Whispers of the Miracle and the Clinging Night Search
Recently, an intriguing rumor had been circulating within the church. The miracle of the valley. The battle where hundreds of zombies had swarmed, only for the tide to turn with overwhelming Holy Power. And at the center of it all, oddly enough, was Ludia.
As the one who'd poured her Holy Power into a mercenary to create that miracle. Of course, she'd find it absurd if she heard it herself.
"It's been a while. To take a hit like this."
Amelia sat on the windowsill in her room, gazing into the distance. Her expression was as impassive as ever—calm to the point where it was impossible to tell if she felt anything at all.
"I'm sorry, Lady Amelia."
"It's fine, Medel. It wasn't your mistake."
Her voice was as kindly as always. But Medel couldn't lift her head.
They'd lured the zombie horde through family connections and strengthened them with magic stones—enough to overwhelm even a full paladin order. She'd thought that would finally settle the Ludia matter. What had gone wrong?
"It's because I... underestimated Ludia's Holy Power."
As if reading Medel's mind, Amelia rose from the windowsill. She even patted the cowering Medel's shoulder.
"Because of me, your standing in the family..."
"Hehe... enough now. You can't win every time."
Amelia lightly tapped Medel and fell silent.
"...I'm sorry..."
She couldn't bring herself to say more. They'd spent a huge chunk of their funds on those magic stones, only to fail. And as a side effect, Ludia's fame had skyrocketed. Now, within House Rubystone, they were whispering that the lowly bastard child had botched things, shaking trust in Amelia.
"This too... must be the goddess's will. Let's aim for next time."
"Yes... Lady Amelia..."
But Amelia seemed utterly unfazed. Was it because her emotions were crushed beneath that thick mask of benevolence, or had she never cared about any of it to begin with? Neither Medel nor Amelia herself knew.
"...Ah! But..."
"Yes?"
Amelia's expression rippled slightly, as if something had occurred to her.
"It's a relief that Huu hasn't become a topic of interest."
"...?"
"If too many eyes gathered, it'd be hard for me to pull him out."
Her lips curved faintly. Isn't this a silver lining amid the misfortune? I absolutely need that one.
"But the rumors say Ludia strengthened Huu. Though the paladins' testimonies conflict. Is he really that impressive?"
"Hehe... who knows."
Amelia was poking Medel playfully now. But the answer was already in her head.
No amount of Holy Power could strengthen someone that much. It's a matter of the vessel. That's Huu's unique ability.
If I could bring a being like that to my side...
The more Amelia thought of Huu, the more her heart fluttered.
"Medel."
"Yes, Lady Amelia."
"I wonder what Huu is doing right now."
Amelia wore a benevolent smile. Medel couldn't understand her, but she was loyal.
"Word is, he left the church with Ludia this morning."
"Outside? Why?"
"I don't know beyond that... I'm sorry. I'll assign someone to tail them."
Medel's words trailed off. Those two had slipped out without a word, so of course she didn't know. But perhaps driven by the fear of another failure, she showed enthusiasm.
"No. Let's go ourselves."
"Pardon?!"
But Amelia's resolve burned hotter. She was already changing clothes to head out.
"Get ready, Medel."
"Right now?!"
"Yes. We can get some fresh air. Let's go."
"...?"
Has Lady Amelia ever moved this directly before? She seemed so detached just moments ago. Why now?
Medel's mind reeled in confusion.
In the original story, there was this thing called the Commander's Whisper. An artifact that let you telepathically send your innermost thoughts to a pre-designated target without speaking. Amelia got it from a secret auction and milked it all the way to the ending.
And it was something I desperately needed too. To be able to speak!
Amelia's different from what I remember anyway. Do I really need to worry about messing up the original by taking it?
Besides, she didn't even seem like she'd need to go to that secret auction now. She'd been tricked into it as a high-paying gig.
"Ugh... (This is weird. It should be around here...)"
The pitch-black ruins outside the church, shrouded in darkness. If my memory was right, the entrance was somewhere here. But at night, it was hard to find.
I groped around crumbled walls with one hand holding a torch, but... had I come to the wrong place? It was supposed to be here in the original.
"Ugh... Huu... are you looking for something? This is just ruins..."
"Ugh. (Yeah. The secret auction entrance is nearby.)"
"...Huu... can't we go back now? It's getting late..."
But to Ludia, who'd followed without knowing why, this must seem insane. She'd trailed after me eagerly calling "Huu!" earlier. Now, as it grew darker, she clung to my side, starting to whine.
"Ugh. (No. That's why you shouldn't have followed. Ah, but stay close.)"
"Hic... can't we ask Mari tomorrow? Or come back early in the morning?"
"Ugh-ugh. (No. It's a secret auction. And it only opens at night.)"
"I heard ghosts haunt this place... weird murmurs every night..."
"Ughhh... (Then that's gotta be it... probably auction noise.)"
"No way. Maybe monsters hiding? Haa... monsters at night... aren't you scared?"
Ludia's face grew more serious. She glanced around, suggesting we leave before it was too late.
"......"
My gaze turned to her involuntarily. Not out of fear, but sheer disbelief.
There's a zombie right next to you... am I not scary?
If I could speak properly, that would've been my first line.
"Right? Huu agrees? We go back?"
I shook my head vigorously. Ludia's face crumpled into a pout. Soon, she grabbed my collar and started shaking it gently.
"Whyyy... lately the brand makes my body feel weird, and my Holy Power won't come out right... what if I can't protect you? Huh?!"
She'd said recently it was hard to muster Holy Power. To others, it just looked like she was off her game.
