kscans

Chapter 126 - The Dress of Death and the Burning Village

It was sudden news.

"This is terrible! Robele-san’s hometown, the Village of the Dead, Vastillier… is burning!!"

"Eh…?"

Ares’s voice trembled.

"Burning? What do you mean?"

"Uuuu… um, a human extermination squad, based on false information, attacked it thinking it was a stronghold of the Demon Lord’s army remnants…"

"They burned it down, the entire village! Even the dress workshop!!!"

Upon hearing the news, Robele dropped his embroidery frame on the floor, his face paling (though his skin was already gray).

"…My ‘Unfinished Wedding Collection 2025’… is turning to… ash…!!"

Then, he slowly stood up.

A fire of anger and sadness dwelled in his eyes.

"I won’t forgive them… No matter what anyone says, that place was ‘my home’!! It was a village filled with the sweat of embroidery, the tears of tea, the stench of death, and love…!!"

The Village of the Dead, Vastillier, was, true to its name, a village where the "dead" lived quiet lives. Zombies, skeletons, and mummies all learning embroidery together, making a living through sewing. It was Robele’s origin, a peaceful hidden village for his demonic comrades.

And into this place poured the human "Demon Lord Army Subjugation Force."

"Exterminate all the monsters!!"

"The dead live here? So what! The living are justice!!"

Flames and swords rained down, and the old zombies and mummies who had been quietly holding their needles fell, one by one.

Dresses, handkerchiefs, the loving stitches, all went up in flames…

Fire spread to the roof of the "Undead Handicraft Academy" in the center of the village, and the embroidered dresses burned a brilliant red.

"Please… stop…! They weren’t even fighting…!!"

Ares’s cry was drowned out by the sound of burning trees.

Mamoru stared into the flames and muttered.

"…So this is what ‘human justice’ is."

The rising maiden (half-skeleton) Robele was crying. In the fire, he clutched a scorched frill, standing unsteadily.

"Look… my children…"

"This embroidery, how much time it took to get this far…!"

"And yet…! And yet!!"

Flames, tears, and anger mixed in his eyes.

"I am so angry nowwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!"

Suddenly, Robele screamed and threw back his burning cape.

"I will ab-so-lute-ly not forgive you! Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're alive!! ‘Even the dead have their dignity, you knowwwwwww!!!’"

And he drew his frilled undead rapier. Its tip was stitched with glowing embroidery thread. Like a blade of love and anger.

"Ares-chan, let’s do this!"

"Y-yes, sirrrr!!"

Ares gripped her sword too. That sword was also adorned with a "fabric sword belt" that Robele had embroidered.

Parrying the human soldiers’ swords, running through the flames, Ares finally confronted the enemy leader on her own.

"I… I want to become a ‘hero’ who can protect someone!"

She swung her sword. Her trembling legs were supported by the teachings of her comrades.

At her back was Mamoru. And Robele. There was the embroidery they had protected with their lives, and their dreams.

"That’s why I will fight!!"

For the first time, for someone else’s sake, she confidently swung her sword.

Her blade became a wind that cut through the flames of the village of the dead.