KKKB 727

Bear-san's Relaxing Time was Interrupted by Noa

I wanted to relax today.

No matter if the Lord, the Guild Master, or the King comes, I wanted to relax.

I steeled my resolve and entered into relaxed mode, sandwiched between regular-sized Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

It was the ultimate luxury to be lazy when other people were working.

I knew I was thinking like a useless person, but I wanted to be lazy. I wanted to laze around.

So today, I've decided to relax with Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

Mmm, it feels good. So soft, fluffy and warm.

I would appreciate it if there were manga and games here.

But it was also nice to close my eyes and indulge in a lazy afternoon nap.

Happiness.

After a while, as I was in my lazy mode, I heard someone calling me from the entrance.

"Yuna-sa~n" (Noa)

Noa's voice.

I thought about pretending to be out, but I decided to go and greet her because I felt sorry for her.

I got up, enduring the laziness I felt and opened the front door to see Noa, full of energy and radiance.

And so, I greeted her and let her in.

Noa found Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear and hugged them.

...that was supposed to be my place today.

"So, what's up? Did you come to see Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear?" (Yuna)

"That's part of it, but I also wanted to confirm something with you, Yuna-san." (Noa)

"Confirm?" (Noa)

"Fina also knows about that door, right?" (Yuna)

By door, she meant the Bear Transfer Gate, right?

"Well, kind of." (Yuna)

"Since when have you told her about it?" (Noa)

Was I being interrogated?

"Well, I think it was when I first went to the royal capital with Noa." (Yuna)

I remembered that when I was in the royal capital, I used up the eggs I had with me, so I used the Bear Transfer Gate to return to Crimonia.

At that time, I didn't know how incredible the Bear Transfer Gate was.

That was why I casually told Fina about it and used it.

Now, when I think about it, I was glad that I only told Fina about it.

Fina kept her promise and didn't tell anyone.

"Does that mean she knew about it since the King's birthday festival?" (Noa)

"Yeah, sort of." (Yuna)

"So she has known about it for a while?" (Yuna)

Noa pouted.

When she put it that way, I was at a loss for words. The Bear Transfer Gate was a secret. If it had been something that was commonly available, I would have told her, but it wasn't like that.

If the existence of Bear Transfer Gate became known to everyone, it would be a disaster.

While if Mylene found out, she'd probably want to use it as a way to transport goods. When it came to the Adventurers' Guild finding out about it, they'd most likely make me do distant quests. If Cliff or the King found out, they might take advantage of me.

"Even Noa can understand that it's not something I can talk about easily." (Yuna)

"Yes. I think any country would want it. With Bear Transfer Gate, it would be easy to send large numbers of soldiers, knights, and wizards into the enemy country. You could send as many supplies as you like. If they get injured, they can be sent back immediately. You could even replenish your soldiers. If I were the King, I would put one of those in every country." (Noa)

"Don't say such scary things." (Yuna)

It was dangerous for an 11-year-old girl to talk about sending soldiers.

But as expected of a noble's daughter, she was quick-witted.

"So, it's a secret. As I've told you before, you can't tell anyone, not even Cliff, about it." (Yuna)

"Yes, I won't tell anyone." (Noa)

If Cliff heard about it, there was a possibility that it would reach Ellelaura and even the King.

Phew, but I guess that's the end of that.

I thought that was the end of it, but it wasn't.

"But that's a different matter. Did you think I would tell my father or someone else? Is that why you didn't tell me?" (Noa)

Noa continued to press the issue.

"Well, I don't think Noa would intentionally tell anyone, but... Noa can be a bit of a loose-lipped person, so I thought she might accidentally let something slip?" (Yuna)

"Yuna-san, that's terrible. I'm not that kind of person." (Noa)

When I went to the Royal Capital, the relationship between Noa and I was just starting out.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that it was our first time together.

Besides, on the times we went out, she was always looking forward to riding Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

Which was also the main reason why I never got around to telling her about Bear Transfer Gate.

Also, I thought it would be better not to talk about the Bear Transfer Gate too much. That's why I still only told people I could trust or Mumroot-san, who did the contract magic for me, about the Bear Transfer Gate.

Just as I thought that the questioning was over, Fina arrived at the worst possible moment.

There was supposed to be no dismantling work today.

"Fina, welcome." (Noa)

"Noa-sama!?" (Fina)

Fina, who didn't expect to find Noa at my house, was surprised to be greeted by Noa.

"Haha, it's just perfect timing." (Noa)

It was the worst possible timing for me and Fina.

"What is it?" (Fina)

Fina was a little frightened by Noa's expression as she inched closer.

"Look, Fina is scared. Leave her alone." (Yuna)

I pulled Noa away from Fina, who was about to question her at any moment.

And then I told Fina about Noa finding out about the Bear Transfer Gate.

