Chapter 68
Seras Ashrain
She has just responded to the call towards another person that shouldn’t have been her name .
The air became heavy, it became too uncomfortable .
[Ummm, Hati-dono… that just now was—]
[I’m sorry if I did it like I was deceiving you . ]
The hand that was over her mouth began heading over her forehead .
After a brief pause, she opened her mouth .
[So, you’ve noticed it?]
[Yeah . ]
I talked about my usage of at the Mills Ruins .
After I invoked my spell towards her, the sleeping Mist’s ears and her facial features changed .
I explained that this is the reason that led to me speculating about the true ident.i.ty of Mist which was Seras Ashrain .
I spoke out all of my thoughts .
[Is that so…]
She took it easier than I had expected .
[Don’t worry . I don’t have any intention of revealing this to anyone . Fortunately, I’m not really in trouble in regards to money . I don’t need the bounty on your head . There’s also no merit for me to tell about you to others . The only thing I needed from you is your ability as a warrior . ]
Mist has a complicated smile floating on her face .
No— Seras Ashrain .
[That time you’re wavering about travelling with me earlier, are you worried that your real ident.i.ty may be revealed to me?]
[——-]
[That time when you’re travelling with me while trying to hide your ident.i.ty, there’s one problem that came up . That problem is probably about your inability to sleep . Am I mistaken?]
Seras became surprised that I realized .
[Y- Yes . ]
If it were inside an inn, you could just separate by going to different rooms .
However, it would be different if we were to go towards the Golden Demon Zone .
[My understanding is that whenever you fall asleep, that power of yours that makes you able to change your features would be temporarily lifted . Your face and ears that have been changed with your ability would turn back to how it really was . But if I already know your ident.i.ty, there will be no problem even if your face would turn back even while you sleep . ]
[…Yes . ]
[But now that you’ve already turned your ident.i.ty, it would only be your own determination that’s stopping you from stepping forward . ]
As a result, I have drawn her decision closer towards my side .
[I’ve already said this before, but I don’t intend to sell you out to others . There’s no reason for me to give away a plausible war potential that I needed . Besides, you could easily talk with someone around those times that you’re in need with people that know you for who you are . ]
Seras hadn’t spoke anything for quite some time .
Soon, she spoke out as if she made her decision .
[My spirit ability is a bit different compared with other spirits . ]
Seras puts her hand over her chest .
[When I’m borrowing the power of my contracted spirits, I would need to offer my “desire to sleep” towards the spirits . ]
It seems that you would need to offer towards the spirit the things that someone desires the most .
Seras explained .
It seems that her most important desire is her sleep .
If you were to compare it to other people’s desire, you would be able to sense how unavaricious she is .
[In short, does it mean that you can’t sleep when you use the power of the spirits?]
[Yes . I could get a very shallow sleep where I’m going back and forth between half-awake and half-asleep, but I’m not able to get a deep sleep . ]
I see .
That’s why she been short of sleep all these times .
I feel like I’ve heard of someone who has paid someone with her sleep .
And, I could see the image of someone offering her sleeping time towards the spirits .
Is it just High Elves who offer their sleep in order to power of spirits?
[……… . ]
You need to sleep, but can’t have any sleep at all .
There were some rare nights like that back in my previous world .
You could feel that those nights would continue on every night .
Moreover, you’re in a situation where you haven’t got any decent sleep at all…
Depending on how you look at it, that kind of situation send shivers to my spine .
Seras has three spirits she’s contracted with .
The power of the Spirit of Light made her have the ability to change her facial features and ears .
The power of the Spirit of Wind made her have the ability to sense the authenticity of the words of other people .
The power of the Spirit of Ice made her have the ability to reinforce her weapon .
It seems that the ability to generate her armor and equipment is the combination ability of the three spirits .
[The only time that I’m able to sleep was when I’ve paid my due times to the spirits… It’s only around those times where I could release the effects of the changes on my facial features and ears . ]
That means that sleeping is literally equal to returning to her original form .
[That’s why, you avoided staying in cheap inns where you have to share your inn huh… It’s to prevent others from seeing your true face while you’re sleeping . ]
[Yes . ]
I think she didn’t intend to sleep at all in the Mills Ruins .
No, she refused to sleep at all .
She must have thought that she don’t have to worry about anything since she can’t sleep at all .
However, she hadn’t expected that she would be put to sleep by my and her Spirit Technique was released .
[And also, that four-man group you have defeated before—]
Seras looked downwards as she continued speaking .
[They were chasing after me . I had thought I’m completely alone when I slept on that place… However, they saw me sleeping . Of course, the effect of my spirit’s ability was deactivated since I was sleeping . ]
The spirit’s ability to change the user’s features cannot change anything other than her head .
If it’s just the other features that match, you would have thought that it’s almost impossible to trace .
It seems that the four-person group were somehow capable people…
[The absence of those four people, the White Walker, gave me some s.p.a.ce in my journey . I really appreciate what you’ve done with them . ]
Around that time, Seras’ head began emitting a faint light .
Her original features have returned .
It’s “that appearance” of hers that I’ve seen in the ruins .
Her ears were pointed .
Her beauty has also visibly increased .
When I came to, my impression towards her has changed .
[About this difference with my facial features—]
I stood up .
[Have you thought about it if you could trust me?]
Seras also stood up from the bed .
[Yes . I believe in Hati-dono . I think that you—]
She looked deep into my eyes .
The cloudiness in her eyes disappeared and her clear eyes became lost any shred of doubt in it .
[—are a trustworthy man . ]
……… .
Trust, huh . .
[It’s Touka . ]
[Eh?]
Seras’ eyes opened wide .
[Let me tell you a secret of mine . My real name is Touka Mimori . Instead of hearing my name from the mouth of others, I think it would be better to tell my real name to you now . Well, you shouldn’t say my name in front of others without my permission, just as I shouldn’t say yours . ]
I revealed my real name .
It’s a message from me that shows my trust towards her .
Such a method seems to be effective for the type of people like Seras .
A manner of tying it close with each other, through the chain of trust with each other .
[Hati— No, Touka-dono . ]
Seras’ eyes softened .
It seems that the effect that I wanted to achieve has worked as I intended .
She held out her hand towards me .
[Introducing myself again, I’m Seras Ashrain . I’ll accompany you as your guard as we travel through the Golden Demon Zone . ]
I clasp her hand in return .
[Yeah, I’m in your care . ]
[Yes . ]
I look towards the door .
[Pigimaru . ]
[Pii . ]
Pigimaru squishily hops his way towards here .
Until now, Pigimaru has been keeping guard in front of the door to see if someone was trying to sniff out our conversation .
[Pyuuu~ ♪]
Pigimaru’s color started turning into a light pink as she cries out on Seras’ feet .
Seras gracefully smiles and comfortably brought Pigimaru on her lap .
[Pigimaru-dono too . Once again, I’ll be in your care . ]
[Pii~ ♪]