Sisterly Communication

After paying a proper amount, they'd managed to make contact with Nayuta, the dog beastkin.

Nayuta entered the room a while later.

She seemed to be receiving good treatment as she was wearing decent clothes that didn't resemble a slave's. Although she was wearing a collar, her golden hair, tail, and drooping dog ears all appeared well-groomed and lustrous. It didn't seem like a hasty cover-up either.

As NaanaToy had found out beforehand, it was clear that she wasn't being mistreated.

Still though, producing two magic tools every day like she'd been expected to should be quite difficult to get done.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Nayuta… So, I heard something about a custom order?"

"Yep. That was just a front though."

Narikin glanced at NaanaToy.

"… Master, did you forget what you wanted to ask?"

"No, it's not that. I was wondering if I should leave the room. And, just to confirm, what should I be asking?"

NaanaToy sighed at her master's behavior.

He probably wanted to say that it was a precious opportunity for sisters to meet.

… No, he might've just not had the confidence in explaining the situation and getting information. She couldn't rule out the possibility that he'd really forgotten.

"Your concern is unnecessary… Haah, there's no helping it. She wouldn't answer if we just approached her normally anyway, so it's probably best for me to initiate the conversation."

"? What are you talking about?"

Nayuta tilted her head, and NaanaToy politely bowed to her.

"Nice to meet you, Nayuta. No, maybe this will be a better approach? It's great to see you in good health, granddaughter of Leona-sama."

When NaanaToy said that, Nayuta crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes with caution.

"Who are you?"

"I am your sister, Toy. I am controlling this body with the [Possession] skill, but my real body is a dog beastkin."

"Toy… really?"

"Yes, it's true. I was with Leona-sama until recently, but now I've left her side and am in rebellion against her. We found traces that led us to this country."

NaanaToy smiled as Nayuta stared at her suspiciously, trying to determine the truth. It was highly doubtful whether her suspicious smile could be trusted.

"So, why did you decide to talk to me? As you can see, I'm working as a slave."

"We know that you are pretending to be a slave, big sister. Please tell this cute little sister of yours what you've been investigating and what you've found out, sister."

"… Well, if my little sister asks me like that, I guess I have no choice but to tell you."

Nayuta uncrossed her arms, closed her eyes, and let out a small sigh.

Narikin and Rokufa tilted their heads at Nayuta's change in attitude.

"Um, is there something about how that was said that I missed?"

Rokufa asked, raising his hand honestly.

"… Ah, well, it might be hard to understand for non-beastkin… It's about the hierarchy. Older brothers and sisters are considered more important than younger ones. However, along with that importance comes the duty to uphold the respect of and protect those below them. If they don't fulfill that duty, they can't call themselves older siblings."

"So it's a high-level negotiation where you're saying, [I'll let you call yourself my older sister, so give me something worthy in return]?"

"… It's not quite as satisfying when you put it so bluntly."

"Big sister, are you taking back what you said about telling me already?"

"I just felt like teasing you a little."

"Aaah, it reminds me of the days when I was toyed with by Leona-sama. Thanks to that, I've become able to do various things."

Nayuta shrugged her shoulders with a grin at Naana'sToy's smile.

"I'll tell you the information I have. Well, there might be some things I can't say because of work."

"Please be creative in your phrasing and tell me everything, big sister."

"Alright, alright. What have you found out so far?"

"At the very least, I understand that you're infiltrating for work."

"You don't have to say that part."

Their exchange was so sisterly that it was hard to believe they had just met.

"… Hey, Naana. When did you two recognize each other as sisters? Even though your bodies are different people. I feel like you trust each other too quickly."

"Because we are sisters, Master. If you want, you could think of it as a skill derived from Leona-sama."

"I see."

Narikin accepted it, thinking that if it were due to a skill, it must be true.

"… Personally, I find it quite puzzling how easily you accept things, Master. You readily accept what I say."

"Should I call him a good person? You have a nice employer, Toy."

"He's just gullible. We were originally enemies because of the Leona-sama issue… And sister, I'm going by Naana now to match this body, so please call me that."

"Alright, Naana."

Thus, thanks to Toy's efforts, they were able to obtain information from Nayuta.

"By the way, I have to make those custom-ordered magic tools too. I'll have to accept a payment for it since I'm working here, but maybe I could make one for my little sister too?"

"Hmm, I don't mind that much. I'm indebted to Naana, so I'll leave it up to you to decide on a suitable design. I don't know much about Naana's original body, so I'll trust you for it."

"Master, you're always so indulgent…"

"Hehe, you really are a good employer."

Naana'sToy's smile under Nayuta's warm gaze was strained.