Escape. (16)
"Ugh..."
I picked up the fallen beastkin girl from the floor and placed her on the blanket.
Her hair was as pure white as the babies', and she even had ears and a tail.
I recalled the last words I heard and smiled bitterly.
"Mom, Dad..."
At my murmur, the babies clinging to my chest bit my collarbone.
Their teeth had already come in, so it stung a little, but it wasn't unbearable.
These babies were the beastkin girl's parents, of all things.
The fact was somewhat amusing, so I chuckled.
"Ariel, I'm back— Who's that child?"
I subtly nodded to the Hero who opened the door and entered.
The beastkin child was lying in my spot.
As soon as he saw the child, an irritable voice burst out, seemingly disliking the very fact that she was a beastkin.
Indeed, it might be understandable, given that he had just come from talking with some priestess or village chief who served that damned Goddess.
"It seems she's a child connected to the babies."
"...Really?"
The Hero, sitting beside me, stared intently at the child.
Her face was haggard, with dark circles under her eyes, and most notably, she only had one ear.
It looked as if it had been forcibly torn off by someone.
"How pitiful."
Feeling a pang of sympathy, I gently stroked her hair.
The sensation of soft strands flowing through my fingers wasn't as bad as I'd thought.
Whenever I saw the empty space where her ear should be, I instinctively pulled my hand away.
"...Mmm."
How long had I been stroking her hair?
At the sight of the child opening her eyes with a small groan, I swallowed dryly.
No matter who the other person was, I was fundamentally a Demon.
It wouldn't be strange to be met with hostility just for existing.
Especially if she was someone who had lost family to Demons, there was no need to say more.
"Demon!"
I smiled bitterly at the child, who instantly put distance between us.
She recognized me even without my horns, how clever.
I gently soothed the babies, who had been startled by the child's cry and started to whimper.
A child who makes her parents cry, what a naughty child.
Just kidding, of course.
"Why was I unconscious? What did you do while I was out?"
"...Nothing."
Though, if stroking her hair counted, then I suppose I did do something.
Even with my answer, her guard didn't drop.
No, if anything, it might have intensified.
Honestly, it was clear she was holding back as much as possible, just by not attacking immediately.
"Come here."
"Why would I—"
"It's your family you're meeting after a long time, do you dislike it?"
It pained me a little to feel like I was using the baby, but I had no other clever ideas.
Because if the child showed even the slightest hint of harming me, he seemed ready to draw his sword immediately.
When I held out the baby in my arms for her to see, her sharply narrowed eyes instantly softened and rounded.
Now she finally looks a little like a child.
"W-where's the proof that those are my parents?!"
The child cried out.
It seemed to be an instinctive rejection towards a baby born from a Demon's womb.
"There isn't. But still, don't you know?"
It was literally true.
Because there's no way one could so easily forget someone precious.
Even more so if it's one's parents.
"Lies, it's all lies! This is all a Demon's trick to deceive me—"
I approached the child, who was shouting as if in a fit, and placed the baby in her arms.
"Ah."
With a short gasp, her head suddenly bowed.
The child, who now seemed to have no regard for me, stared blankly at the baby in her arms.
She met its eyes, smiled, then slowly lowered her face.
The child pressed her nose to the baby's neck, sniffed, and then began to shed tears, drop by drop.
"Mommyyyyyyy......"
It was a strange scene, crying sorrowfully yet smiling, but I didn't find it funny.
Because I would have been the same.
The Hero, having lowered his guard against the child, sat beside me.
His gaze was subdued, as if he was recalling thoughts of his own family.
"...Do you miss your family?"
"..."
The Hero didn't answer.
He merely blinked slowly.
I asked a needless question.
There was no way he wouldn't miss them.
Because family was like that.
"I still can't forgive Demons."
The child said.
Her words were still sharp, but their edge had dulled a little.
As the baby in her arms babbled, her sharp demeanor softened even further.
Still, still...
Her voice was tinged with moisture.
"...Thank you."
The child bowed her head.
Above her bowed head, the single remaining ear swayed pitifully.
My eyes stung at her words of gratitude, which seemed to color my ears.
This was the second time.
Giving birth to a baby, and that baby returning to its family's embrace.
Even though it was certainly something to be happy about, tears trickled out.
