Chapter 12
Death and Life
-Kakuto/Mina-
Facing the two ladies, I introduced myself.
"Me? I'm just a mere traveller."
Looking at their faces of disbelief and retort, I guess that bluff didn't work huh.
"Is what I wanted to say, but you two seem to have a lot of questions about me. If that is so, would you kindly guide me to the nearest city?"
The cat woman nodded silently, while the elf girl tilted her head in curiosity.
And so, the fou-ehm, three of us went to the human city. Along the way, I asked the cat woman some questions.
"I know this is sudden, but would you mind telling me your names? Of course, I'll tell mine as well."
"Harr..I'm Machi. I don't have a surname. This little elf here is Hana, also without surname."
Heeh, this is the first time I heard someone without a surname in this world. Well, usually aristocrats have them, so it should be uncommon for a commoner to have a surname.
I should not reveal my true name then. Thus, I used my alias.
"My name is Mina, also without a surname. Pleased to meet you."
I bowed slightly while lifting my dress in courtesy.
"S-same here, Mina-sama"
She did the same actions as me, however clumsily. The elf girl was snickering for some reason, but she bowed as well afterwards.
Did they realise my identity was fake? Hopefully not. Although they may mistake me for a noble, I am not fine with that, as I may get into trouble when the time comes.
"I'm not a noble, you know? I'm just an ordinary traveller."
Their faces say otherwise. I don't think I can clear this misunderstanding for now. I can do it later when we are near the city, so let's focus in another topic.
"Although it's late, thank you very much for saving us from the Giant Wolves, Mina-sama. Hana and I are in your debt."
Machi-san bowed again, with elegance this time. Hana followed.
Ugh. I can't stand this pressure of being of higher standing. I wasn't born of a high status and wealth, so this is quite uncomfortable.
"Umm, can you call me anything else but sama? It's a little uncomfortable for me."
"I see. Then, is Mina-san alright?"
"I suppose so."
"Alright then, Mina-san."
Suddenly, Hana burst out laughing. What was that about?
By the way, Victoria-san stayed transparent and silent the entire time while I was conversing with the two.
"So, what are you doing in this kind of place?"
"Ah, we were going to collect a special plant, which is this."
Machi-san showed both Victoria-san and I a red plant I have never seen before.
It had red petals the shape of a bowl. The stalk was red till the point of mistaking it for a red ribbon. The centre had reddish pollens on it. The entire flower was red, basically.
"This is called the [Witherless Rose]. The doctor said that it was a plant which can cure a certain type of disease. Luckily, one of the traits this plant has is that it is unable to wither in any condition."
"So, what are you going to do with it?"
"Ah."
Her face turned from peaceful to one in horror in a split-second.
"Crap, we need to get to the city, quick!"
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Huh? What is Machi-san going on about?
"There's no time to explain, quickly! We have to go!"
Machi-san stuffed the plant into a bag she's carrying and pulled both me and Hana by the hand and began to briskly walk. The walk became a run. The run became a dash.
"H-hold on, Machi-san. I think I have a better idea."
Machi-san tilted her head after we stopped. Hana was panting, but trying to pretend she's fine. She's a good girl, but I don't think Hana will last much longer.
I whispered to Victoria-san.
"Can you pretend to be my summoned beast? Just slowly turn opaque when I say a chant."
"I get what you mean, alright."
At least Victoria-san understands.
"Buy me something at the city later."
Of course...
I placed my two hands palms out towards where Victoria-san is, and started a chant I made up on a whim.
"With the power thee hold, I summon thee, my partner and loyal servant. Come, Victoria!"
With a sparkling effect and a bright light, Victoria-san was 'summoned'.
The two girls had their jaws dropped to the ground, rubbing their eyes to dispel the illusion in front of them.
"Is...that...A real dragon, Mina-san?"
"Aah yes, she's my summoned beast."
While the two are still in shock, I asked Victoria-san,
"Man, that was a flashy entrance. You don't have to go that far."
"I didn't."
Eh?
"W-what do you mean?"
"I just made myself more opaque, nothing more."
