Tea, Gifts, and Hidden Blades
Amelia's abode was a completely different world. White marble floors. A red carpet laid atop them. Luxurious decorations everywhere. "Lady Amelia's family has always been wealthy," Ludia whispered softly as we followed the maid's guidance, noticing my wandering gaze.
Ugh. (She had tastes like this?) In the original story, she was the black sheep of the Rubystone family. Half-blood, subjected to the envy and jealousy of her siblings. I remembered her living in scarcity despite coming from a rich house.
"Pleased to meet you. I prepared some especially fine tea since I heard you two were coming. Right, Medel?"
"It's the finest tea from the East. The kind only the imperial family enjoys."
"Wow! Thank you, Lady Amelia."
"....."
Something felt way off. I glanced back and forth between the elegant teacup before me, Amelia, and Ludia. Amelia smiling warmly. Ludia rolling her big eyes as if asking, Can I really have this? No matter how I looked at it, the Amelia in my memory was more like Ludia. I couldn't forget the character I'd been obsessed with.
"Doesn't the tea suit your taste?"
She shook her head no. The Amelia before me wasn't a character—she was a real woman. Even as a bastard child, if she came from wealth, this was the bare minimum she'd live with. So her personality would be different too.
...Yeah. This is reality. I took a reluctant sip of the tea. This bitterness, like gazing upon a first love forever changed.
"By the way, Ludia, have you checked the trial that came down this time?"
"Ah! I saw it! Sniff... I just got here not long ago, and now another trial..."
Unlike me quietly sipping my tea, the two got along surprisingly well. Amelia would toss out a casual remark, and Ludia would bite eagerly, reacting with full enthusiasm. They chatted away, losing track of time.
"Ludia, I have something for you."
"Huh? What is it?"
"You'll be going without me this time. I prepared a few things to keep you safe. Medel, show her."
"Yes, Lady Amelia."
The maid standing near Amelia flung open the doors of a large wardrobe in the room. Inside were full-body cloth garments and accessories studded with jewels.
"Whoa...! They're all defensive gear?!"
Ugh..? (That? Isn't it just clothes and accessories?)
"For a delicate frame like yours, Ludia, you need something light yet powerful."
Stuff that'd shred from a single sword stroke, and that's supposed to be armor? Really? My expression soured involuntarily.
"Oh..! Isn't this super rare? I've heard of it!"
"You have a good eye. This one was crafted by a dwarf artisan himself..."
While I wondered what the fuss was about, Ludia had already wandered over to the maid, squealing in delight. Her cheeks lightly flushed, mouth stretched in a goofy grin. All her attention was glued to that wardrobe.
"Heh heh..."
But seeing that made me chuckle despite myself. What could be so exciting? If only she'd smile like that around me. Before I knew it, I was twisting my body to watch her.
Tap. Tap.
"...?"
As I watched Ludia ponder her choices, Amelia lightly tapped my arm.
"Just listen."
Her long golden hair slid languidly from her shoulder. She scooted her chair closer and murmured softly.
"I'll give you fifty times your current pay."
"....?"
"For this subjugation, come with just me."
Amelia's face still wore that kindly smile. But her words were cold and unfamiliar.
"Nod if you're in. Why go through the hardship?"
"....."
This wasn't the Amelia I knew. A bead of cold sweat trickled down my back.
***
"How did it go, Lady Amelia? Did it work?"
"....."
After Ludia and Huu left, Medel confirmed they were far away before asking.
"That one doesn't seem like a born mercenary."
"Pardon? What do you..."
"Amusing."
Amelia took a sip of tea and fell silent. From her expression alone, it was hard to tell if it had succeeded.
"Medel."
"Yes, Lady Amelia."
"I had a precognitive dream last night."
Amelia stared in the direction they'd left and slowly spoke.
"Ludia's path unluckily drew a horde of powerful zombies."
"Pardon?"
Did Lady Amelia have such abilities? Medel blinked in confusion at the sudden mention of a dream. But Amelia continued flatly.
"I don't know the exact reason... but probably zombies enhanced with magic stones."
"Why would they suddenly..."
"Such a shame. I never imagined the defensive gear I gave today would be useless."
"?!"
"Imagining Ludia leaving the church after suffering such hardship... it pains me."
Medel flinched. What Amelia described wasn't a precognitive dream. Her eyes sharpened like honed glass shards, belying her gentle tone. It was a silent order to Medel: eliminate Ludia during this subjugation.
