My Beloved .‘——-Monsters call forth other monsters, no matter their form.’
…
In the end, were those words of anger? Or perhaps regret, repentance, at the time I heard those words that could be heard as such, I could not understand their true meaning. That person that has done nothing but focus only on the future of humanity, that person that could make any kind of cruel decision for the sake of humanity, whispered those words as if in pain.
karma?
I heard those words about half a year after Nanaki came to the capital.
long time has pa.s.sed
As the intensely cold winter, the freezing season came to an end, this time the comfortable season of spring arrived. The temperature that had dropped below freezing almost everyday rose, the gentle sunlight and comfortably warm wind melted the built up snow. A week after winter has ended, the white, cold reminders of winter have disappeared from the capital.
sakura season?
Naturally, as winter ended, lifestyles also changed. During winter in the capital when blizzards are common, people mostly stay within their houses, once winter ends, the checking of all kinds of infrastructure as well as repair and improvement of facilities proceeded at a fever pitch. If these all ran on electricity like in the past, the capital would have frozen over and all humans would have frozen to death.
….brutal
In this world where the existence known as G.o.ds have rampaged, it is no longer a world where one could live relying on the power of science alone. The Frost Empire, particularly the area around the capital, drops to ninety degrees below zero during the winter. Unless protected by magic, this is not an environment where people can survive.
During such a cold winter, I spent all that excessive time on Nanaki’s education. Embara.s.singly, I’m not very good at that thing called deskwork, since that was the period that my smart co-worker Silver also had a lot of free time, I left it all to him. This is efficiency, people who are good at something should do it.
gj
It might be strange to call it in exchange, but as my job, I spent a lot of time with Nanaki.
distrubution of labour
“Good morning, Salia.”
“Yeah, morn…….ing?”
“What is it?”
“Ah, no, noth……ing?”
Salia?
That spring, results that corresponded to my efforts could be seen. The sight of Salia stiffening after receiving a morning greeting from Nanaki was very pleasant and a masterpiece. After seeing the shocked look of the Sky Empress Salia that is renowned in the capital, I remember that I felt a sense of accomplishment.
all planned
“Good morning, Silver.”
“……………………………..?”
“Are you not even capable saying your morning greetings? Should I kill you?”
yes
But well, just a few problems were still left. But I have suffered a lot and compared to the start, Nanaki’s conduct now can be called splendid.
it is
“Oi Envy, what did you do during winter?”
“No, that was Silver’s fault. She was greeting you so reply to her properly.”
“…….I guess you’re right. Morning, Nanaki.”
“He is irritating so can I hit him?”
“Oi Envy, this is just her tone becoming more polite.”
still Nanaki
Silver and Nanaki’s clash is an everyday occurrence, at those times, Silver gets beaten up, then comes to complain to me. Since I’m pushing all my paperwork to him, that can’t be helped. But Silver complaining without knowing how much I had to suffer to make Nanaki use a polite tone is also irritating, this also cannot be helped.
nothing can be done
So I mostly watched over things without interrupting.
go nanaki!
“Mukyaaa!!”
“Gaaah!?”
die
It was a while later before Silver would stop getting hit by Nanaki. This was just before. Before I talked to the emperor about Nanaki.
…
“Seems like it will still take a while.”
“My apologies for my inability. I would like to ask for just a little more time…….”
“Haha, you’re kind. Envy.”
yes she is
Half a year after taking charge of Nanaki’s education, the day when Nanaki fulfills the minimum requirements to be a Five Emperor draws closer. With that, this was also the time I reported and apologised to the emperor. In response to my words which sounded like excuses, the emperor laughed and said that I was kind.
Envy <>
I didn’t know what to say to the emperor who was looking at me with a peaceful appearance. As I looked into those brown eyes, I had the illusion that everything was being seen through and thought that words were not needed. Of course, there is no way that could be true.
or could it?
“I’ve also heard from Silver and the rest, seems like an amazing tomboy. I was wondering what to do with her when the palace was destroyed, but lately things seem to have quietened down.”
“No, er……..”
“Originally such an unstable person won’t be used, but right now the Empire needs strength. I’ve heard about her, she seems quite terrific.”
“In one word, she’s a monster. If she rampages for real, I believe the strength of all the Five Emperors would be needed to stop her.”
“A monster huh…….”
….
The emperor’s expression at that time, I’m not sure how to express it. Just that, it looked like she was bearing a complicated emotion that I could not comprehend. In an atmosphere where it felt like I should not ask, I could not speak up and just remained silent.
….?
“…….I had a friend that was a monster.”
…
And then, she quietly told me.
mutsuhime?
“A Friend that was a monster?”
“Yeah, a vulgar, violent but beautiful person.”
“That person is now……?”
“Gone. I have inherited the things necessary for humanity and that person was also intending to fulfill the duty she was born with. But at the very end, our directions changed. Was it me, or her? Which of us was it…….”
prob her
I suddenly recalled Ivaal-sama’s story. This is likely about the girl that was thought to be the emperor’s friend.
Nanaki brought about the change
“Because people are stupid, to kill monsters, we make monsters. And because we are stupid, in the end we realise, humans and monsters cannot understand each other, cannot communicate.”
“Emperor…….?”
“And all that is left in the end is a monster that has cannot be controlled.”
…this was the past right?
I think there was probably some deep meaning. But I couldn’t understand it and in the end, just listened to the emperor’s words. All that I understood was that the emperor was warning me about Nanaki’s existence. That’s why I tried asking.
for Nanaki
“…….will Nanaki also become like that?”
“Who knows. Just, if that happens………”
bcos of you
She looked up. Even though there is nothing to look at on the palace’s high ceiling. That’s why I think at that time she as surely looking at something else, or possibly someone else. The emperor’s face as she looked up at somewhere, or someone, seemed lonely for some reason.
….
“Our stupid ancestors who continued to make monsters might be repaid……..”
end
Author’s note:
Fire Memories III -End-