Chapter 104 – Something That Tries to Swallow (3)

A blue-skinned beauty.

If not for that one feature, she wouldn’t seem so unusual as a different race. But the horns growing from her head shaped perceptions in another way.

A kind of prejudice.

Many races live together on the continent, but even among them, there’s hierarchy and difference, with subtle, sometimes unseen, divisions.

Being a demon from the Demon Realm is a kind of stigma.

Though they’ve long blended into the continent, now with second and third generations growing up and mingling, problems still abound.

They have to accept inequality and discrimination, prejudice and scorn, contempt and exclusion.

Long ago, the Demon King of Wisdom, the Golden Beast, told them to accept such things as natural.

If you set up house in someone else’s territory, it would be strange if no one found it strange.

Just imagine if weird outsiders suddenly ruled your neighborhood, would you just stand by and watch?

In that sense, the Middle Realm is merciful.

There, people are at least bothered enough to occasionally wonder if things aren’t a bit too harsh.

If this were the Demon Realm, you’d be eaten, enslaved, or toyed with. Those would be the only three options.

Losers have no rights.

It’s harsh, but it’s the unchanging truth.

…It was the Great Demon King who twisted that system.

And the actual successor to that Great Demon King was the Demon King of Wisdom.

“Mines.”

Inside the Edenrevan Regiment branch building.

In the private office she used, Ruslan tilted her golden eyes gently, as if she’d been waiting for the girl, no, the young woman, who appeared without a sound.

“Has he left?”

“Yes. He just left.”

Cariel Brendiar.

Son of Luelde Brendiar.

He was renowned from a young age in various places, but as with all things, stories get exaggerated or minimized by the times.

Some of it became like legend or fairy tale.

Though it’s not even been that long since Grandeus’s death, unless bards and wanderers are actively spreading the tale, people might never even know it happened.

In massive cities, royal capitals, and imperial centers, maybe things are different.

But in this era, for a story to spread far and wide is never easy.

Especially when incidents are quietly buried or intentionally not spread around.

But those who know, know.

That Cariel was exceptionally bright, and not just clever, but someone who resolved hardship after hardship with clarity.

Maybe it was possible because he was an outsider, and a child.

But most of all, he was truly talented and intelligent.

Even so, aptitude is always affected by luck, the times, the environment, and the situation.

The boy, with his excellent communication and deep insight, lost those very abilities before recovering from a serious accident, consumed once by malice and shutting himself away.

After his foreign life ended with a misfortune that nearly killed him, just as the shadows of glory were fading, crushing expectations were forced upon him.

Especially with parents like those.

Thanks to monstrous parents and people around him, there are more than a few who end up lowering their expectations of themselves.

“He had memory loss. He couldn’t remember his childhood. He didn’t know how amazing he was, nor was he given a chance to use his talents. All he saw around him was inferiority, and there was little he could actually do compared to the overwhelming expectations.”

“What… are you trying to say?”

“Most national leaders feared what Cariel’s future might hold.”

But that future, while feared, wasn’t necessarily tragic.

Peace is a process, not a goal.

The cooperation, unity, and harmony Cariel pursued were in everyone’s best interest.

That’s why even the powerful of each nation considered it seriously; had he just flaunted his own skills and attitude, he would’ve died, and war between the Empire and other nations would have been unavoidable.

“He wanted to look outward, not just inward.”

Though it’s called a continent, there are still vast unexplored regions.

“He said there might be dangers outside we don’t know about. That there might be new paths to a better future.”

“…Why are you saying all this by yourself?”

“I’m telling you about your benefactor. You might want to know later.”

But for now, she didn’t seem willing to let Mines say more.

So, 

“Congratulations, Mines. I’m just passing along what I heard, so don’t take your anger out on me.”

“…?”

“The contract between you and ‘that person’, it was just nullified.”

“What… do you mean, the contract was nullified? What contract?”

“The sword guardian job.”

“……”

“He handed over the contract rights to Cariel. And Cariel dissolved the contract for you. So as of now, you’re free.”

Mines seemed to think for a long moment at Ruslan’s words.

But there was still one thing she had to ask.

“Then… what about my little brother?”

“He’s doing well. Not just well, very well.”

“…How do you know that?”

“I told you. I heard it.”

Ruslan calmly continued her explanation.

“That person said that originally, your brother was supposed to be a hostage to control you, but it seems he had his own will to live and some sort of skill.”

“What… skill?”

She could only imagine the worst.

But Ruslan’s answer was a bit unexpected.

“He’s good at making clothes.”

“Huh? Clothes? What kind of clothes?”

“In this era, a man with a bad leg handling fabric, making clothes, it’s not something most would consider doing. Especially for a fallen noble and a head of a noble family, even more so.”

But, 

“Because of his disability, the things he could do were limited. Physical labor was out of the question, and in reality, there’s no way that kind of work would get you any respect or recognition.”

