125 - Busy Days
A square in a garrison different from the place where she usually lives. Akemi stands there with a sense of tension different from before. She did not visit of her own accord to apologize. Suddenly this morning, a demon woman, Barbari, had come and brought her along, saying there was work to be done. This place is a distance away from the garrison she usually stays in. Akemi is anxious about what she will be made to do in this place where Ray is not present. She wonders if it is truly work.
"...Your collar. It's changed, hasn't it?"
Looking at the collar Akemi is wearing, Barbari noticed it was different from before.
"Ah, yes. I received it from Ray, no, from the Demon King. He told me that if I kept wearing the collar of subordination, people might not believe I am apologizing of my own will."
Being overly familiar with Ray would invite resentment from those around her. Thinking this, Akemi is careful with her wording.
"I see... then, what about that collar?"
"I am told it seals my magic."
Even if he permitted her to be freed from bondage, he could not allow her to use magic. Akemi's magic is considerable. It possesses a power that could kill a demon with weak resistance in a single blow.
"I understand. Do you know what kind of place this is?"
"...A garrison, is it?"
"You can tell just by looking, can't you? It's called the Second Garrison."
"The second?"
On the way here, Akemi had seen another place that looked like a garrison. Akemi wondered if that was not the second one.
"Do you have some doubt?"
"I was just wondering what that place on the way was."
"Ah, that was a relay station. It's also called a waiting area."
Garrisons are quite far apart from one another. Relay stations are established between them, and sentry personnel are stationed there.
"Right now, construction is underway to connect the scattered garrisons into one. Construction up to the second is nearly finished, and now we are proceeding with the connection work for the third and fourth."
"Up to the fourth..."
Akemi felt that even this Second Garrison was a considerable distance away. She is surprised to learn that it extends even further.
"We plan to expand it more, but that explanation can wait for now."
Originally, there were five garrisons of the Laurel Kingdom army. Even if all of them were connected, that would not be the end. The mountains surrounding Nordende. They intend to rebuild them into a defensive zone that cannot be easily crossed. Construction that would take decades even with the power of demons. That is what is being planned.
"Um, what will I be doing here?"
"You don't know? You're helping with the construction."
"Yes... until when?"
"It's decided that it's until it's finished, isn't it?"
"I see..."
There are still many people she must apologize to. While it cannot be helped that she is entrusted with helping the construction, it is problematic that she cannot make time for that.
"About the apologies, that's fine now."
"Eh?"
"If you do something like that in front of a crowd, the person on the receiving end will just feel embarrassed, right?"
"But..."
Akemi cannot think of any other method. The only other option would be to visit each person's room individually, but that also seems pushy.
"If you wish to apologize, I will arrange a separate setting for it. Provided the other party accepts, of course."
"Who are you...?"
Akemi wondered who this woman was, who would do such a thing for her.
"I am also one of those who hates you. The place where we lived was turned into a mess by your people. Many of my comrades were killed or taken away."
"...I, I'm sorry."
Akemi hurriedly tries to kneel on the spot.
"That's why I told you to stop. Even if you apologize, I cannot forgive you."
"...Yes."
"But I might be able to acknowledge you."
"Eh...?"
The words Ray had told her last night. Being told the same thing by this woman, Akemi is surprised.
"Whether I can do that depends on you from here on. I will judge based on your words and actions."
"...Thank you very much."
There really was someone who might acknowledge her. Knowing this, a smile naturally appears on Akemi's face.
"It's too early to be happy. I haven't acknowledged you yet. Besides, this is my own opinion. I don't know what the others think."
"...Yes... but, why?"
Barbari had come the day after she began her apologies. Even so, if she thinks calmly, it seems far too convenient that such a person would appear so soon.
"You wonder why I'm inclined to acknowledge you? It's obvious, isn't it? Because the King is trying to acknowledge you. Our hatred for you is strong. But our feelings of gratitude toward the King are even greater."
"I see..."
In the end, she was saved by Ray. It turned out as Akemi had thought, but now that the initial calculations are gone, her feelings of gratitude have grown stronger.
"Our race was the first to flee here. Kai was the one who guided us when we were at a loss, but it was the King who accepted us and continued to protect us. Even though we must have had our reservations."
"Reservations... may I ask what you mean?"
"I intend to tell you from the beginning. Our chief was the Former Demon King. The Former Demon King who betrayed the King, trapped him in a scheme, and annihilated the Undead Legion the King previously led."
"That was the Demon King's scheme..."
Akemi had also participated in that operation to subjugate the Undead Legion. However, she only just learned for the first time that it was a strategy formulated based on information from the demon side.
"We were forgiven. For people like us to have the roles reversed and not forgive the other party... ah, not forgive, but acknowledge."
It is not that the weight of the sins is different. The "we" Barbari speaks of includes Leo, the Former Demon King.
"...Thank you very much."
"I told you, it's too early."
"I was given an opportunity. This is my thanks for that."
