Chapter 32 – Priming Water – 1

As I exited the cathedral and stepped out onto the empty street, a gloomy darkness enveloped my feet like a blanket. At night, the familiar cold seeped through my skin, but strangely, today I felt an irritating heat. Apparently, it looks like it’s going to rain tomorrow.

While I was smelling the fishy smell of water floating in the air, I suddenly felt lonely for the first time in a long time. Perhaps it is because of the absence of the heavy feeling that I always felt. With no one to miss anymore, I ridiculed myself for missing the sword.

Still, if you feel lonely, your heart must still be attached.

The jokes he threw for himself left only a bitter aftertaste. But I think I was able to come up with a really good joke back in the day. The remaining human senses have long since corroded and disappeared in the waves of time. Still, when I scratched the inside to see if there was anything left, only the salty vengeance came out.

“Whoa…”

When I tried to force myself to think of something else, but it didn’t work out, what came to my mind was Sarah’s face. But strangely, instead of the broken look he had just seen, he remembered Sera with that innocent face from before. She became the girl in my memories that I could never hate no matter how ticklish and irritating she was.

Why? I tried to guess the reason, but gave up and shook my head. It’s useless now, and it’s a futile act. No matter how much I think of the past, I can’t go back to that time anymore. The same goes for Sera.

Even I just asked her to hurt herself. It was somewhat indirect, but the intention must have been clear. It’s funny that I miss the past when I said to scrape off even the least remaining images of the past. Maybe when I go two days later, she’ll have a worse look.

…

Now to me Are there any friends left to miss?

“You’re here sooner than expected.”

While I was walking on the shadows, brooding over my loneliness, I heard a familiar voice. Turning her head, Rachel was reading her newspaper, leaning by her little lantern.

“When did you think you would come?”

“Well… I thought about waiting until tomorrow. But if it didn’t come out, I was going to go in myself, but there was no need for that.”

“There’s nothing I can do about it even if I come in.”

“At least I can see what happened to you.”

She folded up her newspaper and put it in her pocket. I looked at him blankly and opened my mouth.

“Anything interesting?”

“It’s nothing special. It’s just that the power of the demons has increased compared to previous years. The imperial family denies this, but they say demons have appeared in places that were considered relatively safe, such as the Leter region and the Heim region. Fortunately, they said there were no casualties. But, well, as always, there are a few good stories that suck the butt of the hero Leo.

“What is it about?”

“Do you want to read it? To be honest, it’s a bit cheesy. If you want to know more, I’ll give it to you at the dorm, so read it yourself.”

“That’s right. Have you got a separate accommodation?”

“No. Vanessa told me to come and stay if you don’t have anywhere else to go. Well, I might be able to get an inn, but why not give it away for free? I’m not that rich.”

Rachel pouted a little and walked in front of her, pouting her lips. I followed her, rubbing her tired eyes.

“Your night vision is good. Considering that you were reading a newspaper in a place like that.”

“It’s thanks to the bright lights, but let’s just do that. Even if it’s a body that doesn’t have anything to look at, even the eyes should be good.”

“Well. The priest doesn’t seem to think so.”

“I’m not very happy to be acknowledged by such a bastard. If you’re just a young woman, you won’t pay for a pedophile priest who turns her eyes away.”

“I guess so.”

I let out a long breath and threw out a word without thinking.

“Thank you.”

“…What?”

“Thank you for your help.”

“I’ve been waiting for you to say that. You do it faster than I thought.”

“When did you think you’d do it?”

“To be honest, I thought I’d never hear it.”

Rachel sighed, then stopped abruptly and scratched her cheek lightly.

“But it’s a bit more petty than I thought. It’s the first time I’ve been thanked by anyone while doing this.”

“I don’t give money. I should say thank you.”

“Although money helps more than that.”

Rachel smiled lightly in this direction. I tried to smile out of politeness, but it didn’t work out so I gave up. Then she turned her head away, squinting her eyes.

“Don’t force yourself to smile. Then later on, you might forget how to really smile.”

“I thought it was the other way around.”

“Maybe. But wouldn’t it be sad if I forced myself to laugh someday when I was supposed to?”

“I hope the day will come when you can smile again.”

After having a conversation like that, she found herself in front of the shack before she knew it. Vanessa, who was waiting at the door holding a crossbow, waved his hand in his direction.

“It’s late. Did you take good care of me?”

“Yes. I’ve brought a very good friend. By the way, Vanessa. Where can we sleep?”

“Originally, we were going to sleep together on a blanket on the floor, but it seemed like it was going to rain.

“I rather like it.”

“I don’t.”

Vanessa heard my answer, then raised his left hand, which was missing his ring finger, and scratched his head.

“Still, it’s better than sleeping in the rain. Go down first. I’ll talk to the kids.”

