Vol 3 Chapter 33 – Menhera Muscle Maid (【The Exonerator of the Maritime Nation】 Arc)

“We’ve finally arrived. Has Meido already gotten here?”

“I got a message 10 minutes ago saying she’d be here any minute now!”

Takanashi and Kirino arrive at the airport designated by Hirata.

They left immediately after receiving the message, and Takanashi looked visibly exhausted.

“So the executive is coming back from Hokkaido, huh?”

Right behind Kirino, Ichiban stuck close, unwilling to stray.

Because of the seriousness of the matter, Ichiban had planned to be left at the hideout—but she didn’t object when Kirino decided to take her along.

It looked as if Ichiban was anxiously awaiting Meido’s return.

“Yeah—more like forced repatriation than an actual return…”

Takanashi wore an indescribable expression as she glanced at the ever-alert Ichiban.

She had heard from Hirata that Meido was in a state of severe injuries, so she was worried about an executive in such a condition being seen by the underlings.

“Well, it’s fine. She’s Kirino’s favorite anyway.”

“What are you trying to handle all by yourself?”

“It’s nothing.”

“So curt!?”

Glancing sidelong at a slightly dejected Kirino, Takanashi enters the airport.

Kirino and Ichiban follow behind like a party.

“I’ve checked with our contacts. It appears she’s already arrived.”

“That’s the best news. Let’s head out!”

Kirino darts toward the arrivals gate.

Takanashi casts a questioning glance at her.

“Aren’t you enjoying this situation?”

“No, I’m just being my usual self.”

“I see…? Well, you’re always making such a fuss like idiots…”

“I feel like Takanashi-san is colder than usual, though.”

“You’re just imagining things.”

Takanashi suddenly smiles.

In the midst of this, she speaks to the person standing beside her.

“Ichiban, are you nervous?”

“Yes, I am. I get nervous even in front of you two, and now that someone new is about to show up—it’s an honor for a mere foot soldier like me.”

“I see…”

Kirino looks at Ichiban with a parental gaze.

Takanashi hesitates about mentioning Meido’s condition, but she finally decides to say it.

“The executive who’s about to show up is in a near-death state.”

“Near-death state…? Even the esteemed executive?”

“Yeah. It seems something went wrong during her mission, and there hasn’t been any sign of her waking up.”

“I see…”

Ichiban stares at the arrivals gate with a solemn expression.

“Well, Meido-san is a menhera muscle maid, so she’ll bounce back soon, right?”

“Kirino…”

Kirino notices that Takanashi’s face has gone pale and offers a small smile.

“There’s no need to be so anxious! After all, she’s always risking her life!”

“No, that’s not it…”

Takanashi points.

Where she pointed, there was ——————

“—————— Who is the menhera muscle maid?”

“Huh.”

A voice comes from behind.

Kirino freezes, unable to move.

“Huh…? I swear, I wasn’t expecting to hear a voice from behind…”

“How long do you plan to keep averting your eyes? I’m very much alive, you know.”

“I’m terribly sorry, Meido-san!!”

Kirino swiftly performs a dogeza to Meido Arisu, the source of the voice.

A dark aura emanates from Meido Arisu.

“Honestly… you’re always, always like this. Please, try to calm down a bit.”
“…Yes.”
“I’d love to kill you right now, but at the moment I just don’t have the strength.”

Arisu, speaking these words, sits in a wheelchair wearing a black tracksuit. From the right sleeve of her tracksuit, nothing appears to be concealed—her missing right arm is on full display. Though slightly bewildered by her completely changed appearance, Takanashi spoke up.

“I heard from your subordinates that there were no signs of you waking up, but did you manage to come to?”
“Yes, I woke up safely. Thanks to Master.”
“Boss’s, huh? What do you mean?”

Pleased by the question, Arisu began speaking confidently.

“I had a dream. I dreamed that I was walking along a pitch-black road, without end.”
“So it’s like your own underworld, huh?”
“I’ll kill you, you know?”

Arisu glared at the utterly unrepentant Kirino.

“Eek… I’m sorry!”
“Why do you have to say such unnecessary things…?”

Takanashi sighed as she glanced at a nearly tearful Kirino.

“To get back on topic—while I was walking down that dark road, I heard Master’s voice saying, ‘Wake up.'”
“A voice, huh…”
“That very voice jolted me awake in an instant. It was like a Snow White experience.”
“That’s good…”

Takanashi, somewhat taken aback by Arisu’s godlike praise of Sakata, responded. In that moment, a figure appeared in Arisu’s view.

“By the way, who is the person standing behind the two of you? The pawn on the plane said only two would come.”

Arisu directed her question toward the silent presence of Ichiban. At the implication that her reply might bring swift consequences, Ichiban broke out in a cold sweat.

“Ah, I haven’t introduced her yet. This is Ichiban, my direct subordinate!”
“I’m Ichiban. Pleased to meet you.”
“Kirino-san’s direct subordinate, huh? Aside from the questionable naming, you’re enjoying quite a favorable treatment.”
“She’s an incredibly competent subordinate. She even has a mind of her own.”

Kirino spoke as though she were proudly introducing her own daughter. At those words, Arisu suddenly questioned,

“I’ve never heard of a pawn with a mind of her own. Has she really been brainwashed? Or is she some kind of trained spy?”
“———————!”

Arisu’s glare grew piercing, and Ichiban went completely blank.

“Th-that is———————.”
“That’s absolutely impossible~! I think it’s the first time brainwashing has ever triggered any change, you know? I’ve already placed enormous trust in her!”

Kirino, with a self-assured expression, added, and Ichiban nodded emphatically,

“If that’s the case, then it’s fine. If anything happens, we can simply take care of it immediately.”
“If something does happen, of course I’ll take responsibility too!”
“That sounds a bit too casual…”

Exasperated by Kirino’s attitude yet offering a small smile, Arisu grasped the handles of her wheelchair.

“I’m exactly as you see me. For now, take me to a place where I can rest.”
“Understood. For now, is it okay if we go to Meido-san’s hideout?”
“Yes. Please.”

With those words, Ichiban pushed Arisu’s wheelchair toward the parking lot.

—————————————————

“You’re wearing an eye patch—are your eyes all right?”

While walking through the airport, Ichiban noticed that Arisu had an eye patch over her right eye.

“It’s nothing; I wasn’t injured by someone else.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that—————”
“Ichiban, it’s best not to ask any further.”
“Kirino-sama?”

Ichiban was surprised by the expression on Kirino’s face—a look she had never seen before. Takanashi, walking beside her, nodded in agreement.

“Sometimes it’s better not to know.”
“I see…”

Enveloped in a mysterious atmosphere, the four of them exited the airport. Outside, dusk was beginning to fall.

—————————————————

【Author Note】

Thank you once again for reading.
This is Sariri, the author.
I’ve posted an image of Meido Arisu on my recent updates note—please take a look if you can.
Thank you for your continued support of this work.