Chapter 23: Where Do We Go From Here?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23: Where Do We Go From Here?
So, what becomes of us now?
That was the question weighing on both Helena and me as soon as dawn broke.
And Sitri…
“So, what do you two intend to do now?”
She threw the question back at us.
To answer what we intended to do, we first needed to pinpoint exactly what state we were in. Even though we were told we had obtained immortal bodies and limitless magic power, it didn't feel real at all.
So, Helena spoke up and asked Sitri first.
“Is it true that the Young Master and I have become immortals who do not age or fall ill?”
“It is. Not only that, but since you have received my magic power, you can also use my magic.”
“It doesn't feel real in the slightest…”
“Seeing is faster than telling. You have a short sword with you, so give yourself a light cut.”
Helena immediately made a shallow cut on her forearm.
My heart sank instinctively at the sight, but that feeling vanished in an instant.
As soon as the blade passed, the wound on Helena’s arm closed up.
I was surprised, but Helena’s face was filled with pure shock.
“My goodness…”
“Of course, it does not mean you cannot die at all. As I said when we first met, if you suffer a fatal wound, death cannot be avoided.”
“A fatal wound… For example, what kind of injury would that be?”
“Solomon killed the immortals who contracted with me by beheading them or ripping out their hearts. The same likely happened to those who contracted with my other brothers and sisters.”
“…I see. In other words, unless it’s something of that magnitude, we couldn't die even if we wanted to.”
“Precisely.”
An ordinary person would be overjoyed to have a perfect body that doesn't age, get sick, or stay injured.
However, a shadow began to loom over Helena’s face.
I… felt the same.
Perhaps finding our reaction strange, Sitri’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me.
“You do not look happy. Neither you nor Helena. You truly are different from the humans I have seen until now.”
“…No, I mean, I am happy, but… immortality wasn't exactly something I was looking for. Now that I actually have this kind of body…”
“Have you become afraid of a life without end?”
“I think… so. If I’m the only one who doesn't age, the only one who doesn't die…”
“You would be isolated. Shunned. All mortals would point fingers and call you a monster. Eventually, you would be left all alone in the world.”
I couldn't deny it.
Because that was exactly what would happen.
Neither Helena nor I could find the words to face that destined future, but…
“Sigh, my dear. And Helena. Are you two alone right now?”
“…?”
“I am before you. You are before me, and you have each other by your sides. You are not alone, are you?”
She was right.
An immortal life is a weight too heavy to bear alone, but with others, it’s more than manageable.
That’s what I felt.
Or perhaps that’s just what I wanted to believe…
Regardless, Helena and I found ourselves holding each other's hands before we knew it.
“To be honest… I am still afraid, but if the Young Master will keep me by his side…”
“Me too. If Helena stays with me, I think I can keep living.”
“And what about me? I intend to stay by your side as well, you know? Well… it entirely depends on your will, but…”
“Hahaha, right. I’ll keep you with me for the rest of my life too. Will you stay by my side? Sitri.”
“Of course! I shall show you that an immortal life isn't so bad after all, fufu.”
Perhaps because the mood had lightened, a sudden question occurred to me.
Those who contract with Sitri become a fated community with her.
Furthermore, if Sitri dies, the contractor dies, and if the contractor dies, Sitri dies.
However, Solomon beheaded and ripped the hearts out of the immortals who had contracted with Sitri.
“But then, why are you still alive?”
“Th-that is.”
“Come on, tell me.”
“…I, I gave it some thought in my own way. If I ever gained my freedom again, if I ever contracted with someone else… I didn't want to go berserk… and I didn't want to be sealed again…”
How could a Great Demon be this adorable?
Helena and I were already hugging Sitri together.
Stroking her hair, kissing her on the cheek…
“What a remarkably thoughtful Demon King you are.”
“My, aren't you a good girl? Mwah.”
“…Stop it! What do you take me for! I-it’s not that I particularly hate it, but…!”
Well… touching her and kissing her like this made me start to feel a surge of heat below the belt again.
But since we hadn't finished all the talk we needed to have, I questioned Sitri again.
Of course, while keeping her seated on my lap just like yesterday.
“By the way, this body is only possible because Solomon created a gap in the seal, right?”
“That is correct. But… why do you keep touching me?”
“Because our Great Demon King has a body that I can't help but touch. Anyway, then can we consider this state as the seal being broken?”
