Episode 101: Ferris
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Some time after talking with Elmia and Carlotta.
It was evening, and as the setting sun streamed through the window, I was working in my office. Since then, I’d been busy listening to petitions from the townspeople, consulting with the middle-aged manager about future plans, and discussing tomorrow’s meeting with Getrude.
Ferris accompanied me for all of that work.
This was meant to show her my character—and the opposite as well.
“Lord Sharka, are you not perhaps tired?”
“…Yeah.”
I gave a vague reply to Ferris’s question.
What’s troubling me now is Elmia’s problem.
It seems like we should sit down and talk properly, but I’m not sure when the timing should be.
The matter of the next head of the family is an important decision, and if I make it without being fully convinced, I’m worried that I won’t be able to stick to my beliefs when faced with a major challenge in the future.
It can’t be helped if I’m called indecisive, but if I’m truly thinking about the future of Ortenos, I shouldn’t be able to come up with an easy answer.
“H-Here, have some tea.”
“Thanks.”
Ferris made tea for me.
I can tell she’s worried about me.
Looking in the wall-mounted mirror, I saw that I looked terrible, like I’d just finished a night shift.
“I-It’s okay. I think Elmia-sama was just a little surprised.”
“Ferris, what do you think I should do?”
“M-Me…? Hmm…”
Ferris made a gesture as if she was troubled.
The thought of troubling a maid came to mind.
“No, sorry, forget it.”
I looked away from Ferris.
Ferris might have felt sorry for me when she saw me like that.
She hesitantly began to speak.
“…The fact that you can meet and talk things out means you’re a good person, Lord Sharka.”
“…Hm?”
“…Actually, I have a younger sister too. We used to be close, but from a certain point, I started working irregular hours, and there were more and more days when I couldn’t go home.”
“…”
I decided to listen to Ferris’s story in silence.
“At first, she put up with it, but since my sister was young, she eventually started throwing tantrums, begging me not to go. One time, after it had been going on for a while, I snapped and shook her hand off. I had experienced a lot of unpleasant things at work, and I was probably at my wit’s end. But I ended up making my sister cry because of it. That’s when our relationship started to become strained…”
Somehow, it felt like she was talking about me.
Ferris was probably projecting herself onto me.
“After that, I distanced myself. I didn’t want my sister or my mother to see the unpleasant side of me anymore, I didn’t want to have a bad influence on them—and I didn’t want to hurt them. But once you drift apart, it’s hard to go back to the way things were. Lord Sharka is different from me, so I’m sure you can still do something about it.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“…I don’t know. I guess it’s because I couldn’t just leave you alone?”
Ferris smiled awkwardly.
Seeing that, I decided to trust my instincts.
“Didn’t you think that telling me that would put yourself in danger?”
“…Well. I don’t know what Lord Sharka is talking about.”
Ferris probably sensed the meaning of my question.
It was a slightly strained answer.
No matter how you look at it, Ferris looks completely human.
However, there was something transcendent about her words and demeanor.
Based on the information I’ve gathered so far and the results of observing her all day today, I had an idea of who Ferris was.
So, I confronted her.
“Ferris, you’re the Beastman Hero, aren’t you?”
“What ever do you mean?”
“It’s no use playing dumb. Miina and Meina told me. That they have an older sister named Ferris.”
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. First of all, I’m human, aren’t I? Maybe I just happen to have the same name as the sister of a girl named Miina?”
“…I didn’t say a word about Miina being her sister, did I?”
“…!”
It seems she let it slip.
I’m going in for the final push.
Cornering her once was always part of the plan.
“I’ve heard that Beastman Heroes don’t have Magical Power, but they have special skills. The fact that Ferris looks human is probably due to an ability to transform into a human, right?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
“You’re still not going to admit it? Then I have no choice but to ask you to show me your true face.”
I gathered my Magical Power.
I made a pistol shape with my right hand and fired an Intimidation Orb at Ferris.
“What!”
