Chapter 86
Edited: Shiro
The first thing after reuniting with Neah is to negotiate with the guard .
Negotiating wasnt difficult, as I just told them that shes my familiar, and proving that she means no harm, we were able to get through without any suspicion .
For some reason, the moment I entered the barrier while putting Neah on my shoulder, Eva was there maintaining the flowerbed .
Eiri-san isnt seen anywhere as well, but its convenient he isnt here .
Seeing that she hasnt noticed us yet, I kept my voice as low as possible and talked to Neah .
Neah, Ill explain the situation later, but can you look at her and tell me anything abnormal from her?
Huh? Why must I do that?
Its important . So please .
I understand .
Neah nodded .
If shes familiar with magic, she might know something about it . We nodded at each other, then walked up to Eva, who is humming and playing with the flowerbed .
Eva who noticed my footsteps, looked back and leaned with a smile like a blooming flower, then looked at Neah who was standing on my shoulder .
Welcome back Usato-san . That is? You cant do that Usato-san? You mustnt simply pick up animals . Please return it to its original place .
I was told off like a mother who gently admonished a child who had picked up a cat .
This is completely different from what I have imagined
Ahaha, how good would that be if I could just return it .
?!
Neah turned to me with stern eyes, as if looking at me saying What did you just say?! .
Oi, youre the one who forcibly followed us in the first place .
. . Well jokes aside, lets explain who Neah is .
This isnt some owl I just picked up, its my familiar .
Familiar? This child?
Yeah, I just got it a while ago, and due to various things, I made a contract with her as a familiar . Because somebody seemed to be too lonely without me, so they came following me .
Its more accurate to say that shes more attached to me rather than being lonely .
That familiar is a monster?
?Hm, yeah?
WowThis is my first time seeing a monster . Its completely different from ordinary birds .
Eva with glittery eyes leans over and looks at Neah .
Whether she was being full of herself, she stretched her round body out with pride . That does make an eagle or a hawk look cool doing that, but this almost egg-shaped Neah looks pretty cute doing that .
Putting that aside, this is her first time seeing a demon?
Perhaps its unusual for people living in this world
Humans and monsters seem so far apart, yet are close to each other . Powerful monsters exist only in dark areas, but normal monsters are intimately involved with humans as familiars like the Foobirds .
Which means to say, she hasnt seen one since living here all this time?
What is her name?
Her names Neah . Shes a little shy, but an obedient child .
Though its the total opposite of her personality!
I tried so hard not to show it on my face when I said it .
So her names Neah-chan?
Do you want to touch it?
Is that okay?!
While being excited, she turned her eyes to Neah while leaning close to her .
I havent said anything about the curse yet, but Im sure shed notice if Eva has any changes .
I spoke with a voice that Eva cant hear .
Neah, Im counting on you .
Hoot .
Neah slams my cheeks as if entrusting it to her, then jumps onto Evas shoulders .
Eva who felt ticklish on her eyes, immediately looks at Neah who was on her shoulder and speaks .
Its a very obedient child .
Hoot .
Here here .
Hm?
Eva took off her long gloves with soil around, reached out her hands to Neah . Neah who for some reason seems to be nervous, hoots and lightly jump onto her hands .
Wah, Eva was slightly surprised .
So cute
This would be a comfortable situation if I dont know the true nature of Neah .
Remembering her usual cheekiness, I cant help but sigh .
Does Neah-chan also want to live here?
I was thinking of getting permission from you or Eiri-san . If you cant then
No! Its completely okay! Im sure Eiri will allow it! I will allow it!
O-Okay .
Are you sure you should say that, princess .
With a force that does not match her appearance, I cant help but laugh at Eva .
Maybe Eiri-san wouldnt refuse, and Neah can stay here without being suspicious .
Oh right . What does she eat? Since its a monster, perhaps shes a carnivore . Neah-chan, do you like some meat?
Eva asks Neah with a thoughtful look .
Neahs an owl . So even if you talk to her, I dont think shes going to give you any
Hoot! Hoot HOOOOOOT!!
Wow, so you do love meat! I understand!
And I take it back . What a selfish prick . Just like a fish reacting to bait .
Neah moves and flutters her wings as she squeaked a little, maybe she was happy with Evas reaction, she turned to glance at me with eyes of mockery before smiling .
? Usato-san, I suddenly heard some strange cracking sound in your handsAre you alright?
Hm? Aah-, Im fine .
It seems that I was unconsciously gripping my fist .