That's strange, it should only have been a dragon slowly taking shape. Unless...
No way.
"Victoria-san, can you try touching something?"
"Uhm. Wait, I can touch the grass!?"
Victoria-san roared in astonishment. The other two had to cover their ears.
"I think I really had summoned you..."
"What are you, really."
"Well, at least you are now like when you're still alive."
"Yeah, I can touch the ground too."
Floating in the air all the time must be weird to Victoria-san, since she does not have that kind of movement function when she was alive.
"We should investigate this when we find somewhere to stay."
"Agreed."
"For now, we have to transport these two."
I encouraged them to board Victoria-san, but they seem hesitant.
"Don't worry, she won't bite."
They are as still as statues, and won't listen to a single thing I said.
Sigh, I don't think there is much choice.
I grabbed them both by the waist.
"Ffuueeeeeee!!?”
The both of them screamed when I jumped onto Victoria-san's back while I carried them like luggage. With [Warlord King], it's easy carrying those two, despite my size.
"Okay, show us the way."
Machi-san came back to reality and pointed at our destination.
"Alright, go Victoria!"
Forgive me for not using san.
Thus, we flew towards the human city at a rapid pace.
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-Risha-
Where is this place?
Oh yeah, I am in my room.
Why am I here?
I can't think straight.
My memory is becoming hazy.
A weird person is standing next to me.
Who is he?
Why is he in our house?
"G...e...t...o...u...t..."
He started mumbling something.
He looked disappointed and angry.
He reached his hands towards me.
Breathing became very difficult, I don't know why.
It's probably the disease.
I cannot breathe a single breath.
I'm being choked to death.
Is this how death feels like?
It is unpleasant.
Please end this.
Some
one...
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What is this?
I can see the room clearly.
A 360 view of the room, showed the man strangling my neck.
Who is this bastard, get off of me!
Eh?, I can't move? What the hell is this!? Why can't I move!? Help!!!
No one can hear me. Is this because, I died? It must be.
I have a sort of red glow around my field of vision. Is this also because I became a soul?
Aah, he's writing something on a piece of paper. He placed it on the nearby desk.
What does it say?
I tried to move myself again. Hmm, looks like the trick is to think of where to go, and I will somehow float there.
I glanced at the note.
To Machi-dono and Hana-dono
I am deeply in regret that Risha-dono has died from riverdrop disease. The strain was too much for her and she passed away, however she gave me her last words before she died. "I love you a lot, Machi and Hana. I cherish you both with the bottom if my heart. Machi, when I'm gone, please take care of Hana." I have placed an advanced letter for the payment of the treatment for Risha when you were out collecting the [Witherless Rose].
Sincerely,
Doctor U.V. Rai
What a bunch of bullcrap. He killed me for god's sake! This is outrageous! Extortion!
If I ever see that man next time, I will kill him! Not that I can do anything in my current state though.
I don't think I can really do anything here. Should I try moving out of here first of all?
I floated towards the door, and through it I go.
I can somehow travel through objects. That's convenient. I tried to go through the window, but I can't. I keep hitting an invisible wall.
Am I going to stay here in this house forever? NOOOOO!!!
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-Kakuto/Mina-
We finally arrived at the human city.
When I was chatting with Machi-san along the way there, I got some information from her.
The human city was called Rakusha. It has a population of a hundred thousand, which was half of the Ayashi's population. It was the biggest city in the human continent, with the second being Marita, with a population of twenty-five thousand. There are no more settlements in the human continent, other than a few lingering tribes here and there.
Marita was very discriminative against demi-humans and allowed the use of slaves. I don't want to go there, ever. However, Rakusha was totally different. They accept demi-humans, treat everyone equally, regardless of status and have banned slave trade.
And also, apparently an adventurers' guild exists. All my effort of thinking why an adventurers' guild cannot exist in Ayashi went to the gutter. *Kusu*
I want to acquire more information, but now we have reached Rakusha. And, it seems trouble has already started brewing.
"Fire!! There's a fire in the west district!!!"
Looks like things are about to get complicated.