episode_0037

After the commotion passed, I sat on the floor with my head bowed, panting heavily, while Aria covered her entire body with a blanket… Why the hell did she suddenly try to pounce on me while she was naked…?

“Pant… pant… Ugh….” “Oh… Zeke-nim…” “Don’t say anything right now… Ugh…. I-I’m tired….” “You could have just accepted it…” “Are you crazy?! *Whoosh*… Don’t ever do that again…” “….I will do it again someday…!!” ‘….Do I need to sleep in a separate room…?’ “Hee hee hee….”

That laugh… Is that a laugh that means she’ll pounce on me again…? I might really have to sleep in a separate room… But… why does she recover so quickly from bad moods? No, I knew it before, but with this incident, she must have been deeply hurt, just like during the Esrad Kingdom incident….

“Sigh… So, you’re back to your usual self once you’ve regained your energy, Aria….” “It’s all thanks to you, Zeke-nim. And… right now, only you, Zeke-nim, fill my heart! Before, it was mixed with anxiety and doubt… but now, it’s purely just you, Zeke-nim, filling my heart!” “That’s a little scary, but… Anyway, about why you’re naked. Do you know you had a terrible fever during the night?” “Huh…?”

After parting with Cecilia, I returned to Arjel and was greatly alarmed by the unusual state of Aria’s body. Her body was feverish and she was sweating profusely. Believing it was a side effect of Cecilia’s soul fragment having been in contact, I laid Aria down in her blanket. When I moved noisily in the middle of the night, a resident from the next house saw Aria’s poor condition and called only the female residents to carefully wipe off the sweat from Aria’s body.

“You were sweating so much that the villagers wiped it all off for you. The women, of course.” “….What?! You mean you weren’t the first to see me naked…? *sniffle*…” “….I don’t see a single future where that would happen, you know? Anyway, that’s why you’re naked right now. They went to the water to wash the towels after wiping the sweat off your body. But from the way you’re talking, it seems you’re fine now?” “Yes! Perhaps it’s because I’ve seen your face, Zeke-nim, but I feel full of energy! Hehe…” “….Right, well… It’s a relief that you’re alright. Oh, that reminds me. After our confrontation, I saw your clothes were severely damaged. It must have been from being grazed by Rascal’s arrow and fragments of my greatsword. So, with the help of the residents here, I prepared some clothes for you.” “Huh…?” “I don’t know if they’ll fit you. It’s the first time I’ve ever made clothes myself, so you might not like them very much… Ah.” “Have you ever seen me refuse clothes made by you, Zeke-nim?! Of course I’m overjoyed!” “….I knew you’d say that… There are clothes next to you, right? Put them all on and call me.” “Ah… Yes!”

I heard the sound of Aria unfolding the neatly folded clothes beside her. It’s a little embarrassing… Although it was made with the help of the residents, it’s the first time I’ve made clothes, so I was nervous about how it would turn out… Huh? What’s that sound?

“Sniff sniff… sniff….” “You can sniff it later, so put it on quickly!!” “But these clothes, filled with your touch, Zeke-nim… I’ll treasure them so much I’ll never want to wash them…” “Come on!! If you really don’t wash it, I won’t make you clothes like this again, got it?! Anyway, hurry up and put it on!” “Yes~”

….I thought she’d stop doing things like that once she came to her senses… But it feels like it’s gotten worse than before… Sigh… Anyway, I finally started to hear the sounds of Aria putting on the clothes. A moment later, Aria called out to me, seemingly having finished dressing.

“I’m done, Zeke-nim. It even has buttons…” “Oh. And you need to fasten something around the waist… Ah, you’re done?” “Yes. Did you make even this belt, Zeke-nim…?” “Yeah. The color’s good too. Before, it was completely black because of the dye solution.”

Previously, Aria’s clothes were entirely black due to the dye solution, and only the brooch I gave her was a different color, looking like a single blue dot on a black background. However, the clothes I made this time were not a stark black overall. The top had buttons, and the bottom part was a skirt. A belt was fastened around the waist to hold the clothes in place. It’s better than the previous completely black clothes.

