Foreigner Volume 7, Chapter 113

Volume 7 Chapter 113, Magic Sword ~ 21

　Solor, who was cleaning up after dinner, gave a small look when she saw the girl enter with heavy steps into the hollow instead of the living room.

「...... Liz-sama?」

　Even Solor, who is emotionally thin and unaware of the subtleties of the human heart, noticed that there was something wrong with Liz. Even when she called out to her, she didn't seem to hear Solor's voice and sat down with a pale face on the leather she had been given as bedding.

　It was shocking.

　It just so happened that she was eavesdropping on Rico and Leia's conversation. She was about to ask Rico what to do about the food for Minerva, who was sleeping when she overheard the conversation between the two. She had a sense that she was doing something wrong, but she couldn't take her ears off the conversation.

(Mom ...... did you commit suicide?)

　Leia said. If we are to believe that the art of 【Last Word】 can only be used in an attempt to destroy one's soul, then that's what it is.

　Liz was happy to hear that the thugs who had taken her mother's life were associated with the Academy of the Wise and that Satoru's reason for destroying the Chalk Tower, the symbol of the Academy of the Wise, was to avenge Reine's death. She was happy to know that she could share her feelings with Satoru, that she could clearly see where her uncontrollable anger was going, and that she would take revenge on the target of that anger. It might have been a dark, black emotion, but Liz didn't care. But.

(It wasn't those people who killed my, mother. ......)

　There was no way that Leia, a magic expert, could be wrong about what the art was. In other words, Reine's death was a suicide. Of course, under normal circumstances, as Leia said, there is no reason for Reine to commit suicide, so it is easy to imagine that the villain attacked Liz's mother and she chose suicide because she could not bear the humiliation.

(If it's exactly what Leia-san said ... but)

　The thugs who attacked her mother died as a result of Satoru's outburst. They were rinsed with their lives in a manner befitting the crimes they committed.

　But what about them?

　If Satoru tries to destroy the Chalk Tower, no doubt many people will die. People related to the Academy of the Wise, who was not ordered to kill Reine, would be killed simply because they were related to the academy.

　The conscience in Liz feels remorse.

　Leia says that she is willing to let the Academy of the Wise go to ruin in order to appease Satoru's anger, and Rico accepts this as a matter of course.

　Liz can't go that far. She was just an ordinary half-elf girl until a few days ago. She had mastered the bow and arrow enough to defend herself against the beasts that crawled out of the forest and had killed a few of them, but of course, she had never killed anyone. She had been told that human society was an as tough place to live, but she had been protected in her village when she was there, and after she was kicked out of her village, she was protected by Reine with her sorcery, and although she did not know it, she was secretly protected by Grandmother Delgitta and grew up rather boxed in. She feels irrepressible guilt for taking a human life.

　Neither Rico nor Leia can realize that she had also told her the story earlier, incorporating the fact that Liz would be troubled in this way.

　And then, someone touched the back of Liz, who was sinking in hesitation. She was surprised to find out who it was who hugged her gently from behind.

「Solor, san. ......」

　She is an extremely thinly-emotional Magic Doll, a housemaid of the Ancient Magic Kingdom. She is no ordinary human being. Her body is warm and has the beauty of a work of art, but she is creation. Despite this, Liz was puzzled by the fact that she was hugging her so tenderly as if to encourage her.

「I don't mind if you call me by my name. ...... do you hate it?」

「N-no.」

　Liz can't see Solor's expression because it's through her back. Still, Solor's voice was gentle, and Liz realized that she was at peace without knowing it.

「You seem to be lost in thought. I can't speak highly of myself as a doll, but can't you trust Master or anyone else, Liz-sama?」

「That's not what ......」

　Liz bit her lower lip as she was about to argue.

　That's right. Leia and Rico are thinking of Satoru. That is because they trust him from the bottom of their hearts and accept him the way he is. Whether what Satoru is trying to do is wrong or brutal, they will accept it and follow his orders. Perhaps the same is true of Minerva and Solor.

　If Satoru's destruction of the Chalk Tower, the symbol of the Academy of the Wise, can alleviate some of the guilt over Reine's murder, then it doesn't matter how many sorcerers die there.

　On the other hand, what about herself? she was upset by the truth she learned by eavesdropping on Leia and Rico's conversation, and her heart ached of her own accord. If she truly believes in Satoru, isn't it a magical slave role to follow him no matter what Satoru does or doesn't do?

　Resting her head on Solor's ample breasts, Liz made up her mind.

(Either way, I'm ......)

　She remembers. The moment she made her decision. The moment she met with Helmera, talked to her and decided.

