I Favor the Villainess Chapter 64Raising the fighting spirit

Because the ghost ship appeared off the coast the town was in an uproar.

The feudal lord declared a state of emergency and wanted to submit subjugation request to the army, but――.

“This is a problem… There is no way to leave the town”

It’s just as Claire-sama grumbled.

Even though he wants to call for relief, it’s impossible to leave the town.

The cause seems to be the fog covering the town.

“This fog contains magical power”

It was Misha who calmly analyzed the situation.

Right now we are gathered at the feudal lord’s house.

To somehow deal with the ghost ship, those around the town with power to fight assembled.

Vigilante corps, adventurers, and ordinary people boasting some strength, gathered in the garden of the house, their discussion going around in circles.

“If somebody doesn’t organize this, it won’t be brought under control”

“But, who can put the stop to their fights?”

Misha’s concern makes sense, but there aren’t many capable people who can assume leadership at times like this.

“What about Claire-sama?”

“There is a more qualified person than an inexperienced person like me… Or rather, that person will not stay silent in this situation. Look”

And, looking in the direction Claire-sama pointed at, a single noble came out of the house.

“Everyone, you did well to gather here. First of all, let me thank you”

Even if this voice said nothing but disagreeable self-important things until now, this time it exuded exquisite charisma.

“I am the Bauer Kingdom’s Minister of Finance, Dor François. In this abnormal situation I was asked by the feudal lord to take command. There are no objections, right?”

Dor-sama’s self-important but composed speech made a reliable impression to everyone who became restless from the threat of the ghost ship’s appearance.

“There is the odd matter with the ghost ship, but what about it, there’s nothing to be concerned about. After all they’re only undead – in other words, monsters. They only need to be subdued”

It’s not a big problem, said Dor-sama.

“Ho, however, they’re monsters that can conjure fog like this to imprison us, can we really defeat them…?”

One of the gathered people asked anxiously.

Even those with the strength to fight are like this.

It’s even more grave for the ordinary townsfolk.

“Your worries are reasonable. However, do not worry. We have enough fighting potential here. Claire, Rei, Misha, come here”

Suddenly, our names were called.

Since we weren’t warned in advance, the three of us couldn’t hide our confusion, but for the time being we stepped forward.

“They are excellent students of the Royal Academy. They’re within the top five when it comes to magic”

Listening to Dor-sama’s words, everybody became noisy.

Well, of course.

At the first sight we only look like young girls.

“Let me introduce them one by one. First of all, this girl is Misha Yule. She has high wind attribute aptitude. She’s a powerful person who cornered that Prince Rod during the mock battle in the academy”

Although she was suddenly introduced, as expected of Misha.

She coolly bowed with an indifferent face.

Her reliability is unrivaled.

“Next is Rei Taylor. She possesses double attributesDual Caster of earth and water. Moreover, both of them have super aptitude. She’s one of the best magic specialists in the academy”

While thinking I was being unfairly praised in a way, as a woman who can read the air, I tactfully bowed.

“And finally, my daughter, Claire François. Claire’s ability… Rather than explaining, it would be better to show it. Claire, you can show them the tenth of your power”

“Certainly”

While everybody was paying attention to what she’d do, Claire-sama slowly raised her hands.

Four crests of François house emerged above Claire-sama’s head.

This is――.

“Shine!”

Together with Claire-sama’s voice, four heat rays surged from the crests, hitting a large decorative stone in the corner of the garden.

“Loo, look! The rock was shattered!”

“A, amazing… With that power the ghost ship could be blown to smithereens”

“That was the tenth of its power… How promising!”

It’s Claire-sama’s forte from before, Magical Ray.

Although its area of effect isn’t wide, as far as only power is concerned, it’s faster to count from the top of the world power ranking.

It must have left a strong impression on those seeing it for the first time.

Even so, the tenth of its power is quite a bluff.

Claire-sama should have used Magical Ray at all its power.

It must be Dor-sama’s and Claire-sama’s plan to reassure everybody who gathered.

Even without any particular preparations, those two are in tune.

“We understand. It’s enough to make monsters fear us. We will regain the peace of this town with our power!”

In response to Dor-sama’s voice, everybody vigorously raised their voices.

Their voices are no longer even tiny bit tinted with fear.

As expected of the man who climbed to the top of government wriggling through the political power struggles.

For Dor-sama, inciting a crowd of this level must be a piece of cake.

“Then, I will entrust the concrete strategy to the adventurer’s guild. Everybody, follow them”

With that, Dor-sama returned to the building.

“As expected of Dor-sama”

“I felt he wasn’t just showing off as a politician”

“Father seems to be thinking about gaining another achievement for himself”

Claire-sama didn’t obediently accept Misha’s and my praise.

Even so, she looks happy.

Although there’s some awkwardness between them, Claire-sama still respects Dor-sama.

“Even so… Claire-sama, is it okay?”

“What do you mean, Rei”

Claire-sama looked at me in puzzlement, but there’s something I’m worried about.

“Like this, I think there are tremendous expectations placed on Claire-sama, but Claire-sama, you aren’t good with ghosts, right?”

“… Ah”

Sure enough, Claire-sama forgot about it.

“I, I I I am not particularly bad with them! In the first place, undead are not ghosts!”

“No, only pretending to be brave like this won’t work. If Claire-sama is seen acting confused at the crucial moment, it will affect the morale”

“That’s how it is”

I pointed out to Claire-sama who stubbornly put on a brave front and Misha nodded to it with mmhm.

“… What should we do”

“Wouldn’t it be better to act separately from others”

“Then, it is better to tell that to the guild people ahead of time. It will be too late after the strategy is decided”

Like this, we decided to have a talk with the person in charge from the adventurer’s guild.

“… That person also has an unexpected weak point”

Louis-san is the person in charge, is this my karma.

Strained smile showed on his face as he listened to our story.

“Can you somehow do something?

“To be honest, because the fighting ability of you three and those guys is different, it’s welcome that you three act separately. Even if you impromptu teamed up, you wouldn’t be able to coordinate”

Louis-san is speaking to Claire-sama in a familiar tone.

The position of an adventurer means he has freedom to ignore the country or social status.

Because Claire-sama also knows it, she didn’t really scold him.

“Based on my experience, there should be a boss in the inner part of the ghost ship. While we mop up small fry, how about you three bring down the boss?”

“It seems this is the only option”

“Ah, but――”

“?”

Louis-san continued reservedly.

“Could you do your best a little at just the beginning? If you shoot the magic from a while ago just once, I think the morale will rise”

“Only at the start… Only at the start, okay”

“Yeah. Can you do it?”

Louis-san said if that’s impossible, he’ll find some other way.

“… No, it is okay. I will do it”

“I see. Then, please. Leave it to us afterwards”

Saying that, Louis-san went back to convey the strategy.

“Well, we’ll also be there, so it’ll be okay, surely”

“We will support you”

“… Please take care of me”

Claire-sama made a gloomy face.

Such Claire-sama is also cute.