| Author: Shizuku | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2137 characters |
| Translator: Nomad | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 937 words |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
I try to wind my arms back, but my nerve threads are too tangled in the trees of the forest.
“Shah.”
“Oh, good job.”
I watch the murderer Mishella vanish in the Man Eater’s mouth, and retrace my steps.
I loosen my nerve threads as I go back, eventually reaching the place where the fight started. Giese is still paralyzed, his body in a stiff knelt position, tipped to one side. There’s a soft clicking sound as my arms reattach now that my nerve threads are loose.
Black Hawk returns to its holster, and White Viper is stored back in my magic storage.
“Sigh…”
The last time I killed someone was that time Olivia was captured. Mishella had been hellbent on killing me, while these two were being used by her. They refused to listen to me though, so I don’t regret what I did.
Maybe things could’ve ended much differently though. Mir and Danny are my friends now, even though just a few changes in our circumstances could’ve turned us into mortal enemies.
I couldn’t help but think about that. Maybe I’m just overthinking. Mir isn’t that aggressive, and Danny…well, Danny is kinda a good guy. Ugh whatever, enough what ifs, what happened happened.
The thing is, what am I supposed to do here now? I can just abandon him, but knowing I left him to die will leave a pretty bad aftertaste.
My magic storage is filled with potions I made practicing alchemy, so I take one to treat paralysis and pour it into Giese’s mouth.
“Cough, cough…”
Drinking medicine while paralyzed seems like a hard task, I think he choked a little. Good luck. I consider whether I should crush his eyes, just in case, when his lips start moving. He looks scared of something. Is he alright?
“M…mon…monster…”
I feel like something just froze inside me.
His eyes are focused on me. Oh, he’s right. Yeah, that’s true. No matter how much I look like a human, I’m an automaton, a monster, not a human. I’m not even a living being.
Maybe trying to spend some time trying to live like a human had been a mistake since the start.
“Yeah, I’m a monster.”
I take a potion from my magic storage and leave it in front of him before I turn around.
“You’ll make it out alive if you’re lucky. See you.”
“Ah, w-wait1…”
He tries to talk again, but I walk away without looking back.
I change into my maid outfit before entering the city and head straight to the dorm. When I open the door to our room, I find Olivia reading a book at her desk. Lately she’s been reading a lot, I guess she’s finally gained a passion for books.
“I’m back, Young Lady.”
I greet her like I usually do.
“Ah, Natalia. Welcome…”
Olivia stops talking mid-sentence, standing up and trotting up to me. The scent of Spica Lilies fills my nose. It’s the same scent I’ve been wearing, but somehow it’s easier to notice when it comes from someone else.
“Young Lady?”
“Natalia, come here for a bit.”
She takes my hand and drags me to the bed, making me sit on it. I’m still trying to understand what’s going on when she hugs me.
“U-umm…Young Lady?”
“Please, just stay still for a bit.”
Her still-developing chest is pressed against my face.
Ah, it’s soft… I’ve always thought of her as a child, but she’s gotten this big already2…wait, stoppp!
I can’t allow myself to be careless about such thoughts!
Oh yeah, she didn’t want to be hugged lately, I guess she’s been trying to resist it. I guess she still has moments like this. I’ll just have to be lenient with her until she’s satisfied.
Right, I vowed I would live the rest of my life as her maid automaton. Even if I become weak compared to her, I still promised to protect her. I just have to make sure she’s always smiling.
As Olivia strokes my hair, somehow it reminds me of Ophelia when she combed my hair. Nostalgic memories flooded my brain, and I relished this feeling of safety until Olivia was satisfied.
Today I’m out shopping with Olivia in the city, just like yesterday. We’re in a large street, lined with big shops and important institutions. It was mere coincidence that we walked past the Adventurers’ Guild, but inevitable in a way as well.
“Hey, don’t let it weigh on you too much.”
“Try to relax in your hometown, okay?”
“Yes, thank you for worrying.”
A group of adventurers are seeing one man off at the guild’s entrance. Considering how big his luggage is, I can assume he’ll be traveling for a few days. He twitches seeing me, his face stiffening.
“H-hey, you.”
We try to walk past, but for some reason he calls out to me.
“I’m really sorry for that day. I know saying sorry isn’t enough, but I hope you can forgive me3.”
Olivia looks strangely at me, seeing the man’s odd reaction, like he’s about to be sentenced to death, with a hint of regret and resignation.
“Natalia, do you know him?”
“No, I’ve never seen him before.”
“What…”
“I’m sorry, you must be mistaking me for someone else.”
I say that to the man, his face turning pale. I don’t really care what happens to him.
“We need to be somewhere, so please excuse us. Let’s go, Young Lady.”
“Huh…ah, right.”
I continue walking unbothered, and Olivia follows after me. After that I don’t look back again. Whatever happens to him has nothing to do with us4.