　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

　――That time.

　The moment she encountered the elves who came from the World Tree Village and they saw Leia's face.

　The elves were very shaken when they saw the figure of the 【Immortal Family】. Some picked up their bows, while others made signs to use their sorcerer. But Leia's expression remained cool―and then a shadow stood between the elves and Leia.

「Wait! Please wait!」

　It was Liz. The elves were deeply shaken by the sight of Liz, who had blocked the line of fire as if to protect Leia by spreading her hands wide.

「Liz! But ......!」

　Hmm-hmm, Leia boasted. Even if Leia was not protected by Liz, there was nothing to worry about with the weak bows and sorcery of the elves.

「I'll let you off the hook for once in favor of Liz. But as I said before, the next time you turn your blade against us, I will crush you.」

　Leia's smiles were so cruel and spare that they sent chills down the elf's spines. She must have been the one who had spoken to them in the 【Distant Talk】 earlier. Her direct voice was so powerful that it froze even the most seasoned elves in their tracks. Even though she was small in stature, her intimidating presence was unbelievable.

「My name is Leia Löwenstadt, the 【Immortal King】. And I was Kasahara Satoru's magical slave, who saved your village」

「Wha ......!」

　The fact that she was the 【Immortal King】, which was casually told to them, told her name, and Satoru's name―made the elves flinch completely. Except for one.

　The only one of them, Helmera, also has a look of horror on her face and cannot take her eyes off the girl who calls herself the 【Immortal King】. It was because she realizes that there is absolutely no lie in her words when she declares that she will crush them.

「My Lord is lying in bed at the moment. Let me, his magical slave, listen to what you have to say. If you cannot, then leave at once.」

　The elf who brought her along gives a clinging look to the seemingly unperturbed Helmera. Helmera, who is, after all, the leader of this survey team, carefully regulates her breathing and calms herself down.

「Calm down, everyone.」

　If the legendary Leia Löwenstadt is as good as it is rumored, there is not a chance in hell that the elves will win even if they rebels here. The four of them, breathing in perfect unison, would barely scratch her. The wounds inflicted in this way are quickly healed by her 【Regenerative Ability】.

　Almost defeated by the intensity of Leia's gaze, Helmera scolded herself and exchanged looks with her head-on.

「First of all. Is Satoru-dono safe?」

「Physically, he is safe. But right now, he is ...... mentally broken.」

　Leia returned with a bitter expression on her face. Helmera's willowy eyebrows rose.

「Is it caused by this explosion?」

「Do you believe my words?」

　In response to Leia's question, Helmera glanced at Liz and Rico, both of whom looked at Leia with a look of trust.

「......It seems that Rico-sama and above all Liz trust you. There is no reason for me not to trust you.」

　Fumu, said Leia with a small laugh. She must have been scared, but Leia recognized her strength to say so without showing any fear.

「I see. Then let me proceed. Let me tell you that the answer to your question is yes. Forgive me if this is a bit long.」

　Helmera stepped forward a little, and the other elves took their places behind her. Liz also wobbled when she breathed a sigh of relief, and Rico hurriedly lent her a shoulder to help her up. Of course, Liz was far from being in perfect physical condition. She was just in time to stand there to protect Leia and prevent Leia's attack from hitting Helmera and the others.

　With only a glance at the overstrained little girl, Leia turned to face Helmera.

「First of all, it was my Lord who caused this explosion.」

　Naturally, Leia casually told them. The elves all gulp and swallow their spit at once at the truth told to them by the 【Immortal King】. They shudder at the fact that it was a human who caused such a huge explosion.

「However, it wasn't something that was intended to happen. It was an accident. I can't tell you much about it, but my Lord has a soul that far surpasses even my own.」

「No way.」

　The 【Immortal King】 is the form that a master of the Holy Arts of elves and humans took by means of the Forbidden Art of 【Anti-Soul】. However, many elves are not good at the Holy Arts, and there has only been one person who has become an 【Immortal King】 in the past. It was so long ago that there are almost no records left. Even Helmera knows the story of a person who possessed the qualities of a soul capable of mastering the Holy Arts, but as a result of 【Anti-Soul】, his or her soul is multiplied several times over. In other words, Leia's soul should be around 1,000 or 2,000, no matter how low the estimate―Although in fact, the actual number is already close to 5,000.

　A soul that far surpasses even such a Leia...? Honestly, she can't even imagine it. Leia shrugged a little.

