Ch.109Awakening (1)

The Valkyrie was staring at me with a surprised expression, as if she had just caused trouble.

Did she just now realize what she’d done?

I rubbed the spot where her lips had touched me while rolling my eyes. More than the Holy Maiden and Riyo, Director Adora was the problem. The director smirked as she removed her coat with its rank insignia.

“Senior, how nice it must be to be so popular with women.”

A sarcastic tone.

But that sharp tone wasn’t aimed at me. Just by seeing where the director’s gaze was directed, I could tell.

[‘Ah, what was lurking underwater has finally surfaced.’]

[‘Ohhhhh, that’s right. Having come this far, senior, you’re destined to be pushed and pulled between four women. Oh my goodness. It feels like eating sweet potatoes through my butthole.’]

Well, what am I supposed to do? This is my first time in this kind of situation too.

While I was just reading the room, unexpected voices came to my aid. The Valkyrie’s companions sighed and spoke directly to me.

[‘You’re too nice for your own good.’]

[‘You’re not officially dating anyone yet, right? Shouldn’t you be more shameless about it?’]

[‘Women are attracted to confident men. Be respectful but never show weakness. Just keep being yourself like you’ve always been.’]

Very quiet whispers. Even Miyo and the director didn’t seem to notice.

I gathered my thoughts.

I nudged the Valkyrie, who had her head bowed deeply, and asked.

“Why?”

It was a short question, but precisely because of that, it carried many implications.

Why did she kiss the cheek of someone who was her enemy?

Why did she act so impulsively in front of everyone?

Why had her feelings toward her sworn enemy changed so much?

I want to hear what’s in your heart, even just a little.

“…I don’t know.”

The Valkyrie answered in a small voice, avoiding my eyes.

“Idiot.”

“Yes, I’m sorry for being an idiot.”

The Valkyrie silently pounded on my shoulder.

“Die, idiot.”

“What’s this? If you’re going to kill me, you should hit me with real killing intent. Are you a child?”

“Hmph.”

“You’re still struggling. Get some good rest tonight.”

I gave an unfinished smile and stood up. That’s when the Valkyrie let out a reflexive sigh.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to work. I have a lot to make.”

“Will you come back?”

“Why, can’t sleep alone? Want me to sleep with you?”

“Sleep? Together?”

“I mean, share the bed.”

The Valkyrie narrowed her eyes. Her face was gradually turning as red as a carrot.

“Are you crazy?”

“I know, right? Even I think that was crazy. I’ll go now.”

“…Wait.”

Just when I was about to leave, the Valkyrie grabbed my arm tightly again.

“No.”

“What?”

“I said no.”

Her grip was much stronger than before. As if she absolutely refused to let me go.

I sighed and sat back down.

That should do it. I held the Valkyrie’s hand, and she lay down with a curved smile on her lips. She looked extremely happy. This troublemaker probably doesn’t even realize what kind of face she’s making.

Actually, I wanted to see this smile.

As soon as the Valkyrie fell asleep, Director Adora continued what she was saying earlier.

“Senior, that’s unfair.”

“What is?”

“You put up such a strong wall against me and only just accepted me, but you were completely defenseless with that woman. Do you like her that much?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why don’t you know?”

“Because she was originally my enemy.”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t properly explained to the director what kind of relationship the Valkyrie and I originally had.

After briefly explaining what had happened, the director widened her eyes.

“…Oh, I see.”

“Yes.”

I picked up the director’s coat and placed it back on her shoulders.

“So I hope you’ll also strictly separate public and private matters, just like the Valkyrie and I do.”

“Strictly separate public and private matters…”

The director chuckled.

“That means you’re going to test the waters until we leave this deserted island.”

“I’m not testing anything.”

“Well, do you already have someone in mind?”

“I do.”

The moment I uttered those words, a brief silence fell. Not just the director, but the Holy Maiden and the fox sisters also caught their breath.

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“Then why don’t you tell us now?”

“I’m afraid it might cause internal conflict if I say it.”

“You just said to separate public and private matters. Even I can do that much. So… well.”

The director leaned in aggressively.

“Can’t you at least give me a hint?”

“No.”

“That’s so unfair.”

“I ask for your understanding.”

Director Adora nodded and went back to lie down.

The night deepened. I carefully removed my hand from the Valkyrie’s grip and stood up. Just as I was about to go outside for some fresh air, the Holy Maiden followed me.

“…Is it true that you have someone in mind?”

“I don’t lie.”

“Could it change along the way?”

“No.”

“Even if that person has flaws and bad sides?”

“Who doesn’t have those? I’ll love those aspects too.”

“…Ah.”

The Holy Maiden smiled bitterly. She repeated what I had said and nodded.

“I’m learning something else from you, Erich. I’ve decided to accept it.”

“Accept what?”

“Your choice. No matter who you choose, I want to con-congratu… congratulate you, just a moment. Oh, what’s this?”

Suddenly, rain started falling. The drizzle was coming from beneath the Holy Maiden’s eyes. Her cute and lovely eyes were becoming wet with blue tears.

“Wait, wait. Why am I… why am I doing this…?”

