Chapter 203: Time and Effort

***Arc 9 One Who Sent Off, Chapter 203 Time and Effort***

The room was silent.

Before Bery Argan (Heretic) who was sitting on a chair――was Selene Christand (Inquisitor) who sat on the desk.

Bery, who went against the teachings of "The Faith of Watching Over the Pure and Innocent Krische",was stared at by Serene Christand with unsettled fingers running through her golden hair, her blue eyes fixed on Bery.

Krische Christand (a bit of an adult) glanced around and looked at Selene and Bery troubled.

Kreschenta Alberan (Onee-sama is my faction) clung to her sister while glaring at Bery from above.

Bery, glancing at Krische, only said to Selene, "I have something to talk about"——she didn't say anything else, however her slightly red cheeks.

And just by looking at Krische, who had returned to the mansion before she knew it, Selene knew that she had broken a very serious commandment.

Without allowing her to spin a second word, Selene silently interrupted her and then glanced at the two servants.

Anne and Elvena also looked at each other, as if they had guessed what was going on,

"A-Anne-sama, could I ask you to teach me how to bake cookies...?"

And Elvena suggested that.

When Anne responds with a slightly shrill voice 'Y-yes', the two leave with flushed faces.

Then they closed the door slowly.

Selene looked at it until the footsteps disappeared, and her gaze turned to Bery.

Bery's eyes swam as she fell into thought, and she then called out 'Ojou-sama, but Selene was cold.

"I understood the situation. ...any excuse?"

"... Eh, uh ... no ..."

"...I was worried for nothing. I was thinking, 'I hope Bery is okay alone,' but when I and Kreschenta returned, I was surprised to see you looking quite happy."

"Uu..."

"... I'm not worried about Argan-sama."

Truly dissatisfied.

Kreschenta said while staring at her.

"But, how should I say it? Not only did Argan-sama deceived the innocent Onee-sama, you even laid your hand on Onee-sama. I've always thought you were a good for nothing, but to think Argan-sama is a brute——"

"...Geez. Kreschenta always says that kind of thing even though Krische had warned many times."

Krische said troubledly, but thought about what laying hands on her meant and asked.

"Bery, is that kind of thing called laying your hand?"

"......eh?"

Krische Christand was a bit different from before.

――She was a little bit of an adult.

Why did this kind of flow begin――Krische became a little bit of an adult, spun her thoughts, and put in effort to understand the atmosphere of the room.

However, in the end, it was Krische Christand (a little bit of an adult).

It was good that she made an effort, but she did not think much about it, and honestly asked.

She pushed her beloved Bery Argan (Heretic) into the bottom of the valley.

"Uh, ah, that ..."

She looked at Bery who clammed up with a bright face who finally nodded quietly.

Then Krische smiled and clapped her hand, a moment of eureka.

"I see. ...That's a misunderstanding, Kreschenta."

"......Misunderstanding?"

"Yes. It's not Bery, but Krische who was bad. Bery was drunk and was in a very difficult state, unable to reason and unable to judge right from wrong. So it's not that Bery laid her hand on Krische, but Krische who made Bery lay her hand..."

Remembering Bery's excuse-like words, Krische nodded as if to reinforce them.

"...Ehehe, Krische had Bery laid her hand on Krische."

Krische placed her hands on her slightly stained cheeks and shook happily.

Krische Christand (Quite Child) calmly pushed her beloved Bery to the bottom of the cliff, and then, out of sheer good intentions, pursued her and brought down a hammer on her.

Bery was speechless. Completely frozen.

"... Onee-sama. I understand how you feel, but that just makes things even worse."

"...?"

Kreschenta said exasperatedly as she looked at Bery, who was violently kicked off the ladder she was climbing and was given a follow-up blow.

Selene also looked at Bery exasperated and looked at Krische.

"I-I see. Krische, you don't have to speak for a while."

"Haa..."

"understand? In any case, don't say things like that in front of other people."

Krische tilted her head in confusion but closed her mouth.

Selene rubbed her temple and sighed.

