Of All Things, I Became a Crow: Chapter #112

 

Of All Things, I Became a Crow: Chapter #112

Translators: Nyx and Ririi Rain

 

 

*3^rd person POV

Karmeut and Miel looked at Rainelle. The human figure was familiar to their eyes, but the large wings on her back were unfamiliar.

As if the wings of the giant bird earlier were shrunk, there was a complex and beautiful golden pattern on the inside of the wings that were large enough to slightly touch the floor.

Rainelle, who folded it gently and sipped the tea brought by the servant, smiled. The innocent smile seemed to say nothing had changed, so the two men relaxed slightly.

"Aren’t these wings cool? I don’t have this before! This way I can fly even when I'm human!"

Rainelle, who said that so excitedly, then muttered an “Oops,” and scratched her cheek.

"I'm sorry. The explanation comes first, but I was too excited."

"---No... it’s alright, Rainelle-nim."

After barely answering, Miel looked Karmeut's way. The Emperor still had his eyes fixed on Rainelle’s wings. As if she felt the gaze, Rainelle spread her wings and waved them slightly.

As the golden and pink eyes fixed on her, she coughed briefly and said,

"Um... I don't know if you'll believe it, but I'll tell you what I've been through. Not only Karmeut, but Marquis Albion also has been a great help."

Karmeut's eyes turned to Miel at the words. As the latter trembled at the rather fierce gaze, Rainelle hastily added an explanation,

"Don't be so angry that he helped me without you knowing it, Karmeut."

"...Helping you without me knowing?"

"I just asked him to lend me the power of his contract spirit. So that I can fly high."

Hearing those words, Karmeut let out a grunt of disapproval.

Karmeut thought: ‘Surely, if she had said that, he would have helped her even without telling me. Because wanting to fly high wasn't a particularly strange request. Rainelle is a crow by nature, so she may have a desire to fly high.’

The Emperor let out a long sigh after a while, then he stared at his mate. Feeling his gaze, the crow blinked slowly and opened her mouth carefully,

"So-"

*knock, knock, knock-*

Karmeut and Miel's expressions crumpled at the exquisitely interrupting knocks.

"Your Majesty, Marquis Namuel and Myrdin-nim have come to visit."

"...Let them in."

Karmeut was annoyed for a moment, but he was not surprised at all, as he had expected that they would come.

The door opened and Namuel, Myrdin, and the crow sitting on Myrdin's shoulders came in.

"Rainelle-nim! What happened?! What was that---!"

Namuel's green eyes were sparkling with excitement. The eyes of the wizard, who was in front of unknown knowledge, seemed like a burden, and so Rainelle leaned back.

"Heh heh, I know you're excited, but calm down. Rainelle-nim was surprised."

"...Oh, my... I'm sorry, Rainelle-nim."

At the words, the crow shook her head. The next moment, the old crow flew over to Rainelle, who then offered a seat to him at the table with a smile, as if telling him that it was okay.

The old crow sat down on the table and looked up at her purple eyes. After staring at her for a long time, he looked as if he could not believe what was in front of him, then the old crow spread his wings and bowed his head to her.

The crow's attitude, which seemed like a formal greeting, was enough to attract everyone's attention. At the behavior of the old crow, Rainelle was bewildered,

"---Hempel-nim…?"

The old crow changed into his human form. Then he laughed and shook his head.

"The formality is not necessary, Rainelle-nim, the great one who had met the deity. You’re our Queen now."

As the old crow bowed deeply while saying that, everyone, including Rainelle, was surprised.

"Me, the Queen?"

"You know the reason best, Rainelle-nim."

Hempel smiled kindly as he said that, and Rainelle became quiet for a moment. Then she turned her head to look at the humans who looked at her.

"...Haa, I think it would be better to talk about it right away because I think it’ll be troublesome if the explanation is delayed."

She adjusted her seat on the sofa.

"As Myrdin-nim advised, I flew high. To meet the Black Bird."

"---Are you referring to the mythical Black Bird?"

"Yes, I do. There was no guarantee that we would meet, but I flew high anyway. If we didn't meet, it would just be me flying high and then coming down."

Rainelle, who shrugged her shoulders as if nothing big had happened, looked at the Emperor for a moment.

