Mobile Fortress Cozette Chapter 32 (Patreon)

Chapter 32 I'll talk to them

I'm awake.

It's the same morning as usual.

Nothing really has changed.

What changed is the way I feel.

It should have been the same morning, but my impression changed.

It's a strange thing.

However, I felt somewhat refreshed after talking to Chiyo-sama about various things.

Talking is a significant thing, isn't it?

I was able to learn one more thing.

"Maya."

"Yes."

I talk to Maya as she gives me my training clothes.

Normally, I would have a maid dress me in my clothes, but for combat gear and such, I would change myself. This is to get used to changing clothes and to check the equipment.

I wriggle into my clothes and work on hiding my weapons.

"What do you think about killing goblins?"

"Huh, I don't really care..."

Well, I suppose I do.

And goblins are treated as vermin that destroy the fields.

"Even if it's a baby?"

"Yes, I guess so. I might hesitate if I actually saw one, but I've never seen one. But I guess we'll just have to exterminate it. That's the job of the adventurers."

That's right, isn't it?

That's what I thought too until I entered the cave yesterday, so I guess that's true for Maya, the maid who has nothing to do with the battle.

"I see. I understand. Thank you."

"Um..."

"Excuse me?"

I looked over to see Maya looking pale for some reason.

"Um, did I do something wrong?"

"What? No? I'm just asking."

That's really all.

"I'll do my best! Please don't kill me! I have a child!"

What? How can you talk like that?

She looked like she was about to burst into tears.

"No, I won't kill you, Maya is doing a good job."

There's no particular reason to do so. In fact, Maya is good at what she does.

In fact, Maya is good at what she does, and she's very considerate. She's been a big help.

"Really!!"

"Yes, it's true. Well, now that you mention it, I'd like to ask you a few questions about what you think of me."

Let's have a long talk, shall we?

"Oh, um... I still have laundry to do, so if you'll excuse me...!"

She said, and ran off.

... Why don't you calm down a bit? You have a child, don't you?

◇

"You told her with a straight face and a nonchalant attitude, so she thought you were threatening her, similar to how you did it with the goblins."

It's not much, so I'll ask the instructor while I'm training.

I'll throw a dagger at her.

Shushu.

"No way."

The dagger was snatched and returned.

"Then why don't you try being a little more cheerful?"

While knocking down the returned dagger, I retrieve it with the slime extended from under my feet.

Okay, okay. That feels good.

What should I do exactly to smile?

"... Even though there's nothing particularly fun about it?"

Laughing is exhausting, though.

"It's important to be friendly. It's the first impression people have about you."

"Is that how it is? I do pay attention to my appearance, but..."

For example, the ill-dressed people from yesterday.

Oh yes, I'll make them look presentable next time.

"Well, if the Young Lady is smiling, there is a possibility that the whole mansion will panic. It might be better to leave it as it is."

What was that?

What do I usually look like?

"I'll say. But, well, you look tired. Hmm."

If you want me to try smiling, I'll try it.

But what is it about it that makes would make everyone panic? Is that your usual snide remark? Or is it real advice? Which is it?

"Ho-ho-ho-ho."

"Why are you laughing?"

"Normally, an aristocratic young lady would say something like, why do I have to laugh along with the maid? Your first impression is that of an aristocratic young lady, but you're still quite strange."

"I'm uncertain if it's strange or not, but it's okay. But what do you mean by 'still'?"

Are you making fun of me?

"No, no, I thought you were quite friendly when I got to know you."

"But the maid cried at me, didn't she?"

Even though I thought Maya and I had known each other for quite a long-time now.

I was still rather shocked by this.

Oh, slime, next time, please try to catch it as it flies. --It popped. Still no luck?

"Well, I won't be dismissed, no matter what you say, young lady. I'm in a different position."

"Heh, let's give it a try, shall we?"

I'm considering it rather seriously, and she seems to understand that and laughs at me.

I return the dagger that has fallen to the ground behind the instructor to the earth slime and extend its tentacles.

It was flicked away.

Mou.

"That kind of place is a nobleman's ・・・・. However, I would ask you to refrain from doing so. They won't fire you, but they might kill you."

"Huh, that's enough. It didn't matter what they thought of me."

As long as you do your job, that's all that matters....

I'm not sad....

I have Chiyo-sama, you know.

Oh, there's also slime.

"I don't think it's important, though."

Please don't pick at it.

"The main topic is different. It's about yesterday."

"Hmm, which one is it?"

"It's about killing the goblin."

The instructor releases her stance.

She seems to be in a listening stance, so I follow suit.

"I definitely felt resistance about killing the goblin. I thought it would be painful. Is this weakness?"

"Hmm, it is a weakness, but it is not fatal. It's something that can be overcome."

"Is that how it is?"

"That's the way it is. Besides, if we continue to live, more difficult problems will appear in front of us. The goblin is a clear enemy, but you may have to slay something that you don't even know if it's a friend or foe."

"... That's true."

Even without being told, I understand that. I understand, but still, I'm talking about resistance.

Will I just have to get used to it?

"Please worry about it. That's all I can say. Time will not wait for you. As a forerunner, I would recommend that you just be prepared."

"Yes..."

"By the way, shall we go to the forest again tomorrow?"

"Now that we've talked about it, should we?"

"That's exactly why, I suppose. If you see weakness, hit that weakness thoroughly. Experience the pain of it firsthand."

This person really has a strong personality.

Isn't it because of her that I have become a bit extreme in my responses?

But are we going outside again? If that's the case, I think I'll talk to the people outside tomorrow.

Surprisingly, I wonder if she was just being considerate and told me that we were going to the forest.

"I wonder what's going to happen tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it."

No, you're thinking too much.

And there is no such thing. How can there be so much going on every day... Probably.