Chapter 41: In the Afternoon Garden
“Ugh… If I keep living like this, I’m going to become a useless person…”
On a certain afternoon, Ivern sprawled out in a reclining chair in the garden after finishing his meal, lamenting his fate.
“Then get to work. Hurry up and head to the Demon Tribe Nation to gather some intel.”
When I said that, Ivern frowned in distaste.
“Why the hell do I have to go to the Demon Tribe Nation, where we’re basically enemies with the Human Tribe?”
“The Demon Tribe has started mobilizing to eliminate new Summoners, right? We need to find out the scale of their forces and how serious they are about this. There’s a lot to investigate.”
“Sure, but… come on. Right now, the Demon Tribe Nation is off-limits to humans. They arrest and imprison anyone they find.”
“Just for being human?”
“Yep.”
“That’s some outrageous policy they’ve got going on.”
As I was taken aback by the Demon Tribe’s excessive measures, Ivern shot me a pointed glare.
“You’re the reason behind it.”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yeah.”
Seriously?
It’s been two years since then, and they still hold such a deep grudge.
“But that was Lindor’s fault for deceiving me. I didn’t know anything about this world’s circumstances. So, I’m not to blame.”
“That may be true, but it doesn’t matter to the people of the Demon Tribe.”
The people of the Demon Tribe, huh?
“What’s with that? You’re a human, yet you’re being so considerate of the Demon Tribe.”
Ivern looked at me with an exasperated expression.
“Of course. Meileen and Mona aren’t demons. I can’t just say something that disregards the Demon Tribe when they’re around.”
“Is that so?”
“You’re the weird one here.”
I’m not weird or anything.
“Meileen is Meileen, and Mona is Mona.”
Don’t judge people based on their race.
Upon hearing that, Ivern seemed to come to a realization.
“Well, I guess you would say that. Honestly, it’s hard to tell if you’re a human or a demon.”
“Actually, I’m not even from this world.”
“True enough.”
After that conversation, I asked Ivern again.
“So? What’s the situation with the Demon Tribe Nation?”
“Uh, I heard they’ve raised their banner against Admos. But I haven’t received any updates on the battlefield.”
“Any news about the Summoners appearing?”
“Nothing yet.”
“Hmm.”
If possible, I’d prefer that the Summoners stay out of the battlefield.
This isn’t because I feel a sense of camaraderie with them.
“If they gain combat experience, it’ll be a real hassle.”
“Is that what you mentioned before?”
“Yeah. That’s the biggest advantage I have over the new Summoners, and losing that would be a pain.”
“Well, practical experience does help people grow. If they come charging in here like that…”
After saying that, Ivern looked at me.
“I’d just grab Yulia, Aira, and Leon and make a quick escape.”
“That’s low, man.”
While it might actually be the best course of action, don’t just declare it to me so casually.
As I was thinking that, Ivern burst into laughter.
“Ha ha! I told you, I live honestly with myself.”
“Now that you mention it, you did say that.”
“And this is the result.”
I see.
Well, if he’s willing to take Leon with him, I guess that’s fine.
Leon is indeed cute and important, but she can’t compare to Meileen.
In fact, it’s because she’s Meileen’s child that she’s so adorable.
If it comes down to it, I might have to leave Leon behind, but… I guess I can trust Ivern with that.
“Well, I’ll leave it to you if it comes to that.”
“Sure.”
A few days after that conversation, I heard the news that the Summoners had been sent to the battlefield.