“Oh my…! To think I am blessed with a son so soon…! I’m so happy!!”
Said like a true parent would, which she is. Mother instantly hugged her adopted child and beamed a wide smile that seemed unreal considering how she almost pitted herself against the Shady Hermit.
And… sorry, Leon. While that is a very, very pleasant cushion (read: bosom) to lean on, I don’t want to be bear-hugged to death. Not a very nice way to die for a genderbent reincarnated person like me so I’ll ignore your pleas for help.
“She… defeated what?” Father almost dropped his cup in the dining room.
Ah, he’s chatting with Takeru there. Both of them facing each other with several wine bottles and sake gourds. Mother fumed at first but after father clasped his hands, saying ‘For old time’s sake’, she caved in.
Reluctantly, of course. Mother, you are such a caring wife. If I were a guy, I would’ve married you…
Wait. Why does that line sound stranger than the usual? Huh? Huuh??
“I didn’t believe it at first but here.” Takeru passed a broken claw, letting it be inspected with a thorough observation by father.
“Im-impossible… How…!? She’s still 12-years old…” Father murmured in disbelief as he glanced at me.
Well, what can I say? I’m that amazing after all! But really, if I were to think about it…
“She’s got the demon’s luck.”
Ergh… Did Takeru just steal my line?! We both glared at each other but father was more than astounded that he almost asked further. Takeru raised a hand to stop him from doing that.
“Oh, also. That wasn’t her Last Trial. She faced Bravzgaim five years ago.”
“Se-seven years old…!? My daughter fought an SSS-Rank Monster at that age!!?”
Wah, he shouted. I was accompanying mother in the living room but with that loud voice…
“…what. Did. He. Just. Say…?” Mother bore her eyes at me right then and there.
Scary! Even though she’s smiling, her eyes aren’t! Even Leon was frozen on the spot from the dreadful Noh Mask-mode mother wore!
But a certain perverted Hermit just had to ruin the party even more. “By the way, it’s that one we fought and made a draw to. I woke him up and he ran straight to the midget.”
I heard a booming sound and Leon floated up before falling to the couch. Butt first. Then came an explosion from the dining room as splinters of wood scattered.
“You insufferable fool! Have you gone mad, Takeru dirtass Roundtable!!?” Mother roared as she jumped out of the broken wall. “You dared to try to murder my daughter and still confessing the truth with that smug face of yours in front of I?! Pay your mistake with death!!”
Uwaaaaa…! It turned into full-blown brawl! This is bad for Leon! It’s violence!! The adults went unruly…! He mustn’t watch this kind of side from those he’ll see as parents!!
“Uh… Char…lotte…?” Father called out to me after being stupefied long enough.
Unfortunately, there’s no table left for you to place that empty cup. Sorry, dad, but mom rocketed through it and taking out Takeru along the way.
Well, enough with the jokes. I replied with a nervous ‘Yes…?’ and my parent…
“…how did he fight?” He asked. “Tell me. In your eyes… what did Bravzgaim look like?”
…huh? What’s that question? Why does it feel as if something was hidden in those words?
Hm… still, if I put my thought in it……
“He’s a Warrior.”
“Was he strong?”
“Yeah. He’s ridiculously strong. Got scary style of fighting.”
“How did you beat him?”
“Swords, magic, aura. But mostly fighting spirit and hundreds of swords at the ready.”
“Were you wounded?”
“Takeru said I should’ve been dead for a while.”
“…did he yield when he lost?”
“Nope. He grinned as if he’s won the war… And he really did. I don’t like the feeling since I fought him when he’s handicapped by age, wounds and sickness.”
“…if. If he was at his prime, do you think you can win?”
Hmm... I thought a little and smiled.
“Not at all! But I’d still rather challenge him the same. Fighting him helped me a lot.”
It took father several minutes to process all the information. In the meanwhile, all was quiet outside the cabin as the remaining adults returned with dirty clothes and twigs on their heads. It was then father heaved a sigh and stared at me in the eyes.
“……did you have fun fighting him?” He asked after a longer pause than earlier.
I tilted my head, smirked and nodded as it took no-brainer to answer!
“It was the best fight I ever fought!!”
-
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“…Sis, I think that wasn’t the correct answer.” Leon said to me as we were about to turn out for the night.
“What do you mean?” I replied as I tidied the bed.
Hmph, so much dust… I better air it out tomorrow.
