Chapter 8 – Their Circumstances (2)

“Hmm. It’s a very complex curse.”

“Yes. That’s right. This is…”

“The petrification curse…But it’s not the kind that takes away life force. It’s more like a seal than that. It’s the kind that freezes the bodies of the atomic bomb victims. Fortunately, once they’re freed, they’ll be able to function normally.”

“What is it, Bobby? Did you figure it out as soon as you saw it? Then maybe you know how to solve it?”

“You’ll have to see more of that. By the way… You know that far, so why didn’t you try the time acceleration magic?”

“Huh? Ah… Time acceleration magic. I’ve thought about it, but you know. It takes a lot of magic to use it on a creature.”

“It is, but I thought it would be worth a try if it was as good as Sarah’s.”

“That…That’s…”

“Ah, that thing. You could try it, but if it fails, it might put a huge burden on both Sera and Luka, so I decided to hold off. Anyway, this is in front of the Demon King Castle, and taking the risk with two people already losing power is too much. It’s dangerous. Would you like to have a cup of coffee together?”

“Oh, thanks. I didn’t know there was still coffee left.”

“It’s not real coffee, it’s brewed by grinding grass that has a similar effect. Mr. Leo explained something to me, but I didn’t quite understand.”

“That means he secretly has a lot of magazines like this.”

“Anyway, is there any progress? Any new discoveries…”

“Hey Ellie! You’re crushing it there without knowing anything. Come and change my bandages.”

“Rick. Can’t you do that on your own now?”

“It’s cold. It can’t be helped. Nadia. Can you come and help me?”

“Huh…? No…Okay…I’m coming soon.”

“The two of them seem to have become very close lately. A lot must have happened while I was gone.”

“That’s what I mean. The two of them always hang out and do what they do. Yesterday, they fought in the tent all night, and they said they were going to die of noise.”

“…It would be nice if we fought.”

“What’s up, Ellie. You’re here. If you have nothing to do, help me find Sandria’s grass. I think it’ll be useful.”

“Ah, Mr. Leo. All right. Then go talk to Uncle Bobby. Please work harder.”

“Okay Ellie. Trust me!”

“Hmm…By the way, this curse. It will take a long time to break. You’ll probably need to stay up all night. Oh, Miss Sera. Aren’t you going to stay up with me today? It’s just fine. Let’s do some research late at night tonight. .”

“Huh? Ah, yes. Then, then. Let’s make a decision today!”

Do blind people really dream? This is a fact he could not have known until he became blind himself. Of course, I cannot say that I am in the same situation as those who have been blind since birth, but now I can roughly guess their lives.

When you wake up, what you face is darkness. I focus my attention on the sound in the cave where not even a small ray of sunlight shines. If you block all your senses and pay attention to your ears, your hearing will be visualized and spread out in front of you.

Sera’s shallow breathing as she stared at me. If you listen to the irregular breathing, as if you are slightly nervous or uncomfortable, you can see her eyes that are cutely torn like a cat. Faced with those dark blue eyes that suddenly came into my mind, I paint their daily lives through the sounds that suddenly pass by.

The sound of a fat Barbie waddling along. Ellie’s soft voice piercing through the gaps and Leo’s thick bass that is annoying even to hear.

When I run my hand through the face of the last guy that comes to mind, I hear the sound of Nadia and Rick fighting, which Sarah used to talk about all along. Rick’s curse. Nadia’s answer. The sound of her heavy breathing. And the vulgar sound that only my ears can hear, the male organ digging into the female organ.

When their breathing reaches its climax and Nadia’s groans of joy echo in my ears, I close my ears and count the numbers in my mind. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. When that number approaches ten thousand, I go to sleep, and night finally comes.

But if I see Rick and Nadia face to face that night, I have to count again. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. It’s even better if you forget it in the middle. He breaks his counting fingers, chews his tongue, and counts again.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight…

“Haaaaa…”

“Good bitch? Good?”