In order to fool her, I released my fist, but when she looked towards Neah again, I raised my hands on my neck, signalling to Neah with a slice on the neck and smiled .
Please look forward to todays meal!
Hoot!
Ill catch a lot of mice for you Neah-chan!
. . Eh, hoot?
Ah wait, or maybe owls eat insects as well? I wonder if I should catch them as well, fortunately, theres many in the flowerbed
The body of Neah hardened like a stone .
Thats right, owls are bird of preys .
Wild birds eat nothing but small animals . This is common sense, thus she doesnt want to feed human food to owls, and thought of other food for owls .
And if this little princess says shell do it, shell do it . For example, no matter what kind of hand she uses, shell definitely catch some mice and insects that serve as Neahs meal . . If she cant, shell just ask Eiri-san or the knights from outside to try and catch some mice .
However, I do pity her for being fed mice and insects, thus this kind person shall help a familiar and companion out by dispatching a help boat .
Eva, this thing eats literally anything, so we can just feed her the same meals as ours .
Eh, is that so?
Even as an owl, its still a monster . What they eat might be different from ordinary animals .
Her true nature is that of a vampire . She would normally eat fruits during our journey, and even ate human meals when she invited us into the village .
I turned and sighed at her moisturized eyes, who I had just saved, as I put my arms forward to issue her to come back .
Alright, come here .
Hoot .
Neah moved from above Evas hand to my shoulder .
Based on her reaction, it doesnt seem like theres anything out of the ordinary, but I guess I should hear about it later . For the time being, I need a place and time to explain the situation to Neah .
Ill go ahead and rest in my room . Can I bring Neah in as well?
Even if it gets dirty, it just needs to be cleaned, so theres no problem . Does Neah-chan need anything? If so, I can prepare
Thank you . But she doesnt need anything for the time being .
An actual owl may need a perch, but this one doesnt need one .
Entering indoors while waving Eva lightly, at the same time, Neah who was moving to my shoulders, closed her eyes in relief .
Hoo-, Whos that girl?
Its cause you were letting it all in your head . You reap what you sow .
Who would think of meat as insects or mice?! Wait, thats wrong . Thats not what Im trying to say!
Whats wrong?
What happened to her arrogance?
While keeping her voice as quiet as possible, she speaks to me as if not bothered .
That girl, her existence is disappearing .
Huh?
Its about to, disappear?
Its not eroding, but disappearing .
I suddenly stopped, and when I looked at her, who was overwhelmingly lazy, I had no choice but to be puzzled by unspeakable emotions .
I came here because Arc asked me to .
In my room, Neah who returned to her human form, sat down leaning against the chair said .
But then, I didnt know its because of Fegniss sword that Amako and Neah vanished before I was taken to the palace . A magical tool that exposes Neahs transformation, I should be careful while shes here
What have you done since I went to the palace?
Soon after, the palace guys took us into an inn . We were suspicious at first, but the treatment was like a king, as if genuinely welcoming us .
Just as Lucas-sama had said
I heard from the palace people that they were okay, but I was relieved to hear them saying it instead .
That foxAmako was unusually uneasy?
I see . . But Im glad yall are fine .
But it isnt . Why are you here for three days? It doesnt seem like youve been captured or being trapped in this elaborate magic barrier . And that girl-Dont tell me youve got into some sort of situation because of her?
N-No . Its more like Im about to get involved
What?
She placed her chin on the back of the chair as I looked away from Neahs suspicion while explaining how I got to this point .
I gave the letter easily .
I was invited as a healing magician for Samaria .
I decided to live in the palace for a while .
I met Eva, who is the Princess of Samaria .
She has some kind of curse .
Only explaining briefly, Neah exhales a breath of amazement .
You really are somebody . Its nice to be in this country but to even try to help such a girl . Honestly, youre stupid, stupid stupid .
What is this, why is an idiot calling me an idiot, thats contradicting .
I restrained the urge to recoil and retaliate, and with my arms crossed, I look at Neah laughing with brilliance .
Usato has a tendency to rush himself into trouble . Even during my case, when the zombie pandemic occurred, and I asked you to help, you immediately fell for it .
I didnt rush in by myself . Its that all of them had troubles . Also, I dont want to be hearing from you when youre the one causing those huge problems . What a huge hypocrite .
Shut up! Stop talking about me, okay!
Seriously an arrogant person .
However, it is the same with Nack and Neah, troubles always seem to find their way towards me .
