Chirem Act 6-8.2
BGM: Tojima Want to be a Kamen Rider(Really recommend the anime!)
Act 6-8: The Conference Begins!
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
R1: [1-3], R2[4-6]
Part 4
At Yuiitsu’s sudden appearance, Chiyo — ever polite — bowed her head in greeting. Akane, however, was too startled to react. He had slipped in so silently that she hadn’t sensed his presence at all. And from past experience, she knew that whenever he smiled like that, it never meant anything good.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself, and looked at Chiyo as though assessing her worth. Akane, keeping her guard up, asked stiffly,
「W-What's wrong... Yuiitsu? Why are you here all of a sudden?」
「What do you mean "why"? You were talking about me, weren’t you? Sounds like you want to form a Sacred Rite of Fealty with me, Chiyo.」
「Eh? Chiyo does?」
「Heh, no need to hide your embarrassment. Brave, kind, pure of heart, untouched by worldly greed… honestly. I only did what any decent hero would do, but somehow I keep charming women left and right without even noticing. Even you, Chiyo? I scare myself sometimes. But saying you'd risk your life to obey my every command — that's quite something. I like it. I’ll grant your wish.」
「Eh? Um, wait… Akane-sama?」
Unable to grasp what was happening, Chiyo’s eyes darted around in panic before she looked up at Akane, silently begging for help.
But before Akane could say a word, Yuiitsu placed his hand on Chiyo’s head, instantly freezing her in place.
Completely oblivious to her confusion, he roughly ruffled her bright orange hair and said,
「We’ll start the ritual once the meeting’s over. Try to hold on till then, alright? Wait here for me.」
「R-ritual…? Um, Yuiitsu-sama?」
「Didn’t I tell you you can call me Brother? So that’s what you’ve been calling me behind my back, huh? Well, I don’t mind. Having a cute little sister like you sounds great. Once the ceremony’s done, you’ll be living at my mansion. Akane’s there too, so no need to worry. See you after the meeting.」
「Eh— ah, no, wait— um—!」
Lifting his hand from her head, Yuiitsu walked off. Chiyo called out to him, but her voice — drowned beneath his buoyant mood — never reached him. He returned to his seat as though nothing had happened.
「Wh-what do we do, Akane-sama!? Yuiitsu-sama has a huge misunderstanding! We have to clear it up before it’s too late—!」
「…Forget it. Just leave him be. It’s his usual ‘illness’. Don’t worry about it.」
「I-Illness? Oh no… Please tell him I’ll pray for his recovery!」
「Don’t bother. It’s chronic. Nothing can cure it now. I gave up ages ago — the other three did too. Anyway, Chiyo, do you really want to serve under Rakuichi that badly?」
「Yes! Chiyo is certain her rightful place is by Big Brother’s side!」
「I see… Well, children of the Inugami tribe must eventually find where they belong. And it seems you believe that place is with Rakuichi… Alright, I understand. It might not work out this time, but… someday, I’ll make sure you get to meet him.」
「R-Really!? YAAAY! Thank you so much!」
「Mm-hm. And I’ll also arrange for you to perform the Sacred Rite of Fealty. But… becoming Rakuichi’s retainer means serving him for life. You might never see your family or your village companions again. Do you understand that?」
「Yes! I may not yet be of age, but I am prepared to leave my parents behind! If it is with my elder brother, then even if it be Hell, I shall gladly follow him!」
「…I see. I understand how you feel, Chiyo. Leave it to me. …I don’t like the idea of having more rivals, but since it’s you— well, I do like you a lot, and I can allow a special case… So I suppose it’s fine.」
「…Huh? Y-Yes! I’ll be in your care!」
Slightly confused by Akane’s odd phrasing, Chiyo tilted her head before giving a polite bow.
===
「…There goes another one.」
Sera muttered under her breath, having noticed the exchange even from among the crowd.
――Creaaaak...
Just then, the heavy doors opened again, and the final delegation entered alongside Goldwin. They were soldiers from the Eastern Command Base of the Erenzenas Kingdom — Sera’s homeland. They were escorted to a section separate from the other delegations, after which a small unit, including a man who seemed to be their leader, approached. They were likely coming to greet the Hero’s Party, as the other groups had.
As a shrine maiden and representative of her nation, Sera stepped forward. Amid the approaching soldiers, she spotted a familiar face — and let out a surprised “Ah.”
「M-Merida. You're Merida, right!?」
「Yes. It's been a while, Your Highness Sera.」
She had once served as Sera’s personal maid. Now she stood as a battle-hardened warrior supporting her younger sisters, known far and wide as the Lady of the Battlefield, Merida Kronel.
While the male leader went ahead to greet Yuiitsu, Sera — overwhelmed by the unexpected reunion — embraced Merida before finding her voice again.
「Why are you here, among the delegation?」