“Wow, I’m excited. Do you have a late-night snack?”

“If it’s okay with bugs.”

“Wow.”

“Don’t be so mean, come here. Bugs are also bugs, aren’t they?”

Instead of his crutches, Vanessa put on Rachel’s shoulders and headed toward the house. I rubbed between my eyes a little and followed him.

“Oh man!”

As soon as I went down to the basement, a high-pitched scream pierced my ears. Feeling tired already, I looked for a place to lie down without a word. But the children continued to make a fuss.

“Mister, please! Fuck him, not me! He’s an elf, so he tastes better!”

“Hey! That…It’s just that I have big ears and I’m not an elf? Please Mister! I actually have a wife and children!”

“Bella. If you don’t keep quiet, your eyes will be pulled out again.”

But the commotion died down like a lie when Vanessa came down. Her six children under her cellar sat quietly and looked up at her, as usual.

“I’m sorry. The kids are traumatized by things like this. Even if they’re a little ugly, they’re idioty kids by nature, so if you scare them once, they won’t climb up.”

“Why? It’s so cute. Hi guys!”

“Don’t say hello, detective girl. It’ll get annoying when the kids start asking about this and that.”

“A detective? Are you a sister detective?”

Then a girl called Bella approached her with twinkling eyes. The child’s eyes, one side of her glowing blue and the other yellow, contained a story far too deep for the years she had lived.

“Huh? Ah… Yeah. My sister is a detective. If she ever wants to fuck someone, let me know. I’ll hit you for money.”

“Really? Then can you beat that ugly boy over there? I’ll give you the leftover bread.”

“Which boy? Oh, he?”

“It’s too much to understand as soon as I say ‘ugly’. Come on, guys. Gather around.”

Vanessa shook his hand and called her children together. And she spoke in the sweetest way possible.

“That person over there is killing people, and this detective sister’s job is selling people for money?

“He may be a talented healer, but he is not a good teacher.”

“I think so too.”

While we were muttering, a child suddenly raised her hand. Vanessa nodded his head even though she put on an annoyed expression.

“Yes Kate. Talk to me.”

“Can I sleep next to the detective sister? Please, priest.”

“Huh? Then me too!”

“…If the detective sister permits it. Rachel?”

“Uh, if Luca-san allows it. Luca-san?”

The question, which came down like a multi-level, eventually turned to me. I lay down quietly and tried to sleep, but I sighed and nodded my head.

“Do whatever you feel like.”

“Wow! Ahhh! I love you, killer oppa!”

“Bella, you go to the side. I asked first.”

“Hmph. It’s shameful…”

“Now, turn off the lights. If you make too much noise, I’ll come up and sleep with you.”

“Huh? Vanessa doesn’t sleep here?”

Vanessa shook his head and reached for the candle.

“If the house collapses, someone has to fix it. Don’t worry about me, good night everyone.”

As she wrapped her candle around her, darkness fell in an instant, and the faint smell of her burning fire spread. Soon, silence fell as she climbed the stairs and the door to her basement closed.

But her quiet did not last long. Not long after the door closed, a toss and turn was heard along with the voice of a child named Bella.

“So, are you a real detective? Are you just solving a case?”

“You idiot. Detectives don’t do that kind of thing. Right? It’s your sister’s job to smash the boys who are just rambling on this woman and that woman.”

“Shut up Kate. I asked you first.”

“Guys. I’ll answer everything, so don’t fight.”

Rachel looked back at me as she cared for her children.

“I’ll chat with the kids for ten minutes. Are you okay?”

I didn’t answer. She turned to face her children, knowing that her silence was affirmation.

“My sister is more of a person-hunter than that. She’s someone she wants to hit, or someone she misses so much. Either way, she finds people she really wants to meet, and she gets paid.”

“Huh? Then can you find my mom too?”

“You don’t have a mother, Bella.”

“That’s why I asked. I wonder if you’ve ever looked for someone who doesn’t exist in this world.”

“Hmm…”

Find someone who is not in this world.

I felt Rachel staring at me again. I closed my mouth again this time and didn’t say anything. She exhaled a little deeply, and she answered firmly.

“No.”

“…”

“I never thought I was looking for someone out of this world.”

As if to listen, the words he spat out stayed in my ears for a long time. While I was quietly thinking about those words, I heard Kate’s playful words.

“They say they can’t find it after all. Bella, you’ll never see your mother.”

“Hmph. How good she is. But if unnie worked as a detective, she must have been to many places. Has she ever been to the capital?”

“Of course. Within the Empire, places I haven’t been to are actually rarer.”

“Then have you seen Leo too? No, should I say His Majesty Leo?”

