Chapter 55: Numb Feet

As Aeris-sama’s figure disappeared from our sight, Emilia walked closer.

“Lumina-sama, it’s about time we leave.”

“W-wait just a moment…”

As thanks for the wonderful time we had, Aeris-sama had given me the tatami. At first, I was very grateful for this gift. However, once my nervousness subsided, I realized my legs had gone numb from sitting too long. It became clear that the real reason he gave me the tatami was because he anticipated this would happen.

He’s a really considerate guy, huh.

“Lumina-sama?”

Emilia’s voice was filled with concern.

“Why the hell are you still sitting there? Did you like the gift he gave you?”

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Carlos approached from the side.

“J-just w-wait…”

Shin, observing from the side, noticed the reason I couldn’t move.

He then approached me with a very big smile.

“Don’t move her just yet!”

“““?””””

Everyone, including Gen. Mayers, looked puzzled by Shin’s words.

“I know the real reason why Lumina can’t move from her spot.”

Shin raised his finger as he walked toward me.

Don’t tell me this guy’s planning to…

“D-don’t come… a-any closer…”

With a desperate voice, I tried to stop Shin. Hearing my plea, the people around me only became more curious and stared silently.

“I wonder if I was born to hear this voice~”

Shin stopped in front of me, staring at the sky.

“S… s-stop.”

When he returned his gaze to me, he wore a very satisfied smile.

“If I ever die because of this, however, I’m sure it’ll be an honorable death.”

He then placed his index finger on one of my legs and began moving it.

“Unn… Kuh… P… plea… se… kya~!”

As his finger moved on my leg, I felt an extremely odd sensation. It was enough to make me moan rather than scream, which would be even more embarrassing. I writhed on the floor, moaning as I tried to control my reactions.

“Ufufufu.”

Shin covered his nose with his free hand, still moving his finger.

“… s-sto… muu… puw… ease…”

Tears formed in the corners of my eyes as I desperately tried to stifle my moans. I looked around for help, but everyone was frozen in shock, staring at me.

“Stop it, you pervert!”

“Gyaa!”

Eclara appeared from behind Shin and shot him with a fireball.

“Haa… Haa…”

With the source of my distress gone, I lay weakly on the tatami, breathing deeply. Once I regained my composure, I glared at everyone.

“Why didn’t anyone help me?”

When I asked, everyone, including Gen. Mayers, looked away, their faces red. As I glared at them one by one, I heard a creepy laugh from Liza. Feeling unsettled, I chose to ignore it.

“Are you okay now, Lumina-sama?”

Eclara extended her hand and asked.

“Un, the tingling sensation has disappeared. Thanks.”

I thanked Eclara.

“No, I should be the one thanking you.”

Why!?

“Cough* Then let’s go to the fortress. I think there are still a lot of things we need to do.”

Gen. Mayers spoke nervously as he turned his back to me.

“Un…”

I followed him, with Emilia and the others trailing behind.

* * * *

Gen. Mayers guided us to the meeting room inside the fortress. Inside, I saw ten people seated around a round table. Gen. Mayers took a vacant seat and urged me to sit beside him.

As soon as I sat down, the atmosphere in the room grew tense, and people began whispering among themselves. I noticed that Emilia and the others were stopped by soldiers near the door. I assumed it was part of military protocol, so I didn’t insist on letting them in.

“Oi, what are you doing?”

Carlos glared at the soldiers blocking his way.

“Do you know who I am, huh?”

I sighed, realizing what would happen if they continued to stop him. Gen. Mayers, thinking along the same lines, instructed the soldiers to let him in. He then walked toward the round table and sat on my left with a scowl. When I looked at him, he turned his gaze away.

“Let me in! If that shit can get in, why can’t I?”

This time, the soldiers were blocking Shin.

“S-Shin… I think this is a bad idea…”

The blonde girl tried to stop Shin, grabbing his arm and weakly pulling him away.

“Why?”

