Daylight (5)

Curiosity tended to come unexpectedly.

“What are those? And where is this?”

“It’s a cafe.”

Seran, without even turning around, gestured with his eyes towards the people who were starting to cause a commotion and turn the cafe into chaos.

“It’s noisy.”

“Indeed.”

“Why are they acting like that?”

“Because Seran is here?”

Seran scratched his head as he reached for the milk tea.

The Americano next to it sparkled.

Am I the only one who likes bitter things?

“Is it my fault?”

“You could say that. I always come here wearing a hat and covering my face. Though I didn’t wear it this time since attention is drawn to Seran’s outfit anyway.”

“You wear it every time you come?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

Seran turned his head towards me and our eyes met. Whether out of consideration or not, I saw the light in his golden eyes dim slightly.

“Why?”

He’s full of questions.

Well, it has been a year since the spirit realm extermination order. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.

I was glad that he didn’t make a fuss and hug me tightly.

It was comfortable. That we both didn’t say much.

“Why, you ask. I don’t like commotion. And those kinds of gazes, though it might be presumptuous of me to say this, I find hard to bear now.”

I said gazes, but the eyes looking at me were all from those far away. From those who were hurriedly opening the exit door and screaming as they escaped, all I could see was cold air and bright red emotions.

Seran was about to say something more but closed his mouth again.

The milk tea flowed into his mouth. Though calling it a mouth, it was more like a slightly dark empty passage. All that could be seen in the dark robe were two eyes.

“Isn’t it… how should I put it. Isn’t it troublesome?”

“Having to cover up after finally turning into a woman is a bit annoying. It’s stifling, and I can’t breathe well.”

“Huh.”

I put the straw in my mouth and sipped the Americano. It’s still bitter.

I’m glad the clerk didn’t run away. I should be grateful they managed to make it somehow.

Most of the people who had filled the cafe had left, and quietness settled in. Good.

I could see the robe trembling. Even as a spirit, emotions seem to be felt more intensely.

Anger? Sadness? Sympathy?

“Still, for Lord Aureli to be treated like this….”

Before Seran could finish speaking, the door right next to us burst open and a man rushed in. It was an unusual armor and magic power. Is he a high-ranking awakened one?

Probably not a member of the Association. They’re in the middle of negotiations that aren’t really negotiations with me right now.

The higher-ups must have all been informed.

So this man is probably, hmm, of this kind.

“Kill! I’m going to kill her! I’ll kill this bitch right now!”

The man swung his hammer with bloodshot eyes and screamed. A giant hand pressed down on his arm and broke it.

The robe fluttered and made a strange sound.

Is it a spell? A Spirit King being a dark magician, it’s kind of funny.

“Kyaaak! Ak! Auuu….! Haak!”

Seran raised a spear with a spike at the end.

“Don’t kill him, Seran.”

The two flashing eyes turned towards me and wavered. Without saying anything, I took a sip of Americano, and Seran gave a dejected laugh before throwing the man to the floor.

“…Do you often face situations like this?”

I suppose so. Whether it’s because they couldn’t adapt to the changed environment, or because their pride was excessively inflated by mere internal magic power, there were quite a few who harbored misplaced sense of justice.

Well, I can understand their feelings. From their perspective, they probably wanted to kill me and gain something. Honor, wealth, or maybe some kind of “I defeated the villain!” comic book-like poetic justice.

However, reality wasn’t so easy.

Neither for that man who was clutching his abdomen and running away, nor for me.

If I had just stayed still each time, would I have died and they would have enjoyed their happiness?

Suddenly,

I had such a thought.

I smiled slightly and put a sugar cube into the Americano. With a plop, the white piece that fell into the lake sank and couldn’t escape.

The bitter taste stimulated my mouth before the sweet taste swept over my tongue. This is a bit better.

“This place is indeed not fit for living. Even though Lord Aureli saved it once, the human realm is still the human realm, I see.”

I wonder. Can that even be called saving? I started killing one or two spirits that came over from the void space, wondering if they could be used as blood aggregates, which turned into a spirit massacre in the human realm.

What does that have to do with saving the human realm?

Even if I did save it, in the end, people hating me is an inevitable result and an ongoing phenomenon.

“…Seeing that you give no answer, I can guess what you’re thinking. I understand.”

A rough voice stimulated my ears and Seran stood up from his seat.

“Don’t worry. Once I sort out the after-effects of seizing the new crown, I plan to immediately start a new project for the human realm, and for you, Lord Aureli.”

Saying that, he vanished suddenly.

“Goodbye.”

He didn’t even accept my farewell.

As I walked outside, I felt a cool breeze.

The streetlights that filled the road were turning on one by one, scattering light. In tune with the night that had passed evening, the sky was completely covered in darkness.

I could see the Association building standing far away.

Today’s treatment will be late.

It’s because of Seran’s sudden intrusion that it’s delayed.

It’s not because of me.

