like she would stop if she was left alone, So Kousuke asked her to stop while lightly shaking her body up and down with his arms.

That gesture must felt like he was trying to soothe a baby. *Snap* A high speed slap flew from Zhu-san! Emergency evasion! Success! That was dangerous!

「……This is the situation. Making fool of me……」

「A……」

「Ahaha……」

Kousuke looked awkward while Liu let out a wry smile.

Certainly, Zhu originally had considerably high pride. Added with her being in the presence of her protegee who was looking up to her respectfully, certainly it wasn’t unreasonable for her to become dejected like this, perhaps.

Zhu cleared her throat and pulled herself together, then her expression became completely serious as she looked at Liu.

「I have nothing but gratitude to the will of my motherland that still deign to make use of me who should have just be left for death. But, I won’t be able to return to be a shadow of the motherland for the second time.」

It was her pride. Even if she wouldn’t come out to the front stage for her whole life, even if all her achievements that she got from staking her life were buried in the darkness, being a member of the “Shadow Monk” that had protected the country constantly from external enemy in perpetuity regardless of the change in the country’s form or the leader was her pride.

In the world right now where supernatural phenomena was stopping to become special, the importance of “Shadow Monk” would increase markedly.

Then, someone young and overflowing with talent like Liu would definitely be far more treasured than before.

At the very least, rather than being a support of someone like her who had fallen into this state, she definitely should be able to do far more rewarding work and lived in a far more proudful way.

「I think being a shadow or not is not important.」

There were things that she could still do even if she wasn’t a Shadow Monk. No matter what she became, no matter where she was, she would be able to live in a way she could be proud of.

Wasn’t it Nee-sama who taught me that? Liu pleased that sentiment unspokenly. Zhu lightly shook her head.

「I know. I know that……even so, I wanted you to stay behind. I wanted you to live proudly as a Shadow Monk……」

Surely the one who looked forward to Liu’s future as a Shadow Monk more than anyone was Zhu.

That was what Kousuke thought, while feeling shaken that he was put in a situation where a serious talk suddenly began and he had to listen to it in a state where he had to hold one side in princess carry. Eh, what do I do……am I not being a nuisance? He thought.

Liu sent a glance at Kousuke whose gaze was wandering around with such thought, then she looked at Zhu once more. She had a gaze of a person looking at someone troublesome, but there was unequalled gentleness oozing out from somewhere in it.

Liu made a thinking posture for a short time. Then a second later, she gathered strength to put into her words and started talking.

「No, Nee-sama. With all due respect, as I thought I was right to come with you.」

「……I understand that you’re idolizing me. But, your eyes are clouded by your emotion……you should become independent from your elder sister. If only I worked harder to enable you──」

「Because, I never saw Nee-sama acting so spoiled like this to anyone before.」

「………………………………Ha?」

After a long stretch of silence, Zhu finally found a word to say. Or rather it slipped out.

Zhu looked back and forth between Liu who was narrowing her eyes fondly, and Kousuke who was holding her, then she said 「Ha?」 one more time and tilted her head.

「You’re saying, that I’m acting spoiled to this oddball? What repulsive thing are you saying?」

「Can I perhaps ask you to not suddenly stab a sword into my heart?」

「He’s a man who went out of his way to moonwalk in the middle of battle you know? What’s more in disgustingly high speed!」

「C-can I perhaps, a-ask you to not make me aware of my repulsiveness in an ambush like that?」

I’m gonna cry you know? I’m gonna cry reminiscently instead of smile reminiscently you know? Do I still have the mind stabilizing medicine that Emily prescribed me?

「But, Nee-sama. Just how many times had Nee-sama ever express your emotion to this degree when you were with the “Shadow Monk”?」

「That’s……」

「As Zhen Ying, Nee-sama suppressed your emotions to the best of your ability. Even I who was allowed to live together with you had only seen you smile faintly several times.」

「It’s something natural for a shadow of the motherland.」

「Yes. I also endeavored myself to do so. And so I don’t hate Nee-sama’s mask-like face by all means. If I’m to describe it in a worldly way I think Nee-sama is “cool” like that.」

「I-I see……」

「But, I have also never felt disappointed by this “someone like me” Nee-sama just because of that.」

「……」

「As I thought, I love Nee-sama’s smiling face the most. And Nee-sama’s angry face, dejected face, and also happy looking face, I love them all.」

Zhu’s face was tinged red. Her cheeks were slightly blushing.

