Chapter 72: Charlotte and the Reflection Meeting

A few days after the battle with Salem…

"Ta-da! First Reflection Meeeeting!"

"Yaaay!"

Pop! A sharp crack rang out.

Trishel and I pulled the special party crackers we had made just for this day, announcing the start of the meeting.

The location: Trishel’s room. By now, a familiar place. Strips of colored paper fluttered down through the air.

"...What is this?"

Riven was watching the scene with a dry stare.

"This? These are called party crackers. I had them custom-made at the workshop!"

"Charlotte suggested it, and I had them put together."

"That’s not what I’m asking."

Huh? But really, this world doesn’t have party goods like this, so I explained the concept and had them made to order.

Oh, and by the way, I didn’t think there’d be much demand, but I did put the idea up for sale just in case. Earned me a little pocket money, too.

"What I’m asking is—what exactly is this gathering supposed to be?"

"This is an inquiry meeting."

"A what?"

"I said I’d handle things, and yet you two still went to Salem on your own! Why?!"

That’s right—this whole thing was meant to make them reflect…!

Am I really that untrustworthy? Well… yeah. I guess I am.

But still, after declaring I’d take care of things, after preparing myself, what came of it was that catastrophe. Of course I’ve got things to say too.

If they’d just waited for me, I think my plan—using my own life as leverage—would have worked.

That’s what I thought, anyway. But apparently, the two of them don’t see it that way.

Even Trishel, not just Riven, was giving me a skeptical look.

"I’ve got something to say about that," Riven said.

"Mmm, sorry, Charlotte-chan… but I can’t side with you this time," Trishel added.

"Eh?"

What—did I just get abandoned, casually?

"I heard about it. You carved a blood-loss curse into yourself, didn’t you."

"Y-yes. I figured that was the most reliable method—"

"You damn fool!"

The shout made it feel like the entire room shook.

Trishel had covered her ears, expecting it, but I took the full blast head-on.

"What were you thinking? What if someone had tampered with the master-setting of that blood-loss curse?"

"I—I had countermeasures in place to make sure that wouldn’t—"

"And you were certain? Absolutely no chance of it failing, not even a sliver?"

"...Yes. I’m sorry."

The pressure—unreal. This wasn’t just a display of anger; he was truly, seriously furious.

"I also heard you went to the other side."

"Yes."

"And if their people had schemed to use you, what would you have done then?"

"I—I was extremely cautious so that wouldn’t—"

"You’re saying you truly were? Without a doubt?"

"…………"

I couldn’t say a word.

From my perspective, I’d prepared thoroughly and handled the negotiations carefully.

But from Riven’s perspective, maybe there had been holes everywhere. He’s sharper than me, after all. He probably sees things I completely overlook.

Damn it, damn it. This is harassment! If only I weren’t self-employed, I could file a complaint.

"One wrong step, and you could’ve ended up as someone’s pawn. Do you understand now just how high-risk a choice you made?"

"...Yes."

Wait a second—wasn’t this meeting supposed to be about making them reflect? Why am I the one getting grilled here?

This isn’t how it was supposed to go!

"Our defeat condition was you being captured by the enemy. That’s why you acting recklessly on your own was incredibly dangerous…"

"Alright! Alright, I get it already!"

If I don’t force the flow of this conversation, they’ll just keep blaming me forever!

Think, think—there’s gotta be something I can throw back at them. Something, anything… Ah! That’s it!

"Well then, Riven, why did you cut your own throat in that situation?!"

"Mm."

"That scared the life out of me, you know!"

Yes—when Salem had taken him hostage. Why in the world did he commit such an insane act as slitting his own throat?

I’d thought about it plenty since then, but still couldn’t figure it out.

"That was the course of action I judged had the best odds of success."

"Odds of success?"

"Yes. Let me break down the situation for you."

Riven began his explanation in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.

According to him, given the circumstances, there was no clear reason for Salem not to kill him on the spot. Which meant, logically, there had to be a reason to keep him alive—or rather, that killing him would have been disadvantageous.