But I heard Leon sighing. Giving a glance to him who was standing at the doorstep of my room, he looked to be in deep thought. I mean, yeah… to suddenly have parents might be an overwhelming experience for him. Especially when he was raised only by her mother and…
Haa. I can’t believe what I heard at first. I’m not going to leak his secret out but I really question the common sense of the demons. Seriously? Are they all nobility from the Dark Age or what?
Still, we decided for this and became a family. For now, Leon is going to stay in the room next door with father while I am going to sleep with mother. Both of our parents are still talking with Takeru downstairs though.
“No… It’s nothing.” Leon stated after shaking his head. Hm…? Why are you being cryptic like that?
“So. We are going to study at a school…?” My little brother asked as he paced into the room and sat at Fei’s bed. More like, at the bedside but anyway.
“Yeah.” I answered as I remembered the content of the conversation earlier. “I heard it’s the most prestigious Academy in Human Territory. If I remember correctly… it’s called ‘Leimburg.’”
“Where is it?” Leon inquired.
“Holy Kingdom Raumia.” I replied.
…hm? Did the mood changed somehow? Why does it feel chilly for a second?
“Ah. Is it that kingdom where all scumbags flocked together and made a corrupted mud pool of their own? I can hardly understand why it’s called ‘Holy’ when its entire society is the most notorious den for rotten pigs to live in.”
Ow. He didn’t mince words. Well, Demons too have high pride in their blood so I guess they’re no different than humans in attitude. Even when I asked Takeru about the specifics, he said ‘You let your guard down for a moment and you’ll be stuck as a limbless cattle’ flatly.
…is the kingdom that ruined? I think Night Raid is needed to crush and reform it if the situation over there is like what Takeru told me.
“But – Leimburg Academy is a neutral area unrelated with the kingdom’s Royal Court. I think it’s safe for us to study there since the kingdom’s authority cannot reach it.” I reassured Leon.
“Hmph. When nobody can look is when people show their true nature.” Leon remarked.
Are you saying people have True Form? Somehow, I imagined a lot of people shouting ‘This isn’t even my Final Form!’ with bloodshot eyes, maniacal smirks and rippling muscles that torn out their clothes from the inside. Ew, disgusting.
“I can’t disagree with that but at least you can write and read books right? Also, it’s better if you have friends, Leon.”
“What good is there to make some friends?”
“Well, you can stop being awkward or you can… fall in love?”
The redhead shot me a glare. Ouch, I just stepped on the bomb huh…?
“I will not allow anything to hinder me, Charlotte… Not until I can kill that accursed monster by my own hands.” Leon growled.
…you’re seriously hellbent on murdering your biological father huh…? Had I not heard your story I’d have lashed back and bashed your head but…
I exhaled. “Okay, fine… my tongue slipped. Sorry, Leon.”
“As long as you understand, sis.” Leon huffed and crossed his arms.
“But it’s still better to have friends you know? Maybe you can ask for some advices or have a couple of sidekicks to not let you be interrupted when beating the snot out of your old ma—“
“……………”
Stop shooting me with that death glare! I’m sorry alright!? It’s not like I can control my mouth at every moment!!
-
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-Takeru’s POV-
Why do I have to do this shit…?
“Can’t I have a moment for myself to further my research…?” I groaned as I dipped the sake gourd’s lip against mine. Soon I drunk down the stronger brew alcohol and I felt my throat growing hotter.
Stiiilll, it’s delicious. As I thought, refined alcohol has a unique level of quality.
“No can do. I have so many things to know from you, Takeru.” Agatha said with a resentful voice. What’s her problem now?
Can’t she just stop it with her explosive violent tendency? I started to question how and why did Alex marry this… megalomaniac.
“Calm down, you two. It has been so many years ever since we gathered together like this.” The Second-in-Command said with a sheepish smile.
Just how smug can he be? I never told any of you where I live. In fact, I don’t want to deal with all of you here and if that Half-Demoness, High Elf and Dragon Lord were here as well… I’d have burned everything to the ground. No question allowed.
“Tch. What do you two want now?” I went straight to the heart of interrogation. “If you want to save your girl, then I don't have anything to tell you.”
While Agatha gritted her teeth, Alex simply narrowed his eyes.
“Truly? Haven’t you gone missing all so that you can cure people like her?”
…great. It’s his sharp intuition. Despite all that naivety and passive nature, you’ve got one instinct too many to ward away misfortune.
