Vol 4 Chapter 51: Judgment

After leaving the hospital room, I gave Tina and the others a quick explanation.

Obviously, I skipped the part about Ricardo’s crispy barbecue skin. No need to traumatize the kids.

But Karen—yeah, she’s totally onto me.

Relax, it’s fine! Even if I’m useless, Lidia’s here! Quit making that kicked-puppy face already.

“Sooo, Lidia and I are gonna go play hero with the Royal Guards. Karen, take the kiddos home.”

“NO! I’m coming too!!”

“U-um, Allen-sensei! I-I want to help…!”

“Tina… Ellie…”

“Denied. You’ll just trip over your own feet.”

““HUH!?””

“Lidia…”

Why’s she gotta be like this? Now they’re double mad!

Tina’s practically shooting sparks while Ellie puffs up like an angry kitten. Lidia stands next to me, arms crossed, glaring daggers.

…You break it, you fix it?

Ugh, she’s so petty for a self-proclaimed cool big sis—OW! Quit ninja-kicking my shins!

“Your enthusiasm is touching, but nope.”

“But you said it’s safe!”

“W-we’ve trained super hard! We’re strong now!”

“Throwing tantrums? How embarrassing. If Brother and Sister say no, it’s NO. Right, Brother? We’d just slow them down?”

“Liene—Don’t twist it. You’re all plenty strong. Even Stella-sama and Karen. But…”

“Allen-sama, this half-truth nonsense won’t work. …Is this a secret~?”

“Stella-sama… My bad.”

“Hmm~? You’ll tell me everything later, right~?”

“Scout’s honor. Tina. Ellie.”

“…I’m NOT weak anymore!”

“M-me neither!!”

Crap. They’re usually so obedient, but seeing Ricardo’s crispy arm must’ve flipped their berserk switches.

Think, Allen, think! Can’t wrestle them—they’d magic-nuke me into next week. Objectively, bringing them makes sense. They’re walking WMDs now.

But that’s exactly why—no.

Battlefields are chaos. One lucky hit, and boom—dead prodigy. They’ll learn that lesson… after they stop crying over scraped knees.

Mostly though? I’m selfish. I don’t wanna see their sparkly eyes dimmed by bloodstains.

Lidia? She’d stab me then follow. Not worth the argument.

If this were just Gerald again? Maybe. But those flames that melted Ricardo…

If I’m right… we’re walking into hellfire.

And if Tina’s inner 『thing』 wakes up? Goodbye, city. Hello, crater.

(Though honestly? My grumpy ex might make this fun—)

“…What.”

“Nothing~ Just thinking how lucky I am to have you~”

“…Disgusting. Save the lies for enemies.”

“Yes, yes~”

“ONE ‘YES’!”

“—Tina. Ellie. Final answer: no. We’ll be back in two days. Be good, ‘kay?”

“…No choice…?”

“None.”

“THEN I’LL FORCE MY WAY THROUGH!!”

BOOM. Tina’s magic flares like a rave party. In a hospital hallway.

…Proud? Absolutely. Terrified? Also yes.

This girl couldn’t light a candle last month! Now she’s a walking inferno!

Ellie’s charging up too—Karen, hold my coffee.

Flick. I vanish behind them, tapping their necks. Their spells unravel like cheap yarn.

“EH!?”

“And… you’re out~”

“CHEATER!”

“Th-that’s mean…!”

“Listen. You’re geniuses. You’ll eclipse me soon. But this time—stay home.”

“…Sensei.”

“Hmm?”

“…You’ll really… come back?”

“Promise. I never break vows! …Except to Lidia~”

WHOOSH. Her 『Flame Bird』 nearly singes my eyebrows. Since when could she cast that fast!?

『You’ll grovel for that later.』

Kidding! …Mostly.

Crouching, I meet their teary eyes.

“Anyway—wait patiently. I’ll spill all the tea later. Deal, Ellie?”

“…Hug. Now.”

“Sigh… Come here.”

I squish the sniffing Ellie into a bear hug.

Tina and Liene line up next—wait, Stella-sama?! Why’re you holding out arms!? Karen, stop smirking!

Lidia’s side-eye could cut steel.

…Fine, fine. 『Sword Princess』 gets extra attention later. Now—let’s bail before they riot!