Chapter 86
Chapter 86
[I’ve finished changing my clothes, Touka-dono . ]
It seems that Seras has already finished changing clothes .
Currently, we are already away from the corpses of the Black Dragon Knights .
We are still inside the forest though .
Turning towards her, I spoke .
[I’m sorry about your previous clothes . ]
Seras says while arranging the creases on her clothes .
[No, I still have a spare with the same design as that . ]
Seras’ previous clothes were torn apart .
There were some blood sticking in the tears of the clothing .
Her clothing was soaked in the blood of the Black Dragon Knights .
Then, the bloodstained clothing was torn apart .
The torn parts were also scattered around a bit .
Also, I’ve left some trails leading to the direction where we’re going to .
Seras also made b.l.o.o.d.y footprints leading deep into the forest .
[It’s highly likely that they would see through it right away, but it would be fine as long as they bewilder their onlookers . ]
It’s as if Seras was seriously injured after her battle .
Our purpose was just that .
“Seras Ashrain is injured! With how serious this bleeding looks like, she shouldn’t be able to make it far!”
I want to make them think something like this .
It would be even better if this information about her being seriously injured would spread .
The eyes of the people would then be directed towards the “injured person” .
[Now then, as for our plans hereafter… I would take you with me towards the Golden Demon Zone just as we planned . ]
Seras’s hand that were moving about in preparation for our departure suddenly stops .
[Is it really fine?]
[Just as I said, I helped not just because I needed an escort . If you don’t have any problem, then there won’t be problem here . ]
It looks like she still has some things hanging in her mind .
As expected, she must have been afraid that she caused me unnecessary trouble .
[……………]
The death of Civit and the others would be circulated outside the country soon .
However, would they think that Seras killed them all alone?
Perhaps, those imaginative ones would think that she might have a collaborator .
I expect that Civit’s case would eventually get the G.o.ddess’ attention .
There’s also a possibility that they might come to know of my existence .
That aforementioned Investigation Team may have already reported something to her .
There was a change in the Disposal Ruins, or something like that .
They may notice someday that Mimori Touka had returned alive from that place .
At least, these actions may only happen on the premise that they’ve known of my existence .
I want to avoid making hopeful a.s.sumptions as much as possible .
With sufficient preparation, you won’t feel anxious .
I must always be prepared for the worst that could happen .
[Hmm?]
A howl?
Must be a wolf huh…
I wonder if they had gathered around those corpses .
Fumu…
For the beasts, these corpses were just food .
If these corpses were tattered after being devoured by these beasts, the cause of their death might be blurry for those who would find them later .
I remembered about that “abnormality” in the Mills Ruins .
Their mysterious death from my Poison skill may be a.s.sociated from that abnormality in the Mills Ruins .
However, if the corpse were to be severely tattered after being devoured by the beasts, they might not a.s.sociate it with the abnormality .
In other words, they might become a convenient cover for my Abnormal State Skill .
The probability of being noticed by the G.o.ddess would also be lowered .
I wanted to leave that place as quickly as possible .
That’s why, I couldn’t have any leeway to disguise the cause of their death .
However, as a result of quickly leaving that place, it seems that the beasts have arrived in that place and provided sufficient camouflage for me .
I think it was lucky for me that the stage is in this forest .
I quickly said the same thing to Seras earlier .
That I don’t intend to deviate from our original plan .
After saying so, Seras finally submitted .
[I understand . If Touka-dono himself said so, I will not mention it again . Instead, please use my life as you please . ]
Seras placed her hand over her chest .
She’s in a pose that kind of looks like a knight that’s making her vow .
From the start, her character might have been suitable for those knights who have sworn their loyalty…
Seras finally finishes the preparation for her luggage .
[Now then, let’s hurry on . It seems that the Five Dragon Warriors still have that “Heroic Blood Killer” left . I heard from the rumors that his outstanding talent might make him eventually surpa.s.s even “The Humanity’s Strongest” . It seems he’s belligerent and bloodthirsty, and he was said to be envious of the other Five Dragon Warriors—]
With a suspicious expression on his face, Seras spoke .
[…Touka-dono, what’s the matter?]
I inadvertently put my hand over my mouth .
[Are the size of the dragons ridden by the Five Dragon Warriors different from the other black dragons?]
[Eh? Y- Yes…]
I tried recalling things from my memory .
[I may have probably— crushed him earlier . ]
[Eh?]
[Haven’t I mentioned earlier that I’ve killed the other black dragons I’ve met on my way towards that place where I met you earlier? Along with them, I’ve met this belligerent dragon knight who attacked me as soon as he saw me . His black dragon was comparably larger compared to the others . I think it’s as big as the dragons the other Five Dragon Warriors were riding on . His armor was also different compared to the other dragon knights . ]
I didn’t really know his name .
All these times, I thought he was just another deputy .
Grimm Ritter .
If I remember correctly, Civit called him as such .
So, that’s Schweiz’s son huh…
Now that I think about it, it really might have been him .
I could see some similarities in his face with Schweiz .
[I think there’s no mistaking it, that man really is the “Heroic Blood Killer” . That’s why, you could say that we shouldn’t have to worry about the Five Dragon Warriors again . ]
Yes .