“……”

“But a special talent only shines if it’s in the right environment.”

In that sense, the boy, Lui, was lucky.

“I hear he makes the kind of clothes that demons and nobles would like. Because of that, that person wanted to hire your brother directly.”

“That can’t be…”

“He wanted to make it clear: if you hadn’t fulfilled your role, then no matter what talent your brother had, he’d have stuck to his word and taken action. He’s a stickler for principle.”

“……”

It sounded outrageous, but, 

…in a way, it was strange.

When she thought about it calmly, despite all the trials and ordeals forced on herself and the other children, none of them had actually died.

…She couldn’t know what horrible things might have happened out of sight, but still.

“After you became the heir, he was the one who helped the other children settle down somewhere. That was his role.”

“So what now? Am I supposed to forgive him? Is it because I have too much power, so I have to control myself…?”

“That’s not exactly wrong. But that’s just my opinion, he never said anything like that.”

“……”

Who would even want an inheritance from the Great Demon King?

Why me, of all people, and why, 

“Whether you take revenge or not, that’s your freedom now. As you know, you’re free.”

“…Why am I free? Am I really free? Why?”

That man Cariel, why?

He knows exactly what kind of power I have, so why did he irresponsibly let me go?

Does he even have the right to do that? Why?

“Why don’t you go ask him yourself, if you’re so curious?”

“…Me, ask Cariel? What does he even know about me, when I never really told him anything… How is that possible?”

Was it you?

Did you use the contract as an excuse to force this connection, using his mercy? Did you saddle him with some kind of condition?

“I don’t know about any of that. All I know is, the contract rights were handed to him, and he dissolved the contract. That’s all there is to it.”

“I don’t get it. At all.”

Pathetic. Would it kill you to just accept things for once?

Ruslan let out a snort.

“If you want my advice, why not try being shameless for a change?”

“What?”

“Just be grateful for the favor you’ve received and accept it. You’re free now. Why not just focus on that one thing? No one can stop you if you want to run straight to see your brother.”

“……”

She was right.

She was right, but still…

“Oh, there is one condition he asked about.”

“…He knew I’d come to see you?”

“He probably figured as much. And even if you hadn’t come to me and had gone straight to him, you would have heard the same thing.”

And then Ruslan said,

“Somern, was it? He said you only froze those people, you didn’t actually kill them.”

“……”

That hit Mines hard.

“If you’re not skilled enough to restore them, then you’re to make it possible somehow.”

“Why would he… know that…”

I never even told ‘that person’ directly.

How does he know?

How?

“That’s all he asked you to do. Anyway, I think that’s everything I needed to tell you. Anything else you want to ask?”

“…What about the kids?”

“Get them working, get them studying, help them become independent. If they can’t, they can keep working here or somewhere else. Don’t worry about that. Wasn’t that part of why you came here in the first place? Seems you didn’t even say goodbye properly. What’s with that?”

“……”

I don’t know.

Is it luck? A miracle?

An unbelievable kindness just rained down on me out of nowhere.

It was hard to put into words.

“If that’s all, would you mind leaving? I’ve got a mountain of work. The village is a mess, and I have to clean that up.”

“Where did he go?”

“I was wondering when you’d ask.”

Ruslan smirked.

Mines listened closely.

“……”

She bowed her head deeply, and vanished without a sound.

“Amazing.”

Ruslan gave a small, wry laugh, pulled out parchment, and finished writing before sealing it with a stamp.

Then she took out more parchment, wrote again, sealed it stamped it.

…Whenever something happens, work always piles up.

This is why a peaceful, quiet life is best.

Fulfilling just the right amount of desire.

She didn’t mind this life at all.

Ambition was good, but for someone who would live far longer than any human, even this worldly, mundane life was, in some way, something she’d longed for.

Compared to the Demon Realm, this was absurdly peaceful.

Learning language, learning letters, becoming part of a society, joining an organization, taking on responsibilities, 

It was a decent life.

And now, even being a bit player in a dramatic story like this.

* * *

The village was unbelievably peaceful.

Just a few hours ago, it had been utter chaos.

Gathered around a round table for a meal and a bit of rest, the group sat together.

With Luciri and Deik having stepped away, the lack of food and drink left everyone feeling glum.

Maybe that’s why,  Luillin quietly shared her complicated feelings with Leo.

“I keep wondering if it would’ve been different if teacher was here.”

The sense of betrayal Luillin felt, this uneasy sense of being abandoned, 

…was probably only possible because she truly cared for him.

Someone capable, but also kind.

Kind, yet shrewd in just the right ways.

There are very few people like that.

He had a wide reach, but it wasn’t for self-satisfaction, or to feel like a good person, or out of shallow pity or mercy.

He didn’t recklessly meddle, or force his help on others.

But to his people, he gave unconditionally, respect, care, and protection…

How could someone be so generous to a complete stranger?