---She opened her mouth, avoiding the man’s gaze that seemed he have a lot to say.

"It might sound silly, but I do meet the Black Bird. And I was given power. That's why I was able to look like that."

After her brief speech, Namuel pushed up his glasses. Then, with a hint of impatience, he asked a question,

"Are you seriously referring to the Black Bird recorded in mythology? The bird that appeared with the wolf who gave the seed to the Wolfric Imperial Family."

"Yes, that's right."

"Then... you've met a divine being."

Rainelle nodded her head. Seeing that, Namuel looked like he was unable to breathe. Myrdin chuckled and said,

"This, if there was a priest in this place, I think that person would foam in the mouth. Heh heh heh!"

Would they really? Well, the Black Bird may not be a deity worshiped by the priests, but isn't it an animal that serves as an assistant to God? The fact that she met with a divine being was enough to be worthy of supporting and serving.

"Rainelle."

It was a cold voice that prevented the two wizards from trying to ask more questions of excitement.

The Emperor's face, calling Rainelle with his eyes flashing fiercely, looked as if he was holding back many things.

"Why did you eat the fireball?"

Rainelle shrank her shoulders slightly at his angry attitude. She then answered while her eyes were darting everywhere,

"...Well, I was afraid that if I bounced it off or blocked it, it would splatter around. Then someone else could get hurt. Of course, it doesn't mean it's bad for my body! It was rather delicious…"

"...The taste, you mean?"

"Yes. It was delicious. Like fruit."

"I see. The fireball tasted like that. Of course, fireballs may be erratic in terms of power, but considering the relatively simple casting method, high speed, and the power of fire itself, it is the fastest magic that can be achieved. Oh, is that what it is? Did you feel something different because it's softening by refining the mana...? It's similar to but different from the fire that the fire spirits created. Rainelle-nim, can you take the spirit's fire?"

"...Uhm? I don’t know. I haven't tried it, so..."

"...Marquis Namuel."

The wizard immediately clamped his mouth at Karmeut’s action of calling his name briefly as if to warn the excited Namuel.

"...I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

"I have something to talk to Rainelle, so everyone can get out."

They moved quickly at the cold order. It would be tiring to be seen as a hindrance to the superior.

"Heh heh, don't be too angry, Your Majesty. Rainelle-nim had a reason too."

Only, Myrdin left these words before stepping out of the room with Hampel, who had returned to the form of a crow. The door closed, and a short silence fell between them.

"...Rainelle."

"...are you mad, Karmeut?"

“I think it would be a lie if I said I’m not mad.”

Rainelle shrank at the remark. Karmeut clenched and opened his fists as if trying to suppress the emotions that swelled up within him. Looking at her, he spoke again,

"From now on, don't eat magic, ever again."

"But it was fine-"

"It’s not okay!"

Rainelle's eyes widened at his sudden outburst. Karmeut, unable to hold back his emotions, jumped up from his seat and paced around.

"No one has strong internal organs! If you make a mistake, you can be baked from the inside! Do you know how surprised I was when I found out that you were that big bird and ate a fireball?!!"

As he said so, the Emperor’s fingertips trembled. No, it wasn't just his fingertips.

"I said I'd protect you. I said you didn't need power---!! I told you it was okay if you don't have the power!! If something happened to you, then you don't need that kind of power---!!"

Rainelle hugged Kamut. He paused for a moment as she suddenly hugged her. In response to his reaction, Rainelle gently patted his back.

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

The crow whispered while embracing the wolf with her large, black wings wide open.

"But I’ve also said it before. What if I’m just being protected and then get in danger with only myself to count on?"

"Something like that-"

"We can’t tell. Of course, I'll try not to be in danger. But there are unexpected times. Well, there are times when one has to ask for help, but there can also be times when someone is on their own."

Karmeut’s body, which had been trembling, slowly calmed down with the hand that patted his back.

"And like I said before, I want to be with you, be your partner. So I want power. And I'm back with it. For you."

Hearing Rainelle's whispering voice, Karmeut circled his arms and hugged her.

"...don't do that next time."

"Okay."

"When I realized that the big bird that suddenly appeared was you, I really, really---!!"

