The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
After that, I stayed at the royal castle for about another week.
The purpose of the stay was to share the information we had obtained on the Western Continent.
We exchanged information and opinions about the demon race, going into even finer detail…
They said they wanted to hear frank opinions, so I honestly said exactly what I thought.
Perhaps it might be possible to join hands with certain demons.
Maybe, instead of weapons, starting with dialogue is the right approach.
That was my opinion.
I had expected either to be laughed at or to be scolded.
But contrary to my expectations, many people agreed with me.
Starting with the king and Yuki, even their close aides said it was worth considering.
We continued discussions like that for about a week…
And then today—
I was to leave the royal castle.
“Meow…”
Kanade, who was packing her belongings, seemed a bit down.
Her proud tail drooped limply, and there was no spark in her expression.
“Kanade, what’s wrong? You look kind of down. Did you catch a cold or something…?”
“Is that… so…? That’s terrible.”
“I heard that sticking a green onion up your butt is good for colds.”
“Why meow!? Isn’t that wrong in so many ways!? I’m not doing that!?”
Out of nowhere, Rifa pulled out a green onion and advanced toward Kanade.
Panicking, Kanade clutched her rear with both hands and dashed back to the wall.
“I-I was just feeling disappointed, thinking maybe I won’t be able to eat delicious food anymore after this, okay!?”
I see.
That’s a very Kanade-like reason.
Even after going through all that, she could still be herself as always.
That made Kanade seem a little dazzling.
“Rain, we’re mostly done over here.”
“Thank you for helping.”
“I see. That’s good, then.”
“Mm…”
Luna stared at me, looking like she wanted to say something.
As if copying her, Iris also peered into my face.
“W-What is it…?”
“Lord Rain… could it be that you’re pushing yourself too hard?”
“Huh?”
“Unlike Kanade, the carefree, happy-go-lucky, always-cheerful cat, you seem rather low-spirited.”
“That was an outrageous thing to say!? And way too long!?”
I reflexively touched my own face.
I thought I was making a normal expression…
But I guess I couldn’t fool everyone’s eyes.
“U-um, um! Is something troubling you…!? C-could it be me!? Are you disappointed because I’m so pathetic!?”
“Oof…”
“This one’s self-deprecation has practically become routine now… well, putting that aside.”
Al-san toddled over toward me.
And then… gently patted my head.
“Huh?”
“Don’t worry about it so much.”
Those words from Al-san pierced my heart more deeply than I expected.
“I’ve heard the general story from that prince.”
“That’s…”
“Are you thinking that if only you had more power, you could have saved those you couldn’t before?”
“…”
He hit the mark, so I fell silent.
“I’ll be blunt. That way of thinking is arrogant. It’s a misunderstanding that you can do everything on your own.”
“I think I understand that, but…”
“Still can’t accept it?”
“…Yes.”
If only I had more power.
Thinking about Gray, Luie, and the others I couldn’t save, I can’t help but think that way.
I’m aware, at least intellectually, that it’s an arrogant thought.
I can’t do everything.
Even if I’m from a branch of the hero’s family, what I can do alone is limited.
Trying to carry everything on my shoulders is nothing but arrogance.
Even so—
“I still can’t help thinking about it.”
“Hm.”
“Because the past leads to the present… I can’t forget the past. I keep looking back again and again.”
“But being trapped by it is meaningless, you know?”
“I know that… but it’s hard.”
If I could cleanly cut it off, I’d feel better right away.
But somehow, it felt wrong to do that.
The fact that I couldn’t save Ruie and the others.
What Gray entrusted to me.
To make sure I never forget those things, I wanted to face the past properly, at least for now.
And also…
So that something like this never happens again.
To swear that I will never let it happen again.
I want to carve it deeply—strongly—into my heart.
“Good grief.”
Looking at me, Al-san let out a sigh.
But there was a faint smile on his face.
“Rain, you’re clumsy.”
“But I think that’s very like you, Rain.”
Sora spoke up.
And she wasn’t the only one.
One after another, everyone opened their mouths.
“Even if it’s arrogant, what’s wrong with that? Our master is a greedy one who tries to grasp everything—and has the capacity to do so.”
“Exactly. Luna says something good once in a while.”
“What do you mean ‘once in a while’!?”
“Rain… you’re fine just the way you are.”
“Yeah. That’s the Rain we’ve always followed.”
“Do your best. I’ll support you too and lend you my strength.”
“Woof! Woof woof!”
“I-I want to do my best together too!”
“Rain, it’s just right when you push yourself a little. Well, sometimes you overdo it…”
“And when that happens, we’ll support you.”
Finally, Kanade grabbed my hand.
Her hand was warm, and it made me feel strangely at ease.
“Rain, you have us, okay?”
“…Kanade…”
“So always be yourself, Rain. That Rain is the one we all love♪”
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