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Chapter 102 Locking the Treasure with a Key
Now, let's start by sharing the information about the time I got separated from Toka. I began by telling them that I killed Gustav, fought and defeated Levia of the Taltus Army, and finally, about the experiment with the artificial hero. Toka shared with us that the experiment with the red ore was intended to create monsters.
"I see... It's truly lamentable how rotten it had become, really."
Claire sighed. The other three have been looking pale at me since they heard about the Hero's Gift Spheres.
"So, the Hero's Gift Spheres were such things...?"
"So there is a hero in this [Mech]... That's quite a grim tale..."
Toka was shocked too. She fought with the power of the Hero's Gift Sphere hanging as a necklace around her neck.
But the one most shocked was undoubtedly Beato.
"…! …!!"
With a face that looked like she was about to cry, she tightly held onto my hand.
"…"
Indeed, the sinking feeling in my heart intensified. Even if I were to achieve revenge, protect Beato, and obtain peace, as a human, I would eventually die. Then, my soul would be trapped inside the Hero's Gift Sphere, forever confined within the gem.
I didn't know the details of the afterlife or reincarnation systems, but for me, once I died, it meant an eternal farewell to Beato. Just thinking about it was unbearable, creating a sensation like my chest was being torn apart.
"...That's right, maybe..."
That's right, the root cause of everything was that existence. If it hadn't chosen me as a hero, my family might have survived—
"…?"
Beato yanked on my sleeve. The one I asked of her to tell me if I looked scary. This time, she pulled much more violently. Did I really look that scary?
"Oh, sorry. I was just lost in thought."
It was an absurd and exaggerated train of thought, I feel.
After that, I told Claire and Beato about Berna. When I mentioned that she served under Leiche, both of them seemed relieved. It seemed Leiche was not an enemy after all.
"Hey, Beato. What kind of girl is Leiche?"
"…?"
She looked like she didn't understand the question, but she quickly wrote on the parchment.
"Leiche is my big sister. Since she was little, she could do anything and was very diligent. Even when I was playing, she was always studying and trying to become an excellent saint."
"I see. Sorry for asking strange things."
Yeah, I might have been too suspicious. It seemed that she was not involved in the story of sacrificing Beato.
"Now, there's one more piece of big news, right? I don't really get it, but it should be surprising for Beato and Mel-chan."
"Yeah, big news. I still can't believe it. It's so unbelievable that I sometimes think it was an illusion."
The leader was alive.
So, in other words, it means that Joana's information was unusually incorrect, but this is a happy mistake, right?
○○○
When Beato heard that the leader was alive, she was genuinely surprised and teary-eyed, feeling relief from the bottom of her heart. Mel-chan was also surprised, but her reaction was a bit different. Come to think of it, this girl spent about three days with the leader. During that time, they didn't really talk much.
"This is something Strah-nee-san would be delighted to hear!"
She happily bounced around.
Now, as for Mel-chan, she's currently taking a nap with Toka. Toka was sleep-deprived because she spent the whole night searching for us with the leader. Mel-chan, who waited for our return with Beato until late at night, was in the same boat.
We decided to depart from the holy land of Pireapolis when Toka and the others woke up. Our destination was currently planned to be Stige.
So, while waiting for Toka to wake up, I had some free time. I wanted to give something to Beato, so I went out shopping. Of course, I made sure to dress in a man's clothing.
"I'm back!"
I returned to the shop and headed to the living area in the back. Beato, who was sitting on a chair, noticed me, stood up, and then rushed to hug me.
"…Oops."
She was nuzzling against my chest, rubbing gently. Despite being away for just a short while, the welcome was as warm as in the morning. Maybe I made her anxious by not coming back last night.
"There, there, it's okay. I just went out for a little shopping."
She seemed to calm down when I stroked her head. After leaning on me for a while—
"…!?"
Suddenly, she snapped back to reality and hastily started tidying up something she had on the table. I wondered what she was making.
"…"
Once she finished packing into her bag, she took out a piece of parchment and wrote swiftly.
"Welcome back. What did you buy?"
"Just a little something for Beato."
"…!? …?"
When I showed her a small package, Beato was surprised. She forgot about writing and pointed at her face.
"Yeah, for you. It feels strange without a collar around your neck, you know?"
I took it out from the small bag and showed it to Beato. It was a collar with a lock design. Like locking a treasure chest, it was a declaration that Beato belongs to no one else. It might be a bit heavy, but more in a symbolic sense.
"How is it? If you don't like it, feel free to say so."
"…!!"
"I'm really happy, it's not like that at all."
Phew, I'm relieved. She looked genuinely pleased. Well then, I gave it to her and saw her put it on right away.
"…, …"
Huh, why does she seem so fidgety? Then, hesitantly, she started writing with the pen.
"Please put it on, Kyrie-san."
Blushing, she made such a request.
"W-Well, it's okay..."
It should be nothing special, but because Beato made such a face, I started to feel embarrassed too.
I opened the collar, wrapped it around Beato's neck, and snapped the fastener shut.
"Yeah, it looks good on you."
"…, …"
But she started fidgeting again.
"It seems like I'm Kyrie-san's possession now."
"W-What are you saying?!"
What's with these words? Seriously. Holding the parchment that said such a thing with both hands, what does this girl want from me?
"Good morning! Well, it's already noon, though."
"After lunch, it's time to depart! Hyahho, looking forward to riding the magical airship again! It's so much fun!"
"I promise a comfortable journey in the sky. ...Huh? You two, why are your faces so red? Did something happen?"
"…No, nothing at all."
Phew, I'm glad both of them woke up. Beato looked a bit disappointed, but the atmosphere was starting to get strange.
○○○
After finishing lunch, it was time to depart.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Claire-san!"
The older Toka bowed with gratitude. The difficult old lady, in the end, kept her stern expression.
"Hmph, it was quite a nuisance. Well, it helped pass the time. ...You there."
"M-Me?"
Why was she talking to me? It's a bit scary.
"Don't think I'm at ease just because you're a woman. If you do anything strange to Beato, I won't stand for it."
"I won't do anything...!"
What's with this 'anything strange'? Beato and I didn't have that kind of relationship. This old lady seemed to have misunderstood something.
"Come on, that's enough. Go on, hurry up."
With a dismissive wave, Claire returned to the shop. If I said she was lonely, she might hit me. While turning away, she stopped and added a last word.
"...And one more thing. Take good care of her. If anything happens to that child, I won't stand for it."
With just that, she finally entered the shop. Despite not being blood-related, she's a caring grandmother. With that, we bid a temporary farewell to the city of pure white, Pireapolis that was also harboring many hidden shadows, a place where sacredness and eeriness coexist.
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Holy fucking gay. Kyrie even collared Beato. That's kinky af.
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