Volume 6 Chapter 5 (2/2)
As Kuina had said, without Rorono, Avalon's fighting force would drop down to 1/3 of what it currently was. It was no understatement that Avalon was dependent on the weapons and golems that Rorono had made.
Some of the weapons she made were also sold to the humans and the fame of such weapons had spread not only across the country but also abroad. Each day, many humans would come to Avalon just to purchase her weapons.
Additionally, Rorono was the one in charge of building all of the infrastructures in Avalon, like its waterways for example. Thanks to all of that, Avalon was probably the most sanitary city in the world.
An Avalon without Rorono was unthinkable.
”And then, Kuina… What about Kuina? Kuina isn't the best at anything. Is Kuina not essential to Oto-san?”
Kuina's voice grew quieter and quieter as she said so.
And then, while hugging herself and shaking, Kuina frantically thought for things she was best in. unfortunately though, nothing came to her mind. It was at that point that she thought the worst: that maybe, even without her, Avalon would have no problem carrying on.
”Kuina-chan, you're irreplaceable. You're the strongest monster in Avalon, after all!”
Aura gave words of encouragement but Kuina only became more depressed.
”Kuina is the strongest? Once maybe. If you look at Marchosias-sama, you'll know Kuina can't win against her. Kuina doesn't have a chance. It's hard to win against Wight too. Kuina might be equal to Fel-chan but Kuina definitely isn't the strongest.”
Until recently, Kuina had the honor of being [Creation] Demon Lord Procell's strongest monster.
Depending on the strategy, she could still force a win against Wight; he might have explosive power but such power was unstable and hard to control.
When Fel, someone that could rival Kuina, showed up, Kuina's heart went into riot. But the difference in their combat experience showed that Kuina was slightly the better combatant.
However, then came [Beast] Demon Lord Marchosias. She was special; no matter how much Kuina tried, there was no hope in winning against her. Not only was she better than Kuina in stats but also in combat experience.
”Kuina, you're the leader of all the monsters in Avalon. You're the most loved. There's no need to rush to such conclusions.”
”Kuina's not that too, Rorono-chan. Wight is better at leading and is more loved by everyone. Kuina can never lead everyone as skillfully as Wight does.”
Kuina was at her wit's end.
She was aware that she was relied and trusted on by the other monsters but, as great as that was, that was the extent of it; she knew that it was impossible to lead the other monsters as well as Wight did.
At that, Kuina rapidly grew terrified, scared of the thought that because she wasn't the best in anything, her turn to have Oto-san's day would be stolen away.
Such dreadful thoughts of being unimportant rapidly flooded to her mind.
”……now that you say that, then perhaps you really aren't the number one monster anymore.”
Rorono matter-of-factly stated so.
In response, tears welled up in Kuina eyes.
”Rorono-chan, please choose your words carefully.”
”Lying won't help anyway. However, master… Father is not the kind of Demon Lord that will dislike a monster just because they aren't the best at anything. I expect you know that too, Kuina.”
”Kuina knows that but if there's a monster that's stronger than Kuina, it won't be strange for that monster to be more important than Kuina…”
Kuina wasn't sure whether Procell cared for her as much as he did because she was the strongest or simply because she was herself. What she was sure of was that the moment she wasn't the strongest anymore, she lost her turn to have Oto-san's day. That was what mattered to her.
”I understand. If your anxiety is due to you not being the strongest anymore, I will just have to make you the strongest.”
”That's impossible. That person's too strong.”
”I will close that gap in strength. By my pride as the world's best smith, I will make you into the strongest monster ever. I will make an extremely strong weapon that'll make full use of your adult form's power. By doing so, you can even surpass that person!”
”Why do so much for me, Rorono-chan?”
”Because you are my older sister. You may be annoying from time to time but you worry and care for me always. …this is my way of saying thanks for that. Besides, for me, you're the world's best older sister so I can't just abandon you, can I?”
”Rororno-chan!”
Tears in her eyes, Kuina hugged Rorono.
Instead of being tears of sorrow, her tears were now of joy.
”I'll help too. I'm developing a new kind of potion made from golden apples that'll help monsters draw out their latent potentials. If you drink it each day, you should grow stronger. It'll be finished soon and once it's complete, I'll send you some right away. …I also love my older sister so I don't want you to lose!”
”Aura-chan, I love you too!”
Kuina hugged Aura as well.
No matter what were said, Kuina was undoubtedly loved by the other monsters as a result of her being kind and caring for them.
While still wiping the tears off, Kuina sat down. Judging that Kuina wouldn't be able to continue her duties as the chairman of the meeting anymore, Rorono decided to take over.
”The conclusion for this time's meeting is to make Kuina stronger and have her reclaim her place at being number one. To achieve that, all of us [Monsters of the Covenant] must exert all of our efforts. Kuina, Aura and I will do our best to support you but for you to grow stronger, your effort is more important.”
”I understand.”
”Apart from that, you probably also need to talk to master personally.”
”I have the same opinion. I think that if you go talk to master, you'll be convinced that he cares for you not only because you're the best at anything.”
Kuina and Rorono both nodded. Still though, the uneasiness in their hearts didn't disappear.
”Rorono-chan, I thought up something good. For your reward, how about you ask master for an opportunity to converse a lot? Wouldn't that make you really happy?”
Aura began telling her idea and when Kuina and Rorono heard it, they were both excited.
”Aura-chan, that's a good idea!”
”Mhm, I think so too.”
The two proceeded to praise Aura for her marvelous idea.
After a while, Rorono cleared her throat.
”Well then, this [Monsters of the Covenant] meeting is adjourned. From now on as well, as [Monsters of the Covenant], let us support master in any way we can. …All three of us.”
Clapping resounded all over the room as the meeting ended.
Thanks to this meeting, the bond of the three had grown stronger still.
◇
~Back to Procell's point of view~
I had finished practicing with [Awakening] and was finally returning to my residence.
On our way, because Marcho still clung to my right arm, we received plenty of teasing from the citizens of Avalon. I didn't mind it though.
When we arrived, I found Rorono in front of the house.
”Father”
When Rorono noticed me, she rushed over, her silver hair fluttering in the wind.
”Rorono, have you decided on a reward?”
”Mhm, I have. What I wish for is some of Father's time. Please be with me and only me for even just a day. Just me and you, Father.”
Rorono placed her hand on my chest and pleaded so. In return, I smiled wryly.
”Of course, it will be done. On that matter, if we stay here in Avalon, everyone else will get in the way of your request so let's go outside the city.”
Hearing that, Rorono's eyes sparkled.
She was so adorable and thus, I decided to pat her head.
”Thank you, Father! I'm looking forward to it!”
After saying so, Rorono walked away.
She's so adorable. If this much will make her happy, I'll be glad to cooperate.
”Woah, Procell, that smile. As I thought, you really are a lolicon, huh?”
”No, I'm not. It's just that my daughter is so adorable.”
Marcho teased me so.
I ignored her jests and began making plans for my and Rorono's trip.
Granting her request of a full day without anything else to worry about would have to wait until after the upcoming feast though; I might be too busy to afford being away for that long.
Now that I think about it, I might have been too busy lately to care for Kuina and the others. As the father, I think I have to spend time with my family from time to time.