Seeing his speechlessness, Rainelle gathered her wings a little more and hugged Karmeut softly. At her actions, he buried his face in her shoulder and took a long breath.

‘--Rainelle's black wings smelled of sunlight.’

***

"How was the Black Bird? The first corpse-eating bird that became the Wolf's eyes."

After calming down a bit, Karmeut asked a question about the Black Bird. His eyes didn’t twinkle like the wizards, but there was curiosity there.

"Um... it was kind."

"Kind?"

"Yeah. It was kind, sweet, caring, and gentle."

As she said so, Rainelle waved her wings slightly. She then scratched her cheek as she smiled shyly.

"I was more like whining for power, but the Black Bird was… listening carefully. Like a mother?"

"...Really?"

Rainelle said "Yeah," while nodding her head. Then she pointed at her face.

Karmeut blinked his eyes for a moment at her closing-in face. He then smirked and bent his eyes.

"You want a kiss?"

"Wha-, no!!"

Rainelle, who was blushing, shook her head while closing her eyes tightly. Then she said in a bright voice,

"Karmeut, I'm not weak anymore. You saw it earlier, right? I’m even able to swallow magic. Of course, I’m not as strong as a dragon. But..."

A white, thin hand grabbed Karmeut’s hand.

"I’m no longer a burden. I have no social power and no money, but at least I have the strength to protect myself. So, Karmeut, I have a favor."

"What is it, Rainelle?"

"Don't try to solve everything alone. If you do... I'll be sad."

Karmeut went quiet at those words. Seeing that, Rainelle continued to speak,

"Of course, there may not be much I can do. ---But, at least, I can listen. And maybe there is something I can do to help with the power I have."

"Rainelle, I-"

"-I'm going to be your partner. Isn't that right? If so, trust me more. ...Of course, I'm not sure I've been that reliable until now."

Karmeut looked at Rainelle.

...Maybe it was because she had met the Black Bird, a mythical animal that served as an assistant to God? She was different from before.

Karmeut felt a little uneasy. He moved one of his hands and brushed her fine black hair. Rainelle reflexively gave a happy expression and she rubbed her head in the palm of his hand as usual.

"---Rainelle, living in the Imperial Palace, and dealing with nobles may not be as easy as you think."

"I will study hard."

"It's a place where people whisper sweet words on the outside and think of stabbing others with a dagger behind their back. As there are so many people, it's easy for words to leak out."

Karmeut, the Emperor, looked at his mate seriously.

"It may be difficult to learn human’s way of life. ---Is that okay? You said that humans are difficult to understand, didn’t you?"

“But my partner is a human, right? A human being with the highest position at that.”

Rainelle smiled as she said “So there's nothing I can’t do”, which caused Karmeut to smile with a sigh.

"Really..."

‘I can't beat you, Rainelle.’

With that in mind, Karmeut pulled her into his arms.

Everything was familiar except for the large black wings, so he took a long deep breath and calmed his tumultuous heart.

‘Yeah. Since she met the deity... something must have changed. Her way of thinking has changed to be closer to humans... It's probably because of that, right?’

‘It is certainly fortunate. Living in the Imperial Palace with crow's way of thinking would make it hard in many ways.’

‘But... Even though it’s like that…’

Feeling a bit of worry along with regret, Karmeut tightened his arms.

‘Please, let this anxiety end.’

***

 

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[Teaser] DCO Chapter 8 Part 33

        

TEASER CHAPTER 8 PART 33

Perhaps they were hidden by spirit magic.

Triforium appeared before Shina's eyes and sighed in front of his surprised great-granddaughter.

 

"Of course, we were waiting for you. The spirits told me that you were coming out of the academy that the humans had built."

"Hi Shina, haven't seen you since the opening party."

 

Standing next to Triforium was Shina's prospective fiancée, Rauls.

Rauls put a gorgeous smile on his handsome face, which everyone admired, and raised his hand in a casual manner.

His smile, which perfectly fit the description of a friendly nobleman, would be an enchanting smile similar to a narcotic for women.

Shina, on the other hand, simply bowed her head in response to Rauls' greeting with a blank expression.

As always, Shina's lack of interest in Rauls' greeting was not unusual, and Rauls, perhaps accustomed to it, only smiled wryly.

