Inside the Fire Country Furnis
“You there, wait a moment!”
Blocking our path in front of a shop were the twin princesses, the younger sister, Ran Furnis. Then, her elder sister, Ren Furnis, also stood beside Ran. Looking at them again, I noticed they had grown taller and their chests had become a little larger than in my memory. How nice.
“Um, what is it?”
“Are you perhaps planning to shop at that store?”
“That’s the plan.”
Ran pointed at the market stall we were aiming for and asked. Even though Ran had a rather overbearing attitude, Rion-chan responded without hesitation. It was impressive, considering the difference in build between an adult and a child.
“Hmph, you know that stall? That’s quite something. It might not be well-known, but this shop has a rich selection and bargain prices, so you can buy various things even with a small allowance. And most importantly, the old woman who runs it has poor eyesight. So, no matter who comes to shop, it won’t get out of hand! It’s no exaggeration to say this is our hideaway spot.”
“I understand wanting to shop at a store like that, but we can’t just let you pass by silently. If you’re determined to go through, you’ll have to compete with us.”
” “Compete?” ”
U-um? I don’t quite understand what she’s saying. Why would it lead to a competition in this situation? While Furnis has a custom of duels between women over men, that doesn’t apply here.
“Um, Big Sister, I don’t quite understand, what do you mean?”
” “There she is, the root of all evil!” ”
“Huh? M-me?”
They both pointed at me. Did I do something? Recalling my memories, I have no recollection of anything. Besides, at the academy, we only exchanged greetings, and I hadn’t done anything to warrant such animosity. I wasn’t the type to stand out, and I don’t think they recognize me from back then.
“Big Sister, pointing at people is rude.”
“M-that’s true. My apologies.”
“Black-haired girl, thank you for telling me.”
She apologized so readily. They don’t seem like inherently bad people, though.
“Do you mean competition? If I had to say, I’d want to make you say ‘gafu’?”
“Gafu.”
“It’s not you, the blue-haired one! It’s you, the blonde one!”
“Eh, um… gafu…”
“No, that’s what I mean… No! While your shy appearance is cute, saying it cutely doesn’t make it right!”
I tried my best, but it doesn’t seem like it will be resolved easily. If I don’t go along with this competition, it feels like it will become troublesome later.
* “We have time, so why not compete with them, Big Sister?”
* “If we cause a scene, it might trouble Older Brother, so I think that’s fine too. What about Mudophalac?”
* “I will follow Lion-sama and Shutra-sama. I am merely working as a guard.”
After a telepathic consultation, we decided to accept Ren and Ran’s challenge. While it’s one thing for me, I can rely on Rion-chan and Mudophalac, so I think it will probably be alright.
“Big Sister, we accept your challenge.”
” “Eh, really!?” ”
They also seemed surprised that we accepted.
“So, what will this competition entail? I’d prefer to avoid violence…”
“Even the women of Furnis wouldn’t do something like that to children. It’s not like we’re competing for the Hero-sama.”
“Hero-sama?”
“Ahem! That’s our business, so don’t worry about it. As for the competition… let’s see, how about that?”
Ren looked at the shop next door, and Mudophalac turned his gaze to the sweets shop I had been curious about.
“How about a dessert eating competition?”
” “……Eh?” ”
~~~~
This is bad, this is so bad. We ended up at the sweets shop in a roundabout way, but this competition is really bad. Well, I do like desserts, and they are delicious… but a competitive eating match is a bit…
* “…Rion-chan, do you have confidence?”
* “Hahaha, not at all…”
* “I know, we both don’t eat much…”
That’s right, neither Rion-chan nor I can eat a lot. It might also be because we always try to eat little by little, like squirrels, taking our time. But we are definitely the least suited for this competition within the party. On the other hand, Ren and Ran were among the girls at the academy who ate quite a bit. If this continues, we won’t be able to use the shop and will fail our errand…
* “No, we can just use another shop, right?”
* “Yeah, that’s right.”
