Chapter 15 Blame Amazon
Just as Ryuu was about to step forward to greet him, she saw something unbelievable and hurriedly hid herself.
Ugh…
Ryuu felt a little dizzy and didn't even know why she was hiding.
After struggling with the decision all day, she had ultimately chosen to stick with her original plan.
She believed that the original plan was the best—but because the gift wasn't something tangible, she still felt conflicted.
If Cid thought she was brushing him off, that would be awful.
But after careful consideration, she still felt this gift was the right choice.
Having made up her mind, Ryuu came to the Dungeon.
She wanted to give this gift in private—it would be too embarrassing to do so in front of her companions.
And yet, the moment she arrived, she saw Cid being dragged away by Iska.
Because she was at some distance, Ryuu followed quietly, planning to greet him once she got closer—only for…
"…Why?"
Ryuu covered her mouth, letting out a silent cry that only she could hear.
That morning, she had already seen Alise come out of Cid's room.
Even without seeing anything directly, she had panicked back then.
In the end, between Alise's explanation and Kaguya's scolding, Ryuu had chosen to believe Alise.
But now?
She had seen it with her own eyes!
For an elf who was only secretly lewd deep down, this kind of scene was far too stimulating.
"Could it be… that Alise was lying too? Do they all feel that way about Cid?"
Ryuu began doubting herself.
Running into something like this twice in one day—could that really be a coincidence?
If she had already witnessed this much intimacy on the surface, she didn't even dare imagine what might have happened in private.
Could it be that Cid had always been like this with the others?
And she just never noticed because she never paid attention before?
Ryuu tried to recall their past interactions.
But it was like looking at people through yellow-tinted glasses—everything you saw would look yellow!
Besides, living together inevitably led to some physical contact.
The more Ryuu thought back, the more something felt wrong.
"…No way. Could it really be true?"
For once, Ryuu desperately hoped the fantasies in her mind were false.
"Aren't we companions? There's no need to mess with me like this, right?"
After standing up, Cid glanced in Ryuu's direction.
For a brief moment earlier, he had felt tempted—but the feeling quickly faded.
He understood Iska well and believed she was just joking.
After being companions for so many years, Cid could tell whether Iska liked him or not.
"This time, I might actually be serious, you know."
Iska put on a serious act—but Cid saw through it instantly.
Whenever she spoke like that, she usually wasn't serious at all.
Seeing Cid's face full of disbelief, Iska didn't explain further and instead leaned close to his ear.
"Even after leaving the Familia, keep working hard. When you level up to level 3, I'll give you a reward."
After saying it, Iska felt a sense of relief.
She had actually said it without her voice trembling.
Even though her heartbeat was pounding like thunder.
So close to Cid, Iska felt like she was about to fall apart.
Cid's intuition was right—at first, she really had just wanted to joke around.
And at the same time, give him some motivation to grow.
Without Alise pushing him, it was hard to say whether Cid would stay as driven as before.
His talent wasn't high to begin with—if he didn't work hard, he really would fall behind.
When that happened, she'd still be willing to stay companions with him.
But whether Cid, out of pride, would still be willing to stay close to them—that was another matter.
Iska's prank kiss was meant purely as encouragement.
She had already thought through the ending.
Cid would surely realize she was joking, but maybe he'd still feel a bit hopeful inside.
After all, he was at that age.
And given Cid's personality, once he knew she was joking, he definitely wouldn't hold it against her.
After living together for so long, Iska felt she understood Cid—and that Cid understood her too.
Iska had a wish: to change how outsiders viewed the Amazon race.
In Orario—or rather, in this world—people held many prejudices against Amazons.
When people thought of Amazons, their first impression was always of promiscuous female warriors.
The Ishtar Familia, composed entirely of Amazons, only reinforced that stereotype.
Iska hated that stereotype deeply.
Not every Amazon was like that.
At the very least, compared to battle or men, she yearned more for justice.
That was why she joined Astraea, the pure goddess of justice—it showed her resolve.
Anyone seeing an Amazon serving under the goddess of justice would naturally grow curious—and perhaps revise their view of Amazons.
Cid should understand her ideals and her personality, and know she wasn't some casual woman.
Even when Cid truly reached level 3, the reward she'd give would still just be a prank kiss.
The reward itself didn't matter—the encouragement had already been delivered.
Iska believed Cid wouldn't be angry.
After all, he never got angry no matter how much Alise messed with him.
But now…
Damn Cid—since when did his body become this solid?
Damn the Amazon race—why did it have such an outrageous racial trait?
Damn this heartbeat—why won't it slow down?!
Before she realized it, he had grown up—and even become handsome.
Iska didn't want to give herself away.
Pretending to be serious because she was nervous—and letting Cid think she was joking—was the best outcome.
"I understand. I'll work hard. But don't expect too much, okay?"
Cid replied weakly.
Work hard to level up? Are you kidding?
If he reached level 3, how was he supposed to keep pretending to be a background character?!
But pretending to work hard wasn't difficult.
And realistically speaking, reaching level 3 wasn't easy anyway.
Given the mid-to-upper talent he showed, he'd probably only reach level 3 in middle age.
That way, even if he never reached level 3, it wouldn't be his fault!
Perfect.
"As long as you understand. I'll be going then."
Iska knew she shouldn't feel disappointed.
Cid had understood her true intention just as she expected.
But couldn't he at least look a little moved?
She was the one whose heart was racing.
Could it be that he hadn't cared about the reward she mentioned at all?
Iska pressed a hand to her chest—despite being so far away now, her heartbeat still refused to calm down.
At the same time, she felt a bit embarrassed and annoyed.
Was she really that uncharming?
Iska decided that if Cid really did level up to level 3 relatively quickly, he wouldn't be allowed to refuse that advancement reward.
As an Amazon, being a bit forceful was perfectly reasonable, right?
She was really looking forward to what kind of expression Cid would have then.
"Cid, don't blame me. If you must blame someone, blame the fact that I'm an Amazon."