 

"I've already told you what I want to talk to you about. We are going back to the village."

"I refuse. To me..."

 

The matter that Triforium talked about was the same as during the opening festival. Shina also tried to respond with the same answer.

However, unlike at the opening festival, Triforium began to continue his words before Shina could finish hers.

 

"I have friends, I have companions, I have colleagues I believe in. I'm not going to listen to those lies."

"Wait a minute, what do you mean by lies!"

 

Mimuru raised her voice at Triforium, who dismissed Shina's words with a single sentence.

 

"Our friends, the spirits, have told me everything. If it is not a lie, let us call it empty words. You have performed the blood-covenant ritual without telling the person who is the most important to you what it means, and you can't even talk about the curse you received as a result. So what makes one a companion, what makes one a friend, what makes one a colleague?"

 

Triforium has lived a long time as an elf. It took no effort at all for him to talk to the spirits around him and have them eavesdrop on Shina's condition.

And with the help of the spirits, Triforium has discovered that Shina can no longer even sense the spirits.

 

"That's…"

 

And Triforium's words accurately hit the gap in Shina's heart.

Shina stammered as she was struck by the gap in her heart.

 

"Shina. I wouldn't blame you. Since you have lost the ability to sense even the presence of spirits, it is not surprising that you have become like a foolish human being. It is all that man's fault that you have become like this, isn't it?"

 

In front of his silent great-granddaughter, Triforium somewhat softened the tone of his voice.

But his words put the blame for the whole thing on Nozomu Bountis alone.

Shina couldn't help but open her mouth at the words and actions of the elf, which exude feelings of disdain for human beings and, above all, seek to humiliate the person she held in her heart.

 

"You're wrong! That was what I wanted to do! I want to repay him, I want to help him! I don't want him to go through that again!"

 

He was angry with himself for hurting his friends. That was why she wanted to do something about it.

The pent-up, depressed feelings that had been building up. As if reversed, they overflowed at once, exposing her bare heart.

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Dragon Chain Ori : Ch 8 Part 32

 

Chapter 8 Part 32

Translator : PolterGlast

Time went back a bit, around the time when Nozomu and Lisa was leaving the decoration store that Lisa frequented.

Shina and Mimuru were on their way back to the girls' dormitory from the academy.

They walked out of the school's main gate and walked side by side through the central park surrounded by trees covered with fallen leaves.

The season was already approaching winter, and it could have started snowing at any moment.

The land is originally blessed with enough rainfall to form forests.

It was inevitable that rain would turn to snow as the temperature dropped.

Winter is just around the corner. The air in the city is cold.

And even as they walked through the central park, there was a chilly, tingling atmosphere.

Mimuru, who was usually so vigorous in her speech and behavior, had lost her energy, and her ears were twitching restlessly, as if she were checking on her best friend next to her.

On the other hand, the beauty walking next to her kept her eyes fixed on the road ahead, her elegant mouth clenched into a straight line. Her whole body was giving off an atmosphere that told people not to talk to her.

 

“Hey, Shina. We should talk to Nozomu after all. It's not good to keep silent."

 

After a long period of silence, unable to bear it any longer, Mimuru finally opened her mouth. The content of the conversation was about the problem her best friend was facing.

The current Shina was under the influence of the [Soul-Sealing Chains] after the blood contract she made with Nozomu, and it was difficult for her to use her magic properly, let alone spirit magic.

As for Shina, it was a secret that she had intended to keep hidden for a long time. However, her great-grandfather and her prospective fiancé, who visited her at the opening festival, made it known to Mimuru.

Since then, Shina's best friend has been giving her hard time, telling her that she should talk to Nozomu about it at every opportunity.

 

"Mimuru, didn't I already tell you? I can't put any more burden on him now..."

 

However, Shina dismissed Mimuru's suggestion in a single word.

Shina had previously been told by her best friend to tell Nozomu about the problem she was facing, but even then, this elf girl dismissed Mimuru's advice flatly.

She even tearfully pleaded with the impatient Mimuru to stop trying to talk to Nozomu herself.

 

"You call it a burden, but I think it's worse if you keep quiet about it. And It would be even worse if everyone found out about it later!"

