Drawn Mochi Volume 5 Chapter 12.2: A Stormy Competition*6

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　If Lila and the nobles had agreed to be ghostwriters, I can’t complain about that. So, just a stern warning and that’s it.

　…Still, Lila looked somewhat cheerful.

　The fact that what they were doing was brought to light must have lightened Lila’s spirits. …I think Lila might be punished for that, though. But she seemed satisfied, so I couldn’t say anything.

　And so, in one way or another, the mess was settled and what Lila had done so far came to light… and the punishment for Lila and the Brompa family was decided.

“As for the Brompa family, I order you to pay 2,500 gold coins to the Redgarde family.” (King)

　First, the king made that decision regarding the Brompa family.

　It seems like they are trying to compensate me for the inconvenience caused to me and the Redgarde family by falsely using my name to become an artist. …2,500 gold coins is amazing. That’s worth of 50 my highest paid paintings…

　After watching Mr. Brompa nod reluctantly with a look of disgust on his face, the judge ruled for Lila as well.

“And for Lila Raswald, I order you to pay 1000 gold coins.” (King)

“Hey, the sentence is too light! My family was ordered to pay 2,500 coins, and this little girl who was the culprit was ordered to only pay 1,000 coins!?” (Brompa)

　Mr. Brompa was furious, but both the judge and the king looked at him, have faces that say, “Even if you say that…”

“…That’s because of her own ability to pay, do not forget there was an agreement between her and the nobles up until now. Besides that the Brompa family had Lila Raswald steal Tougo Uezora’s reputation. You have planned to steal more, so the sentence was decided after taking the above into consideration…” (Judge)

　…I think the dragon’s fickle nature was also taken into consideration. However, from Mr. Brompa’s point of view, he doesn’t think that’s acceptable.

“I’m not convinced! Your Majesty, Your Honor! Please think again! Can a little girl like her pay 1,000 gold coins?” (Brompa)

　Finally, Mr. Brompa started saying such things.

　…Lila lets out a small sigh, feeling a little troubled.

“Surely, I can’t easily pay this amount. I’ll work to pay it back. I can’t earn much… but I’ll pay the Redgarde family back even if it takes me the rest of my life.” (Lila)

“How is that allowed! If they are allowed to defer payment for a time, then my family should be allowed the same treatment!” (Brompa)

　But Mr. Brompa’s momentum is as strong as ever. This is… umm.

“Well.” (Tougo)

　I raised my hand, and everyone in the room looked surprised. They looked at me with faces implying, “That guy can talk?” …I also talk–sometimes.

“As for Ms. Lila Raswald, wouldn’t it be alright to have her come to Redgarde territory and work there as a live-in worker?” (Tougo)

　When I suggested that, Fay simply replied, “Okay. That’s fine.” Yeah. thank you.

　However, Lila looked shocked… and then Mr. Brompa started to get angry.

“I see, I understand! It was all set up by you!?” (Brompa)

　No, even if you say so.

“This little girl and you guys colluded to try to take down the Brompa family! That must be it!” (Brompa)

　Even if you say that…

“I knew something was wrong! This little girl has suddenly disgraced us and all the other nobles in this way! The Redgardes must have bribed this girl and plotted to bring us down!” (Brompa)

　…if you say that, it really bothers me.

　However, there is a point to what Mr. Brompa says. Yeah. So I’m a little confused…

　…It was at that time.

　Chirp.

　I thought I heard a familiar voice, and when I looked up, I saw the gian robin peeking out from the large window.

　Wait, maybe this bird came all the way from the forest…?

　We were puzzled, but the others were probably several times more puzzled than we were.

“A huge bird appears from god’s grand window…!?” (Noble)

“W-what? Is that bird… A messenger of the gods?” (Noble)

　People were buzzing, declaring loudly. This is no longer the time to talk about Lila’s verdict, the Redgarde family conspiracy, and so on.

　Peeking into the noisy courtroom, the giant robin looked down at the humans and chirped with satisfaction.

　The backlight shone through its fluffy feathers, making it look as if it were clad in light. It’s a little naughty, but it is a little divine looking…

“No way… a divine bird!? A god borrowed the form of a bird…!?” (Noble)

　No, it’s not a god or anything, it’s just a big robin. Yep.

　However, because the location is this location and the timing is this exact timing, I feel like the misunderstanding is going smoothly. Anyway, what did you come here for? I wonder if they just came here to show off…

　Just as the cries and chaos brew, the bird suddenly spread its wings. It enters through the large window that the gods are supposed to be looking into, and then it goes straight into the courthouse… and…

“Kyaa!?” (Lila)

“Eh?” (Tougo)

　The giant robin grabbed Lila and flew away, chirchping in satisfaction.

　As I watched lila being carried away by the birds screaming, I…

　…I had her promise to come visit me in the forest after everything was done, and I had Fay’s permission, so I thought, well, okay.

　It was a bit of a forced invitation, and I’ll apologize to Lila later for that. Yep.

　…Since the bird took Lila away, the judge and the king were all stunned.

　Yeah. That’s how I feel. But I can’t complain because the bird did it. That bird is so naughty.

“W-well for Lila Raswald… to pay for the 1000 gold coins…” (Judge)

　The judge looked at us like, “What should I do?” I understand. Because I, myself, was also kidnapped by that bird.

“…Sir Fay Bullard Redgarde. She disappeared just like that…” (Judged)

　The judge said that, then heaved a deep sigh.

“…What do you suggest?” (Judge)

　The large open windows were still bright with sunlight streaming in. I don’t know if a god is present in the open space, but I do know that a bird flew in and out proudly.

　…In the end, when it came to Lila, it ended up being something like, “If we find her, I’ll have her work and stay at the Redgarde family.” Yep. It seems that there is nothing that can be done about it, since the bird that appeared through the window where the gods were looking through snatched her away.

　I wonder if the king made his decision in deference to the dragon and the bird this time. I wonder if it’s okay.

　I think Lila’s crime was lightened because the Ryuu appeared in the museum. Though the king never said, “It’s wrong for nobles to have someone else draw a picture and present it as their own,” and I don’t think he’ll say that in the future… For now, I guess that decision was made to refrain from angering the a dragon. What’s more, even a giant bird appeared, so it was even more difficult.

　…I feel like we cheated. Hmm.

　Well, but… It’s okay. That bird looked so happy.

　…Maybe because Ryuu appeared in public and caused a stir, he wanted to imitate him. That bird is older than the dragon, so maybe there was some kind of pride involved… [T/N: The previous Forest Spirit is so childish.]

　…And so, after the trial, which was nowhere near as normal as it should have been, we were off back to the forest.