Light Redeemed by Evil (2)
Those blue letters had actually been of help to me.
I was so dumbfounded I said it again in my head. The very thing that had been obstructing me at every turn had just given me a hand.
“Even saying it out loud, I find it rather awkward.”
I still couldn’t believe my eyes. Who knew this thing could be useful? If it was going to help, it should have done so from the start. What was the point of all that earlier nonsense?
“Demian? What are you talking about?”
“Ah. That is…”
Damn it. I’d been so startled the words had slipped right out of my mouth. This was a little more shocking than was strictly necessary.
I never imagined it could do anything besides seal my mouth and hijack my speech.
It could have acted like this from the beginning instead of putting me through all that grief.
“People! The complete absence of people on the streets feels most unnatural.”
I scrambled for an excuse and tossed it out. With any luck, it would look as though I’d simply been surveying our surroundings.
“Well… it isn’t that there are no people.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Ha… You already know, and you’re still playing dumb.”
No, I genuinely didn’t. Haley had a habit of overestimating me.
“They’re hiding and watching us. Trying to figure out whether we’re easy prey, no doubt.”
Hmm. Gathering information, was it?
“Was combat not forbidden in this place?”
“Even without an outright fight, they can still make trouble.”
She was right. Nuisances didn’t have to be as direct as a brawl. Pickpocketing, for instance.
“Indeed. We shall remain vigilant. Should the need arise, I shall be ready to apply a measure of force.”
I’d walk around with my shoulders squared. Those people wouldn’t dare lay a hand on our Haley.
“Ha. I think they’re the ones who need to be careful of you.”
“What a hurtful thing to say. I am a far more delicate demon than you imagine.”
“You know I don’t believe a word of that, right?”
…I should dial it back a little. Just enough so Haley would worry about me a bit.
Exactly when do I earn her trust, I wonder.
That day still felt impossibly far away.
“The facilities here are rather decent.”
Afterward, we found a respectable inn and unpacked our things.
“Ha, finally. Don’t you think you were being a little too picky?”
“This is where our Saintess will be staying. It must be the very best.”
“There’s such a thing as moderation. We went through thirteen inns.”
Originally I’d meant to solve the problem with magic. Haley had stopped me cold.
Please avoid using magic if you can. If the mages sense it, it’ll become a hassle.
Barloken was called a holy land of magic. That reputation had faded somewhat, but its influence clearly hadn’t dwindled.
Mages, is it. Getting tangled up with them would indeed be quite the headache.
At any rate, lodging was settled.
“Ahem. I believe I shall look out the window a moment.”
Pretending to gaze outside, I brought up that shocking display I’d seen earlier.
Affinity:-30 / 100
Trust:-50 / 100
Respect:10 / 100
Blue text packed the display densely.
Hmm. Since it displays Haley’s condition, shall I call it a status window?
The status window was expressing Haley’s thoughts—how much she liked me, how much she trusted me, and so on.
Affinity and trust have hit rock bottom.
I’d expected as much. The only reason the numbers weren’t worse was that I had saved her life. A Saintess liking a demon would have been the stranger outcome, after all.
At least her respect is somewhat elevated. Fortunate.
That was most likely respect for my capabilities.
My conduct may be suspicious, but when it comes to getting things done, I’ve been thoroughly reliable.
“Demian, are you watching the people?”
Haley asked as she came over.
“Yes. It seemed rather lively out there.”
“They were nowhere to be seen while we were walking around, but the moment we found lodgings, they popped up like ghosts.”
The desolation from earlier had vanished without a trace. Their wariness of outsiders was more severe than I’d thought.
“It cannot be helped. They must be thinking another lunatic has arrived.”
“This is Barloken, after all. Hah… how did I ever end up here.”
Haley let out a long, heavy sigh.
“Come to think of it, the two of us know remarkably little about each other.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Why were you being pursued by them, Haley?”
“You really have a nasty hobby. Asking when you already know perfectly well.”
As I kept saying, I truly didn’t. Magic could have told me, but using it would only have cost me more of her trust.
“Ha. Look at this.”
Haley pushed her bangs aside.
Against her fair skin sat a dark purplish mark.