“Huh…”

…One. Two. Three.

“Hey. Try that or try again. That.”

“Huh? Now?… I get it.”

“Yes, that. Ahaha. Fucking funny whore.”

…

One. Two. Three. Four.

…

One. Two. Three. Four. Five…

“One…Two…Three…Four…Five…Six…Seven…Eight.”

“Hmm. There’s not much change.”

“That’s right. It doesn’t even seem like a blessing.”

I opened my eyes at the sound of whispers, and my eyes met with the two at the same time. Bobby, who boasts a virtuous impression with his chubby flesh, and Sara, who looks unusually small today, perhaps because she is next to him. The two huddled together, staring at me, pouring out unknown words.

“I wonder if it would be a good idea to push it with magic.”

“Then, Luca’s exorcism must also be taken into account, but I’ve never measured it properly. If I’m wrong, the whole thing could explode. Besides, I’m not sure if our magic will be enough.”

“Really? I think that the magic that Miss Sera has shown so far is enough.”

“Uh…Nothing uncertain anyway.”

“Or should we use alchemy to transform the ingredients? If Luka is conscious, he can wake up on his own.”

“What if there isn’t? And if this isn’t sealing magic, but more like transformation magic, it can affect Luka’s body.”

“I think the sealing magic is certain. Shall we start with the Lucard test?”

“Sampling is possible. Let’s see…”

In the fleeting fragments of knowledge, I felt more secure than confused. Also Sara and Bobby. The greatest geniuses of our party. I thought it was only a matter of time before I could escape from the seal with just these two.

While positive energy spread throughout my body, one fact that had been heavily nestled in my mind suddenly raised its head like a nightmare. However, when released from the seal. How should I face Nadia?

She was no longer my teacher, nor a miracle, nor a friend anymore. The girl who gave me a shitty nightmare in front of me was rather close to my enemy.

That said, it was also a difficult problem to ask if the memories of the past collapsed at once. It was also true that whenever I thought of her hatred for Nadia, I thought of her bright yellow hair that gleamed through her sunlight.

At least if it’s clear. Rick when released from the seal. Maybe it was the fact that she would crush the boy’s face.

“…Perhaps the perception alteration might work.”

“Will that work? No, can you do anything like that?”

“Well, it’s a bit different from the commonly-known perception change, but something similar is possible. A person’s mind can generate tremendous power just by strengthening their will.”

“So…Then you can just manipulate people? Become my slave! Like this?”

“It’s not like that, Sarah-san.”

The two of them were still talking in words I didn’t know. Sera yawned profusely as if she was exhausted from trying to understand the ‘recognition-altering magic’ that Barbie was talking about.

“Uh… That’s difficult. Should I take a short break first? My head doesn’t turn well as the night deepens.”

“That’s right. Just because you spend a lot of time doesn’t mean you’re smart.”

With Bobby’s permission, Sara twisted her body and stretched her body. I laughed involuntarily at the sight of a cat acting like a cat.

Bobby must have thought the same, but she was looking at Sarah with her cute eyes. Sarah noticed that gaze and pouted her mouth with a cold expression.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, it’s just that Miss Sera and Miss Ellie seem to have a lot in common.”

“Me and Ellie?”

“Yes. I don’t know if it’s because we’re friends, but we look a lot alike.”

“Yes? Which side?”

Sara threw the question exactly what I wanted to ask. Then Bobby seemed to be a little worried, then shrugged her shoulders and replied.

“It’s just. In this and that way. Both of you are charming, smart enough for your age. Most of all, you’re kind to everyone.”

“What? I’m kind? Like Ellie?”

“Sure. Why are you so surprised? I always thought so.”

“I’m not surprised! It’s just a little… Unexpected. People think Ellie is nicer.”

That includes me. Bobby shook her head and said in a serious tone.

“I don’t think so. Sera-san always thinks of others more than herself. You can tell just by looking at how hard she works for Luca.”