Ray was not given such an opportunity. She does not think Ray needs an opportunity to atone for his sins, but thinking that he might be suffering because of it, Akemi felt she should be grateful.
"Still, it's too early to be happy. This is work to show your feelings of atonement. It certainly won't be easy."
"...I'll do my best."
Work is punishment. As Barbari said, Akemi thought it would be quite severe. Even so, she has no choice but to do it. If she wasted the opportunity she was given, she would feel sorry toward Ray. That is what she thought.
◇◇◇
Night. This day is also a clear sky without a single cloud. Shining stars spread across the night sky. As usual, Ray headed toward the bath to gaze at the night sky alone. However, in less than five minutes, Ray was at the entrance. Carrying Akemi, who was naked and wrapped only in a sheet.
"...Ray-sama, what happened?"
Cecil is surprised to see this. It is a situation that makes her want to be a little jealous, but she tries not to let it show.
"She collapsed in the bath."
"Eh?"
"Ah, I think she's just sleeping. She seemed quite exhausted."
"That's true."
Akemi, having returned from the Second Garrison, was quite worn out. What she was entrusted with was complete physical labor, and for Akemi, a woman who had only undergone training as a mage, it was quite grueling work. Barbari had chosen and made her do that kind of work.
"Could you prepare a bed?"
"Yes... it's already ready."
The bed she had painstakingly tidied up would be handed over to Akemi. It was regrettable, but she couldn't say no. Ray headed to the next room. Cecil followed after him.
"...She's not waking up at all. Will she be okay tomorrow?"
There was no sign of Akemi, lying on the bed, waking up at all.
"Will it continue tomorrow as well?"
"Of course. It's like a punishment. If she rests because she's tired, then there's no point."
"That's true."
With such a soft way of working, there is no way those around her would acknowledge her. For Akemi, painful days will continue for a while. Though, she would probably be happy that she can sleep soundly without thinking about unnecessary things.
"I guess I should have another bed added."
There are only two beds in this building. Ray's and Cecil's. There are none for Hinata and Akemi. He had thought there was no need to improve their treatment.
"Two more?"
Cecil can accept adding a bed for Akemi. But is it okay to add one for Hinata as well? Unlike Akemi, Hinata hasn't done anything.
"...It can't be helped. I'll lend her my bed for a while."
Preparing a bed only for Akemi and letting those around her think she is being treated specially would not be good. If the Demon King, Ray, is treating her specially, people will inevitably hold back around Akemi.
"...And, um, where will Ray-sama sleep?"
Cecil timidly asks where Ray intends to sleep. Cecil does not want to see Akemi and Ray sleeping in one bed.
"Ah... could you lend me the space next to you for a while, Cecil-san?"
"Of course!"
Cecil's face brightens instantly. In her great joy, she even thinks that Akemi's days of hard labor should continue forever.
"For now, could you put some clothes on her?"
"Ah, right. Should I dry her hair first? I'll have to change the sheets too."
Akemi's hair is still wet. Even if she puts clothes on her, she might catch a cold as she is. The sheets, which became wet because of that hair, also need to be changed.
"...I'm sorry. I laid her on the bed without thinking."
"No, it's fine. Ray-sama, please go to the next room."
"Ah, may I take a bath?"
Ray had found Akemi collapsed immediately after entering the bath. Since he came back as he was, he hadn't taken a bath.
"Of course. Please take your time. Ray-sama, please make sure you don't catch a chill."
(...Huh?)
While taking care of Akemi, Cecil spoke to him. Seeing her, Ray remembered Kamiira. Kamiira, who had spoken to him while taking care of both Kai and Kara.
(...I wonder why?)
If Kamiira and Cecil are similar, it's only in their hair color. Other than that, there is nothing that reminds him of Kamiira. Despite that, why did he overlap Kamiira and Cecil? While thinking about this, Ray headed toward the bath.
(...Aren't you just longing for a home?)
After a while, Kamui conveyed his thoughts.
(Hah? Me?)
(Who else? You're the one who remembered her, right?)
(That's true... but I don't have good memories of home.)
Ray has no longing for a home. The house of the aunt who took him in after he lost his parents was not a home one could long for.
(That's why you remembered your family in this world, right?)
What he remembered was not his family from his original world, but the family since coming to this world. There are many painful memories, but even so, life in the Forest of Bewilderment was enjoyable.
(Ah, I see... but why Cecil-san?)
(Isn't it because you imagined a home with her?)
(...No way?)
(What do you mean 'no way'... it's about what you're thinking, right?)
(...If that's the case... somehow, this is... I really am insincere, aren't I?)
There are three women in Ray's heart. Kamiira, Rui, and Princess Ekaterina. Regarding these three—actually, his feelings for Rui are family love, not romantic love—Ray intends not to forget them. Despite that, Ray thinks he is fickle for imagining a home with Cecil.
(Just because you haven't forgotten doesn't mean you can't fall in love with someone else.)
(You're saying it's no problem to love multiple women? That can't be right.)
(As long as you love everyone properly, there's no problem.)
