Mob MC 340.1

Test

Chapter 340.1. Concern

-Miu's Mom POV-

Takano Birei sat on the sofa with a serious expression.

She was in her room at home. Her room after moving to the Count's house was spacious, and to be honest, she wasn't accustomed to it. Life with maids and servants at her side, taking care of even simple tasks, felt more stifling than comfortable.

I had casually asked my husband about it, but he, being a noble by birth, seemed to feel no discomfort with the spaciousness of the rooms or the presence of maids.

Despite feeling the stark difference in their backgrounds, I had found a compromise and started to adapt not too long ago. 

I had no intention of making excuses, but now I was filled with regret from the depths of my heart.

The source of my regret wasn't the difficulty of ascending to a high-ranking noble but rather the unfamiliarity of the lifestyle. It was about not paying enough attention to my child.

Seated on the opposite sofa was her adorable daughter, Miu. She had been watching with an excited face, wondering what her mother was going to talk about.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the pleasant conversation Miu was expecting. Mirei had to talk to Miu now.

"Mii-chan, you did great at the Snow Festival, didn't you?"

"Yeah! I purified a bit of Tokyo!"

Miu, fluttering her legs in anticipation of praise, looked very cute. What Mirei was about to say would hurt, but it was necessary. She steeled herself.

"Indeed, now they call it the Tokyo Magic Stone Rush, and people are moving around even in this heavy snow."

"Yeah! Magic stones are scattered everywhere, so everyone is coming like they're picking up fallen grain. They're building dormitories, and the number of buildings is increasing!"

Miu giggled shyly. It was indeed a fantastic story. People had created the groundwork for Tokyo, which was said to take decades of development, in just a few days. It was undoubtedly Miu's plan. My daughter was a genius, an exceptional one at that.

However, she was a genius with anxieties.

"Mii-chan, I have something to talk to you about."

"Yes! What is it?"

Miu tilted her head with curiosity, but Birei asked seriously.

"Why did you and the other go and conquer the dungeon in Tokyo, which is considered the worst?"

"Well, Mi-chan thought she and the others could do it! If it didn't work, we could just run away!"

"You might have ended up with serious injuries, you know? Papa was really down when he heard that you went to conquer it with just the kids. He said he would refrain from drinking for a while."

At that time, all the adults apparently got drunk, and the cause was said to be the alcohol made by Miu's magic. It was probably made the same way as the snacks. 

It must have been incredibly delicious. The tea party ended in a silent atmosphere, with everyone silently eating the sweets made by Miu and no conversation.

The deliciousness was so overwhelming that everyone became absorbed in the sweets, leaving no time for conversation. Even nobles, accustomed to luxury and having tasted various dishes, were no exception. Considering the effects, alcohol might have been the same. And Miu, understanding her cunning nature, might have distributed the alcohol to ensure her actions went undisturbed.

"It's okay even if we get seriously injured! Mii-chan can easily heal it!"

Miu's response was as expected, aligning with the concerns that Yamiyo-chan and others had.

"Mii-chan... no, Miu. You see, when people get seriously injured, it hurts."

"I'll be fine if I endure it!"

It was probably true for Miu. There was no lie in her face. She genuinely believed that. Everyone had been worried because, despite getting seriously injured in battles with monsters, she showed no concern for her injuries.

"...Does Miu really feel the pain? That's an important matter."

"Huh? Yeah, it hurts. But I can heal it right away with recovery magic."

"That's probably because you've become numb to the pain, Miu. That's dangerous. Think carefully, are you not just feeling pain as a symbol and not sensing danger?."

Miu, wide-eyed, looked surprised at my words.

"Pain is a signal of danger. Losing the ability to feel pain is risky. Even if you feel pain, not sensing danger is dangerous for yourself and others...you may become indifferent to the pain of others."

If you can endure it yourself, there's a possibility of imposing it on others. No, looking at Miu lately, such behavior seemed evident.

"And when you can't feel pain, kindness also disappears. Miu, do you really think the Snow Festival was a success? Do you think so by looking at the process, not just the results? There were many injured people, you know?"

I didn't want to say it, but I had to.

"Miu, do you think of the people around you as equals? Or do you see them as pawns? I've noticed your gaze toward people other than family and friends. It's not like seeing them as humans; there's a merciless aspect, like looking at dolls or something."

Perhaps Miu had been avoiding it, thinking she was a good girl. However, if I didn't address it now, she might develop an arrogant personality that didn't consider others as humans in the future.