Chapter 119 – Mom

After that, I handed over the things that might be needed for the expedition to the Demon Realm and the weapons for each of the Nameless squad leaders.

There was no shortage of weapon types. Nor was there a lack of quantity. In my previous life, I’d used all sorts of weapons, so there was no need to rack my brain over it.

They had everything they needed.

During that process, Mom didn’t ask where the weapons came from. She just looked flustered, laughed, looked surprised, and kept saying thank you.

Afterward… we ended up chatting again about all sorts of things.

About the odd condition of the students who attended Pied’s class, about how she had spoken with Silina on how to handle the branch families, about Verheigen.

Mom didn’t know about the Verheigens. Nor did she know about Jenniela Verheigen, Stella’s mother.

Which meant the direct line of the Eustetia family hadn’t intervened. Hearing that… I couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved.

As the night deepened, the moon rose, and curfew approached, Mom and I didn’t stop talking.

They were trivial conversations.

The kind we used to have often at home.

But the time we spent today was different.

Was it because I had opened my heart completely, and Mom had accepted it all?

It was a much, much more comfortable time than before.

“You have to endure even if you miss Mom, okay?”

“…If I miss you too much, I’ll come find you.”

“Then Mommy will have to scold you.”

“I’ll come prepared to be scolded just the right amount.”

Mom’s smile deepened.

“Don’t overdo it. Mommy doesn’t want to see our Ellie suffering.”

“That goes for me too.”

One step, two steps, three steps.

I walked over quickly and hugged her around the waist.

“Don’t get hurt, and come back safely.”

“Our Ellie, you stay healthy and do well too.”

“Yes.”

“Mm. Mommy believes in our Ellie.”

Smooch.

Mom’s kind and warm lips touched my forehead.

“Wherever, whenever, I love you, my daughter.”

“Uhh… me, me too.”

One last time, Mom gave me a tight hug and stepped away.

Mom was smiling.

So I smiled too.

Seeing my face, Mom smiled even brighter.

Did I make a funny face? I don’t know. I didn’t have the time to care.

A small wave of the hand. I waved back.

With that final gesture, Mom disappeared from my sight.

“…She left without even looking back.”

Her shadow, her presence, everything vanished.

But her scent remained.

Not the blood of Shadowless, but Mom’s scent. Did she leave it on purpose? I didn’t know, but I stood still until that scent completely faded.

* * *

Click.

Julie Eustetia’s footsteps echoed beneath the cold moonlight.

But her next step didn’t follow.

“Here for a parent-teacher conference or something?”

“Well, something like that.”

A voice like a clear glass marble rolling echoed at the edge of the capital.

Captivating red eyes met Julie’s equally red gaze.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course. I’m the duchess. My husband, my daughter, every day is lovely because I love them both. What about you?”

Julie’s gentle voice reached the other.

Her smile hadn’t changed. Her kind eye smile hadn’t changed.

There was the smell of blood.

“How’s the professor position at the academy, Adelia?”

Adelia Baros.

She stood in Julie’s path.

“There’s a new student I really like, so this year seems promising. I wonder who she takes after to be so beautiful and capable?”

“Of course, she takes after me. She’s my daughter.”

“Oh my? I don’t recall saying who I meant.”

“There’s no other beautiful and capable student at the academy besides my daughter.”

“That’s quite a baseless claim, but… fair. Can’t deny that.”

Chuckle, Adelia laughed.

“But where are you going, leaving such a pretty daughter behind?”

“To punish the thug who laid a hand on my daughter.”

“Didn’t you punish her enough? She lost 80% of her life span and an arm, too.”

“That wasn’t me who did that.”

Spin.

Julie smiled.

“Why? You trying to stop me? You, Adelia?”

“How could I stop Julie? I just came to see your face after a long time. Though… I wish I could stop you, heh. I never could win against your stubbornness. So no, I won’t stop you.”

Adelia also smiled gently.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well, Julie.”

“I’m glad you’re doing well too.”

With those words, Julie resumed walking. 

Click,  click.

Her footsteps brushed past Adelia.

Adelia spoke.

“You’re a good mom, Julie.”

Julie answered as if it were the most natural thing.

“Because I’m her mom.”

That was their final exchange.

What had been Adelia’s body was torn apart by Julie’s will, leaving no trace behind.

In that empty space, only the pitch-black feathers of a crow remained.

Click.

With the next step, behind her appeared a pink-haired man in a black coat.

Kerian Eustetia revealed himself.

He didn’t question the conversation just now.

Kerian simply followed Julie in silence.

Julie handed him the sword she held in her right hand.

But this sword, he couldn’t suppress his curiosity.

“This is…?”

“It’s a gift from Ellie to her uncle.”

Staring at the blade, darker than the night itself, Kerian couldn’t help but admire it.

“…What kind of metal is this?”

“Shadowforged Steel.”

“Good heavens. Did you take this from the Imperial Palace’s treasure vault? No, even the palace wouldn’t have Shadowforged Steel . Wasn’t this the metal that vanished during the Demon War 400 years ago?”

“Don’t try to figure it out. Take these too.”

“Th-These… where did you… Ha, haha… You could found a small country in the provinces with this.”

Kerian, who recognized the types of weapons laid out, also understood their worth, and what they could be used for.

