Chapter 123

A Message from Someone (7) I cursed, I resented, I hated, I despised, I grieved, I lamented, I cursed, I cursed, I cursed, and at the end of all my cursing… …my wish was finally granted. The end of days took place once more. The seeds of evil I’d sowed budded without fail. At that point, all that was left was for everyone to die. The stupid sheep would perish, persistent in their idiocy to the bitter end. That would have been fine. Just deserts would have been served. That was the verdict I cast, and that was the wish I made. However… …the person I am now— —is not who I was then. …Will you hear me out? O anonymous listener who I once wished death upon? It is a tale from long, long ago. Back then, I made a fatal blunder. I brought about the end of days. But that wasn’t my true intention. I didn’t destroy the world because I wanted to. I was mistaken; don’t get me wrong. One could even say that my very existence was an error. But even so, none of that changes the nobility of my goal. I just wanted to save the world when nobody else would. But in spite of that— —at some point, I forgot. He—the Mad King—was right. I forgot. Back then— —everyone was crying— —and I wanted to make it so they didn’t have to— —so now— —why? Why are my ears— —so full of screams and—? “I caaaught him.” “Excellent work!” Elisabeth was in the beastfolk lands. Having successfully carried out her Peace Brigade duties for the day, Elisabeth returned to Valisisa Ula Forstlast’s residence. With a listless announcement, she kicked the bound mage forward. Her beastfolk subordinates replied with their thanks, and one deer-headed soldier dragged the man off to the dungeons for having committed the crime of ritualistic demon worship. Elisabeth rotated her shoulders in exasperation. Lute walked up to her and handed her a hot cup of tea. “I would expect nothing less. With this, we can strike another name off the most wanted list.” “That’s all, correct? I shall be taking my break now. And my dinner, albeit a late one.” Shortly after she made her announcement, though, the door got violently kicked open. The voice that rang out seemed somehow puppetlike, yet at the same time, it was strangely obnoxious. “Pardon me. Elisabeth! Is Elisabeth Le Fanu around? Listen to what I gotta say for a minute, bitch!” “Ah. ’Tis Jeanne… I see you’ve made your way here from the Capital again. How many times does this make, anyhow?” “Don’t worry about that; just listen. I don’t understand what’s going on in my little lady’s head. Women, I’m tellin’ ya! Like, does she hate me? She doesn’t hate me, does she?” “As far as I can tell, Izabella’s never been much of a clingy type. I’m off now. Good-bye.” After exchanging a glance with Lute, Elisabeth beat a hasty retreat and made her way out into the hallway. Once she’d made sure nobody was coming her way, Elisabeth tossed a jewel downward. It struck the floor and drew a teleportation circle atop it. Crimson flower petals and darkness sprayed up as far as the eye could see, and cylindrical walls the color of blood formed around her. Fine cracks ran across them. Then they were gone, and nobody remained within. Elisabeth had vanished from the beastfolk lands. Tick, tock… Tick-tock… Tick… Tock… Tick… Tock… Ti— Click. Click. “I’ve returned.” “Hey, welcome home.” Elisabeth spoke, and a cheerful voice called back. Kaito tilted his chair backward. Still seated, he turned around. The little knot that his faded brown hair was tied in dangled behind his head. As usual, his butler uniform looked completely ridiculous on his skinny frame. Appearing the same as always, he checked over the inventory listing for their main storeroom. Elisabeth started to raise her hand to greet him… Hmm? …but halfway through, her arm froze. Something felt dangerously off. She cocked her head to the side. Meanwhile, Kaito continued scribbling away with his quill pen. From time to time, he would smudge some ink or begin idly doodling. It was an almost tear-inducingly mundane sight. There was nothing peculiar or amusing about it in the slightest. Elisabeth chose not to put her discomfort into words. Instead, she strode over to Kaito with a wide gait. Without even looking at her, he pulled out the chair beside his and gestured at it with his chin. “Mmm.” “Aye.” Elisabeth responded as though it were the most natural thing in the world, then sat down as well. A few seconds later, she cocked her head to the side again. However, she didn’t get a chance to vocalize what it was that seemed so odd. Kaito slid the inventory list over to her and pointed at one of its blank spaces. “Elisabeth, I gotta say, these documents suck.” “Dullard… That’s the sole conclusion you reached after going at it all day? I’m out there working tirelessly, so the least you can do as my butler is keep my castle in order. Enough grousing—just do your job!” Hmm? Hmmmm? What was she talking about? The words came to her readily, but they were accompanied by a third wave of indescribable malaise. She raised her hands up and down in consternation. Kaito, for his part, stretched his arms, then pursed his lips. “I mean, you say that, but… Here, how’s this for a number that’ll knock your socks off? The last seven years of inventory just…aren’t listed.” “Heavens, wouldn’t it be faster to simply discard them and start from scratch?” “Right? That was the only real option I could come up with… Ugh, all that time wasted…” Kaito let out a big yawn, then went limp and slumped facedown on the table. Elisabeth poked him in the head. Now was no time for sleeping. For her troubles, she received a strange “Gehhh.” As the two of them fooled around, a pair of light footsteps drew near. “Good work today, you two!” Upon hearing the cheery voice, Elisabeth looked up and was greeted by a pair of gleaming green eyes and a head of silver hair. They belonged to a beautiful automaton in a maid outfit. Hina beamed adorably as she pushed her serving cart along. Elisabeth found herself overcome with dizziness. However, she still had no idea why. Hmhmmm? “I’ve brought an afternoon snack for you, my beloved Master Kaito and my dearest Lady Elisabeth! There are tarts and muffins and cookies of every variety, so please go ahead and take whatever you like!” “Damn, you made all that? You sure you aren’t overworking yourself, Hina?” “Eek, my adorable husband is ever so kind! Take me now! …Ahem. Worry not. If it’s for my beloved Master Kaito and my dearest Lady Elisabeth, then even baking sweets is like being in paradise! Right now, I feel super-duper happy in strict moderation! Eek, it’s like the world itself is jealous of my joy!”