Chapter 86

Chapter 86

[I’ve finished changing my clothes, Touka-dono . ]

It seems that Seras has already finished changing clothes .

Currently, we are already away from the corpses of the Black Dragon Knights .

We are still inside the forest though .

Turning towards her, I spoke .

[I’m sorry about your previous clothes . ]

Seras says while arranging the creases on her clothes .

[No, I still have a spare with the same design as that . ]

Seras’ previous clothes were torn apart .

There were some blood sticking in the tears of the clothing .

Her clothing was soaked in the blood of the Black Dragon Knights .

Then, the bloodstained clothing was torn apart .

The torn parts were also scattered around a bit .

Also, I’ve left some trails leading to the direction where we’re going to .

Seras also made bloody footprints leading deep into the forest .

[It’s highly likely that they would see through it right away, but it would be fine as long as they bewilder their onlookers . ]

It’s as if Seras was seriously injured after her battle .

Our purpose was just that .

“Seras Ashrain is injured! With how serious this bleeding looks like, she shouldn’t be able to make it far!”

I want to make them think something like this .

It would be even better if this information about her being seriously injured would spread .

The eyes of the people would then be directed towards the “injured person” .

[Now then, as for our plans hereafter... I would take you with me towards the Golden Demon Zone just as we planned . ]

Seras’s hand that were moving about in preparation for our departure suddenly stops .

[Is it really fine?]

[Just as I said, I helped not just because I needed an escort . If you don’t have any problem, then there won’t be problem here . ]

It looks like she still has some things hanging in her mind .

As expected, she must have been afraid that she caused me unnecessary trouble .

[...............]

The death of Civit and the others would be circulated outside the country soon .

However, would they think that Seras killed them all alone?

Perhaps, those imaginative ones would think that she might have a collaborator .

I expect that Civit’s case would eventually get the goddess’ attention .

There’s also a possibility that they might come to know of my existence .

That aforementioned Investigation Team may have already reported something to her .

There was a change in the Disposal Ruins, or something like that .

They may notice someday that Mimori Touka had returned alive from that place .

At least, these actions may only happen on the premise that they’ve known of my existence .

I want to avoid making hopeful assumptions as much as possible .

With sufficient preparation, you won’t feel anxious .

I must always be prepared for the worst that could happen .

[Hmm?]

A howl?

Must be a wolf huh...

I wonder if they had gathered around those corpses .

Fumu...

For the beasts, these corpses were just food .

If these corpses were tattered after being devoured by these beasts, the cause of their death might be blurry for those who would find them later .

I remembered about that “abnormality” in the Mills Ruins .

Their mysterious death from my Poison skill may be associated from that abnormality in the Mills Ruins .

However, if the corpse were to be severely tattered after being devoured by the beasts, they might not associate it with the abnormality .

In other words, they might become a convenient cover for my Abnormal State Skill .

The probability of being noticed by the goddess would also be lowered .

I wanted to leave that place as quickly as possible .

That’s why, I couldn’t have any leeway to disguise the cause of their death .

However, as a result of quickly leaving that place, it seems that the beasts have arrived in that place and provided sufficient camouflage for me .

I think it was lucky for me that the stage is in this forest .

I quickly said the same thing to Seras earlier .

That I don’t intend to deviate from our original plan .

After saying so, Seras finally submitted .

[I understand . If Touka-dono himself said so, I will not mention it again . Instead, please use my life as you please . ]

Seras placed her hand over her chest .

She’s in a pose that kind of looks like a knight that’s making her vow .

From the start, her character might have been suitable for those knights who have sworn their loyalty...

Seras finally finishes the preparation for her luggage .

[Now then, let’s hurry on . It seems that the Five Dragon Warriors still have that “Heroic Blood Killer” left . I heard from the rumors that his outstanding talent might make him eventually surpass even “The Humanity’s Strongest” . It seems he’s belligerent and bloodthirsty, and he was said to be envious of the other Five Dragon Warriors—]

With a suspicious expression on his face, Seras spoke .

[...Touka-dono, what’s the matter?]

I inadvertently put my hand over my mouth .

[Are the size of the dragons ridden by the Five Dragon Warriors different from the other black dragons?]

[Eh? Y- Yes...]

I tried recalling things from my memory .

[I may have probably— crushed him earlier . ]

[Eh?]

[Haven’t I mentioned earlier that I’ve killed the other black dragons I’ve met on my way towards that place where I met you earlier? Along with them, I’ve met this belligerent dragon knight who attacked me as soon as he saw me . His black dragon was comparably larger compared to the others . I think it’s as big as the dragons the other Five Dragon Warriors were riding on . His armor was also different compared to the other dragon knights . ]

I didn’t really know his name .

All these times, I thought he was just another deputy .

Grimm Ritter .

If I remember correctly, Civit called him as such .

So, that’s Schweiz’s son huh...

Now that I think about it, it really might have been him .

I could see some similarities in his face with Schweiz .

[I think there’s no mistaking it, that man really is the “Heroic Blood Killer” . That’s why, you could say that we shouldn’t have to worry about the Five Dragon Warriors again . ]

Yes .

