“...I want you to forget all about that.”
To Zagan, his past was something bitter, painful, and something he didn’t want to remember. Nevertheless, after becoming small, now the names of the other children he hung out with at the time were coming up. He came to fully realize that his past was something that would chase after him forever like a shadow.
Even if I only go back to the day I met Nephy, I made her eat something horrible too...
He couldn’t forget Nephy’s face when he brought her withered dry meat and rotting milk. Nephy’s emotionless face, brought about by losing her will to live after her childhood at the elven hidden village, stiffened up completely out of sympathy, and a sense of duty. And thinking back on that, Zagan let out a mutter.
“I feel like I’ve said this before, but you’ve really changed, Nephy.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. You’re able to show me all sorts of expressions now.”
Well, even if her facial expressions were meager, her ears were quite abundant in expressing her emotions all this time. After having that pointed out to her, Nephy looked back at Zagan in a somewhat vexed manner.
“You have also changed you know?”
“Erk, have I?”
Well, he did feel like he was able to more honestly relay his feelings, but even now he was always in distress at how to say the right words at the right time. He couldn’t really claim to have grown all that much. Such was the case, but Nephy happily nodded.
“Geez, it doesn’t hurt anymore, right?”
“Hurt...? I don’t think I have any old wounds though...”
As Zagan puzzled over it for a moment, Nephy shook her head.
“You did... ‘Possessing power isn’t evil.’ When you told me that once before, Master Zagan, you looked like you were in pain you know?”
And that jogged Zagan’s memory.
“Is it wrong for the weak to live? Do you feel good showing off your power?”
It happened a long time ago, but Zagan was cursed at like that by a girl he didn’t know. After that, Zagan gave up on ever expecting anything from others. He lost all attachment to people. He believed only in himself, relied only on himself, and lived by himself.
Zagan looked down at his clothes with a bitter smile.
I wonder what the me from back then would say if he saw me now?
He was wearing foreign clothing while having fun, walking beside the girl he loved. He went around constantly protecting others. He obtained a daughter, a sister-in-law, and noisy subordinates. It was everything that he had denied back in those days.
That’s exactly why he could shake his head like it was no big deal.
“I’ve already forgotten about that. I’m sure it’s just an inconsequential memory at this point.”
He didn’t even remember what the girl looked like. She was chased by a bandit or something and got lost in Zagan’s domain, but it was the bandit’s face that Zagan remembered better. It was a young man with flashy red hair. And now that he thought about it, just one of his eyes was...
“Huh? Oh!” Zagan unintentionally yelled.
“Wh-What’s the matter, Master Zagan?”
“It’s nothing, I finally remembered who that Decarabia fellow is. He’s a bandit I killed before.”
“Huh? Bandit? I mean... killed? He looked alive... right?”
“Well, there’s rare cases where some guy won’t die after being killed.”
The members of the Night Clan like Alshiera were an example. The undead were the same in that they could still move around despite being killed. And then there were cases like Archdemon Bifrons who could get their head and heart blown to bits and regenerate them like nothing happened. However, if asked whether Decarabia was such a terrifying existence, Zagan could only shake his head.
“Actually, that guy was a sorcerer? I thought he was just a bandit. Or maybe he became a sorcerer after being killed by me... no, in that case it’d be weird for him to be alive. Hmmm...”
At that time, Zagan was still just a complete amateur who couldn’t even put his specialty in devouring sorcery to proper use. Thinking back on it now, he was just one of the riffraff among sorcerers. And Decarabia was someone who was killed by Zagan back then with such ease that he didn’t even remain in his memories. He was a complete small fry.
So how did he become a sorcerer who could pick a fight with Archdemons?
If what Michael told him was true, he had already killed one of the Archdemons. It was possible that he simply grew, but it was questionable whether some small fry that looked like nothing more than a bandit was capable of such growth to begin with. Well, Zagan went from waif to Archdemon in the span of a few years, so that may have just been the way the world worked.