Kousuke thought. Eeh? As I thought, it feels like I’m super out of place here isn’t it? He hesitated, Should I display my lack of presence to the max here? Should I quietly put Zhu down and retreat?

「I’m able to see a lot of Nee-sama’s expressions……. It’s worth it to follow Nee-sama until now just for that.」

「Liu……」

Oh noes, Liu-chan is so handsome! Onee-chan look conflicted but she can’t completely hide her joy see! Her lips are absurdly hewing and hawing there! This is a love confession if you just consider the words! Kousuke made such tsukkomi in his mind to desperately cover up his pain of being forced to stay quietly in this scene. I’m a power pole. Just a power pole that Zhu-san is leaning on! While also making self-suggestion like that.

「That’s why……perhaps I’ll be scolded as an imprudent fellow for saying this but, I find the current situation likeable. More than when we were in the Shadow Monk. After all I love Nee-sama the most when you’re interacting with Shen Yuan-dono and the Fujiwara princess.」

「……M-muu」

Originally she should give a scolding here. What kind of wimpy thing you’re spewing, certainly she should be angry like that right now. But, Zhu could only pressed her lips on each other tightly. When she recalled back how she behaved when in front of Kousuke and Hinata, she really couldn’t speak back thoughtlessly in respond.

「I understand that you are liking the current situation. No, as expected there are things that I want to say but……it’ll be pointless to say them at this point now that the mask is off……」

Actually this was a matter that they had exchanged heated argument about for many times.

They even had a grand sisterly argument right after she heard that Liu had talked with the upper echelon without permission and resigned from “Shadow Monk”. There was even that time when she negotiated with the upper echelon about Liu’s return without telling Liu herself, and Liu crying for a whole day when she learned of it.

As the result of how it all ended up, the current situation was telling everything about it.

The wish for Liu to contribute to the nation as Shadow Monk, and for her to be raised to an exceptional human although in the underworld was in the end Zhu’s wish. If her little sister made a decision on her own and the upper echelon recognized it, then certainly this could be called a mischievous rehash.

And so, she put aside her sentiment that still couldn’t come to fully accept Liu’s choice.

「But! Take back your statement about being spoiled!」

She couldn’t concede of this one. She was currently being held in princess carry so there was already a crack in her persuasiveness from the start, but she had to insist with firm determination!

Liu went 「Hm~m」 as she pressed her index finger on her lips. She showed a thinking posture again for a bit.

「Nee-sama’s relationship with Shen Yuan-dono, and also with Fujijwara princess, how should I describe them. I’m still unable to gauge it but……」

Relationship where they only had matching interest would be the correct way to describe it on the surface, but if that was all then Zhu would still be iron masked just like before.

She thought it also wasn’t something like love. Nobody knew how the future would unfold, but at the very least there wasn’t any atmosphere of her being head over heels.

Friend, comrade, she felt those words were also lacking to describe it.

Calling them as mere coworker was too distant to describe it. And most of all that would be a bit lonely.

「If I’m going to describe this close relationship honestly, then perhaps it’s “wanting to be recognized by the other side”, or “rival” perhaps.」

「Mu……」

At the very least, Hinata who was always treating anyone anywhere with polite bearing was strangely biting, or perhaps businesslike only toward Zhu. In that respect too, the description from Liu would be the best fit to describe how both sides were perceiving each other.

It seemed Zhu also was unable to object right away. She could only groan. Kousuke sent her a surprised gaze.