“How is it?” “I’m satisfied with any clothes, as long as they’re from you, Zeke-nim!” “Still, let me know if it’s comfortable to wear…” “It’s fine! The waist belt isn’t too tight and it’s comfortable! Thank you so much, Zeke-nim!” “Ah… That’s a relief. Good. Since I’ve finished the records… I guess I should head for the next destination now…” “Understood. Then I’ll go pack the bags!” “…Then I’ll go say goodbye to the villagers. After all, we’re indebted to them.” “Yes… I’ll be there soon, Zeke-nim.” “Alright.”

While Aria organized the bags, I took one last glance at the house Rascal had used before closing the door. Then, I approached the villagers walking on the street and spoke.

“Everyone… We’re planning to leave now.” “What?! The Saintess is already leaving? You could stay a little longer…” “It’s ominous that the demon is still alive…” “Huh…?”

What is this about? Didn’t they clearly see the bricks the demons used and even the remains of a demon’s finger last time? So why do they still think demons are evil creatures…?

“Although the remains appeared, we doubt if those memories are truly real. A demon could cleverly make you have strange dreams…” “….Ah… Ahaha… Understood.”

….I generally grasp what’s going on. Since the idea that demons are evil is already engraved in the world’s perception, I realized that no one would easily believe Cecilia’s memories. My heart felt a little bitter seeing the villagers still talking about how bad demons are. It was clear that these villagers wouldn’t trust Cecilia’s memories right now, so I replied with a bitter laugh. Then…

“Oh, Zeke. Can you give this… to the Saintess?” “Huh…? This is…”

Carrying the item I received from the villager, I headed somewhere with Aria, who had finished packing. It was to the place where the villagers had erected Rascal’s statue. Standing in front of Rascal’s statue, which depicted him in a fierce pose, aiming a crossbow forward, I held the black arrow I received from the villager and spoke.

“Rascal. Thank you. Thanks to you, Aria could return to normal. And this arrow… I heard you intended to have the villagers deliver it to me when you passed on. I will never forget it, Rascal.” “I won’t forget either, Rascal-nim. This life I’ve regained thanks to you, Rascal-nim… I will never waste it. Never…” “Aria…” “I will absolutely not allow any other woman to get close to you, Zeke-nim… If another woman tries to tempt you, I will kill her…!”

….Rascal. Thanks to you, Aria has returned. Her heart is in a better state than before. But her actions haven’t changed at all… No, I think they’ve gotten worse than before… Please save me…

“Shall we go now?” “….No, wait. Come forth, Greatsword.”

With a bitter expression, I summoned the greatsword I had been using. The greatsword summoned to my hand had its blade completely destroyed. I stuck the greatsword next to Rascal’s statue, which served as his tomb.

“Please take this greatsword with you, Rascal. It’s a greatsword I’ve cherished since the Todrua era. Please… *whoosh*… Let’s go now.” “Yes.”

Thank you, Rascal. Thanks to you, we were able to take another step forward. Moreover, if it weren’t for you, Cecilia wouldn’t have stopped her revenge. You saved me, Aria, and even Cecilia. So… now, please rest peacefully in that distant place with your family….

“Zeke-nim. What are you thinking about?” “Just hoping Rascal is at peace. Well… Shall we keep going?” “Yes~”

Aria and I left Arjel behind and continued walking. We headed towards our next destination, Provelitu. However, no matter how much we walked, only wasteland appeared, and our throats felt parched. This was because we had no idea how far we had gone.

“Phew… How far have we gone now?” “Hmm… Still, shouldn’t we reach a turning point soon?” “I should have known where the turning point to the east was…” “Indeed. Zeke-nim, what about your records…” “It’s all the same scenery, so there’s nothing to record… Sigh, what a mess… Huh?”

As I lowered my head, sighing deeply and lamenting the current situation, I looked up and saw a strange cave in front of me. I hadn’t seen a cave before… Hmm… As the cave came into view, my tired exploration instinct awakened for a moment, and I grinned and said.

