---

Chapter 195. Nostalgic Faces

—

Before I knew it, I was standing in a garden overgrown with greenery.

Strangely, it felt somehow nostalgic.

Was it dark, or was it bright—

Was it evening, or early morning?

『Where is this……?』

Absentmindedly placing my hand on my chest, I was surprised by the softness of the fabric.

Startled, I looked down and saw I was dressed in a cute little dress.

……Something I used to wear regularly.

『Ah!』

How have I forgotten? This garden should be familiar!

It’s my home.

The courtyard of the Baron Da-Roza’s mansion!!

Unable to contain myself, I grabbed the hem of my dress and ran.

The maze of hedges. I had played here countless times since childhood, able to find my way out with my eyes closed.

But my body felt sluggish. I could only move an inch with each step, just like in the past—

Even so, once I managed to escape the maze—

『Ah……!』

The mansion, which should have burned down, stood right there.

A gentleman with a splendid mustache sipping tea at a round table.

And a kind-looking young man of average build—

『Father! Brother!』

Tears welled up at the overwhelming nostalgia.

『Oh, Barbara. …It’s been a while.』

My brother stood up and smiled. His smile was exactly as I remembered from the last time I saw him.

『――!』

No longer able to produce any sound, I let out a cry I couldn’t even understand, rushing forward and embracing my brother.

Just like old times, he gently patted my back in a comforting manner—

『I’m so sorry……!』

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

『There’s no need for you to apologize. Absolutely not.』

Setting down his teacup, my father spoke in a gentle tone.

『We are the ones who should apologize.』

My brother looked genuinely pained.

『The head and heir died in battle. We pushed everything onto you……』

『We only let the eldest daughter focus on becoming a bride. So it fell to you, the second daughter, to carry the burden of the baron’s family……』

With a sorrowful expression, my father looked down.

『I’m sorry…… it must have been tough for you……』

『Truly, I’m so sorry……』

As the two bowed their heads, Barbara wiped her tears and shook her head lightly.

『It’s okay…… Both Father and Brother……』

They had done everything in their power. …And yet, they had failed to return.

『The Demon Lord’s army…… was too strong……!』

They had gone to intercept the Demon Lord’s army invading our homeland.

What fate had befallen them?

Without needing to be told, Barbara understood well.

…Yes, she understood all too painfully.

How regretful it was to leave them behind, and how tormenting it must have been……!

『I am…… frustrated……!!』

This was what it meant to be unable to die even in death.

Her final battle replayed vividly in her mind.

No matter how fiercely they fought with the elite, still—

They couldn’t defeat even a single Demon Lord’s prince.

『So here, in this mansion……』

Could she only wait for her relatives and acquaintances left in Evaroti to arrive――?

Overwhelmed with regret and guilt, tears streamed down again despite having wiped them away.

『Yes…… we have no choice but to keep waiting for everyone……』

Her brother spoke gently, patting her head as if comforting her.

『But you, Barbara…… it seems you are different.』

Suddenly, a bitter smile mixed with his words.

…Why did it sound so distant?

Looking up, she saw her brother, her father, and the familiar mansion and garden—

All receding rapidly, leaving her behind.

No, that’s not right…… It was her being pulled away!

To somewhere far away, to the edge of the world――

『Barbara. This is only a temporary farewell. You still have―― something to do.』

Her father stood up and saluted her.

『I’m sorry. We can’t be of help anymore.』

Her brother waved goodbye, smiling sadly, looking regretful.

『――But we will always watch over you.』

『You are our pride, Barbara.』

May―― there be happiness in your future.

The words of the two kept drifting away――

『Brother! Father――!!』

I stretched out my hand. But that hand had transformed, without my noticing, from that of a swordsmanship-obsessed young lady to that of a Sword Saint wearing scratched gauntlets.

The world turned upside down.

Barbara was overwhelmed by the sensation of being pulled out of existence, as if she were being dragged from the surface of water—

†††

It was dark.

I clearly understood. I was in a dark room.

It was cold.

Not just cold. It wasn’t that the surroundings were chilly.

Her existence felt so elusive that, if she relaxed her grip, she might fade away like a faint heat.

Instinctively, I recognized that precariousness as “cold.”

For some reason, I understood the logic behind it.

I had come to understand――

『Where is this……?』

I squinted…… no, there was no “eye.” I was grasping everything through my senses.

Gradually, other presences came into focus.

“…………”

A pale-skinned girl watching with bated breath. Her golden eyes resembled the sun. But looking closely, she had horns. However, unlike the twisted horns of the demon race, hers were straight.

“……wow.”

Next to her…… what? A breathtakingly beautiful…… woman……? Or was she? For some reason, her existence was hard to recognize. …Were her ears pointed? An elf? But her skin wasn’t tanned……

“Hmph……”

Beside her was a girl exuding an eerily powerful presence, too young to be called a woman and too alluring to be called a little girl. She crossed her arms and stared at me with a calm gaze—also sporting horns, but they were positioned like a demon’s.

Such a suspicious crowd.

……I realized I was in a terrible place.

And most importantly, right in front of me—

Stood a demon at a glance.

With a chillingly delicate face, two wicked horns protruding from his silver hair, blue skin, and crimson eyes. Despite resembling an underdeveloped boy, he radiated an overwhelming magical pressure……!

『You……!!』

Without a doubt, he was!!

『Zilbagias Reiju……!!』

Even as I was overwhelmed by anger and hatred, feeling like I might come apart—

I also sensed a deep fear somewhere in my heart.

Why was I, who should have died, here?

I had only one clue—an evil art that toys with life from the shadows……!

Necromancy.

“Barbara Da-Roza……”

Hearing my full name from the Demon Lord’s prince struck me with even greater terror.

How does he know my name……!?

What on earth is he planning……!?

As unexpected events unfolded one after another, leaving Barbara unsure of what to do—

The Demon Lord’s prince approached her menacingly.

『W-What are you…… who are you, you bastard!!』

Barbara screamed in a panic as Zilbagias—

Thudded down.

Not so much bowing as he dropped to the ground, slamming his forehead to the floor—

“Truly…… I am so sorry――!!”

He howled.

It was an apology infused with every ounce of his being.

 

---