「At the very least, Nee-sama recognize the strength of those two and trust them as a person. That’s all I know.」

「Trust, you say……?」

「Yes. This degree of selfishness, unreasonableness, venting, they all should be forgiven if it’s with those two, that kind of trust.」

「Y-you’re wrong! I just can’t stomach these guys, really! Even Fujiwara Hinata, she must be a cheeky little girl──」

「I think that’s impossible though……」

「Impossible!? What’s your basis for that!」

「Because, Nee-sama. You’re here right now because of the motherland’s order you know?」

To act as the contact person with Japan that China was building a cooperative relationship with, at least for now. If there was no sugarcoating it then they were open agents with the objective of gathering information of the response department and the returnees. That was Zhu and Liu’s current position.

Then, there was no way Zhu who possessed unshakeable patriotism would do a foolish act that might invite a worsening of the relationship, and repeatedly at that.

In other words, she had the confidence that what she was doing wouldn’t lead to worsening relationship. To put it another way she had trust on them.

「Uh, guuh」

She could just barely make guu sound in respond. Apparently she couldn’t form any rebuttal against Liu’s logic. Liu’s eyes narrowed kindly again.

「That’s exactly why, Nee-sama want to be recognized by Shen Yuan-dono and Fujiwara princess isn’t it? To show that you yourself is also worthy of trust.」

They were manipulated and almost harmed not only the innocent people of this country but also their own country. She couldn’t say thanks enough for being stopped.

Not to mention they were given choice to fight together at the last battle. Her gratitude for that was so great she didn’t know how to repay it.

She recognized their strength. Although her opponent possessed a talent that was equal or superior to herself, and she was in a simple state of mind that could only rush recklessly due to the brainwashing, she still couldn’t match her after making an all-out effort. It was only natural.

But, even more than that, the two’s characters were something that Zhu thought fondly about regardless of whatever she said. Even though things like pride or complicated feelings got in her way and made her become all sort of twisted.

Or rather, if only she didn’t be made to do maid cosplay at the beginning of her transfer here, she felt like she would be able to interact with them normally. Since that day her emotions had become strange from shame.

She got the faint feeling that if she stayed as the cool self that Liu also mentioned, she would be able to express her gratitude with a little bit more honesty.

In other words, the root of all evil was the demon king.

「Aa~, how should I say it, thanks for trusting us?」

Kousuke smiled with a bit of bashfulness.

Zhu’s gaze wandered around. But immediately after, she suddenly glared up at Kousuke. And as soon as their eyes met, *kyuu~* she turned red. Of course it wasn’t because of anything romantic, it was simply from embarrassment from her feeling of 「Actually I trust you as a person」 getting exposed.

「Arrive──Fei Jiang(飛僵)!」

She suddenly took out a charm. What she summoned was a shikigami of hers──Fei Jiang. A high ranked reanimated corpse that was also an ancestor of Zhu who excelled in martial art.

He was a powerful person who outdid Kousuke purely in hand-to-hand combat. He snatched away his clan’s youngest daughter with the skillfulness like catching a sword barehanded.

「Don’t misunderstand」

「Y-yes?」

「I certainly trust you. But, that’s only to the strength of you and that little girl! I only show my respect toward that strength that took us down! It’s no more and no less than that! Understand!」

「O-ou」

Wonder why. The expression of Fei Jiang who was holding Zhu in princess carry was expressionless, but for some reason it also looked like the expression of a grandpa who was watching over a troublesome granddaughter……

「Also Liu! We need to talk later! Prepare yourself!」

「Yes, Nee-sama!」

Even though there was clearly a lecturing waiting for her, Liu’s expression was happy.

That was why, Zhu could only spit out a cursing 「Good grief」 and left. She ordered Fei Jiang to go to the back alley where a gate was planned to be opened and he quickly rushed there.

「I’ve recognized and relied on her since a long time ago though.」

Kousuke scratched his head while muttering to himself.

In fact, he never looked down on her or anything. Zhu’s strength was the real deal. Even though it was still no time at all since not only her living environment, but also her way of life itself went through a drastic change, she had even learned Japanese and also doing numerous works of this and that.