Then, Ferris’s human form distorted, and adorable cat ears with Maine Coon-like fur grew on her head, and a tail appeared from her buttocks, tearing through her clothes.
“Is that your true form, Ferris? …Or should I call you Lynx?”
“!”
Ferris pulled out two Kusarigama from inside her skirt.
Then she took a step back and became more wary.
Meanwhile, I remained seated in my chair, not moving.
If I showed hostility here, everything would be ruined.
“Don’t worry, I don’t intend to do anything to you.”
“That’s a lie, nya! I can’t trust the words of nobles, nya!”
Ferris hissed.
Judging by the way she’s talking, she’s definitely the Hero.
Suddenly, I noticed something.
“That Kusarigama… So, you were the Tsujigiri from back then.”
“…”
I remembered that the Tsujigiri had said something like a warning and disappeared.
“Why did you say those things to me back then?”
“…If I tell you, you’ll kill me right away, nya.”
“Lynx…”
“It’s Ferris, nya. I’ve already abandoned that name, nya.”
“I understand, Ferris, please listen to what I have to say. You really only need to listen.”
“…I’ll hear you out, nya.”
“I’ve been observing you today with a certain purpose in mind. Honestly, I could have restrained you or taken your life at any time. But I didn’t.”
Ferris’s eyes widened.
She probably finds the current situation incomprehensible.
“…Why didn’t you kill me, nya?”
“Ferris, it’s because I wanted you to become my subordinate. That’s why I decided to trust Ferris from the start. Ferris, you had plenty of chances to kill me too, right? But you didn’t do it. We should be able to cooperate with each other.”
Well, of course, I wasn’t trusting her or letting my guard down.
If you want to be trusted by someone, you have to start with yourself.
“There’s no way, nya. Nobles and Heroes are incompatible. Besides, I sold your information to Naia as a Hero, nya? There’s no way you can trust me.”
“I’ll let bygones be bygones. Besides, Lynx seems to want to destroy the Court of Justice too, and I think our interests align, don’t they?”
Here, I hinted at the benefits of cooperating.
“…That’s true, nya. I won’t forgive the Court of Justice for harming my family. I’ll continue to hunt the Court of Justice in the future. …But I don’t need Sharka’s help, nya.”
“You shouldn’t underestimate the Court of Justice. It wouldn’t be surprising if they’ve already figured out your identity. If that happens, they’ll take your family hostage.”
“Nya?!”
I wonder if she hadn’t thought that far.
Judging from what I’ve heard, Ferris might be the muscle-head type.
“But if you cooperate with me, you won’t have to worry about that. Ortenos will guarantee the safety of your family. So, follow me, Ferris.”
“What are you going to do if I refuse, nya…?”
“I won’t do anything. I won’t stop you if you want to leave as you are. But in that case, I’ll have you take your family and leave Ortenatris.”
If Ferris refuses, of course, I’ll have her family tracked down.
At worst, I’ll secure them as hostages so that I can make them obey Ortenos at any time.
“Why would you go that far, nya?”
“Because I didn’t feel any hostility from Ferris. Besides… you somehow seem similar to me. I just can’t see you as a bad person.”
It didn’t seem like Ferris was doing Hero activities because she wanted to.
This time, I appealed to her emotions.
“Similar, nya?”
“Yeah, like someone who’s desperately trying to protect their family. Even if you’re originally a Hero, you’re actually compassionate and your nature is good. To put it bluntly, I like you.”
“A-Are you hitting on me, nya?”
“Well, in a way, you could say that.”
If I can make Ferris my ally, I can hear about the actual state of the Hero Alliance.
Furthermore, the fact that she can turn into a human is quite suitable for infiltration.
She’s an excellent scout.
I wonder if Ferris will accept my invitation—
“…I want some time to think, nya.”
(So, it didn’t work.)
It seemed that Ferris still couldn’t come to a decision.
Here, I’ll release her unconditionally so as not to plant any doubts in Ferris’s mind.
“Ah, that’s fine.”
I was a little disappointed, but oh well.