 

Mimuru, too, backed down for a moment in the face of her best friend's tears. But after some time had passed, she had made up her mind again, and today she showed no signs of backing down even when Shina tried to talk her out of it.

She showed an angry expression on her face, with her tail standing on end and her fur bristling up.

 

"Usually you thoroughly hide anything that might cause you to catch fire, but why only at a time like this do you have such a good argument..."

"I guess that means you also think that what you're doing isn't really a good idea."

“…………”

 

Shina was caught off guard by her own words, which she had intended to use as an excuse, and she involuntarily fell silent.

Mimuru was usually so careless in her own words and actions that she seemed to have no sense of her own thinking, and she repeatedly got what she deserved, but there were times when she showed an unusual level of sharpness and rationality in her thinking when it came to love.

Shina involuntarily averted her eyes from her best friend, but her behavior provoked Mimuru even further.

 

"Don't look away! Hey, Shina. This is your chance. If it's now, you can slip in between the two of them."

 

Despite her teasing words and actions, Mimuru had always been supportive of Shina's feelings for Nozomu.

Her best friend, who was so uptight and somewhat in a desperate life, and the trouble brought on by her vengeance.

Although their relationship was at one point cracked when Tom, her lover, was hurt, in the end, a stronger bond was formed between the two.

A boy named Nozomu Bountis was the trigger that led to this.

Contrary to her flippant behavior, Mimuru felt indebted to Nozomu, and she wanted her best friend to find happiness, even if it might seem like it was none of her business.

Mimuru's head was always all about love, but that was why she would not compromise in any way on that path, and she could not overlook her best friend's behavior of trying to keep her happiness away from herself.

 

"... I don't really care about that kind of thing. In the first place, I didn't come to this academy for such things."

 

As if to escape from Mimuru, who was looking straight at her, Shina quickened her steps even further.

She did not want to talk any more. It was an action that truly expressed her feelings.

Therefore, Mimuru did not back down.

She grabbed Shina's hand as she was about to leave, and tried to force her eyes to look back at her.

 

"... Could it be that you're scared?"

"... What do you mean?"

"To fall in love with someone. To keep pursuing the person you love. To give up everything for the sake of the person you love. The very act of falling in love."

 

Mimuru's sharp words pierced her heart from behind.

Her heart was pounding wildly. In contrast, her hands and feet turned cold, as if she was suffering from frostbite.

Shina gulped down her spit to endure the shaking of her body, and denied Mimuru's words with a trembling voice.

 

"No, that's not true."

"That's a lie. Because, Shina, you are running away. You're running away from telling the people you love that you love him."

"... I don't understand what Mimuru is talking about."

 

Shina tried to shake off Mimuru's hand as if she was brushing off a cobweb.

However, there was no way that Shina, with her slender arms, would be able to break free of Mimuru's hands.

On the contrary, Shina's resistance, which was out of character, made Mimuru more determined.

 

"Then you do admit that you like Nozomu. So you are running away from him, but you still like him, right? Of course you are. Otherwise, you would not have done the blood covenant ritual. That's what such stubborn Shina was trying to say, isn't it?"

"So what!"

 

In response to Mimuru's vehement words and actions, Shina raised her voice.

 

"Yeah, you're right. Certainly, I'm attracted to him. But what am I supposed to do!? I can't help him any more than this!"

 

She did not tell Nozomu what the blood covenant ritual meant to the elves.

An act that she hoped would give Nozomu the opportunity to learn spirit magic. At the same time, she did not want to put a mental burden on him at this most difficult and important time.

However, that act had a more negative impact on her than she had anticipated.

Right now, Shina could not sense Nozomu's presence through the path. In fact, she could no longer even sense the presence of the spirit, perhaps due to the gradually increasing influence of the [Soul-Sealing Chains].

Previously, Shina had lost the ability to contract with spirits due to the trauma of losing her sister, but she had never lost the ability to sense the presence of spirits at all.

Now, however, she was unable to sense even the small spirits lurking in the shadows on the side of the road.

Although the path had been closed before by his unique ability, at that time, even his presence did not disappear. But now she could not sense even a fragment of that connection.

 

(I can't feel anything anymore...)

 

Up until now, she has never wavered in her feelings, even when Lisa and Irisdina would get agitated.