「Whether or not it is proof, the Demon Ingolshenes was indeed defeated by my Lord alone. I was only watching. Believe it or not, it's up to you....... Well, that's all right. When this Liz came back to the house where she lived with her mother, there was a visitor. A group of people who seemed to be related to the Academy of the Wise was lurking around the house, carefully using a 【Distraction】 art. They took Liz hostage and used her mother, Reine, as a shield to force my Lord's death―But」

　The art of 【Distraction】 is very small art. It is an art belonging to the mind that prevents one's attention from being drawn to an object or item. It is a relatively simple art, but it is effective to a certain extent, so it is often used by secret agents and thieves. By the way, Rico cannot use it. Many of the mental arts require classroom learning, and Rico's knowledge of the mental arts is still unknown.

　That is the reason why Leia felt something strange in the building when they returned to Reine's house. By the time she realized what the art was, it was too late.

　Leia is deeply ashamed of her foolishness at that time. It had been going too well in the negotiations with the elven village and in the defeat of Ingolshenes, and she had been caught off guard by the thought that this would continue to be the case in the future. It could be said that this carelessness led to the tragedy.

　Leia glanced at Liz. She looked down a little, but her lips were still knit in an attitude of listening to Leia's words. Leia was a little hesitant to talk about it, a painful memory even for Liz, but seeing her, Leia nodded her head in admiration and opened her mouth gently but firmly.

「Reine had already been killed by them.」

「Wha!!」

「Reine had left a 【Last Word】 ― when my Lord heard it and realized that Reine was dead, he exploded in anger, and this explosion was the result.」

　A sigh echoed. Helmera silently closed her eyes and looked up at the sky. The way she grieved over her friend's death and silently endured her grief was even divine. At a point, Liz added.

「I don't know the details up to the moment of the explosion, but the circumstances leading up to it exactly as Leia-san said.」

「I see ......」

　Finally, Helmera's voice was very heavy as she muttered something. She bit down on Leia and Liz's words, accepted them, and turned her gaze to Leia.

「Reine was a proud woman. Perhaps it was because her pride was tarnished that she resorted to such measures as 【Last Word】 ......」

　Lies is frustrated with her frustrated body and has small doubts(?)―Liz does not know the details of the 【Last Word】 art that her mother left her. However, Liz knew that her mother must have activated the art with some conditions set at the time of her death. Perhaps the condition was that Liz or Satoru must touch her.

　The word 【Last Word】 was a tricky word for her. However, she was somewhat afraid to ask about it.

「If you cannot believe my Lord, who had the 【Immortal King】 in his shadow, then that's the end of the matter.」

「I wouldn't say that now.」

　With a bitter smile, Helmera returned. The 【Immortal King】 is indeed a fearsome being. However, if it is true that she is Satoru's magical slave, Helmera thinks she can believe her, considering Satoru's behavior in the village and the trust that Rico, Minerva, and others had in him.

「I see. If there is anything else I would like to add, it is that there are a few things that I have done to help Liz here. I think it's the death of Reine and the effects of those things, that make my Lord has fallen ill.」

　Rico glances at Helmera. Rico's face looks a little contained, but Helmera did not notice her gaze. Liz also looked away. Well, I know the part where it got a little muddled. The fact is that Satoru raped Liz in order to save her from a life-or-death situation. There is no need to tell Helmera and the others that much.

　That's what's going on, Leia said, taking two steps back. She had fulfilled her accountability. The primary purpose of Helmera's visit from the World Tree Village was to investigate this crater. If she understood the reason, then there was no reason for her to stay here.

　After a few moments of contemplation, Helmera finally looked up and turned her sharp gaze on Liz.

「Liz」

「Y-Yes」

「What do you want to do? Now that Reine is dead, there is no reason for you to return to the village.」

　Helmera was aware of the persecution Liz had suffered and was terribly distressed. Liz is aware of this kindness. Helmera also knows that when hardliners such as Dietta tried to ostracize the fatherless Liz, saying that half-elves were unworthy of the village, Helmera and her daughter Arne forcefully opposed them.

　Helmera also knew that Liz had agreed to return to the village for the sake of Reine.

「I am ......」

　Liz was upset but understood the situation. She knew that she was at a crossroads in her destiny.

「Discrimination is something my father swore to eliminate in his name. If you are afraid of not having a backer, then I will be Liz's mother. So you and Arne will be sisters, how does that sound?」

　If Helmera is willing to adopt Liz, then as long as Bauers is alive, Liz will also be considered one of the Elder family members. Nothing could be more reassuring. Moreover, both Helmera and Arne are highly skilled as practitioners. They will be able to protect themselves as well as anyone else. Bauers has made a commitment to the name, and there is no doubt that the discrimination will be settled.