They were already done for .
If it’s just those other four members of the Five Dragon Warriors…
They would be an easier enemy compared to the Soul Eater .
Even if I’m fighting against the “Heroic Blood Killer” .
In the end, the only one that could be called an obstacles was “The Humanity’s Strongest” .
Only against him did I really need to set my traps .
I have no other choice but to try to deceive him .
Seras looks like she’s exhausted .
[Then, you’ve easily killed that “Heroic Blood Killer” huh…]
[That seems so . ]
Finished with our preparations, we started walking through the forest .
We didn’t use any way of lighting .
Using that would be like showing a sign for other people informing them that there are people in here .
Well, I could still see through our path .
My eyes had been long accustomed to the darkness .
There’s also the light from the moon .
This is considerably better compared to when I was back in the Disposal Ruins .
[Pii~♪ Piii~♪ Pyiii~♪]
Pigimaru seems to be in a really good mood .
He was also really happy after we met with Seras again .
I wonder if he’s glad that she’s together with us .
How should I say this… seeing him that happy is a pleasant sight for me to see .
[By the way, there seems to be some kind of discrepancy with how you see the previous Holy King and how he really is but—]
I enquired to Seras while we kept walking .
[Back when you were in Neia, didn’t you feel any uncomfortable feeling around that king? You should be able to tell lies, right?]
[Sometimes, I could feel that the king were telling some lies . However, those lies would normally appear only when I’m accompanied by the princess . ]
Seras looks pretty nostalgic .
[The princess had told me back then… That she may also be lying to Seras, but some of those would be white lies . Not all lies were malicious . ]
I see .
She’s quite a wise princess .
Seras’ power of detecting lies cannot really detect the finer details of the lie itself .
Whether it’s the truth or not…
That’s the only thing she could judge .
It’s like speaking with a lie detector present .
If that’s the case, you could only shield yourself against her ability .
And that shield she used was that the existence of white lies .
That a person may have lied to you because that person was thinking for your sake .
If that is so, there is no problem even if she were to notice that you’re lying .
I don’t really know if Neia’s princess is a good person .
I feel like she’s a good person based on what I heard from her story but…
Well, it’s difficult to say that the Holy KIng’s feelings for Seras was “malicious” in the first place .
I think it can’t be helped that Seras haven’t realized the actual situation .
[Now that we’re talking about it, what about the princess?]
Seras bowed .
Though, she looked a bit lonely .
[Currently, it’s possible that the G.o.ddess of Alion isn’t pleased with me . There’s also that earlier confrontation with the Black Dragon Knights— so I think the princess would be severely affected if I came in contact with her . ]
[Well, that might be the case . ]
[I’m the fugitive who abandoned my own country… As long as they think like that, the people of Neia should be safe . That also includes the princess herself . ]
[Is that princess aware of this too?]
[Yes . ]
Seras slightly opened the chest area of her clothes .
She took out a jewelry hidden beneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s .
[This was given to me by the princess . The story that was known over there should be that I have stolen this jewelry from the royal family but…]
It kind of looks like a necklace .
[The princess had told me that I should sell this and use the money for travelling expenses but… I can’t sell this by any means . ]
[So, that’s why you needed to earn your own travelling expenses huh?]
[Yes . You can think that I’m being foolish . Of course, this isn’t really something directly related to the royal family that I dare not convert this to money but…]
Seras smiles .
However, the way she spoke sounds like she’s about to cry .
[I can’t let go of this jewelry that the princess has given me by any means . ]
[You must have really liked her, the princess . ]
[Yes . ]
Seras puts her necklace back underneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s .
She looks like she’s just being earnest .
Certainly, what she has done may have been foolish .
However, I couldn’t exactly criticize her actions .
It’s also thanks to her actions that I met Seras…
[By the way, did you get that 300 gold coins earlier?]
[…No . ]
[I planned on completely disregarding the marquis earlier . I don’t want to carelessly leave traces behind . ]
I don’t think that marquis would chase someone who could crush the Black Dragon Knights though .
[Yes, it would be great if that’s the case . However… I’m sorry I couldn’t add it on the travelling expenses . ]
[That’s no problem . I still have a lot of gold and silver coins with me . Besides, here . ]
I took out a pouch from my pocket and tossed it towards Seras .
[—-Uwah? Umm, this is?]
[Open it . ]
[… . !? Don’t tell me, a- all of these are… Azure Dragon Stones!?]
[Well, yeah . ]
[Seriously… Who in the world are you…?]
[I’ve already said it to Civit . ]
[You mentioned that you’re an Avenger, right?]
Seras’ voice is filled with seriousness .
[Is meeting the Witch of Taboos necessary for your revenge?]
[Yeah . ]
Seras is just someone I met in the middle of my journey .
She’s not a comrade that would be together with me just for my revenge .
That’s why, I thought it’s not necessary for me to say anything .
Seras’ steps suddenly halts .
[Who is target for your revenge?]
I also came to a stop .
Turning towards her, I spoke the name of the person that I will have my revenge on .
[G.o.ddess Vysis . ]