It was also the same with Hinata. Actually Zhu and her had been doing something like technique comparison periodically, but the result was astonishingly Hinata having more loss than win, although they weren’t giving it their all because it was just a mock battle.

Hinata was superior in raw strength, but there what they called experience point played a part as expected. Choice of technique, the way to form strategy, etc, Zhu was overwhelming Hinata in all those respects and many times she never allowed Hinata to fully display her strength.

That was why Hinata too would say something like 「That was a good practice」 with a prim face, but inside she was feeling really vexed and something like feeling of rivalry would seep out from her only when she was with Zhu.

But, just like that time, when they were miraculously fighting back to back in the sea of trees, she certainly trusted Zhu as someone who was worthy for her to trust her back with.

「How soft-hearted. We are in the position to stab everyone from the back if an order from our motherland come you know?」

「But conversely speaking, you two can be trusted as long as there’s no order from that motherland right?」

「I think you can say it like that because you’re strong though.」

「Ahaha, I wonder about that. I think perhaps that’s because I’m also the same. If it’s necessary for my friends or family, then I’ll also fight against anyone.」

「……I see.」

If it was necessary than Kousuke and others would bare their fang, even if it was against her motherland or Japan itself. He wasn’t cooperating with the response department based on loyalty.

Perhaps it’s hard to understand for “Shadow Monk” that has strong patriotism as their foundation……Kousuke thought with a wry smile.

But, what came back was an unexpected response.

「Then, you’re the same like me.」

「Hm?」

「I too, will fight against anyone if it’s for Nee-sama after all.」

「I see……hm? Eh?」

For a moment, he was about to accept it as her simply being that close with Zhu but he immediately got taken aback. If, she was saying it in the same meaning like him, then Liu was saying that if it was necessary, even if it was against her motherland she……

Thinking really really carefully, wasn’t it strange that she “resigned from Shadow Monk”?

That question suddenly flashed at the back of Kousuke’s head.

In the first place could a member from a hidden organization of a country resigned that easily and move to other country on top of that?

Thinking back of the covert operative who was disguised as Hinata’s mother, wouldn’t she be able to take the role as Zhu’s support even while still wearing Shadow Monk’s mask? Their countries were collaborating with each other, so the response department too would be able to understand and accept such person.

In that case, what was the point of Liu leaving “Shadow Monk”?

「Say」

「Yes」

「When you resigned from Shadow Monk, was it, really troublesome?」

「Let’s see……when negotiating with them I gave them two choices, either to pointlessly lose a personnel, or to help so Nee-sama’s new work can produce the maximum result. I stro~ongly stuck on that point.」

「O-ou. Is that so……」

「Yes-. I broke down myself quite much in order to make them understand how serious I am but, it wasn’t in vain it and they accepted it. I would be in that world already if I didn’t receive healing technique.」

Kousuke thought.

Heavy-! This girl’s feeling toward Zhu-san, it’s super heavy though!? Or rather, it’s scary!

Liu herself must not be seriously thinking that she could win against the upper echelon in her disobedience. That was why, she naturally staked her life.

In fact, Kousuke didn’t know just what kind of talk took place but, if it was summarized with sugarcoating──I’ll rather die than not being able to stay with Nee-sama! It would be something like that perhaps.

Liu herself was a young and talented woman with promising future.

Certainly, it would be nothing but loss if she died pointlessly. Conversely, her linguistic capability and art of conversation would shine the brightest in information gathering abroad. There would be no problem with placing her at Zhu’s side itself.

「But, if that’s the case then you can just take the mission to stay at her side, no need to resign──」

「I, was sold by my actual parents. When I was small」

Kousuke thought.

Heavy-!? This girl, her early stage of life is just as super heavy as her feelings for her big sis though!?

Liu ignored Kousuke who couldn’t find anything to say and continued speaking dispassionately as though it was nothing at all.

