Chapter 76

“G, thank you very much.”

“…….”

Carriel calmly guided her toward the chair.

A mere two steps would suffice for others, but for her with an injured leg, it felt like a daunting distance of over ten steps.

“I’ll carry you.”

“A-Ah, there’s no need….”

Carriel filled an empty wooden bowl with water and handed it to her, then separately prepared his own portion before returning.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

She expressed her gratitude in a barely audible voice.

“It’s nothing.”

Carriel responded plainly and turned back to his spot, pondering calmly.

The scene he had just witnessed.

And.

“…….”

The faint candlelight illuminating one side of her face.

As if ready to engulf everything, yet naturally settling into place—the darkness.

Within that sunken abyss of shadow, the humble cane held low in her hand.

After taking it all in briefly.

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

He asked such a question.

“Huh?”

She reacted belatedly, but Carriel waited silently.

….

“What did we come here for again? Just sitting around doing nothing?”

With some commotion, the group returned carrying washed bowls.

“What else do we need?”

Carriel chuckled and stood up.

“Louilin, are you staying here?”

“Uh, why?”

“If you’re following, follow. If not, stay.”

“…I’ll follow, whatever.”

Then the kids started whining about why they weren’t going to sleep yet.

Just by watching her awkwardly calming them down, she was the epitome of an older sister or eldest sister.

“That, I’m causing unnecessary burden….”

“No, we’re worried about burdening you by staying here.”

“That, there’s no way.”

Ludines tried to deny it, but Carriel shook his head calmly.

“Don’t worry. Both me and her will quietly leave once our business is done.”

“…….”

None of those present understood how that statement resonated with her.

Simply put.

“…Sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize.”

Carriel bowed his head humbly toward her without hesitation.

“Leil, you’re planning to go try pulling the sword again tomorrow, right?”

When Leo asked, Carriel simply nodded slightly.

“In that case, see you again tomorrow!”

“Quit already! Or do you still have something left to pray for?”

“There’s plenty to pray for. Besides, the elder said to ask the sword itself, so I’ll keep pestering it until it tells me.”

“Ugh. You need to make sense sometimes.”

Luciri started scolding Leo, but as Carriel had already turned away from the chapel, he had no way of knowing how things unfolded after that.

Not long after, Louilin followed up curiously.

“Didn’t you originally plan to let us stay here tonight? It feels like you’re overly cautious again, preparing for retaliation from the ones we crushed earlier today.”

“…We can descend now.”

“Huh?”

Executing what’s asked goes beyond understanding its intent; in this aspect, Louilin might as well be considered a fully grown adult.

…No, actually, at her age, marriage and engagements happen, and soon enough, having children too—so treating her like a kid is somewhat inappropriate.

Though her youthful appearance often causes misconceptions.

“If there were older siblings, there wouldn’t be much of an issue.”

“…….”

Judging from Louilin’s comment, she seems to be at least competent.

With careful observation, one could gauge her skills to some extent, but…

Perhaps because she doesn’t show particular interest in others, she hasn’t been scrutinized much.

…Or maybe, while enemies might be an exception, randomly observing someone and getting caught would be troublesome, wouldn’t it?

“…….”

What exactly is she concerned about?

Upon returning to the Edenlevan Legion Branch building, despite the fading daylight, the interior remained relatively bright.

Apparently, there was still work to be done, as wagons loaded with supplies came and went, and the personnel overseeing them bustled about.

Entering through the entrance, a small piazza-like central area greeted visitors, with a wide-open ceiling making the inside feel entirely different from the outside view.

Truly grand among village structures, perhaps resembling city-scale buildings—it’s quite impressive.

It’s possible this building stands in an ambiguous location, neither within the village nor outside.

“You’re here?”

They encountered Luslan who was walking down the corridor.

“Did you inspect thoroughly?”

“…Yes. Thanks to you.”

As Luslan moved to approach Carriel, Louilin glared at her.

“Here she goes clinging again.”

“It’s not like it’s impossible, right? A woman seducing a man—it’s a perfectly natural phenomenon. You exist because of that, don’t you?”

“Do I even have parents?”

“Yup yup. Well done!”

Both exchanged absurd banter nonchalantly.

“Well then, our stylish friend? Go to your room. I have something to relay later, so I’ll visit shortly. Oh, I’ll inform them to prepare bathing water for you, so please use it comfortably.”

“Lou. It’s fine to prepare stuff, but remember I’m next door—if you moan, I’ll blast your wall away.”

“Yup yup. Our little cutie. Want me to shut your mouth? How about we do it together? Our little cutie needs to grow up too, huh?”

“Oh really!”

…They sure know how to have fun.

Even though washing by the stream would suffice, thanks to pre-prepared water, one could leisurely soak in warm water.