There was a response.
If I court her carefully from now on… As I was thinking that, unexpected words came from Ferris.
“…You don’t have to worry, nya. I’ll cooperate with Sharka, nya.”
“Eh, but just now you said you wanted some time…”
I stared at Ferris’s words in surprise.
“It’s just that Sharka is so pathetic that I just wanted to see my family for a bit, nya.”
“…Haha, that stings.”
“Well… um, Sharka doesn’t seem like a bad person, so I guess I can become your subordinate, nya.”
“I see, I’m glad you trust me.”
I inwardly pumped my fist.
“Sharka should really talk to Elmia-sama properly, nya. Otherwise, you’ll end up twisted like me, nya…”
“…Yeah, what should I do?”
I frowned, troubled by Ferris’s advice.
Seeing my reaction, Ferris tilted her head.
“Nya? Could it be that Sharka… likes Elmia-sama, nya?”
“Of course. Elmia is a pure, noble maiden who puts flowers to shame. When it’s just the two of us, she adorably relies on me. It’s strange not to like her.”
I briefly explained how wonderful Elmia is.
I stopped there, as I thought I would sound objectively creepy if I went on.
“Hmph. Somehow, I smell a faint scent of a frivolous man, nya. Maybe you really should be careful walking at night, nya?”
“Frivolous is rude. All my love is pure. If I’m going to have a relationship, I’ll take responsibility for that woman’s entire life.”
“…Saying ‘all’ already sounds impure, nya… Well, I hope you’re not just talking, nya.”
Ferris made a light-hearted remark.
(I’m a noble, you know?)
She must have been playing the cat earlier.
Actually, it was the other way around; the cat was wearing a human skin.
Well, once she warms up, she’s the type who doesn’t stand on ceremony.
As I was thinking about that, Ferris suddenly took out a letter from her chest and tossed it to me.
“What’s this?”
“I borrowed it from a guy at the Court of Justice, nya. It seems like it would be more convenient for Sharka to have it, so I’ll give it to you, nya.”
I read the letter.
It was a directive from the Lanecki Family to the Court of Justice.
“…I see. This is a huge favor.”
“Don’t worry about it, nya. In return, I want you to keep helping Miina and her mother, nya.”
“Yeah, leave it to me. Don’t worry, I’ll protect Ferris too, no matter what.”
“Y-you’re still flirting, nya…”
It seems I’ve successfully brought Ferris into Ortenos.
Ferris is a cat-eared beauty with an amazing figure.
I’m looking forward to the day I can fluff those Maine Coon-like cat ears.
◇◇◇◇
Slum district.
One room in the company housing within the Sharr Company grounds.
Lynx, or rather, Ferris, had returned to her family home.
“Mom, big sister’s back for the first time in four years, nya!”
“…!”
“Oh my, you’ve grown so much. I didn’t recognize you for a moment.”
“…Ah… uh…”
Ferris fidgeted, embarrassed to see them after so long.
“Mom, big sister seems to have lost her ability to speak, nya.”
“Ferris has always been like that, hasn’t she? It’s not good to keep pointing it out.”
It’s quite something that she’s only showing her face after four years, but still.
“M-Miina… Mom… um… I’m home.”
The two exchanged glances.
“Welcome home!”
They greeted Ferris with beaming smiles.
That day, Ferris ate a home-cooked meal and fell into a comfortable sleep in her childhood bed.
◇◇◇◇
The next day, a little after noon.
Ferris was lazing around at her family home, enjoying herself.
Living in the castle had its luxuries, but the peace of mind was completely different.
I had gotten permission from Sharka to take a day off.
From tomorrow, I’ll be working as Sharka’s subordinate.
So I want to recharge my batteries while I can.
“Big sister’s amazing, nya!”
“Hehe.”
Ferris straddled a wooden chair in her family home, rocking it back and forth, balancing on two legs.
Then she shifted to one leg.
Finally, she did a handstand on the chair, striking a triumphant pose.
