n

n

n“Although Pauline probably says『This is my personal problem』but since this problem will affect Pauline, it will also be our problem.

nEven if they don’t hire these guys to raid us” (Rena)

n“… as long as red blood flows through our veins

nour friendship is eternal …” (Maevis)

n“…We are four comrades tied together by our very souls.

nOur 『Red Oath』 right?” (Mile)

nMaevis and Mile continued the Rena’ words.

nThus, while Pauline wasn’t there, three people consult about how to deal with Pauline’ parents problem, this is a decision as a 『Red Oath』to deal with Pauline’ problem.

nAnd they begin the interrogation against those thugs.

nThree of the torches also returned to the state that they could talk with Mile’ healing.

nThe more interrogators there are, the higher the probability someone will talk.

n“… First of all, are you active hunters, or are you expelled and become former hunter?” (Rena)

nNext to Rena, Mile was playing with a fireball and a red water ball on the palm of both hands.

nAs magic developed for Pauline, of course Mile can use “Ultra Hot”

nWhile looking at both hands of Mile and trembling the spine, the men thought.

nThey have no weapon and armor left, they are tied up by a rattle, and after a few hours , the guild escort carriage will arrive.

nUntil then, They are unlikely able to untie the restrain. And, even when they can untie the rattle, the three girls left are strong enough to kill them in seconds.

nThey can’t even win the girls in normal fight, much less in their situation right now.

nThe men thought that resist is futile and there was no choice but to try to mitigate punishment.

nIn this way, they will become criminal slaves for the rest of their life at the worst.

nHowever, if it goes well, there is a possibility that they will be allocated to an easier work rather than a mine, or they can be done with a “punishment for age” which is released in a few years.

nIf they are fortunate enough, there is possibility that only their hunter’ right got taken away.

nIf they can somehow shift all crimes to the client and if they insist that they were deceived, not knowing the circumstances simply because they received a request.

nIf they think carefully, it’s an argument that don’t have any persuasive, but the men have no other way than betting on it.

nBetting on slight hope, they try to raise the favorable impressive even a little …

nIt was a too reckless attempt.

nAnd men’s statements began.

n“We, we still have a hunter qualification properly! Everyone, C rank …” (Man A)

nAnd as a result of interrogation carried out before the escort carriage came.

nThe men are active C rank hunters, even now they have reached the latter half of the 30 years old, there is almost no accumulation.

nThey plan to retire due to their declining physical strength and they found out that they can handle some illegal request that can’t pass through the guild to get the money.

nAs the name suggest. What is illegal is the content of the request. They will not get any help from the guild even if something goes wrong.

nVarious illegal requests, such as murder, kidnapping, etc.

nAmong them, this time the father requested to take her daughter back, which was quite decent person for an illegal request.

nHowever, the way it was unfriendly, “hurt the daughter’ friends to the point they can be hunters anymore”.

nAs men say, as long as they can achieve the purpose bring the daughter back and hurt her friend, the client will not care about the details.

nIt is doubtful whether it is true or not …

nThe men are desperately claimed.

n“It’s true! That’s why we talked a lot!

nWe thought if you know that the client is that girl’s father you will not appeal to guilds or guards to arrest him.

nWe thought that you will never want to get involved with that girl again

nWe also think this quest is bad and don’t plan to take it.

nBut if we don’t receive this work, some dangerous criminals might take it and it will be come serious.” (5 men)

nIndeed, the line passed.

nHowever, at that time, the girls feel disgusted. If that was a play, these guys would be able to eat as actors.

nAnd what the girls confirmed again is, this is a request from Pauline’s father, Bekett. (ベケット: Beketto)

nAn owner of a medium-sized merchant company which is a 4 days distance from the Kingdom’ capital. Who had ordered a lot of illegal acts behind the scene. He were earning lot without being caught despite doing all the awful things.

n“Please, put some good words for us to the guild and the guards!

nWe were planning to do it with just a few hits!

nIn fact, we haven’t even touched one finger on you and the daughter.

nWhat we receive is just a request from a father who wants his daughter to come back.

nYou are the same hunter fellow, so you must understand somehow, right?

nWhen you get older, you will not have any strengh left to kill monster and the future becomes uneasy.

nWe have to accept even the work that does not go through the guild to get money to eat.

nWe are telling the truth, so please help us …” (5 Men)

n“Aren’t you mistake something? It wasn’t 『you didn’t touch one finger on us』but 『you couldn’t touch us』” (Rena)

n“Besides, your simultaneous attacks on me, that was obviously lethal attacks, isn’t it?” (Maevis)

n“Because we don’t know the truth, we can’t defend you.

nWe will tell the guild what happened as it is.

nIf you want, please defend by yourself with the guild and guards.

nIt isn’t us to decide your punishment” (Mile)

n“Well, that kind of …” (5 men)

nThe men have a face of despair with the reply of Rena, Mavis, Mile.

n“If what you are told is true you can just prove it.

nYour sins will be lighter, isn’t that good, it seems you will only get a mild punishment” (Mile)

nMile is smiling at them.

nOf course, she feels disgusted. Unlike the usual Mile, she was serious angry.

n“Yeah well, I will also testify exactly about your simultaneous attacks on me, so please be relieved.” (Maevis)

nMaevis is also very angry …

n“Well then, shall we drink some tea until Pauline brings the guild’ carriage?” (Rena)

nMile and Maevis nodded to Rena’ word.

n***

nIt was before noon when Paulin came back with a horse carriage and a group of cavalries

nConsidering the traveling time, the time required for explanation, and the time taken to arrange the carriage and personnel etc. They come earlier than the girls thought.

