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Volume 5 Chapter 8-2: The Empire’s Weakness

The outer walls of Erucy were now bolstered by hastily constructed defenses. Most of the basic construction work had been completed, and it appeared that things were proceeding ahead of schedule, but without any corners cut, which was quite reassuring.

As I was about to pass through the gate and was thinking of calling out to one of the elven gatekeepers, a silver shadow burst out from the gate at an incredible speed.

「Cyril-niisama!」

Almost simultaneously with her voice, a young girl with silver fox ears and a fluffy tail hugged my waist. The red gemstone necklace suited her well.

「Cyril-niisama! Cyril-niisama! Cyril-niisama!」

She rubbed her cheeks against my abdomen and wagged her tail as she kept repeating my name. I couldn’t help but feel fond of her. I patted her head and she narrowed her eyes.

「I’m home, Yukino. You’ve become quite the clingy one while I was away, haven’t you?」

「Welcome back, Cyril-niisama. Yukino was lonely without you.」

Yukino blushed as she said this, then let go of the hug. She lined up beside me, holding my hand shyly.

「How did you know I was coming back?」

「You sent a pigeon from Bell Erucy. Considering the pigeon’s speed, the weather, and your expected departure time, rest frequency, and pace, Yukino calculated when you would arrive and was on the lookout.」

「As expected of my number one disciple.」

When I praised her, Yukino stuck out her head as if saying “pat me more,” so I roughly patted her. This seemed to please Yukino greatly, and she leaned into me.

「Were there any issues while I was gone?」

Although the gemstone on her necklace—a medium for disposable communication magic—was still intact, which suggested no major issues had occurred. I couldn’t refrain from asking.

「Not particularly. Yukino burnt some bandits and deserters from the Empire who attacked us, a pack of wolves, from another mountain, that attacked our goats, and Roleau-sama because he was annoying. Yukino burned a lot of other things too.」

「… I would say that’s not exactly ‘nothing’.」

I really could rely on this younger sister of mine.

I would have to discipline Roleau later. For the gentle Yukino to resort to using force, he must have done something quite troublesome.

Looking at Yukino, I felt like she had grown a lot, even though I’d only been away for a month. Girls her age really do grow up fast.

「Also, Cyril-niisama, Yukino made a lot of coke and properly divided and stored the sulfur. Yukino made twice the amount you asked for.」

「That’s a big help. We’ll use a lot in the upcoming war.」

With magic being made unusable, we would have to depend more on science and technology for the fight. We could never have enough sulfur, which was a raw material for gunpowder. Grenades, cannons, land mines—each one of them used gunpowder.

Through the Haber-Bosch method, we could produce large amounts of nitrate, but sulfur could only be painstakingly separated from coal.

Having Yukino prepare this without relying on Kuiro was a great help.

「I’ll have to reward you a lot for working so hard. Later, I’ll give you a good brushing. I actually got some great shampoo as a souvenir too. It’ll make your fur super glossy.」

「A princess tail! I love you, Cyril-niisama!」

Yukino’s eyes sparkled with joy. She was truly adorable. As I looked at her, I thought about how I would surely cry when she got married.

Yukino was already twelve years old. In just two more years, she could get married. A girl as good as her wouldn’t be overlooked by the men around her.

「Well, I have to go. I want to see Lucy and Kuu as soon as possible. We can do the brushing tomorrow night.」

「Cyril-niisama.」

In a quiet voice, Yukino tugged at my hand softly.

「What’s up, Yukino?」

「Yukino wants her reward now.」

Yukino spoke while lowering her ears and head apologetically.

「Why?」

「Once you get home, you’ll be so preoccupied with Lucy-sama and Kuu-neesama that you’ll forget about Yukino.」

「That’s not true.」

「It is!」

Unexpectedly, Yukino raised her voice. It took me by surprise. She was probably waiting at the gate because she wanted to monopolize my attention—a possessiveness characteristic of children. I could understand that sentiment.

「I’m sorry, Cyril-niisama.」

She looked a little down, probably surprised at her own outburst.

「But, can you be Yukino’s exclusive for a little longer? Can you be with Yukino until the reward is over? … Is that bad?」

With upturned eyes, Yukino pleaded. I let out a wry chuckle.

「Alright. Let’s go to my workshop then. I’ll brush you there. But only for a bit, okay? I have work to do.」

「Thank you, Cyril-niisama! Yukino is sorry for being selfish.」

She must have been feeling out of sorts from being apart from her beloved big brother for a month. It wouldn’t hurt to indulge her in such a cute request.

「It’s fine. Being a little selfish is a child’s prerogative, and it makes me happy, too.」

「Is Yukino a child? But because I’m a child, Cyril-niisama is …」

Upon hearing my words, Yukino made a complicated expression for a moment before reverting to her usual smile.

「Let’s go, Cyril-niisama!」

Yukino led the way, holding my hand.

Today, I decided in my heart that I’d give her a thorough brushing.