Ch.174174. The Play (4)

Yuria’s mansion tour finally ended as evening approached and the sun was setting.

Or more precisely, as the artificial lighting began to dim.

“…”

Looking up at the sky, something resembling the sun floats there, but upon closer inspection, it’s merely an artificial structure moving according to magical formulas.

This means the facility itself is hidden deep underground.

They’ve certainly designed it with paranoia in mind.

“I believe by now you should know the mansion quite well, Butler.”

Young Yuria made that declaration proudly with a little “ahem” gesture.

She seems quite proud of having shown me around the entire place, so without thinking, I give her applause with a fatherly smile.

This makes her even more pleased. Her chest puffs out and she even lets out a proud “hmph” through her nose.

When I pat her head, though, she immediately becomes serious.

“…What are you doing? Are you treating me like a child?”

“…”

Indeed.

Why would I do something like this to my employer?

I’ve noticed this about myself before—I tend to be overly affectionate toward children.

Especially with ones like her who give me a younger sibling vibe.

“…”

It reminds me of the past.

I inwardly give a bitter smile and shake off those thoughts.

I smile gently at Yuria and remove my hand.

“I’m sorry. Did that upset you?”

But as soon as I said that, Yuria grabbed my hand firmly.

I looked at her with a puzzled expression, and after fumbling with her words for a while, she finally managed to speak.

“…I didn’t say you should stop.”

“…”

Employer or not, she really is just a child.

I ruffle her hair until it’s completely disheveled. A pleased expression, like a cat purring, appears on her face.

‘…You’re beyond generous—you’re downright soft.’

At this point, I’m not even sure who the employer is anymore.

She comes to wake me up when I oversleep, and she’s been busier than me all day trying to teach me my job.

As these thoughts cross my mind, I suddenly become aware of the stares from others around us.

“…”

Really, really.

They seem displeased to see me so close to her.

As if my showing this kind of attention to such a ‘thing’ makes them uncomfortable.

“…It’s about time you went to bed, young miss.”

I blurted that out, unable to contain my rising displeasure.

I said it thinking I should separate Yuria from these people, but…

As soon as she heard those words, Yuria’s expression darkened rapidly.

“…?”

What’s this?

Did I say something wrong just now?

“Al-already…?”

I tilt my head in confusion at her stammering response.

“You’ve already shown me the entire mansion structure, and quite some time has passed.”

“…Th-there might be, s-some places in the m-mansion we haven’t s-seen yet…”

Seeing her unable to finish her sentence and on the verge of tears, I realize something.

It’s not that I made a mistake in what I said.

Yuria is afraid of being separated from me right now.

“…”

I don’t know why she feels that way, but if that’s the case, the solution is simple.

“…Then just for today, I’ll put you to bed specially.”

“…!”

Seeing her expression brighten instantly, I guess I was right.

●

“…And so the princess met the prince and they lived happily ever after.”

I’ve only heard of the concept of bedtime stories, but this is my first time reading one to someone else.

It’s a classic tale.

A princess mistreated by the world, a prince on a white horse who saves her.

A pleasant happy ending that can be found in any fairy tale.

“…”

But Yuria’s eyes were sparkling brilliantly after hearing such a common story.

“That was a beautiful story…”

“…Was it?”

“Yes. I was particularly impressed by the scene where the prince marries twelve princesses simultaneously at the end.”

“…”

Well, that was indeed in there.

The editors who put such strange content in children’s fairy tales must be out of their minds.

“It’s a bit odd how easily the prince seduces women—as a reader, it’s quite perplexing—and how unrealistically he overcomes obstacles, then treats all those women like a playboy, but still… it’s a beautiful story…”

“…”

This is strange.

Why does my heart ache?

As I’m thinking this, Yuria hesitantly speaks again.

“Um, Butler.”

“Yes, young miss.”

“Will a prince like that ever come for me too?”

“…”

I’m at a loss for words.

Well.

It’s unfortunate to say this directly to her, but what awaits her after this is a bloodbath throughout the mansion following contact with the Disconnected One.

The Pope will probably forcibly create such a ‘stage’ to awaken her role as a ‘scapegoat.’

“…”

And from my position, knowing this information even roughly…

I can’t bring myself to mention anything about princes, even as empty words.

Just thinking about that event makes me feel terrible.

!!! Warning !!!

[Impure intentions detected from subject.]

[This knowledge cannot be known by a ‘Personal Butler’.]

[Do not disclose!]

[Do not break character!]

“…”

I look at the red warning message appearing before my eyes with a bitter smile.

I couldn’t say it anyway.

I have a restriction not to break my “role.”

And above all.

