episode_0031

“…”

“…”

My mind is troubled. My thoughts are confused and chaotic. Perhaps it was because a demon suddenly appeared and enchanted Aria, but all of this was too confusing. We had returned to Rascal’s house, but Rascal and I, utterly bewildered by the situation, remained silent for a long time.

“Hmph… I have no idea what to do, Rascal… Do you know anything about demons…?”

“…I don’t either. In the first place, demons are a race that hasn’t shown themselves for thousands of years. I only heard that demons were completely defeated in the ancient demon war and no longer exist in this world… through legends told by my grandparents in the past…”

“I see… Sigh… Aria enchanted by a demon… Is the demon that strong?”

“I don’t know that… But the Black Saintess is undoubtedly a very strong being. She’s not a woman who would be easily enchanted by a demon.”

“…But Aria’s heart is in an unstable state right now… I think that’s why Aria was enchanted by the demon…”

“Unstable, you say… Indeed, that’s true. The Saintess’s heart was certainly in an unstable state…”

“Yes… Oh?”

How does he know Aria’s heart is unstable? I didn’t even tell him in prison… Or did he come to that conclusion knowing what Aria did to Melian?

“How do you know the state of Aria’s heart…”

“Ah… It seems the Black Saintess didn’t tell you. Well… she probably didn’t want to talk about it. When you were poisoned by Artyun’s venom and your life hung in the balance, I could tell what the Black Saintess’s heart was like.”

“When I was poisoned? Oh, Aria said she couldn’t detoxify me with a blessing then…”

“Right. Because of that, the Black Saintess literally fell into a state of chaos. She tore out her hair and began reciting numerous prayers. When none of them worked for you, she even banged her head against the floor.”

“What…?”

“So, when I handed her the antidote I had, she quickly took it and hurriedly fed it to you. I had no idea if it would work then. Fortunately, that antidote neutralized Artyun’s venom, and you were able to live.”

“Such a thing…”

“Seeing the Black Saintess screaming and self-harming by repeatedly punching something, I immediately knew her heart was in an unstable state. But it seemed she was relatively fine while you were unharmed.”

“That’s right… When I was fine…”

“That’s what I thought. But my opinion changed after seeing the Black Saintess’s madness this time. I realized this time that the Black Saintess’s mind is equally broken whether you’re collapsed or fine.”

“What…?”

What is he talking about? Aria’s mind is severely broken even normally, just like when I collapsed? I already knew Aria’s mind was broken from nearly four months of companionship. But she was that broken even normally?

“I worked as a slave hunter for decades. So, when I captured slaves, I could fully understand what kind of thoughts they had and what feelings they possessed. From that experience, I could tell that the Black Saintess’s mind was broken. All along.”

“Aria’s mind is certainly broken… But that severely broken state when something major happened to me… was it like that normally too?”

“That’s right. It’s still a conjecture, but… that’s why, Zeke. Can you tell me more about the Black Saintess?”

“Me…?”

“On the surface, I could immediately tell that the Black Saintess liked you. But to truly infer what her inner self is like, I think I need to know her past. Can you tell me?”

Ah… I certainly hadn’t properly told Rascal-nim about Aria. And Aria obviously wouldn’t have told Rascal-nim her story either. With a complex feeling, I began searching for something in my backpack. Ah, I found it. I handed my exploration journal, found in my backpack, to Rascal.

“What’s this?”

“It’s my exploration journal. Inside are records of a country that contains Aria’s story. Please read all of that, and I’ll tell you the rest.”

“Hmm… Understood.”

Rascal, as I said, opened the exploration journal and began to read its contents. Then, when he reached the part with Esrad’s records, I saw his eyes widen. He then brought his face closer to the book and began reading the content in detail. A few minutes later, Rascal finished reading the book and handed it back to me, speaking.

“The last Saintess of Esrad is the Black Saintess. Is that right?”

“Yes. Please keep it a secret.”

“Understood… I see… The last Saintess of a ruined nation… But that alone isn’t enough for her mind to break. No matter if she’s human, one’s mind doesn’t break *that* much just because a country fell. So… what’s the rest of the story?”

“Well…”

I told him everything I had heard from Aria: the past where Esrad IV committed tyrannical rule because of the legend Aria interpreted, the commoners who revolted because of it, the people of Esrad who blamed everything on Aria, and how I saved Aria when she was almost captured by slave traders after the destruction. After hearing all of it, Rascal let out a deep sigh and said to me.

