Chapter 9 - Volume 1 (2/2)
At that time, Marquis Brunnow was a commanding Officer for their subjugation. Albertine had also participated as an observer of the Institute of Magic.
These two people witnessed the presence of that.
Possessing a beauty like that of a messenger of the Gods, it was a lovely golden Cat……
With golden bat-like wings on its back, it was a special high ranking Demon… The [Golden Beast]……
Only a very small number of people had noticed something hidden within its small body.
A terrifying amount of Magic Power was stored……
It was a beautiful golden Demon which couldn’t even be compared to the likes of Greater Demons.
It was announced by the Church that it no longer existed on this world, but these two people were fascinated by its beauty; so much so that they still strongly hope that it could materialize once again.
They were charmed by the Demon, and gained faith……
“…… For the time being, shall we attempt to test it and summon a Greater Demon, then adjust it over a year to call upon that individual…? If it’s that, then a number of sacrifices will be required.”
“That is so, isn’t it……”
Albertine thought for a moment.
The reason she had detained Eleanor was because she didn’t wish to let her, who can use Magic, disturb the last stage of the experiment.
Her son… Luderick. She wanted to sacrifice him in front of her if possible.
“One child…… There’s only one child with a potent amount of Magic Power running in their [blood]. I wonder if that child could complete the sacrifice alone…”
＊
“That girl…… Is it?”
Zumana asked Albertine again unintentionally after he heard that she intended for the child to be the first to be sacrificed for a Trial Experiment.
“I’m sorry…”
“No, it is alright. But it is certainly earlier than expected…”
Across the room where the children were confined, Albertine gave a composed nod.
The original plan was to have Luderick possessed by a lower ranked Demon. At best, the Demon would be able to mimic Luderick as much as possible, as to crush the spirit of Albertine’s opponent.
And so, it wasn’t at all necessary to conduct a trial using that girl with the same [Blood]as a sacrifice.
“I want to know how strong a Demon will be summoned using an individual with strong [Blood]…… That is all.”
“… Yes.”
But that’s probably not the only reason…… Or so thought Zumana.
After her conversation with Eleanor, Albertine was lacking peace of mind.
To the child of the woman loved by her husband, a child whose Father would throw everything away for his daughter.
To the child who was loved by everyone around them, Zumana understood that Albertine would harbor complicated feelings.
The presence of such a child disturbed Albertine’s peace of mind, and caused her to fear them subconsciously……
That little girl was mysterious, even to Zumana.
In front of thieves announcing their objective of kidnapping, she had remained unfrightened despite being so young. Then, in a dignified manner, she had demanded…… No, she had negotiated.
Zumana had though that her [Blood] must have been strong when he witnessed such a thing. Even with children like Luderick around, Zumana had still thought that her [Blood] was particularly strong.
Furthermore…… She had been so beautiful it was intimidating.
It was to the extent that it was hard to imagine she was even human. Despite their aim, some of the Knights who assisted in the raid had knelt out of fascination.
For Zumana, however, it didn’t matter.
Albertine is the master of Zumana, and so her word is absolute.
Zumana loved Albertine, and Albertine alone……
Not only her beauty, but her pride and and strength as well…… She occasionally shows a lonely expression…… He loved her weakness as well.
Even after he knew that Albertine was the one who caused the decline of his household……
＊
“…… This is…?”
Albertine’s eyes are opened wide when she approaches the room confining the children.
It was a strange sight.
Dazzling light leaked from the gap in the closed door. The light became [Feathers] as it danced towards the floor, only to vanish once it reached the ground.
“How is this……”
That [Light] was recognized by Albertine.
It was Holy Magic. It was the Holy Light Magic showed only once by the Pope in the Imperial Capital.
It was a [Blessing] that Priests used to grant healing, divine protection, and ward off evil.
The Pope had showed the spell [Group Blessing], which grants the spell’s effects for multiple people. As for the number of people who could use such a spell, there would only be ten-odd people on the continent.
“Zumana, the key!”
Impatiently unlocking the door, Albertine entered the room and witnessed not the scene of hurt and frightened children; children who had abandoned all hope. Instead, she sees the figure of a [Saint] in the form of a little girl granting healing to the children, and prayed to in return.
＊＊＊
Ahh~ what a surprise.
Of course I would be surprised when a beautiful woman with red hair breaks into the room all of a sudden. She had an amazingly scary face as she caught my arm and attempted to rush out of the room, but… Not only Shelly and Rick, all of the children insisted on accompanying me. Really terrifying.