“…….”

Thinking about it, even though the institution had public baths, I rarely entered them.

Why get unwanted attention, right?

There’s no time more unprotected than when washing.

Plus, if my clothes disappeared while undressed, that’d be disastrous.

…An unpleasant memory popped up, so I cleared my mind with slow deep breaths.

Never knowing when I’d be called meant I couldn’t relax like this either.

…If I was late due to washing, even if excused once or twice, it’d eventually be treated as an excuse.

This is mostly Dad’s fault.

He claimed washing for 500 seconds was too long, didn’t he?

He himself practiced that literally.

Watching him repeatedly, Mom naturally assumed I would too, and later treated me accordingly.

They still haven’t forgotten the past.

Whether on the battlefield or enemy territory, they were always alert, quickly finishing their washes during those dark times—the habits lingered in both of them.

To them, my slowness likely seemed like laziness.

I understand.

But how far must one endure this?

“…….”

At least now, being able to vent complaints and frustrations internally shows significant progress.

-Leg-breaking bastard, have you given up on protecting the girl?

“…….”

I lift my gaze.

“Because there’s no need to protect her.”

-Why not?

“…Didn’t you see it too?”

Through my eyes.

-A common tragedy and absurdity affecting a girl. That much I understood.

“So stop pretending, alright?”

-What exactly do you understand?

While trying to clear my mind and rest, he won’t leave me alone.

Damn Demon King.

“The condition of her legs’ muscles and bones were surprisingly intact.”

-Oh really?

“That means it’s an act.”

When I instinctively caught her as she pretended to fall, I inadvertently realized this.

“Given she’s probably watched her younger brother hobble around for years… mimicking it wouldn’t be hard, would it?”

-Yet her legs seem fine? Without use, muscles degenerate, and bone density suffers. Could you assess all that just from holding her?

“…If either side were off, there should’ve been an unnatural sensation.”

I didn’t intentionally learn this, but somehow figured it out.

…Hard to explain clearly, but…

“And besides, the connection with the relief knight named Venus or whatever, upon closer inspection, seems to stem from her actions.”

-Could it be a coincidence?

“There are many possibilities. However, the timing is suspicious enough not to dismiss it outright.”

Even if it’s irrelevant, solely based on suspicion, I can’t confidently rule out doubt.

-You’re objective since you aren’t swayed by beauty. Though you yourself are beautiful and have been betrayed by a woman, so it might seem unusually harsh.

“…….”

Annoying words.

Mention betrayal, and even though no specific person is pointed out or spoken of…

Era’s infuriating face vividly appeared in my mind.

I wanted to peel off her brain and skull.

“The most important thing is… why didn’t the sword respond to me?”

-I don’t know either. Unless you find the dead Grandeous and ask him directly?

“…….”

Still.

Extremely selfish, shameless.

A truly evil Demon King.

====

After washing, I moved to the assigned room.

No sooner had I dressed than a knock came at the door.

“Did you wash well?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

The room isn’t cramped, but that’s based on individual use.

Adding just one person makes it feel considerably crowded.

After all, aside from the bed, desk, and wall-hung coat rack, there wasn’t much extra space to place luggage.

It felt like a guestroom designed for minimal use.

Giving up the bed, I turned the wooden chair and leaned against its backrest.

“How kind! You can sit together if you wish, but I appreciate the gesture nonetheless! Cheers!”

Thanks to the fairly large hanging candle, the interior was sufficiently lit.

Although the tall narrow wooden window made the otherwise sparsely decorated room appear somewhat cozy.

“I received a message from Fielbar and thought I’d pass it along.”

“A message?”

“Yes. I’m pretty sure it’s not good news. Vampires being creepy is consistent whether here or elsewhere.”

Her evaluation of fellow demon realm members carried a hint of ill will.

“I also received a report on the content, but check it without being startled first.”

She handed me a crimson envelope.

The middle bore traces of black candle wax with another seal stamped atop it, but it was too dark to confirm properly.

I roughly tore it open and pulled out the letter.

“…….”

Can’t read it.

Eventually, moving closer to the candlelight revealed the contents.

“Care to share what’s written? Ah, if confidentiality is required, there’s no need to tell me—please review it at your convenience.”

“…….”

It was bluntly written.

About rumors circulating that I was connected to the Demon King.

Not just within the Empire but especially abroad, these baseless rumors were spreading rapidly like an epidemic, according to the text.

In other words, it wasn’t a natural or normal occurrence.

Someone was orchestrating it.

It included a note offering help if needed.

“If it says they’ll offer unconditional assistance, it’s better not to accept it.”

…As if reading my thoughts, Louilin aptly pointed out at just the right moment with her refined voice.

“…….”

“That’s a fairly common tactic.”

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