The Calm Before the Storm
After a long, quiet stretch of weekdays finally passed, the weekend arrived. It was time for us to return to the Frost Territory.
"Got everything packed, Venice?"
"Yes. I don't have anything left behind."
"If it's not important, you can leave it. We'll be coming back anyway."
Just like when we first arrived at the academy, we each carried only a single bag as we stepped out through the gates. Erielle's bag looked light, as though she'd left most of her belongings behind, but mine still felt heavy on my shoulder.
"Why? Feeling some regret? We'll be back in three days anyway."
"...No. It's not that. Just... there are things on my mind."
"Hmm... I won't pry any further."
When I quietly turned my gaze out the carriage window toward the academy's majestic buildings, Erielle asked me that. Regret, huh. I suppose that's possible. If things go according to my plans, I won't be able to pass through the academy as an ordinary student anymore.
"........."
I took in the sight of the academy building shrinking rapidly behind us, committing every detail to memory. I made a silent vow to protect that mysterious, peaceful place.
"Hmm... So this is the village where you originally lived?"
"Yes. It's called Snowfield Village. It's small... but it's a cozy and comfortable place."
Before heading to Frost Castle, I had asked Erielle if we could stop by Snowfield Village, and she readily agreed. As she looked around the village, she observed it with the curious eyes of a noble watching the lives of commoners.
They haven't made their move here yet.
Even as I walked toward the orphanage, I carefully scanned the area for any trace of dark magic. Fortunately, I couldn't sense any. It seemed the dark mages hadn't reached this place yet.
"Oh? It's Venice! Why have you been—"
"Hmm. Venice. Who is this woman?"
"Uh... uhh...? Venice... who is this lady...? Don't tell me... is she your girlfriend?"
The woman from the bakery who always sold me bread at a cheap price greeted me. But the moment her eyes landed on Erielle beside me, her body stiffened. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at me with a desperate expression.
Girlfriend? That was ridiculous. I was about to say so, but Erielle was faster.
"And if she is, what will you do about it?"
"Huh...? Uhhhh...?"
"What can you possibly do?"
"Venice...! What is this...? What about the meal you promised me...?"
The woman looked as if the sky had fallen, her face twisting in despair as she stared at the faint, mocking smile on Erielle's otherwise expressionless face. It was the face of someone who had just lost a precious lover.
"That's enough, Lady Erielle."
"But..."
"Our relationship isn't like that. Isn't that right?"
"...Tch."
"Miss, I was hired as Lady Erielle's butler. There's nothing like that between us."
"R-really? Then the meal you promised me...?"
"Yes. I remember. Someday... I'd like to make it happen if possible."
At my sincere words, Erielle's expression darkened with clear displeasure while the woman's face brightened with hope.
"Ah. Could I get twenty loaves of bread today as well?"
"Oh? O-oh, of course! I'll prepare them right away, just wait a moment!"
A short while later, the woman handed me a package of freshly baked, warm bread.
"Here's the payment."
"Wha... what?! These are gold coins...! Such an absurd amount...!"
"You've helped me so much until now. Please accept this as my way of repaying you."
"Sniff... Okay. Thank you...!"
I waved off the tearful woman's thanks and began walking toward the orphanage.
"...I don't like it."
"Pardon? Did you say something?"
"Nothing."
Cough— cough.
Come to think of it, Erielle's cold seemed to be lasting quite a while. It should have gotten better after this much time...
'Talent Insight.'
I decided to check on her. I pulled up Erielle's status window.
Name: Erielle Frost
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Condition: Demonic Energy Erosion
Unique Ability (Child of Mana): You possess a god-given amount of mana. Your mana is infinite like the sea and powerful like a flowing river. All mana-related actions receive divine correction!
Unique Ability (Mana Eye): Eyes that can see mana. You can perceive the flow and trajectory of mana, allowing you to use it more efficiently!
Unique Ability (Archmage's Talent): You were born with the qualities of an archmage who will be remembered throughout history. Your understanding of mana surpasses all others, and you can wield it as naturally as water!
Demonic Energy Erosion (???): Eroded by excessive dark magic. If the residual demonic energy left in the body is not removed, death will occur in 38 days, 14 hours, and 38 seconds. (100%)
You can absorb the demonic energy. Will you absorb it?