Geez…… Even though I went out of my way and healed them so that they’d be hurt again.
When I soothed them and managed to get out of the room I heard sobbing and sorrowful cries coming from the room. What should be done about this situation…?
I was labeled as [Saint-sama] by the children…… It’s very embarrassing.
“Hurry up and walk.”
“Yeーs.”
Painful, painful! My arm was grasped tightly when I answered in a non-serious manner. That’s right. A normal child should be frightened in this situation, wouldn’t they?
While imitating Shelly’s frightened attitude, I follow behind the beautiful woman. From the man who’s also walking with us, I can continuously feel a dubious gaze.
I should really behave more like a human from now on…
After a short walk down a corridor, we reach a room that’s even larger than the last one.
What’s with the construction techniques in this world? Tattered columns scattered around like this makes me think that the ceiling will simply collapse in the near future…
“You…… Are you Riasteia’s child…?”
“…… Yup.”
Is this person a friend of Mother’s too? U~mm…… No, it’s slightly different I think. When she said Mother’s name, I saw a great deal of feelings swirling about.
She’s calmed down from a while ago, but she’s still irritated.
All of a sudden, the beautiful woman crouches before me and stares into my eyes with a forced [Smile] directed at me. It’s scary.
“You…… What’s your name?”
“… Yuurushia.”
“I see…… Can you use Holy Magic…?”
“… Un.”
“Where did you learn that magic from a while ago…?”
“……?」
The Magic from a while ago…? It’s just the Holy Magic Vio taught me, so it’s not all that special. Was using that Magic in such a showy way uncommon…?
When I incline my head with an “I’m a child, I don’t understand” look. The beautiful woman sighs.
“…… Well, it’s alright. I’ll teach you what’s going to happen to you in a little while, Yurushia… ”
“Un…”
“I had intended to have you possessed by a Demon, but if you can use Holy Magic… I’m considering doing an experiment.”
“…… Un?”
“First, shall we cut off your arm with a knife? After that, I’ll have you cure yourself, alright?”
…… Eh?
「After that we’ll try the feet. If you don’t heal quickly, you’ll bleed out, so do your best. Afterwards, should we see how many needles can be stuck into you…? Even if it’s cured, because the needles will be embedded, it’ll remain painful I think.」
Umm……
“If you run out of Magic, letting you be possessed by a Lower Demon would be fine, right? You won’t be able to resist as your hands and feet become warped and hair and scales grow out.”
While the beautiful woman says such unpleasant things, her heart seems to go into a strange direction as she gently touches my cheek with a flushed face. All the while she has a lonesome gaze.
“Your eyes… How beautiful. They look just like your Father’s…… I fell in love… With those eyes. When I was a child…… I fell in love the first time we met.
…… I loved him… I still do, but… I’ve only said unpleasant things.
I thought…… I thought that if I waited, he would eventually be mine. That would have been the best for both our families…… But next to that man…… There was always your Mother………”
Her white fingers grasp my neck gently.
“…… That woman… I hated her. I didn’t even want to look at her. …… At the Institute… I had witnessed all of her faults…… He was mine, until his elder brother got in the way… We had cooperated at first…… But so long as there’re obstructions, that man’s heart won’t be mine…… So you… If you disappear……”
This seems like the story of “A Girl who can’t be honest with the one she loves”……
I don’t think she wanted to tell me this story, either. Most likely, she’s only telling me because I’m the child of a woman she hates — furthermore, one she plans to kill…… But I want to speak.
Was there anyone of the same sex that this person could consult…? If they just had someone to listen to…… Then maybe she could be a bit more honest……
“………?”
While she tightens her grip around my neck…… I touch her trembling hands and smile calmly.
I see her eyes shake for a moment, and even though she hadn’t seemed to notice them, I wiped the tears rolling down her face with my fingers.
“…… What… Are……”
Confusion floats within her eyes as she and I gaze at one another. Her harsh glance withers away little by as I clean off the tears from her cheeks…… Finally, I gently wrap my hands around her.
The Hearts of Humanity are…… Fragile… Sorrowful…… And Beautiful.
For such deep affection to turn into pain and hatred… I hold her in my arms gently, gently.
Those feelings… They’re lovely……
These feelings…… Drive me mad.
“……… Noddy girl.”
“……… Eh…?”
This Demon is starved for love.
And so…… She’s a bad person……… For hiding such sweet nectar……
“…… Thank you for the meal.”
*Gokin*……
To her neck, I kindly… Gently broke it.