Chapter 244: CH 243

Jan 28 2021

“No, you absolutely may not!”

“Why!?”

“We’re able to fight as well!”

“If I say no, that means no!”

Unusually, Claire’s voice was raised as she addressed Mei and Alea.

Though unusual, it’s understandable.

We’re currently in a Zurück inn reserved for those who came from Bauer.

The country reserved the entire inn, so we’re borrowing one of the rooms as our temporary residence.

“Do you two understand that you’re still children? It’s unthinkable for you two to fight against the Demon Queen!”

That’s right.

Claire-sama lost her composure because Mei and Alea said that they wanted to participate in the confrontation against the Demon Queen.

As we had no intention of taking the two along, we said ‘We need to take care of some work, so please take care of things at home’, but they instantly saw through it.

Reflecting, the telepathy that the Demon Queen and Pope both used should have reached Mei and Alea as well. As they’re both more mature than their age would suggest, it seems our act was obvious to them.

“But, Mei and Alea are strong?”

“We’re probably stronger than our mothers.”

Mei and Alea come together to say such a thing.

However, strength is not the problem at hand.

“It’s true that both Mei and Alea are quite strong. However, neither Claire-sama nor I intend to bring you two to the battle field.”

“But why!?”

“We refuse to accept this!”

Both Mei and Alea stomped their feet.

Hmm.

“It’s because Mei and Alea are our precious daughters. If something were to happen to either of you, even if we defeated the Demon Queen, to us it would still be a loss.”

Hearing those words, Mei and Alea both sank into silence.

I continued.

“Mei and Alea are both strong. However, now isn’t your time to fight. When you both grow older and find something to protect, that’s when you should fight.”

Having said that, I tried to pull the two of them into my arms.

I did so because I thought maybe, I had convinced them.

Instead, they pushed my arms away.

“Rei-okaasama, why would you say something like that!”

“For us too, if something were to happen to our mothers, we wouldn’t be able to go on living!”

The two protested as large tears poured.

I was at a loss for words.

“In the same way that our mothers don’t want to lose us, Mei doesn’t want to lose mothers either!”

“Us two, we’re not simple children that need protection! I ask that you don’t belittle us!”

Their reaction was quite severe.

It was similar to when we intended to leave them behind when leaving the empire.

It seems the thought of being separated from Claire-sama and I, is something that will always trigger their trauma.

However-.

“It’s impossible. No matter what you two say, we will not take you to the confrontation with the Demon Queen.

“Yeah. Sorry, Mei, Alea.”

This time we really had no intention to compromise.

Even if hypothetically this choice were to hurt them, or even if they were to resent us for it, we refuse to give in.

That’s because to us, these two are our irreplaceable daughters.

“Don’t say that, let’s take them along.”

The voice that suddenly called came from the entrance to the living room.

“Lily…, no, it’s TAIM right now, isn’t it?”

TAIM, borrowing Lily-sama’s body was standing there.

Lily-sama wouldn’t break the lock and enter without permission.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but no matter what, I refuse to bring these two along, alright?”

“Don’t be so stubborn. Take a moment and think about it properly.”

“What do you mean, properly?”

Though Claire-sama asked, it was clear that it was just for the sake of asking.

“Listen. If we lose the fight to the Demon Queen, ultimately, Mei Barbe and Alea Barbe will both be killed. Should we not confront the Demon Queen with everything that we have?”

“I’ve already said. Even if we defeat the Demon Queen, it would be meaningless if something were to happen to Mei or Alea.”

The Demon Queen’s defeat is not the be all, end all, it is but a requirement.

Simply winning isn’t enough.

“You say that, but we won’t be able to defeat the Demon Queen without their assistance.”

“? On what basis?”

“Based on my calculations. You could consider it a pseudo form of clairvoyance.”

“… You’re even capable of something like that?”

Claire-sama sent TAIM a doubtful glare.

“I’ll firmly assert, humanity’s current strength will be unable to defeat the Demon Queen. We will require Mei Barbe and Alea Barbe’s strength.”

The lack of their participation equates to humanity’s loss, that was what TAIM stated.

