Published at 20th of December 2020 01:39:24 PM
Chapter 81
A comedy of feigned innocence .
A fluffy and floating feeling .
Right now I have no idea what kind of appearance, structure or posture I have . When I noticed, I was there . If I had to elaborate, I’m inside a huge sphere . I was not alone inside the sphere and there were many others around, but they all had empty, dead expressions as they just drifted around .
It’s a sight so incomprehensible it’s hard to believe it’s a dream . The scene of humans floating against gravity also seemed eerie .
But within those people I found a familiar face .
―― That’s weird, I can’t seem to move forward .
Even as I moved my legs to move, forget proper footing, lacking any ground to step on caused me to not be able to move a single step forward . I don’t know how I should move . By fiercely swimming as if in water and flailing my limbs, I somehow manage to move bit by bit .
―― Chiffon!
The familiar face was Chiffon . But even as I called out to her, and shook her shoulder, there was no reaction . Not just that, similar to the other people floating around, she had an empty and dead face . As if, they were dead eyes that lost their life’s light .
What does this mean exactly?
A strange and eerie scene where many humans were floating and drifting about in the air . I look around to figure out the situation . This huge sphere seemed to be enclosed only by a thin cover, allowing me to faintly see what was happening on the other side . A bookshelf, desk and chair, a place with walls on all 4 sides, you could tell it’s some kind of room . An extremely huge room . It was nastily designed too . Both the floor and walls had magic circles drawn on them, and the desk had crystals of many colours and animal skulls decorating it . The bookshelf had bulky books that looked like old dictionaries densely lined up, its atmosphere saying black magic . THere were no windows, and no light shining in . The chandelier hanging from the ceiling is nothing more than an ornament . In this room, I could only tell so much with the light coming from the sphere .
―― I lost consciousness, and when I noticed, I was already here . …Am I possibly .
An existence with only my soul?
I was taken aback when I noticed that . My own figure became indistinct, and then disappeared . Shocked, I survey my surroundings, to realise the people I thought were humans had become glowing orbs . Red and yellow, green and blue, the orbs had various colours .
It seems this is neither dreams nor illusions, but reality .
I said I’d believe, but this strange experience had flipped over the concept of a soul, making me hesitate .
――I hope Celia and Chocolat are doing well .
If they don’t, I’d be stuck in this state forever . I would not be able to return back to my world and be stuck here as the soul controller’s research material .
As if I’d want that!
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After drifting in the sphere for a while, someone entered the room . While stuck inside the sphere, I look out, to see the single middle-aged soul controller gentleman . Another one person had their head completely covered by their robe, hiding their figure . Looking at it like this, the other person looks far more like a soul controller than the middle-aged gentleman .
They seem to be talking about something . I wonder if they are accomplices . The sphere’s cover does not allow one to see the entirety of the room . When I thought to watch the situation unfold, the 2 people walked towards me .
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[For example, that’s right]
The middle-aged gentleman peeked at the sphere we are in .
…Huge!! Were humans always this big?! No wait, I’m the one that’s small?!
Then, a hand big enough I could fit snugly in reached from outside the sphere . It was the middle-aged gentleman’s hand . As if looking for something, his hand fumbled around and grabbed the nearby Chiffon . It seems he intends to bring her out . Instantly I moved closer to save Chiffon from that hand . Slightly relieved by that, I sighed .
[Oh, there’s an energetic child, let’s choose her then”
The target changed from Chiffon to me .
―― Don’t joke with me!!
I tried to escape but there was too much of a difference between a big hand and a small me . I was quickly caught .
Being released from the sphere, as expected I was small, and everything around me looked gigantic . And my vision was blurry and unstable . As if I was drunk . But I tried my best to understand the situation and gaze around .
The face of the middle-aged gentleman gripping me is directly above me . In front of me there is one more person…hm, I’ve seen them before .
He had at least changed his blood-stained clothes, but since I only last ran into him in the day, there’s no mistake .
―― One-winged swordsman . Why are you here .
No way, was he in cahoots with the soul controller? But if that was the case, it wouldn’t explain his injuries . Plus he said that he’d go get her soul back .