n“Maevis, you are safe!” (Yuan)

nIt was Yuan who first jumped out of the carriage that arrived.

n“Third Ani-sama” (Maevis)

nYuan has a big smile jumps to embrace Maevis.

nMile and other girls who saw it, thought. (Original is Mile-tachi so I don’t really know if Pauline is include)

n“Ah, I should know it …” (Mile Rena and possible Pauline too)

n“You, how dare you trying to harm Maevis!” (Yuan) (kisama-tachi = the vulgar way to call you)

nThe men who were questioned so by youth aristocratic, in a panic.

n“No, no, we only tried to threaten her a little …” (5 men)

n“What? did you try to threaten my Maevis? Consider youself dead by this sin.” (Yuan)

n“Eeeeeee!!” (5 men)

n***

nThe girls greeted a few hunters and guild officials who came down from the carriage with Pauline after Yuan, watching them put the bound men on the carriage.

n“By the way, why didn’t Third Ani-sama stay at the inn in the morning?” (Maevis)

n“I went to request to deliver a letter to Chichiue first thing in the morning.

nWhen I returned to the inn, I didn’t see Maevis anywhere so I rushed to the guild …

nWhen I arrived at the guild, you already left. I have no choice but waiting for you to return at the guild.

nAnd when I’m waiting, there’s commontion.

nI saw the girl in your party talking with the guild, and I heard “Maevis was attacked”. Even I can’t listen to the detail but it isn’t important.

nThere’s only one thing I needs to do no matter the situation is. That was going together with the guild to help you.”

n“Well, that was…” (Maevis)

nApparently, Maevis is frosting with a slight depression.

nActually, she was ashamed for doubting her family for a moment. She had such an attitude due to her guilty for her brother.

nBut Yuan don’t know such a thing, he is just “I’m glad to see my Kawaii Imouto~♥ safe” as he tries to embrace Maevis again.

n“Maevis~♥, Gue~!” (Yuan)

nThree people who had been frustrated at Yuan who tried to embrace Maevis again. They stopped him by grabbing his clothes, and Yuan, whose neck was squeezed, cried.

nWhile walking about the slowly moving carriage, the four people of 『Red Oath』 consulted about their plan.

n“We will go to Pauline’s parents house” (Rena)

n“Huh…?” (Pauline)

n“What’s so surprised?” (Rena)

n“But, because this is my personal problem…” (Pauline)

n“… After all, We are four comrades tied together by our very souls.” (Mile Maevis)

nBecause Pauline’s response was just as Rena predict, Miles and Maevis already knew what to say.

n“That…” (Pauline)

nPauline is embarrassed as her voice becomes un-clear.

n“First of all, it was your father who hired them …” (Rena)

n“Well. That merchant isn’t my father” (Pauline)

n“Huh?” (Rena Mile Maevis)

n“I said in my first self-introduction, 『I’m a the daughter of a mistress of the mid-sized commercial merchant chairman, Beckett』. It only mean that my mother is his mistress. He isn’t necessary my father, is it?” (Pauline)

n“What… what was that?” (Rena Mile Maevis)

nA shocking fact was discovered.

nAnd the story of Pauline’ parents’ home.

nPauline’s parents ran a store.

nBoth her parents are nice. Beside Pauline, they have a younger son 2 years old.

nAt first the shop was just a small business. With luck and hardwork, her father make the shop to medium-sized. His shop was famous for reasonable price and treat their employees well.

nFor his wife and children, the father carries out a solid business as a merchant, and didn’t do any obsessive business. But from the personality or credibility of solid business, the management state is smooth.

nUntil that day …

nOne night the bandits broke into their shop.

nThey tied Pauline’s family and night shifts, robbed all of the contents of the safe.

nThey killed only Pauline’s father and left.

nAnd Pauline’s mother who is lamented in sorrow, struck with a piece of paper from Beckett. 『Shop transfer』

nIt was a transfer statement under the name of her husband, that will hand over all of the shops to Beckett when he die.

nIt’s impossible. Everyone thought so.

nHowever, the officials deemed it effective because that paper have the seal that was stolen from the night before.

nThe old employees who disagreed was dismissed, and Beckett hired new people to fill the hole.

nAnd Beckett said to the mother of Pauline. “If you don’t want both you and your children live on the street, you must become my mistress”

nAnd Pauline’ mother had no other choice but to acept it.

nThe mother tells Paulin.

n“My role as a wife of that person is over.

nNow I’m only a mother, it is my responsibility to nurture that person’s child admirably.

nWhen you two of us have grown up, then …”

nHer mother said that with a terrible smile.

n“I will fulfill my last role as his wife”

nAnd Pauline devoted herself to training and study.

nHer purpose wasn’t to help of Beckett ‘s business, or to sell herself as a tribute to a nobleman somewhere when Pauline is an adult.

nFirst thing, she plan to run away with her mother and little brother.

nShe also plan to save money and power for the counterattack?

nOr worst case, when she is sold to the powerful noble. She will seduced her master, get the power to take back her father’ shop that was named Beckett Company right now.

nTo do that, she had to raise her own merchandise value.

nFortunately, she have a talent as a magician.

nKnowledge about business is also necessary.

nAnd also a black heart.

nIn this way, a weak and lovely girl, who was happily living with her family love was only her outside. And inside, a wolf was born.

n“A wolf who covered the sheep’s skin”

nThat was when Pauline was 12 years old.

n***

n“…” (Rena Mile Maevis)

nThree girls can’t say any words.

nYuan who heard the story muttered…

n“The malice of a person gives birth to a …” (Yuan)

n“…It’s time for Counter-strike, isn’t it?” (Rena)

nWith Rena’s words, Mile and Maevis silently nodded.

n