"Thank you, truly, truly thank you for bringing my parents back to life..."
I placed my hand on the crown of the child's head, who kept bowing repeatedly.
The way she flinched and lifted her head was quite cute.
Though it was quite regrettable that she was missing an ear.
As I carefully stroked her hair, her ear twitched wildly.
"May I ask your name?"
"...It's Bel."
"That's a pretty name."
When I smiled gently, her face flushed.
Seeing the child, the Hero pulled me into his embrace.
What's with him now?
I frowned and tapped the arm wrapped around my waist, and his strength slowly gave way.
What on earth is this idiot thinking?
"My name is Ariel."
"...Yes, Ariel-ssi."
Bel's tail slowly swayed, then approached me without a sound.
Not knowing why, I tilted my head, and then it started poking my hand.
Did it mean for me to hold it?
But didn't they say beastkin tails were sensitive?
"...Eek."
"S-sorry. Did I hold it too tightly?"
"N-no!"
Her small groan made me feel unnecessarily sorry, so I quickly apologized.
At my reaction, the child shook her head from side to side.
By the way, her tail is really soft.
When I stroked it gently, it twitched wildly from side to side, as if ticklish.
It felt like a furry snake.
The texture was pleasant, so I kept touching it, until the Hero gently took my hand.
"? Why are you doing that?"
"No, just..."
His sudden act of intertwining our fingers was a bit suspicious.
Why, does it seem like I like Bel?
Are you anxious that I might be taken by this child?
It was so absurd that I actually laughed.
Of course, the beautiful girl in front of me was more to my taste than the guy who had a history of messing me up.
"...Ariel-ssi, you're really kind."
As I struggled to pull the Hero's hand away, Bel spoke up in a small voice.
Kind, me?
I don't particularly recall being kind.
Or perhaps she meant I was kinder compared to other Demons?
"All the other Demons were just trash."
So that's it.
For someone speaking so harshly about other Demons, it was quite a generous evaluation.
Honestly, except for cases like Hallibel, I couldn't refute it, so I just kept my mouth shut.
Indeed, Demons are hated everywhere.
[Because you never know what trouble Bel will cause next, nya!]
"...I'll be going now."
At the familiar voice from outside the door, Bel bowed her head.
She hesitated, looking alternately at the baby in her arms and me, but when I nodded, she immediately darted away.
She moves so nimbly even while holding a baby in her arms.
"...Demon! Are you okay, nya!"
"I'm fine."
I nodded to the Cat Beastkin, Ryanyori, who burst through the door.
It seemed she was more worried about Bel causing trouble than about me.
They have a good relationship.
Though it was a bit suspicious that she startled and hid her tail when her eyes met the Hero's.
"It's a relief you're safe, nya. That Bel, I'll spank her butt next time I see her, nya!"
Ryanyori, who had been stomping her feet in place, then huffed and moved on.
The gazes of the beastkin who followed her were stinging, but it was the usual treatment, so I didn't mind at all.
Yeah, because I'm fine.
"...Are you okay?"
The Hero asked.
Wondering if my expression was strange, I touched my face and found my lips drooping pitifully towards the floor.
I'm fine. Of course I'm fine. I have to be fine.
Why, she returned to her family's embrace, didn't she?
It's naturally something to be happy about.
Naturally, naturally, ly...
"H-hoo, haaa..."
"..."
"I hate it. No more, I hate ittt..."
The warmth disappearing from my arms was something I could never get used to.
They were the children I held.
They were the children I painstakingly gave birth to.
They were the children I, I loved.
My sorrow wouldn't stop.
It was a sadness I felt because, though for a brief time, I had given them my utmost love.
"It's okay, it's okay, it's okay."
Along with the warmth enveloping my body, I felt a gentle hand patting my back.
He soothed me with a rhythm that matched my heartbeat, whispering slowly.
It's okay, it's okay.
Yes, what can I do?
Though they are my babies, they are also someone else's precious family.
I have no choice but to send them back.
"...Hero."
You, at least, please don't leave me.
So that I won't regret giving my heart to you.
No answer came.
He merely embraced me with an intensity that felt like he might crush me.
I surrendered myself to the warmth of the Hero's body heat and closed my eyes.