Volume 4 Chapter 9 Mortal Enemy
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Two days after General Peacock sent the palace guard back to the Imperial Capital, about five hundred warriors of the Spirit Clan began building their camp along the riverbank right beside the Gate base. More were expected to arrive later. Chieftain Fedelate and several elders pitched their tents inside the base courtyard, and—strangely enough—I found myself there too.
When General Peacock stepped into the tent, I poured tea and offered it with a polite, “Please.”
”That chieftain. Who is this human?” the general asked.
[That is none of your concern. What of the Gate’s schedule?]
”Yes, thanks to the energy replenishment, we should be ready in about three months…”
[Too slow! By then snow will fall. Do you plan to leave my clan freezing beneath the winter sky?]
”N-no, of course not! I’ll do everything to speed it up—even if it means working without sleep.”
[Do not forget whose hand holds your neck.]
Wait—did that Demon Clan geezer just mention batteries? He can’t mean… the Gate, right? I couldn’t hear Fedelate’s telepathy, but from the context… oh no. Best not to ask too many questions.
Once the Demon elder was gone and the councilors had left, I leaned toward Fedelate.
”Chieftain, your tea is ready.”
[Hm. Leave it there.] He kept his glare fixed on the building outside.
”That building… is that where the Gate is?” I asked.
[How do you know of that? That is classified. Even you would not be spared should you pry too far.]
”Oh, I just overheard that old man say something like that,” I said quickly.
Whew. Too close. Still, if the Gate stolen from Tokura Village really was here… unforgivable.
”Chieftain, the Gate itself isn’t so rare. There was one beneath the Elven Royal Palace, and I even saw one in Tokura Village.”
[What, Karin? Do you wish to travel to the human world? You are the first human I have met in over five centuries. I cannot allow it.]
”Not really… wait, five hundred years!? I mean, I’d like to, since my sister’s there, but my mother’s here, and my father will come back eventually… so it’s not like I’m desperate to go.”
[Good. Stay by my side, serve me, and from time to time pour tea… just like Sofia once did.]
”You’ve mentioned Ms. Sofia before. What happened to her?” I asked.
[Sofia returned to the human kingdom without my leave. Through that Gate… no, I nearly fell for your trick. I will say no more.]
So close! Still, he didn’t seem angry—almost as if he enjoyed our idle chatter. Maybe Master Sharlin’s fate was uncertain, but the fact I was the only one allowed to linger here and talk to him… maybe he didn’t dislike me after all. One more push.
”Chieftain, are you busy? Could you listen to me for just a bit while drinking tea?”
[As long as it does not involve military secrets, I will listen.]
”It’s about me… about my right arm. Someone told me the Spirit Clan could heal it.”
[…You told Utari the same, did you not? She reported it. But did she not also say it is forbidden? We do not use our powers for other races.]
”I see. So it’s hopeless, huh.” I slumped dramatically.
[…Though… there may be a way.]
”Really!? Please, tell me!”
[We cannot aid outsiders. But if you were Spirit Clan, that would be different. Become one of us, Karin.]
”What? I’m human! I can’t just become Spirit Clan.”
[Not wholly. But you could merge with us. Sofia too… ah, that was meant to be secret.]
”…Are you saying… I’d have to marry you?” My face burned hot as the words left my lips.
[Sexual union, yes. It was warm… blissful.]
”What the hell!? You perverted old lecher! Saying something so shameless out loud—”
[What? You asked. I won’t force you. But it was you who wanted the way around the taboo.]
Damn it. To demand that from a helpless girl as the price… But then again, I was fifteen already. If it meant fixing my arm… No! What am I thinking? I can’t just throw away my maidenhood like that! My head felt like steam was pouring from it as I finally managed to choke out, “Please… let me think about it.”
* * *
A few days later, that Demon Clan elder appeared again, this time dragging along an Elf elder. My blood froze.
”You!! What are you doing here, Bear!?” I shouted.
”Hah? Well, if it isn’t the brat from back then! Why am I here? That’s my line. You’ve chased me this far—guess it’s time to finish this!”