「The Taoists of Shadow Monk are mostly people who came from venerable lineage. But, sometimes people with great aptitude also got born from common family because of something like atavism. In my case, it seemed I was unconsciously using words of power and caused trouble for other people……」

「I, I see?」

「And, my parents were apparently terrified of me. They treated me like apparition.」

「Y-you don’t need……to say the specific.」

「A wise judgment, thank you very much. And, someone from Shadow Monk came when they heard the rumor and scouted me. And, my parents who thought that there wouldn’t be any hardship for them if only I wasn’t born and had been accumulating pent-up resentment seemed to think that it wouldn’t be worth it if they can’t at least earn some money from it.」

「……What a shithead」

「Fufu, thank you very much.」

Liu thought that Kousuke was soft-hearted just as she thought seeing that he was seriously feeling indignation like that for her, even so she didn’t dislike that. She smiled slightly while,

「And, what was awaiting for me after getting scouted was a continuous life of confinement and gagging other than when it was time for training. I was also forced to do the training until I vomited blood, and there was also repeated resistance training that was no different from torture in order to build resistance against curse──」

Kousuke thought.

It’s hopeless with this girl! Her life is too hard mode even though she’s still 16!! Everything was just too heavy to listen without any mental preparation!

Liu seemed to sense that thought of Kousuke from his paling expression and quickly finished her gruesome life story. She spoke while smiling wryly.

「It’s an organization has inherited curses in an unbroken line until now after all. It’s not an organization of justice with spotless integrity. Although, naturally there are also people there who can make the evaluation of “it’s hard to accept” seeing such treatment against a kid who wasn’t even born in a family of Taoist.」

「Well, an organization that has lasted for long would naturally have a difference in opinion within. Difference breed faction. Was the people who took in Liu from the radical faction?」

「It’s exactly as you say.」

“Words of power” itself as a technique was categorized as impossible to reproduce to some degree, but it would be a different story for genius who could specialize in words of power since birth. It opened a lot of doors for future prospects.

In that case, it wouldn’t be strange for people who wished to secretly raise such child as a trump card to make the opinion of their faction to be easier to be accepted to appear.

In other words, Liu’s luck was thoroughly bad.

「What I want to say is, it was Nee-sama who saved me from such situation.」

「Based from the flow of the story, was Zhu from an opposing faction?」

「Good discernment. Furthermore, she’s from a distinguished family among distinguished families that have several family members among the upper echelon. Her lineage is of the highest rank as a Daoist, furthermore she was a child prodigy with promised bright future.」

「If it was like that then she must have influence too.」

「Precisely.」

The result went without saying. Liu regained her life as human. Not only that, she even got adopted as Zhu’s little sister and treated well like a biological little sister.

「It might be surprising but, at first Nee-sama planned to let me out from Shadow Monk. She said that it still wasn’t too late for me, that I could live under the sunlight.」

「I see……so Liu being a Shadow Monk was firmly because of your own will huh. You wanted to be of help for your sister?」

She had remained in an organization that had forced training and life style that trampled on her human dignity by her own will. There was no need to even imagine what could possibly be the cause for her to harbor such feeling.

「I’m also genuine in saying that she was cool. It’s a sense of value that I still don’t understand really well but, Nee-sama who put her life on the line for the country, and for the people living in it looked radiant despite living in the shadow.」

What was important for the person she loved was also important for herself. That was the source of patriotism for Liu.

But, in the end it was an indirect source, so

「My motherland is Nee-sama. Nee-sama is none other than the person at the center of my world.」

It was intolerable for her to stay in an organization that didn’t have her most important person in the world.

Her Nee-sama would have to live in a foreign land, furthermore amidst the people who she had opposed even though she was being manipulated at that time. Just what kind of treatment would she receive there?

Result-wise it was just her needless fear but, she was really really worried that she couldn’t endure it.

「That’s my reason for resigning from Shadow Monk.」

「I see now.」

Somehow, Kousuke was reminded of the exorcist Aziz. He too spent a gruesome childhood. He was saved from that by Claudia and accepted by her like a little brother.