“That…”

Sara bit her lip and she spoke in a slightly subdued voice.

“Because that’s what you have to do.”

“Isn’t that what you have to do?”

Bobby tilted her head and frowned at her. Sara looked into his eyes and sighed.

“Yeah, he’s our precious comrade. He’s also an old friend to me. Ellie will be sad if Luka doesn’t wake up for a long time… I’ll do my best to get her back.”

“So you’re saying it’s something you have to do?”

“Yeah. Bobby doesn’t like seeing his precious comrades suffer like that, right? Neither do I. Luca is a particularly important person to me…And a hero who will save the world…And…”

“…And since Miss Sera is the person she loves. Well, of course.”

“That’s right… No wait. What?”

“Yes? That’s right, Sera-san, you like Luca. I’m wrong…”

“Now…Wait a minute!”

What?

Dust rose with a crackling sound. While I was in confusion, Sera, riding on top of Bobby’s heavy body, let out a silent scream with a blushing face.

“Joe… Be quiet Bobby! Your voice is too loud. What did you say?”

“She said she likes Luca. But was this a secret? I thought you knew everything…”

“At least Luca doesn’t know! So shhh!”

“Eyy, she must have noticed already? And now she can’t hear me.”

“I didn’t notice! And in case you didn’t know. So please be quiet!”

Sara put her stretched finger to her mouth and kept looking this way. I also embraced her embarrassing feelings and faced her.

Sarah likes me?

Sarah, the genius wizard who always bullied, teased, and ignored?

Of course when she thought she liked me she said the whole story fit. The academy that I could just go in alone, and I went to the academy and said that Ellie had to go with me. When Nadia came to town, she heard that I was going on an expedition, and she volunteered to go with me. When she heard that I had been petrified, the expression on her face was unprecedentedly bewildered. All the stories that had passed by at the time, together with the new knowledge, shook her head.

“You didn’t notice? But even from my point of view as a third party, it was very clear that Miss Sera liked Luca.”

“…He’s a fool, so he doesn’t notice.”

…

Have no face

Bobby looked at me and smiled, then asked Sarah with his characteristic friendly smile.

“How long has it been? Have you come to like it?”

“I haven’t counted on that. I’ve always liked it since I was little.”

Right!

Bobby, who was listening to her story, suddenly snapped her fingers. Sera turned her head away with a slightly frightened expression.

“What…What’s wrong?”

“That’s why you started the expedition from the beginning! With one heart of love!”

“Well…It’s true. A town without him means nothing to me.”

“Oops. But why didn’t you confess until now? I like you so much.”

“That’s it.”

As soon as Sarah heard that, she smiled bitterly.

“I won’t tell you that.”

“Why? Keep talking about it anyway.”

“This is a secret I haven’t told anyone.”

“Think of it as a confession. You know what my job is? I listen to the concerns of believers and keep secrets. I won’t tell anyone, so let’s talk about it. It might lighten your heart a little.”

“Is it really so?”

“Sure.”

Nice barbie. Nice bobby. There is probably no one in this world who would refuse his request even after seeing those characteristic warm eyes. Sarah looked him in the eyes for a long time, then buried her face in his palms and said.

“That’s because of Ellie.”

Right!

“Miss Ellie! Well, of course, Miss Ellie should be included in this story.”

“…Can I not do that? Finger snapping. It’s a bit crazy.”

“Sorry. It’s a habit. But what about Ellie? I thought she was a good friend.”

“A good friend. Except that Ellie likes Luca too.”

I wasn’t surprised this time. Bobby didn’t even bother to pretend to be surprised.

“Is that why? Because your favorite friend loves the same person?”

“What could be more reason than that? I like Luca, but Ellie is just as dear to me as she is. She’s too much to lose either of them.”

Sera calmly told the story in her heart, without any emotional agitation. Maybe it’s because I’ve been thinking about it for too long.

