The position of a clan master is a surprisingly difficult one.
After all, a clan is an organizational structure made up of multiple parties, so things tend to get complicated.
For me, every clan member outside of the Mourning Specter is closer than your average party, but they're still not family.
Even if you call something a clan, purposes and organizational structures vary wildly.
Some clans have a master with absolute command authority, while others are clans in name only, with each party operating as a separate unit altogether.
There are even outrageous clans that forcibly absorb lower parties to skim off the top, and then there are clans formed when parties with noble connections bring in other parties that want access to those connections, forming a single faction.
Beginning Footprint is a very ordinary clan whose purpose is mutual information exchange and exploration support.
The reason I created the clan wasn't for wealth or power, so it's probably far more relaxed compared to other clans.
I only established three rules.
Everyone gets along.
Don't cause trouble for civilians.
And democracy.
There are other detailed regulations that Eva and the others drafted, but those three are the big ones.
Originally, a clan like Footprint, assembled from multiple parties of equal standing, makes choosing the clan master at the top an incredibly difficult task.
Hunters value rank. If there were a large gap in certified levels, it would be understandable, but naturally, everyone would want their own party leader to become the master.
Footprint solved that hurdle by giving the clan master almost no authority whatsoever.
The clan master of Beginning Footprint is chosen by majority vote, and holds zero command authority over any of the member parties.
The reason most of our clan members listen to my requests is, simply put, just their goodwill.
And yet, my childhood friends refused to give that fact even an ounce of consideration.
Citry doesn't resort to physical violence like Liliz or Luke, but in that regard, she's no different.
"I wonder if it'll be okay... They won't quit or anything, right?"
"I think it will be okay, Klye-san. I'm sure someday those people will understand your kindness too."
Clan master's office. I slumped into my usual seat and let out a grumble about the lounge incident, and the chief culprit of the whole affair lowered her eyes as she spoke.
Why does it feel like this is all my fault...
I only meant to make a small request... Her methods were just too underhanded.
There wasn't really an atmosphere that would've let me stop her midway, either. She has a talent for incitement.
It's hard to win a war of words against Citry. Ever since we were kids, I've always been the one getting cornered.
"Mm-hmm, right? ...But I wish it could've gone more smoothly."
Peacefully. Without incident. Even if losing the clan master position is acceptable to some extent, at this rate I might literally get stabbed.
At my words, Citry's expression took on a shadow.
"That's right. ...As Klye-san says, that... was more... pathetic than I expected. As a fellow Hunter in the same clan... it's deeply embarrassing. And what's worse... blaming my own weakness on my potions!!"
Tinno, who had somehow followed behind us and snuck into the off-limits clan master's office without anyone noticing, widened her eyes and looked up at me, visibly shaken.
I didn't say that... I didn't say it and I wasn't thinking it, either.
Pathetic. That's not the kind of word you'd use when describing Beginning Footprint, the clan praised for its unstoppable momentum.
"Besides! If they'd screamed like that back then — what would have happened to Lucia-chan!! When I think about Lucia-chan being forced to charge people with smiles every single day, no matter where she is, I just feel so — so sorry for her — uuu..."
Citry's trembling voice rose even further. She bit her lip, and tears pooled in her eyes.
She looked like a heroine from a tragedy. It was overacting, plain and simple.
I decided to keep my mouth shut, having been caught in a weak spot.
I didn't have much memory of it, but saying anything would just be adding fuel to the fire.
The temperature in Tinno's gaze dropped another notch, and she was looking at me like I was some kind of monster. What terrible reputational damage.
...Citry doesn't lie, but she does tend to exaggerate her delivery a bit.
"Let's just drop that topic for now, okay?"
"Well, yes. We did get some good data... Now let's think about what to do with the remaining Treasure Weapons."
Without missing a beat, Citry stopped her fake crying, wiped away the tears that had fallen, and began thinking about the next matter.
Tinno's face twitched at that abrupt change.
I'm used to it so I don't think anything of it anymore, but for Tinno, it might truly have been a blessing that Citry didn't end up becoming her master.
"W-well, we've got a bit of leeway with the Barrier Rings, so it should be manageable until Lucia gets back..."
Including the unused ones, there are eight remaining. The maximum is seventeen, so roughly half are still charged.
The Tower of Akasha, which had been a major concern, was dealt with too, so as long as we exercise extreme caution and stay away from dangerous places, things should be fine.
More than anything, if the damage were to expand any further, the guilt would crush me (though I'd just have to have Lucia endure it).
"It might be a good idea to use some professional services for the rest. There are a few firms with tight lips. We can also gather data. I'll cover the costs."