"Fina knew about it too, didn't she?" (Noa)

"Yes." (Fina)

"It's terrible that you never told me about it." (Noa)

"I'm sorry." (Fina)

"Noa, don't bully Fina." (Yuna)

"I'm not bullying her." (Noa)

"I already told you before. I asked Fina to keep quiet about the Gate in order to keep it a secret." (Yuna)

"Okay. So where did she take you, Fina?" (Noa)

"Well... many places. " (Fina)

"Where is this 'many places'!?" (Noa)

"Well..." (Fina)

Fina looked at me as if to ask for help.

Fina was having trouble whether she should tell Noa or keep her promise to me.

"Fina is feeling troubled. Next time, I'll take you somewhere using that Gate, so don't question Fina any further." (Yuna)

"Really!?" (Noa)

Well, no problem if it was just giving Noa a tour.

"I promise. But you'll have to get Cliff's permission to stay over." (Yuna)

"You mean we're going to spend the night?" (Noa)

We might go to a hot spring while looking at the stars in the Land of Harmony. If that happened, an overnight stay would be necessary.

And it would take time looking around different places and trying to check all the attractions in the area.

"We can also just go for a day trip, but that would probably shorten the fun. It would be better to have time to enjoy while we can." (Yuna)

"Okay, but I have one more request." (Noa)

"What?" (Yuna)

"Can't I tell Misa about that door? It's hard for me to be the only one who knows and keep it a secret from her." (Noa)

Misa was Noa's childhood friend and the daughter of the Lord of a nearby town.

Fina and I were also invited to her birthday party and attended.

The three of them were close friends.

Misa was not the kind of girl who would blab someone's secret.

But if it spreads too much…

"Can't four of us have fun together..." (Noa)

"Um, Yuna Onee-chan, I feel the same way as Noa-sama. It was hard for me to keep quiet about it, as well." (Fina)

"Alright, I understand. Next time, let's go out with Misa as well." (Yuna)

"Yuna-san!" (Noa)

"Yuna Onee-chan!" (Fina)

They seemed happy.

I knew from our previous interactions that Misa wouldn't spread the word.

But I planned to make sure they kept their word.

"Well then, let's start making plans for our outing right away." (Yuna)

"Yes!" (Noa)

They replied happily together.

Maybe it was nice to have a friend you could share secrets with.

On the other hand, it might have been painful to keep something secret from your friends.

I didn't understand because I didn't have any friends in my previous life, but it was probably hard for Fina to keep secrets from her friends.

Meeting Fina and Noa helped me understand a little bit about how painful it would be to be left out by your friends.

"But, Noa, will it be okay? You were out and about just a few days ago. Will Cliff allow you to go out again so soon?" (Yuna)

Noa had been away for about a week because of the fairy incident.

I didn't think Cliff would give her permission to go out so frequently.

After all, Noa was the daughter of a Lord.

"That's fine. That trip was also part of my studies. When I came back, I wrote about the town and submitted it." (Noa)

“Something like a report?” (Yuna)

Sounds like she was made to submit a report.

"You didn't write everything that happened there, did you?" (Yuna)

There were things that I didn't want Cliff to know.

"I didn't write anything more than Yuna-san reported to Father about that incident. However, I did write about the damage done to the residents by the actions of the Lord, as well as the arrogant knights who obeyed the Lord's orders and the inconveniences faced by residents. I also wrote about the thoughts of the adventurers who left the town, merchants, etc." (Noa)

Oh, you wrote about that?

It really did sound like a report or a written account.

"You see, my father told me that nobles have power and the ability to make the residents obey. But at the same time, he also mentioned that this is only possible because there are actual people living in the town." (Noa)

If the residents disappeared from the town, there would be no one to give orders to.

Without residents, money would not come in. That might be why there were so few servants at the Lord's mansion of that town.

"Also, he said that power should be used to protect the powerless. He asked me to look at various places, listen to other people's words, but not to take them at face value." (Noa)

"Cliff-sama is wonderful." (Fina)

Fina, who had been listening to the conversation, was impressed.

"Yes, but Father also said that even he makes mistakes and doesn't always notice wrongdoings." (Noa)

Every time I hear these words from Cliff, I think of the orphanage.

People had limits, and it was normal for one to make mistakes. But even if they made mistakes, as long as they followed a proper path, the number of suffering residents would decrease.

I too never think that all my actions were correct.

Everyone makes mistakes.

As long as they realize their mistakes and correct them, it would be fine.

Well, I guess I shouldn't be the one saying this, being such a lazy person.

"Nobles must be having a hard time." (Fina)

"Yes, it's very difficult. But I was also told to keep studying because expanding my knowledge will increase the information I can use to make necessary decisions with. That's why it's okay for me to go out and enjoy a trip!" (Noa)

A good story ruined at the end.