“Stupid Kate. Leo isn’t His Majesty the Emperor. He’s not like that, he’s called that…Whatever. Uh…”

“It doesn’t matter if I call you your majesty. Leo is practically the emperor now. I heard his sister, Princess Reina, is so beautiful. It’s a pity I didn’t see you.”

“Wow. You’ve really been there. Then did you meet that oppa there too?”

Rachel smiled when Bella asked, and she answered playfully.

“Why. Does that brother look like he’s from the capital?”

“No. That’s not it. Rather, he seems to be from the countryside. He’s a bit old-fashioned. Where is he from?”

“Um… I don’t know. Even if I ask, they don’t answer well.”

“Then let me ask you, Brother! Where are you from?”

“Rachel.”

I opened my mouth heavily. Then, with his eyes closed, he only threw one word.

“Ten minutes are up.”

“Well…It was about time to sleep.”

“Hey…”

Bella and Kate grumbled, but quickly shut up. When I opened my eyes and looked up, I saw the two of them crammed into a single futon and huddled together inside.

“You were listening, too.”

“Okay.”

“Actually, I guess I’m not the type to go to sleep that fast.”

“I’m not the type to sleep that much in the first place.”

“It seemed like that.”

Rachel said she yawned profusely and then suddenly lifted the blanket she was covering herself with.

“Could you cover this? I have a lot of heat in my body, so I don’t need it.”

“No it’s okay.”

“…I understand. Good night Luca-san.”

As if she had nothing more to say, she turned to face her children. I looked up at the ceiling and closed my eyes. Darkness spread before my eyes again, and the familiar solitude permeated my whole body.

Ellie will come to my dreams again today. Just before bedtime was one of the few moments when I was terrified. Perhaps because I was with my children, the feeling of being pressed by the scissors as a child crawled across my skin.

…

“Eh. I don’t know.”

…?

Then, suddenly, a warm cloth came over her body. When she opened her eyes, the blanket Rachel was covering was on top of her chest.

“Just cover it. I don’t really need it.”

“I don’t even need…”

“Ah, that’s all right. Don’t hesitate.”

She rolled towards her children before I threw the blanket over again. She muttered as she hugged Bella and Kate tightly.

“I hear you toss and turn every time. I want you to sleep comfortably here.”

“…”

“Don’t have another nightmare.”

I repeatedly tried to decline, but she stubbornly turned her back without even looking at me. While I was hesitating, I heard two more voices.

“Good night, murderer brother.”

“Good night…”

When even the children’s voices died down with a small yawn, I closed my mouth and looked at the ceiling. A familiar scent of wood wafted from the worn-out floor.

I ended up covering the blanket all the way to my feet. As the blanket warmed by Rachel’s body temperature sat on my stomach, I felt cozy for the first time in a long time. The sound of people snoring around me that don’t hurt me. The warm straw smell that wafts up every time you turn your body. And above all, a futon where you can feel the body heat of others.

It was a feeling I thought I would never have again.

…

No.

I shook my head at the thought of wearing clothes that didn’t fit me. But I didn’t bother to remove the blanket or put it back. That’s because it’s really futile and useless. I closed my eyes as I cast that spell on myself. Darkness came faster than usual, and the tension in my body was relieved.

“Brother! Brother! Murderer brother!”

A small hand shook my body vigorously. I woke up before the hand even touched my body, but somehow I felt a nuisance and left it alone. Then Bella jumped on top of me and screamed at her.

“Wake up! The priest told me to eat lunch!”

“…Lunch?”

“Crush.”

Surprised by those words, I jumped up without realizing it, and Bella rolled down her legs with her little scream.

Looking around, the futons were neatly arranged and the children and Rachel had disappeared somewhere. I grabbed my head and thought, then looked at Bella wearing something like a raincoat and asked.

“What time is it now?”

“I can’t read letters, but can I read a watch? I’m not sure, but it’s probably around noon. We’ve already finished eating and are playing outside. I have to go play too. I’m here because of you.”

“…Oh my god.”

I looked at my legs stretched out comfortably, then hurriedly got up and opened the cellar door. Then, along with the sound of rain, Rachel’s voice was heard.

“Looks like you’re awake.”

“You sleep more than you think.”

I follow Bella as she runs past me upstairs and upstairs, I see Rachel and Vanessa staring at me with smiles on their faces. I leaned against the wall and cupped my head with my hands.

“How long will I sleep?”

“I want to pretend I slept for a couple of days, but I can’t. It’s about two o’clock now. I tried to wake you up, but you seem to be sleeping too deeply, so stop.”

“He slept like someone who went to a battlefield. I even heard snoring in the middle.”

“I…?”

It was a bit embarrassing. Have you slept this deeply lately? I didn’t even have the dream I always had last night. Vanessa got up from her seat and headed toward the door while I looked at her with confused eyes.

“I’ve prepared the meal, so eat it when you’re clear. It’ll fit your mouth better than you think.”

