Drawn Mochi Volume 4 Chapter 16.3: Around the Open Gate*7

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“…What is it?” (Fida)

　Mr. Argent looked a little disappointed, when his momentum had been killed by my sudden intrusion. Fay looked flabbergasted. Yeah. If I can relieve the tension, that’s great.

“Well, Mr. Argent.” (Tougo)

　So I decided to say what Fay probably couldn’t say.

“I hope you won’t be mean to the Redgardes if I decline your offer.” (Tougo)

“……huh?” (Fida)

　Mr. Argent finally looked as if he had been caught red-handed.

“I’m sure you’re not going to try to exclude the Redgardes from the nobility or to cause trouble for the Redgardes, are you?” (Tougo)

　I continued to ask, and Mr. Argent’s eyes widened without saying anything.

“…Um, you wouldn’t, would you?” (Tougo)

　I was so worried that I checked, but Mr. Argent…

“…bah, this is ridiculous. What on earth are you saying?” (Fida)

“I heard that there are people who do that kind of thing…” (Tougo)

　It’s important to check. And by the way, I think it’s important to convey the request, “Please don’t be mean to Fay if I say no.” Yep.

　…When I suddenly looked next to me, Fay was trembling. He seems to be holding back his laughter.

“Hey…hey, Fay Bullard Redgarde! This…” (Fida)

“No, I’m sorry! Mr. Argent!” (Fay)

　Fay eventually bowed his head with a smile. He looked at me to lower my head as well. So, I bowed too.

“This guy, when I told him about it before he seemed to be worried about it! …Hey, hey, Tougo! Only third-rate people are that kind of jealous, you know? Why would a top-class family like the Argents harass someone like us? Right?” (Fay)

“…I see.” (Tougo)

　What’s that? That’s it. I didn’t have to worry about it.

　That’s good. I’m relieved. Fay is also saying this, so I guess Mr. Argent won’t harass the Redgarde family… If that’s the case, I’m glad.

“I’m glad to hear that.” (Tougo)

“Oh. That’s good. We have to thank Sir Argent for his generosity.” (Fay)

“Yep. Thank you very much.” (Tougo)

　… Mr. Argent had a kind of, you know, a troubled look on his face. Yep.

　Well… Thank you. Yep.

　Mr. Argent was silent. He was staring at us hard, with a slightly troubled look on his face.

　I was almost frightened, but I couldn’t change my mind, so I just had to stare straight back at him.

　…It was at that time.

“Yes, Mr. Argent. You haven’t seen Tougo’s painting, have you?” (Fay)

　Fay said suddenly. Then, Mr. Argent looked naturally displeased. Well, I guess he wouldn’t like it if told his blunder was repeated over and over again.

　…However, Fay didn’t pay any attention to Mr. Argent and began to rummage through the luggage he had placed behind the sofa. It seemed like they thought something suspicious was going to be brought out, and the guards around us all stood on guard. …However, what Fay brought out was a picture frame.

“I took the opportunity to let you have a good look at one. I brought one!” (Fay)

　The one that Fay put out with a big smile on his face is a picture that I drew. The one in the forest. The one that hung in Fay’s house.

　…Maybe this was the first time Mr. Argent had seen my painting.

　It’s a watercolor of a forest, so I don’t think it’s very unusual. He was right when he said, “There are plenty of alternatives.”

　However… I suddenly felt that Mr. Argent’s expression changed as he looked at my painting.

　…Mr. Argent didn’t say anything in the end. But this is enough.

　He changed his expression a little. He looked at my painting seriously. If he was drawn in, even for a moment, that’s enough.

　…I got what I wanted. I’m happy.

　We left Mr. Argent’s house just like that.

　Then, we returned to the inn… Laocles checked outside the window and in the hallway, and Ms. Croix checked inside the room… And there, Ms. Croix burst out laughing.

“It’s often said that the wisest lie in the world is innocence! So true!” (Croix)

　I wondered what she meant, and suddenly, Ms. Croix hugged me, squeezing me… Hmm?

“Oh, uh, Ms. Croix.” (Tougo)

　Soft. Warm. I can’t calm down!

“Hehe, what a wonderful spirit! You go straight towards the authority, turn around in front of the open gate, and then return home!” (Croix)

　Just like that, Ms. Croix started spinning us around. …This person looks a lot like the forest.

“…I never thought it would end like that.” (Laocles)

　Laocles looked at me and gave me a dumbfounded smile. Laocles was softer than when we first met. He doesn’t look like a plaster statue, but it’s better.

“It looks like Argent wasn’t expecting that one either. He was in a lot of trouble.” (Laocles)

　Yeah. He looked kind of troubled. Maybe he was planning to do something terrible. If so, I’m glad I said “please don’t” properly.

“… About Mr. Argent, refraining from doing something terrible to Redgarde territory?” (Tougo)

“Well… Well, it’s hard to harass people under the light. I am glad you said that…” (Fay)

　I see. Well, I’m glad to hear that. It’s important to put it into words. Yep.

“…Huh? Maybe you’re going to be subjected to some subtle harassment?”  (Tougo)

　By the way, I was ruminating on what Fay said earlier, and that’s where I got stuck. …No, I don’t think so, is that possible?

“Well, I guess so…Yep.” (Fay)

　It seems certain. It seems that there will be some subtle harassment.

　That’s not good. I don’t know what kind of person will be discreetly harassing, but it’s not good!

“Well, that can’t be helped. Yeah. I’ve been preparing since the Red Dragon appeared.” (Fay)

“But…” (Tougo)

“What, it’s not your fault! The Argent family was originally interested in the Red Dragon. There’s a good chance that they were worried and annoyed and were trying to destroy us. It’s just that this might become a trigger and manifest itself.” (Fay)

　…I see. I’m not sure what to expect. Red dragons are rare, after all. It seems like everyone wants one. Maybe you want one too, Mr. Argent. Dragon.

“So, we’ll have to take extra precautions in Redgarde territory. I don’t know what they’re going to do to us. Ms. Croix, can you think of anything?” (Fay)

“Well, I guess it’s not like they’re going to become a nuisance in the social world.” (Croix)

“I see. I see. So I can just bring Togo along.” (Fay)

　No, it’s not okay. What makes you think you’ll be all right, Fay?

“After that, will you be cursed?” (Tougo)

“I’ll just have to hope for the blessings of the spirit.” (Fay)

　Impossible! Please don’t expect too much!

“…I’ll just have to wait and see what happens. If something happens, that’s when you’ll have to deal with it. We’ll worry about it together, okay Tougo?” (Fay)

“Yep. If there is anything I can do, I will do it.” (Tougo)

　If Mr. Argent does something, we will take measures then. Let’s worry together at that time.

　Yep. I’m sure we can work something out. I feel like I can do anything now.

　…It’s not a very good thing, but I might be looking forward to something happening.