“Hmm… not quite… This body is an avatar possessed by a fragment of my soul. So… to use an expression you would find easy to understand… it feels like controlling a game character.”
“I see… Wait, what?”
“Why so surprised? Just as you peered into my memories, I have seen yours as well. Fufu, to think you were dreaming of me since your previous life.”
“…Don't tell me, Teacher, you too?”
Helena nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Just how far back did they see?
From where to where did they look?
“I was happy. To know that from the moment the Young Master first saw me, and even from his previous life, he wanted me that much.”
“Wow… crazy… Am I actually a genius…?”
“Of course, since I only saw fragments of your memories, I couldn't understand everything about you… but my heart that loves and adores you hasn't changed one bit.”
I turned Sitri around to face the other way and sat Helena on my lap this time.
Naturally, I touched and pampered Helena as much as I loved her.
“Ah… Young Master…”
“I’m sorry. I’m not very good with words, so I wanted to convey my feelings like this at least.”
“Fufu, not good with words… ah… you speak so well…”
If I had it my way, I would have loved to recreate last night’s passion right then and there… but.
There were still points to clarify.
I am a man who distinguishes between what needs to be done and what I want to do.
So, I sat Helena back down beside me and looked at Sitri.
“Then does that mean you can't use any power in that body?”
“That is essentially the case. Of course, since our souls are connected through the contract, I can give you power as much as I want… but it is not limitless. To put it simply, you can think of me as being in a state of having starved for 500 years.”
“In other words, you want us to pamper you often. Anything else?”
“Other than that… I can make it so no one but you two can see me, or I can enchant others. Don't expect anything beyond that.”
Enchantment, huh?
It sounded like an attractive prospect at first, but the conclusion came quickly.
I decided never to use that kind of power or ability.
“Why is that?”
“I should win over beauties and love with my own strength. Besides, that method doesn't give them a choice. I don't know about others, but I won't use it.”
“I see. I never dreamed such words would come from the mouth of the one who made me kneel and grovel.”
“Kuh… th-that was… I just got caught up in the moment, without realizing…”
“Fufufu, I am joking.”
At any rate, it seemed the current status of Helena and me was somewhat settled.
Unless something extraordinary happened, we had bodies that wouldn't die, age, get injured, fall ill, or grow tired.
As for magic power or spells… well, there was no rush, so we could learn about them slowly.
After settling various other details, Sitri finally asked me.
“Now, answer me. What do you two plan to do now? Surely you don't intend to stay entangled day and night forever?”
“Huh? Is that not allowed? Do you hate it?”
“I-it’s not that I hate it. I am enjoying myself as well… but surely you must have some sort of goal.”
Hmm, I thought if they could read my thoughts and memories, they would know without me saying…
But seeing the two women looking at me with faces that said they had no clue, it seemed we couldn't share every single thought and memory.
Or perhaps they were subconsciously being considerate and careful.
Anyway, since the topic had come up, I revealed my ideal that I had never told anyone before.
“There are so many beauties in this world. Beauties who are ignored by their husbands, starved for love, with shadows in their hearts… beauties who crave my touch.”
“I don't think all those women necessarily crave your touch.”
“I want to soothe those beauties, relieve their fatigue, and fill their hearts that are starved for love. I will become their sanctuary.”
“In other words… you mean you intend to make them your women, just like me. Only limited to beautiful older women.”
“…Please don't belittle my sacred mission and ideal.”
Now as then, I harbor a pure and devoted dream.
That dream is a sacred mission bestowed by fate and acknowledged by me.
To become a guardian who brings joy to beautiful older women.
That is my true Milfgard.
“For the record, I don't care much about whether they are married or not. While I agree with the saying that the grass is greener on the other side, I have no intention of ruining a couple that truly loves each other.”
“…Helena, your Young Master… has rather unfortunate tastes…”
“They are not unfortunate. The Young Master… is not an unfortunate person…”
Hey, what? What’s wrong with my tastes?
Strictly speaking, it’s not like they’re outside the realm of common sense.
“What’s the crime in loving beautiful women with big breasts and plump asses who are devoted to me! Falling in love isn't a crime!”
“Ah…”
“Haa…”
With this, I had said everything I wanted and needed to say.
The same went for Sitri and Helena.
The stories we haven't finished can be shared next time, and the time after that.
Because we have more than enough time.
“Ah, Young Master…!”
“My dear…!”