Both had relatively severe siscon. Coincidentally he was currently staying in Japan, perhaps they might hit it off if he introduced these two together once more including their circumstance? ……No, would they argue about which big sister was more wonderful? While he was slightly thinking of such thing,

「In any case, Shen Yuan-dono. Thank you very much for accepting Nee-sama. The way you, the Fujiwara princess, and the people of the response division has been treating Nee-sama is truly beyond expectations. If our current life is build above the peace between our countries, then I──Liu swear that I shall put my life on the line in order to maintain it.」

「Hm, well, there’s nothing better than the two countries being in good relationship. After hearing something like this then I too don’t want to get into hostility with the two of you even more. I’ll also do my best so that the situation doesn’t get worse.」

「Thank you very much-, Shen Yuan-dono!」

Liu put on a smile that looked genuinely happy,

She must be honest in saying that her current life was important for her. It was a heavy story but he was glad to hear it. Liu telling him this was surely because Liu herself too was putting that much trust on Kousuke and others.

He himself had a little sister, so somehow there was also a feeling of kinship welling up inside him.

That was why, he unconsciously spoke words that sounded like a preaching.

「But, Liu too mustn’t do anything reckless okay? After all something like self-sacrifice will only create unhappiness most of the time.」

He implicitly warned her that no matter what kind of reason she had, she shouldn’t do something like chopping up herself anymore.

Liu’s expression became awkward, but she immediately changed her expression.

「I’ll take those words to heart. I’m not lying when I say that I’m enjoying my current life with Nee-sama, so I won’t rashly harm myself anymore. Please don’t worry.」

「I see. Then that’s fine.」

「Yes. There’s also something fun awaiting me right after this.」

「Is that so?」

「I had ordered food to be delivered to the response department! A tendon (tempura donburi) that’s famously delicious! By the way, today is my tenth day eating tendon in succession!」

「You’re doing tendon with damn tendon-」 (TN: Other than an abbreviation of tempura donburi, tendon is also term used in comedy as repeating the same gag in Japan)

「I ordered extra large portion. Also in my day off the day after tomorrow I’m planning to bring Nee-sama going around popular restaurants! I’m making preparation for when our stomach burst from eating too much-」

「You’re really damn looking forward to it-」

「I’m glad I quit Shadow Monk!!」

「That’s not your real intention right!?」

「By the way, Nee-sama got addicted to “flour dishes” during the business trip in Osaka the other day. She’s already eating things like okonomiyaki or Takoyaki for twelve days straight.」

「Here’s an outrageous leak!」

「I’ll follow your plan for the next outing, the next outing after that will absolutely be an okonomiyaki restaurant tour you hear me-. I also want to compare the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki! Nee-sama when desperately insisting like that was the cutest ever!!」

「The big sister too was damn enjoying the current lifestyle on her own way-」

It seemed there wasn’t really any need for him to worry about these sisters.

「However, flour dishes is that isn’t it? It’s said that the taste has addictiveness, and how its easiness in making you eat too much of it make woman cry.」

「Making woman cry? What do you mean by that?」

「Recently, Nee-sama’s waist area is a bit squishy──」

「LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUUUUUUUUUUUU—!!」

A ghastly shriek resounded from the back alley.

There was Nee-sama crawling on the ground with her forelocks dangling forward like Sadak*-san from a certain cursed video there. Behind her Fei Jiang was running in panic toward her.

Thinking really really carefully, even though she had left immediately it was Kousuke who was in charge of opening the gate. If the two of them hadn’t caught up to her no matter how long she waited, it was only natural for her to think 「Why aren’t they coming?」 and came back.

It was then she apparently heard the unbelievable disclosure from her little sister and spontaneously jumped down from Fei Jiang.

「I’m sorry, Nee-sama!」

「Lecture! It’s lecture! I’ll lecture you thoroughly tonighttt!!」

「Yes, happily!」

「Don’t be happy!!」

Fei Jiang carried up Zhu once more. That Zhu’s gaze caught Kousuke. The area around her eyes were a bit red.

「I’m not squishy or anything!」

「Ah, yes.」

「I’ll curse you if you spread any slanderous rumor!」

「O-of course -ssu」

Zhu huffed angrily and vanished into the back alley once more.

