THE DUKE’S DAUGHTER AND HER TEACHER
“Ma’am, why exactly are you going to school in the first place?”
“Why, to enjoy my youth all over again, of course!”
“I’m serious, you know.”
“I’m joooking. I suppose you could say I’m trying to watch over those of you reincarnations whose social status is too high for me to take you into my care, you knooow.”
“I knew it.”
“Ooooh? You’d alllready guessed?”
“To an extent anyway, since so many of us reincarnations are in one place. I don’t know how you managed it, but I’m guessing you elves must’ve done some negotiating to gather all the reincarnations at this academy.”
“That’s true as far as Natsume goes, but Hasebe being here is sheer coincidence, honessst.”
“So you don’t entirely deny it.”
“That’s because I know I can’t fool you, clever Miss Katiaaa.”
“Well then, since I’m so clever, maybe you’ll let me ask you a question. Are the last six of us still alive?”
“…We know for certain that four have died. I’ve located the other two, but I have no way of going to them directly at the moment.”
“I see. I had a feeling…”
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s no reason for you to apologize, ma’am. Do you mind if I ask…the names of the ones who died?”
“Of course… Kouta Hayashi, Hiiro Wakaba, Naofumi Kogure, and Issei Sakurazaki.”
“…I see. Well, that does explain why you have the time to attend school like this. You don’t need to search for the others anymore.”
“That’s right, although I am still taking action to protect the other two, you knooow.”
“So who have they become that’s created a situation where you can’t get to them?”
“That’s a seeecret.”
“Ma’am, I’m being serious here.”
“I am, too. It seriously has to be a seeecret.”
“Does it have anything to do with why we can’t meet the others that you have been able to look after?”
“Hmm. That’s a different matter, sooo it’s not really related, nooo.”
“I see. Are they doing well, at least?”
“They’re fiiine.”
“And what are their names?”
“I caaan’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
“Well, you might find out eventually, but I don’t think now is the right time.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“I’m sorry. But it’s how it has to be. And on that note, I have a warning for you.”
“What is it?”
“Please don’t train your skills too much.”
“Why not?”
“I can’t say.”
“Ma’am, I can only imagine what you’ve seen in the outside world, but you know Shun’s older brother is a hero, right? I’ve heard all about his work as a hero from Shun. How he protected a village from a horde of monsters all by himself and fended off a demon even after it made him drink poison. That sort of thing.”
“Whaaat about it?”
“This world is extremely dangerous. We may not be heroes, but Shun and I still have roles to play. It’s very possible we may have to stand on the battlefield ourselves someday. Since I’m a woman, those odds are still relatively low… But even if Shun’s royalty, he’s not the heir to the throne. It’s more than likely. So by telling us not to train our skills, aren’t you basically asking us to be killed in the future?”
“Of course not!”
“Right. And I know you wouldn’t say a thing like that, ma’am. But without any reason or explanation, I can’t just agree, either.”
“I…suppose not.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so harsh.”
“No, it’s all right. I’m the one who’s keeping so many secrets.”
“And I’m guessing you can’t tell me why you have all these secrets, either?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Does it have something to do with the elves?”
“Hmm?”
“It’s pretty strange. Why would elves help protect us reincarnations? It seems like you’ve explained the situation to them, but can they really be trusted? They’re not forcing you to comply with some weird conditions or anything, are they?”
“Not at aaaall. You’ll just have to trust me on that, okaaay?”
“Even with all the secrets you’re keeping?”
“I’m afraid sooo.”
“I can’t just trust people based on gut instinct like Shun can. I want to trust you, of course, but as long as you’re keeping all these secrets, I can’t quite manage it.”
“I don’t think you’re wrong about thaaat. If anything, Shun is too trusting, you knooow?”
“Yeah, I agree. Sometimes I think he’d be lost without me, honestly.”
“Oh-ho-hooo? Perhaps not a bud yet, but is that a seed I smellll? What an interesting development that would beee.”
“Huh? What’re you talking about? Ma’am, please don’t smile so creepily. Since you look like a little girl now, it’s really disturbing.”
“Divine punishment tiiime!”
“Huh? Ow!”
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