Chapter 20
──Agnis's Point of View──
"Where have you been, Agnis?"
When Agnis returned to the castle's area—the section assigned to the general's family—her father, Raizenga, was waiting.
"We will return to our territory the day after tomorrow. I believe I told you to prepare."
"I'm sorry, Father."
Agnis bowed while still wearing her armor.
"Since we only have a little time left at the castle, I was looking around."
"I see. Then that's fine."
"I'm sorry for worrying you..."
"No, I'm not blaming you. Really."
Raizenga cleared his throat.
"Besides... I feel sorry for you, too. The reason you can't control your flames is that the blood of your ancestor, the Fire Giant, is especially strong in you. Manipulating flames according to your emotions is simply the nature of a Fire Giant. This is something even I can't do anything about."
"I understand... Father."
"I have finished reporting to His Majesty the Demon Lord. We will return to our territory and begin developing the mines. We have also received permission for the joint operation with the Empire."
"Our territory lies in the southern mountains. We have to get along with the Empire... after all."
"That's right. That's why I went to see the guest who came from the Empire, but honestly. To think someone like that is an Imperial noble."
"Father..."
"I hear he doesn't possess any combat Skills. No wonder he looked so frail. Since he was an Imperial noble, I imagined a hero capable of crossing swords with me. What a pathetic—"
"Father!"
Agnis raised her voice without thinking as she stared at her father.
"I think Thor Rigas-sama is a good person..."
"You spoke with him?"
"Yes. We met and spoke. He gave me this."
Agnis showed her father the 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage' Thor had given her.
"He was worried about Agnis, who can't control her flames, and gave me this valuable item so I could absorb excess flames with it! Please stop speaking ill of him!"
"What an unnecessary thing to do!"
"Father!?"
"Even with this, you still won't be able to wear anything but your armor."
"But! He did it for Agnis!!"
"...Try to understand, Agnis."
General Raizenga took Agnis's hand, encased in a gauntlet.
"I am thinking of you above all else. Even this mine development project is for your sake. That's why I've been exchanging letters with the Empire's margrave."
"I know... that you're thinking about Agnis."
"If negotiations with the Empire succeed, mines will be developed in our territory. To do that, we must defeat the troublesome monsters infesting the area around the mines. This is where you come in. Show everyone that your 'Fire Magic' can be useful!"
"...Father."
"Your flames should be able to easily defeat the monsters nesting around the mines. The people of the Empire will be amazed. The name of Agnis, daughter of Fire General Raizenga, will spread throughout the Demon Lord's Territory and the Empire!"
"...I understand... Father."
Agnis knew that her father was thinking of her.
Agnis's flames could only be used to hurt others.
The only thing she could use them for was defeating troublesome monsters.
(...There had to be a gentler way to live...)
Agnis didn't know what to do.
It had been the same when she was little.
When she had first awakened to 'Fire Magic,' Agnis's flames had run wild and burned a dear friend.
That friend forgave her, but ever since then, Agnis had been unable to look that friend in the eye.
It was after that that Agnis began wearing the heirloom 'Fire-Resistant Armor' so that she wouldn't hurt anyone. She had nothing else to wear, and with it, no one would get hurt.
Agnis had received permission from Chancellor Kelv to walk around wearing the 'Fire-Resistant Armor.' She had also filed the necessary notice. Everyone knew they would be burned if they approached Agnis.
(...Even so, there are kind people who still try to talk to Agnis...)
The alchemist Thor, whom she had met that day, suddenly came to mind.
That man hadn't been afraid of the flames Agnis produced.
He had listened carefully and even said he would think of a way to solve her problem.
(...He really is a mysterious person.)
It made sense that Mabel stayed by his side, too.
Kind people probably naturally got along.
But Agnis couldn't be part of that.
Her flames could only hurt people. That was painful.
"Agnis knows she is your daughter, Father."
Agnis looked at her father and told him this.
"I'll do what I can. I won't do anything to disgrace the name of the Fire General."
"Y-yes. If you understand that, then good."
Father Raizenga cleared his throat as if to change the mood.
"We leave for our territory the day after tomorrow. You may do as you please until then."
"Yes... Father."
Agnis nodded and returned to her room.
She undid the fasteners, which had become a little loose recently, and took off her armor.
She could remove her armor only when she was in her room.
Her room was made of materials that did not easily burn, so that she could live comfortably there.
The walls and furniture were made of stone. All the dishes and pitchers were made of metal.
The only exception was her futon, which had been passed down through the Agnis family for generations and was fire-resistant. Without it, Agnis would have had to sleep on the floor.
...Phew.
Agnis sighed.
Then she placed the 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage' beside her pillow and lay down.
...Thor Rigas-sama.
He was a strange person.
He hadn't been wary of Agnis in the slightest.
He had even said that the flames she produced were beautiful.
"Thor-sama said he wanted everyone in the Demon Lord's Territory──to live peaceful, carefree lives──. Does that include Agnis, too...?"
Thump.
Her heart began to beat faster whenever she pictured Thor's face.
The flames that sprang to life were drawn into the 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage.'
...This is a problem.
Agnis sighed.
The 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage' absorbed flames.
But whenever she looked at it, she couldn't help thinking about Thor.
Her heart beat faster, causing flames to spring forth. An endless cycle.
But for now, she found it comforting.
"The day after tomorrow... Agnis has to return to her territory..."
Agnis murmured.
Thor had said he would think of a way to suppress her flames, but that was probably impossible. There simply wasn't enough time.
"Tomorrow, when I go to the bathhouse, I have to say goodbye..."
Thor had helped Agnis more than enough.
"This 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage' alone──no. Even just the words that person gave me... are enough for Agnis..."
So... that's enough.
There was no way Agnis could get her flames under control in a single day.
"When I see Thor Rigas-sama tomorrow, I have to thank him. Thank you for thinking about Agnis..."
With those thoughts in mind, Agnis closed her eyes.