Chapter 6
Yuurai opened the shop door cautiously. Considering the possibility of a sudden attack, she deployed the Blade of Darkness around her.
This spell summons crescent-shaped black blades around her. There's no limit to the number, but she can only control up to twenty. Right now, she protects herself with half of them.
About ten meters away stood five Knights clad in silver armor. Their faces were hidden by helmets, but one of them was slender and petite. Judging by the voice speaking to what seemed to be the commander, she appeared to be a woman.
"It came out!"
"Be careful. That thing... is dangerous."
"Yeah... Now that I see it, I get it too."
"At least Class Two. It might even rival Class One."
(They're being really cautious... How strong is Class Two or Class One anyway? Well, let's try to keep things friendly for now.)
"Um, nice to meet you all. You seem wary, but I have no intention of fighting you. Please, stay calm."
"......A Monster that talks?"
"Its intelligence seems high."
"Still... don't be fooled. Highly intelligent Monsters often deceive humans. Don't take its words at face value."
"Yes."
The Knights were whispering among themselves, but Yuurai could hear everything.
(Yep, my hearing's definitely enhanced. Convenient and nice.)
"Um, I really don't intend to fight. Please don't be so wary."
"......What are you?"
The commander asked in a heavy tone.
(Should I skip the last name? They might think I'm some noble. Just the first name for now...)
"I'm Yuurai, a Dark Lich."
"D-Dark Lich...!? The one said to evolve when a Lich kills over ten thousand humans, that legendary Dark Lich!? I've only ever heard of it in myths!?"
(Huh, is a Dark Lich really that big of a deal? Killing ten thousand people... That's insane if you think about it.)
"Ah, no no. That was just a joke. I'm just a Little Lich. Don't worry."
The commander exchanged glances with the slender Knight.
"......That's a lie. She's definitely a true Dark Lich. With that much magical power, there's no way she's a Little Lich."
"......I figured."
(Can they actually sense magical energy? I can't feel a thing. Is it some kind of appraisal ability?)
"Ah—w-well, even if I am a Dark Lich, I still don't want to fight. Please relax. Could you lower your weapons?"
"......Then how about you dispel those black blades?"
"Well, if you lower your weapons first, I'll cancel the spell too."
"In that case, we can't afford to let our guard down either."
"I see. That's unfortunate."
"......I know this might be an obvious question, but let me ask again. Are you the one who wiped out the people of this town?"
(Should I answer honestly? Saying no probably won't help...)
"And if I were?"
"......For the crime of killing innocent people, you'll pay with your life."
"......Of course. That's only natural for a human."
(If I were on the human side, I'd probably do the same.)
Yuurai let out a deep sigh. From here on, she would likely be treated as the evil Monster who destroyed the town. That was incredibly bothersome.
Battle was inevitable. As she strongly felt that, the petite Knight questioned her.
"Why did you kill the people of this town?"
"......It was an accident. I only intended to kill five people, but I couldn't control my power well and ended up destroying the whole town."
"An accident...? You took the lives of over ten thousand people, just by accident...!?"
"......It's not like I wanted to kill them. My power went out of control for various reasons. Besides, you were the ones who attacked first, weren't you?"
"......I can understand killing someone you have a grudge against. Whether I forgive it is another matter. But then you go and kill ten thousand more? And after all that, how can you still look so calm...?"
(......Is it the effect of Corruption? Or maybe my personality broke from severe torture. Either way, it's not like I wanted to end up like this. Even if I said that, they probably wouldn't understand... Not that I can't sympathize with them.)
"......I'm not calm. I feel terribly sorry. I'm sorry."
Yuurai bowed her head. But this only had the opposite effect.
"Do you think an apology is enough!? What do you think human lives are!? There must've been so many smiles in this town!"
"......Even if you say that. So, would it be solved if I died? Even if I die, no one's coming back, you know?"
"D-Don't screw with meeeeeeeeeeeee!"
The petite Knight lunged forward. Fast. An inhuman speed no normal person could match.