Fun Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord (Novel) - Chapter 116 - Arte's Feelings

Chapter 116 – Arte’s Feelings

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Translated by Sylph

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The moment Seat Village drew near and we entered the adventurers’ town first, I felt the tension leave my shoulders.

Was it because I felt relieved? I had not noticed because I had been so desperately absorbed in everything, but it seemed I had been tense the whole time. When the tension left my shoulders, a feeling of fatigue suddenly took control of my entire body.

Since I had been traveling by horse and wagon, I should have had an easier time than the adventurers who had served as scouts. And yet I already felt as if I might collapse.

“Just a little more. Before long, you will be able to sleep comfortably in a bed again for the first time in a while.”

Plurier, riding in the same wagon, gently encouraged me.

Maybe it was because she was an adventurer, but she was an adult woman who had experienced many things more than I had. She had composure, and I thought she was cool.

“…I am no good, am I.”

I compared myself to her, and without realizing it, self-deprecating words came out. Then Plurier’s gaze turned toward me. Unable to look at her face, I lowered my head.

Ah, I really am pathetic. I have no knowledge, and I cannot do anything unless I rely on someone else. More than anything, it is sad that I cannot have confidence in myself, and I come to hate such a self.

What did Plurier think of me? Would she laugh at me as a pathetic person? Thinking that, I felt too ashamed to raise my face even more. Looking at me like that, Plurier opened her mouth.

“…Why do you think you are no good?”

She asked me that back in a slightly firm voice. My spine trembled with a jerk. When I think someone may be angry, my body reflexively stiffens. While hiding my trembling fingertips by clenching my fists, I opened my mouth.

“…Well, I cannot confidently give everyone orders like Van-sama, and unless I hear someone else’s opinion, I cannot even decide what I should do.”

When I revealed my feelings, Plurier shrugged and let out a sigh. Then she spoke.

“I will say this even prepared to be punished for it.”

“Y-Yes.”

I am going to be scolded. Thinking that made my body stiffen. I raised my face without meaning to, and our eyes met. But Plurier was looking at me with a smile.

“To speak frankly, I think Lady Arte is more than admirable enough. Rather, I do not even understand why you have so little confidence. When I was your age, I was not nearly so dependable.”

“…That is not…”

Even though she had affirmed me, words of denial slipped out before I knew it. She had probably tried to comfort me, but why had I denied it? While I was feeling down over that, Plurier shook her head.

“Please look around you. For example, even Orto and Kusara are over thirty, you know. They are like children, are they not?”

“That is true… ah.”

I found myself agreeing before I realized it. By the time I noticed, Plurier was there laughing with her mouth open wide.

“Perhaps Lady Arte has always had nothing but adults around you. And not only that, but ones who were extremely capable, or people admirable as leaders… But even such people were not able to do everything from the beginning. I think all of them have experienced many kinds of effort and setbacks.”

“D-Do you think so? Van-sama…”

When I asked that back, Plurier waved one hand in front of her face from side to side.

“Let us set Van-sama aside. Please think of Lord Dee and Lord Espada. Quite apart from their age, they have surely experienced a considerable number of battlefields. Panamera-sama as well, I think they have all passed through very harsh situations many times.”

“…That is true. Everyone is always confident and calm. Could I also become like that?”

When I asked again, Plurier nodded strongly.

“Of course.”

Being told that made it feel as though my chest suddenly grew lighter. Someday, I too may become an adult, and there may even be a time when I help Van-sama. That may be going too far, but perhaps I may become able to be of at least some help.

Thinking that, when I raised my face, a voice came from outside.

“Lady Arte! Van-sama has come to meet you!”

The moment I heard Van-sama’s name, I became aware of my heart beating hard. Then my body moved as though it were not my own. When I opened the wagon door and looked outside, I could see a tall figure deeper in the town. The slender figure was Espada, and the broad one was Dee.

And in their middle was Van-sama, his eyes widened in surprise. After blinking two or three times, Van-sama gently smiled while still looking this way.

The next instant, I leaped from the wagon and was running toward Van-sama.

I do not remember much, but later I heard that I cried out loud while clinging to Van-sama.

As I thought, becoming an adult woman like Plurier may still be a distant goal after all.