Citry clapped her hands together and said with a beaming smile.
That's too much data-gathering. What are you going to do with all that?
Just then, Tinno — who had been shrinking back because Citry was present — seemed to steel herself and spoke up.
"Um, Mastaa! I-if it's alright with you, I could... help out."
Citry's eyes went wide as she looked at Tinno. Even I hadn't expected this.
"...Huh? The charging?"
Among the collapsed mages, there should have been some with higher certified levels than Tinno.
To see her seniors retching and losing consciousness without being able to do a thing about it, and still offer to do it herself — even for a master's best friend — what kind of guts did that take? It felt like she was pushing herself too hard.
It might be a virtue for a Hunter, but I really didn't want to see my junior throwing up like that...
Tinno timidly made her way past Citry, approached my desk, and planted both hands on it as she cried out with tears in her eyes: "I — I'm also a one-horse Hunter, Mastaa! I don't have any mana, but if all you need is willpower and endurance... I can — I can handle it!"
I'm pretty sure she can't.
I hear the taste of Mana Recovery Potion is beyond description, and mages — who should be accustomed to it — were collapsing left and right. No matter how much of the extraordinary mental fortitude Liliz had drilled into her Tinno possessed, there had to be a limit.
"No, I appreciate the thought, but you really don't have to. This isn't your job, Tinno."
"That's... P-please, let me do it! Mastaa! I can do it too!"
"Huh!?"
Tinno pleaded in a voice almost like a scream, tears brimming in her eyes.
I had absolutely no idea why she would willingly subject herself to that kind of hell.
Her mana might go up, sure, but Tinno isn't even a mage to begin with.
I mean, having higher mana certainly couldn't hurt... But charging towards a golem that's far stronger than she is — just what kind of training has Liliz been putting her through?
Despite my visible discomfort, Tinno showed no sign of backing down. She didn't even notice Citry slowly approaching from behind.
And then, Citry beamed with a radiant smile, let out a high-pitched squeal, and hugged Tinno's defenseless back.
"S-so — so cute!"
"Hii!?"
Before Tinno could turn around, Citry pinned both her arms and squeezed her tight, immobilizing her. It was a remarkably practiced move.
It was a replay of the lounge incident, but perhaps Citry was actually into girls. Looking at that dreamy smile of hers, I wasn't so sure.
"Look, Klye-san! This girl is sucking up to you — sucking up to you! She's just like her big sister! But she's not as strong yet, and not as fast, and she's — cuter!"
"P-please stop! Citry, Big Sis! Nooo...!"
Doubts about the sisters' relationship arose. And this went beyond the level of simple affection.
Citry's hands groped at Tinno's struggling body, then peeled Tinno away from my desk — right from in front of my eyes.
In an instant, Tinno's face flushed red. Whether that was from pleasure or from fear, I had no way of knowing.
"Look, Klye-san! Tee-chan's weak point is her legs! If you stroke along the blood vessels from the groin to the inner thigh — just like this — she goes completely soft!"
"——!!"
Tinno shuddered violently and let out a shrill cry. Her neck, stretched to its limit and now fully exposed, had a bead of sweat rolling down the pale skin.
I was absolutely floored by Citry, who was touching her junior's body while her cheeks flushed, passionately explaining it all.
What good does telling me that do? Huh? You think I'm going to go "Oh, I see" and then try it next time I get the chance?
I won't. I won't. The groin? That's the inner thigh. What do you take me for?
Tinno's lips opened and closed, producing inarticulate sounds. Citry placed her fingertips against her fully extended neck, narrowed her eyes, and spoke with an enraptured expression, as though gazing upon a work of art.
"Well, sadly, as Klye-san says, that trial really isn't something Tee-chan can handle..."
"Eh!?"
"I mean, if anyone could do it — I wouldn't have to ask someone else. I'd be doing all the charging myself... right?"
Tinno let out a small sound of confusion.
Without releasing Tinno, Citry continued in a voice heavy with emotion: "Tee-chan, since you don't seem to know, let me tell you — mana has a very heavy 'cost,' you see? It's traded off against physical ability and the sensitivity of your five senses, so mages normally can only — live as mages. A little isn't a problem, but if Tee-chan kept doing trials like that, the body that was trained as a — Thief — would become completely useless."
Oh, so that's how it is. That explains why there are almost no magic swordsmen. Very educational.
Citry's hobbies are reading and experiments. She was always a smart kid. Whatever you asked, she'd answer right away, and even if she didn't know, she'd study up before the next time you saw her.
How did she end up like this?
