Chapter 100

### Commemorative 100th Post \ (^o^) /

This is the last post of the year.

"It's important."

The maid stated firmly.

"Is that so? But even if we could see your faces, it wouldn't prove that you are Porneasians. If you're just going to make assumptions based on suspicious appearances, I still agree with Shauene."

What does it matter what we look like?

I can't help but think that.

Indeed, if someone were to wear a mask and look suspicious in the middle of the city or in a store, they probably wouldn't be trusted. It wouldn't be strange for someone to report them to the guards.

But this is different.

This is a battlefield, and what is required is the strength to protect them.

Being here means you have something that allows you to be here. That much can be easily predicted.

If you can judge someone just by seeing their face, you wouldn't be able to be a con artist.

Still, if you think it's important to see faces, I want a reason that makes sense.

"Understand this. A person's face is a reflection of the life they have lived. By looking at someone's face, you can get a sense of what kind of person they are."

"If that were true, there would be no con artists in this world."

"Indeed. Then, what should I judge about you?"

She countered my retort.

What to judge... There isn't anything.

There is no material to judge.

I do have the Orion family emblem, as I mentioned before, and it can't be replicated. But if they say I stole it, I can't refute that. In this world, without video cameras or DNA testing, there is no definitive proof that I didn't steal it.

In the end, the criteria for judgment converge on individual sensibilities.

For her, it was the face.

"...I understand. If that will make you satisfied, I will show you."

With that, she pulled off her hood.

"Riddle-sama!"

Of course, Captain Rand called out to her. But this is something I can't back down on.

"Shauene and I were rude to her. And we agreed with what she said. So, we should show our sincerity. We're not just helping them out of the goodness of our hearts, after all.

I will inform the Marshal... I will inform your father."

"Father...?"

I ignored the murmur and removed the mask that had been hiding my face.

"...!?"

The maid and the Lumion man who had been watching behind her gasped.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Rain Duke de Orion. My father is Marshal Rond Duke de Orion, who leads this army.

Please forgive my earlier rude behavior."

I bowed, thinking that after six years as a noble, I can at least do it properly.

"Orion...?! And you..."

She broke her usual stern expression, opening her eyes and mouth wide in shock.

"Well, that's the case. By the way, I am as old as I look."

Though the inside doesn't match the appearance.

"Why... Why are you...?"

The maid managed to squeeze out, barely able to speak from shock. In response, I put my mask back on and said,

"Why...? Why am I mature for my age? Or why am I here at this age? The answer to the first is that I am precocious. The answer to the second is that there is someone I want to protect, even if it means going to the battlefield."

The first is a lie, but the second is true.

The maid, regaining her composure, said,

"Having such thoughts at your age is admirable. But... but, without strength, you can't do anything. Like me...!"

She said this as if squeezing it out from her throat.

"I don't think you should say you have no strength if you have the ability not to be a burden. And I have that strength. That's all there is to it."

If there is something I can do to protect the person I want to protect, I should do it.

"That is why I am here on the battlefield, and why I hide my face and appearance. I hope you understand."

As I concluded, she straightened up and bowed beautifully, not to be outdone by Shauene.

"I am the one who should apologize for my rudeness earlier. My name is Tanya. Please forgive me for not introducing myself sooner. And, though it is presumptuous of me to ask after such rudeness... I would like to ask if you could shelter the Lumion princesses in your home. Could you please consider it?"

My answer was,

"Rudeness is mutual. As for sheltering them, please ask my father, the Marshal."

I can't just decide on my own, so I'll leave it to my father.

"I understand. I will bring the princesses to you."

With that, she retreated into the hut.

Soon after, she returned with two young girls, one five years old and the other three.

Both were adorable with blonde hair and blue eyes.

They were both trembling, clinging to Tanya's legs with tearful eyes.

Captain Rand slowly approached, knelt down, and spoke in a gentlemanly manner.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Rand. I will protect the princesses with my life, so please rest assured."

Tanya flinched but quickly regained her composure.

Still... Captain Rand, you're doing great! Especially the part where you kneel to meet their eye level is a high point. As expected, the right-hand man of my father.

However, the princesses, with tearful faces, hid even further behind Tanya. This isn't shyness. They genuinely don't like it.

Sorry about that.

Thinking this, I also approached and stood next to Captain Rand. Follow-up is important.

Just as I was about to speak, the five-year-old princess suddenly stepped out, grabbed my arm, and led me back to Tanya, holding my arm like a couple.

"Eh? Eh? What, eh?"

An unexpected event occurred.

As I was confused, she said,

"I'll protect you! Don't worry, leave it to me!"

and patted my head.

Eh... The roles are reversed.

Probably, I looked like a child who had been separated from their parents and was lonely, just like them.

Unlike before, the princess stood there, puffing out her chest to encourage me.

"My name is Lily! This is my sister Luna! What's your name?"

"Eh? I'm Riddle..."

As I said this, Lily's eyes sparkled even more, "Really! Then, Riddle! From today, you're my little brother! Nice to meet you!"

She said this energetically and extended her hand.

Eh... First of all, I'm already older than her... I'm six.

Well, I'll shake her hand.

Reluctantly, I took her hand.

It seems to have lifted her spirits, so that's a relief.