”Stop, Bear! This is Chieftain Fedelate’s presence!” the Demon elder barked, struggling to restrain him.
[Familiar with him, Karin?] Fedelate’s gaze turned toward me.
”More than familiar, Chieftain! He’s the one who wrecked my right arm!” I snapped.
[Hold. No duels before me. Lord Peacock, this human is my servant. You will keep your Beastfolk in check.]
”Of course, Lord Fedelate. Isn’t that right, Bear?” Peacock said.
”Tch… damn it. First that Beastfolk girl, now you… cursed nuisances,” Bear growled.
”Oh, speaking of which, you damn bear—what happened to Big Sister Melon!?” I yelled.
[Enough, Karin. Be silent. I have an important meeting now. Go—out to the encampment if you must!] With that, the chieftain drove me out.
When I went to the encampment, I found Utari standing guard and spoke to her.
”So, what became of Master after that?”
[I don’t know. I haven’t gone back since then either. The other Demon Clan who were captured in Rock Prison… they were executed.]
”No…” My heart clenched. “Maybe I should return now, to check on Master myself.”
[Ah, Karin—looks like the chieftain’s meeting is over.]
”How can you tell from here?” I muttered. “You Spirit Clan really are uncanny…”
Reluctantly, I returned to the chieftain. His face was dark and severe.
”Has something happened?” I asked.
[It is nothing you need concern yourself with,] he said. [But the time has come to move forward. Karin… it seems you bear deep grudges against that Beastfolk. Would you tell me what you know?]
”You would listen?”
[I will only listen.]
That evening, after dinner, I told him everything—my grudge against Bear, all that had happened up to now.
[I see. So your right arm is his doing. Truthfully, the quarrels of Demons and Elves matter little to me… but Peacock and the others are tangled in it, and you, too, have suffered. Very well. There is no longer reason to keep the secret. The Gate lies within that building.]
”As I suspected… But, Chieftain, I cannot forgive Bear. My arm—perhaps that was my own fault. But Big Sister Melon… if she’s dead, the grief will kill me.”
[I understand. But it is not my place to demand answers from them. For now, they are our allies. You must not move against them.]
”Chieftain… why would you consort with such villains? I know it’s military secrecy. But must you pursue your goal even with allies so vile?”
[Yes. For it is the great desire of our clan.]
”A great desire… I see. Then I will say no more. My own vow is personal: I will bide my time, then slit their throats in their sleep.”
He regarded me gravely. [That, too, is a vow. I stand with your enemies, to fulfill mine. That must gall you. So as recompense, I will grant you one wish.]
”Wait—you mean my right hand…? Ah, but you’ll make me sleep with you, won’t you!? Too bad, I’m not—”
[Do not leap ahead. Union is needed, but not intercourse. With Sofia, I used the same method to heal her.]
”Union but not…? Then how will you do it?”
[Now is not the time. But once my vow is fulfilled, I will rest, and then heal your right hand. That future is not far.]
”Chieftain… I understand. I’ll make sure not to hinder your vow.”
Notes:
• Fedelate – The clan leader of the Spirit Clan. He is kind, gentle, and shows a unique interest in Sofia. Fedelate is powerful, capable of using telekinesis and healing magic. He is intrigued by human emotions and experiences, especially love.
• Sofia – A human slave in the Spirit Clan. She is diligent, humble, and has a soft-spoken manner. Sofia has a background in farming and develops feelings for Fedelate, expressing her affection openly. She is resilient and survives a severe injury thanks to Fedelate’s sacrifice.
• Utari – A member of the Spirit Clan that being captured by Sharlin and Karin. His appearance varies depending on the observer; Karin sees him as a human boy of similar age, while Master Sharlin perceives him as a bug-like monster. He communicates through physical touch, directly affecting the minds of others.
• Rock Prison – A high-security prison located near a rocky area. It is guarded by the spirit clan and holds captured dukes and their subordinates. The prison is a key location for the rescue operation.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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