“My research is on changing the form of other souls . I can change it into the form you wish for . Please try touching this”
While I was able to move with great effort while in the sphere, now that I’m out, I can’t move at all . I’m left with just being offered . I was presented while lying on the middle-aged gentleman’s palm . His right-hand hesitantly extended from his robe and touched me .
While assessing that, the middle-aged gentleman mumbled something .
At that moment, my heart that shouldn’t exist jumped .
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“…Eh”
In a moment, my blurred view became clear .
The floating feeling I had till then vanished, and with a gakun, a body crumbled down . I could feel gravity . My body, is heavy . Unable to support myself, I rely on the presence in front of me and collapsed, and was caught before I fell . It seems I gained a body from my soul state . Maybe this is what the middle-aged gentleman was talking about earlier . To materialize the soul and change its form . I wonder how it works, in the first place magic is not supposed to work on me . By chance, does it not work on my body, but effective on my soul?
After thinking that far, I felt something was off . To support my body, he had to hold my whole body weight and I can accept that, but something light brown entered my view, followed by healthy looking skin on the arms placed on the chest in front of me . Even the clothes are different . Dark red clothes with a waist apron .
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This familiar feeling, is perplexing .
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This is not, my body . But, it is also, my body .
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“――Vito?”
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Being called, I looked up . The one who caught me, seems to be the one-winged swordsman .
And the one who called my name, is also that person .
Inside the hood, I found the black I was yearning for in those bright green depths, taking my breath away .
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It’s a lie .
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But how, no way . To be this close, there’s no way I wouldn’t realise .
But it’s not a mistake .
His cold gaze softened, and the voice that called that name was also very tender . Unlike the time I was called a nuisance, when he was expressionless, a gentle, yet surprised expression formed .
Supple fingers touch my cheeks . That the ends of his fingers were trembling is something I noticed .
That’s the hand, that tried to kill me .
That’s the voice, that threatened me .
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But, there’s no way I’m wrong . .
This person .
Now, this person in front of me .
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――― You’re saying, you were Captain?
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“It’s a sweet young girl’s figure . One that makes you smile . It’s still being researched, and can’t last long, but how is it?”
The middle-aged gentleman’s words pass without being heard . I just looked at the one-winged swordsman, no, the Captain . I wonder how long has passed . The other party looked away first . His black eyes wavered for a moment, before disappearing behind his eyelids . When they appeared again, they returned to being cold and lightless . Then the hand on my shoulder was released . Such treatment was painful for me, but it’s at least better than any violent handling .
…That’s right . I’m a fake . A ‘fake Vito’ which the soul controller created with another soul .
“Are you unable, to call for a soul”
“Well let’s see, if the soul has already returned to the circle of transmigration or has been destroyed then it is not possible . I’m a specialist in dealing with living human’s souls . But it’ll be a great business you know? How about it? As I said earlier, with me–”
“If that’s so it’s fine”
As if declaring that he isn’t interested, he unsheathed the sword by his waist .
“…while I did expect something like this to happen, I thought you were the same as I . What a disappointment”
“I’ll have you return, Chiffon’s soul”
I doubt it but you plan to start a fight in here?! We’re inside a room you know?! That’s reckless! Not to mention, there are countless souls inside this sphere . What’ll you do if you damage it!
I quickly try to find a solution that doesn’t involve using swords . To at least last until Celia and Chocolat arrive!
I see, if I’m using this body, it might be possible .
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But if I talk as per normal, Captain who has a good intuition would definitely find out . Yup, I’d be exposed . Immediately exposed . Even without being found out he has his eye on me . This person lives following his instinct after all .
Either way, I don’t want to be crossing such a dangerous bridge . In that case, there’s only one thing to do .
It’s my eighteenth time acting out becoming someone . I’ve become as good in acting as I am at feigning ignorance, it’s lamentable .
I got it . Let’s go with Kikuko-oneechan . She’s a determined and fearless older sister .
Alright, I’ve got this .
Breathing in, I scream loudly .
“I know it’s rude to interrupt your conversation but! I can’t grasp the situation! So you are the rumoured soul controller?”
I, who was just a bystander, was finally under the spotlight .
One, the gaze of the soul controller .
Two, the gaze of the Captain .
For a moment there, my cowardly self almost drew back, but I planted my feet firmly on the ground and somehow held on .
