Love Is Fleeting
"Love is fleeting by nature."
Beelzebub murmured lightly. Hermann and Greg had departed as planned to search for Lilith, while Beelzebub boarded the train to find Jenkinson.
"I did not expect you to accompany me."
It was none other than Limia who had chosen to travel with him. Watching Beelzebub curiously inspect the interior of the train, Limia spoke with a bored expression.
"You don't have any money, do you? Human money, that is."
There was no reason to speak respectfully to a demon. She voiced the thought without hesitation, and Beelzebub paid little mind to her casual tone as he replied.
"I have no coin, but I possess a few pieces of gold and gemstones. With those, I could—"
So he had intended to pay after all? The thought crossed Limia's mind, yet she pressed on.
"Will that work? These days, even exchanging gems requires proof of identity at the very least. A certificate from an appraiser, or at minimum the seller's identification. No one accepts raw gems without verification anymore."
In short, Beelzebub's gold and jewels were useless here.
"...How troublesome the world has become."
Beelzebub muttered in mild displeasure, then casually handed over the gems anyway.
"Then you may handle it. Take them. In exchange, you shall cover the expenses for our journey henceforth."
"...You really are impossible to figure out."
Limia accepted the stones, though she briefly wondered what she was supposed to do with them. She had never planned on making the demon reimburse her in the first place.
What if I just give them to Father? He'll know what to do with them.
She had agreed to assist him partly because the Great Demon seemed more unstable than expected, but the real reason was simpler.
I can use this as an excuse to see him.
Is he doing well? Does he miss me at all?
Of course, knowing that man's personality, it was unlikely. Still...
Even so, I wish he would miss me a little.
Wanting him to think of her even a bit felt selfish, yet Limia smiled at the thought. After all, she was still little more than a passing night to him. She had no right to complain. Even so, he was not merely her first partner.
"...You are in love."
Beelzebub, who had been quietly observing her, spoke with a faint smile. Limia's face flushed crimson.
"W-who said anything about love?!"
She protested in embarrassment, but Beelzebub paid it no heed. Love... Was that what it was called?
"Love is such a fleeting thing."
With those words, Beelzebub closed his eyes. Limia stared at him, flustered.
What does he mean by that?
She could not begin to guess what the demon was trying to say.
--
"So you have already crossed blades with Limia?"
Jenkinson, seated in the tavern on the first floor of the inn and sipping a drink after sending Asa off to investigate, showed interest at Alkai's words.
"She is strong, is she not?"
It was strange. Why did boasting about Limia's strength make him feel so pleased? Even as the thought occurred to him, Jenkinson continued to sing her praises.
"...When you say it, it sounds like flattery. But yes, she was indeed a formidable woman. Come to think of it, I heard that the man named Greg is your father, my lord."
Alkai recalled the moment he had fought her. She had been powerful, and she had mentioned the name of a man even stronger than herself—Greg Abnaigel. The very father of the man who was now his master.
"In your judgment, who would prevail between them?"
At Alkai's question, born of a warrior's pure curiosity, Jenkinson fell into thought.
"Hmm..."
First, Limia. Her Unique Magic allowed her to amplify and manipulate bioelectricity, which she used to strengthen her body or unleash lightning. His father Greg, on the other hand, possessed body-transformation magic along with another Unique Magic. He was a mage who fought through overwhelming physical enhancement.
Greg's body transformation versus Limia's bioelectric manipulation.
Father still holds the advantage in mana reinforcement.
Every technique of mana reinforcement Jenkinson had demonstrated so far was something Greg could also perform. It was only recently that Jenkinson had finally caught up to his father's level. In terms of mana reinforcement, he had no choice but to acknowledge his father's superiority. Limia's own mana reinforcement was clearly inferior to his own.
However...
"If they fought right now, Limia would likely win. Father rarely takes the field anymore."
Even so, Limia, who still worked as an active knight, would be less rusty than his father, who spent his days hunting within the territory. Still...
"If both were at their absolute best, I would still place my bet on Father."
Jenkinson wanted to believe his father would prevail under ideal conditions. At his words, Alkai asked carefully.
"Is that because he is your blood?"
Jenkinson shook his head. He did not think their bond was so deep. It was simply...
"To put it plainly, Limia is still inexperienced."
"..."
Alkai nodded as though he understood something, and Jenkinson offered no further explanation. Compared to the other two, she was still far too green. That single fact required no additional words.
--
"Earlier... what did you mean by that?"
Limia asked while watching Beelzebub fiddle curiously with his fork.
"?"