"A... true precognitive dream, then."
Overwhelmed by the immense pressure from her, Medel bowed her head.
"Yes. Sadly so."
"....."
"You may go. You must have much to do."
"Y-yes, Lady Amelia."
Slam.
Medel fled like something was chasing her. The door shut, leaving only silence and Amelia in the empty parlor.
"The more I see, the more I covet her. That level of Holy Power with such integrity. She won't die that easily."
Amelia gazed at the empty seat where Huu had sat. Then, shifting to Ludia's side—
"....Overreaching is poison, Ludia."
Her face hardened.
***
Life in Ludia's dorm was stifling. Even after fooling them into thinking I was human with the Holy Power test, Ludia advised me to stay inside.
- Please, I beg you, Master Huu!! I'll buy you all the tasty, fun stuff!! Neeeh?! Please, please don't go out...
- B-but super expensive stuff might take a liiittle time... Eek!! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll steal it if I have to!!
Her plea had been pretty desperate, right? Dropping to her knees on the spot, wet eyes trembling with sobs. Refusing that would've made me seem inhuman. Well, I wasn't human, but after all our time together...
My body ached from days cooped up in the dorm, but...
"We're off!"
Fuck... this wasn't it. I trudged along with the procession heading out for zombie subjugation. Apparently, saintess candidates occasionally got monster subjugation missions, and it just had to be now.
"Um... Master Huu?"
Ugh. (What.)
In the center of the procession were me, Ludia, and Mari. Mari walked ahead, guarding us. I stayed at Ludia's side. Originally, I was supposed to be up front, but at Ludia's earnest begging, Mari switched places. Being apart made her anxious or something.
"Th-that... You're a zombie, Master Huu... Are you okay with this?"
Ludia glanced around quickly and murmured timidly.
Ugh. (Eh. No particular feeling.)
Zombie hunting zombies. But my body was zombie, mind from Earth beyond this isekai world. So yeah, I was fine.
"If using a sword feels uncomfortable, you can stay in the rear. The fight'll be over quick anyway."
Ugh? (Oh. Sword?)
I patted the sword at my waist. Seeing it, Ludia eyed me like, You don't usually fight with these, right?
"Yeah. Usually it's more like this?"
Suddenly, she growled at me—Arrrgh! Dead serious in her acting, even furrowing her brow.
Keh. (Pfft.)
Didn't see that coming. I burst into snickers at Ludia's surprise attack. Even a cute dog growling wouldn't be that adorable. Did she think biting was natural for zombies?
"I-I'm serious. You can't get hurt or wander off..."
Seeing me laugh, Ludia's face reddened. But the rest trailed off smaller, more embarrassed.
Ughhh. (Dunno why, but it was fine.)
She'd begged me not to go out, but who stays inside forever? I'd go mad. So when Ludia slept, I'd sneak out—and Mari would pop up demanding sword sparring.
Every time, like she was waiting—annoyingly persistent...
- Wooden swords, then. There's a secluded clearing behind the dorms.
She'd follow doggedly if I just left. So half-reluctantly, I nodded along. But first time holding a sword. She thought I was a mercenary. So... I'd have to use it?
I figured swing a bit, say my wrist hurt, and quit. But—
Shing!!
Ugh? (Huh? Why am I good at this?)
It felt familiar. Intensely so. Like picking up a pencil after ages to write. Just one swing, and every muscle in my body responded instinctively.
- ....No need for wooden swords. Real ones it is.
- Ugh? (What the fuck?)
Luckily, Mari swung slowly. Why suddenly real swords? Weirdo.
"Master Huu?"
Ugh?
While I spaced out, Ludia approached, rolling her big eyes up at me.
"You'll go to the rear with me, right? It'd suit you much better... I've done monster subjugations a few times, so I'm kinda used to it..."
No need for the rest—her sparkling eyes screamed please please please.
....Nod.
"Phew... Thank you, Master Huu."
Safety first. Ludia sighed in relief, grinning like she'd forgotten we were heading to fight. Watching her made my mouth twitch too.
Grur? (You worry 'cause if I die, you do too. Aren't you scared? Fighting zombies? You've been bitten.)
"Pardon? Is something uncomfortable?"
"....Ugh."
"???"
Damn fucking vocal cords. After this job, I'm buying that from the auction house. I just mouthed wordlessly in regret.