“Uh, Vanessa. Are you going anywhere?”

“No, you shouldn’t look at the kids. I don’t know what makes it so good to go out and play in the rain. If you want to catch a cold, you should let it in. And the atmosphere in the city today is unusual. I think something happened.”

“What’s going on?”

“Well…It’s not clear, but it should be said that it’s busy. I’ll have to find out first. It won’t be a big deal. This isn’t the first time or two.”

Even on her crutches, she walked out the door at a quicker pace than most. Rachel looked at her back and then turned her head towards her.

“Um…I’d like to prepare a meal right away. But before that, I’ll have to talk about this first. It’s obviously disgusting to say it during a meal.”

Rachel shrugged her shoulders and put her hands in her pockets. And she took out a dirty package.

“How do I do this? It’s a bit too much to keep.”

“What is that.”

“…That priest’s balls.”

Shocked that I had been asleep for so long, I looked up at the package. Come to think of it, I had to deal with that too.

“Someday I’ll have to give it back.”

“I think you can just crush it. Do you really need to bring it?”

“I have to meet her saintess again tomorrow. Even then, it would be nice to have that guy’s help, so it’s better to keep it intact.”

“Oh, are you going again tomorrow?”

“Because I have to think about Barbie soon.”

I looked around and reached for a bowl of stew on the cupboard. Rachel handed me a spoon and sighed.

“Did you get the location?”

“To some extent.”

“That will suffice.”

“You just need to know the approximate location. You said you went in with a hundred girls, so you’ll know right away once you go in. There aren’t that many places to accommodate such a large group of people.”

“I guess so.”

She put her pack of balls back into her pocket with a frown on her face. Then, as she leaned back in her chair, she raised her eyebrows slightly.

“By the way, what are you going to do with Bobby?

“Yes.”

“Well… I guess. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“I wouldn’t want to help this time.”

When I spoke firmly, Rachel silently nodded her head. It seems that he sensed something unusual.

“Still, talk. I’m curious.”

“You don’t even want to hear it.”

“Ah. Yes. I will.”

Then I picked up the spoon and put the stew in my mouth. It was warmer than expected and tasted nostalgic. Rachel looked at me and shook her head anxiously.

“Ah. I want to drink coffee.

“His coffee…”

I was about to sigh, but suddenly raised my head. It felt like a sudden warm energy in the wind that had only been cold because of the rain. I put down my spoon and slowly stood up.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Something is strange.”

I stared out the window quietly. Still, the shapes of several people stood out in the landscape where the rain was pouring like crazy. One, two, three, four… Counting, I discovered that a total of eight figures were standing.

Six children. And Vanessa, who went to see the children.

Obviously, there should be seven people.

Bang!

“Kyaaaaagh!”

Then six children rushed into the shack at once. I instinctively hugged Bella who was rushing towards me. His skin, drenched in the rain and chilled, shivered.

“What! What’s wrong, guys!”

Rachel screamed in panic, but I just quietly looked into Bella’s eyes. The swaying eyes, like trees in a storm, were never trembling from the cold.

“Oh…Brother…”

Clearly, he was trembling with fear.

“Miss Luca!”

This time Vanessa screamed loudly. Her voice, like hers, was calm, but there was a hint of embarrassment. I left Bella with Rachel, grabbed her sword, and ran outside.

Shoot it

Heavy rain hit my face. The thick raindrops soaked his whole body and clung to his face along with his hair. In a situation where I couldn’t even properly see what was in front of her, I grabbed her Vanessa’s back and walked towards her.

“Such a disease.”

As I got closer, she was swearing and pointing her crossbow at someone. I looked at the sharpened tip of the arrow and slowly turned my gaze to someone standing in front of me.

Then, yesterday I met the eyes of the priest from whom I took my balls.

…

Shoot it

He was the same as the last time I saw him. Greedy lips and mean eyebrows. And, even the fear-soaked eyes. If there was only one change to him, everything was the same, and that was that he no longer had a torso.

Blood or raindrops dripped from the severed throat. Someone standing with his head in his arms dropped it to the floor as soon as he looked at me. The priest’s head rolled and landed on my feet, but I didn’t look down.

“Ha…”

Soon, the breath exhaled from that side faded white and soared into the sky. I let go of the sword I was holding and met the eyes of the person holding the priest’s head. And very quietly called his name.

“…Sera.”

Shoot it

When her name was called, she came over with a faint smile. I grabbed Vanessa’s crossbow and lowered it. Soon, her face appeared clearly in front of my eyes.

A large raindrop suddenly fell on Sarah’s eyes, which were probably wet with her blood. Soon, clear streams of water flowed down her eyes and a faint smile appeared on her small lips. Sara laughed so cruelly and called my name.

“Luka.”