And as Zagan racked his brains over all this, Nephy nodded in a convinced manner.
“So, does that mean he stole your sorcery at that time, Master Zagan...?”
Zagan’s eyes shot wide open.
Oh yeah, I told Nephy about how devouring sorcery worked.
That would explain why Decarabia was capable of reflecting sorcery, and why he couldn’t reach Zagan despite being able to defeat other sorcerers. So Zagan pet Nephy’s head like a teacher praising a student who did well.
“You’re right. It’s more logical to think that he stole it at that time.”
“Does that mean there are other possibilities?”
Zagan couldn’t give her an immediate answer. However, it wasn’t something for him to hide either, so he went on to explain it anyways.
“His eye has the same silver color as mine. Alshiera seems awfully fixated on that, so that point caught my interest.”
“...Huh?”
Nephy found this completely incomprehensible.
“I mean, it looked artificial, but wasn’t it the same color as mine?”
Moreover, he specialized in reinforcing his body and his style revolved around fighting with his fists. There was a remarkable resemblance between the two. Zagan surely wasn’t the only one who thought that after witnessing their battle.
“It’s not similar in the least.” Nephy was being strangely obstinate, leaving Zagan dumbfounded. “You have no mercy for your enemies, but you wouldn’t torment and play with the weak. Everyone calls you their king and idolizes you, there’s no way such vulgar scum could resemble you at all. Even if he’s trying to imitate you, it’s nothing but a pitifully incompetent effort.”
Zagan returned a strained smile to Nephy.
My goodness. I can’t beat her.
Zagan recalled how some time ago, Nephteros impersonated Nephy and tried to draw near to him. At that time, Zagan had the same air of resentment about him as he disparaged her.
“If you’re going to pretend to be Nephy, then put a little effort into copying her!”
Well, it was certainly true that there was a point of commonality between Zagan and Decarabia. There was also more than sufficient cause for him to resent Zagan. The similarity in their powers could also be explained by thinking of it as a fixation with Zagan to enact revenge. However, even though Zagan understood this...
“I feel like... it’s all connected in a weird way here...”
“Are you talking about what Miss Alshiera said?”
“Yeah. Having said that, it’s just getting more and more incomprehensible though...”
Now then, did Decarabia become a sorcerer before or after Zagan killed him? Was he a bandit at that time to begin with? And say he were, how was he related to Marc?
That damn Alshiera. Did she just say something random to throw me off after all?
Zagan let out a groan, and suddenly came to a stop.
“Master Zagan?”
“Shh, it’s Barbatos and Chastille”
The pair who were even more awkward than Zagan were standing around on the nighttime beach.
◇
There was nowhere to hide on the beach. Zagan and Nephy quickly moved over to the forest and looked
over Zagan’s undesirable friend and the crybaby. After taking a careful look at their surroundings, they also found several of the Angelic Knights watching over Chastille from the shadows of the trees. Richard was among them too.
Aaah.... At times like these, both sorcerers and Angelic Knights think the same, huh?
Well, there were those with their hands on their swords who were completely intent on cutting down Barbatos if he were to do anything wrong though. And as Zagan observed this, his gaze suddenly met Richard’s.
Hm. Guess I’ll ask him.
Zagan drew a magic circle in the air and sent it over to Richard.
“What’s the situation?”
It was sorcery to communicate over a long distance. It wasn’t as sophisticated as the telepathic communication Barbatos was capable of, but it was more than enough to whisper to each other in this case. Richard was startled at hearing a voice from the magic circle all of a sudden, but swiftly regained his composure and responded.
“After Lady Chastille changed into the outfit from Liucaon, Sir Barbatos called out to her using the hunt for the sorcerer as a pretext.”
“What? Barbatos was the one to call her out...? That’s somewhat unexpected.”
“Agreed. And since a few of us were not able to hide our killing intent at such actions, we ended up sneaking off into the forest like this.”