"I was able to understand the flow of things inadvertently.... In other words, do you use alcohol as an excuse to lay your hands? Did you use the fact that we weren't there as a chance? Are you insisting that the one that is wrong is Krische?"

"...As you said."

"...I shouldn't have been worried"

"Yes...My apologies."

Selene stared at Bery's red hair, her cheeks relaxing.

"The worst"

"Yes"

"Besides, you're sneaky and devious."

"......yes"

"What's wrong? Is it okay if you make up nonsense like usual, you know?"

'Ugh', Bery said, her face turning bright red and her eyes swimming.

Selene's smile deepened and she looked genuinely happy.

It was like an inquisition judging the heretic.

"...How immature."

"S-shut up."

She must have repressed a ton of anger.

This is just my usual return.

The sight of Selene unilaterally punching Berry for the sake of a good cause that she had finally obtained was so pitiful――Kreschenta took a step back as she watched this.

Selene glared at Crescenta, her cheeks turning red.

"It's okay once in a while. Bery's always spouts sophism after all. It's good medicine. I wish I could just repeat what she said to me the other day.' ...Hey, Berry? Which one is so full of evil thoughts? "

"...It was me..."

"Who was looking at a simple corrector tool in such an obscene and suspicious way?"

"......It's me"

"Hmph, you're honest Berry. You should always have at least 10% of that honesty. In the first place, you're――"

Selene, who was 30% justice and 70% personal inside, condemned Bery, who couldn't fight back.

Kreschenta looked at it and sighed, unable to say anything.

Bery was a helpless woman who had given her sister a poor education and had finally laid her hands on Krische, but this pathetic bully took advantage of it and attacked her... As expected, there was some resistance to it inside Kreschenta.

She hugged her sister, thinking it would only degrade her own dignity.

It's not like Bery, a woman, could have a child even if she laid hands on her sister.

There was no danger to her sister's body, and her sister was as mentally ill as usual. Her head was a flower garden full of happiness.

She didn't care anymore and climbed over her sister's body and kissed her sweetly.

Kreschenta Alberan (Onee-sama is my faction) was extremely materialistic and an animalistic selfish person.

"More importantly, Onee-sama, I worked really hard."

"Really?"

For now, until this talk was over, her sister was hers.

She surrendered herself to such pleasure and rubs her body against her sister's as if to indulge herself.

"That's right. For Onee-sama's sake――"

She stroked her head and her eyes narrowed――suddenly she tilted her head.

"...? What did you do with the magic crystal?"

Krische senses the magic crystal in the candy bag in the pouch around her neck and takes it out from inside.

"Aah, ehehe. Krische completely forgot. It tastes like Piririn."

"Onee-sama...again with that kind of name."

While saying that exasperatedly, Kreschenta narrowed her purple eyes as she gazed at the extremely precise engraving on the inside of the magic crystal, read the meaning of the spell engraved there, and nodded in response.

"...Hee, that's quite a change of thinking. Recreating the taste with magical power..."

"......What's that?"

Selene, who was happily taunting Bery, looked at the magic crystal and tilted her head.

Bery feeling relieved, let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Krische got the idea from Mia's random remark.

Then, he used magic crystals to create Taste Piririn, and went through various trials and errors.

Maybe it was because it was about Bery's tongue.

Krische's explanation was quite thorough.

"...Thank goodness"

"Ojou-sama..."

Selene hugged Berry tightly, leaning on Bery with tears in her eyes.

Anne and Elvena, who came in while they were talking, looked relieved, and Anne wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

Crescenta alone stared at Selene as if exasperated, and said while picking at the cookies that Anne and Elvena brought.

"...Just when I thought you were blaming Argan-sama in an immature way, now you start crying. Selene-sama sure is busy huh."

"...Shut up. Please read the atmosphere for a moment, you idiot."

Selene glared at Kreschenta and wiped her tears with her sleeve.

'I'm smarter than Selene-sama', Kreschenta said, looking at the magic crystal.

"...The formula doesn't seem to be difficult though."