“Hmph… I understand her past now. That’s certainly enough for the Black Saintess’s mind to break…”

“Still, Aria isn’t a bad person… She just…”

“She merely interpreted a legend. I also think it was certainly not the Black Saintess’s fault. Rather, Esrad IV, who put it into practice, is the worse person…”

“That’s right… Aria’s mind broke because of that, I suppose…”

“Still, she was able to live to some extent thanks to you, Zeke. It seems the Black Saintess was able to survive until now thanks to you.”

“But that was because I was drunk…”

“No matter how drunk you were, what you said allowed the Black Saintess to live on. Because you said what the Black Saintess truly wanted to hear.”

I had heard those words from the 20 Manas before. But no matter how many times I hear those words, I keep telling myself that I didn’t save Aria from her pain by my own will. Even though others might say I was drunk, the problem was that *I* was in that state. Because I said those words out of drunkenness, not of my own volition…

“But it seems the Black Saintess was not satisfied with just that. No… it might not have been enough at all.”

“What…?”

What Rascal said with his eyes closed greatly surprised me. Aria herself said she felt somewhat better because of what I said, so it was perplexing for Rascal to say it wasn’t enough at all. Then why on earth…?

“Why do you think that…?”

“Just asking, but didn’t the Black Saintess keep repeating certain words to you normally?”

“Uh… Yes… she did… like ‘I love you’… or ‘I will protect you’…”

The words Aria repeated constantly. They were words of courtship and confession directed at me. Every day, ‘I love you,’ ‘I will protect you,’ ‘No companions’… She repeated many words. Rascal, who had listened to my words, nodded and then said to me again.

“It seems the Black Saintess was always anxious. Especially, she must have had a fear of being abandoned by you.”

…What? Me abandoning Aria? That’s ridiculous. While I certainly don’t love Aria *that* much, I considered her a precious companion. So Aria herself should know that I wouldn’t abandon her…

“Me…? Why would I abandon Aria? Even though I don’t love Aria, she’s still a precious companion to me. Aria herself knows I feel that way…”

“I understand. But that alone would never erase her anxiety. Even though you told the Black Saintess you would remember her, the Black Saintess kept feeling anxious with thoughts like, ‘What if you forget it?’ and ‘Who would remember me if you disappeared?’”

“…”

“The reason she constantly expressed words of courtship to you wasn’t to express or affirm that feeling… it seems it was a desire to make sure you never forget it and wouldn’t leave her. In other words… the Black Saintess, who fears your departure the most, became anxious that you might suddenly leave her.”

…So Aria tried to do everything for me so I wouldn’t have to work…? Was the reason she kept smiling at me also because of that…? But Aria doesn’t forgive people who try to harm me… Oh, I see. If I disappear, as Rascal-nim said, the person who would remember her would be gone…

“Aria couldn’t trust anyone else besides me. Because I was the only one who truly listened to her past… But to think that everything Aria did for me wasn’t entirely for me…”

“That doesn’t mean she didn’t truly love you. She must have constantly struggled with anxiety while loving you.”

…Is it because I never truly tried to understand Aria’s heart…? Hearing this, I began to understand Aria’s past actions. Not completely, but… you didn’t fully reveal your heart to me for nearly four months… thinking I would abandon you if you did…

“…Now that I think about it… I have a rough idea why the Black Saintess fell into a frenzy.”

“What…?!”

“I know a little about the types of demons. Thinking back to the appearance of the demon behind the Black Saintess earlier… one demon immediately comes to mind.”

“What is it…?”

“A Succubus. A demon also known as a dream demon. A vile demon that can interfere with others’ dreams and toy with others’ affections…”

Succubus…? But Succubi are demons that seduce men… I thought Incubi were the demons that seduced women, so what’s going on? As I became confused, Rascal suddenly stood up, took a book from the bookshelf, and handed it to me. This is…

“A demonology book? Isn’t this for kids?”

“It’s a book that can be helpful in this situation. It contains information about Succubi and Incubi. According to that book, Succubi or Incubi who have lived for a long time can enchant anyone regardless of gender. And the demon enchanting the Black Saintess must surely be a Succubus.”

“I see… Then the strange gem that appeared below my brooch is controlling Aria…”

“That’s likely the case. And it must have been that Succubus that attached that gem to the Black Saintess’s body.”

“Hmph… Now that I know the exact cause, I must save Aria without delay. Right now…!!”

“Wait, Zeke. After you save the Black Saintess, can you handle her condition?”

“Me…?”