“I wonder what’s in that cave, Aria? Aren’t you curious?” “A cave? What c-c-c… Ah…!!” “Good! Let’s go in and see what’s…” “Ah… Ahaha… Z-Zeke-nim? H-How about we head to Provelitu first…?”

Why is she acting like this again? I was dumbfounded when Aria, who hated the elves of Provelitu so much, suddenly urged us to go there. Right… Provelitu is important. But….

“It’s best to investigate what’s right in front of us first! Let’s go, Aria!” “Ah… Yessssss….”

I grabbed Aria’s arm and headed towards the cave. But something feels strange… I grabbed her arm, so Aria should be grinning from ear to ear and loving it… Why does she seem so fidgety? What exactly is inside this… Huh?

“Huh…?” “Cecilia…? No, wait… Where is this?”

Going inside the cave, there was furniture inside, like a room. And in the cave interior, which was like a room, Cecilia was eating fruit and staring blankly at me and Aria, who had suddenly appeared, utterly bewildered.

“Z-Zeke?! T-There… and A…” “….You. Why are you here? Are you trying to control me again…!?” “W-Wait, Ari…?”

Now that I think about it, she still doesn’t know much about Cecilia!! I frantically stopped Aria, who was tightly gripping her staff. Then, seeing Cecilia suddenly prostrate herself and apologize to Aria, I slowly moved away from Aria.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Saintess… I’m so, so sorryyyyy….” “Ah… Aria… Cecilia was only obsessed with revenge before… She wasn’t in her right mind… I told Cecilia’s…” “I know, Zeke-nim.” “What?” “I already know that you saw this demon’s past, Zeke-nim. I saw your exploration journal when I was organizing your bags earlier.” “Oh… So I forgave Cecilia…” “Alright. Then I’ll forgive her too.” “What?!” “Sorry… Huh?”

Aria’s words surprised me, and Cecilia was so startled that she stopped crying and looked up at Aria blankly. Then, Aria approached Cecilia and said.

“Since Zeke-nim said he forgave you, I’ll forgive you too. I thought Zeke-nim hadn’t forgiven you, so I was going to kill you.” “What…? But I…” “I trust you completely, Zeke-nim. Well… Anyway, consider yourself lucky that Zeke-nim didn’t accept you as a companion or a lover.” “….If he had…?” “….I would have used this staff to leave no trace…” “Hieeeek…” “Hey…”

So the reason you forgave Cecilia is just for that… And you’re even threatening her to finish it off? I can’t believe this… Oh, wait.

“Aria, that staff of yours…” “Huh? Is there something wrong with this staff… Oh my?”

The appearance of Aria’s staff changed. Before, it had a round, hollowed-out circle at its tip. But now, strange ornaments were added to its form. Aria seemed surprised, as if she hadn’t realized her staff had changed at all.

“Oh my… To think it can change… How surprising…” “That might be because the hesitation in your heart has disappeared more than before….”

Cecilia stood up, seemingly knowing something, and tapped Aria’s staff with her hand as she spoke. Hesitation? Then that staff, surely…

“Cecilia, then that staff…” “It’s highly likely to be an object also called a ‘thought-form’ that reacts to the user’s mind. It’s a staff made from a rare material, right?” “Ah, yes… Called Behemoth’s Tear…” “You used something very good. It’s a material that becomes a thought-form if the user’s mind is strong. Has anything happened recently?” “Hmm… Shall I say my love for you, Zeke-nim, has become more sincere than before? Hehehehe….”

Aria gazed at me with a chilling smile. Shouldn’t that expression stop by now…? And she’s practically drooling…? Is she trying to devour me!!! At Aria’s appearance, Cecilia also seemed bewildered and started to let out a hollow laugh.

“Ahaha… So that wasn’t all an act… All the things she said before…” “Maybe half of it was genuine… Anyway, that means we can know Aria’s thoughts with that, right?” “M-My… my heart…!!! Ohhh… I-I think this staff has become even more useful…!! To think I can clearly show you how great my love is, Zeke-nim…!!” “….You really met a scary woman, Zeke…” “Weren’t you?” “….Hmm…”

Now that I think about it, these two… were fighting me just five days ago… Sigh… Why do I only attract scary women…? Oh, right, the fairy sisters aren’t like that.