"That's why... even at the lower dungeon, there were plenty of members besides mages, but I only used eight of them. See? I do think things through. The rule of this clan is 'everyone gets along,' and lowering the clan's overall combat power isn't something Klye-san would want. I'm being very considerate too, you know?"
...Thank goodness I made those rules.
Whispering as she explained, Citry's fingertips stroked the very 'weak point' she herself had just pointed out, in a touch so light it was barely touching at all.
Tinno was wearing the short pants she normally wore for exploration. Whether it was for ease of movement or not, the outfit left her legs largely exposed, and nothing stood in the way of Citry's fingers.
Every time her fingertips grazed the inner thigh, Tinno's body trembled as though struck by lightning. Her translucent white skin turned crimson, and hoarse, wordless sounds repeatedly rose from her lips.
Her head shook from side to side in negation.
Citry scooped the sweat dripping from Tinno's neck with her finger, then licked it with a sultry expression. It was a smile with something almost intimidating about it.
"Tee-chan... can you still hear me? Did you think I was slacking off? Did you think there was no reason not to do the charging yourself? I can make mistakes... but I never slack off. Just like how I don't slack off exploring the Treasure Hall..."
"...Maybe you should start slacking off a little now, though."
I broke my silence, snapping out of my attempt to look the other way.
This isn't something you do in front of me, is it? Sure, I'm the clan master, and Level 8, and I'm not about to make a move on my best friend's disciple or anything, but I'm still a man?
Well... it's not like it would be okay if I weren't here, but still.
You two are completely defenseless, you know. If Eva saw this, I'd be the one getting glared at again.
I'm already not doing enough work, so I'd like to minimize the point deductions as much as possible.
Hearing my忠告 delivered with an iron will, Citry gave a small nod and whispered into Tinno's ear: "Sucking up is fine, but... Klye-san is busy too. If there's anything you don't understand, I'll teach you. Okay? Got it?"
"Y... yes."
I don't think she was actually sucking up, though...
Hearing Tinno's feeble reply, Citry finally let go. Tinno's legs gave out and her body swayed badly. Citry barely caught her in time.
Tinno was barely breathing. Her face was a mess of tears, drool, and sweat. She apparently lost consciousness fairly often during Liliz's training too, but which of the two was the lesser evil, I wonder?
Citry turned to me with a perfectly sunny expression, not a trace of anything impure visible.
"She's in no condition to be left alone like this... I'll give her a bath and help her calm down. It might take a little while."
"...Citry, are you... by any chance someone who's into girls?"
The question slipped out before I could stop myself. Citry looked momentarily blank, then a thin smile crossed her face.
"If that were — 'necessary.'"
I hadn't expected that answer, but this was a matter of my junior's virtue at stake.
Recalling the dreamy expression she'd shown earlier, I couldn't take those words at face value.
Someone please stop her.
"...I don't think it's necessary right now. Apparently, when Tinno's all drained, soaking her in water brings her back to life, so don't take too long. Why not just have a golem take care of it?"
I crossed my legs again and picked up a random document from the desk.
I was trying to act nonchalant, but a strange cold sweat was running down my back. This was bad.
If Citry accidentally crossed the line, it would be my fault. That was the one thing I had to prevent.
Citry noticed my anxiety and furrowed her brow just slightly.
"Klye-san, with golems, it's difficult to have them carry out those kinds of detailed orders in places where my line of sight can't reach. That's the reason I shifted my research toward biological weapons."
"...Huh."
So there were surprisingly troublesome constraints. I'd just assumed they were convenient tools that did whatever you wanted.
But none of that mattered right now. At this rate, Tinno was going to be carried away.
I couldn't let my friend become a criminal.
"...I understand. It is a difficult field, but if it works out, it could be very useful. The lab was shut down and Mana Material research will be stalled for a while anyway... I'll give it some thought —"
Just then, a sound suddenly came from behind me.
A loud bang as the window flew open, and a blast of wind sent the stacks of papers scattering across the room.
I'd told her a hundred times to use the stairs. Normally, I'd let out a sigh, but the timing couldn't have been better.
When you have a problem with an older sister, send a younger sister to deal with her.
"Morning, Klye-chan! Hmm? Citry's here. Why are you here? Is everyone back already?"
Liliz slipped into the room with practiced ease, then looked at Citry with wide eyes.
She didn't even glance at her own disciple, who was being held up by Citry.
Citry, for her part, didn't care at all that her crime scene had been witnessed. Her eyes lit up at the sight of her sister.
Watching this, I realized just how naive my assessment had been.
This might already be beyond saving.