(You... did you have harem desires?)
(No! Long-distance relationships are difficult, right? Moreover, continuing to love someone who has passed away isn't something that can be done easily. It's natural to find someone new to love.)
(Despite having no experience with long-distance relationships.)
Kamui is the former self. Ray has no experience with long-distance relationships. If told that he is in one now, perhaps that's true, but his feelings for Princess Ekaterina are not an emotion shared with Kamui.
(It's an example, an example. What I'm trying to say is, just because you found someone new to love doesn't mean you stop liking the person you liked before. I think you just like her.)
(You like someone else because things didn't work out with the person you liked before, right?)
(Then let me ask. You're lonely because you can't meet often. Someone appears who eases that loneliness, and you fall in love with them. Do you hate the previous person?)
(Yes! I feel lonely because I love them! So I don't hate them!)
(Correct! Wait, this isn't a quiz. It's not something with a clear answer like a quiz.)
(I guess...)
Ray doesn't even understand his own feelings. He is now clearly aware of his feelings for Princess Ekaterina. Then, how is it regarding Cecil? He is with her because things happened that way and she wants him to be. It was certainly so before. But now, when he thinks about how he would feel if Cecil disappeared, the answer is that he would be lonely. Just as he feels lonely now that he cannot meet Princess Ekaterina.
(Even if there are multiple partners, those feelings aren't lies. Isn't that fine? You think too much in terms of logic.)
(It can't be helped. That's just how I am.)
Ray's emotions, while they may move greatly for a moment, settle quickly. To protect his own heart, he acquired such a resistance. That nature makes Ray prioritize logic over emotion. Even though romance cannot be explained by logic.
(What a troublesome man.)
(It's better than indiscriminately hitting on every woman I see.)
(Extreme... well, whatever. Right now, the ones by your side are Cecil-san and... maybe one more.)
(No way.)
Ray immediately understood who the "one more" Kamui was referring to.
(You don't know, do you?)
(Don't try to confuse my feelings like that. My thoughts and yours are no longer synchronized. Your words have absolutely nothing to do with my feelings, right?)
Before separating as the Magic Sword Kamui, there were times when Kamui's words were feelings in the depths of his heart that he wasn't aware of. But now, that should be impossible.
(Tch, you caught me.)
(Not 'caught me'. You have bad taste.)
(I've been bored lately. There are no battles.)
Currently, Kamui has nothing to do except occasionally act as Ray's conversation partner. Originally, that was his existence, but after learning the joy of being active in battle as a magic sword, he began to find being just a conversation partner boring.
(Seeking battle is not a good thing.)
(It can't be helped, right? I'm a sword.)
(True...)
(Give me a unit too.)
(Hah?)
(Leni is the intelligence unit, Resa is the first unit of the Undead Cavalry Brigade, and Reshi is the second. You have your own Undead Magic Beast Combat Unit, don't you? I want one too.)
Leni, Resa, and Reshi are Ray's other personalities. Re-Two, Re-Three, and Re-Four. Each of them commands a unit of the Undead Legion.
(You are not me.)
He only entrusts the thinking to the other personalities; the entire Undead Legion obeys Ray. This is possible because the other personalities are also Ray, and it cannot be shared with the separated Kamui. If it were possible, Kamui would also have to acquire necromancy, like Sansei and Ray.
(I know. I'll make my own legion.)
(Excuse me?)
(So give me a few. If you hate giving away comrades, provide me with corpses.)
(...Can you use necromancy?)
This is what Kamui is talking about.
(I was the one who originally obtained the ability.)
Magic power and abilities are obtained by killing with the Magic Sword Kamui. The abilities obtained as a result are shared with Ray. In reality, the power to steal abilities originally belonged to Ray, and the Magic Sword Kamui is like a medium. However, Kamui, being that medium, still retains abilities, or perhaps it should be called knowledge.
(Can you use magic?)
(I'm saying this because I can. Originally, this sword was a demon, you know?)
Kamui has absorbed the will of the demon that resided in the Pure Sword. The fact that he becomes a sword when manifesting is influenced by that will. It may also be related to the fact that he believed he was sealed in the Pure Sword along with the will of a mad demon when he became the magic sword. Kamui himself does not fully understand this part. In any case, the shape of a sword is not the essence; the Magic Sword Kamui is like a spiritual entity.
(You... are unbelievable.)
A sword that chants magic on its own. A sword that leads a unit, such a thing is impossible.
(Because I'm a magic sword.)
Kamui dismisses it with a single phrase, "Because I'm a magic sword." Other than that, Kamui himself has nothing more to say.
(I'm going to get even busier.)
(It's fine, right? Work a little for my sake.)
(Yes, yes.)
Reorganization of the Undead Legion. The establishment of the Second Undead Legion. He will have to collect corpses to turn into undead, and in some cases create them, to gather the necessary number. Ray knows from experience that this is a grueling task. Even so, he must do it. Because through this, the Undead Legion will become even stronger.