Chapter 69
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Yuurai, as the Demon King, brought two towns under her control.
The process seems to be going well, and the towns are apparently regaining their vitality.
Of course, there are those who stubbornly refuse to be ruled by the Demon King. However, more people are beginning to think it's fine to live under her rule if it means a peaceful life.
Hearing about this, Yuurai thought it might be effective to show her face and speak directly.
The same likely applies to the demi-humans who avoid approaching Grimoire.
The demi-humans might fear Yuurai needlessly because they've never met or spoken with her. Thinking that, Yuurai decided to first visit the village of the Eyeless Tribe.
Apparently, the Eyeless Tribe's village is located less than half a day from Grimoire.
The Eyeless Tribe, due to being easily persecuted, would prefer to live farther from human settlements. However, environments suitable for living are limited, making that difficult.
Places uninhabited by Humans are also difficult for the Eyeless Tribe to live in. They're too cold, have powerful Monsters, or lack water sources.
Therefore, the Eyeless Tribe built a hidden village near Grimoire, where they live.
With that background confirmed, one morning, Yuurai immediately set out for the hidden village of the Eyeless Tribe.
The guide was Lipia, and naturally, Claire accompanied Yuurai to the destination. Gilka stayed behind just in case. If a powerful Adventurer or something attacks, she's expected to handle it. Also, Fia was asked to guard the town. Fia has permission to use magic if it's to protect the town or herself.
The three—Yuurai, Claire, and Lipia—walked through the snow-covered Northern Forest. Claire was on Yuurai's right, and Lipia was snuggled up on her left.
Lipia was equipped with a navy robe and a staff, while Claire had only brought her sword. As expected, she wasn't wearing her Holy Knight armor, but instead a dark navy simple dress and a warm coat.
"......Hey, I can guide Yuurai by myself, you know? Why don't you just relax at the castle, Claire?"
When Lipia said that to Claire, Claire replied in a cold, curt tone.
"If Yuurai is left alone, sometimes she loses herself over trivial things. I have to be by her side. Lipia, if you just tell us the location, I think it should be fine with just Yuurai and me."
"There's no way you can go to the village without me. Just knowing the location isn't enough to enter the Eyeless Tribe's village. It's protected by a special barrier."
"......Well, let's go with that, then."
"Can you not talk like I'm lying? I'm telling the truth!"
"......Who knows."
"You two—calm down—"
When Yuurai stepped in, the two quieted down for now. However, the tense atmosphere between them didn't change.
(......Good grief.)
As always, these two don't get along very well.
Yuurai would be happy if they got along, but since both of them have a fair amount of possessiveness, that day probably won't come.
In emergencies like battles or life-saving situations, they cooperate without awkwardness. Thinking that's good enough, Yuurai gave up.
(Still, I wonder how these two feel about me? I've heard it's not love, but is that still true? Even if it's not love, could it be a deeper kind of attachment...? Something close to worship...?)
Suddenly, Lipia grabbed Yuurai's left hand. With a grip that seemed to say she'd never let go again.
"Hey, hey, Yuurai. By the way... is it true that you've only been alive for about five months? I always thought your mental age was about the same as mine..."
(......Well, we're practically the same age, so it's natural to think that.)
Still, how should she explain it?
She had no intention of explaining that she was a reincarnator from another world.
She also didn't intend to use ideas or knowledge from another world to contribute to this one, so she didn't want to be seen that way.
"I was curious about Yuurai's age too. Have you really only been alive for five months?"
Yuurai hesitated, then mixed in a small lie.
"Since I was born into this body, it's been about five months."
"Born into that body...?"
"What do you mean?"
"I was born in the Dungeon of Darkness, but I vaguely remember dying multiple times. Still, my soul was trapped in the Dungeon, so even if I died, I came back to life. I don't even know how long that cycle went on. It's only been five months since I got this body, but I must have lived much longer than that."
"Heh... I see..."
"So maybe you're way older than us?"
"Maybe. But even if I've lived over a hundred years, I couldn't gain much experience in the Dungeon, so I haven't grown much inside. Claire looks older to me. Lipia seems about the same age as me."
Hmm, hmm, the two nodded in understanding.
The conversation somehow connected, and Yuurai felt relieved.
"Yuurai and I are about the same age... That means I'm closer to Yuurai than Claire..."
Lipia muttered something. Claire responded with another cold voice.
"......I don't think closeness to Yuurai is something determined by age."
"Fufufu? Let's go with that, then."
Claire gave her a very cold look.
Isn't Claire the one who loses herself over small things? Yuurai thought nervously.
"Claire. Let's calm down."
She held Claire's hand. Warmth returned to her gaze. In a way, she's easy to handle.
Meanwhile, Lipia, linking arms with Yuurai, murmured a question.
"Still, the Dungeon is a mysterious place, isn't it? It's weird how Monsters are endlessly born, but also how they never come outside... Didn't you once try to let one out and fail, Yuurai?"
"Yeah. It didn't work."
Previously, before a battle with the army, she tried to let a mentally manipulated Monster out, but it didn't work. Mental Manipulation worked inside the Dungeon, but she couldn't even bring them to another floor, let alone outside.
"Even though I can freely go outside... It really is a strange place."
(Well, maybe it's because I'm a foreign element in this world. No other Monster can do the same... probably...)
As they continued talking about various things while walking, Yuurai and the others arrived in front of a large tree.
"This is the entrance to the hidden village of the Eyeless Tribe."
Lipia said with a smile.