The Story Of A Certain Family (3)
“Nn? Darl seems strange recently?”
A certain day three months after we obtained our occupation. Emma who we always leave the matters in the house to came to say something like that to me who came back from work.
“Un. He leaves early in the morning and returns late at night. It seems days like that have been continuing recently”
Uーn, does it have anything to do with the capital being rowdy recently? Something about monsters appearing or something like that……no, I suppose it has nothing to do with people like us who are living far away huh.
If so, is it because of his work? If I remember correctly, he has said that his occupation,『Sword Master』was anticipated and he got hired. Although I didn’t go as far as to ask by who, he has said that it’s quite a good place.
Because I don’t want to leave this house as far as possible, I’m doing guard-like work at a nearby store. Because there is naturally poor public order in this vicinity which is the slums, there are times when thievery and such happen to stores and the likes nearby……I paid them some visits in the past as well.
Hence, that store was searching for a guard-like person so, I am currently working there. Since I can take them down with ease if it’s to the extent of some ordinary hooligan.
Pilc used『Acrobat』and joined a troupe that is based in the capital. He has said that it’s fun despite still being an underling.
Tierra is doing side job at home while looking after the children. When it comes to her occupation, Tierra herself also doesn’t understand it so she can’t use it. I was somehow apologized to because of that but I didn’t mind at all. After all, I don’t understand my own『Dark Knight』as well.
“Mars-niichan?”
“Nn? Aa, leave Darl’s matter to me. Emma doesn’t have to worry about it”
“Un, okay”
Emma who hears what I say and returns to the room the children are in. I suppose I will try waiting until night.
◇◇◇
Although it’s already the next day, it’s true that he comes back late huh. I’m usually sleeping at this time so I didn’t realise. I sit on a chair and wait for a little while and
“What’s the matter?”
, Tierra came out from the room.
“Did I wake you up?”
“Ee, Mars isn’t around so I got worried”
Tierra who says that and giggles. She then continues on to come next to the chair I’m sitting and holds my hand
“About Darl?”
“Aa. You’ve realised?”
“Uun1. Just to the extent where I thought that he comes back late. Still, I didn’t think that it’s this late”
That rascal. He’s even making Tierra worry. You better be prepared for a punch when you come back, alright? I talk to Tierra while waiting for a little while after that and, it became slightly noisy outside.
And then, the house’s door opens and Darl came in. It’d be great if it’s just that but, there are men with disgusting smirks on their face together with him as well at the back.
“Ou, I’ll be intruding? Haa, a noble would indeed want her”
A man says that and looks at Tierra……is Tierra these fellows’ goal!?
“……Oi, Darl. What in the world is going on?”
“……My bad. Everybody be the sacrifice for my sake”
Darl says that, draws the sword on his waist and slashed at me. I instantly bend my body backwards but, a pain runs down my shoulder. Kuu, I couldn’t avoid it entirely huh.
“Ora, you guys, that young lady goes to the noble rascal. Sell the girls and hand the boys over to the country. I don’t know why but they were looking for them”
These fellows, what is their goal……shit!
“Darl, you bastard, do you know what you’re doing!”
“I know. However, I’m not going to live like this anymore. I’ll have you guys be the sacrifice for that sake!”
Tsk, he won’t listen no matter what I say huh! While I am dealing with Darl, the other men come in one after another.
“Tierra! Wake the children up and run!”
“Bu, but!”
“Just go!”
I grab a chair that was nearby and throw it at the men who try to get closer to Tierra. The house’s wall breaks but I don’t have the leisure to worry about that.
However, Darl approaches while I got distracted by the men
“Gaa!?”
My body was slashed diagonally. It’s not deep because I turned my body away unconsciously but, my body dyes red. I was then kicked and sent flying by Darl, crashing into the wall.
“Mars!!”
I hear Tierra’s scream along with a falling sound. When I look to the direction of the sounds, Tierra has fallen from her chair, crawling on the ground and headed towards my direction.
“……Ru……n……Ti……erra……”
“No! Leaving you behind……ouch!”
“Ou ou, what a display. But too bad. You belong over here.”
“Le, let go! Don’t touch me with your filthy hands!”
“You’re annoying!”
“Kyaa!”
That fellow, he fucking hit Tierra! I try to stand up as I glare at the guy but
“Don’t move”
“Gaa!”
I got kicked in the stomach and sent flying by Darl. And then I was stabbed in the left shoulder by a sword. I was about to shout from the pain but, I clench my teeth and glare at Darl.
“……Why, something like this……”
“Well, that fellow, he’s being hired by a certain noble just like us. Over there, he’s living a kind of life he can’t live here. However, noble-sama hired Darl because he has his eyes on this young lady. And then, he’s told to present the young lady to continue being hired. It sure was amusing. This fellow who can’t give up his current lifestyle replied immediately. Basically, you guys are only worth that much to him.
Aa, and we have a request from the country. I don’t really get it but, it seems they are looking for a family and anybody’s fine. We were told that someone from the slums will probably do and to look for it. Then, words from noble-sama came at just the right time, that he’s targetted you guys”
While I’m listening to the man, children were brought out from the room at the back one after another. Emma, Mint, and the others also come out of the room crying. Pilc glares stout-heartedly at the men but, his cheeks are already swollen.
I place my hand on the wall and stand up somehow. Shit, the wounds on my body hurt. My vision also started to lose focus. I barely stand up, glare at Darl while I place my hands on my laps but
“Haa……haa……return Tierra……return everybody”
“I’m sorry but I can’t do that”
The last thing that entered my sight was the figure of Darl holding his right hand aloft.
I don’t really remember what happened afterwards. I’m in a sodden place that’s like a jail when I woke up, near to me is Pilc who’s all beat up and the boys huddling together and sitting.
When I ask about Tierra and the girls, they say they haven’t met them since separating at the house. 3 days have apparently already passed since that day. Shit, it’s all because I’m powerless.
After that, when about another 2 days passed, we were brought by soldiers who appeared out of nowhere and leave the jail. I didn’t know why the soldiers of this country show up here but, I recall what the man said at that time.
If I remember correctly, he has said that the country is looking for a family and anybody will do……I guess it’s because of that. After that, we walk for a little and we were brought to a spacious location.
Over there, men who wore gorgeous clothes the likes that we’ve never seen before are standing there and, a man whose age is close to Pilc and I, along with tremendously beautiful women were standing on their opposite side.
The men with gorgeous clothes were glaring at the man on the opposite side. Moreover, the terrifying presence that I feel from the robed man. What is this? The children are trembling as well.
Shit, can’t I save even just the children? Moreover, Tierra and the others as well. Frustrating. It’s frustrating but I’m even angrier at myself who’s powerless.
If I had made myself stronger so that I’m able to protect everybody then it might not have turned out like this……though it might be too late even if I regret at this point in time.
I’m regretting by myself and, the robed man moves closer over here. I can’t look away from that man for some reason.