Even if he said ‘a few of us,’ there were only three Angelic Knights here aside from Chastille and Michael. Which meant that they were basically all seething with rage, and one of them likely regained their presence of mind and held the others back.
Zagan looked back over to what Chastille was wearing. She was wearing a blue yukata with a gorgeous embroidery of a bird on it. At a glance, it appeared that Chastille was still in her private life mode, but she still looked strangely mature. And perhaps because Barbatos was also nervous, neither of them said anything as they gazed off into the sea.
“How long have the two of them been doing that?”
“It’s been about a minute.”
“...How irritating... Just apologize already Barbatos.”
If Foll and his other subordinates were to hear them, they would surely quip back with a ‘You’re one to talk.’ However, there was none here who would point that out to him. Richard simply returned a deep nod.
“Seriously. Thanks to that, we’ve grown tired of waiting and are on the verge of drawing our swords.”
“It’s not like I don’t get where you’re coming from, but keep it in check. If you get in the way, it might just aggravate the situation more.”
Seeing that Zagan and Richard were confirming the situation with a dead serious air about them, Nephy’s ears pricked up in a troubled manner.
“Um... Master Zagan, this also applies to the Angelic Knights there, but... were you not all on patrol looking for the enemy sorcerer?”
“Forget that nonsense. Isn’t the budding romance between Chastille and Barbatos far more critical? Aren’t you worried too Nephy?”
“Ummm... That’s... Uh... I am...”
In the end, Nephy lined up next to Zagan and joined in on the peepshow. And after waiting for a short while, Chastille seemed to mutter something.
“Tch, we really can’t hear anything from this far away.”
They were apparently talking in hushed voices, and even with his sharpened sense of hearing, Zagan couldn’t make out what they were saying.
If I use sorcery too close to them they’ll notice, but I’ve got no choice!
Zagan once more drew a magic circle in the air. It was the same thing he sent over to Richard earlier. This time he threw it over to Chastille feet as if tossing a frisbee.
“Hm? Did something just move...?”
“Huh? Ain’t it just the waves or a crab or something?”
It seemed Zagan got away with it without them realizing. Zagan formed a circle with his index finger and thumb to signal Richard and the others that his plan was a success. And the Angelic Knights pumped their fists into the air in delight.
However, since this sorcery relayed sound both ways, Zagan stood his index finger up and urged Nephy to be quiet. Setting aside the excitement of the spectators, Chastille bashfully twirled her hair in her fingers while mumbling.
“—This was supposed to be a vacation, after all. I didn’t bring my Anointed Armor with me. Having said that, how do I put it... I’m rather reluctant to fight while only wearing a swimsuit or something... or rather...”
It seemed that Barbatos was asking about her yukata, and Chastille was in the middle of making excuses.
Isn’t it fine to just say it suits you or something here!
Zagan cursed at his undesirable friend while watching their exchange in vexation, then relayed what was going on to Richard’s group using hand signals. The Angelic Knights agonized over it in the same manner, and as one of them went to draw his sword with a serious look on his face, another one among them desperately held him back.
Barbatos then replied in a flustered voice.
“A-Ain’t it fine? N-Nobody’s bothered by what you’re wearing or anything.”
Both Zagan and Nephy covered their faces.
You imbecile! You should just say that any outfit would suit you or something, right!?
Seriously, how was his undesirable friend so smart yet so stupid at the same time? Even Chastille’s shoulders drooped at his comment.
Upon seeing Zagan and Nephy’s reaction, the other Angelic Knights sent him a curious gaze. Zagan felt like the Angelic Knights would leap into battle if he explained it as it was, but it wasn’t like he could just leave them out on the actual situation. After relaying what was going on with his hands, Zagan held out his palm to tell them to wait.
“Aah... I mean... I’m not making fun of you or anything okay? Ain’t it just fine to wear whatever you like? Nobody out there would think it looks bad anyways.”