This was because she had a "contract" with Nozomu, a bond that no ordinary human being could ever form.

This bond gave her the pride of knowing that she could always be of help to Nozomu, and the comfort of knowing that he was always next to her.

But now the benefits of the power of that contract have been completely reversed.

The sense of assurance that had always lit up her heart has been turned upside down, transforming it into something that plunged her into anxiety and loneliness.

She could no longer sense the spirits that had been with her since childhood, nor the person she loved. This was fatal for an elf who lives under the soul connection of a contract.

Moreover, she had once lost her connection with the spirits and regained it.

Having lost and regained something precious, the sense of loss when it was lost again was extraordinary.

It brought Shina an intense sense of helplessness, and along with the guilt of not being able to tell Nozomu about the blood covenant ritual, it caused her to feel extremely depressed.

 

"'The current me can't be of any help to him ... If anything, I'll be dragging him down."

"That's why it's not good! Because it didn't convey anything to Nozomu!"

 

On the other hand, Mimuru's voice became even louder in response to Shina's words.

These words speak volumes because Mimuru has always been vocal about her feelings and conveyed them to the people she cares about.

From her point of view, Shina's actions were completely against what she had done. It would be more hurtful for the other person to be kept at a distance without being made aware of it. After that, the distance between them will grow wider and wider, and in the end, the distance between them will be so wide that they will never be able to recover it.

If one were to calm down a little and think about it, one would understand.

However, the current Shina has fallen into a state of powerlessness and guilt, and is unable to objectively look at herself and her surroundings.

 

"Rather than the current me, Irisdina-san and Lisa-san are more-..."

 

A negative mind would perceive everything in a negative way.

The same was true for the relationship between Nozomu and Lisa.

The woman who has regained her bond with him and herself who has lost it. Such an image of herself inevitably made her feel miserable.

 

"Why are you bringing up those two!? What happened in their past is none of Shina's business! You love him, don't you!? Regardless of the contract or the fact that you lost your power, if you love him, tell him you love him! Don't run away!"

 

And then, the worst sight flashed into Shina's eyes

 

"~……"

"That is Nozomu and... -huh, ehh!?"

 

A long bench was placed at the edge of the central park. There are two persons, a man and a woman, wearing the uniform of Solminati Academy.

Judging by the fact that the clothes they are wearing are Solminati Academy uniforms, it is clear that they are students of the academy, but the problem is that they are the man and woman that Shina had mentioned earlier.

Furthermore, Lisa sits on the lap of the flustered Nozomu, cupping his cheeks in her hands and bringing her lips close to his so that their bodies are in close contact.

Shina's eyes widen.

Her vision whirls around and her mouth goes dry in the blink of an eye.

 

"~......!"

 

What followed was intense anger.

Her mind which had been so negative just a few moments ago, suddenly reversed itself, and her stunned gaze became tinged with the color of fury.

It was definitely a feeling of jealousy.

Elves rarely feel jealousy toward their partners, as long as they are deeply connected to the person they truly love in the depths of their souls.

However, the current situation has left her with a sense of loneliness that ordinary elves rarely experience.

And the feelings of jealousy spread quickly through her weakening mind.

Perhaps noticing Shina's gaze, Lisa quickly pulled away from Nozomu before she could let her lips touch his.

She snatched a few of the bells that Nozomu was holding, and with a smile, she waved her hand at him and disappeared into the bustling streets.

 

"This is ... that the two of them are ... -eh, Shina!"

 

Shina chased after Lisa, ignoring the voice of her best friend coming from behind her. Mimuru also rushed after her best friend, who ran off.

 

(What-, what are you up to, what are you thinking!)

 

Driven by the feelings of jealousy swirling in her chest, Shina weaved her way through the crowd.

 

(Even though he's at a critical moment right now!)

 

Her thoughts were already incoherent and incomprehensible.

While telling Mimuru that she should stay away from Nozomu, she opposed the girl who was trying to close the distance with him.

However, she was unable to notice such a thing due to her narrow-mindedness caused by jealousy.

In the meantime, Shina has caught up with Lisa.

No, Lisa turned into an alley and stopped to wait for Shina and Mimuru.

A little later, Mimuru caught up with them.

