11 - The Worst Reunion at the Worst Time
When I opened my eyes, I could see a sky full of stars through the bars.
But before I could be captivated by the sight, Ray's attention was drawn to a small, sobbing voice reaching his ears. Turning his gaze toward the sound, he saw Rui, her hands and feet bound by iron shackles. She even had a gag in her mouth.
His own situation, however, was even worse. He was tightly bound with ropes, and it took a great effort just to sit up.
"Mm, mmm!"
Noticing that Ray had started to move, Rui groaned.
"...Phew. Are you hurt?"
"Mm, mmm."
"You don't have to force yourself to speak. I can tell by your head movements."
When Ray said that, Rui moved her head up and down, indicating affirmation.
"I see, that's good... There aren't any guards, are there?"
Ray muttered, wondering why no figures were visible around the cage they were kept in. Rui shook her chin slightly and pointed ahead. Looking closely, he could see a knight staring at them from a short distance away.
"...Ah, I see. They're afraid of Charm."
Ray was slightly exasperated when he realized the reason the guards were keeping their distance. Rui had not yet reached adulthood. Her naturally occurring Charm was not active. The Human Race had not been able to determine this. The position of the guard reflected that.
"It's convenient that they're far away, but I can't let my guard down. In the first place, what kind of treatment am I getting? This doesn't feel like 'protection' at all."
His hands and feet were bound just like Rui's. Furthermore, they had gone to the trouble of tying him with ropes on top of that. Considering only this, he was bound more strictly than Rui. Ray didn't understand why they would go this far for someone who looked so pathetic, but as long as he was tightly bound and put in a cage, there was no doubt he was being viewed with caution. In fact, the guard's movements became frantic as they noticed Ray starting to move.
"...Hmm. I don't really get it, but for now, Rui."
"Mm?"
"No acting friendly for a while. I'll tell you the reason later. It'll be long, and besides..."
"Mm, mm."
Perhaps sensing the general situation, Rui's gaze turned sorrowful. The reason she immediately looked away was likely because she didn't want Ray to see her crying face. For Ray, that was better. If he were thought to be close to Rui, his position would worsen. Far from achieving his goal, there was a possibility he would be eliminated. It would be fine if Rui were with him, but Ray couldn't allow himself to be the only one killed. Eventually, a shadow approaching the cage entered Ray's vision. When he clearly recognized the face of the approaching shadow, Ray involuntarily let out a cry of surprise.
"Gah!?"
"Eh? Um, did I do something to surprise you?"
"N-no. Um, this is the first time we've met, right?"
(Meeting her in this world, of all places...)
(Shut up! It's not like it's definitely her yet!)
The woman who appeared was a face Ray knew well from his original world. One of the people in the original world Ray least wanted to reunite with. Because a woman who looked exactly like that person appeared before him, Ray's heart suddenly felt heavy.
"Yes, ah, no. Do you have memories of the cave?"
"...From when?"
"Just before you were rescued."
"I don't. I was unconscious."
"I see. Ah, let me introduce myself. I am Hinata. Hinata Katsura."
"...I see."
(Yep, decided. It's her.)
When even the name was exactly the same, he couldn't deny it even if he wanted to. The Hinata before him was the Hinata Ray knew. With that, Ray's heart grew even heavier. Kamiira had said three Heroes had come. Then, who were the other two? It was almost certain that the top three people he didn't want to meet had gathered.
"And you are?"
"I... don't remember. I have no memories."
Ray told a lie on impulse because he didn't want to say his name.
"Are you suffering from amnesia?"
"Amnesia?"
"Ah, do you not understand the word?"
"Yes."
This was, of course, a lie. It was the word 'amnesia' that Kamiira hadn't understood. He decided it was better to play dumb, treating it as something that didn't exist in this world.
"When you say you have no memories, do you mean none at all?"
"...No, not entirely. I just don't have memories from before a certain point."
After a moment's thought, Ray decided on that. If he clumsily claimed to have no memories at all, there was a possibility his words and actions would become inconsistent later. In short, as long as he wasn't found out to be an Otherworlder, it was fine.
"I see. That must be difficult."
"Not really. It was actually more helpful that way."
"Eh? Is that so?"
(Idiot. One word too many.)
(My bad. Because of who the opponent is, I let my guard down a bit.)
Dealing with Hinata, with whom he had been close, Ray's rhythm was slightly off. In truth, she was the person he had to be most wary of.
"If I don't know the past, I can't compare it with the current situation. In the forest, that was better."
"I see. So you had a difficult life?"
"I guess."
"Is your body alright? Are you in pain?"
"Ah, yeah."
Ray felt a bit uncomfortable. He noticed that Rui, who should have been looking away from him, was staring intently at him. Those eyes were clearly angry. Feeling a vague sense of guilt, Ray's words became fewer.
"Um, are you feeling unwell after all?"