That didn’t mean he could just stand there in shock.

Julie started walking again.

Kerian followed.

“Captain.”

While walking behind Julie’s proud stride, Kerian draped a coat over her shoulders and asked quietly.

“Will this be alright?”

Julie didn’t stop walking.

“The imperial opposition is fierce. Even the Holy Kingdom sent word. They say to refrain from rude behavior.”

At the word rude, Julie’s steps came to a halt.

“Oh my?”

Rude, an ambiguous term, unclear whom it referred to. But Julie knew exactly what they meant.

“Rude? Since when did we ever owe the demons any courtesy?”

It wasn’t a question for Kerian.

Kerian knew that and kept silent.

“In the first place, is there anyone in this world we owe courtesy to?”

Julie slipped her arms into the coat on her shoulders and reached inside, pulling on a pair of black gloves.

“No. There isn’t.”

As she spoke those words with conviction, shadows began to rise behind Kerian.

“What are you?”

There was no reply.

There was no need for one.

They had no names.

“What do you exist for?”

Still no answer.

Likewise, no answer was needed.

Their reason for existing lay with Shadowless.

“Then what do I exist for?”

Julie pulled a pure white mask from her coat.

In the moonlight, the mask had no expression, no markings, no meaning.

“Eustetia? No.”

She looked into the mask.

And beyond it, she pictured her daughter.

The sight of her daughter standing against a mighty enemy with a small body.

Sharp, bold, defiant, delicate.

That small body that once hugged her tight.

“Ellie.”

Her beloved daughter.

A daughter she couldn’t help but love.

“To protect and help a small cherry blossom bloom.”

She put on the white mask. Her muscles and bones shifted. Crimson mana filled with killing intent surged forth. The thick scent of blood flowed from her.

“For my daughter.”

With those final words, all sound vanished from around them. The shadows, the presence, the smell, all disappeared. What remained was black and white.

And red.

“There is no need for shadows where cherry blossoms bloom.”

In that chilling silence,

Shadowless turned her body.

“That is why I will go to the Demon Realm.”

With that, she took a large step forward.

“To erase the shadows.”

Behind Shadowless, one hundred Nameless followed in perfect unison.

* * *

A quiet and peaceful week passed, and Friday afternoon arrived.

It was time for Yurasia to return.

Normally, she would have had Leona’s lecture until late at night, but Leona had yet to return to the academy.

“Mm, I like this outfit. Pina, I think this one suits you best. But… wow. Beastkin clothes really do have holes like this, huh?”

Nod nod.

Maybe because of that, Pina and Stella had been scheming plans since early morning and were pestering me to death after class.

The two girls were so excited, my soul felt like it was slipping away.

I still don’t get why they’re changing clothes in my room.

Of course… it’s not like I’m completely unmoved.

I want to see Yurasia too.

To be exact, I want to see how Yurasia reacts when I give her the present.

Well… maybe I do miss Yurasia a little.

“I’m done dressing. Pina, you too, right? Eliaernes, how about you?”

Nod nod.

“Almost done.”

After getting dressed, tying my hair into twin tails, and just in case, packing potions and emergency rations, I also grabbed the pitch-black card my dad gave me.

But then, 

“Ha… what the hell are you two wearing?”

“Why? Don’t we look cute? Pina’s adorable too.”

“Why don’t you just go out naked then?”

“What…?”

“Hey, look at this. Your belly button is completely exposed, and you plan to go out wearing this? And the skirt, hell, is this even a skirt or just panties? One gust of wind and the whole city’s gonna get a panty show. You outta your mind?”

“I-It’s not that short! It’s cute!”

“Bullshit. Go change. Pina, you too. If your tail sways even a little, it’s game over.”

“Eep…”

“Why? No. I’m wearing this.”

“Really?”

Stella, who had been sassily applying something to her lips, suddenly gave me a sly smile.

“But why do you want us to change, hmm? What’s the big deal if someone sees my panties? Huh? Are you worried? Eliaernes, are you worried about me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Hmm~ Then what is it? Why?”

“Because it’s embarrassing to walk around with you, you brat.”

“Gah! Did… did you hit me?!”

“Be glad it wasn’t my fist.”

As Stella kept inching closer, I smacked her forehead hard and clicked my tongue.

Thirty minutes later.

After finishing all preparations and stepping through the academy’s main gate into the capital, 

“Ah! Lady Ellie!”

A familiar voice called out.

“Stella!! Pina!!!”

Yurasia came running, golden hair sparkling in the sunset.

Just seeing that bright face made me smile instinctively.

If someone didn’t smile after seeing that pure expression, they must be emotionless.

“Laaaady!! It’s been so long!!”

Beaming brighter than the sunset itself, Yurasia rushed forward and hugged me tightly!

Unable to resist her energy, I hugged her back.

“Yeah, it’s been a while. Did everything go well?”

“Yes! I showed Grandma my sword techniq, oh… hmm?”

Yurasia stopped mid-sentence, tilting her head.

Then sniff,  she deeply inhaled the scent of my hair.

“…Lady.”

“What are you doing all of a sudden?”

Why is she acting like this? Is she a dog now?

I blinked, looking up at Yurasia.

Her blue eyes, always clear and pure, seemed strangely cloudy today.

“Why do you smell like Stella?”