“… Even if that’s the case, we cannot take these two along. If they die, even if we’re saved, we’ll die there. We’ll be but shells of ourselves.”

“Yes, we refuse to give up on this.”

This was something that Rod-sama said, but it seems dangerous to unconditionally accept everything that TAIM says.

Beyond that, even if what she’s saying is true, we must not bring these two along.

“Hm… perhaps I should put this differently. Claire François, Rei Tailor. Take these two along, otherwise, I’ll kill them.”

“Wha!? TAIM, what are you saying!?”

In response to TAIM’s sudden threat, Claire-sama and I both unsheathed our magic wands, before moving to protect Mei and Alea.

“You two wouldn’t think things over if I didn’t say something like this, right?”

“Do you really believe that we’ll succumb to such a threat!?”

“It’s not a threat. It is simply the truth.”

TAIM maintained an inhuman detachment.

“In that case, we will defeat you here.”

“Can you? This body belongs to Lily Lilium. Are you two able to kill her? Even though she doesn’t know anything, she hasn’t done anything.”

“… What cowardly conduct-!”

In the face of TAIM’s nonchalant response to my words, Claire’s elegant brows arched pointedly.

It was becoming difficult for me to keep my calm as well.

“Even if we don’t defeat you, we still have the option to run.”

“That seems impossible too. As you now know, I am a system. I am able to appear anywhere in this world.”

… Somehow, I’ve started to feel that this thing is worse than the Demon Queen.

Is she really humanity’s ally?

“I apologize for saying something so extreme. However, the continued existence of humanity is my purpose. To fulfill that purpose, I will do anything.”

As though she had read my thoughts, TAIM quickly reframed its position in response.

However, I no longer had any intention of trusting TAIM.

Though she does not lie, she doesn’t tell the entire truth.

If we entrusted ourselves to what she, who has constantly controlled humanity behind the scenes, the conclusion would certainly move in a direction favorable to her.

That being said, what should we do?

TAIM’s threat to kill Mei and Alea if we refuse to take them with us did not seem to be a bluff.

If she deems it to be necessary, she will certainly act.

But, to bring these two with us to confront the Demon Queen…

“Rei-okaasama, listen.”

“We desire to come along.”

As my internal struggle continued, Mei and Alea said such words.

“What do you mean?”

“As Claire-okaasama just said, it’s the same. Mei and Alea too, though we were alive, we were just shells.”

“Not being dead and living, I don’t believe that those two things are the same.”

These two took the words Claire-sama had just said and clung to them.

They were trying to express something that should be difficult to grasp, even for their accelerated mental maturity. My thoughts spun desperately as I tried to weave my response.

“Every day we’d wake up, find food, eat, and sleep. In a loop.”

“Even once we were taken to the church, worship was simply added to that, and that was all.”

Perking up, the two continued.

“Because we met mothers, Mei and Alea were finally able to live.”

“Mothers, you were the ones that gave us our lifestyles as people.”

The two smiled.

Their smiles were angelic.

“Mei and Alea, we don’t want to be living shells again.”

“If our mothers were to die, even if we were alive, it’d be the same as being dead.”

“Mei… Alea…”

Claire-sama drew the two in for a hug.

The two continued speaking within her arms.

“Please let us fight together? Then let’s all return together too?”

“We don’t wish to be as two. We prefer being together as four… No, Relaire is with us too, so it’s four and one!”

Having finished, the two clung onto Claire-sama.

“The children are already this resolute, are you two still hesitant?”

TAIM spoke.

“I ask that you don’t state it so simply.”

“I understand where you’re coming from. However, their participation in the confrontation will not be a bad thing for them.”

“? What do you mean by that?”

In response to Claire-sama’s question, TAIM spoke while still smiling.

“If they participate in the confrontation, the curse on their blood will also be broken.”

“!? Is that true!?”

“I don’t lie. No, I can’t lie.”

The curse on their bloodーanything their blood touches turns into a magic gem, this curse that was placed upon Mei and Alea was something that not even the Moon’s Tears could dissolve.

That will be… broken?

“TAIM, if we take these two along, what are the probabilities that they’ll be injured or worse, meet their end?”

