Chapter 24
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Ten days have passed since Yuurai turned Lipia into an Undead.
Yuurai has started to adapt to her current life, feeling the days she once lived in Japan as something distant.
Anyway, since Lipia can no longer return to her village as an Undead, she has begun living in the lord's castle in Grimoire. Also, unable to leave Lipia alone, Ragvela and Jeevy are with her. It seems they've explained the situation to their families and somehow gained their understanding.
However, it's not to the extent that becoming an Undead means she should be killed immediately. For Ragvela and Jeevy, it's simply about not wanting to lose a friend, but for the other members of the Eyeless Tribe, it's different. Rather than valuing a comrade's life, they seem to fear retaliation.
Lipia still hasn't come to terms with her situation and has shut herself in her room. Her reaction is the same as Claire's was, but whether she can recover like Claire did remains uncertain. Even when Yuurai visits her, Lipia only asks to be left alone. It seems Ragvela and the others haven't been able to see her either, and they often look dejected.
Though Lipia remains downcast, Ragvela and Jeevy have been actively managing the castle. They handle cleaning and even cook, so Yuurai and Claire have been able to enjoy delicious meals.
By the way, until Ragvela and the others arrived, Yuurai and Claire hadn't been eating. Since it wasn't necessary, they didn't bother preparing meals.
Gilka and her group, former Bandits now working as cleaners, have also been working diligently. It's not that they're under strict surveillance, but their initial encounter seems to have left quite a trauma, as there's no sign of them slacking off.
Though some laxity might emerge eventually, Yuurai believes it'll be fine as long as Gilka is properly managed.
Gilka's gang hasn't opposed the Eyeless Tribe, who are demi-humans, living in the castle. Some showed faint signs of disgust, but when Yuurai smiled at them, their expressions turned blank.
The town is gradually seeing an increase in people. It's not quite lively yet, but compared to the time when it was just Yuurai and Claire, having even a few more people feels like a positive change. That's how Yuurai sees it.
"I, for one, just want this kind of peace to continue. I'm not thinking about world domination or anything like that. Even so, can't the world just leave me alone?"
At night, Yuurai, dressed in nightwear, asks Claire while lying on the bed.
Claire, having finished changing, also gets into bed and responds.
"I think enemies will come before long."
"I see... That's a problem."
As Claire lies down, Yuurai hugs her. For the past five days, sleeping together at night has become a habit.
Originally, Yuurai was fine with being alone. But whether it's because she's started to adapt to her body as a woman and her emotions have changed, or because she's grown accustomed to spending time with others, she now feels lonely sleeping by herself.
When she asked Claire to sleep together, Claire agreed, saying it was fine if it was an order.
And now, every night, Yuurai uses Claire as a body pillow.
There's no ulterior motive. It's not that kind of emotion, just a simple longing for human warmth.
"If enemies come, do we really have to fight? Can't we resolve it through discussion?"
"That's difficult. I know you're not just a dangerous Monster, but the world doesn't. Even if they did, the fact that you possess potentially dangerous power wouldn't change."
"I'll defend myself, but I won't go beyond that."
"Humans are weak. They can't live with the anxiety of 'what if' lingering over them."
"......Should I just hide somewhere? Would I still be found?"
"You'd be found...... I think. Skills specialized in tracking people exist in this world."
"I see...... Ugh, I hate this. I don't want to fight anymore. I don't want to hurt anyone."
Yuurai presses her forehead against Claire's shoulder, rubbing it back and forth. Claire lightly strokes Yuurai's head.
"......If you focus solely on protecting, I think people's hearts will eventually change. If you build trust over ten or twenty years, someday, they'll understand that you're not a dangerous existence."
"That's a long road ahead......"
"Yes. It's long. But...... at the end of that long struggle, I believe there's a possibility you could gain many allies."
"Allies? What do you mean?"
"You're strong. There are those who would wish for you to protect them with that strength. Especially demi-humans, who are often targets of discrimination and persecution. Ragvela and the others coming here likely stems, at least in part, from the belief that you can protect them."
"Allies, huh...... If that happens, would unnecessary conflicts decrease?"
"There's a possibility. If those who admire you grow into a force as powerful as a nation, others won't be able to interfere so easily."
"......That's also a long road ahead."
"Yes. But just knowing that it's not an endless battle gives some hope, I think."
"I see...... It's indeed a relief that I don't have to fight forever. When the fighting finally ends, will Claire still be by my side?"
"Well, if that's an order."
"For something decades in the future, I think it's fine if you stay by my side even without it being an order."
"......I don't know what the future holds."
"That's true. I'll believe in a good future and do my best to survive, no matter what enemies come."
"......I don't plan on dying either."
(......Claire is properly trying to live. That's a good thing. I wonder if Lipia will be like Claire in a little while...... But what is this sense of tragedy I feel from Claire......?)
After thinking for a bit, Yuurai realizes something.
"Claire. If...... those Holy Knights come again, can you fight?"
There's no immediate response from Claire.
After a while, Claire speaks hesitantly.
"I'd have no choice but to fight. But I don't want to."
"Yeah......"
"My place is no longer there. But I still want Emma, Emeralda, and everyone else to live happily."
"......I see. Then I'd better hurry and gather allies, becoming an existence no one can touch."
"......I'd appreciate it if you did."
"Enough to listen to what I say even if it's not an order?"
"A future like that isn't entirely impossible."
"I see, I see. I'll create a future where Claire doesn't ask, 'Is that an order?' That's good motivation."
Saying this with a mix of humor, Yuurai closes her eyes.
She wished for a good future to come, not just for herself and Claire, but for everyone around them.