I’m a lucky man. This beautiful woman says she has feelings for me. Not only that, but she’s even showing tears and fretting about being rejected. It’s heartbreaking just to watch, but I can’t tell her the truth right now.

“Really, really, you can’t change your mind?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve made up my mind.”

“Ah…”

The Holy Maiden’s eyes, which had been showing a gloomy light, had now completely transitioned to purple. Purple represents anxiety, worry, fear, and even heartbreak and loss.

“Sob, sob.”

“I told you I’d tell you when we leave the island. Why are you suddenly like this?”

“Because I know you won’t choose me.”

“Why are you thinking so negatively?”

“Prayer doesn’t work. How can I ask the goddess to control someone’s heart? That’s your heart. And I’m not worthy to be by your side. I’ve only shown inadequate and foolish sides of myself.”

The Holy Maiden continued through her tears.

“I couldn’t comfort countless spirits. I killed your comrades twice. How could you like someone like me? If I were you, I couldn’t do it. There’s Major Rachel, Director Giford, and even the innocent fox sisters…”

“…Tiria.”

When I called the Holy Maiden by her name, her sobbing suddenly stopped.

“I didn’t know you were such a weak person.”

“What?”

“I thought you were kind, caring, and someone who reflects on and corrects your mistakes to become better. I thought you were a saint who constantly contemplates your faith, understands others, promotes harmony, and always wears a compassionate smile even when things are difficult.”

“Ah, aah.”

“So you have this side too.”

I smiled bitterly and wiped away the moisture on the Holy Maiden’s cheeks with my hands.

“Tiria. You’ve done so much for me. Without you, I would have died dozens of times—when I fought the ghoul, when I fought the alraune, when I fought the wooden puppet, on the island with raging flames, from the witch of calamity… Why don’t you think that you’re the one who has saved my life and others’ lives the most, and prepared the most meals for us?”

“That’s…”

“The important thing is that none of us would have made it this far without each other. We’ve worked hard together to get here. If I felt affection for you, I would feel it—I wouldn’t dislike you.”

The Holy Maiden opened and closed her mouth. Her eyes were shining with all sorts of colors. Yellow, pink, and various other colors mixed together, reminiscent of an opal.

“Get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

I patted the Holy Maiden’s shoulder and walked away.

Today was my turn to stand watch with the fox sisters.

Riyo and I lit a bonfire and laid out all the materials we had gathered. Using the chorus of insects as our music, we continued the work we had been doing yesterday.

[“Erich, you know how I feel, right?”]

[“To some extent.”]

[“Then I have a question.”]

As expected, Miyo asked a question.

[“Can I ask?”]

[“Go ahead.”]

[“You said you’d choose someone you like after we leave the deserted island. If you choose this body… would it be me or Riyo?”]

[“…”]

[“Surely the person who imprinted me on Riyo wouldn’t see me and Riyo as the same person. Then there are two possibilities. Either you choose both me and Miyo, or you choose neither.”]

The time had come for the full moon. When the full moon was at its highest.

Miyo’s expression in the moonlight was as calm as a mountain lake. However, her ears and tail were restlessly fluttering, revealing her impatience.

[“Our heat will end soon.”]

[“Really?”]

[“We haven’t found a mate yet. It’s frustrating to think about it ending like this. Another year alone. No husband to create a family name for us…”]

[“…I’m sorry.”]

[“See? You’re not going to choose us after all. We’re sad. We even let you touch our tails and bite our shoulders.”]

Miyo turned around and immediately presented her soft, glossy tail.

“Erich.”

[“You tamed us, didn’t you?”]

“Look at me.”

[“You have to take responsibility for what you’ve tamed.”]

I quietly nodded. Then I reached out both hands toward the pair of tails flickering before my eyes. The soft touch and the thick scent of fox musk scattered my reason.

“Ah…”

[“Mmm, hmm…”]

Yes, having come this far, there’s no turning back now.

I steeled my resolve.

[‘Oh my goodness.’]

[‘Erich, are you really?’]

[“Hmm?”]

That’s right.

I never said I would choose just one person from the beginning.

***

Meanwhile, in the deepest cave of the Black Death Zone.

“Finally, the preparations for the revival are complete.”

The silver-haired, red-eyed vampire twisted her lips and smiled coldly.

Vampire Bepisya.

One of the 28 generals of the Demon King’s army and a descendant of the progenitor who still enjoys great power and a long life.

“Now, when the next full moon rises, if we offer the sacrifice… He will return.”

How much humiliation and oppression had she endured over the past hundreds of years? How long had she crouched and endured in this cramped burial mound?

Even her long-dead heart seemed to pound at the certainty that the suffocation of those long years would soon disappear.

“When the Demon King is revived, the world will once again become a good place for us demons to live.”

“Is that so? Is it already that time?”

Bepisya turned her head at that voice.

Thud, thud.

Dozens of pairs of heavy footsteps approached, trampling the sand. They were magicians armed with all sorts of advanced weapons. Most of them had a symbol on their shoulders.

A silver moon and eight inverted crosses.

Below the symbol, the incantation “For the Demon God” was briefly written.

Confirming they were allies, a smile appeared on Bepisya’s lips.

“Welcome, Admiral Abraham Dietz.”