Chapter 28: Lady Lucia…? – 4

Chapter 28: Lady Lucia…? – 4

“…It really comes out in the shape I thought of.”

“I know. I always thought it was in the shape of armor, but it can also be in the shape of clothes like this.”

“Anyway, isn’t it better because it looks comfortable?”

Saying that, I put on the cardigan that appeared in front of me.

…It was very warm.

As a bonus, I felt a little reassured for some reason.

Since it was a very satisfying gift, I turned my body here and there to look around, and Christie made a strange sound as if something was wrong.

“…Huh?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“Are you okay? If you’re used to it, I don’t know, but if you’re wearing it for the first time… it should be a little stuffy?”

“Not at all? I just feel reassured?”

At those words, Christie’s expression changed strangely again.

…An expression that clearly showed that she didn’t expect something.

It seems like I’m seeing a lot of expressions on Christie’s face, who rarely changes her expression these days.

…So much so that I thought that she might have unknowingly relaxed a little because she was in front of me.

“If someone who is not used to handling mana wears it, they can’t handle the mana of the armor, so a rejection reaction occurs.

But, the fact that you’re okay even after wearing it means… you can use magic skillfully to some extent?”

“…Is there anything strange about that?”

“If you can handle mana to that extent, you can obviously use magic. And if you can use magic, there are plenty of ways to make a living very easily.

If necessary, I can recommend a good job!”

Christie’s expression brightened up, not drastically, but definitely.

…From the adoption proposal, I felt that Christie regarded me as a ‘subject of protection’ very much.

And, she seemed to like it so much because if I could use mana, I could get a good job and live safely.

Certainly, the treatment of wizards in the novel was very good.

However, I didn’t think I could be active as a wizard.

Perhaps the reason why I, who have never used magic properly, am good at handling mana is because of making potions.

In other words, I am unskilled in using mana in ways other than ‘potion making’ or ‘skills’.

I have handled it once by chance before, but since I didn’t know it, I can’t say that it’s my real skill.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know any magic.”

“…In order to become proficient in handling mana, you have to use a lot of mana, of course. But you don’t know any magic?”

“I practically don’t use mana except for one field.”

“Huh?”

Christie’s expression became strange as I spoke in circles.

…She looked like she was desperately trying to figure out what I was talking about.

I was actually going to tell her right away that mana was used to make potions, but… Christie’s expression as she was worrying was so cute that I kept silent a little longer.

I was quietly admiring Christie’s expression as she was groaning and fully operating her brain for a while… but I met Christie’s eyes.

“…Are you kidding me right now?”

“Hehet. Christie’s expression as she was worrying was so cute.”

“Cu, cute…? …At least, I think it’s a great contradiction that such words come out of your mouth…?”

“Christie has her own cuteness. By the way, aren’t you curious? The only field where I use mana.”

At those words, Christie made a more worried expression.

Her expression of closing her eyes tightly and slightly frowning her eyebrows was an expression that anyone could see was ‘I’m worrying’.

…It really seemed like this person’s expressions were becoming more diverse only in front of me.

Clearly, her expression changes weren’t this big in front of the administrators a while ago.

“…Perhaps, does mana go into making potions?”

“Oh, you’re right. In fact, these things can’t just fall from the sky without mana, right?”

“Are you processing the ingredients with mana? It’s a unique skill…”

“…Aren’t you too disappointed? I’m going to start selling potions soon?”

Saying that, I told Christie that I was thinking of selling potions at the Adventurer’s Guild in the future.

I was planning to make low-level magic or potions with various effects, and Christie sent me a slightly worried look at the thought of selling them to adventurers.

“It could be dangerous. Among the adventurers… there are also sons of bitches who haven’t become human.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t get scammed or anything. I’ll only sell to people I can trust.”

“…That’s not the problem. If there’s a problem… it’s your appearance.”

Only then did I realize what Christie was worried about.

Unfortunately, illegal slaves exist in this world, and even if that’s not the case, there is a strong demand for beautiful and fragile girls.

…Unfortunately, I’m not that fragile, so I won’t be caught easily, but Christie wouldn’t know that.

I want to show Christie my abilities, but… that’s too dangerous.

If my power is known to the outside world, only those who attack me with the purpose of taking advantage of Christie’s weaknesses will become stronger.

And, it was better for me to have a hidden card or two.

The strongest debuff that I can currently put on the enemy is ‘carelessness’.

Therefore, I said to Christie in a very hurt and pitiful voice on purpose.