Now that I know, there’s no need to be fixated on this competition. I should think of an alternative route for now. Let’s see, the closest one from here is—
* “There’s no need to worry about that. I will participate.”
* “Mudophalac?”
Mudophalac sat down at the table meant for eating and drinking, which was lined up in front of the stall. Was it my imagination, or did his eyes seem to be burning with flames? When he was in his blue-haired state, he should only have been able to manipulate water and ice.
“Question. Is it alright for me to participate in this competition?”
“It’s fine with us. It’s a handicap match from the start, and we intended to do a two-on-three.”
“I see, I’m relieved. I alone will suffice.”
” “Huh?” ”
“W-wait, Mudo-chan?”
“It’s alright, no problem.”
What should I do? Mudophalac is more serious than usual.
“Heh, interesting. But is it alright? If you lose, you’ll have to pay for all the desserts eaten at this shop?”
“I said it’s no problem. When it comes to desserts, I am invincible.”
Don’t casually add new rules! And don’t provoke him so subtly, Mudophalac!
“Ugh, I wonder if my allowance will be enough…”
“Shutra-chan, if it comes down to it, I’ll pay.”
Rion-chan’s kindness is warm. But I have to take responsibility for coming up with the idea… Huh? Now that I think about it, how much can Mudophalac eat? I only have the image of him stuffing himself with Efil (Sister)’s sweets. When I think about his eating scenes, my gaze always goes to Mel (Sister), so I haven’t really paid much attention. His human form is also relatively recent.
“Fufu, such confidence. I like it. Shopkeeper, prepare the pineapple shaved ice!”
“Ah, um Ran, no, young lady. It’s a bit late to say this, but it might be better not to mess with those people—”
“—Prepare it.”
“Yes, with pleasure!”
The shopkeeper’s face has been pale since a while ago. What’s wrong?
“Well then, the preparations for the competition are complete. Just to confirm one last time, are you really okay with just one person? The one who eats more cups of shaved ice within the time limit wins, correct?”
Mudophalac faced Ren and Ran across the table. On the table were large cups. The cups were topped with fine ice and cut pineapple, and the condensed milk and golden syrup sparkled, reflecting the sunlight.
“Can I eat now?”
“…Fufu, you seem to have no worries. Then—”
” “We’ll savor your crestfallen face later!” ”
A meaningless female duel has now begun.
~~~~
Inside Furnis Castle
“Found her!?”
“No, not here… Did she really escape the castle?”
Inside Furnis Castle, soldiers and servants moved about busily. They were searching for the princesses, Ren and Ran, who had escaped the castle.
“Damn it, at a time like this!”
King Furnis closed both eyes and held his head. The girls’ habit of running away was nothing new, but anticipating this, he had placed many guards in their rooms. However, it seemed less effective than anticipated, as all the deployed soldiers were knocked unconscious before they could even utter a sound.
“It’s regrettable that their combat power, honed at the academy, would be used against us in this way…”
“Your Highnesses possess the skill of an average B-Class adventurer. However, Your Majesty, shouldn’t we also search the town before things escalate?”
“Y-yes. Quickly, form a unit—”
“—Report! Ren-sama and Ran-sama have been found!”
“What!?”
Just as the King was about to give an order, a messenger soldier brought the good news. The minister breathed a sigh of relief, and the King also wore an expression of relief.
“Is that so, they were found… Where were they?”
“W-well, a soldier on guard discovered them collapsed in front of the castle gate.”
“Hmm? In front of the castle gate?”
“Yes… I will bring them here now.”
After a while, the princesses appeared before King Furnis, being supported by servants on either side. At that moment, they both collapsed.
“Wha—This!?”
Ren and Ran’s stomachs were greatly distended, looking as if they would burst. They had clearly overeaten. And their mouths and clothes were smeared with the condensed milk they had excessively poured in their excitement.
“Damn it, too late. Everything is too late…!”
“Your Highnesses, how pitiful… Your Majesty, this must be—”
“—Indeed, the Grim Reaper. It has shown its true form!”
The castle was in an uproar at the King’s words. The worriers among them spread a grand misunderstanding.