“All the people sitting there are high-ranking. If you make a ruckus…”

“Do you want to cause trouble for your master’s family, Shin?”

When Eclara rebuked him, Shin quieted down and stopped forcing his way. The guards near the door then closed the entrance with a thud.

“Well then, let’s begin the meeting.”

Gen. Mayers, meeting the eyes of everyone in the room, began as soon as he had their attention.

“Earlier, this child, Lumina Chis Chem, negotiated with the elves.”

A person with white hair slammed his fist on the table.

“What nonsense! Are you saying that the unknown group from earlier were elves!?”

“They were elves. The research I conducted yesterday and my observations today confirmed it.”

“So, are you saying that the great barrier protecting our country is weakening?”

Gen. Mayers nodded firmly, meeting the gaze of the speaker.

“Do you expect me to believe that load of bullshit?”

“It is a fact. The culture they have and the language they spoke matched descriptions in the books about elves. Even their appearances were different from ours.”

“If they have a different language, then how did that girl negotiate with them!?”

Another person from the round table voiced his doubts.

“They have a magical device that allows people of different languages to communicate.”

“You’re not lying, right? Are you sure you’re not just using the unknown group as an excuse to stage another coup d’état?”

“If the people at the top refuse to believe the facts I’ve presented, then I’ll use that card.”

“Do you know that if you attempt another coup d’état, the King won’t show you any mercy?”

“The next attempt will be successful.”

Gen. Mayers spoke with a strong, ambitious voice.

“My colleagues have already presented the facts about the relic and the barrier to many nobles. Even now, they are working hard to convince the upper echelons.”

“Pfft, colleagues? You’re just a bunch of traitors. Do you think anyone will believe you?”

Gen. Mayers clenched his fists as the people at the table ridiculed him.

“Even though you’ve witnessed that unknown group, you still refuse to believe us?”

“I’m leaving. Ever since you betrayed the four families, you’ve become a fool! I refuse to listen to another word from you.”

“I agree. You, the prime minister, and the upstart merchant have become fools since you allied yourselves.”

As one of the people I had thought of as an aide stood up, more followed suit. From the ten people present, only three remained seated.

“Haaa, it seems they’re still obstinate.”

Gen. Mayers sighed heavily, forcing a weak smile.

“I’m sorry you had to see such a miserable sight, Lumina-sama.”

His apology was unexpected, and it made me feel uncomfortable, as he hadn’t done anything to me.

I replied, “Was that really a miserable sight? The way you faced their insults was very heroic. It looked quite admirable to me.”

The remaining people stared at me blankly. Feeling embarrassed, I closed my eyes and tried to think of happy thoughts to dispel my discomfort, but it didn’t help.

““““Hahahahaha””””

Everyone, except Carlos, burst into laughter, holding their stomachs.

Did I say something funny? Huh? I was sure I was complimenting him. Why did they laugh?

My cheeks flushed as I tried to find a way to escape the embarrassing situation.

“I didn’t expect such words to come out of your mouth, Lumina-sama.”

“What did you think I was going to say?”

I tilted my head in curiosity.

“Nothing… nothing…”

Gen. Mayers waved his hand, trying to stop himself from laughing.

“Being beside you makes me feel young again.”

Gen. Mayers gave me a very satisfied smile.

“Okay then… even if I get ridiculed or face setbacks, I’ll do everything to ensure the peace talks happen, Lumina-sama. You don’t need to worry about the danger of failure.”

I gave him a wry smile.

“I don’t care if it fails. Just be careful with your plans. Even if it fails, as long as you’re still alive, we can always try again.”

“Hahaha! Well said! Are you really only 12 years old?”

“Yes.”

After he finished laughing, Gen. Mayers outlined his plans. Carlos and I listened intently as he briefed us on the details.

Honestly, I hoped some of his plans would fail, especially those involving riots. However, since it was just one of many strategies he had devised, I couldn’t really stop him. When the meeting ended, I left the room and headed to the room I had been assigned.

Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep on my bed.