Honestly, I wouldn’t feel that sorry seeing the people here die.

From my perspective, this place is filled with nothing but human trash.

Yuria later feels guilty about cutting them down, but it might be better if she never knew that from the beginning.

As I’m thinking this, Yuria speaks in a subdued voice.

“Right now, I only have my sister beside me.”

“…Pardon?”

“…You’re the first person to indulge me like this.”

I stare at Yuria, who falls silent after saying this, with a dumbfounded expression.

‘…Clearly.’

She said “only.”

It means she knows she’s isolated in this mansion.

“…Young miss. What do you mean—”

“…I already know I’m alone.”

Yuria said in a calm voice.

“According to doctrine, life is sacred. The most sacred union humans can create. According to such doctrine… I’m just a lowly creature created out of ‘necessity,’ without a mother or father…”

In such a voice.

She’s saying that she knows she deserves to be despised by those around her.

This child is calmly reciting such cruel words.

“…So, I shouldn’t complain. I shouldn’t be sad. I can’t burden those who treat me kindly with a smile, despite what I am.”

“…”

“The duty given to me… my responsibility, I must fulfill it.”

I watch speechlessly as Yuria forces a smile while saying this.

“The Holy Emperor and my sister will visit soon. When that time comes… I’ll be able to repay the kindness I’ve received.”

It’s strange enough that she calls this caged life “kindness,” but…

It’s clearly evident in her tone.

She already knows.

That there isn’t a single person in the mansion who genuinely cares for her.

That the purpose for which she was created is by no means good for her.

That when the Pope brings Lucien in a few days, nothing good will happen to her.

“…”

Come to think of it, her being so soft with me throughout the mansion tour…

A person who should be the mansion’s owner, acting that way toward a mere personal butler…

It’s because she knows her “position,” so she’s just trying to be as kind as possible.

At that point, a question arises.

‘…Why?’

Why go to such lengths?

Why accept such facts so calmly?

“…”

There’s only one reason that comes to mind.

Looking at her character so far, there’s only one explanation.

Simply.

Because she has no choice.

Because she was never given an environment where she could choose a different path from the beginning.

‘…That’s too…’

Isn’t it terrible?

A child who should be playing freely at this age.

A child who should be pampered by parents, loved abundantly, learning about the world, getting up after falling down, growing up that way.

To be caged for a specific purpose, isolated, and ultimately sacrificing herself for those who won’t give her even a shred of love.

For a child so kind and mature that she accepts it all and acts of her own will to face such an end.

Isn’t that too…

Terrible?

“…Still.”

As I’m thinking this, Yuria continues in a subdued voice.

“…I’m glad to have met someone as kind as you, Butler.”

“…”

“You seem a little different from others.”

Hearing those words, I suddenly realize something.

“…”

I summon a window before me.

< Event Info >

▶Sweet Play◀

[Persuade the target ‘Yuria/White Demon’.]

[You have a 3-day time limit. If you fail to break character or escape the mental world within that time, you will be trapped in this world forever!]

[Your assigned ‘role’ is ‘Yuria’s Personal Butler.’ Do not break character!]

[Prevent the tragedy that will befall the target ‘Yuria’!]

I read through it again, focusing especially on the last line.

I’m starting to understand.

Why the White Demon put me here.

What it wants from me.

‘…It wants me to prevent the tragedy.’

As I confirmed once before with Riru and the Blue Demon’s relationship…

The connection between ‘Demon’ and ‘Vessel’ is much more intimate than I thought.

There are exceptions like Serath and the Violet Demon, but that’s just him being unique.

It…

Sincerely wants Yuria to see a ‘happy scene’ in its most nightmarish past.

So…

“…Young miss.”

What I need to do here is clear.

I smile back at Yuria, who is trying hard to smile.

“Don’t worry too much.”

At my words, Yuria smiled weakly.

“…You’re a kind person, Butler.”

She probably thinks it’s a futile encouragement.

Since she already knows that great misfortune will befall her in a few days.

Since she knows that the instigator is none other than the Pope, a force of nature, and that it can’t be stopped.

But.

I’m not just saying empty words either.

“I’ll save you.”

“…?”

Yuria’s eyes widened.

She looks like she has no idea what I’m talking about.

“He’s a madman who seduces women too easily, overcomes obstacles too easily, and treats all those women like a playboy, but…”

“…Pardon…?”

I continue speaking to the dumbfounded Yuria.

Honestly, I don’t know about a prince on a white horse. I’m not very confident in that role.

But.

“Someone will definitely come.”

A superhuman on a white horse—that’s something I think I can manage.

A role that completely overturns the predetermined development in this play.

●