“Fumu, you are the young lady from this afternoon . To think that you are still this energetic”
Perhaps the time spent after applying the magic solution was too short, 1 person mumbled away .
“Your many heinous acts! Even if the Heavenly Lord overlooks you! I won’t let you go!!”
I want to be praised for completing my Hero Show with a cool ending pose . I worked hard .
“Prepare yourself!”
The killing point is the wink . My spirit is being scrapped away but it should be fine if I thoroughly go this far .
“Oh my oh my, you really are a lively young lady . However… your personality seems to have changed from before . Could it be that it took on the personality of the body it took on, umu, this is intriguing”
“Vito’s personality isn’t like this”
He said flatly . I’m sorry . I have nothing else to say . I don’t think I have such a personality either and I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t have to act .
“Oh ho? It’s not as if the soul has possessed the form of the body, is it confused? …or if I were to think otherwise”
Of course, it’s an act . After throwing shame away I am now becoming Kikuko-oneechan! But if Anna had such a personality it’d be pretty hilarious . Even if I say it’s my body, it was originally imitated from a human .
“Hey, don’t ignore me! Mmm putting that aside, this body, is so light! As if it isn’t human . It’s be amazing if it could even grow wings”
It may have been a bit unreasonable, but it is true that this body is light . This body is easier to control than I thought, probably because I’m very familiar with it .
Focusing my mind on my back the way I did to transform into my Dragon form, something overflowed from within my body .
It’s be real disastrous if I took the form of a Dragon in this room . The aim is just to distract the soul controller and the Captain in order to buy time . Then just wait for things to move according to the plan . That’s why all that’s changing is just my back .
Appearing alongside the white light, was a wing that looked as if it was mistakenly bleached pure white . It’s appearance caused the middle-aged gentleman to have wide eyes, while I was surprised in a different way, and so was the Captain .
I thought for sure that it’d be a black wing .
Now that I think about it, when I peeked at Captain’s face earlier, the proof of contract had disappeared . As expected as a heretic[1], once I had vanished the contract was broken, is probably what had happened . That’s not something I want to see . However, as a contractor, I am unable to be happy about being freed, I wonder why . We aren’t even related anymore now .
When I flap my wings a few times to shake off such feelings, my body floats up a little . Ooh, as expected, I was able to grow only wings . If that’s the case, wouldn’t I be able to only have the head of a dragon? Eh? It’ll be visually displeasing? It seems interesting though .
“Wah, amazing! They really grew! How cool!”
“…Don’t do such weird things, with that body”
A low bass voice spoke angrily . It seems, since he thinks the soul is different, he dislikes seeing Vito’s figure acting in various ways .
“Oh what’s wrong? The inside is still me so it’s fine isn’t it”
Aren’t they pretty? I smile elated . Ah, crap . I was supposed to laugh teasingly but ended up smiling normally .
That overlapped with Vito’s smile, or more like it was exactly the same, and because of that, the Captain’s expression softened ever so slightly .
I’m bewildered by the gentle gaze directed at me . When I look into those eyes, I feel like throwing everything away and diving into them .
That’s no good! I scold myself and pull away from that gaze . I’m worried if my smile went stiff .
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“Let’s go fly somewhere like this! That sounds good too!”
“You can’t”
Grabbing my arm, my floating body was pulled back to the ground . It wasn’t violent, but he seemed unhappy about my actions .
“Like I said! It’s my body now so it’s fine right? Does this body have that much value to you?”
“It has nothing to do with you”
My chest felt as if it was stung slightly .
That’s right . I’m unrelated to this .
There isn’t any kind of relationship between me right now and the Captain .
“Then let me do what I want!”
I shake off his hand and frown at him . Captain had once again reformed his iron wall mask .
Yeah, that’s the way it should be .
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“A human grew wings? What does this mean… . Is it possible because it’s a soul?”
For quite a while now, the middle-aged gentleman had been mumbling and writing something down . I guess you could call him passionate about his research, but if his study was on something other than human souls, this world might have been headed to a better future .
“Anyways, you can’t”
No means no . And it’s an irrefutable command . If you continue to act strangely, even if you have that appearance, I won’t show you mercy . Or so, his cold gaze conveyed .
I was full of rebuttals . Yet, the voice I somehow managed to squeeze out, was a feeble, comical thing .
