Year 141_Keireki Era_Spring/08
"Feli, Senia, just once—just give me a chance."
I glanced briefly at the sword lying on the ground.
The two seemed to understand immediately and nodded in agreement.
Perhaps they recognized that even if we were to escape, creating a diversion would be necessary.
Having understood what needed to be done, Senia stepped forward, provoking the vine monster's attack.
It was reminiscent of the intuitive movements she must have possessed in life, as a skilled maid who quickly grasped her master's wishes.
Meanwhile, Feli shielded me as she ran toward the sword.
She moved decisively to help, as if this action was part of fulfilling my unspoken request.
Hidden behind her back, I grabbed Ginesis's sword.
The blade still held a dense, inky essence—perhaps the very manifestation of Ginesis's soul itself.
The vine monster hadn't noticed I had taken the sword.
It focused entirely on fending off Senia's strikes.
Yet, the writhing mass of vines, each as fluid as a whip, moved to corner her.
"Feli! Senia! Duck!"
They reacted instantly to my shout.
Simultaneously, I hurled Ginesis's sword with all my strength.
The monster realized too late.
"Take this!"
The sword flew like a predator targeting its prey, accelerating rapidly before embedding itself into the monstrous form.
As it struck, a burst of black, shapeless blades erupted from within the creature's body—an expression of the pent-up resentment of Ginesis and the spirits of his slain kin.
"Guh, gah, aaaahh!!"
The monster writhed and screeched, its form disintegrating as the vines crumbled into shimmering gray ash.
When its body was fully gone, the sword fell to the ground and then disappeared as if its purpose had been fulfilled.
Ginesis's voice no longer reached me.
I felt a pang of loneliness—I'd hoped for parting words.
"So... the fight is over now.”
Senia murmured amidst the dissipating ash.
"Do you feel avenged?"
"To be honest... I'm not sure. I believe I made a grave mistake. While avenging my master, I affected his descendants unjustly."
Her tone was calm and rational, nothing like the vengeful ghost she had once been.
"Could the curse itself be to blame?"
"...?"
"Just a thought. The cursed creature was terrifying, but you're calm now. Maybe the curse influenced you."
"It would be comforting to blame it all on the curse. Still, a sin is a sin, and I must own it."
As the room slowly dissolved into ash, she continued, "It seems my time is up."
"Is this goodbye, Senia?"
"Indeed. As an undead bound by the curse, I no longer have ties to this world with the creature's destruction."
"I see..."
Senia turned to face Feli.
"You are called Feli, correct?"
"Yes."
"He reminds me of my former master. Please, I beg of you—protect him."
"I will, I promise."
"Thank you..."
The entire estate faded into gray light, leaving nothing but emptiness.
"Huh?”
“... Oh my…?”
Senia was for some reason left behind.
"I... I feel like I just said something terribly embarrassing."
"Umm, well, maybe this just means you can help protect him too?"
"A... positive way of looking at it.”
Senia replied, her expression conflicted.
"I'm happy you're staying, Senia. Doesn't this make things less complicated?"
"... Perhaps. The weight of my sins may someday lift, but until then, I am grateful for the chance to protect you directly."
I wasn't the Boy King, nor was I a boy in spirit.
It felt like I was deceiving her somehow, but for now, I let it be.
Sacrifices had been made.
But we had won.
We survived, and for now, that was enough.
When we returned to the campsite where Nasda and Thomas had been, there was nothing left but faint traces of their camp.
Feli glanced upward, a hint of suspicion on her face.
"It seems about a week has passed since I entered the mansion."
"You can tell?"
"Yes. Judging by the sky, the stars, and the moon's position..."
She began explaining celestial patterns, most of which went over my head, but I trusted her conclusion.
About a week had indeed passed.
"In that case, we should hurry back. If we delay any longer, Iserina might stop speaking to me.”
I joked, hoping for leniency.
"Then let's move quickly,"
Senia urged, and we all nodded in agreement.
Once we returned, I longed for the luxuries of home—a warm bath, restful sleep.
… But first, I needed to explain everything to Iserina.
And apologize.
I also needed to study.
Both Feli and Senia had pointed out my lack of knowledge.
Learning wouldn’t hurt—it might even prove essential.
Speaking of Senia, I wondered if Feli could recommend her as an adventurer.
If not, we'd figure something out.
After all, Senia had the resourcefulness of a maid—she could manage anything.
Returning home meant a mountain of tasks awaited.
Luluciette, my new home, my new haven...
Yet what awaited us was smoke rising from the streets and a foreign army encircling the city.
What do you think about this chapter?
