Chapter 58: Believing on others
1224 Words
The night came and I was glad no casualties were taken. The smile which I wished to protect was saved. The feast continued and everyone praised me with their praise and appreciation for saving their lives.
“Your amazing, that lightning magic was too powerful. Honestly, that is the most powerful magic I have ever seen in my entire life… Seems like you saved my life again together with the whole village. We won’t forget this day in our entire lives.”
Said Kuno with a big smile.
“It’s nothing special…”
“You’re being so mumbling… I like that attitude of yours.”
I don’t know… Maybe, I’m just being a hypocrite like Audrey said to me. No matter how many people I saved, my hands are tainted with blood. I’m dirty and there is no way to purify me.
“... I have already told the story about my comrades before… Cake, Rasp, and Berry. I’m unable to save them. They died with the same trick that girl did… I don’t want to feel the same regretful feeling again. That’s why I moved and saved everyone. I’m trying to say that I’m not as heroic as everyone sees me… That’s the truth.”
Kuno’s daughter walked toward me and offered flowers. A flower ring, to be exact, was placed on my head.
“ It's a gift from us…”
“I’m not a hero… Everyone is wrong…”
“Nope, you’re a hero... No matter how many things you say. The fact that you save our lives makes you a hero in our eyes. During the time your beastman friend died. I’m sure you did your best to try saving them.”
He was trying to cheer me up. During that time, I failed and had my guard down. I didn’t know that I was inside a trap. Manage to save one but she took her own life after realizing that she can’t live a life without her siblings.
Eula is the same… I let her go and we separate our ways and she ends up dying via assassination. There are nights, I think? What if we didn’t separate our ways? What if I stay with her despite knowing her weird personality? Chances that she’s still alive would be high.
It goes back to the crazy hermit I saw in the prison cell. His bet of Eula dying without me being in control happened.
If it was fated to happen… Am I unable to do anything to defy it? If everything was already set and everyone was acting in their role. What's the point of fighting? If someone is fated to die, what’s the point of stopping it?
The idea of fate and roles…
I hated it.
“There is a possibility that the crazy girl will come back. She has her eyes fixed on everyone. I’m planning to stay here and protect everyone from her.”
I offered to the chief.
He cracked a grin and drank his beer. After having a huge chug of his beer, he let out a huge “Ahhh~” and slammed the mug down on the table.
“Beer after tiring hunting was the best… I heard your offer but we will decline… I know that girl is dangerous, our best sense tells us…”
“Then, let me protect you…”
Kuno shook his head in disagreement and looked at my eyes seriously and, with a serious tone, he replied:
“Please don’t underestimate us… Our pride will be hurt if we let some outsider give us protection. As a chief, I want to protect my family and my village on my own. The same goes for our warriors around the village. We have pride… As beasts, pride is very important. Your intention is good and I don’t have any ill feelings about you. Miss Hanayuki, please believe in us. Believe that we’ll be able to protect ourselves.”
His two daughters then gave him a hug from behind.
I wheeled my head and saw everyone smiling and agreeing with what their chief had just said.
“I understand…”
Having pride and belief in oneself. Believing in others.
After the feast, we went overnight to Oise village. Shaymi had a sound sleep, while I was still awake looking up at the full moon above the starry sky. Taking some time to reflect on myself.
It's true that I can’t just protect this village forever. I must leave and wish them good luck.
When I meet Audrey again, how am I going to confront her? She is a total psychopath. Her motivation is still vague. The feeling of uneasiness continues to eat through my thoughts.
I’m paranoid.
“How am I going to give her a second chance? How am I going to save her?”
I don’t want to kill anymore… As much as possible I want to understand her. Her words are confusing and they don’t make sense.
Stealing others' freedom… Sacrificing them for her goal. Mountain of the corpse to achieve her desire. That is the path Audrey was taking right now.
I fixed my pillow and rolled the blanket on my body. Facing Shaymi’s face, sleeping. I c***k a grin watching drool fall from her mouth down to the pillow.
“Marshmallow… Marshmallow…”
Seems like she's having a very sweet dream.
The next day.
The morning was tranquil and nice. The wind breeze smoothes my worries. Everyone is going back to their usual day-to-day life after the feast yesterday. I thank everyone once again for the feast and they all wave with a big smile before I leave the village.
Walking away from the village, I heard voices in my head.
“Thank you for saving our relatives, Hanayuki.”
I heard Cake's voice and immediately turned my head behind me. I saw her image together with her siblings. They smile at me and wave.
She nodded and disappeared.
I smiled back and returned to our path to our next destination.
“Where are we going, Hanayuki?”
Shaymi asked.
“Now… Hmm… I’m not sure yet, but it's somewhere in the human empire. The demon continent is too dangerous after all. I want to go and relax in a hot spring again.”
“We’re going back to Crimonia… I’m happy!”
“Then, it's decided we’re going back to Crimonia city!”
♦♦♦♦♦
Inside an abandoned ship.
Audrey is currently busy sharpening her sword with a big smile on her face.
“This is unusual… Your smile looks genuine… Audrey always has that fake smile on her face.”
“Really? You can tell… I’m just happy that I found a wonderful friend. She does not acknowledge me as her friend yet. Someday we’ll both wonderfully cooperate with each other and reset this s**t world we’re living in. We’ll fix the world together with our own hands.”
“You find a toy.”
“She’s not my toy… She’s my friend… My dearest friend… Hanayuki travels.”
After sharpening her sword, she struck her sword on the table with Shaymi’s portrait drawn on the paper. Stabbing it multiple times to shreds.
“To make her realize our goal… I’ll make her take a pill of great suffering… She’ll despair and curse this s**t world.”
- Writer
