033
Because Chubby is plump and chubby like a bunny, it’s cute. But I don’t really like Fluffy as much.
When I looked at him in shock, brother Mikard scratched the back of his head.
“Oh, right, it was Chubby. But ‘Fluffy’ fits you well too since you’re chubby.”
“Stop it!”
“Alright, then Chubby it is.”
“Okay, that’s good.”
After clearly stating my opinion, I held the cotton candy that brother bought me and licked the tip of it with my tongue.
Eating it all in one bite felt like a waste.
Because I wanted to admire something so pretty for a long time!
“But you know, brother.”
“Yeah?”
“Is everyone close with you, brother? Why does everyone recognize you wherever we go?”
It was the same earlier, and now it’s happening again. Even the cotton candy cart man is acting the same way. Everyone sees brother Mikard and goes, “Oh, welcome!” or “Lord Mikard!”
Brother Elzen had definitely told me that ‘Awakened Ones’ were scary people, and that’s why everyone avoided them. But seeing it now, that doesn’t seem to be entirely true.
“Ah, back when I was younger than I am now, I was part of the Patrol Unit. Dad said I had to learn things from the ground up.”
“Patrol Unit?”
“Yeah, not the mansion, but here in this street. It’s a job that protects the place where people live and breathe. Cool, right?”
Chomp.
I bit off a little piece of cotton candy with my lips, chewing as I nodded my head.
“Since they’ve known me from when I was a kid — back when Bijou wasn’t around — most people here recognize me.”
“Whoa!”
“While living among them, I naturally learned how to control my energy. The people of the territory taught me a lot.”
Brother Mikard’s face brimmed with pride as he said that.
Watching him stand with his chest puffed out and his back straight, I couldn’t help but mimic him.
Because I wanted to look that cool too.
“Anyway, Chubby, where do you want to go next?”
“Fluffy has now become Chubby…!”
Thud!
I grabbed my soft, squishy cheeks and stretched them.
I know my cheeks are puffier than the other kids, but do I really have to go from Fluffy to Chubby?!
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ covers its mouth and starts laughing.]
[The Earth Spirit King ‘■’ claims that a chubby child will save the nation.]
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ points out that it’s not just your belly that’s plump, but your cheeks too.]
Well… well…
That’s because I’m a glutton!
But still, no matter how much I eat, it’s a mystery why I don’t grow taller.
‘If I run a lot, will I grow tall like brother?’
Holding onto the cotton candy tightly, I started running.
As I passed by stalls selling grilled chicken legs, steamed scallops, and fried shrimp, I noticed a crowd gathering further down.
“There’s another doll booth!”
“They said they set up several of them around. Want to check it out?”
“Yeah. But, brother, where did the dolls go?”
“I sent them home.”
Home? How?
At that moment—
“Huh? Jerusalem artichokes?!”
***
Of course, this street had ‘safety agents’ stationed by Pashayen.
These agents, belonging to the Pashayen Navy, were disguised in plain clothes, blending in with the visitors on the street under Diegon’s orders.
While the overall commands came from Admiral Diegon, they followed Mikard’s instructions on-site.
So, it wasn’t strange for one of them to be seen accepting a doll from Mikard.
〔There’s a commotion up ahead. It’s Ricardo Dunrus and other members of the Dunrus family. Should we deal with it?〕
〔Leave it for now. I heard that guy ripped off a Shupetty’s name tag.〕
With his hands now free, Mikard shoved them into his pockets as he strolled forward. He made sure not to miss any of his subordinates’ reports transmitted to him via telepathy.
“You…!”
At that moment, Fluffychubby spotted Ricardo. Ricardo also noticed them.
No longer a member of Pashayen, Ricardo ‘Dunrus’ was now surrounded by other Dunrus family members.
“Because of you, because of you, I—ahhh!”
He had the audacity to point his finger at Shupetty. Mikard wasted no time grabbing that finger and bending it back.
“Are your eyes broken? Can’t you see that I’m standing right here?”
“Ugh, L-lord Mikard. It’s… it’s unfair…!”
“Unfair, huh? So what? Does feeling wronged give you the right to point fingers? Since when did I become someone you could take lightly? Makes me think I need to self-reflect.”
Today, Mikard was doing his absolute best to keep his energy restrained.
The reason was simple.
He didn’t want Shupetty to be startled.
It’s not like I was saying anyone could just act all arrogant.
“Brother, wait a moment.”
“Yeah, what is it?”
“Just a moment… I have something to ask.”
The small figure tugged at his collar.
In response, Mikard obediently released the finger he had bent earlier.
He didn’t know what the little one was up to, but since he was watching, it didn’t really matter.
Then, from down below, there was a faint sound of “ahem ahem,” like someone clearing their throat.
“Apologize. Apologize for tearing my name tag before!”
What followed was a very firm and confident statement.
***
I found him — my nemesis!
When I spotted Ricardo, I could feel my heart pounding hard.
That long-forgotten rage flared up inside me.
“Apologize.”
“Wh-why should I?! I-I got kicked out of Pashayen because of you!”
“Apologize! You pushed me first! You also ripped my name tag!”
To be honest, I had never spoken with such clear pronunciation in my life.
I glared at Ricardo with eyes blazing with fire.
Ricardo, instead of looking at me, kept glancing at brother Mikard with nervous eyes.
That only made me even angrier, and I stomped my foot with a loud thud.
“Look at me!!”
I know where that sound came from — my belly.
With my round belly tensed up, I pointed at Ricardo and gave another command.
“You threatened me. That’s why the Water Spirit King showed up. Bullying someone smaller than you is wrong!”
“Exactly. And when you got beaten back, everyone decided to call it ‘serves you right’.”
Brother Mikard chimed in from behind.
I whipped my head around to face him.
“Brother, don’t take sides. I’m talking right now.”
“Ah, sorry. I’ll stay out of it.”
“Good!”
I didn’t like how Ricardo kept checking for brother Mikard’s reaction.
I’m the one talking right now!
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ is pleased, saying, You’re a child who doesn’t back down from injustice.]
But Ricardo still didn’t apologize.
Instead, he pushed away the kids who were watching and tried to walk off somewhere.
“Move!”
“Ouch!”
The children shoved by Ricardo and his group fell to the ground, landing on their bottoms or scraping their knees.
Watching this scene, I finally, really, really got angry.
“Don’t you dare run away!!”
Shouting loudly once again, I rushed over, helping the kids back up to their feet.
At that moment, a quest appeared before my eyes.
Quest!
A Child Who Doesn’t Tolerate Injustice!
The Fire Spirit King has given you a mission!
✔ Get an apology from Ricardo Dunrus.
Reward for success: 1 ★Well Done!★ stamp.
Penalty for failure: All grilled food will taste burnt for 3 days.
Deadline: Immediate.
I was going to get that apology — including one for the way he treated these kids.
But if I failed, I’d be cursed to taste only burnt food for three days?!
I absolutely could not accept that kind of disgusting, yucky punishment!
“Stop right there, you coward! Are you running away because you’re scared of me?”
“Who, who said I was scared of you?! It’s because lord Mikard is behind you, that’s all. Someone like you is nothing!”
“Is that so? Then, brother, don’t interfere at all.”
At my words, brother Mikard gave a light shrug of his shoulders.
Seeing this, Ricardo, who had stopped in his tracks, glanced at brother Mikard before stomping toward me.
Even though he was taller and bulkier than me, I didn’t back down even a little.
He didn’t seem threatening at all.
I stood firmly, hiding the kids who had fallen earlier behind me. My two fists were tightly clenched with resolve.
“You’re really gonna regret it if you push me any further.”
