Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Stella
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Morning sun rising, people gathering around the bonfire in front of the carriage.
It seemed the earlier commotion had drawn folks from the nearby village to check things out, but the abbess approached them first.
Perhaps because it was the closest village to the convent, they shared a special bond. Especially those who’d received treatment for illnesses or shared in the gospel— they were particularly fond of the nuns.
Rather than just showing up, the villagers had brought heaps of food, saying it was time to repay the kindness they’d received.
Suddenly, in this spot a bit removed from the village, a modest breakfast buffet was laid out.
Enjoying the morning under the rising sunlight. To be honest, I was utterly drained, not wanting to lift a finger, and with injuries from being swept up in holy power, I was slumped against the carriage.
“What’s this? Not eating?”
Pindenai, her plate piled high with food, glanced my way as she passed and asked.
Too lazy to reply, I jerked my chin for her to scram, but she stuck a fork in her mouth and plopped down beside me.
“……Go away.”
“What? There’s no good seat around.”
“Just get in the carriage.”
“Iluania’s eating in there.”
Pindenai started forking food into her mouth beside me, spouting that blatant lie with zero consideration for the pregnant woman.
The villagers must have butchered chickens at dawn, because the plates were loaded with generous portions of chicken and eggs, accompanied by salad and fruit.
But even seeing that didn’t stir my appetite.
My mouth felt dry, my tongue rough— I didn’t even want to smell the food.
Why am I even here like this? But then, a straw-pierced glass of milk was thrust toward me from the side.
“Drink. You lost blood earlier— better get something in you.”
“…….”
“Even if the nuns healed you, you still need to eat for nutrition, right?”
Pindenai held out the milk without looking my way. Wondering what had gotten into her, I took the cup anyway since my throat was parched.
But seeing my hand tremble and the milk nearly spill, she snatched it back.
“Sigh, classic symptom of mages overusing mana. Fine, just open your mouth.”
“……Just go away.”
“Hey now.”
I said no, but the straw pushed past my lips and down my throat. Startled, I gasped, and milk naturally poured in through the straw.
It definitely quenched my thirst and revived me a bit. Fresh milk, tasted good, went down smooth.
Being handled like this by Pindenai was humiliating, but the milk hit the spot more than expected.
Before I knew it, I’d drained the glass, and as I took a deep breath.
The savory aroma of chicken filled my mouth. Startled, I clamped my lips shut, but Pindenai grabbed my chin with a bored look and pried it open.
“Jeez. Skin and bones, and you won’t eat.”
“……!”
“Stay still. Feels like torture, huh? What kind of maid am I? Master’s so frail I have to force-feed him fat.”
“Urp! Enough already.”
“Yeah, sure.”
She said that, but Pindenai’s fork didn’t stop. I grabbed her wrist to make her quit, but with no strength left, I couldn’t resist.
In the end, she fed me everything on the plate, then left with a mocking smirk tinged with odd satisfaction.
That smile, like she’d won, felt like the ultimate humiliation, making me want to puke it all up.
[Looking good.]
Then a voice from behind. I glanced back to see the Black Necromancer poking just her head through the carriage, watching me.
“Don’t creep around like that.”
It looked like her face was stuck to the carriage, so I snapped, and she pulled out fully, crossing her arms in front of me.
[You know it was insanely dangerous this time, right?]
Her words drew an involuntary dry laugh from me.
“When has it not been?”
Thinking about it, I’d always fought with my life on the line. I’d always had a clear path to victory, but that didn’t guarantee it.
[True, but still…….]
Her eyes below the black cloth were hidden, but the visible part brimmed with worry.
I steadied my breath and kept talking. Couldn’t let my ally feel uneasy.
“Don’t worry. This is just one experience on the path to mastering necromancy.”
Especially this time, handling a demon’s soul— I’d shown her a new direction.
Should be satisfying enough, but the Black Necromancer still eyed me with lingering dissatisfaction.
[That was impressive, sure. But I’m not mad about that.]
“Steep growth requires crises.”
[……You’re smart enough, but sometimes you play dumb.]
“…….”
[That’s what I really hate.]
She pouted and kicked at me petulantly. Being a spirit, her foot passed right through.
[What about the saintess?]
“I’ve got it handled.”
I took in Stella, gazing at the sun alone in the distance.
Eyes closed, hands clasped— praying in thanks to her rescuers and Goddess Hertia.
[You’re guaranteeing my spot, right?]
“…….”
[I mean, uh, you two had a nice vibe going?]
I sighed deeply, waving a hand that was starting to regain some strength.
[And I’m not linked to you like that. This saintess got connected through necromancy.]
“If you’re gonna say useless crap, leave.”
[Can’t a disciple worry like this?]
“Never saw you as a disciple.”