“You’re, too much…”

“N, n, no! That’s not what I mean! I mean that you have an excessively outstanding appearance, so a lot of flies will gather around you!”

If the system was there, wouldn’t there have been text like, *A ‘acting’ skill will be created soon. No, maybe it won’t be created because you’re already a pro?* It was an acting that was to that extent.

Of course, Christie also showed a strong reaction.

It was especially funny and cute to see her keep talking to me, saying that her intention wasn’t that at all.

“I’m kidding. Christie’s reactions are so funny that I keep joking around.”

“…I wish you wouldn’t make jokes like this, if possible.”

“It’s a shame, but… okay. It’s ‘sister’s’ request, so this good ‘younger sister’ has to listen.”

I said it on purpose with emphasis on sister and younger sister.

Every time I said the word sister, Christie flinched and the corners of her mouth slowly went up, so I could easily tell that Christie liked this title.

That’s why it was a title that I was using to occasionally take Christie’s mind off things.

…The fact that I’ve gotten so used to the title of sister, which was so awkward at first, that it’s gotten better is something I don’t know whether to like or dislike.

Of course, it seems like I’m joking around with Christie more today, but it was unavoidable. Christie’s reactions were that much fun.

In the first place, it’s been a really long time since I’ve talked to a ‘real person’ like this.

The only people who have always been by my side are the virtual people who exist beyond books and screens and only have set conversations with me,

Or those who only treat me as a job, so there’s no way we can have long conversations, or those who come to check on my condition.

I don’t know how many years it’s been since I’ve had a long conversation like this, laughing and joking with each other.

I felt a sense of fulfillment that only people can fill, which is different from talking to the system.

It was a void that was created as people left, so it could only be filled through people.

…I had been denying it for a really long time in that hospital room where only I was left… I was lonely.

‘It’s different now, so it’s okay.’

I smiled at Christie while throwing away the memories of the past that were slowly crawling up again.

At this moment, I was feeling with my whole body that I was with a person, with a friend.

…I was really feeling it with my whole body because Christie hugged me again.

“Uh…? Christie?”

“It’s a punishment for a younger sister who teases her older sister.”

“…Who hugs you so warmly as a punishment? I can just go with my own legs…”

I felt like I was being treated like a doll, but it wasn’t bad.

…Perhaps because she had hugged dolls a lot, it was very stable and warm, so I felt good.

…I felt like I was giving up on being human and becoming Christie’s favorite doll, so I lightly turned my body and got out of Christie’s arms.

I was sorry, but I was human.

“It’s heavy. I’ll walk. And I’m not a doll, Christie.”

“The way to the Defense Force duty room is a bit complicated…”

“…It’s right in front of me?”

“…I was mistaken because it was dark.”

The tips of Christie’s ears quickly turned red.

It was the appearance of a child who was caught lying.

At that sight, I sighed softly and opened my mouth.

“Next time, just say you want to hug me.”

“…Will you allow it?”

“No? And, aren’t I a little too big to be hugged like that?”

“Not really because you’re so light? It’s nice because I get a cozy and cute feeling when I hug you.”

“…Is it okay to say words that you’ll regret so much tomorrow so easily?”

“I’m just joking a little. …It’s not in my personality to be the only one being teased.”

Of course, even if I say that, it’s obvious that I’ll be embarrassed by this story tomorrow morning and ask her to stop.

‘Come to think of it, Christie did something similar when she developed feelings for the protagonist…?’

Perhaps because she grew up without feeling much human warmth, she had a habit of hugging things that were close or precious to her.

…The author even said that getting an injection is like hugging the person next to you, so it’s completely obvious.

Perhaps I have become a precious existence to Christie.

The problem is that it’s instead of the protagonist, the hero.

…If this goes on, I might really become Christie’s mental support and just become strangers with the protagonist.

As I looked up at Christie with those miscellaneous thoughts, Christie avoided my gaze slightly and opened her mouth.

“…There will probably be a spare room, so you can wash and sleep there.”

“Aren’t you going to sleep, Christie?”

“…Even if I want to sleep, I’m sure I won’t be able to sleep. When I think about the report I have to do tomorrow… Ugh.”

“Well, that’s true. So cheer up. Our competent head of the Defense Force.”

It was dark so I couldn’t see well, but it seemed like Christie was smiling too.

Saying that, I waved my hand at Christie and went into the duty room, finished preparing to sleep, and fell asleep.

…The next morning, I didn’t expect to find a letter, a house deed, and a pen right in front of me when I opened my eyes.