In other words, he was a hostage. And who would Salem try to use him against most effectively? Not Trishel—taking her hostage wouldn’t make sense. That left me. Since Salem had already picked up on my presence to some degree, that clinched it.

If I was there, then there was also a healer on the field. Knowing Salem’s personality, if something unexpected happened, she wouldn’t be able to stay calm… and so on, and so on.

He lined up a whole string of logical arguments, and honestly, I couldn’t follow most of it. By the end, I found myself half-convinced that maybe his reckless decision really had been the right one.

But no! That’s not the point here! Right or wrong isn’t the issue!

"I was… worried about you, you know…"

"Ugh."

"I was worried sick, already falling apart, and then right in front of me, you suddenly looked like you were about to die. I was terrified…"

Ah—thinking back on it now, I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes again.

At that moment, I’d completely lost track of what was happening. My mind just went blank.

Not knowing what else to do, all my rage ended up directed at Salem. It was basically just lashing out… I kind of feel bad about that, in hindsight.

"Aaand there it is. Riven made Charlotte-chan cryyy."

"Grh…"

Trishel jumped in right on cue to tease him. She’d been quiet all this time—whose side was she even on?

"…It was a snap decision. I admit that. But you understand there was no time to consult with you, right?"

"I get that, but stiiill…"

"Enough! Stop crying! Fine, I swear—I’ll never do something like that again!"

Oh—nice. I got him to say it. That’s a win.

"Well, well. Let’s just say both sides messed up and call it even, alright?"

"…I’m not entirely satisfied, but fine. I’ll accept that."

"Not satisfied, huh? Shouldn’t you be saying ‘Thanks for mediating, Trishel’? Come on, say it—"

The way she was pestering him, she sounded more like an older sister picking on her little brother.

At least they’re getting along. Honestly, my biggest worry when I wasn’t around was whether these two would be able to work together.

But judging by how they are now, they’ve managed just fine without me. Good, good.

They really are getting closer. Compared to the way they were at the start, this is amazing progress.

"Heheh."

I couldn’t help smiling, happiness bubbling up inside me.

…Hm? Suddenly, it went quiet.

When I opened my eyes, both of them were staring straight at me. Their gazes pinned me in place—what was that about?

"…Charlotte-chan, you look even prettier than before."

"Eh? R-really?"

"Yeah. It’s not like your whole aura has changed, but the moment you smiled just now, the entire room seemed to brighten up."

Huh? I don’t really get what she means.

Nothing comes to mind. It’s not like I’ve done anything unusual.

I’m not using anything special. I didn’t even wear makeup today.

If there’s anything I could possibly credit… maybe the party crackers? Nah, that’s ridiculous.

"Hey, you think so too, right?"

"Mmh!?"

"Whoa, killer pass."

Don’t suddenly toss that kind of thing at a guy. Seriously, it’s hard to comment. It’s really hard to comment. I had the same problem when the outgoing girls in class tried to rope me in. Answer wrong, and they’d tear you apart. It’s honestly tough.

Even Riven looks troubled… huh?

"…Well, I guess you were kinda cute."

…Huh?

Riven just complimented my looks? This guy?

"Trishel! Contact the Federation immediately! Tomorrow spears will rain from the sky!"

"Hey, isn’t that rude to me?"

"But your face always screams, ‘all girls look the same!’"

"You thought of me like that?"

Ah, crap. Said something I shouldn’t have. And Trishel’s giving me that ‘oh no, you did it’ face! Don’t abandon me!

"…Looks like you and I need to have a nice, long talk."

"Ah, wait. Let’s not do that, okay? I mean, we finally got a breather here."

"Mhm. I also think Charlotte-chan should be willing to have that talk."

"Trishel too!? R–Reynard! Reynard! Help! Your clan members are bullying me!"

"Reynard’s still out, healing the wounds Rosalind gave him. Hahaha, give it up and surrender, Charlotte-chan."

I tried to make a run for it, but my arm was grabbed instantly.

That smile—Trishel’s smile is terrifying. And Riven! You’re not supposed to be smiling like that where I can see it!

Ah, no, stop, ah, stop.

Nooo!