[Bueh!]
She stuck out her tongue and left. Couldn’t see it through the cloth anyway— her personality was ridiculous.
Wise and knowledgeable on necromancy, but half her life holed up in her lab meant little social experience, so she often acted immature.
Sometimes it felt like she was just a big kid.
‘Total opposite of Aria.’
Aria had a child’s body but a mature, half-broken soul from worldly trials— completely different vibe.
For a moment, I wondered what Aria was up to, but the thought didn’t linger.
Stella had finished praying and approached me cautiously.
Her once-blonde hair had turned half-white, giving off a pale glow.
It symbolized all her past hardships.
Her pale turquoise eyes gazed steadily at me.
She looked like a painting.
Backlit by the sun, I could see why saintesses were called the kingdom’s sun.
“Did you say your goodbyes?”
[……How’d you know?]
Stella bowed her head shyly at my words. She’d just bid farewell to her god.
[The demon dwelled in my body, I shared will with Belica. Traces of her still linger.]
Had they cohabited so long their souls fused? The Black Necromancer had been fascinated— a first for her.
Though Belica might not have survived the holy power’s lethal effect.
“…….”
[Even Goddess Hertia wouldn’t want someone like me now.]
“Is that so.”
[I gave ample thanks, fulfilled my role— I could let go cleanly.]
I nodded, listening. Strength was returning, but not enough to stand.
Sensing it, Stella sat gingerly beside me and rested her head on my shoulder.
No touch or warmth, but her movement stirred a gentle breeze tickling my nose.
[No one can see me, so I can be bold like this.]
A soft chuckle came, like the first time we met on the rooftop.
“No more regrets?”
[No. Everyone showed me my path wasn’t wrong.]
Before praying to god, she’d tearfully thanked them for hours— still emotional.
[So what happens to me now, Necromancer?]
Head on my shoulder, she looked up. If alive, her breath would brush my cheek.
I answered firmly.
“You need to sleep.”
[……. ]
“My reason for claiming you wasn’t to wield your soul in magic. Just to be a shelter where you could rest.”
[Oh…….]
She seemed wistful, but I wouldn’t budge.
She was exhausted.
Worn enough to choose oblivion.
Time to close her eyes and rest.
[Then this is the last sky I’ll see before sleeping.]
“Yeah, I suppose so.”
From now on, Stella would sleep within me. Deep sleep no god or demon could disturb.
[Hmm, a bit disappointing. Wanted more talks with you.]
Yet she didn’t resist rest much. She knew her own fatigue.
[Can you tell me a story?]
Still leaning on me, arms crossed, she asked.
“A story?”
[They read kids fairy tales before bed. I want to fall asleep to tales of you.]
“I’ve already told you everything about me.”
[True.]
She smiled faintly, pressing closer.
[Then, what do you think of me? We shared a short but intense experience.]
I fell silent at her question.
The risen sun was too bright to behold, so I slowly lowered my gaze.
“I’ve never loved.”
Then, honestly shared my feelings for her.
“But I’ve experienced it.”
I’d indirectly felt original Dayus’s love for Iluania.
“Couldn’t deny how warm and cozy it felt. And I thought I’d struggle to feel that.”
Aria said in the first run I ended up with Erika, but I still doubted if it was true love.
I continued.
Not to impart to Stella.
Just my honest soliloquy, with her eavesdropping.
“But if I ever feel that for someone.”
I slowly looked at Stella.
To the one who’d always be with me, now parting— a quiet farewell.
“It’d probably be someone like you.”
Brief silence.
Staring at her flushed face, she flapped her mouth like a carp, then took a deep breath.
No need to breathe anymore, but an old habit.
[You don’t want me to sleep? Don’t create regrets.]
No such intent.
Just spoke my true feelings, I replied. Stella hesitated, then spoke.
[We’re opposites.]
“…….”
[You don’t know love well, but I know it too well. Loved everyone I met.]
And so.
That genuine heart led so many souls to sacrifice for her.
[That’s why I won’t call this feeling for you ‘love.’]
“…….”
[It’s not the same as what I felt for others. So I won’t name it love.]
Warmth spread.
Her soul’s lingering mana softly enveloped me.
[No talent for grand names, though.]
Her fading voice grew quieter.
[The continent’s sun has set. Lucia will carry on well.]
“Yeah, she will.”
Like a child drifting to sleep.
[Help that child. While the sun rests, be the moon guarding this continent.]
“I’ll try.”
[Hehe, I’ll watch if you do.]
Slowly.
So slowly.
[Thought I’d never see the moon again after losing my eyes.]
Her hand wrapped my waist, and she became light entering me.
[See you again, my moon.]
Fading Stella whispered her last smile.
[I’ll be your star, always with you.]