GalaxyTL
I’ve never felt this much anger.
After meeting up with the voice spirit and confirming the general location, I started by traveling through the shadows. It’s the fastest way to reach the destination, if it’s just me.
That decision was the right one. The moment I arrived, Meg’s cries calling out to me reached my ears.
“Gil-saaaaaan!!”
A faint voice, from afar, but it reached me. Help me. I thought I even heard that plea in my heart.
Something was surging through my body. It’s a sensation I’ve never felt before.
And for some reason, at this moment, I could sense her current situation and location, as if I was holding her hand. It’s strange. But I can say with certainty that this sensation isn’t wrong. I headed for Meg without hesitation.
When I arrived, a man, the enemy I presume, was raising a saber, and the red-haired boy was in danger.
Of course, that bothered me, but the sight that assaulted my eyes and sent me into a rage was—Meg, covered in blood, looking battered and bruised.
Honestly, I don’t remember what happened then. I remember my blood rushing, everything turning red… and then, before I knew it, I’d enveloped the whole area in shadows, releasing my killing intent. Even unconsciously, it seemed I’d avoided harming Meg and the two children with her, who I’m assuming are her comrades. But even so, I’d scared them a bit. Realizing that I’d come to my senses at Meg’s hesitant voice calling out to me, I realized just how immature I am.
But looking closely at her, she’s seriously injured. I couldn’t help but ask, in a voice laced with murderous intent, who had done this. It was the black-haired boy’s words that calmed me down, but… What’s wrong with me? I’m not composed at all. I’m used to this kind of injury and bloodshed, and yet… just because it’s Meg bleeding, I completely lost control.
I need to calm down. They must have seen the Demonic light in my eyes, because the children let out small screams. I closed my eyes once, and then slowly opened them. Alright, it’s okay.
And then Meg and the black-haired boy started arguing about who should be treated first. Or so I thought, but it seemed like that wasn’t the case, based on Meg’s next words.
“Magic power, pwease!!”
I haven’t heard that plea from her, in such a long time. She doesn’t usually ask for things much, so combined with seeing her again after such a long time, her cuteness made me freeze up. Even battered and bruised, her power to destroy me is still intact. No, or rather, it’s her current state that makes me even more protective.
…Calm down. She probably wants magic power to make recovery medicine, to give to her spirit. I’d never thought I’d be so troubled by my inability to use healing magic. I want her to rest immediately, but I know relying on Meg is our best option.
It’s pointless to wallow in regret. But first, I needed to confirm it. Meg’s warmth. I wanted to confirm with all five senses that she’s really here, safe and sound. I embraced her strongly, but carefully so as not to hurt her.
This tiny life in my arms, that I’d longed for, for so long. I wonder how worried she was, how much she suffered. I was filled with regret. This is the second time I haven’t been able to keep my promise to protect her. Frustration with myself, and regret. This feeling has no outlet, it won’t even clear with an apology. But Meg silently listened to my repentance, and told me I’d made it in time, thanked me.
—Ah…
I was the one who was worried, in pain, didn’t know what to do.
Her small, but powerful presence. Just feeling this warmth felt like I’d been forgiven. Of course, I can’t forgive myself, but…
I swore then that I would devote my life to being Meg’s strength, her shield, her support. It might be meaningless, but still…
I’ll never let her go again.
I’d calmed down considerably thanks to Meg, so I decided to give her and the other children magic power. We’d have Meg make some recovery medicine, and then I’d treat everyone, in order of priority since we only have a limited number. We can’t have Meg and her spirits overexert themselves. This place is too harsh for a nature magic user.
“Um… could you… help her first, please?”
When I approached the Dwarf child, who had relatively minor injuries, he shook his head and said that. That female adventurer, huh. An unforgivable person, the root of all evil. It’s true her wounds are life-threatening, but the Dwarf child’s injuries are comparatively minor. And his burns are still quite serious, even though they’re not life-threatening.
But he was adamant. Even Meg was begging me to treat her. …How can I refuse, when you ask me that? I let out a huge sigh internally.
“We’ll have to hear her side of the story later.”
I said this, and then headed towards the female adventurer. I felt a strange mix of emotions, seeing Meg’s joyful expression. Her treatment might be a bit rough, but it can’t be helped, female adventurer. Even if Meg forgives you, I never will.
It seemed the Don had finally arrived, while I was treating everyone. He must have gotten permission for his beast form, because he arrived much sooner than expected. I was thinking this was a bit much for me to handle on my own, so this helps. I can exterminate, capture, and protect the children, but I can’t handle the aftercare.
They’d all made a fuss seeing Meg so injured, but after calming down at Meg’s words, the Don, as expected, smoothly and efficiently took control of the situation. Meg had completely lost consciousness midway through, but I held her tightly and reported to him.
“I’ve used shadow bind on all the enemies. Including the female adventurer. There are also multiple rooms underground, and several dozen demi-human children imprisoned there.”
“Targeting children, huh. This organization crossed a line. You’ve done well, Gil. …It seems you were able to remain rational and do your job properly.”
“………………Yeah.”
“……What was with that pause? Well, the outcome is all that matters.”
It’s not like I was able to remain rational. I averted my gaze slightly, and it seems like the Don understood.
“We’ll hand them over to the humans in this country. But that female adventurer… Meg was trying to protect her?”
The Don crossed his arms and started groaning. The humans of this country will punish the members of the organization. So it’s difficult to make an exception and bring back just this female adventurer and protect her. It makes sense. And I personally don’t even want to let her into the guild.
“You know why we can’t just turn this base and all those scum into charcoal? Because it’s Meg who’s been hurt. I want to make them pay, but I can’t! We can’t cross that line!”
That’s right, this is the human continent. Even if our precious daughter was kidnapped and hurt, as long as we’re on the human continent, we who belong to the Demon Continent can’t interfere. It’s an absolute rule. Or rather, there’s no way around it, for everyone’s safety.
Those from the Demon Continent are much stronger than humans, we could probably destroy this continent in an instant. But there are far fewer of us than humans, and our reproductive ability is low. If they continue targeting our children like this, we’ll eventually become extinct, even if it takes years. And if the whole human continent attacked us, everyone but the strongest would be quickly wiped out. That’s how different our numbers are. There are times when you can’t win, no matter how strong you are, because you’re completely outnumbered.
That’s why, a long time ago, both continents made a promise to never interfere in matters that would threaten each other’s peace. We could trade, but wouldn’t interfere in wars or other incidents on each other’s continents. Underground human trafficking had always been in a grey area, overlooked, but I’m sure that’ll change after this.
“Personally, I’m fine with all-out war with the human continent.”
“Please don’t!? If that happened, those on the Demon Continent…”
“I know. Many of those on the Demon Continent, those without power, would be victims. It would lead to extinction. That’s why we’re enduring this.”
Even though he said that, I actually agree with the Don’s personal opinion. Of course, we won’t actually do anything, but if they were to come to the Demon Continent, we wouldn’t hold back. They’ll have to follow our rules then.
“But it was the humans who targeted the children from the Demon Continent first. It was a criminal organization, but it’s the humans who broke the taboo. I guess we can use that for our “negotiations”?”
The Don said this with a wicked, reassuring, smile.