　―But

　Liz smiled thinly at Helmera and shook her head a little to the left and right.

「I appreciate the offer, but I have only one mother, Reine de Ruijs. She left me to Satoru-san in her 【Last Word】. If that is the case, I would like to stay by his side.」

「Liz!」

　Rico, who had been a shoulder to shoulder with Liz, raised her voice in reproach as if surprised. Liz's muttered a small "I'm sorry" to Rico. Rico seemed to sense something from her and did not say anything more.

「It's weird that I should say this, but it doesn't have to be that way.」

「No. Let me stay here.」

　Fuhh, Leia advised Liz, and Liz gave a small bow of her head.

　It was not Helmera, Reine's best friend, but Satoru, a young traveler, to whom Reine entrusted Liz at the moment of her death. There was a part of Liz that wanted to cherish her mother's will, but the reason why she decided to do so was simple.

　She simply did not want to leave Satoru.

　Leia smiles thinly.

「That would require my Lord's permission.」

「Then, I'll ask him.」

　Leia looked at her with a serious expression and nodded deeply. At this stage, Satoru was not awake, and there was nothing she could do to get his permission unless he regained consciousness, but Leia was determined to regain Satoru's consciousness at any cost, and she thought she should respect her wishes here.

　Leia was also a little afraid of being reprimanded by Satoru later if she returned Liz to the elf village without his permission.

「Liz ......」

　Helmera approached Liz with concern. Turning her smile to Helmera, Liz bowed her head.

「I'm sorry, Helmera-san.」

「No, ...... I don't know what to say.」

　Such a strong girl―Surprise reigns in Helmera's mind. The image of Liz being persecuted by the heartless people of the village and being somewhat timid remains strong in her memory, and she has never felt such a strong impression of her core. If you ask my daughter Arne, I am sure she will agree? That there is such an aspect to it, I'm sure.

「Please tell Arne. Tell her I'm sorry. And also to the Elder and Grandmother Delgitta.」

「All right.」

　Helmera nodded deeply, recognizing the strength of will in Liz's eyes. Nothing good would come from forcing her to return to the village. Liz had made her decision, and Leia and the others had accepted it, so she should accept it too.

　Helmera placed her hand on Liz's shoulder and tapped her opposite shoulder with a clenched fist ― a gesture of gratitude that elven warriors do, and Liz bowed her head once again. It is a bow that is exchanged for a full-fledged warrior. The meaning of the words in the bow, "Do your best," was realized, and deep emotion sank into Liz's heart.

　Helmera smiled thinly at her best friend's only daughter with a sincere look on her face, then spun around and looked back at the Lord of this throne(?).

「Leia Löwenstadt-sama.」

「What is it?」

「....... I believe in you. Please take good care of Liz.」

　Helmera dropped to one knee and hung her head deeply toward 【Immortal King】 Leia. The surrounding elves were surprised, but hurriedly followed suit. Leia accepted the petition, though she looked itchy for a moment.

「It depends on whether or not my Lord will give Liz permission to go with him. For the time being, I have accepted.」

　Of course, Leia forbade her from divulging the details, and Helmera accepted. Leia used a forbidden art called 【Memory Manipulation】 on the three elves who had been following Helmera, erasing their memories of Leia, and even 【Coerced】 Helmera to ensure that she did everything possible. Leia also made Helmera keep her promise not to reveal anything about Leia.

　At that time, a 【Telepathy】 took place between Leia and Helmera, but Liz was unaware of this fact.

　What she saw was the attitude of Helmera, who accepted being subjected to art by Leia, an inherently dangerous opponent.

　It was so resolute that it made even Liz tremble.

　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

　That's right

　At that time, I made a decision.

　I decided to follow Onii-san.

　That's what my mother 【Last Word】 me to do.

　I said that I would follow him no matter what until the end of his journey.

　That's what you decided.

　What is there to worry about?

　I am no longer the person I used to be.

　I'm no longer the half-elf of the World Tree Village, no longer the straggler living on the edge of the Deep Green Forest, but now I'm Satoru's magical slave.

　Satoru-Onii-san is everything. What the Lord says is absolute. That is the existence of a magical slave.

　I decided to follow him. I was the one who asked to be made a magical slave.

　Onii-san just accepted me.

　Don't hesitate.

　Since Onii-san accepted me, I should do my best to respond to him.

　Otherwise, it's no good.

　I am not qualified to follow him or be accepted as a magical slave.

　That's why.

　―I surrendered myself to Solor as if I were clinging to her.

　And the girl went straight to sleep.

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