When My Younger Sister Enrolled in a Female Knight Academy, She Somehow Became a National Hero. Or Rather, I Did - Chapter 81 - The Thought of You Saving My Life Once Again Makes Me Feel Excited

Chapter 81 – The Thought of You Saving My Life Once Again Makes Me Feel Excited

“Ah… Could it be an enemy attack!?”

“No, Yuzuriha-san.”

“Nii-san is right. These people probably tried to kill us with high blood pressure and put too much salt in and got themselves killed. They act like big shots but act so cowardly.”

“Hey, Suzuha-kun. I don’t think no matter how much salt you eat, you’re not going to suddenly foam up and collapse, right?”

Yuzuriha-san misunderstood that they were sniped by a long-distance magic and for some reason Suzuha determined that they had taken too much salt, so I explained the situation to them. 

I told them I had replaced the plate of shrimp chili when I had the chance, because I was somewhat concerned about the state of the mine managers…

Then, when the mine managers ate the shrimps we were supposed to eat, they started bubbling up and turned over…

“In other words… These guys tried to poison Nii-san?”

“I’m sure of it.”

“Why would they go so far as to poison Nii-san, who has become a noble? Don’t they realize that such an action would inevitably lead to their extermination? No matter how foolish these people may be, engaging in such an incredibly foolish act is beyond comprehension!”

“Perhaps they had already sinned to the point where there was no turning back long ago.”

If it was discovered that they were illegally selling mithril, it would obviously lead to their purge. 

Then it was quite possible that they would poison the nobles to prevent exposure of their crimes. 

Even if they failed, it couldn’t possibly get any worse. 

“Yuzuriha-san, what do you think…? …Yuzuriha-san?”

“Ah, yeah.”

When I called out to Yuzuriha-san, who had been somewhat dazed, she hurriedly turned towards me, her face kind of red.

“What’s wrong? Don’t tell me there was poison in Yuzuriha-san’s shrimps…!”

“Ah, no, it’s not like that. How should I put it… You saved my life again.”

“Yes?”

“Of course, I know it’s my fault—Usually a commoner like you couldn’t have known about an assassination or poison in the food. It’s a good thing you happened to notice, however I, a duchess, should have noticed. I’m really sorry.”

“No, no, no, it’s not Yuzuriha-san’s fault in the slightest.”

“That’s why I should reflect on it greatly… But even so, I can’t help but feel happy since a while ago.”

“Eh?”

“I am a pitiful woman who couldn’t help you in the moments where I should have, but instead, I ended up being the one saved. Yet, despite that—The thought of you saving my life once again makes me feel excited.”

She said that while blushing with upturned eyes and fidgeting hands, I can’t help but feel embarrassed and unsure of how to respond to her.

What should I do in such a case?

It would be strange to say “No, that’s not true!” to Yuzuriha-san, who seems to be admitting her wrongdoings and expressing remorse. But, “Yes, that is true” is not acceptable either.

Besides, I don’t have any feelings of condemnation toward Yuzuriha-san at all.

I thought about it for a while and decided to push through with determination.

“I noticed what Yuzuriha-san didn’t. Isn’t that alright?”

“But then…!”

“Because Yuzuriha-san and I, you see, are like comrades or even one entity. If one of us didn’t notice something, but the other did, then it’s perfectly fine. That’s how true companions help each other, isn’t it? So, there’s absolutely no problem!”

“I-Is that so…! You recognised me as your partner so much…!”

For some reason, Yuzuriha-san was moved to tears by my very forceful logical development.

I don’t really understand what’s going on, but it seems to have worked.

“Well then, Yuzuriha-san. Now let’s interview the miners who are familiar with this mine and have been working here for a long time.”

“Hmm? Of course we should do that, but we can do it tomorrow, can’t we? M-More importantly, could you please tell me more about when you started considering me as your partner…?”

“No, let’s do it today. We need to prevent any potential collaborators within the miners from covering up the evidence, and moreover, although it may sound extreme, the party involved in smuggling mithril might show up tonight… Is that alright with Suzuha too?”

“Yes. I will follow Nii-san’s decision.”

After that, we tied the foaming miners with rope just in case, and then headed back to the miners who had finished their work. 

Yuzuriha-san’s responsibility issue seemed to have been settled, and I was relieved that everything had turned out alright.

—Although it turned out to be a terrible mistake.