Mia had yet to return to the inn, and those who had been left behind were quite rowdy. There were five of them in total: Bel, Citrina, Patty, Yanna, and Kiryl.
“Oh! So you two lived a bit farther away in the more run-down part of town,” said Bel, holding her hand over her forehead to shield her eyes as she stuck her head out the window. She gazed at a red-roofed building near a hill.
“It’s dangerous sticking your head out like that, Bel. And a bit unladylike.”
Bel obediently listened to Citrina’s scoldings and plopped herself back on the bed. “And what else?” she asked, kicking her feet.
“Right. A priest from the slums saved us. If he hadn’t...we might not be here today,” said Yanna as she gazed out the window.
“I see. You lived your life protecting Kiryl all this time,” offered Bel, her tone solemn. She had once lived hidden in the ruins of Lunatear herself, and she knew exactly how hard it must have been for Yanna and Kiryl to make it on their own. Maybe there were kids like Yanna and Kiryl back there too. They must have had it so hard... But I hear that there are far fewer struggling children when Grandmother Mia is in power, so I just need to work to protect them too.
“That must have been hard,” kindly offered Citrina.
Yanna shook her head. “No, not at all. Kiryl’s always been a good boy,” she said, patting her brother on the forehead. He seemed quite pleased, but suddenly, that changed.
“Don’t pat my head too much, Yanna!” Having realized the older girls were watching, he was suddenly embarrassed! “U-Um, Bel? Do you have any siblings?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“Huh? Me? Hmm... No, it’s only me. My mother wanted to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps and have more, but I don’t know if she ever actually plans on following through,” she said, tilting her head. “You have a younger brother, don’t you, Patty?”
“I do. His name is Hannes,” she said, nodding her head with the same expressionless look as always. “He’s a bit weak, but he’s really kind.”
All of a sudden, it was a boasting party, and the subject was little brothers! Apparently, Yanna’s praise of Kiryl had gotten to her.
“He’s really good at studying, and he’s handsome. I’m sure he’ll make a great noble when he grows up!” She cut off her words for a moment. “And I’ll do anything to protect him.”
Yanna nodded, as if in complete agreement with her words.
“Huh, Rina sees...” muttered Citrina, tilting her head and clearly not knowing exactly what to make of this. Bel gazed at the two with an equally confused expression.
The younger girls had completely beaten the elder two with their big-sister power! As only children themselves, Bel and Citrina just couldn’t understand how they felt.
“So, you’re searching for his medicine. That’s what your job is here...” muttered Bel with a groan as she gazed at Patty.
She nodded. “I think so. That’s why I came to the future.” Resolve filled her features. “I’ll find Hannes, and then I’ll find the medicine and bring it home!”
That would free Patty from the Serpents’ fetters, allowing her to move with some freedom and create the necessary circumstances that could lead to the advent of the Great Sage of the Empire. That was Patty’s purpose.
“You’ll pave the path needed for Miss Mia to be a part of this world’s history...” mumbled Bel. Patty knew exactly what she needed to do, and seeing the younger girl’s resolve brought Bel back to the same old question: What was she here to do? What was her job, and why had she come back to this time?
No, she hadn’t been slacking lately, nor had she forgotten her duties to instead play with Citrina, but she once again affirmed her resolve. “I guess what I’m here to do really is to deliver Miss Mia information from the future.”
“We’re back!” Suddenly, the others had returned. “Oh, I see you’re all already here. Tomorrow will be busy, so prepare yourselves. And Bel and Rina, we need to discuss what will happen tomorrow, so could you come with me for a moment?”
“Of course, Miss Mia! I’ll read Professor Ludwig’s diary with everything I’ve got!” Bel was completely fired up!
Mia lifted her hand to calm her. “You can relax, Bel. The incident tomorrow is now an attempted assassination, so... Actually, it’s probably best you keep things from me. Could you just make sure the entry hasn’t changed since yesterday?”
“Huh? But...”
Bel was awfully uncertain whether this was what she was really here to do.