“Anyway… Are you living here now?” “Yeah.” “…I see why Aria had that unwilling look on her face… This is the cave Aria remodeled, isn’t it?” “Yeah. Wanna see that?” “What’s that… Oh…”

….My mind went blank for a moment. Those iron bars behind the sofa… Could that be a prison cell? A prison cell in a cave Aria remodeled… Surely that’s…

“Cecilia, that’s a prison cell Aria made to lock me up, isn’t it?” “That’s right… After talking with you, when I came back here, it felt a bit unsettling… I was planning to dismantle it later.” “….I’m sorry, Zeke-nim…” “….It’s a good thing nothing happened… If I were ever trapped in there, I really… I don’t even want to imagine what would happen…”

“….But what were you doing here?” “….I wanted to live somewhere secluded. It just so happened I remembered this cave you remodeled. I’m going to live here and try to find out if there are any other living members of my kind.” “Didn’t you want atonement? Then, to the beings you harmed…” “…I just don’t have the courage to approach them… I don’t know how I can help other races… how I should approach them… I really don’t know right now…” “I know, Cecilia. That’s why I told you not to say anything then… Ah, Cecilia. I have a favor to ask…” “Huh…?” “Could you… tell me which way to Provelitu?” “Oh? Oh… I’ll unfold the map on this table. Wait.”

Cecilia took out a map from under the table and spread it out on top. Then, she marked it with a pen and showed us the direction to Provelitu. My goodness, to think this cave was the turning point… What luck!

“Thank you for telling us. Thanks to you, I don’t think we’ll have to worry about getting lost anymore.” “I’m happy I could be of help, Zeke… Zeke.” “Why?” “Thank you so much… If you hadn’t said you would forgive me back then… I would have trusted no one and continued to yearn only for revenge…” “…Was that really such a big deal?” “Yes. After you said you’d forgive me, I kept thinking about your heart. Then, on the day we met again, you made me realize that those words were truly sincere.” “….Uh… That’s true. But Cecilia… It seems the residents of Arjel don’t believe your memories…” “It’s fine. I’ve already walked a long path for every living being in this world to believe my words. But because you, who trust someone like me, exist in this world… I was able to change… Although I’m now living with regret for the evil deeds I’ve done… because you trust me, I can endure. Thank you, Zeke… for allowing me to live this life…”

“Zeke-niiim! Showing that kind, gentle personality to anyone other than me is forbidden!!” “….That’s too much… And you’ve told me so much that it’s hammered into my ears [an idiom meaning ‘said repeatedly’] that if I hadn’t been that way, you wouldn’t have truly loved me.” “Ugh… T-That’s that! This is this!!”

Right… Her jealousy is as strong as ever, Aria…. As I sighed, Cecilia, who was watching me and Aria, smiled softly. Then, I saw that Cecilia’s smile now resembled her smile from her days as a liaison, which I had seen through her memories, and I inadvertently smiled at the sight.

‘She hadn’t been able to smile like that for thousands of years… Still, for Cecilia, who must live bearing her sins, a smile like that should be alright.’

“Alright! Let’s go to Provelitu, Aria!” “….I don’t want to see elves… *sigh*….” “Zeke. If you’re ever in the vicinity, come visit this place. You absolutely have to come visit… Got it?” “I have no intention of coming back! Let’s go, Zeke-nim!” “….Oh, for goodness sake…. I’m going!”

As Aria grumbled and headed out of the cave, I scratched my head and waved to Cecilia before stepping outside. Once I was out of the cave, Cecilia, who had been waving until I disappeared, suddenly blushed and thought to herself as I vanished.

‘Ughhh… W-Why am I like this…? When Zeke came, my… my heart is pounding… Could it be… me, a succubus, called the Demon of Allure… H-H-H-H-H… fell in love…? Then surely I… Zeke…’