Am I destined to be hit by trouble? Or am I trying to get caught up in that kind of thing without realising it myself?
Ehem, but you shouldnt involve yourself in this mess .
. Why? Because you know whats been eroding her?
I think she just said some meaningful words, but does that have any deeper meaning?
However, Neah raised both hands lightly and exhaled a small sigh .
Nope, not a clue . .
. . Huh? Then why the hell did you act so bloody confident?!
Its strange if I can tell just by touching her okay!! . Listen here!! That girl isnt being eroded by curse or something like that, its her existence thats disappearing . Isnt knowing that enough?
I remember the words she said before coming to this room .
I thought it was just a metaphor, but its exactly what she says? No, I dont understand .
Wait a minute, but isnt she right here right now . How can she not exist?
Sigh
Neah who heard my question raised both her hands up annoyingly, as if it was a pain, and made a small fist .
The soul and the body are based on a strong bond . Without the body, the soul cannot stay in this world . Without the soul, the body cannot move in this world . The exception is that a necromancer like me can break such rules . Having said that, the soul and body can be said to be the most important factors in life .
Neah clenches both hands together .
Body and soulBut what does that have to with Eva?
But that girl, she has a weird phenomenon that deviates from that rule .
And thats the reason why her existence has disappeared? But judging from your story, Eva seems to have nothing to do with the curse
Im getting even more confused .
What causes such a situation where the existence of a soul and body to disappear?
She is abnormal . No, even abnormals arent something that can be dismissed in words . The realm of soul and body is a realm that ordinary humans should not interfere with, and that is the field of magic that I deal with .
Magic
In addition, curses can be transferred to these types of phenomena . What would you think would happen if it moves to us? Its not that Im not curious, but Im not stupid enough to fall into a trap like some stupid idiot .
Curse that moves-Does that mean that the existence of Eva disappearing may also occur to me as well?
. Cant you manage with your dispel magic?
In the first place, its doubtful that a curse is being applied by magic . And above all, I cant use it because I cant see the techniques being used .
So the dispel magic is an even more of a useless magic than Id imagine . No, I knew somehow before not to expect anything .
So, we cant do anything about it . This is different from the time with the Wicked Dragon .
Why does Usato want to help that girl?
Eh?
Suddenly, Neah asked .
I was indulged in thinking about the question that I didnt think of, and I uttered a stunned voice .
She is a stranger to you who youve met for only three days anyways . Why are you going so far for someone like her? If its me, no way? I may have done a familiar contract with you out of my own will, but I dont you to fail and lose you .
The reason why I did it .
Honestly, theres no reason why I want to help her .
However, the answer is simple .
I just want to help . Thats the only reason .
Huh? Thats all?
Its not because Im from the rescue squad, but I sympathised with her, and I wanted to help .
The world is wide .
Lots of nature spreading, including magic, monsters, people, and demihumans .
Its weird to not know about such a world, and knowing you will disappear someday .
I, who came from another world, thought that it was a good thing to be here .
After the battle with the demon army, and listened to her cries, I truly thanked all the people in the world for meeting me .
However, her being destined to disappear is just unfair .
As if Ill give in to such a weird story .
Based on my words, Neah dropped her shoulders as if shes stunned .
. . Haah~ Youre really a weird and selfish person . I can see why the fox is worried . Even I wont know what to do if I took my eyes off of you .
Dont say it like Im a troubled kid .
Rather, youre just a kid with horrible traits . To me, it just looks like you love being stuck with weird girls .
Can you not say words that are misleading!?
Remembering the words Amako told me that day, how Im easily tricked by women .
Well, I did become a familiar to such a person, so Im the same
Neah?
Ill help you for a while . Its too dangerous for Usato to go alone .
Neah words seemed to be shy, but she smiled naturally .
Hahaha, thanks . Thats encouraging .
Shes not obedient, but she isnt a bad person .
Once again, I was relieved that we reunited, as I rest my body on the back door .
By the way, why are you leaning against the door all the time? Cant you just come inside?
Well, I wont know if Eva would approach if I dont do this . Basically, I cant sense that girl, so its easy for her to get behind me . Worst of all, Im resting in my room, and I can feel her eyes at times, which is quite difficult .
What kind of life did Usato have over the past three days!? Arent you just being watched by his daughter?
Maybe .
However, even if it is, the scary part is that she doesnt seem to be aware of it .
Well, once you get used to it, it really doesnt bother me .
As I continued to say, Neah looks pale for a while .
While laughing, I thought about what to do after this .
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