Beelzebub, who had been locked in a fierce battle with his pasta using the fork, tilted his head at the question. What was she referring to? His eyes clearly asked as much, so Limia hesitated before clarifying.
"You said something about love being fleeting."
"Ah, that."
Beelzebub chewed his pasta slowly, savoring the taste for a long moment before answering.
"Are humans not fleeting creatures themselves? The emotions they harbor must therefore be fleeting as well."
"Ah..."
So that was what he meant. It was nothing special after all. Limia felt a wave of relief wash over her, having worried that the words had been directed at her.
"Why do you ask?"
Now more at ease, she posed the question. What did it matter that love was fleeting? Beelzebub smiled as he replied.
"Is it not amusing? Humans, in their brief lives, love and hate... They display such a rich variety of emotions."
Yet he could not. Beelzebub lowered his plate slightly so the flies could feed on the remaining pasta.
"I find both loving and hating someone to be terribly difficult. It is fascinating—and rather admirable—how effortlessly you fleeting beings accomplish it."
"...Talking with you sometimes gives me the strangest feeling."
It was peculiar to hear such aged words coming from such a youthful face.
"So, have you decided what you will do once you meet Jenkinson? Or rather, Jenkinson?"
She had nearly said "big brother" without thinking and quickly corrected herself. Beelzebub finished his meal, bowed politely to the staff member who came to collect the empty dishes, and answered.
"I have already spoken with Yuno as well."
Limia, who had been marveling at the flies that had vanished in the brief interval, widened her eyes at his reply.
"...Eh?"
Yuno? Surely he did not mean that Yuno? Limia trembled at the thought, but Beelzebub continued without concern.
"She mentioned having something to deliver, so I intend to pass it along and speak with him afterward."
Something to deliver? Still dazed, Limia watched as Beelzebub spoke again.
"More importantly, are you... that child's...?"
He gestured toward the ring finger of his left hand. Limia's face turned visibly red.
"N-not yet, all right?"
That alone was answer enough for Beelzebub.
"I see... Hmm. In that case—"
Crunch!
In that instant, a massive arm suddenly appeared and crushed the enormous goat that had been about to attack the train. Limia was stunned. When had something like that even approached?
While she stood frozen in shock, Beelzebub muttered indifferently.
"It would be best to protect them. I have no desire to earn their hatred before we even meet."
W-what is that?
What was that giant goat? A demon?
"It is a magical beast. In human terms, it would be closer to the concept of a summoned creature—one controlled by a demon."
Beelzebub spoke as though he had read her thoughts, then promptly lost interest in the matter outside.
"It seems Satan is in a foul mood. Pay it no mind."
How am I supposed to ignore something like that?
Limia found his nonchalant attitude absurd. She had not even sensed the creature's power until it was already upon them.
So this is a Great Demon...
Only now did Limia truly grasp the power of the transcendent being before her. The strength to dispatch such a beast so casually was far beyond what humanity was ready to face.
--
No matter how much he tells me to investigate...
Asa sighed heavily as she wandered the streets. No matter how hard she thought, she could not find an answer.
Would Yusuba have been different? If it were him...
He would have known what to do...
Yes, he would have managed somehow. The thought inevitably brought a pang of inferiority. Could she really pass the examination in this state? No... Did she even deserve to pass in the first place?
Asa grew despondent. She knew all too well how lacking and inexperienced she still was.
"Oh dear!"
At that moment, an elderly woman carrying water stumbled. Asa rushed forward.
"Are you all right?"
She caught the woman just in time.
"Oh my! Thank you. You... you're a Holy Knight, aren't you?"
The old woman had been about to express her gratitude when she noticed Asa's uniform, and her expression grew wary. The change made Asa's body stiffen.
Every Holy Knight she knew was welcomed wherever they went. But here... it was different. The realization struck her deeply.
Is it because I'm not good enough?
Have I failed to earn these people's trust?
The thought saddened her, yet she forced a smile and hid her feelings.
"Yes. Where are you headed? I'll carry it for you."
"Oh, there's no need for that..."
The old woman tried to refuse, but Asa paid no attention and lifted the heavy jar of water.
"It's fine. Helping people is a Holy Knight's duty."
"Well then... I'll accept your kindness."
In the end, the old woman accepted her help. The jar was simply too heavy for an elderly person to carry alone. At her words, Asa steeled her resolve.
Yes. I'll start slowly. The priest didn't set any time limit...
First, I need to get closer to the people.
Asa decided to take her time. She lacked the priest's silver tongue or Yusuba's knack for handling people, but she would not lose to either of them when it came to sheer persistence. Of that, she was certain.