Ao immediately quieted down, sitting upright in his seat with his mouth tightly shut.
After scolding Ao, Mei Terumi ignored the Daimyo of the Land of Sea entirely. She turned and gently patted Chōjūrō's shoulder with her delicate hand, comforting him softly:
"What's wrong? You've been trembling nonstop..."
With Mei Terumi so close, breathing in her fragrance, Chōjūrō's little face flushed. He said nervously:
"My lady, I... I'm only eleven, and you're already having me take part in such an important war. I'm really... really afraid I'll fail to live up to your expectations."
"You won't. I believe in you. You're very strong~"
Facing Chōjūrō, Mei Terumi wore a sweet smile the entire time. Looking at that smile, Chōjūrō felt his heart nearly melt, and he couldn't help marveling to himself over and over:
My lady... she's so gentle~
"Hmm? Why is your face so red?" Mei Terumi asked with concern.
"No! I, I might have a bit of a fever... It's nothing."
"Oh? Let me see..." Mei Terumi frowned slightly and pressed her forehead directly against Chōjūrō's, paying no mind to anyone else.
"...You are a little warm. Chōjūrō, if you aren't feeling well, go get some rest."
"It's... it's fine. I can hold out!"
"Sigh..." Seeing this, Ao finally couldn't hold back:
"My lady, you spoil Chōjūrō far too much. This is exactly why youngsters these days are getting so full of themselves. Back in my day, never mind a fever—even losing an eye wouldn't have made me fuss like this, and my companions wouldn't have shown me the slightest concern..."
"Ao! That dark era is over! The Bloody Mist Village is a thing of the past. As their seniors, showing care for the younger generation is the normal, healthy way to nurture them! Stop bringing up the