episode_0297

Mmm-mmm-

“You’ll get indigestion. Eat slowly, Nix.”

“It’s okay! I can just use magic to get through it.”

Nix devoured the food laid out on the table with gusto. How it all fit into that tiny mouth was a mystery; she inhaled it all, making happy munching sounds.

“Aren’t you full eating that much?”

“It’s okay! I can just use magic to empty my stomach.”

“Your tongue will get tired from all those intense flavors.”

“I can use magic to forget the sensations—”

*Thwack!*

There’s a limit to everything. I gave Nix, who’d lost all self-control, a light slap on the head. Only then did she stop eating. Clutching her burning scalp, she looked up at me, tears welling in her eyes.

“Nari, it hurts…”

“You can just use magic to forget that, too?”

“Waaah… Okay, I’m sorry.”

Too much of anything is bad. Even Nix, wiser than anyone when it comes to phenomena, often becomes greedy in the face of material things.

Of course, I don’t blame her now. When she indulges in material things, she’ll always have a restraint at her side. Today, it’s me.

After our meal, we went out into the streets. Despite the chilly winter, the royal capital was bustling with people. Some alleys were completely blocked by carriages and pedestrians.

The royal capital, Naifrantz, is a major commercial hub second only to Venice. But the biggest reason is its stable climate. Even at its coldest, it never snows enough to make walking impossible.

In the Luminious Divine Kingdom, for instance, heavy snowstorms block the roads every winter. Compared to that, Naifrantz is a paradise. When it gets too cold, they even set up magical torches all over the city.

Nix was drawn to a magical torch like a moth to a flame. Her eyes sparkled.

“This is…!!”

The torch contained a peculiar incantation. The fire mana was limited in its effective range so that it only burned itself. By imbuing the mana with warmth and scattering it, it’s safer than a normal torch.

“Did you learn something new?”

“Yep! The royal capital has put on a new outfit for winter, hee hee.”

Ah, so cute. Being with Nix doesn’t feel like a date with my lover; it feels more like raising a daughter. Her eagerness to absorb new knowledge is just too lovely and adorable.

“Let’s go. Today, playing is work.”

“Yessir!”

Nix playfully saluted by pressing her hand to her brow before trailing behind me. So cute.

The moment I thought she was cute, I couldn’t stop thinking that she was cute. An endless engine of cuteness.

I wanted to revel in this creation of cuteness without reservation, but I couldn’t.

I subtly diverted my gaze from Nix. The faces of the people working, as always, were filled with seriousness.

Not everyone can go to war. Some lack strength, others courage. All they can do is diligently stay in their place as usual.

A place to return to after the war. Whether it’s a location, a feeling, or someone’s embrace, it brings me considerable hope.

“Woof!”

Suddenly, Nix’s face popped up in front of me.

“What are you thinking about?”

“How cute you are, and what I should do tonight.”

“Cheh, don’t just think about that. Let’s hurry! Hee hee—”

Nix’s steps were so light, it was as if she were about to float into the sky. I had to hold her hand, as if holding onto a helium balloon.

Each in their place, diligently as always. I, too, decided to make the most of this long-awaited holiday.

…

“Ugh, what’s that smell! Nari, is that… a really bad smell?!”

“Yes. Keep rolling around in it a little longer.”

“Kyaaak—”

As we walked, we somehow ended up outside the royal capital, in the farmlands. To be honest, I was walking without thinking. Nix was more active than I expected. Since she doesn’t have a physical body, she doesn’t tire easily.

She’s currently exploring the stable, looking at the cows and pigs. Since they’re animals she doesn’t see often, it’s understandable that she’s curious.

This time, it felt more like raising a puppy instead of a daughter. Don’t they say that dogs, being sensitive to smells, relieve stress just by sniffing the earth and grass while walking? That’s exactly how Nix is right now.

The cows, easily three times larger than her, looked just like office workers at two in the afternoon. They look completely bored and apathetic, just like the old saying depicts laziness.

Even when Nix approached, drawing their attention, they ignored her. Only when she held up a handful of hay did the livestock gather around her.

“Kyaak—Ticklish—”

“Wow, you’re popular. You look like the star of today’s show.”

“Wa-wait… this guy, what the hell are you licking?!”

