Plain Girl Hero of Darkness
Under the Lion Banner - (3)

Three days after the war conference in Leticia.

Currently, Olivia—— spends every day playing with children until dusk. But take it easy, that doesn't mean he's slacking off his military duties.

After learning the reason for Valedstorm's house's death, he would return to Windsam Castle, the headquarters of the Seventh Army, when Cornelius ordered him to stay in the Capital.

As the party atmosphere in the city subsides, soft sunlight envelops the ground on this spring day——

「One more time!」

Olivia's energetic voice echoed in the square.

「That's enough! Olivia onee-san will be using that 『Fleet Footed Rush』 thing right? Didn't I tell you it was too sneaky !? 」

The girl with the big red ribbon in her young brown hair lightly hit Olivia's stomach. Her name is Patty Sullivan, the only daughter of Akagi and Anne, the owner of 『Grey Crow Pavilion』 where Olivia stayed.

「Ahaha, sorry, I used it unconsciously ~」

Patty looked at Olivia who was scratching her cheek.

「Muu—— Olivia onee-san, are you the type that can not accept loss?」

「Yeah, I don't think so.」

Olivia said as she recalled the only time she had nearly lost to Ashton in Military Chess. As Ashton smiled confidently, Olivia suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed onto the board.

And of course, the game was ruined. He could still vividly remember Ashton's face, which looked like it was seeing the end of the world. He even kindly advises Ashton 『The most dangerous moment is when you are sure of your victory』. He threw a chess piece at her with a demonic face.

「During a time like this, you should let the kids win.」

「Why should I let the kids win?」

If this is a war, there are times when you have to pretend to lose in order to make the opponent off guard. But this was just hide and seek, so Olivia did not understand the reason for giving up on winning.

He tilted his head in surprise, and Patty arrogantly raised her finger.

「This is the condition to be a mature and good woman.」

「Adult and good woman?」

「Accurate once. Since Olivia onee-san is such an amazing girl, you should remember this well. 」

Patty acts like an all-knowing instructor and teaches Olivia. Although she was called an extraordinary girl, Olivia did not understand what it meant and just pretended to be laughing. At this time, Patty's playmate, Griffin Noah, suddenly appeared from behind the bushes.

「Oh, I found Griffin!」

Olivia pointed excitedly.

「You didn't find me, I came out alone.」

「Why did you come out yourself?」

Griffin with a distinctive green scarf around his neck let out a tired sigh.

「Because I waited so long, and Olivia Onee-san didn't seem to be looking for me—— So, Olivia Onee-san used the『 Fleet Footed Rush 』again?」

「That's right, you should also advise Olivia Onee-san, Griffin.」

At Patty's insistence, Griffin stood in front of Olivia. Olivia's gaze on Griffin made her blush, and she said softly.

「H-Be careful next time.」

「Ya, understand!」

「Hei Griffin! Why do you always, always, always, blush in front of Olivia Onee-san!? 」

Patty stomped her feet as she approached Griffin. But Griffin looked away from pretending to be innocent.

To Olivia, Griffin's face was clearly flushed red. For some reason, the moment Olivia looked at him, Griffin's face would turn red like a ripe octopus. Not only Griffin, Ashton and the other men are the same.

Initially, Olivia suspected that they were exposed to Red—— pancreatic disease a type of disease spread by insects. The infected person's face will be flushed, followed by a high fever. In the worst case scenario, it can be fatal, it is a frightening disease.

Olivia forced Ashton who was reluctant to take the medicine he was brewing, but his face was still flushed red. He tried to get other men to take the medicine as well, but to no avail. It didn't work, but there were also no symptoms of high fever, so Olivia concluded that men were indeed such creatures.

By the way, Ellis who was a woman also often blushed. Evansin said, 『My sister suffers from a unique disease that even doctors cannot cure. Please don't think about it, Major Olivia 』. He even apologized, so that was an exception.

「Muu, Griffin will be Patty's groom in the future! It has been decided that we will inherit 『Grey Crow Pavilion』! You cannot be unfaithful! 」

「M-Understand.」

Griffin, who was intimidated by the fierce Patty, replied with a volume as high as the hum of a mosquito, then stole a glance at Olivia. As Olivia smiled, her face became increasingly red. Patty's not gonna let this go.

They were like how Akagi and Anne acted when they had a fight, she was like a copy of Anne.

「So you are here, Major..」.

Claudia who appeared at the corner of the plaza heaved a sigh of relief after finding Olivia. He flicked his golden key back from the rut and quickened his pace.

「What a coincidence, Claudia. You are here to play hide umpet also—— Hmm? What's up, Griffin? 」

She realizes Griffin being interrogated by Patty is behind Olivia before she realizes it and pulls up her sleeve. Moving behind me undetected, her cunning nature could rival Z—— Olivia sighed in admiration. With practice, he might be able to become a great swordsman.

「What is that beautiful Onee-san one of Olivia Onee-san's friends?」

Griffin was extremely curious as he peered towards Claudia through his sleeves. As Claudia looked towards him, she would hide behind Olivia. She acted the same way as when Patty introduced her to Olivia.

「Oh right, this is the first time you've met him, Griffin. This is my partner and friend, Claudia. 」

Olivia pushes Griffin to Claudia. Griffin was initially hesitant, but——

「S-It's nice to meet you. I'm Griffin Noah, five years. 」

He opened his hand timidly and waved a greeting. Claudia had a gentle smile that Olivia had never seen before.

「You can greet others properly even though you are very young, it is amazing. I'm Claudia Jung. 」

「Ehehe ... Claudia Onee-san, want to play hide and seek?」

Griffin invited Claudia somewhat timidly. Claudia crouched down and looked into Griffin's eyes.

「Sorry, I have military duty—— I still have work to do with Olivia Onee-san in the castle, so I can't play.」

「I understand..」

Seeing Griffin pouting, Claudia smiled anxiously and patted his blonde hair.

「Can you let me join next time?」

「Yes, understand, I'll take you next time.」

Griffin nodded his head like a bobble-headed doll sold in a roadside stall. Patty who was watching showed an eerie expression for the five-year-old. He gripped Griffin's collar and dragged her to a corner of the square.

When Olivia saw this scene, she thought of the frightening imp displayed in the picture book 《Unlimited Chef Works》. I hope Griffin wasn't thrown in the pot and cooked alive — he worries about.

(Imp. I forgot to know what blm wkwkwk is. Clearly, Imp is one of the Devils.)

Waving goodbye to Griffin who was sending out an SOS signal with her eyes, Olivia turned to Claudia who was staring at Griffin with a similar worried face.

「They sent a message?」

「Yes, Field Marshal Cornelius wants to talk to you directly.」

「He really made me wait so long. You know what that is about, Claudia? 」

「They didn't say it, but it might be related to the promotion.」

Claudia smiled brilliantly, she really liked the promotion. Olivia decides to leave the square before she makes a speech.

Olivia turned around, and inside her pupils was the reflection of Griffin sitting in the seiza getting smaller as she moved away.

...****************...

...To Be Continue's...