“If the Black Saintess remembers what she did while in her frenzy, that might be a big problem in itself. Didn’t she only do things you would dislike? Currently, her anxiety has disappeared due to the Succubus, and her broken mind and obsessive love have combined to plunge her into a frenzy… but if she returns to normal, the vanished anxiety will surely return. Moreover, if she even remembers saying she would imprison you, her heart will be torn to shreds.”

“…”

“Can you handle such a Black Saintess, Zeke?”

I couldn’t easily answer Rascal’s question. Because I had already thought that if Aria, who was already difficult for me to handle, became even more broken, I wouldn’t be able to handle her at all. But… even if that happens…

“Even if that happens… I will try to handle it. Because Aria, who found it hard to trust anyone and tried to keep her distance from others, opened her heart to me. And while I don’t love Aria… as a companion we’ve traveled together, it’s only natural that I should try to handle it.”

Yes. I must handle it. Since I’ve grown fond of Aria, whom I’ve traveled with for months, I should do something for Aria who will suffer. Rascal, who had listened to my words, remained silent for a while before suddenly smiling and saying to me.

“You are truly kind, Zeke. Your kindness seems to be your weapon.”

“Me? How can something like that be a weapon…? My weapon is this greatsword…”

“No, it’s different for each person. You possess a warmer kindness than anyone else, to the point of even forgiving Melian, who kidnapped you. I believe your kindness will protect you and your precious people.”

“Uh… Thank you for the compliment… Then I’ll…!”

“Wait, Zeke.”

Ah, this… Why does he keep stopping me when he’s busy? The moment I was about to look at Rascal with a face full of complaint, Rascal suddenly stood up, and I saw him arranging his crossbow. I was dumbfounded.

“I’m coming too.”

“What…?”

I was desperate earlier and asked for Rascal’s help… But why is he suddenly trying to follow me…? At Rascal’s words that he would come along for Aria’s retrieval, which could be very dangerous, I was dumbfounded again.

“W-wait! Just a moment! You know how strong Aria is!”

“I know. She’s the woman who single-handedly brought down Rubdon.”

“Aria doesn’t intend to kill me yet… but you could die!”

“I know that too. But I must repay my debt to you.”

“Me…?”

What debt…? Besides breaking him out of Rubdon’s prison, I haven’t done anything else for him, have I? Why is he trying to help me so genuinely?

“Are you talking about me breaking you out of Rubdon’s prison?”

“That too. But when I heard about Bosca’s downfall from you, I saw a ray of light.”

“What?”

“After my family all died, I felt great guilt and despair for what I had done. Moreover, I thought that as long as places like Bosca existed in this world, people like me, and slaves, would forever exist in this world. So I had given up on living in this world. But the moment you said Bosca had fallen, I realized that the world could change. And thanks to you, I was able to apologize to the slaves who arrived in Kartun.”

“Uh… That much…?”

“Yes. Furthermore, through your records, I could confirm with certainty that Bosca had fallen. Therefore, I will help you, Zeke.”

…Since he’s saying all this… It would be inhuman to refuse this, wouldn’t it? And to think that my records gave Rascal hope… Lost in such thoughts, I showed Rascal a smile with a somewhat happy heart and said.

“Understood, Rascal. Thank you for your help.”

“Alright… Then should we set out first?”

“Let’s do that. Time is of the essence.”

Rascal and I decided to retrieve Aria first and began packing the necessary things. As we prepared to retrieve Aria, Aria was…

“This place will be perfect for Zeke-nim, won’t it…? Hehehe… Zeke-nim will be happy too… Ihhihihi…”

“Yes… that man will be happy too… Now, should we bring him here?”

“Ah… that’s right… Yes… I need to bring Zeke-nim now… to this place, our paradise… Hehehehe…”

…in a certain cave, listening to the Succubus’s whispers, preparing to bring Zeke.

(Special Chapter) Character Q&A

[To commemorate chapter 30, I’ve written a simple, quirky (?) character Q&A special chapter.]

Character: Zeke Looprian

Q1: What do you want right now?

A1: Please stop Aria…

Q2: What was the reason you started your adventure?

A2: Because it’s cool.

Q2: …Is that really all?

A2: Yes.

Q2: …

A2: …

Q3: Do you want to return to your hometown?

A3: No. I’ve already set out on an adventure, and I won’t return until I’ve explored every region.

Q4: Why do you like Garuda steak so much?

A4: Uncle Kols happened to get some from outside, and it was really delicious. But lately, I think I’ve eaten too much of it, so I’m getting sick of it.