Anyone can be kind to a neighbor or a guest, but that only lasts for a while, for a moment.

To have a relationship this enduring with someone so good… that’s the best thing of all.

Seeing Luillin’s loneliness, Leo quietly offered an explanation, and a suggestion.

“He asked me to look after you for a while. Maybe he thought you’d be feeling down. I think he was worried.”

“…So he knew and still left by himself?”

“……”

Leo had nothing to say to that.

How much could he really know about him?

But, 

– He’s someone who can see fragments of other people’s pasts. Even without explaining, he probably understood.

He could communicate, even if only a little, with the holy sword now.

He had to concentrate, but if the sword wanted to speak, it would shiver, and all he had to do was hold on and focus.

“Does the sword just… talk to you?”

“…Y-yeah.”

It must have looked pretty pitiful to those watching.

Then suddenly, he realized a pale girl was looking down at him.

It was only because they were seated that she appeared taller, but, the real question was why she’d shown up so suddenly.

“I’m sorry.”

…He almost drew his sword out of reflex, but her apology froze Leo in place.

“I’ll do what I can. I’ll do whatever it takes to restore your villagers.”

“Why did you do it? Can you tell us now?”

“……”

The girl with sky-blue hair, Mines, briefly explained.

They had tried to kill you.

As a result, the village suffered.

But I was too confused to go through with it. I made a terrible mistake.

At the time, if I hadn’t done it, I might really have had to kill everyone.

To be honest,

…she still wasn’t sure.

Were they really not dead?

Were they really alive?

But because Cariel had said so, 

…she was able to find some certainty.

In the end, if she had to atone or take responsibility,

that was all that mattered now.

“You were destined to become a hero, and someone didn’t want that.”

“……”

Leo lifted the holy sword, still sheathed, as he leaned back in his chair.

Almost as if it was planned, Venus had handed him a scabbard.

Didn’t he say it didn’t matter since it wasn’t Elbart?

“And now, I have no reason to go after you. I just wanted you to know that.”

“I was just the son of a simple forest keeper, wasn’t I?”

To think I’m a hero…

I never even dreamed of something like that.

A hero was someone amazing, but it was always just a story from far away.

It was never supposed to have anything to do with me.

“They say the wounds to your companions weren’t as serious as they looked.”

From the outside, they all seemed seriously hurt, but… that must mean she’d held back.

Leo had honestly tried to kill her.

But she hadn’t gone all the way.

Maybe, 

“……”

Maybe she wanted to die.

If not, she could’ve attacked suddenly, or taken him out in some other way.

But instead, she stated her intentions openly and honestly.

Even if she’d had the confidence,

…that’s a bit strange, isn’t it?

“So what will you do now?”

“I’m going to follow him. He did me a kindness, but I’m not shameless enough to just let it go. I don’t know why he’d do something like that for me.”

“You are talking about teacher, right?”

Luillin chimed in.

“Don’t think about it. He’s just the kind of person who helps because he wants to. That’s all.”

“Is that really it?”

“When you’re too weak to get up on your own, when you desperately need help and nobody comes, that’s the saddest thing. If he ever felt that, he figures other people would too. That’s why he helps.”

“That’s…”

“No matter how you look at it, it’s strange, right? But that’s the answer.”

Her teacher, 

“It must be because when he really needed help, no one was there, and that’s left a wound. And I think he still wrestles with that pain.”

Ah.

Now that she thought about it, that must be why she grew so attached to her teacher.

…He just seemed so pitiful.

She couldn’t just stand by, couldn’t leave him alone.

And yet, in the end, it was Luillin who was being cared for.

…Well, not every time, but still.

She was a good guide, after all.

“Man… I should’ve just stubbornly followed him, no matter what anyone said.”

Regret welled up.

Why hadn’t she whined? Why hadn’t she insisted?

But then again, she was just a kid, right? A little kid.

She could have, and should have.

But she tried to act grown-up, to be mature, and in doing so, missed her chance.

“Wait, so do you know where he’s going?”

“……”

Mines nodded slightly.

* * *

“Aren’t you going to go after him?”

At Leo’s question, Luillin rubbed the corners of her mouth weakly.

She tried to smile, but it wasn’t easy. She felt so awkward she didn’t even know what kind of face she was making anymore.

“Thinking about it, even if I followed, I probably couldn’t do anything.”

Besides, I’m picky about food.

“I have to earn my own meals.”

Still, Luillin is a realist.

A relentless realist.

But that doesn’t mean she’s given up.

I, 

“I already lived as hard as I could, but I guess I have to live even harder now.”

Just in case, somewhere down the line, if he ever doesn’t have anyone to rely on, then, at least then, she wanted to be able to reach out to him, firmly.

For that, maybe she’d have to grow a little more.

Or, to be greedy, she wanted to grow a lot more.