They were already done for .

If it’s just those other four members of the Five Dragon Warriors...

They would be an easier enemy compared to the Soul Eater .

Even if I’m fighting against the “Heroic Blood Killer” .

In the end, the only one that could be called an obstacles was “The Humanity’s Strongest” .

Only against him did I really need to set my traps .

I have no other choice but to try to deceive him .

Seras looks like she’s exhausted .

[Then, you’ve easily killed that “Heroic Blood Killer” huh...]

[That seems so . ]

Finished with our preparations, we started walking through the forest . n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

We didn’t use any way of lighting .

Using that would be like showing a sign for other people informing them that there are people in here .

Well, I could still see through our path .

My eyes had been long accustomed to the darkness .

There’s also the light from the moon .

This is considerably better compared to when I was back in the Disposal Ruins .

[Pii~♪ Piii~♪ Pyiii~♪]

Pigimaru seems to be in a really good mood .

He was also really happy after we met with Seras again .

I wonder if he’s glad that she’s together with us .

How should I say this... seeing him that happy is a pleasant sight for me to see .

[By the way, there seems to be some kind of discrepancy with how you see the previous Holy King and how he really is but—]

I enquired to Seras while we kept walking .

[Back when you were in Neia, didn’t you feel any uncomfortable feeling around that king? You should be able to tell lies, right?]

[Sometimes, I could feel that the king were telling some lies . However, those lies would normally appear only when I’m accompanied by the princess . ]

Seras looks pretty nostalgic .

[The princess had told me back then... That she may also be lying to Seras, but some of those would be white lies . Not all lies were malicious . ]

I see .

She’s quite a wise princess .

Seras’ power of detecting lies cannot really detect the finer details of the lie itself .

Whether it’s the truth or not...

That’s the only thing she could judge .

It’s like speaking with a lie detector present .

If that’s the case, you could only shield yourself against her ability .

And that shield she used was that the existence of white lies .

That a person may have lied to you because that person was thinking for your sake .

If that is so, there is no problem even if she were to notice that you’re lying .

I don’t really know if Neia’s princess is a good person .

I feel like she’s a good person based on what I heard from her story but...

Well, it’s difficult to say that the Holy KIng’s feelings for Seras was “malicious” in the first place .

I think it can’t be helped that Seras haven’t realized the actual situation .

[Now that we’re talking about it, what about the princess?]

Seras bowed .

Though, she looked a bit lonely .

[Currently, it’s possible that the goddess of Alion isn’t pleased with me . There’s also that earlier confrontation with the Black Dragon Knights— so I think the princess would be severely affected if I came in contact with her . ]

[Well, that might be the case . ]

[I’m the fugitive who abandoned my own country... As long as they think like that, the people of Neia should be safe . That also includes the princess herself . ]

[Is that princess aware of this too?]

[Yes . ]

Seras slightly opened the chest area of her clothes .

She took out a jewelry hidden beneath her breasts .

[This was given to me by the princess . The story that was known over there should be that I have stolen this jewelry from the royal family but...]

It kind of looks like a necklace .

[The princess had told me that I should sell this and use the money for travelling expenses but... I can’t sell this by any means . ]

[So, that’s why you needed to earn your own travelling expenses huh?]

[Yes . You can think that I’m being foolish . Of course, this isn’t really something directly related to the royal family that I dare not convert this to money but...]

Seras smiles .

However, the way she spoke sounds like she’s about to cry .

[I can’t let go of this jewelry that the princess has given me by any means . ]

[You must have really liked her, the princess . ]

[Yes . ]

Seras puts her necklace back underneath her breasts .

She looks like she’s just being earnest .

Certainly, what she has done may have been foolish .

However, I couldn’t exactly criticize her actions .

It’s also thanks to her actions that I met Seras...

[By the way, did you get that 300 gold coins earlier?]

[...No . ]

[I planned on completely disregarding the marquis earlier . I don’t want to carelessly leave traces behind . ]

I don’t think that marquis would chase someone who could crush the Black Dragon Knights though .

[Yes, it would be great if that’s the case . However... I’m sorry I couldn’t add it on the travelling expenses . ]

[That’s no problem . I still have a lot of gold and silver coins with me . Besides, here . ]

I took out a pouch from my pocket and tossed it towards Seras .

[—-Uwah? Umm, this is?]

[Open it . ]

[... . !? Don’t tell me, a- all of these are... Azure Dragon Stones!?]

[Well, yeah . ]

[Seriously... Who in the world are you...?]

[I’ve already said it to Civit . ]

[You mentioned that you’re an Avenger, right?]

Seras’ voice is filled with seriousness .

[Is meeting the Witch of Taboos necessary for your revenge?]

[Yeah . ]

Seras is just someone I met in the middle of my journey .

She’s not a comrade that would be together with me just for my revenge .

That’s why, I thought it’s not necessary for me to say anything .

Seras’ steps suddenly halts .

[Who is target for your revenge?]

I also came to a stop .

Turning towards her, I spoke the name of the person that I will have my revenge on .

[Goddess Vysis . ]