“Injuries will likely be unavoidable. However, it is unlikely that their lives will be at risk.”

“Will you leave it up to us to decide on their positions?”

“It would be for the best if you took my calculations into consideration. It is even more dangerous to carelessly leave them in the back.

“…”

Claire and I looked at eachother.

“Claire-sama…”

“Rei, but…”

“It’s not what I want either. It’s not what I want, but it might be best to listen to TAIM here.”

“…”

Claire-sama still seemed hesitant.

I too was still personally against it.

What a twist of fate that we have no choice but to take our daughters to the confrontation.

“TAIM, without these two, we won’t be able to defeat the Demon Queen, is that right?”

“Yes, that is certain.”

“Their lives won’t be at risk, right?”

“It’s not a 0% chance, but the chances are extremely low. I will make sure of it.”

“It’s true that their curse will be broken, right?”

“Yes, I am nearly certain.”

“…”

Claire-sama was experiencing the deepest inner conflict that I had ever seen her fight through.

I could relate so deeply that I myself felt pain.

After what seemed to be an eternity of silence, Claire spoke.

“I understand. We’ll take them along.”

“Then it’s settled.”

“However, if something were to happen to these two, be prepared for me to become the Demon Queen.”

“…So be it. I swear on my calculations that I will protect these two.”

“Please do.”

Bitterly accepting Claire’s determination, I asked TAIM the one thing I felt I must.

“TAIM, there are three things that I need to confirm. FIrst, you say that Mei and Alea are necessary, but what specifically will you have them do? Second, you said that you will protect them, but how do you intend to do so? Third, why will the curse on their blood be broken? Does it have something to do with the Demon Queen?”

If I can’t confirm these things, I can’t bring these two along.

However,

“I am unable to reply to those questions at this time.”

“… Why is that?”

“As I’ve already said, the Demon Queen has administrative privileges. Simply put, it can’t be denied that it’s possible she’s monitoring my speech.”

“…”

Though not ideal, it was an explanation I had to swallow.

However, I couldn’t help but feel that this AI was shady.

“Rei, even without relying on her, let’s set out to protect them ourselves. This isn’t something that we can so easily leave to someone else regardless.”

Claire-sama turned to face Mei and Alea once more,

“Do you understand? It is imperative that you think of your own self-protection first. If you can’t do that, then you won’t be able to help anyone either.”

“Yeah!”

“We understand!”

“You’re not allowed to act alone. It’s not yet decided who will be in charge, but make sure you properly listen to them.”

“Yes…”

“… We understand.”

“Rei and I definitely won’t die. That’s why… you two must not either.”

“…Yes”

“…We…understand…”

Claire-sama’s face was an absolute mess.

The agony of having to subject her daughters to the battlefield tore at her.

Mei and Alea, lured by that, also began crying.

“Rei Tailor, it seems that you won’t cry.”

“Yes, I suppose.”

“Are you alright?”

“Do you want to fly?”

“Apologies.”

I’m unable to cry because this was all the result of the actions of another me.

Simply crying would be too soft.

I must take responsibility.

“The demon queen must be defeated. It can’t be at someone’s sacrifice, it must be a complete victory.”

That is the lone option left to me.

“Out of respect for your determination, let me offer you one more piece of advice. Please also take Lily Lilium with you for the confrontation.”

“Lily-sama too?”

Her sword skills are certainly commendable, but if TAIM is saying it that can’t be all.

“The time manipulation magic that she uses should be able to reduce the Demon Queen’s strength. Magic strength is drawn from one’s flow of time after all.”

TAIM states that it would be best to slow the Demon Queen’s flow of time.

“Wasn’t it Lily-sama’s other personality that could use time manipulation magic?”

“His personality has been fused with Lily’s. It is simply hiding so as to not trigger unpleasant memories.

So that’s what happened.

“If you use Rod Bauer’s Magi Shibley to break the magic barrier, Lily Lilium’s time manipulation magic to weaken her, and join your magic in chorus, you will have a chance at victory.”

“… Well, we’ll win. I’ll make sure of it.”

For us―no, for me, that’s all that’s left.