Fissure (3)
"Why'd you suddenly think of that NPC?"
"……Because of the radish. Zenon went crazy for ingredients like that."
"Hmm……."
"What, is that weird?"
"A bit."
"Yeah…… You're right, Master. He was a weird guy. Rough mouth, always cursing at his superior."
"Cursing at his superior? In the Royal Guard?"
"……Only at me. He was meek around other higher-ups."
"Why just you?"
"We weren't that far apart in age. Probably treated me casually because of it."
"Still, a vice-officer shouldn't curse at his commanding officer."
"He shouldn't. But it was hard to scold him."
"Why?"
"Because even while cursing, he'd have my back. He wasn't a bad guy."
"……What about your other subordinates?"
Why did I even ask that? The thought hit me right after the words left my mouth. But it was too late to take them back.
Adelaide glanced at my face, then scooped up another spoonful of porridge and continued.
"There was a newbie named Kairin."
"Kairin?"
"He kept messing up during training. Unsteady grip on his sword."
"A screw-up like that made it into the Royal Guard?"
"He had good combat instincts. Just didn't fit the formal drills."
"That type exists?"
"He did. Terrible in mock battles, but survived real ones. A weird guy."
"Sounds fun."
"More annoying than fun, most days."
"And you kept him around anyway?"
"……He'd piss me off when he was there, but it felt empty when he wasn't."
Ah.Why is that?
"And…… there was this subordinate named Derek. At least ten years older than me."
"An older subordinate?"
"A veteran. Been in the army since before the Royal Guard."
"An NPC like that was under you?"
"……Our sword talents were different. That's how the hierarchy shook out."
"Doesn't it feel awkward having an older guy under a young superior?"
"It did at first. But Derek broke the ice."
"How?"
"When I was appointed vice-captain, he congratulated me openly in front of everyone…… everyone, NPCs included. Clapped the longest."
"……Why?"
"No idea. He was just…… a good NPC."
A little. It pissed me off.
Why was I even listening to this? Normally I'd cut her off with a "shut up." But the words wouldn't come. They'd climb my throat and sink back down, over and over.
"……You listening?"
"……Got nothing better to do."
"……Right."
"You can keep going. I haven't finished this yet."
"……You want me to?"
"No, I'm just not stopping you."
"……Isn't that the same?"
"It's not?"
"……."
Adelaide set down her spoon and looked at me. For some reason, I couldn't read her expression.
"……They were good subordinates."
"Yeah."
"All of them…… loyal, in their own ways."
"Loyal…… Very NPC of them."
"NPCs…… No matter what you say, they were people."
"Hmm, got it."
"……You mean that?"
"No."
"……Thanks for listening anyway."
Thanks. This NPC was thanking me. For listening to stories about her subordinates.
After I'd killed every last one of them, she was thanking me for hearing them out.
Hahaha. What was this? Not unpleasant, but my stomach twisted a little. Was I going crazy?
"……Let's stop eating. Time to head back."
"……Okay."
The evening sky was already turning red. We walked side by side through the alleyways. It wasn't until we reached the inn that I realized we were closer than yesterday.
"You wash first. You're covered in dust."
"Water?"
"……There's a well nearby. I'll fetch some."
"Okay."
The moment she stepped out, I hopped onto the windowsill.
Istius at evening. Even in this dingy corner, lights flickered on here and there. Drunken shouts drifted from afar, then faded.
Day four. Three full days in Istius. Two nights in this attic.
"Got it."
Adelaide returned with a bucket of water before I knew it.
I splashed my hands and face roughly. Didn't feel like asking her to do it for me.
"Your turn, Adel."
"……Later."
"Now. You stink."
"……Fine."
She took the bucket, turned her back, and washed her face. I sat by the window again, staring out—but my eyes kept drifting sideways. Her waist, up to her back. Finally, that slender nape, delicate for a knight…….
"Done."
"……Yeah."
Adelaide wiped her face with her sleeve. The damp hair stuck to her forehead was kinda funny, maybe.
"Wipe your forehead."
"……No towel."
"Use your clothes."
"……They'll get wet."
"So?"
"……Gotta wear them tomorrow."
"Buy new ones tomorrow."
"……Until then, these are it."
"Just let 'em dry."
She sighed and dabbed her forehead with her sleeve. I let out a snicker, then froze.
"……."
Don't get attached. She's an NPC. Not a real person. Right? I'm the only one truly alive in this world. The only real one.
We lay side by side on the single blanket. Through cracks in the roof, I could make out the dark sky.
"……Master."
"What."
"You worked hard today."
"……."
"Killing people…… think about it a little, okay?"
"……."
"Good night."
"……Night."
Something bubbled up, but it wouldn't come out. I clamped my mouth shut and closed my eyes.
Too early for sleep, but exhaustion pulled me under fast. Right on the edge, I thought I felt Adelaide stir beside me.
Ailin's breathing evened out.
Only after listening to it for a long while did Adelaide slowly sit up. Back against the wall, knees drawn, she gazed down at the sleeping profile of Ailin.
Her silver hair spilled messily across the floor. Without the daytime mischief, her face was stunningly beautiful.
Whatever an NPC was, this girl didn't see people as people. She mocked them, killed without a second thought.
Like a child without morals handed absolute power.
And that person slept soundly beside her.
"……."
Adelaide's eyes traced from Ailin's forehead to her nose tip, then to her lips.
When Zenon's name came up, Ailin's spoon had paused—just a split second. Easy to miss if you weren't watching.
What it meant, she couldn't say.
Ailin hadn't told her to shut up, hadn't cut the stories short. "Nothing better to do," she'd said—but was that all?
She couldn't know.
All she could do was hope her subordinates were alive. Hope Ailin kept her promise.
"They're alive."
Yes, she'd attached shadows to them. Ailin said so, so they must be. Hiding somewhere, under her watch.
"……Definitely."
Adelaide's fists clenched on her knees.
She had to believe. It was the only reason she could sit here now.
She stayed like that a while longer, then leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes.
Day five. I turned my head, and sure enough, Adelaide was up first. Today, she leaned against the wall, staring blankly at the back of her hand.
"Adel."
"……Awake?"
"Up early again."
"Habit."
"Always the same excuse?"
"……It's not an excuse. It's true."
This daily grind should've been boring by now, but weirdly, it wasn't. Same route, same alleys, same temple, same lines. Adelaide's shoulders shook faintly with a chuckle as she sat in her corner, spooning porridge.
No chunks today. I missed yesterday's radish already.
"Adel."
"……What."
"Anything you wanna eat?"
Her spoon froze. She looked up at me, trying to read my intent. No wonder—I'd never asked before.
Bit weird to ask an NPC what she wanted, sure.
"……Why ask?"
"Hungry. We're eating the same stuff anyway."
"Relief porridge isn't enough?"
"If it was, I wouldn't ask. Tell me if you want something. Or not."
She bowed her head and stirred her porridge. For a long while.