Slave Harem Volume 2, Chapter 16

Chapter 16

　Hazuki, who had begun to weep raggedly, showed no sign of wariness.

　It was not surprising, since in front of her were her parents, who had been separated for more than ten years.

「N-NO, NO......!」

「――Hazuki! Get your act together! Stand up and fight!」

　Lilia gives notice to Hazuki, who has cowered in place.

　She knows these are cruel words. But they are essentially the same as before.

　――The undead will not turn back into human beings.

　This is a problem that cannot be solved no matter how they try.

「Hazuki, I won't allow you to become like that too!」

「But, because, they're my dad and mom. ......」

「――Not anymore!」

　Lilia continues to throw harsh words, her eyes red.

　If they are dragged down by their emotions, not only Hazuki, but everyone is in danger.

　――Can I beat them?

　Shouldn't Hazuki-chan get over it by herself?

　Mars is troubled and postpones his conclusion.

「Nemu-chan, Julis-san! Help me hold them down!」

　Hazuki had no choice but to join the battle, and Lilia thought it would be impossible for her to join the battle.

　It is clear that Hazuki is important to Lilia, even though they seem to be fighting all the time.

　Her high level of sensitivity is being avenged only this time.

　I think it would be better for both of them to take shelter in Lilia's treasury than to be shown a cruel scene.

　The armored undead ― Hazuki's father ― swings his two-handed long sword to stop Mars and the others from moving.

　Each sword is heavy.

　Mars catches it with his sword, but even though he thinks he moves optimally, the impact is so great that he is pushed back.

　Hazuki's father moves so fast that it is hard to believe that he is a large man in armor.

　He closes the distance rapidly with his strong legs, and then he uses his long reach to bring out his long sword.

　His movements are based on his physical strength, but because of their simplicity, they are difficult to counter.

　Even so, there are plenty of ways to counter it if the premise is to destroy it.

　Mars could concentrate on destroying arms, legs, and other parts of his body.

　But the thought of being Hazuki's father dulls both his thoughts and his sword.

「Kughh ......! The speed of magic is fast! Be careful, Nemu!」

「Nyaaaa! Okay-nya!? Can we beat them-nya!?」

　Mars ordered them to hold them down, but they all knew that would not solve anything.

　Hazuki's magical talent seemed to have been inherited from her mother, and the moment she pointed her wand at Mars and the rest, a magical heat ray grazed Julis and Nemu. There was almost no lag.

　Everyone was confused.

　The only one who remained calm was Julis.

　Her short time with Hazuki was a blessing in disguise as a result.

「Take her cane or destroy it!」

「W-What should Nemu does-nya!? Nemu doesn't know difficult thing-nya!? Tell me-nya?!」

「Use your voice magic!」

「『Nyaaaaah!』」

　Nemu shouts loudly at Hazuki's mother's undead.

　The air vibrates, chattering, and her entire right arm and wand disintegrate.

　If Nemu had wanted to, she could have destroyed the whole body in the same way, but that was probably not Nemu's intention.

「――I'll do it.」

　Stepping in with a thump, Julis charged with the sword that Mars had given her.

　If there were any undead left who were highly skilled in magic, they could be wiped out in a matter of seconds.

　If we think calmly, we have no choice but to do it.

「W-wait-nya! Julis shouldn't do this-nya!」

「W-What are you trying to say!?」

　Nemu jumps on Julis and pushes her to Hazuki and Lilia, who is crying behind.

　She then picks up Hazuki's cane, which had fallen to the ground, and slaps Hazuki in the face.

「Hazuki-nyan, you do it-nya! Nemu doesn't know how difficult it is, but maybe others shouldn't do it-nya!」

「Nemu-chan ......」

　Hazuki, who was slapped on the cheek, widened her eyes and looks up at Nemu.

　Nemu, the one who had slapped Hazuki, was also crying.

　At this point, everyone understood that Hazuki had to do it.

「Hazuki. I understand that you are in pain. I understand that you want to cry. Because such a reunion is too cruel, and I know you want to curse the world. But not now.」

「Julis-san, can you do the 【Absolute Protected Area】 magic for me? ――I'll do it.」

　Lilia and Nemu support Hazuki as she slowly wobbles to her feet.

　Her trembling legs are painful.

「Keep your distance and go back! Give me five more seconds――wait three seconds!」

　With the girls' attention focused on Hazuki, Mars takes care of Hazuki's parents.

　The mother had lost her wand and her magical ability level had dropped considerably, but the father was as strong as ever.

　When it was two against one, and they were not to be beaten, even Mars was not likely to last long.

　In the midst of the battle, Hazuki's mother's silver pendant was bothering him.

　Kicking the father's side as hard as he could, Mars leaped toward the mother and took the pendant from her without harming it.

　Then, as soon as he landed, he headed toward Hazuki and the others.

「『Absolute Protected Area』! ――It won't last long.」

　A magical dome three meters in diameter is created and every one enters it.

　Hazuki, who had been standing supported, stepped forward.

「Okay. I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you all! ――I am a member of the Tomb Guard's clan. My father and mother are watching. I have to do it, don't I?」

　The undead of Hazuki's parents approaches before her.

　There would be no shadows to be seen, and their sight seeking the living was pitiful.

「I will use the last magic that my mom and dad taught me a long time ago before they came here. I couldn't do it well at all then. ―I promised them. I promised them that I would be able to use it properly the next time they came back. I'll show them. That's why ......」

　From Mars and the others, all they could see was the back of Hazuki's head.

　Mars knew she was crying. Because her voice was trembling loudly.

　Hazuki put her own hand in the palm of her mother's hand, which was hitting the 『Absolute Protected Area』

　They were about the same size.

「I've grown up too, haven't I? ...... When I last saw her, my hand was about half the size of my mother's palm.」

　The Protected Area is only maintained for around a minute or so.

　There is no time to spare. But no one was going to stop this parting.

「Dad, Mom. I have grown up. I have friends and someone I love. I can't cook well, but I've become very good at sewing.　Even my magic is as good as Mom. ......」

　Hazuki turns her head and her voice gets quieter and quieter.

　Tears were falling at her feet.

「The truth is, I'm still a little lonely, but I'm okay now.」

　They say that the undead has souls trapped in them before their re-birth.

　Hazuki said that the reason they can use their skills and magic as they are is because they still have those experiences.

「――Red Lotus Formation 『White Flame Purification Funeral』 ...... Good night, Dad. Mom.」

　With Hazuki at the center, a pure white flame, flickering like an aurora borealis, spreads out.

　The undead of Hazuki's parents, who instantly burned and collapsed, seemed to smile at the end.

　The white flame disappears, and the 『Absolute Protected Area』 also disappears.

　There is no trace of her parents' undead anywhere anymore.

　Only Hazuki, who would have been their precious child, was the only trace they left in this world.

「Let's move on. I'm glad I got to say goodbye to them for the last time.」

　Hazuki, with bright red eyes, spins around and smiles in her usual cheerful tone.

　It is obvious to everyone that she is pushing herself too hard.

　They all look gloomy, so she is probably trying not to make it any darker.

　Lilia hugs such a pained Hazuki, makes her nuzzle her face against her chest and says

「It's okay to cry. You are usually so honest about your desires, but you shouldn't hold back at a time like this.」

「Fue, uuhh, uueeeeehhnnnn!  Daaaadd! Moooommmmmm!」

　Clinging to Lilia, Hazuki cried loudly.

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