“You’re far too sharp for your own good, Alex. It will cost you so much one day.” I warned. No wonder a White Dragon was attracted to teach you that crazy swordsmanship.
“I already know that. But I do not wish to repeat the same mistake all the time.” He replied. “Losing our Leader is more than enough for me.”
Tsk. Dodged the arrow this time, huh? I grumbled and fumed and looked away from his straight, determined gaze at once. But…
I already know that at this rate, things won’t move on. Either it will be a staring contest until dawn or spill the beans right here and now and be done with it.
But... I truly have nothing to say. I have been living like an outcast, researching for any possible mean to solve a problem... Only to fail miserably without any result at all.
What would happen when I told them that?
“Screw you,” I snarled. “You weren’t there at that time. You didn’t even have any idea what was going on and still dared to say ‘It will be fine’!”
I slammed a hand on the table. All the cups and wine bottles toppled over, some falling off the table to smash the ground, turning into shards of glass. In the midst of it all, I glared at Alex. At the one who came way too late that there was no use in patching all the remaining holes.
“Listen up, Alex… She… your daughter’s circumstances… are too much of a coincidence. Can’t you see those eyes and hair color? Can’t you see that light inside her eyes… In her Soul?! She’s the same!!”
“Takeru…”
“You listen to me for now! I’ve watched her for five years! FIVE. GODDAMN! YEARS!! With that body, she’s susceptible to the same fate! No, she has already started to gain more and more insight to the world and showed the ‘symptom’… Faster than her!”
How could they be so calm? How could they lie to her after all that we’ve gone through?! I just… I just can’t believe it!!
“Takeru, she is NOT her!!” Agatha yelled but I glared back at her.
“And do you even know how to prove your claim?” I glowered. “Do you know in what state did I find her in? Do you know how I meet her five years ago…?”
I remembered it all clearly. Basking under the moonlight, lying on the ground with a dress stained by her own blood. A wound too grave for humans to survive…
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Yet she’s still alive… Even with a gaping hole in her chest… she’s still clinging to life despite her soul’s ‘link’ to her body being severed. That girl denied Death, Agatha…! What other proof do you need now?!”
I breathed out, heaving my shoulders as I left the table. “Eight years… That’s the furthest limit. She’s not going to last for more than that.”
I heard a shrill gasp. It was Agatha’s probably but I couldn’t care less.
“…Takeru…” Alex’s voice rang out. “Can you… do something?”
“No.” I denied his false hope. “It’s already too late to do anything.”
"Takeru, there must be a-"
"Enough. I'm out of here."
Like a gust of wind, I stormed out of the wooden cabin.
Once I reached outside, night breeze struck against me. I groaned as I walked and distanced myself away from my hideout. From those… idiots.
After a while… all I could feel was the throbbing in my head. The steam was leaving my stressed mind but I feel horrible. I looked up towards the canopy of the forest that was known to confuse all that entered it.
By the Spirits’ whispers, their eyes and ears would be blinded. Without a doubt, none could go out unscathed. The only way to travel through this Spirit Forest was by appeasing its inhabitants, or be chosen by the Whisperers. And the qualification to be chosen was…
“…fuck it.” I said as if telling that to myself. “Why, of all things possible… Do I have to deal with another Fragment…? It’s not worth my time.”
Ah, now my throat’s parched. Damn. When was the last time I ever shouted like a madman?
“I didn’t bring any alcohol with me… Can’t be helped.” I decided to take a little detour toward the nearest river...
And yet I found myself staring at a certain, familiar plus annoying pair of emerald orbs.
“…you… What are you doing here?” I asked in disbelief.
“Hey! It’s not like I was out stalking you around! I just wanted to drink some water!!” The midget pointed at the flowing river.
…huh. I’m doubting her words but… she really did only that. After scooping clear water in her hands and drank from there, the brat exhaled in relief, her thirst quenched.
“Whew! There’s no water in the barrel back at the cabin so I had no choice but to go all the way here.” She explained, then spun around and put a hand on her hip. “Ugh! You smell, Takeru! Get out of my way. I’m having a hard time sleeping. I don’t need any more problems like dealing with a drunken man.”
…If I were at the state when I stormed out of the cabin, I’d have beaten the shit out of her. Shaking my head, I walked past her and drank the water. As expected, despite the unstable mana and Stigma infested beasts around, the resources did not go corrupted.