This level of street performance was nothing for Ferris, who used to be a Hero.
Even so, Ferris’s series of movements were supple and beautiful, something to behold.
“S-so amazing, nya! Big sister’s so cool, nya!”
“Hehe, if Miina practices, she can do it too, nya?”
Ferris was proud to receive a look of respect from her younger sister after so long.
“But, Miina wants to be useful to Lord Sharka, so it’s okay, nya.”
“Eh?”
Saying that, her younger sister eagerly started embroidering.
“Big sister, I don’t know where you were or what you were doing, but embroidery is the thing these days, nya. Anyone can do it, beastman or human, woman or man, and you get paid for what you make, so it’s more reliable than a street performer’s income like big sister’s, nya. More than anything, Lord Sharka praises my embroidery, nya!”
“…Miina, you’ve become strong, nya.”
Apparently, Ferris had become a street performer in Miina’s mind.
But I couldn’t exactly say I was a Hero, so I had no choice but to accept it.
That aside, I was surprised that Miina mentioned Sharka’s name.
“The other day, Lord Sharka healed Miina’s injury with magic, nya? So Miina decided to dedicate her life to Lord Sharka as thanks, nya!”
“Nya-nya?!”
Miina’s expression was completely that of a girl in love.
Ferris knew that Miina had been injured a month ago.
After all, I had been watching over the two of them from the shadows.
That incident was the reason Ferris decided to overthrow the Court of Justice.
I thought something was up since Miina’s injury was healed, but apparently Sharka had healed it.
“And the other day, I was able to tell him I like him, nya!”
Miina said with a happy smile.
It’s not uncommon for beastmen to fall in love with humans.
But Ferris knew that humans never fall in love with beastmen.
“Miina, Lord Sharka is a noble and a human, nya. I don’t want to say this, but you should give up on Lord Sharka, nya?”
“But Lord Sharka always gently touches my ears and tail when he meets Miina, nya!”
“Nya?!”
That’s a form of communication between beastman lovers.
Sharka probably did it without knowing that.
“What about you, big sister? Do you have a boyfriend, nya?”
“N-no, nya…”
“Big sister is at an age where it wouldn’t be strange to get married, nya. You’re shy and have a habit of wandering, so Miina is worried that you’ll have a hard time finding a husband, nya.”
“Uu… Miina… you’re so blunt, nya.”
Ferris hung her head at Miina’s frank opinion.
“Big sister, is there anyone you’re interested in, nya? What kind of person is your type, nya?”
“Hmm… let’s see… someone with a gap, nya? Someone who seems scary at first, but then you find out they have a weak side, that might make me interested, nya.”
“Hmph, that’s the opposite of Lord Sharka, nya.”
“Eh, well, is it, nya…”
Just as the sisters were having a lively love talk.
Suddenly—an evil wave of Magical Power pierced through.
(This is… a Stella-Class ‘Intimidation’!)
Ferris instantly grasped the situation.
Assault—that word flashed through her mind.
“B-big sister… I’m scared, nya!”
Miina’s ears drooped, and her body trembled with fear.
“It’s okay, nya. Big sister’s here.”
Ferris said, trying to reassure Miina.
Then, she glared in the direction from which the Intimidation came.
(Attacking Sharka’s base, what on earth are they after?)
Probably only the Court of Justice would do something like this.
I remembered Sharka’s words.
‘You shouldn’t underestimate the Court of Justice.’
The Court of Justice already knows that Ferris’s true identity is the Beastman Hero.
If that’s the case, it’s entirely possible that they would attack her family to lure her out.
(So, I’m the target.)
The document that Ferris stole from the Court of Justice is a major secret.
They probably came to retrieve it.
It’s already in Sharka’s hands and too late, but the other party will attack regardless.
(I won’t let them lay a hand on Miina and her mother.)
Ferris put on the Perception-Blocking Robe.
She disguised herself in the same outfit she wore when she was active as a Hero.
(…Even if it costs me my life.)
Her eyes—were cold, determined eyes.