“I, I—”
“…I?” [2]
Oh crap . Who said this is my eighteenth-time acting . It was me!
My disguise easily falls apart . Mister Captain stared at me with doubtful eyes, and being unable to bear it, I turned away . I can’t afford, to be exposed in a place like this . I will take Touka and the rest home and live my days in peace . That’s why I refuse to get caught up by old friends .
Because Vito, is dead .
Her life, her dragon life has already ended .
There’s no need for extra ‘Happy Ending’ scenarios .
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“…you”
―― DOOON!!!
A thunderous roar abruptly erupts . As if a huge explosion just went off nearby . Just like Chocolat’s ‘don’ magic . Its destructive power was incredible .
The next moment, the door flung open, and people piled into the room like snow .
“Wha, what is this!”
The soul controller noticed the strange changes and began to panic .
“So you’re the soul controller?! Your neck is mine!”
“Hey wait up! I found him first!”
“Fastest wins!!”
The people who entered were an assortment of adventurers . Each held weapons in hand, surrounding the soul controller in an instant .
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“Itoksan!!”
“Ito-chan! Where are you?!”
Following them, Chocolat and Celia entered . It seems the plan has been working well . But the two of them run past me, straight to the sphere containing all the souls .
“Celisan, this sphere is full of souls! I’m sure it’s in here!”
Celia was turning pale as she stared at the sphere full of souls, looking like she could faint anytime . Well, I’m loved, but it is a little overprotective .
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“I, I don’t know what I should do . Can you find them from inside this sphere?”
In this first place, how should I get them out?! She said while distressed .
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“Celia, Chocolat, over here”
I went closer and called out to them . The two’s eyes went round after they saw me . Well that’s to be expected . I look completely different . Plus, I have wings sprouting from my back, I don’t look human however you look . But Celia seemed to have realised it was me, coming closer and giving me a tight hug .
“I was late wasn’t I… I’m sorry! If I had just rushed here faster, this wouldn’t have happened!”
“Eh?”
“You were late…”
Apparently, the two believe that I took such an appearance because of the soul controller’ experiments . Though they aren’t completely wrong .
“I’m fine . I’ll be able to go back soon . Besides that, is my body doing okay?”
“Al is looking after it . That’s why, you’ve got to hurry and return, or my heart won’t last . ”
“But, I’m relieved that it all went according to the plan”
The plan went like this . The 2 would tail the soul controller and find out the location of his hideout, then get the assistance from various adventurers at the local guild branch to launch a surprise attack . The soul controller had a bounty on his head, so plenty were more than willing to join, which was great news for us . With this many people facing him, the soul controller wouldn’t be able to do anything, much less magic . Even now, he’s surrounded by the adventurers, unable to take any sudden moves, and was in the midst of being restrained .
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And that is how, the soul controller incident came to an end .
All’s well that ends well .
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…Or, at least I wish it’s over .
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The situation was being settled, the soul controller was taken away while crying, without the chance to even say his parting words, and only the 4 of us were left . Yes, 4 of us . According to my plans, there should only be 3 of us here . I’m glad it’s over, we’d celebrate amongst the 3 of us as we head back to return Chiffon’s soul to her body . But, that did not happen .
Because he, was there .
“Lu-san, right . Chiffon-neesama’s acquaintance”
Chocolat finally spoke up .
“You tried to save Neesama as well . Thank you very much”
I was going to blend into the commotion earlier to take my leave, but as if I had something to confirm, I stayed put .
Instead of replying, he removed his hood, revealing his bare face .
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His bright green hair was shorter than before, while his bangs grew to reach his eyes . It was hidden beneath his robe, but there was still one remaining braid there .
His facial features were, as always, as neat as a doll, which was only further emphasized by his deadpan expression . Deep within his pitch-black dark eyes, the darkness so deep seemed to suck me in, as it held no sign of light at all .
I have no idea, what he is thinking .
It’s a little, scary .
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In 2 years, for your atmosphere to change so much .
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Ever since I came back to this world, I tried not to think about it . I was afraid to think about it .
Because I never thought that I’d see you again .
And as if by some coincidence, I had Vito’s appearance .
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But I am a fake, and he too believes that I am a fake .
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―― Right, having that fake relationship is fine .