"Ah, just a little. But I'm fine. More importantly, do you have some business with me?"
"Ah, that's right. Since you seem to have woken up, I thought I'd hear a bit from you."
"You?"
Ray found it surprising, thinking that such things were the job of the knights, but he soon understood the reason.
"I'm told that men should not approach the cages too closely."
"Ah, I see. So that's it. So, what should I talk about?"
"Are you a member of the Demon Race?"
"Huh? You're asking something like that?"
"Um... it's just that it's difficult to judge. I'm told it can be investigated once we return to the royal capital."
"...If I said 'no', would you believe me? Even if I were a member of the Demon Race, I think I'd say 'no' for the time being."
There was no point in asking if he was a member of the Demon Race. That was what Ray wanted to say, but it didn't get through to Hinata.
"Um... that is, you're right."
(She's smart, but has a bit of a natural airhead feel. She hasn't changed.)
(...I guess.)
"Mmmmmm."
Ray had involuntarily smirked, and he heard Rui's groan. He pleaded with his eyes for her to be quiet, but Rui's eyes had changed to the ones she had when she was truly angry during an argument.
"...Um, is that all for the conversation?"
"It's only just begun."
"Ah, right. Then, please go ahead with the next question."
"Why were you there? Why were you connected by chains?"
"Um... could you listen calmly?"
"Ah, yes."
"Please don't get angry, this is for your own sake."
"Huh?"
"Ah, no. Um, you see. I was forced to live like a slave in that cave."
"Mm? Mmm! Mmmm!"
As expected, Rui began to get angry at Ray's words, which he hadn't actually meant. "Don't get angry" had been directed at Rui, but it didn't get through to the simple Rui. The fact that Rui was gagged was a blessing in this case.
"Ah, um, please be quiet! If you struggle too much, you'll be treated harshly!"
The one who stopped Rui was Hinata. Hinata had been under the impression that members of the Demon Race had terrifying appearances. The existence of a child of the Demon Race had not entered her mind at all. Much less that she would end up killing a child, even if they were a member of the Demon Race. Even if she hadn't personally dealt the blow, the battle in the cave was a considerable shock for Hinata.
"Mmm? Mmmm, mm, mmmmmm? Mmmmmm!"
"Um, she's saying thank you for the warning."
Naturally, the lines Ray spoke were nonsense. Correctly, it was, "Hah? What the hell are you saying? Don't screw with me!"
"Mmm?"
"Um, can you understand what she's saying?"
"No, just the gist. Is there anything else? I don't think this is a very good environment for talking."
"You're right... then."
"Hinata!"
A man's voice suddenly interrupted. It was a voice that sounded familiar to Ray as well.
"Fumiya!? What are you doing here?"
(He can't read the room. And as expected, it's him.)
The person who appeared was exactly who Ray had predicted.
"How was it? Were you able to talk?"
"It's not 'were you able to talk.' Fumiya, you're not supposed to get close, right?"
"A little bit is fine. We are Heroes. We won't be affected by the Demon Race's Charm."
"That's not a reason at all. Move away immediately."
"But I'm actually fine... Hey, are you okay? Are you in pain?"
Fumiya was speaking to Rui. Seeing that, Ray was the one who was surprised.
(What is he thinking?)
(Who knows?)
"Ah, breathing must be difficult like this. At the very least, I should take off the gag."
Far from being cautious toward Rui, Fumiya approached her, speaking in a friendly voice.
"Wait!? What if she bites you!?"
"I'll be fine."
Fumiya wouldn't even listen to Hinata's warning. He approached the cage and tried to reach out to Rui.
"Enough already!"
Thinking that words wouldn't work, Hinata grabbed Fumiya's sleeve and forcibly pulled him away.
"W-wait."
"Don't you understand!? You're not the only one who'll be in trouble if something happens!"
"What do you mean, 'not just me'?"
"If you so much as scratch her, what do you think will happen to this child?"
"...Ah, I see."
"Understand? Don't act rashly."
"Sorry. Then, I'll just talk for a bit."
"Wait!?"
"Hey, you, what's your name? I'm Fumiya. Fumiya Takeuchi."
"............"
Rui was also taken aback by Fumiya's attitude. In the first place, even if asked for her name, she couldn't speak with a gag in her mouth. Rui's gaze directed at Ray was...
(This guy's an idiot, huh. I've got that. He really is an idiot.)
Ray replied in his heart, but as expected, it didn't reach Rui. Her gaze remained on Ray, pleading something further.
(Save me quickly, probably. But that's impossible. Hang in there.)
He directed a clenched fist toward Rui so as not to be seen by those around them. Once again, the fire of anger toward Ray lit up in Rui's eyes.
"You're a bit younger than me, right? Around middle school age?"
"Hey, Fumiya. Enough already."
"A little bit is fine. I'm just talking."
"One-sidedly."
