Chapter 494: Dialogue (1/2)

Jin had the Land Units he had summoned earlier take Lucas and Shion on stretchers to Nidou Castle.

Although that attracted some degree of attention from the villagers on the way, when they saw that Jin was involved, they all showed no further interest and returned to their respective everyday lives, so Jin was relieved.

The two children didn’t seem to be very surprised when they saw the Land Units. Jin, in turn, was surprised by this, but didn’t say anything about it.

Jin had two futon beds arranged in the guest room for their use.

“You can sleep here for the time being.”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

“…”

Then, silence.

Jin decided to ask them his question again.

“Well, is there anything you’d like to talk about? I’m all ears.”

“…”

But the two of them still remained silent.

“Oh, well. No other way, I guess. I have a few things to ask you.”

Jin decided to try a different approach, and asked them another question.

“Do you know anything about demons?”

“!!”

Both of them nearly jumped out of surprise.

“W-What’s up with that reaction?”

“I won’t let you lay a single finger on the young lady!”

Shion’s surprise caused Lucas to lose his temper, and he lashed out at Jin.

“I knew it. But you don’t have to act so scared. After all, I’ve already come across several other demons before.”

“Huh?”

“…Lardus, Dogmaud, Bemiarouge, Marchosias, Androgias, Alciel. Do any of these names ring a bell to you?”

“Eeehhh!? Y-You… W-Who… What are you?”

Shion was paler than ever, but her eyes were fixated on Jin.

“I’m the Magi Craft Meister, Jin Nidou.”

“Magi Craft Meister? So it exists…?”

She seemed familiar with the concept of a Magi Craft Meister. Shion calmed down a bit, and continued with a seemingly deep emotion in his voice.

“…But I’ve heard that no one was there to take up the mantle after Adriana Balbora Ceci’s passing… so how come there is a Magi Craft Meister in this day and age?”

This time, Jin was the one taken by surprise.

“You know of my predecessor…? I mean, you’ve at least heard of her…”

“Predecessor? So you truly are…”

“Yes, Father is, without a doubt, Mother Adriana Balbora Ceci’s successor.”

Reiko, who had been silent until then, cut into the conversation. Shion stared at her.

“…A black-haired Automata… You really are the Magi Craft Meister…”

＊　　　＊　　　＊

Since Shion seemed to have calmed down a bit, Jin decided to wait and hear what she had to say.

“…Just as you say, Lord Jin, I’m a demon. My clan’s name is ‘Shinra’. My name is Shion of Shinra.”

“I am Lucas. I’m the young lady’s personal escort. Since I’m an attendant, I don’t have a clan name.”

“Are your clan names like surnames, in that they are hereditary?”

“Yes, that’s right. I guess it would be okay to put it that way.”

At this point, Jin decided to ask her about things he was wondering about regarding demons. This was because Shion seemed to be more inclined to talk about that.

“Say, are you really okay being in a place with so little Ether?”

“Y-Yes. But to tell you the truth, it is a bit tough…”

“Hmph! I’m only training myself! This is nothing…”

Lucas was putting up a brave front, but from his pale complexion, Jin could see that he was experiencing some degree of discomfort after all.

“I see. I expected as much. By the way, you’ve come from the northern continent, right? Through that narrow isthmus…”

“!”

“You! You know of the Great Isthmus of Pazdext?”