“Is that… a brand?”
It called to mind the brands seared into slaves.
“Demon Affinity Disease. A rare illness that lets demonic energy pass in and out through this mark.”
She tapped the pattern with her finger.
“It appeared out of nowhere. The very next day after my pilgrimage schedule was set.”
“I see. The Holy Kingdom would hardly have been pleased…”
“Right. They tried to kill me.”
At last it made sense. Why the knights had hunted her so relentlessly. Why she kept misunderstanding me.
“I’m sick of all of it. This disease, the gods, the Holy Kingdom.”
“And me as well?”
“……Yes.”
The world had turned its back on her. Everything she had trusted without question had abandoned her in an instant. The only person she could still believe in was herself.
“……I’m sorry. I can’t control my emotions.”
“There is no need for you to apologize, Haley.”
I meant it. She had every right to pour out her hatred.
If I can lighten that hatred even a little…
I was more than willing to serve as an emotional trash bin for her.
“I’m going out for some air.”
“I shall accompany you.”
“No need. I want to be alone right now.”
Creeeak—
She stepped out of the room. I didn’t try to stop her. I needed time alone just as much as she did.
“Truly… what a pitiful girl.”
The burden she carried at such a young age looked far too heavy.
“I wish to help her somehow, yet as things stand, it seems nearly impossible.”
In the end, every goal narrowed to one: earn Haley’s trust, and help her reclaim an ordinary life. That was all.
“Perhaps I should prepare a snack for her return.”
I conjured a pair of baking gloves with magic and slipped them on.
I wonder what our Saintess might like.
Haley von Lisht walked without end.
Step. Step.
They’re staring an awful lot. Not that it particularly matters.
She felt the surrounding gazes but paid them little mind. This city forbade combat, after all. There wasn’t much harm they could inflict on her.
What else can they do besides stare? If it were truly dangerous, I would have brought Demian along.
Demian.
Lately, that demon occupied the whole of her attention.
Why bother asking me directly? He must have already looked into everything with magic.
And of course, in the worst possible light.
At first he was so kind I almost wondered if he was really a demon.
Her first impression hadn’t been bad. Above all else, he had saved her life and hadn’t tried to harm her.
That was just bait. A trick so he could mess with me even harder later.
But his personality was rotten. Shameless, slippery, and cunning.
I can’t just take it forever. One day I’ll definitely pay him back.
So Haley nursed her grudge. Someday, just once, she would get him good.
……Maybe I should draw on his face while he’s sleeping?
In a cute way, of course—fitting for a thirteen-year-old girl.
Whoooosh—
“I’ve been out too long. I should head back soon.”
Time had passed, and evening had arrived. It was time to return to the inn.
Even in Barloken, the night is dangerous.
How long had she been walking? Haley sensed something off in the air.
There’s not a single person on the street. Everyone was out just a moment ago.
It wasn’t the same wariness as when she’d first arrived. They must have decided she wasn’t a threat; when she’d left the inn, no one had bothered hiding.
“Haaah… Th-there you are!”
“You’re… that inspector from before?”
One of the vigilantes who had been with Hans’s group blocked her path.
“Whew, I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“What business do you have? It’s getting late, and I need to hurry back.”
“Just spare me a moment, please. I’ve got something I need to hand over.”
He rummaged through his sleeve and beckoned her closer.
It was suspicious, but figuring she could take whatever it was and leave quickly, Haley stepped toward him—
Shhk!
“……Huh?”
—and found herself stabbed by a poisoned dagger.
How……? The barrier magic here should have…
“Heheh. Success, boss. Waiting here paid off.”
“She had nowhere else to go, after all. You didn’t kill her, did you?”
“Don’t you worry! This poison won’t take her life.”
In her fading consciousness, the last thing Haley saw before she blacked out was—
“Excellent. Now the Saintess couldn’t die even if she wanted to.”
—the Holy Knight Commander she thought she had shaken off.
Ain Torua.
Contractor Haley von Lisht is in danger!
Contractor Tracking function has been activated!
“…Huh.”
Whoever you are, you’ve just done something awfully adorable, haven’t you…?