"Urrgh-urrgh. (Trust me. You saw last time. Slash, boom!)"
And I'm stronger anyway. I could definitely protect at least one Ludia, no matter what came. I thumped my chest confidently.
"??!!!"
Ludia flinched at my display, then zoned out briefly. But she soon furrowed her brow, trembling slightly as she stepped back from me.
"Ugh?? (What's wrong?? Stomachache??)"
"Huuuh... why now..."
"???"
Ludia muttered softly to herself. Her face flushed red, mouth agape as she let out sticky breaths. Something overwhelming had hit her.
"Ughhh?? (You don't mean...?!) "
She's gotta poop. No wonder she ate so much at dinner. Too bad, guess tomorrow then...
"Hic... no, I can't hold it!"
"??"
Poof—she'd dash to that corner. I'd hand her leaves and sing a lullaby or something. But suddenly, Ludia rushed to me and clung to one arm.
"Hoo..."
"???"
Her flushed cheeks calmed, rapid breaths steadying. Hard to believe this was the same girl who'd been fidgeting and mumbling moments ago.
"Huu... you have to protect me, okay?"
Her voice was composed now.
...No way. That heat isn't something you just hold back. But she's not the type to lose control and make a scene... hmm...
I blinked at her.
"I-It's because I'm scared! Don't misunderstand! You said you'd protect me earlier..."
Her face reddened again. But she didn't let go of my arm. She was determined to stick close out of fear.
I knew she was timid, but this was extreme today. Still, if she said so, nothing to argue.
The problem was...
"Ughhh... (Uh... wait, hold on. This feels... )"
Ludia hadn't worn bandages today. My arm sank into soft, squishy warmth. Even this clumsy zombie arm was hypersensitive to it. My faceless head felt scorching.
We needed some distance!
"Ah! No! Don't go! I'm really scared!"
"Ughhh...! (This makes it hard to walk too!)"
Just let go of this arm, okay? I'm uncomfortable! Not indoors, but outside—this stimulation is too much...!
I tried wrenching my arm free from the plush paradise, but
"No! Please! Huh?? I need this much to calm my pounding heart...!! No one's around!!"
Ludia was desperately clinging. Her voice already misty with tears. The moment I pulled away, she'd bawl—her resolve was clear. Snot and tears, trembling in these ruins. Then auction staff would go, "Huh? What's that? Let's close up."
"...Ugh. (Do what you want. Whatever.)"
"Thank you, Huu!"
In the end, I'd scour the ruins with Ludia latched on. She looked light but had surprising weight. Most of what she ate went there... no, stop thinking! Focus...!!!
"...Huh? Is that Ludia?"
"???"
Arm in arm, face burning as I scanned around—then a familiar voice from behind.
"Ame...lia?"
"Oh? Huu is here too?"
Amelia stood there in a black robe with her maid.
"Surprising. I didn't expect Huu to know about the secret auction."
I nodded. She hadn't been tricked into a high-pay job. Amelia used this auction occasionally. And by coincidence, our timings overlapped.
"But Ludia, do you need something from the auction?"
"Nooo... I just followed Huu..."
"Does Huu need something? If it's okay, I could bid for you."
I shook my head. No need to tell Amelia. I didn't trust her, and if she was after it too, we'd compete. Basic bluffing, right?
But Amelia stared at me and Ludia intently, as if pondering something.
"...Hehehe. On a date, you two?"
"??!!"
A casual toss, but Ludia whipped her head no, mouth flapping.
"Ughhh... (Hey, back off a bit. People will misunderstand.)"
With four people, it'd be fine. But Ludia still gripped my arm. I tried pulling naturally, but squeeze...
...Why. Why, huh? Ludia's ample softness blocked escape.
"Hmm..."
Amelia eyed us. Her benevolent half-moon eyes sharpened slightly.
...Yeah. Clinging like this outside looks bad.
"Well, the secret auction is worth seeing once. Shall we go together?"
...Nod.
She knew the entrance. Creepy, but better than wandering all night.
...She won't say weird stuff again, right? After a moment's thought, I nodded.
"And Ludia?"
"I-I'll go too..."
"Good. Medel, give them masks. I brought extras—exactly four."
"Yes, Lady Amelia."
Medel pulled out animal cloth masks.
"Anonymity is strict inside. No calling names once we're in."
Nod. I knew that. Bandages hid my face; Ludia could pull her cloak low. Her offer wasn't bad, so we each took one: Ludia rabbit, me lion, Amelia fox, Medel monkey.
"But Ludia."
"Yes? Y-Yes??"
We'd donned masks and were about to move when Amelia shrugged and eyed Ludia.
"Did I pick the wrong mask??"
"No. Hehehe... Huu just looks uncomfortable walking."
"It's 'cause I'm scared..."
"Hmm... still, in a place like this, better avoid drawing eyes, right?"
As expected. Proper Amelia. That trait hadn't changed. In the original, she'd freak at anything risqué.
And arm-in-arm into a secret spot? Sketchy. I nodded at her words.
Ludia pondered, face red. Ugh... can't let go... but if I do now... but... she muttered.
"Hu... Huu..."
"Ugh. (What. Should I let go, or you?)"
She squeezed her eyes shut, shook her head. Was this worth agonizing over??
Finally, she turned to me.
"I-It's okay, right?? I'm not heavy. Right?"
"???"
Squeeze. Ludia hugged tighter by way of answer.
Why end up like this? Guess it was my cue to cut it off. I shrugged my shoulder, but
"Please... pleeease..."
Her eyes quivered. I could picture the meltdown if I pulled away.
"...Ugh."
This was dizzying.