CCM 39 – Yo, aren’t you too Happy About This?

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[Umu… So happy~~… Hyahyahya~~…]

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After the tickle showdown and bountiful dinner, Rei immediately falls down onto the bed and sleeps like a log.

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Seems like she’s having a wonderful dream too.

Her face practically brims with happiness while asleep after all. I have this doubt that drool will come sooner or later out of her mouth.

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[Haha…]

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I put on the disgruntled blanket and cover up Rei before I step out of the bedroom and leave. 

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I have a lot of things I need to figure out, you see.

Similar to what happened last night, I really don’t feel like sleeping right off immediately.

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Also, there’s a girl I am quite worried about.

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[Hmm~ hmm~ hmmm~♪]

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And that particular girl — Maeri Robalt, is washing the dishes while humming a tune . 

Seeing her in the kitchen with an apron reminds me of the days she’s serving as a maid in the Makuba family.

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[Ara, Arios-sama…?]

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Maeri then suddenly turns to my direction while tilting her head.

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[What seems to be the matter? You have probably worn out yourself for the day. Please take a your rest already.]

[Maeri…]

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Seeing this girl do the chores all by herself makes me feel bad so I walk up next to her.

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[On second thought, let me give you a hand. I’ve been thinking about this but It isn’t really fine for you to take all of the housework by yourself.]

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As I reached to get a plate, Maeri’s hand came over and took hold of my mine.

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[It’s alright. I… doing these chores are enough for me to be happy. It’s just much, much happier compared to back when I was serving Dudley…]

[Maeri…]

[Arios-sama. Now that I remember, there’s something I wasn’t able to tell you.]

[Oh…]

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Maeri then grabs a handkerchief to wipe off her hands before she stood straight and look into my eyes.

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[On the day when Arios-sama was told to be a failskill, I—…. I wasn’t able to do anything. Even though you’ve always been caring for me all this time, I kept searching for the right words to say until I wasn’t able to speak anything with you…]

[……]

[No matter what everyone else say about Arios-sama, my heart will always remain with you. To the kind hearted swordsman that had always been taken care of me from the very start.]

[Maeri….]

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I look at Maeri as droplets of tears fall from her eyes before she takes a bow.

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[…I – I’m so sorry… I wasn’t… able to reach out… nor speak to you… or do even a single thing back in the family…. I– always regret… I’m so scared that I won’t have the chance… I’m so sorry…]

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That’s…

I…

I never would have thought that she was that worried and had been thinking about me all this time…

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That is – despite the fact that I lost every bit of reputation or social standing I had before.

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Still overwhelmed, I hold the girl in front of me.

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[Maeri, I’m sorry. It’s my bad that I let you get distressed for so long. From now on – along with everyone, we’ll be happy together.]

[Arios-sama…]

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Maeri’s cheeks started to get pinkish.

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[Fufu… This feels like it is all but a dream. For me to be embraced by Arios-sama…]

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Then, she fidgets while seemingly hesitant before asking.

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[…Uhm, is Arios-sama already in a lovers’ relationship with Reimira-sama?]

[Lovers? No, no, no, we aren’t in such a relationship.]

[I see. Understood.]

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Is it just my imagination but Maeri became a bit happy about it.

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It’s been a while already since I’ve kept Maeri in my arms.

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[Arios-sama, thank you very much.]

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She whispers with a little smile.

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[This helped a lot for me getting my energy back. I’ll be serving Arios-sama from now on with everything I have so take good care of me, please~♪.]

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She says with a faint blush on her face and I can’t help but think that’s the cutest thing I’ve seen so far.

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★

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At the same time.

Inside the royal castle of the kingdom of Arceus.

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The sword saint Leon Makuba’s eyes can be seen to be wide open.

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[–Arios has subjugated a hidden base of Saviors’ of Arceus, you say…?]

[Hm. Precisely.]

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The one who has confirmed this to him is called Leifa O’ Arceus. 

The first prince of the kingdom of Arceus.

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Leifa leans on his comfy chair as he stares down towards Leon who is trembling as he kneels.

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[…In light of Arios-dono’s achievement, a lot of bizarre cases might now be finally resolved. A lot of the populace still see him as a Failskill but nonetheless — his heroic feats will remain unchanged.]

[Ho-however! Aren’t there plenty of B rank adventurers who were with him on the site!? Perhaps it is due to those adventurers instead!]

[Right. That might be the case — or so I want to say but it is not.]

[Huh….]

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Then, Leifa’s stare which remained to Leon all this time started to get cold.

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[You understand what this entails, don’t you? We also have the pompous attitude of your successor Dudley Claise to consider. Tell me — can you honestly say to me that these are what to be expected from the proud retainers of the royal family?]

[Ah… Aaaaaaa…]

[That is not only the case. –If Arios-dono has the ability to wield the power of the hero and took grasp of it, you, who have exiled him, are the one to be held responsible for the loss this country has to suffer. Perhaps some time soon, it would be better to reconsider our relationship in the future.]

[Ho-how could that be!!! Prince Leifa…!]

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Leon’s face pales as he raises his voice towards the prince.

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[If that is how you look at it, then I shall show you in the near future! Compared to Arios, Dudle will be more outstanding than him in every way possible!!]

[Houuu…?]

[Just please give me some time, Leifa-sama!]

[So be it. Even I will feel disappointed cutting ties of the royal family towards the Makubas that had been going on for generations. Then I shall leave it to you.]

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Translator’s Notes:

1. Is it just me or the prince is actually in favor of Arios? I mean, he addresses him with ‘dono’. Though he seems someone who’ll topple Makuba family.
2. Here’s a photo of Maeri since this chapter is her moment and all. I’ll just post a link or might get punished again.lol
   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JIuwRCfwcDno_mt5PFKNcyf4dEbaCU2u/view?usp=sharing
3. I am ramping myself up so I can release 6 chapters this weekend. Fighting!

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