Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 13 Chapter 1

Although Major Loki was the only one remaining on the ship, the ''Naglfar'' originally had a large crew. Hence, the ship contained far more cabins than Marduk.

The captain's cabin was the only single. The rest were basically all cabins designed for four.

My companions were taking a break, settling themselves into cramped cabins featuring two sets of bunk beds each. Of course, putting everyone into one cabin would be impossible so they were distributed among three cabins. Although there were more than enough cabins for everyone to each have their own, Shinomiya-sensei advised for us to stick together as much as possible. She probably decided that being alone in our current situation could have adverse effects on our psychological states.

Listening to the the deep noise coming from the ventilator, I advanced along the corridor where exposed wires and pipes could be seen. Then I arrived in front of the cabins my companions were occupying.

Although I believed my companions would open their doors if I were to call out, it was possible they were already sleeping. In that case, it would be better to talk to them later. Thinking that, I decided to knock each door one by one.

As things stood currently, we were hurrying to an unknown territory, which was not urgent news. Top priority right now was for us to alleviate the fatigue sustained during the battle against Bahamut.

Since I had no idea how the cabins were assigned, I gently knocked on the door of the first cabin.

No response even after I waited for a while. ''Asleep as suspected, I suppose.'' Thinking that, I moved to the door of the next cabin, but there was no response either.

However, just as I was about to leave that door, I heard a tiny sound. The door opened from inside.

"Hmm...?"

Then nothing happened. Wondering what was going on, I went nearer. Suddenly, a pale arm reached out from the gap in the door, grabbing my hand and pulling me forcefully into the cabin.

It was dark in the cabin. Not yet accustomed to the darkness, my eyes could see nothing.

"Hey—"

"Quiet. Don't wake up Iris-chan or Tia."

However, I realized the identity of the perpetrator from her voice, interrupting my protests. Soon after, an outline appeared in my surroundings and I gradually became able to see the pretty face of the girl before my eyes.

"Kili, what are you trying to do?"

I lowered my voice and asked her—Kili Surtr Muspelheim.

"Very well, come over a bit."

Instead of answering my question, she pushed me from behind, directing me to the bunk bed.

There was fabric hanging on the side of the bed, preventing me from seeing past inside. When I was forced into the bed, a faint light appeared in my view.

"Oh, 'tis my comrade, yes? Perfect timing."

The light source was a light from a personal terminal. On the bed, a young girl two sizes smaller than Kili was sitting all alone. For some reason, she was holding playing cards in her hands. Cards were also scattered on the blanket.

"Vritra too... What on earth are you two doing?"

I directed my confused gaze at the one who would be considered Kili's mother—her creator, the black dragon, "Black" Vritra.

"You can tell just by looking. We're playing cards. Ever since Iris-chan and Tia went to bed, it's been us two playing, but Mother sucks, so it's not fun at all. However, she insists on playing until she wins..."

The one who answered was Kili who followed me onto the bed.

There was practically no place to move once three people were packed onto a bed meant for a single adult to lie down.

"I don't plan on playing—"

Preoccupied with Mitsuki's situation, I intended to refuse.

"Iris-chan said the same thing. ''That's why'' I want you to join."

However, Kili replied forcefully and pushed me over to Vritra's side.

"Yuu, team up with Mother. Then there will finally be some competition."

"Hmph, then I shall borrow thy lap for a while."

Vritra nimbly sat her petite body on my lap. As a result, there was slightly more space on the bed, but it also made it more difficult for me to move.

"...Are you worried?"

Resigned to my situation, I asked, causing Kili to turn her gaze away with displeasure.

"When the always overly cheerful Iris-chan is this depressed, even other people get affected. Tia is all gloomy too, so I'm just taking over some what Iris-chan normally does."

Kili started with a very firm tone of voice, but she stared me straight in the eye mid-sentence and spoke even more assertively.

"As my mate, Yuu, having a bit of time for recreation with me wouldn't be too much, right? You're going to woo your sister next, aren't you? Then you need to do your absolute best. You must make a display of what you're capable of."

"Uh, calling it wooing would be a bit..."

Although I wanted to object, I realized she was not wrong and my voice faltered.

"Well, personally, I'd prefer to have one fewer rival and I won't have to write a mountain of repentance essays anymore... ''But you wouldn't be the Yuu I love if you gave up on her''. So I'll be generous here."

With an assertive smile, Kili picked up her cards that were on the blanket and stared at me. With her having said this much, there was no way I could run away.

"—Got it. Then let me be your opponent. We have to win, Vritra."

I placed my hand on Vritra's black-haired head and spoke. Even though we had opposing views on the matter of Mitsuki, right now I was going to help her out as partners.

"Counting on thee, my comrade. Guide me to the path of victory after twelve losses in a row."

Sitting on my lap, Vritra clenched her fist.

Based on what Kili had said just now, Vritra was not going to call it quits until she won. Then I must help her seriously.

"Now that's really losing badly. What exactly are you two playing?"

There were many ways to play cards. To lose this badly, it should be some kind of strategic game, but—

"Old maid."

Kili answered and slumped her shoulders. This was basically a game of luck, so for Vritra to lose this badly, her face must be as easy to read as an open book.

"...Vritra, there is no sure-win strategy. However, there is a way for you to counter Kili."

"What!? Thou art truly reliable as one would expect. Use it, this method."

"It's like this."

From behind, I pinched Vritra's cheeks with my fingers and pulled my hands in opposite directions sideways.

Stretching Vritra's soft face wide caused Kili, sitting opposite from us, to burst out laughing.

"H-Hoho... M-Mother, that face—"

Although she was keeping her voice down to avoid waking up Iris and Tia, Kili's shoulder heaved up and down greatly.

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"C-Comwade, waat ees the meeeening of dis?"

Vritra hammered against my arms in protest, but I replied directly without loosening my grip.

"Okay, try playing in this state. You'll have a shot at victory now."

"H-Hmm—fine."

Despite her partial skepticism, Vritra still began her game of old maid.

This was nothing more than stretching Vritra's face to prevent Kili from reading her expression, while disrupting Kili's composure at the same time. In the end—Vritra won handily afterwards.