 

"I'm not sure if it's bad timing or what. Peeping isn't a good thing to do. Don't you think so, Shina-san?"

 

Lisa, who had noticed Shina and Mimuru peeping at her from the beginning, turned around without showing any particular agitation.

Shina glared at Lisa, who had a smug expression on her face, revealing her feelings of jealousy.

Why are you trying to distract Nozomu? She put such feelings into her gaze and struck Lisa with it.

Lisa, on the other hand, dismissed Shina's silent protests with a smile and rang the bell in her hand.

It was the bell that Lisa had snatched from Nozomu. Shina's gaze turned even more fierce as she watched.

 

"This bell was made by Nozomu. You're jealous, aren't you?"

"... I'm not impressed."

"About what exactly? I just told someone whom I love that I love him. It's better than being reserved about it."

"You're not going to distract him..."

"I would never do that. He was about to lose track of himself again, and I was just giving him a little advice."

 

Lisa continued with her words, "Well, it's true that I wanted to kiss him, and if I could have wished, I would have rented a private romantic room for us to share and sleep together."

 

Her tone of voice spoke in a joking manner. However, Shina sensed that Lisa was really hoping that her words would come true.

With jealousy swirling deep in her heart, she bit her back teeth involuntarily. Her cheeks stiffened and the sharpness of her eyes increased.

Lisa was puzzled by Shina's unusual behavior.

From her point of view, the elf girl in front of her was the closest to Nozomu, and she thought she was the smartest and most understanding of him.

 

"Can't you see? He was obviously getting impatient. Maybe his training with that old man isn't going as well as he thought. At least, that's what Nozomu believes"

"I know that. That's why..."

 

I know that without being told. Therefore, Shina did what she could do.

She performed the blood covenant ritual, which is sacred to the elves, and arranged for him to be able to sense the presence of the spirits.

But as a result of that act, she literally lost everything she had.

The sense of insecurity and loneliness that came back to her like a wave quickly calmed her raging envy, and now, in turn, froze her heart.

 

"So what?"

 

As Lisa turned her questioning eyes on Shina, the elf girl crossed her arms as if hugging herself and looked away. As if she was trying to escape Lisa's gaze.

Shina's gesture of turning her head away made Lisa suspicious.

 

"It's weird. I thought you and Nozomu were a lot closer than me and him."

"~……"

 

A shadow shot across Shina's face. Lisa's eyes, which had spotted the shadow, were as sharp as those of a cat that has found its prey.

 

"But it looks like I will be able to catch up with you. You're in the lead right now, but you seem to be more flustered than I thought. Or is there a reason you can't take the initiative?"

 

Reasons for not taking the initiative.

The moment she heard those words, the shadow that shot across Shina's face suddenly darkened.

 

"I guess I'm right on the money. To be honest, I'm aware that I'm being unfair. In fact, I'm grateful to you and to Irisdina-san."

 

Lisa was neither heartless nor ungrateful.

After the battle between Ken and Nozomu, who had been captured by the Abyss Grief, she was nearly crushed by guilt over the comatose Nozomu.

At that time, it was Irisdina who reprimanded her and Shina who provided what could be called a glimmer of light.

Lisa is grateful to both of them.

However, there is one thing she still does not want to give up.

She wants to become a great adventurer. And if she could, she would like to once again pursue the unknown on this continent with him.

That is the driving force that drives her today. A never-ending flame of passion lit deep in her heart. That was the reason why Lisa Hounds would not give up.

 

"Even so, I don't want to regret it this time, my dreams, my love ... Well, if you can't stand to watch it happen, then feel free to take the initiative, okay?"

 

The red-haired girl quietly and persuasively uttered those words to Shina.

So, she blasted Shina with a declaration of war, who was still in hesitation.

Behind her provocative smile, she was hiding her gratitude.

And then, with a somewhat complicated expression on her face directed to the silent Shina, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the alleyway.

Mimuru also gazed at Shina, who was unable to say anything, with a somber expression on her face.

At that moment, a hoarse voice, filled with some dignity, flowed through the alley.

 

"Shina..."

"Triforium-sama... Why are you here?"

 

In a corner of the alley where no one was supposed to be.

As if a fog had lifted, two elves appeared in front of Shina.

 

 

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