"That's easy, but identifying the grains is a little difficult."

Elvena approached a little curiously and focused her eyes on the magic crystal.

Carved into the magic crystal , are numerous geometric patterns in which countless extremely delicate lines intersect which they said was not difficult.

Elvena stiffened as she realized that what looked like a line the size of her hair was actually just a list of countless magic techniques.

Unlike the formula used on Jaragasha, Bonjara, and Piririn, the formula was clearly visible without being obscured by a writhing cryptographic technique, making it seem even more insane, complex, and bizarre.

"This is easy..."

Kreschenta looked at Elvena from the side and told her.

"It's just a minute detail thing, but most of the surgical procedure was simply increasing the detection accuracy repeatedly in order to capture specific factors. It's not difficult."

"My apologies, I haven't studied enough..."

"Onee-sama's formula is simple and easy to read, so I would like you to take this opportunity to study."

"Y-yes..."

Kreschenta handed the Taste Piririn into Elvena's hands.

Elvena, who was obedient and efficient, was Kreschenta favorite――she had an extremely selfish idea of being kind to her and getting her to agree to replace Anne.

"...Onee-sama, if Onee-sama entrust Elvena-sama to me, we can quickly――"

"Elvena is busy with various things, so she won't be able to do it for a while. Kreschenta should educate Anne properly before that."

"Uuh...that's not my job."

But her sister was adamant about forcing Anne onto her.

Krische held up her finger as if teaching a child.

"Kreschenta, a good adult, is someone who is willing to work without any hesitation."

While listening to the lecture from her older sister, who no matter how you look at it was more like a child than her, Kreschenta looked at Anne, who looked moved and repeatedly saying she's glad as she wiped her tears.

Why should she, as the queen, take care of this servant?

There were so many things she wanted to say, but her sister would not understand.

She sighed and gave up, looking at the magic crystal in Elvena's hand and thinking.

"Sweetness and sourness...is there a reason in particular?"

"Ah, Krische just wanted to be able to get a proper taste of honey...Krische didn't have enough trials with the other flavors on the battlefield, so Krische decided to postpone them."

'If you break it down into smaller parts, it's quite complicated', said Krische, troubled.

"Besides the four flavors that are talked about in books, it's also surprisingly quite complex."

"......I see"

"Especially umami and richness of taste..."

While listening to this, Selene, who was hugging her berry, let go of her body a little.

Her brow furrowed and she glared at Berry.

"Geez...you, why didn't you say it first?"

"I-I was going to tell you about that first, but Ojou-sama..."

Bery just said that needed to talk.

She was planning to talk about Krische, but she decided to put that later.

She was first thinking of telling them that she saw hope for her sense of taste, but right after she said that she had something to talk about, Selene stopped her from speaking with her hand.

Selene's next words were,

'I understood the situation. ...any excuse?'

The hearing started just before Bery had time to talk about it.

Selene understood everything from those words and let out a small groan, remembering how she was having fun toying with Bery.

She blushes and glares at Bery.

"I-it's your daily behavior that is bad. Always making up nonsense."

"...I can't argue with that today."

"What's up today? Use this as an opportunity to improve yourself from now on."

Selene stared at Berry,

"Don't think we're done with that. I have a lot more to say later."

She smiled happily and stroked her cheek.

"...But, really thank goodness."

"......Yes, thank you"

Berry also smiled back happily and nodded.

"......"

While listening to Krische's story, Kreschenta glanced at the two of them and thought a little.

She held Krische's cheek between her hands and smiled.

"Onee-sama, I will help you too."

"Kreschenta will?"

"All we need now is the number of trials and errors, and I have more free time than Onee-sama who will be on the battlefield... Hmm, if I do that then, half of Onee-sama will be mine."

"Geez, Kreschenta still saying that"

'What a bad girl' even as Krische said that, she smiled and kissed Kreschenta.

"Ehehe, but if Kreschenta helps Krische, it might be finished sooner."

As if to say, 'praise me, praise me' Kreschenta nuzzled herself to Krische and hugged Krische's arm.