*Pssshhhh—*

Caught off guard in a sensitive spot, Nix, in her surprise, emitted a plume of black mist. Before she could put all the livestock to sleep, I quickly grabbed her by the back of the neck and pulled her out of the fence.

“That’s what happens when you stupidly go inside with hay. You normally feed animals from outside.”

“But, it licked my butt!”

“Which one was it? Let’s grill it for dinner.”

Only I get to lick Nix’s bottom. That’s the law. If she hadn’t stopped me, I might’ve actually caught them all.

There were various incidents, but I was satisfied. Most importantly, Nix’s expression had returned to normal. Today’s date objective has been achieved.

We were on our way home after having a delicious dinner nearby.

“Nari, there’s a fire!!”

“What? Where—”

I smelled something burning, too. I hastily looked in the direction Nix was pointing, but… I felt my strength drain away. There, a large pile of firewood was burning in a celebratory campfire.

“Nix, that’s a ritual.”

“They’re doing this on purpose? With a fire that big?”

“Well, we lit a bonfire when we went on an adventure, remember? Think of it as a kind of sacrifice.”

After approaching and asking the people there, I understood roughly. The upcoming war. In this current situation, where there’s little time left, people needed something to ease their anxieties.

The organizer was the village head. He even got permission from the lord, so there’s really nothing for me to interfere with.

But the people wanted something more.

“Please… we humbly request a favor from Your Highness.”

“You want me to speak, personally?”

“…Yes. Everyone is anxious. Even if they don’t say it, almost everyone’s emotions are at their breaking point.”

“Don’t bow your head like that. I like this village, you know.”

Since I was little, this area, including the royal capital, was my playground. Thinking of it as repaying a debt from those days, offering a word or two is certainly cheap.

I decided to give a small present to all the people as a bonus. I took Nix’s hand.

“Let’s go, Nix.”

“Uh, uh…? Me too?”

Nix can certainly do this. It may be just a measure to maintain the status quo, like a medical drug, but in the current situation, there’s nothing better than buying some time.

After whispering her role to Nix, we both went up onto the platform.

“It’s cold. A year has passed, and a new year is about to dawn. But a great trial awaits us.”

I began lightly. Those who had been clasped hands, gazing at the burning flames, one by one turned their gaze towards me.

“Originally, this land of Naifrantz was filled with countless dark forces. Beasts descended from the mountains, and the sea was full of pirate ships and ghost ships. What brought the darkness and long peace is His Majesty the current King and his consort, my parents.”

The king who brought peace is worthy of being called a hero. I am the daughter of those heroes.

“Once again, the darkness descends upon this land. But this time too, we will triumph. As the daughter of a hero, I will wield my sword, and millions of people will stand with me.”

“Glory to Naifrantz!!”

“Glory to Naifrantz!!”

A fervor ignites in the hearts of the people. I raised my voice with them all and, simultaneously, exhaled ether, resonating with Nix.

A brilliant light soon erupted from us. The light soared to heights that could bisect the sky, exploding in the dark night and erupting in countless rays of light.

The rays of light became stars. The people saw the shining stars and held a small hope in their warmed hearts.

When they open their eyes tomorrow morning, everyone will clench their fists. Because this was a magic that allows people to have such dreams.

Nix’s power seizes and manipulates the target’s mind at will. When that edge is aimed at the enemy, they will have nightmares, but when directed at allies it’s different.

Nix doesn’t delve into someone’s mind to control them. She simply wants to know their hearts, hopes, and loves.

The fact that I’m one of the few people in this world who knows the essence of this bashful, curious bundle of energy… makes me feel very proud.

Nix, having had similar thoughts, approaches me cautiously. I sat her on my lap and embraced her. As I gently stroked her head, she purred like a cat.

“Did I do well?”

“Yes. You were amazing.”

“I love you, Nari—!!”

The warmth of the campfire lasted long enough to melt away all the winter chill. When sleep came, I teleported Nix and myself to the bedroom.

…

*Click*

A wave of coldness washes over me. Cold metal hardens around my wrists and ankles.

*Clang*

I’m bound to something. It felt like handcuffs and chains. My arms and legs stretched out, unable to gather any strength.

Soon, someone appeared out of the darkness.

“…Wasn’t what we did earlier enough?”

“There’s still something we haven’t done…♡”

A naked spirit with her black hair down, leaps upon me.