Since when have you had such feelings? I said it was a long time ago, so maybe it was before I started to like Ellie. When I thought of that, the worries Sera must have been carrying weighed heavily on my heart, even more than the stones that imprisoned her.

“… But if she were Miss Ellie, wouldn’t she understand? If it were her, even if you and Luca were connected, I’d think she’d bless you instead of cursing you.”

“How could I do that. And to Ellie.”

“Why? Love is conquered Miss Sarah. A woman of courage wins her handsomeness.”

“Isn’t that the opposite? Something’s a little strange.”

“I’m a very open-minded person.”

The two looked at each other and smiled softly. And Barbie habitually snapped her fingers.

Right!

“So, make a confession. Old feelings make the heart sick.”

“It can’t be.”

“Why? Ellie will understand. I can guarantee you.”

“No. Bobby, you… Don’t know anything.”

“Why do you think so?”

Bobby was uncharacteristically obnoxiously persistent. Sarah also opened her mouth, frowning her eyes, as if she felt the same way. But before I could hear her reply, I heard the snapping of her Bobby fingers again.

Right!

“That… I can’t… Say it. It’s… A secret.”

“It’s okay. Tell me, Sera-san.”

“That’s never going to happen… Ha… Why is she like this? Her head keeps pounding…”

“It’s because I’ve been holding a secret for too long. Tell me, Sarah.”

“No… I can’t… Never.”

“Is it so?”

Why?

Bobby’s last words suddenly echoed like thunder. Instantly, his head throbbed, and the words he left floated around in his head like an echo.

Why?

Why?

Why?

What. This.

The words he had uttered ripped through his brain as if they were gnawing away at the inside of his skull. Even when he tried to calm himself down, his heavy voice kept ringing in his ears.

Why?

Why?

Why?

What the fuck is this what.

Confusion. Helplessness. And the fear that suddenly dominates the whole body. The emotions that unexpectedly shook the mind float like dregs. And above all, an indescribable frustration. Something that kept tightening my chest tightened my breath.

What is this…

It feels more cramped than when I was first locked in a stone. It felt as if my whole body was sealed in a huge grip. I struggled to get out of its grasp. What. What happened. Bobby, what are you doing

“Stop…”

Then Sarah’s voice, like a sob, pierced my ears. As soon as I heard that sound, I struggled even harder. Bobby. Nice barbie. Uncle Barbie who is friendly to everyone.

You. What is the identity?

“Now, tell me. Sara-san.”

When I suddenly came to my senses at the sound of his voice, I saw Sarah shaking her body with her head down. Her barbie was looking at her with her serious expression like never before.

“Why can’t you, Sarah-san?”

“That…That’s…”

“It’s okay. Tell me.”

She bit her lip softly. It was an unspoken sign that she never wanted to say anything, but her mouth was opened to put her will to shame, and the story she had been hiding flowed out.

“Ellie… Has already conceded too much to me.”

Ellie made concessions? What?

The story that started like a light chat was moving towards a single truth. I didn’t want to know because I was afraid to dig it up. Towards the truth.

Bobby was now mercilessly digging up the truth and trying to whisper it in my ear.

“What did you concede?”

It was no longer a confession. This was close to interrogation. Sarah seemed to think so as well, so she closed her eyes tightly.

“That… That… I hate to say it. I… I…”

Right!

Once again, the snapping of Bobby’s fingers echoed in her head. Not a single smile could be found on his face.

“What did Miss Eli concede to Miss Sarah?”

“Bar…Bobby…I hate me…I’m afraid of this…I…I don’t want to answer…Please…”

“It’s okay. Let’s talk about everything.”

“I… I…!”

Right!

Bobby asked again, snapping her fingers mercilessly at her pleading Sarah.

“Miss Sarah. What did Miss Eli concede to you?”

Then Sera trembled all over her body and slowly opened her closed eyes. Soon, her long-hidden secrets flowed down with tears. She answered, barely squeezing her trembling voice.

“All.”