She glared at Berry, who seemed happy.

"...It's not like I'm doing it for you."

"......,yes"

"Kreschenta really isn't being honest huh. Geez."

Krische said as if troubled and gently pinched Kreschenta's cheek.

It was a small feast that day.

Unusually, even Selene took part in the cooking, making the meal and taking a bath.

Then, in the night, they went back to Krische's room.

After putting Krische and Kreschenta to bed, Bery sat beside Selene on the sofa in her nightgown.

Selene laughed mischievously, poured her wine, handed it to Berry, and said,

"Will I get attacked if I get you too drunk?"

"...Geez"

Bery glared at Selene, her cheeks blushing as she sulked.

Selene happily leaned in and wrapped her arms around Bery.

"Don't think that Krische is yours."

"...I don't think so."

"You sure about that. I'm sure you're thinking about it a little bit."

Bery's cheeks grew redder and Selene giggled happily.

'Sigh' Bery sighed, putting down the wine she had sipped.

"...Krische-sama is not that kind of person."

"You're the one who chose her, Bery."

"Yes....I like that kind of Krische-sama."

Both intertwined their fingers and held each other.

Selene leaned against Bery's shoulder.

"It's fine if you understand. If you do anything that makes Cliché sad like before, I'll seriously steal her, so be prepared."

"......yes"

"Just so you know, I'm a little jealous. ...you coward."

"......yes"

Selene smiled and pulled the intertwined fingers.

"But, more than that, I feel happy today."

Bery smiled when she heard this, saying it with joy from the bottom of her heart.

"...Ojou-sama is truly a kind person."

"Didn't you know? Unlike a certain servant, I'm honest and have a very nice personality. ... That servant has a very nice personality though."

"Sounds you're close with that servant huh"

"Sometimes a little difference makes a big difference, Bery."

Selene was having fun, and Berry was also giggling, as she looked through Selene's hair.

Her golden hair was a little damaged, but smooth.

Selene narrowed her eyes as her head was stroked and she said,

"I'm jealous of you, but I'm also jealous of Krische. Taking away my precious servant."

"...I will still be your servant from now on."

"I wonder?"

"It's true"

In response, Berry stood up and grabbed a comb from the shelf.

She sat down on the couch again and she lifted Selene onto her lap.

She carefully combs her slightly damaged hair.

Selene was a little embarrassed, but she didn't resist.

Her eyes narrowed at the feel of the comb, and she smiled.

"It's been a long time since I sat on your lap and combed. You have always been good at it. Unlike Oka-sama."

"Nee-sama had a rougher personality than Ojou-sama after all."

Trying to comb all at once, she would tug at her tangled hair..

Her sister was also bad at combing her long hair, probably because it had been Bery's and the servants job for many years.

She giggled as she recalled the young Selene running away in pain.

After a while.

Once her hair was free and flowing, Selene snatched Bery's comb and turned her the other way.

'I'll do it too', she said, running the comb through Bery's hair.

"It's getting a little long."

"...I think I'll cut it off after this battle is over."

"You sure like those kinds of charms. Not like I don't understand though."

Her reddish hair was well-groomed.

As soon as Selene realized that she didn't even need to comb it, she gave up and pouted her lips.

'It's not fun' Selene said and takes Bery's hair with her fingers.

"Even if you don't cut it, maybe you should just let it grow out. Just like Oka-sama, I'm sure Bery will look more pretty if it's a little longer."

"...If it's long, it will take time."

"...You should put a little more effort on yourself. And..."

Selene pressed her forehead against Bery's, shaking her hand comb.

"It's about time you understand that there are some unique people in this world who want to spend time and effort on you."

Bery looked at Selene with her big eyes, and Selene looked at her graceful eyes with amusement.

Her clear blue eyes were narrowed and wrapped in gold thread.

"...How many times do I have to say it from now on to get it across to you?"

She hugged Berry's body tightly.

'I love you, Bery', Selene continued.

"...Yes. Me too."

Bery replied.