Looks like the rumor of Spirits being renowned as Guardians of Nature was the truth. This might come in handy but I don’t have enough sample… or information to accomplish what I truly desired.
“…Takeru? Hey! Are you listening?”
“Hm? Nope. Not at all.”
The brat clearly has some temper problem. I put a hand on her forehead as she tried to charge and hit me. Feh, still weak like always.
“Khg…! What’s with that look!? Stop looking down on me!” She shouted.
“I was born to look down on people like you, mongrel.” I replied indifferently.
Are you Gilgamesh!? She shouted but I couldn’t care about it. Who the hell is that? Some sort of Heroic Spirit?
“Grrh…! Fine!” The midget gave up and turned around while pouting. “I’ll just take another route then…”
As she walked away, her golden hair bristled against her back. Her legs bringing her further and further away from me.
However, I was reminded. Of someone I knew. Someone I used to know. That small back of hers reminded me so much I gritted my teeth in annoyance.
“Oy, Chibikko.” I called out, not knowing why. The brat grunted as she turned a side glance at me, clearly irritated by my nickname of her.
“What is it now?” She asked.
…yeah. I wonder what is it I’m supposed to say. I didn’t know why I called out to her. I didn’t even expect her to respond, much less paying any attention to me of all people.
However – the urge to say words won me over.
“You… what are you fighting for?”
The question threw her off guard. How so obvious of her to even exaggerate with her body. And now I was facing the short girl who was three heads shorter than me. And yes, the multiple use of ‘short’ was because I put a lot of sarcasms in it.
Ignoring my inner thought, the girl exhaled. “Is this your stupid mind game again? I’m not going to fall for it again.”
Oh? Her reaction was even more surprising. I thought she was going to laugh it off but she decided to pursue my reasoning instead.
…As I thought, something was different. She certainly doesn’t seem like ordinary child, at least not with the way she handled things. She adapted too well, in fact.
Is she truly a child? What kind of mentality does she have? How strong is her will? Could it be… her?
“Just shut up and answer my question.” I stated hurriedly.
“…how am I supposed to answer if I was told to shut up?” Chibikko replied, which, in fact, struck the sore spot.
Was I too impatient? I realized I was being hasty, upset even. I didn’t like seeing her face. I never liked being with this girl. She reminded me of her way too much. The way she laughed. The way she wielded her sword. The way she lived…
She’s too similar to be called as a [Fragment]. And I was upset due to it.
...perhaps. Perhaps I really am drunk. Goddammit...
"What do you want to hear then?” A voice pierced the darkness clouding my mind.
I looked back at her. The girl appeared to be confused before putting a hand on her waist. Ah, she adopted that posture quite often, but the spot her hand was on indicated her seriousness.
“Come on, Takeru. I know you want to know something. Your face really look like that idiot Fei for a moment there so let’s just make it quick.”
…how in the name of Seven Chaos did she know? No, wait. Ignoring her sharpness which was probably passed down from Alex, this is a golden opportunity.
“You said you had fun when you were battling Bravzgaim even though you almost lose your head. You didn’t hesitate to accept a Half-Demon as your sibling. And you didn’t even protest or quitting my training. Why? Why go to such a length just to be strong?”
I let out a deep breath as my lungs felt empty. It was refreshing to let out all those thoughts but when I looked over to the midget – she was showing a blank face. What?
“Eh… Uh… just that?”
…this girl. Is this for real? How stupid is she?
“What did you expect? Your embarrassing moments?” I almost grunted.
“Well… surprisingly, you didn’t talk in a vague manner.” Chibikko answered.
Hm?
Rubbing her head, the small girl was showing a troubled expression. “Eh… You people always looked as if you’re seeing a ghost or something when I mentioned specific things. Or did something. It felt as if everyone’s putting a wall around me and hiding a secret behind me.”
……she noticed? My heart tightened in discomfort. How good her instinct is? But if that is so… I...
“…everyone’s entitled to their own secret, Chibikko. Now answer.”
No. No way in hell am I going to tell her. A child has all rights to be loved and happy. If I were to take that away, then I'd break my oath.
Yeah, but… she mumbled. After a few moments, she hung down her head and exhaled in resignation. Looks like she decided to let it slide…
Why am I doing this? Isn’t it the best thing for me to give her all the truth? Albeit too late… isn’t it better to know and regret rather than not knowing and regretting…?