Q4: ? How did you end up eating so much…

Aria: Zeke-niiiiiiim~ Today’s delicious…

A4: There, see?

Q4: ….

Q5: Do you like the Black Saintess?

A5: No.

Aria: …. Zeke-nim… me….

A5: Aaaaaaah, stop it, Aria!!!

Character: Aria Lit

Q1: What do you like…

A1: Zeke-nim!!

Q2: You’ve come to be called the Black Saintess, is that alright?

A2: I don’t need religion or anything. Let them call me that. I only need Zeke-nim…!!

Q3: For Zeke Looprian, what would you…

A3: Anything.

Q4: If another woman appears by Zeke Looprian’s side…

A4: That [expletive]’s [censored expletives]

Q4: (M-mosaic it!!)

Q5: What you want right now is…

A5: Zeke-niiiiiiim!

Zeke: (Save me)

Character: Riera

Q1: What kind of work are you doing now?

A1: I’m working as a wandering bard with my siblings!

Q2: Is life bearable these days?

A2: Of course!

Q3: What is your opinion of Aria?

A3: (Trembling violently)

Character: Eli

Q1: How well did you study?

A1: First in the entire school?

Q2: How do you feel about becoming a wandering bard?

A2: Zeke-nim… when will I be able to see him… Heh heh heh…

Q2: ….?

Q3: What do you dislike?

A3: That cursed Black S- [expletive]… I will definitely [censored expletives]

Q3: (Wh-what?! M-mosaic!!)

Character: Tiara

Q1: There’s a rumor that you’re on Zeke Looprian’s bad side?

A1: Even when I said I wouldn’t do it again, he kept scolding me…

Q1: Oh dear.

Q2: You have a new younger sibling, I hear?

A2: Melian! She’s my younger sibling who can’t do anything right now… I hope she gets better as soon as possible…

Q3: How are fairies born?

A3: Well… Do storks bring them?

Riera: (Don’t ask things like that!)

Character: Melian

Q1: Please introduce yourself!

A1: …

Q1: …

Character: Karina

Q1: Why do you have short hair?

A1: Got a problem with it?

Q1: No.

Q2: What do you think of Zeke Looprian?

A2: Just a really kind older brother.

Q3: Do you want to come out of the cartoon?

A3: I’m back now, aren’t I?

Character: Tess

Q1: What does the detached force do?

A1: We catch humans who hunt beast-folk.

Q1: Then will you catch me too?

A1: What are you talking about…

Q2: What do you think of your niece, Karina?

A2: Sigh… My sister-in-law-nim isn’t in good spirits, so I’m worried… That’s why I feel bad for her.

Q3: How did you end up getting caught by humans?

A3: I caught a huge fish, but then humans suddenly rushed in. In hordes. Damn it… that was a real trophy catch!!

Q3: How big was it?

A3: As tall as a person!!

Q3: Uh… uh….. (My condolences)

Character: Raskal

Q1: Hello?

A1: …

Q1: At least say something…

A1: …. Hello.

Q1: (Seems like a very shy person.)

Q2: What do you think of Zeke Looprian?

A2: He’s my benefactor. To the extent that I have too many favors to repay…

Q3: Why do you even use black arrows?

A3: Perhaps because I hunted slaves in the darkness, I came to prefer black. Although now it’s the color of regret.

Character: 20 Mana

Q1: Where are you from?

A1: Me? I’m from another dimension called Half the World.

Q2: Did you intend to destroy Boska?

A2: If I had known that place was like that… I would have broken it all by myself a long time ago, wouldn’t I?

Q2: My goodness.

Q3: Are you really an otherworlder?

A3: A real otherworlder, indeed. Outside of this dimension, there are things I couldn’t even imagine. Rifles, smartphones, well… all sorts of things. Those are things I learned while traveling through many dimensions for a long time.

Q4: Do you plan to come back?

A4: I can’t. I caused huge trouble last time and got scolded terribly.

Character: Fertea

Q1: What are you eating?

A1: Crimson Boar. It’s delicious.

Q2: What do you think of Zeke and Aria?

A2: Zeke is a good human, Aria Lit is… a scary human.

Character: Alde Krischa Truesel

Q1: What religion…

A1: Do you, by any chance, believe in Goddess Camilla-nim?

Q1: No, I’m asking the questions.

A1: Then you should believe quickly!

Q2: What do you think of Aria Lit?

A2: Heh heh…

Q2: (What’s wrong with this person?)