Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle - Chapter 214-3

214 – Holding your Hand is Far Harder than Fighting the Strongest of Foes (Part 3)

We were in the middle of a forest. But I couldn’t hear everyone’s voices anymore.

We teleported.

Well, I thought you’d do something like this.

『Aw, how boring. Eh, whatever. I told you that the Original Dungeon will disappear in a few days, right?』

Since there was no one else here, I spoke out loud.

I could talk in my head, but it feels weird knowing that my mind is being read every time.

It’s probably the same whether I talk or not, but I just feel better speaking.

「You did, yeah.」

『It will disappear because I am no longer intervening with it. The pool of Magical Energy still has some juice left in it, y’know?』

The black chick flies in a circle around a certain spot.

Suddenly, a crystal imitating the function of a Dungeon Core appeared there.

The Spirit probably made this.

The functions of a Core aren’t imitated. Just the appearance.

It only appears that way to me, but in reality, it’s just a collection of Magical Energy.

Otherwise-

『What you’re able to absorb is pure Magical Energy. Also, it seems you still have to be aware of taking it, to absorb it. You take it as your own by touching the Core and absorbing it from there.』

It knows that much because it took a peek through my memories.

Fairies are said to be able to absorb the surrounding Magical Energy but there are Magical Energies that they can’t absorb.

For example, the magic of others.

Since it is inscribed with the command of others in the form of a magic formula, it appears to be very difficult to forcibly make it their own.

The structure of a Dungeon is created by the combination of Magical Energy that belongs to no one, and the will of the designer.

Corresponding to the magic formula, I can’t, for example, absorb the Magical Energy used to create a pillar into the horn.

It might not be impossible, but I, personally, can’t do it.

「You’re telling me to…absorb this?」

『It’ll just melt into the air and disappear anyway. I want you to use it in interesting ways.』

「…」

『There’s enough here for other Spirits to find and create a small Dungeon to have some fun with, y’know? Is there anyone else who could make use of this? …Well, I guess that hungry girl could probably use it and change it all into food or something.』

I tried imagining that and ended up laughing.

「So, what’s your name?」

『Oh? What a calculative son of man, you are. …Just call me Black Chick. Not like I have a name, anyway.』

Now that it mentions it, I did hear about that.

How the names of Spirits were given by people out of necessity, but Spirits originally don’t have names.

『If I must have one… I got it, how about Chicky?』

「I’d rather not…」

『Ahaha. …Then how about…alright, I got it.』

After worrying about it for a while, the Spirit spoke out.

『…How about Dark? Sounds like an appropriate name for the partner of a Black Sorcerer, right?』

It’s probably a better name than Black Chick.

「Dark it is then. You have my thanks. I’ll happily take this.」

I reach a hand out to the Core.

『Not like it belonged to anyone, anyway.』

「I know. But I’m thanking you for giving me the choice. Thank you for bringing me here.」

『You’re not mad anymore?』

「This and that are two different things.」

『Tsk.』

Clicking its tongue, the Black Chi…Dark, lands on my head.

I laugh a little at the Spirit as I approach the large mass of Magical Energy in the shape of a Core…and absorb it into the horn.

◇

「How could you, Lem?」

Milla was in a bad mood.

「I was so worried, you know? You promised me that you would talk to me later, yes? And yet, not only did you immediately go to the village with Sitri, you disappeared without a trace during lunch. You only talked a little tiny bit about the Spirit with everyone. I thought you would discuss it with me in detail. Just the two of us.」

「S-sorry…」

Right now, we are both riding in the horse carriage.

The village party will be held tomorrow.

Acquiring permission to return to the village today, I decided to go to my parent’s home accompanied by Milla once again.

I plan on properly telling them about my current job.

「A-and…uhm. Ah, is it here right now?」

『I know, I know. Privacy.』

Dark took off.

「It went off somewhere.」

「Is that so?」

For a moment, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Milla stared at me.

「I-It’s not fair.」

「…Yeah.」

I understand what she’s talking about.

「My wish…that is, it was as you surmised. I…uh, the subject of my wish was you, Lem, but I still don’t know to who you gave your divine blessing..!」

Milla’s wish was the same as mine. The order was reversed, but I made the same wish as her.

That all of the cherished people in my life live in good health.

The Spirit changed the cherished people part to loved ones instead, and when Milla made the wish…my body glowed with light.

I-in other words, she…well, you know.

But when it was my turn, no one in the area shined with light because the Spirit chose to not have a light show due to Milla’s dissatisfaction.

But my parents, of course, Canary and Hawk, and Fenix too, are like family to me. I’m sure they were included without a doubt. My master too.

The loved in loved ones has many meanings.

I think Milla is anxious about the truth.

About whether or not she was included.

It truly is unfair.

I got an answer as soon as she made her wish.

But when it was my turn, the answer wasn’t clearly given.

The horse carriage reached the entrance of the village in awkward silence.

The full moon is beautiful tonight, just like a certain night.

Unlike usual, Milla walks a few steps ahead of me, rather than side-by-side.

Her back looked so lonely.

I wish I could just say something.

I…still can’t put the feelings in my heart into words.

But I know this can’t go on like this.

I quicken my pace to catch up to her and muster up all my courage.

The normally clear senses in my body were so uncertain that I felt as if I were about to float softly into the air. My heart beats quickly in my chest, and I know that my cheeks were burning hot. There was sweat on my forehead and my palms were sweaty. Not to mention my dry throat. My body was shaking so much that I felt like I had to watch my step lest I trip.

If this was a battle, I would have stood against any sort of powerful foe without hesitation.

She stops and tries to say something with a considerate smile.

「I’m sorry, Lem. I’m sorry for being so mean to you, I did say that I would wai…t…fo…r…?」

She couldn’t react well to what happened while she was in the middle of speaking.

With all the strength I could muster, I did it.

Something that, to other people, might not even seem like that big of a deal.

But to me, it was the best way that I could express my emotions.

My hand overlapped and held on to Milla’s slender, white hand.

Thank goodness it’s nighttime.

I’m sure my face must be bright red. Not something that I would want her to see.

But it’s no use.

I became painfully aware that the moonlight illuminated every little detail.

「………!!」

I knew this because I could clearly see Milla’s face turn bright red.

She jolted and then very slowly, almost as if terrified that this moment will disappear, closed her hand to grip mine.

Then she jolted again as if surprised at the sensation.

I couldn’t say anything, I just tried to smile somehow.

From the stiff way she returned a smile, my smile probably looked similar to hers.

It seems that when faced with too much emotion, we both don’t know how to express it properly.

We stayed like that for a while.

Bathed in the moonlight, she looked like she was glowing.