(Note: Absorbing demonic energy remaining in another person's body without causing them harm will impose physical overload on the user.)
...What? What the hell is this...?
"Cough... cough, cough."
Demonic energy erosion. The status window claimed Erielle wasn't suffering from a simple cold—she had been eroded by demonic energy. Since when...? Had she been in this state the whole time? Could it have been since the cave where I first met her?
I had healed all her visible wounds back then, but it seemed the residual dark magic had remained deep inside her body, untouched.
Damn it... I didn't even notice this.
No. Until now, the status window had never shown any "demonic energy erosion" entry. So why could I see it now?
...Could it be because my dark magic proficiency had increased?
That was the only reason that came to mind, and it seemed to fit.
Demonic energy can be absorbed. Will you absorb it?
(Absorbing without causing harm to the host will impose physical overload on the user.)
"...I'll pat your back for you."
'Absorb.'
It was the only thing I could do right now. As I gently patted Erielle's back, I felt the demonic energy slowly being drawn out from her.
Absorbing demonic energy. Physical overload is being imposed on the user!
Irresolvable demonic energy is accumulating!
I felt a sinister, malignant energy—similar to yet somehow different from dark magic—slowly building up inside my body.
...Ugh. Just how much of this is there...?!
No matter how hard I tried, no matter how quickly and forcefully I drew it out, the limit seemed endless.
Demonic Energy Erosion (???): Eroded by excessive dark magic. If the residual demonic energy left in the body is not removed, death will occur in 38 days, 14 hours, and 38 seconds. (98%)
"Cough... That's enough. Thanks to you, I feel better than before."
"That's... a relief."
Only two percent had been absorbed... It looked like I'd have to keep absorbing it as long as I stayed near Erielle.
"...Cough."
Due to demonic energy erosion, remaining lifespan has decreased. (Remaining lifespan: 81 years, 321 days, 12 hours.)
Even absorbing just two percent had shortened my lifespan. At the same time, I couldn't hold back the cough that forced its way out.
...How on earth had Erielle endured this?
"Did you catch my cold because of me?"
"Haha... Maybe. It can't be helped..."
Erielle still seemed completely unaware. She didn't know about the demonic energy inside her, or that it was slowly killing her. She simply thought it was an unusually persistent cold.
I would find a way to fix it. She just needed to... stay as she was. I wouldn't let anything happen to Erielle. Or the academy. Or the empire. I wouldn't let anyone suffer.
"This is it. The orphanage where I take care of the children."
"...You lived in this rundown building? I thought it was abandoned."
It practically was abandoned. Regardless, Erielle and I stepped inside the orphanage.
"...Oh? It's Mr. Venice! And Lady Erielle too! What brings you here?"
"I thought I'd drop by and show my face after so long."
"I just followed along. Is the work manageable?"
"Haha... What's difficult about taking care of babies? It's a hundred—no, a thousand times better than that hellish training!"
"Hmm... No matter how I think about it, this kind of work really suits you."
I felt the same. The woman named Leni truly seemed to love children. She was far better suited for this than being a cold-hearted knight.
"Thank you always, Leni."
"Oh please~ No need to thank me. I'm the one who's so happy."
"It's big brother Venice!!"
"What?! Big brother Venice is here!!"
At that moment, the children came running out from the rooms. They grabbed onto my clothes and began chattering away with all sorts of stories.
"Haha... Have you all been doing well?"
As always, I greeted the lovely little angels, and they responded with smiles as bright as sunlight.
"But who is this big sister?"
"...Huh?"
"She's a pretty lady! What's your name?!"
The children showed great interest in the new face. Thanks to Leni and Berry, they seemed even more energetic than before.
"...Erielle."
I had expected Erielle to hate this immensely, but surprisingly, she didn't seem to mind. If anything, she adjusted her tone to match the children.
It's happy. So peaceful.
It was just ordinary small talk, yet it shone so brilliantly. I would protect this happiness. These ordinary days. Even if I had to devour every last one of those damn dark mages. Even if I had to stake everything I had.
Like the sea that grows quiet before a storm blows in, I entrusted myself to that final calm and smiled.