"Well, that can't be helped. Between a Hero and a member of the Demon Race. But I believe."
"Believe what?"
"That we can surely understand each other, even with the Demon Race. Just fighting isn't the only way to solve things. Don't you think so too, Hinata?"
"I agree with that, but is the current Fumiya thinking about something that grand? To me, it just looks like you're trying to hit on a cute girl."
"That's not it. This child is certainly cute, but to suddenly hit on her..."
"...Move away immediately! Fumiya! Aren't you under the influence of Charm!?"
"I told you, I'm not."
In contrast to the panicking Hinata, Fumiya was smiling with a calm appearance. But no matter what Fumiya's attitude was, it didn't matter to Hinata.
"Just move away! If you don't behave, I'll call the knights!"
There was no need for Hinata to call. Hearing Hinata's voice, a knight who noticed Fumiya was near the cage came running over.
"A-alright. Then, just one last word."
"Hurry up."
"Hey, you. I will definitely protect you. I won't let you die just because you're a member of the Demon Race. So please, be at ease."
"...The worst. Come on, let's go!"
"W-wait, I get it. Don't pull my clothes."
Fumiya left the scene as if being dragged by Hinata. Ray and Rui watched that scene blankly from inside the cage.
"...Any idea? Did you consciously use Charm?"
"Mmm."
Rui shook her head side to side with all her might.
"Right. There's no need to do that. Then, what was that? Was he always like that?"
"Mm?"
"Ah, he's an acquaintance. Fortunately, he didn't notice me."
It would be harder to notice. Ray had become younger than when he was in the original world, and even his build and hair color had changed.
"Mmm!?"
"From the other world. Both of them. The other Hero they say exists is probably an acquaintance too."
The other one was likely Akemi Sakuragi. He couldn't imagine those two being here and her not.
"Mmm-m."
"I don't know what you're saying. Even if I say they're acquaintances, it doesn't mean we're on good terms... no, we were on good terms. But for me, they're the worst three people I'd rather not meet."
"Mm?"
"I was betrayed. From my perspective, anyway. The other party probably doesn't even feel like they betrayed me. Conversely, that's what irritates me."
"Mm..."
Ray's expression was one Rui was seeing for the first time. Just by looking at that expression, Rui could feel the unbearable feelings he had toward the other party.
"Well, they probably won't come back for a while, so let's talk now."
"Mm, mmm."
"I'll say it again. Calm down, don't get angry... no, you can get angry. But don't make a scene, and listen to me until the end. If possible, keep your gaze directed elsewhere. The guard is looking this way again."
"Mm."
"I think you already know, but Kamiira-san has passed away."
"Mm."
"I killed her."
"Mmm!?"
Forgetting what he had just been told, Rui turned her gaze toward Ray. In response, Ray did not warn her. He had simply stated the fact.
Without meeting the eyes of Rui, who was staring at him with wide eyes, Ray continued talking.
"It's true. To offer an excuse, it was Kamiira-san's wish. She told me she'd rather I kill her than have her captured and suffer a terrible fate."
"...Mm."
That was something Rui, a woman of the Vampio race, understood well. Choose death over being captured by humans. She had been told that. Thinking of that, Rui felt anxious once again about her current situation.
"But there's no changing the fact that I killed her. So, please hate me."
"............"
Rui shook her head slightly. Whether he was watching or not, Ray continued to move only his mouth, staring straight ahead without budging.
"It seems I was able to receive a part of Kamiira-san's power. And her knowledge too. I haven't been able to organize it well yet, so I don't really know what I can do myself. But I think this power will surely be useful."
"............"
"I'll somehow make that power my own and save Rui."
"Mm!"
"That's the least I can do as atonement. But..."
"Mm?"
"If my power isn't enough and it seems I can't save Rui..."
"............"
Even without asking, Rui knew what Ray was going to say. About the other way to save her.
"I'll kill Rui too... sorry."
"Mmm."
She shook her head vigorously again.
"I... I... damn it!"
He wanted to save Rui, but to be honest, Ray didn't have the confidence. How could he, who couldn't even run properly, save Rui, who was captured by a nation's knight order?
He simply couldn't forgive his own helplessness.
And seeing Ray like that, Rui's heart also sank. She knew that Ray had feelings for her mother. It was obvious that Ray was deeply wounded by having killed her, even if it was at her own request.
And because she was captured like this, she was making Ray suffer even more. Rui simply couldn't forgive her own inadequacy.
For several weeks after that, while each harbored dark thoughts in their heart, Ray and Rui were transported to the royal capital.
◇◇◇
Even now, I cannot forgive my own helplessness at that time.
If I had my current power back then, I wouldn't have had to experience such sadness.
I know there's no point in regretting it. The reason I obtained power was precisely because of that person's death.
Still, I cannot forgive the fact that I was powerless.
That is why I seek power. So that I will never lose a precious person again.