Could she be angry thinking I neglected her?

That might be good in its own way.

[I don’t think that’s the case.]

“I can dream a little, can’t I?”

Well, there’s no particular problem.

I’ll go finish the suturing technique today, and confirm it’s attached tomorrow. That’s it.

Ah, then it will be impossible to legally touch Erica’s arm anymore.

Actually, there’s no need to touch her arm during the treatment process.

The magic circle does everything on its own, and I just play the role of infusing power.

While thinking these meaningless thoughts, I entered the Association building and took the elevator.

Without realizing it, I pressed the top floor button and waited, then suddenly realized I didn’t even know where Erica’s department was located.

“…What should I do?”

Arriving at the top floor, I blinked and got off. Led by my body, I entered the office where the Director would be, and,

Our eyes met with a snap.

“…Hello.”

“…..”

Erica, who was coming out of the office, frowned. She was clutching her arm.

“Does it hurt a little by any chance?”

“…Yes.”

Is there some stimulation if it’s a bit late?

“I’m sorry. I’ll take a look right away.”

Maybe because I always greet first, she headed to the adjacent lounge without saying anything else.

The treatment began in a calm atmosphere.

Rings were created, and they followed a process that was certainly darker and more stable than before.

“It will attach tomorrow. Then we’ll just need to inscribe the technique. Today is the last proper treatment. There won’t be any after-effects.”

Erica nodded with a composed expression.

Actually, I’m a bit curious. What is she thinking? I cut it off and now I’m treating it, coming to the Association consistently from two days before the technique inscription day.

Contrary to my thoughts, what came out of Erica’s mouth was a different topic.

“…The location of the group has been specified. Most of the minor places have been assigned to low-level hunters, and we… will go to the place classified as high-risk level.”

Erica took out several reports she was holding and placed them on the desk. Photos of the group, their location, and explanations about them were written.

“So you decided to deploy me after all!”

“…You should be grateful.”

“Of course, I’m very grateful. I’m happy to be able to lend strength to your team.”

It was a glaring look.

I wanted to tease her by stimulating her arm that I was treating.

But I held back.

“The date is tomorrow. The team is you and me, two people.”

“Just you and me? My heart’s pounding.”

“We haven’t confirmed the exact sample of the resident personnel yet, but it’s estimated to be 3 third-tier awakened individuals, and several other high-ranking awakened individuals.”

The treatment was already finished. However, Erica didn’t seem to realize it. She was pointing at the report with her finger, reciting sentences as if they were very important information, and still holding her arm towards me.

Her pure white eyes, as if finely carved, alternated between me and the report. Her golden hair flowed down her cheeks.

“…Are you listening?”

I had been staring blankly without realizing it, and hurriedly nodded.

I wonder if it’s strange that Erica is calmly continuing her explanation even in front of me, or if I’m the bad one for not focusing on her detailed explanation.

Maybe it’s natural. After all, Erica is a member of the Association, and this is also part of her job, so she might be doing it as she usually does.

“After the initial on-site inspection, we plan to proceed with eradication. Just, quietly follow me.”

I nodded silently. Actually, I felt a bit relieved.

After all, I’m a wanted awakened individual, so I thought they might restrict my actions or impose some other risks.

As I was letting out a small sigh like that, the words that came out of Erica’s mouth next seemed to mock me for repeating my thoughts just now.

“Oh, and don’t even think about doing anything strange on the actual day.”

“…Huh?”

Without a hint of hesitation at my bewildered response, Erica pointed to clothes visible through the office’s glass window beyond the lounge.

…It looks like a restraining suit?

“It’s custom-made by the Magic Administration. A restraining suit used to transport high-ranking awakened individuals and wanted Rankers. Magic control, strength reduction, etc. I think you know.”

It wasn’t a smiling face. As if it was natural, with a composed face suggesting that you should receive this kind of treatment, she organized the reports without even giving me a glance.

“You just need to wear that and stay crumpled in a corner at the scene that day. I’m enough to clear it out on my own.”

After a few seconds of silence, our eyes met. The color seemed to have faded a bit.

Did the Director take to heart what I said about needing blood during last week’s negotiation that wasn’t really a negotiation?

This might also mean that if I refuse even this, they won’t cooperate at all.

Well, I guess that’s true. I thought things were progressing too smoothly. With that restraining suit, it’s certainly trustworthy. After all, it plays the role of blocking the source of magic power from the start.

There’s also a possibility that they’re planning to do something to me using that restraining suit as an opportunity.

Is it Erica’s unilateral decision, or an order from above?

Well, there’s no particular problem. Rather, it’s a better opportunity for my plan. The moment one relies on something, the situation tends to turn around.

“Are you going to put it on me?”

“…..”

“Then I’ll wear it obediently.”

While looking forward to what expression she’ll make tomorrow, and how she’ll satisfy me.

I gave a gentle smile to her as she glared at me.