…am I… worried? Worried that I would hurt her if I did so? But why?
“Uhm… then. I’ll just make it short.” Chibikko said. “Actually, my goal is rather simple.”
Oh? And what is that simple goal? I nudged her to continue and she complied.
“I want to live peacefully.”
……huh? Did I just hear something contradictory from her?
“Yeah, look down on me as you want with that face. I know it’s totally wrong for me to get stronger if all I want is to spend my life without troubles.” Chibikko pouted.
“If you know… then why?” I asked.
The short midget scratched her cheeks in embarrassment, her eyes darting away as she explained.
“Weeeellll…. I just hate not being able to do anything when so many people are willing to help me to stand on my own feet. It’s just my pride being wounded but other than that… I’m just being selfish.” She sighed with apologetic bow and gaze.
Selfish…? It certainly sounded selfish. Just to clear up her debts, she’d go as far as vomiting blood and tainting her hands for multiple times. In fact, her selfishness already seemed like madness after I heard her reasoning directly.
“At first… it was different. Ever since I was born, I was amazed by the world around me. It was fun seeing the farmers harvesting their crops. It’s so fun seeing the village brimming with life from up close. Life feels so very vibrant around me that I wanted to explore every nook and cranny of the world.”
Not even lying. Not even scared of admitting she was wrong. What kind of will does she have to neglect her pride and position down to this level? What kind of upbringing did she grow in?
“But… All I ever did was bothering everyone, worrying them all while I sit back and waiting to be helped. I never once could understand how magic works to help mother in doing chores faster. I couldn’t even understand those documents father needed to sign in. All I did was being sick, getting wounded and failing just because I repeated the same mistakes.”
I’m such a hopeless person, she finished with a bitter smile. That faint expression was so fragile, broken and yet too mature for one of her age. But then, in my stupor, she walked over towards me, standing in front of me as her emerald eyes reflected my face.
“That’s why I want to be stronger. I want to be reliable even if for once so that I can repay everyone’s kindness in full.” She finished. “See? Aren’t I a selfish brat?”
“……”
Turning away, hands held behind her back, the girl took off. One step after another, her figure once again distancing itself from me.
“Does that satisfy you? I’m going to sleep now.”
However… only now have I realized. And I didn’t hesitate in grabbing the child’s shoulder, yanking her to face me again…
And pulled her in my arms.
“Whua?!” I heard a surprised yelp but it didn’t matter.
It didn’t matter… It shouldn’t have mattered at all. How stupid can I be? How much of an idiot am I to even try to compare this child with her? With the one I loved…
This girl didn’t deserve all that treatment. She’s not her replacement! Not even close… Not even close……
“T-Takeru…!? Hey! What are you doing?!”
“……I’m so sorry… Charlotte.”
“Eh…? Uh… Err…?”
Slowly, I pulled myself away from her. Still within an arm’s reach, I found the girl’s cheeks flushed red and her eyes blinking repeatedly.
She’s confused huh? Not even a glance was needed to know how high her tension was when I embraced her. Even so… it was fine.
“Look down.” I mentioned, and Charlotte followed my words without a question.
“This… is…?” Her emerald eyes marveled at the object dangling on her neck. She scooped it up with a hand, recognizing the item with a mutter. “A… locket? What is…”
“Your graduation gift. Make sure you don’t lose it.”
Her confusion became shocks, then back to confusion again. Seriously, how many faces can she switch to in a moment’s notice?
“G-gift…?! But this thing… it’s pretty old and… Isn’t this yours…?” The child stammered.
“It’s fine. It served its purpose to me.” I explained as I shifted my gaze away. “It’s already nigh time for it to be in the right hands.”
“B-but…”
“Take it. I insist.”
After a while, the naïve and selfless brat gave up. With a shake of head, she conceded and hid her face away from my sight by looking down to the ground
“…..then… thank… you.” She said with a feeble voice. Oh, even her cheeks were dyed with scarlet.
I smiled at her. “Treasure it well, my first disciple.”
I don’t know if she understood the value that item held. I don’t even know what will await her beyond this mountain. In fact, with her strength and appearance, her dream might be next to impossible and I doubt she will still persist on taking it with a stride.
Even so… Even so. As a teacher, and as someone who knew the truth… I will support her decisions, and protect her from her inevitable fate.
This much is fine, right…? It’s more than enough for me to ask for, right… Iris…?