“Hwah? U-Ummm... I-I see...”
Chastille averted her gaze like she wasn’t all that dissatisfied with Barbatos’ awkward phrasing. It seemed that for the time being, the fact that he was complimenting her was getting across. Zagan pumped his fist and signaled to the Angelic Knights that the situation wasn’t bad, and Richard nodded in return with a stern expression indicating that they shouldn’t jump to hasty conclusions.
Next, it was Barbatos who started speaking.
“That time... I wasn’t really making fun of you either, okay?”
“Huh?”
Chastille didn’t expect this at all and looked at him in surprise. Zagan immediately relayed what was going on to the Angelic Knights, and the one Angelic Knight who was in least control of himself was ready to burst into action, but his partners did their best to hold him down.
And without showing any signs of noticing the outfield, Barbatos continued.
“How do I put it... It’s not like being a crybaby is all that bad, right? Ain’t it way better than being all self-important?”
Chastille pinched her brow at his difficult to understand categorization. Nephy was also growing more irritated at watching them and clung tightly to Zagan’s arm. Zagan was worried about what was going on, but his bride was far too cute. And so, he rubbed his cheek against hers to comfort her.
“Hwah!?”
Nephy’s ears quivered as she raised her voice.
“Hah? You say something?”
“Huh? No. I didn’t... I mean, was it me...?”
The two of them came to some strange understanding, giving both Zagan and Nephy a sense of relief.
“...Geez, please don’t tease me Master Zagan.”
Nephy puffed out her cheeks adorably and glared at Zagan while the Angelic Knights shot over gazes to them while still looking over the situation, but right now was the critical point. After calming down, Chastille replied in a dubious tone.
“Umm... In other words, you mean you’re not making fun of me when you call me a crybaby all the time?”
“Hah? I’m just norm
ally making fun of you at those times you know?”
“...”
Unable to bear it, both Zagan and Nephy keeled over and pinned down their stomachs. And perhaps having noticed that what he said was in fact pretty bad, Barbatos corrected himself.
“Oh, no, that’s not what I mean. It’s true I’m poking fun at you, but it’s not like I’m trying to piss you off or how to put it... Anyways! That’s how it is!”
“I really don’t understand at all...”
Zagan didn’t understand it either and was pretty much at the point where he was going to go down there himself and punch Barbatos, but Chastille strained a smile having been pushed far beyond the realms of mere astonishment.
“Well, you were that kind of person to begin with I guess. I feel like I kind of don’t understand what you’re trying to say a little less.”
“You saying you get it or not...?”
“I wonder...?”
For the time being, it seemed they had broken through their stalemate. Zagan relayed the fact that the situation had gone from dire to better with hand signals. The situation was so irritating that Richard was now wiping sweat from his brow. Next, Chastille muttered as if this was all simply inevitable.
“Um, that time, was also my bad...”
“Huh? Did you do something?”
“Uh, I mean, didn’t I hit you? I didn’t mean to do that. Sorry, Barbatos.”
“O-Oh...”
Zagan shook his fist in the air to convey that the situation was making a major move. The Angelic Knights were now leaning forward with bated breath as well. And then, Barbatos replied in an awkward tone.
“Aaah, me too... Uh, it was my bad. I didn’t think you’d get so pissed. I won’t say it again... isn’t really something I can promise you, but I’ll be careful.”
“I kind of want you to promise me that though...”
Chastille’s shoulders drooped in exhaustion, but nevertheless, she was certainly smiling.
“But, I guess that’s how you are. I won’t ask for more.”
“Hah, how haughty.”
“You’re one to talk.”
It seemed they had managed to reconcile. Zagan let out a long sigh then raised both his hands to signal that the operation was a success. The Angelic Knights were both celebrating and in rage, but it was clear that they were all relieved to be released from the vexing situation. Also, every one of them was smiling. Zagan himself was also surely smiling.
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride: Volume 7 (Premium) Page 14