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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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“…Master, I worked hard too!”
A clear, cheerful voice cut through the air.
Turning, he saw Eilly standing there, her hands neatly folded, her gaze pleading. Her blue eyes sparkled, her face filled with eager anticipation.
She looked just like a puppy yearning for its owner’s touch.
He chuckled softly and looked down at her.
“Yes, I saw you trying your best.”
He gently reached out and stroked her head.
Her hair was as soft as silk beneath his fingertips. As he ran his fingers through it, Eilly let out a small sigh and closed her eyes.
“Hehe, thank you!”
She couldn’t hide her joy, her lips curving into a wide smile. She giggled, a light blush dusting her cheeks, looking utterly adorable.
But before her satisfied expression could fade, another quiet voice broke the air.
“A-Arnold!”
A low, trembling voice. A cautious call mixed with shyness and anticipation.
He turned his gaze.
Hesitating at the doorway was none other than Elisha. She fidgeted with her hands, her eyes darting around shyly. A faint blush colored her cheeks, emphasizing her embarrassment.
“I… I think I did my part too….”
He took a short breath.
“…Did you?”
As if waiting for his cue, she continued.
“Of course! I mean, you ended up finishing them all, but I did manage to bind their feet at the beginning, right?”
She clearly emphasized her contribution, her eyes filled with expectation. He couldn’t help but nod lightly.
“Certainly, your situational awareness was excellent. That deserves praise.”
“R-Right…?”
But she didn’t seem satisfied with just that. She lowered her head slightly, her hesitation palpable, as if she wanted something more.
He realized it in that moment.
“…You did well.”
He slowly raised his hand and placed it on her hair.
The soft texture spread through his fingertips. As he gently patted her, her shoulders flinched slightly, a reaction as if she’d received an unexpected reward.
Elisha looked up at him and smiled, like a cat enjoying its owner’s touch.
“Hehe, I’ll keep working hard.”
A coy yet satisfied smile. There was a playful glint in Elisha’s eyes.
And—
“I tried hard too!”
Suddenly, another presence appeared. Melina, now clinging to him, exclaimed with a pout.
“It’s not fair if you only do it for them~”
She puffed her cheeks and lightly pushed his shoulder. Her golden hair shimmered, demanding his attention. Seeing her slightly sulking face, her lips pushed out, he couldn’t help but sigh.
“Haa, alright.”
In the end, he gently stroked her head as well. At that, Melina seemed pleased, snuggling closer into his embrace.
“Hehe, I knew it. Arnold definitely likes me the best.”
She beamed with satisfaction, rubbing against him.
“…….”
He felt a wave of exhaustion. For some reason, dealing with them was more mentally draining than fighting monsters.
Just… hopefully it was just his imagination….
“Wait a minute!”
But that hope was shattered in an instant. Eilly, who had stepped forward again, had her hands on her hips, her cheeks puffed out. She exclaimed in a deeply wronged tone.
“Why do you two want praise?!”
Eilly shot a sharp glare at the other two and spoke firmly.
“Why are the two of you asking for praise? I worked the hardest after Master!”
Her blue eyes shimmered with indignation, and her cheeks were puffed out. The way she stomped forward, her hands on her hips, was like a small child demanding her rightful reward.
At that, Elisha and Melina faced Eilly with confident expressions.
“I definitely did my part!” Elisha declared, puffing out her chest.
“You were of no help at all! At least I took down a few of them!” Eilly immediately retorted, raising an eyebrow.
The moment their eyes met, a fierce, silent battle of wills began. He sighed lightly as he watched them.
Why were they getting so worked up over something so trivial?
“My timing was just a little off…! The attempt was good, wasn’t it?” Elisha tried to explain, looking slightly flustered.
“Expecting a reward just for trying is not a good attitude! What matters are the results!”
Eilly showed no sign of backing down.
Elisha placed a hand on her chest, her mouth agape in disbelief. But Eilly’s expression remained unimpressed. If anything, she narrowed her eyes even more, pressing her advantage.
“If we’re going by that logic, Melina, I think you’re the most unreasonable of all!”
Her sudden verbal arrow was aimed at Melina.
“Huh? Why me?!” Melina exclaimed, her golden hair flying as she protested.
“When you think about it, you did the least, didn’t you?” Elisha asserted, crossing her arms.
“I did help a little!” Melina pouted, looking wronged.
But Eilly was relentless. She took another step forward and said in a calm but firm tone.
“Did you help a little, or… were you just watching from the side?”
Melina let out a hollow laugh, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her face clearly read, ‘What kind of nonsense is this?’
“Are you serious…? I, I actually fought, you know?!”
“Really?” Eilly said coolly. “Then prove it.”
Melina was momentarily speechless, hesitating. Seizing the opportunity, Elisha immediately chimed in.
“That’s right! I was thinking the same thing. I admit you helped, but honestly, you weren’t very helpful in the decisive moments.”
“What?!”
Melina snapped, glaring at Elisha.
He sighed again, feeling weary of the escalating atmosphere. When would this fight ever end…? Dealing with them was definitely harder than fighting monsters.
“Ugh… You might be right for now, but….”
Then, as if an idea struck her, Melina’s confidence returned. Her golden eyes sparkled with conviction.
“I will definitely become a more useful existence to Arnold than you two.”
Melina declared, her voice firm and unwavering.
“With my arrows, I will hunt more enemies and take more spoils.”
She took a step forward, her confidence radiating, as if to show she would prove it with her actions, not just words.
At this, Elisha’s lips curled into a smile, as if she had been waiting for this. Her red eyes gleamed playfully.
“Oh? Then shall we make a bet? A competition to see who can hunt more and stronger monsters during this exploration!” She challenged, crossing her arms and smiling provocatively, as if certain her opponent couldn’t refuse.
“You can back out now if you’re not confident.”
She added deliberately, trying to provoke Melina. But Melina was completely unfazed; in fact, a smile appeared on her lips as well.
“Fine, it’s a bet. I will definitely not lose.”
Melina replied confidently, her eyes sparkling. She was also full of confidence.
“I’ll participate too!”
At that moment, Eilly forcefully inserted herself between the two. Her blue eyes shone with strong resolve.
“I will use this opportunity to clearly prove that I am the most devoted to Master.”
Eilly exclaimed, clenching her fists. Her face was filled with a burning will.
“What? You too?”
Elisha raised an eyebrow and looked at Eilly. Melina also looked slightly surprised. But Eilly didn’t care about their reactions. If anything, she lifted her chin proudly, as if there was no reason for her to be left out.
“Why? I’m skilled enough. Are you both afraid I’ll win?”
She smiled provocatively. Elisha and Melina’s eyebrows twitched simultaneously.
“Ha? Afraid? Don’t make me laugh.” Melina scoffed.
Elisha also clicked her tongue lightly and crossed her arms.
“Then it’s settled. From now on, it’s an official three-way competition.”
Elisha announced, as if making a proclamation. Her red eyes shone with even more intensity.
“The rules are simple. The one who defeats the most enemies and collects the most spoils wins.”
“Alright, let’s do this.” Melina added. She held her bow lightly and smiled confidently.
“Hmph, I have no intention of losing from the start.” Eilly retorted strongly.
The three-way rivalry was perfectly established in that moment. Their gazes clashed. A tense atmosphere, like a battlefield on fire, settled over them.
He sighed.
‘This is… harder than dealing with monsters, isn’t it…?’
He was certain this exploration would not end peacefully.
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My boy Arnold can’t get a break.