Kousuke followed behind her while he suddenly noticed. Come to think of it, there wasn’t any sign of other people at all while he was talking with Liu.

(Or rather, there isn’t a soul around……ah, could it be)

When he glanced at Liu beside him, Liu winked back at him. Sly. But cute. But putting that aside, it seemed that she was using technique to clear out people.

There were always other people around when they returned to the response division. They would have to choose the place there to talk openly with each other, but that would also attract attention. Attention of people who couldn’t get affected by the technique used here.

(As I thought this girl is simply capable huh. How should I say it, she’s awfully thoughtful like this, or she’s skilled in supporting other……)

Just like Zhu said, Liu certainly had a promising future.

「Come, let’s go, Shen Yuan-dono. The tendon is waiting.」

「Yes yes. But still, you signified a time if you asked for the order to be send on certain time right? If it’s going to be sent after work hour then we still have time.」

「No? I’ll eat while writing the report. I’m hungry right now after all.」

「So free!? Recently I’m not visiting the division often so I don’t know but, could it be it’s always like that there?」

「Everyone in the division is kind. Sometimes they’d told me to eat a lot and treated me to delicious food.」

「They’re like neighborhood people spoiling children-」

It seemed that Liu-chan was really being doted on by the personnel of the response division. There was also her actual age at play here.

There, he suddenly thought.

She was words of power specialist. A young agent with natural gift in linguistics. Her art of conversation was extremely excellent.

Also, she was a severe siscon. Her big sister’s duty was also including building a good relationship and gathering information.

(Eh, wait……don’t tell me don’t tell me……she’s intentionally earning affection point, something like that……)

Could it be, her candidly speaking of her life story and feeling was also a move from her to entice Kousuke?

Such suspicious suddenly flashed at the back of his head. Kousuke unconsciously glanced at Liu.

Then,

「Ahaha. As expected was it too sly?」

「Nnn, I didn’t want to be right in this-」

「But, I’m not lying that I want to get along better with everyone. In order to maintain our current lifestyle, and also for the sake of the two countries’ relationship. That’s why, open the door of your heart more and more, and give me a loot of information please!」

「That’s too frank!」

「I’m going to spit out all of it anyway if I got turned into a villager, so I decide to be upfront with Shen Yuan-dono. Of course, if you never notice then that’ll be good too.」

「The way you turn defiant is extreme. You’re far scarier than I thought.」

Sometimes she messed around childishly, sometimes she acted a role and made even her opponent danced on her palm. Therefore she was “Ying Hu(Frolicking Shadow)”.

Formerly I was an agent that was given such name after all, Liu said with a mischievous smile.

「Frightening girl」

「I’m honored!」

Everyone in the response division was veteran. They including Hattori must know what Liu was doing and they still were doting on her.

But when he imagined her growing up and becoming even more charming, indeed. As expected she had a promising future.

(This is, if everyone isn’t given some heads-up, there might be someone who will end up completely led around by the nose. No, there’s Hattori-san there, so he should be warning everyone already……)

While he was thinking something like that with a wry smile, 「Cut it out! You two keep talking while leaving me alone!」 Zhu yelled angrily like that while radiating a sad atmosphere from being left out, so this time they hurriedly went to the back alley.

Kousuke connected a gate to a room that was set up in the response division’s floor.

They finished teleporting without any problem.

Like that, when he opened the response division’s room’s door while saying 「Thanks for your hard work~!」 and entered──

「Liu-san! Welcome back! What a coincidence! I also just finished with my part-time!」

Aikawa Noboru who sometimes was doing part-time in the response division because he was aspiring to be employed here in the future welcomed them back with a smile so wide it was creepy.

Kousuke covered his face with his hands.

(Someone’s already got enticee~~~~dd!!)

Zhu’s eyes were rising. Also, Liu-chan, her eyes were twitching slightly?

In any case, it seemed that a questioning was required.

.

AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

It looks like I won’t be able to secure a lot of time for writing next week, so I’m planning to rest next week. I’m sorry but, best regards.

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