Dinner with a new collaborator, Nea.

Nea, who lived in a village near Samaria, seemed to know Samaria's famous cake, and she was squealing with delight as she squealed with joy at the large amount of cake.

However, as expected, she was stunned by her who couldn't move due to overeating, but she didn't notice it and stopped Eva from trying to add a cake with joy.

...... I'm starting to wonder if it's her fault that Nea is getting on with it.

When I told her that she was lying on her desk in the form of an owl, she said, "Why not!?" I was angry.

 

And then, at night. At a time when everyone was probably asleep, I was looking intently at the notebook written about the former hero by the light of a small candle.

 

「...... No, I can't read it at all."

 

Perhaps because it is worm-eaten in some places, I can't understand the whole sentence at all.

I'm trying my best to read the notebook like this to find a connection between the evil dragon and Eva's curse, but the result is no progress.

Even Nea said, "It doesn't matter at all, does it?" Or something like that.

 

"Heh, heh, heh......"

"Why is this guy occupying my bed in the first place?"

 

If he were to sleep, he would like him to sleep in the form of an owl, but more than that, he has slept in his original form—the dark-haired girl.

When I took my eyes off it for a moment, I didn't have time to stop because it was like this.

I sigh as I cover her with a blanket on her sly smile as she wonders what kind of dream she's dreaming.

 

"Well, it was really helpful that you came."

 

Let's tolerate it for now.

I can sleep while sitting. I sat back in my chair and re-read my notebook.

 

"According to what Nea deciphered, there were many casualties before the previous hero defeated the evil dragon."

 

Others say that some Samarian people were buried alive in the rubble until the end of the battle.

That doesn't mean it has anything to do with the curse, so this one probably doesn't matter.

 

「...... Maybe it really doesn't matter, as Nea said."

 

It might be better to dismiss the connection between the evil dragon and the curse and look for another cause.

Tomorrow, I'll go to Aluk and Amako and ask Nea about my situation and Eva, and then I'll ask Eiri and others about various things.

I can't rely on Nair for magical things, so I do what I can.

 

"Amako, I'm sure you'll be angry."

 

Maybe he's already angry.

That kid is scared when he gets angry...... It's very similar to the law that people who rarely get angry are scared when they get angry.

Tomorrow, when Nea hears about me, I'm sure she'll be stunned.

Will you laugh it off?

Either way, I'm sure I'll have to apologize for making you worry the next time I see you.

 

「...... Haha."

 

I'm too worried.

Place the notebook on the desk and cover your eyes with your hands.

 

"I think it's time to go to bed......"

 

My eyes are getting tired, and I have to train tomorrow morning.

He stands up languidly and picks up the uniform that hangs over the chair.

At the very least, let's hang our clothes on the wall before going to bed, I thought, and as I was moving to the wall, I stopped at the window I was passing by.

 

"Hmm?...... That is."

 

I can see someone from the window where the moonlight shines.

At such a time? No way, a ghost? Suddenly, my heart beat faster, but if I looked closely, the figure I saw was someone I knew.

 

"Eva......?"

 

Why? It's time for her to go to bed.

He sits in front of the pond in the boundary with a somewhat melancholy expression and stares at the surface of the water.

...... To be honest, it's kind of scary.

Only she should not be able to break her own rule of going to bed early and waking up early. When she is out at such a time without telling Eiri silently, it is safe to assume that something unusual is happening.

Specifically, it's being manipulated by ghosts, or something occult like that.

As long as there is a concept of a soul in this world, the existence of ghosts cannot be denied.

 

"Should I go...... Wait a minute. Nea...... That's right, Nea."

 

From the window, he moves towards the bed where Nea is sleeping.

Two people than one. If there is a nair who is strong in soul relationships, it is a gold rod for demons. Only vampires!!

...... No, I'm not cool.

 

"Nea, hey, wake up, wake up."

「...... Heh, hi......"

 

I shake her shoulders and try to wake her up, but she doesn't show any signs of waking up, probably because she's sleeping soundly.

Rather, she wrapped herself in the futon I had put on her and moved to the edge of the bed.

You're .......

If it's a movie, it's a situation where you're attacked by a ghost first.

You can't fight off ghosts because you can't hit them.

 

「...... I can't help it. I'm going to go alone......

 

Nea doesn't wake up like this.

If that's the case, I have no choice but to turn my stomach.

Even Eva may just be out at this time because she can't sleep. You don't have to worry about it.

Think back to what she's done, it's no wonder what she's done.

If there's a reason to do it, she does, and that's her, Eva Urd Samariar.

I thought about it over and over again, as if to think about it, and put on my uniform and threw the door open.

 

"I kept the sword attached to my uniform."

 

When I was wiping my body, I noticed a small knife that was still attached to my uniform so that it wouldn't get in the way, and I think I put it away. However, if I go back to my room like this, my resolve will be shaken, so let's keep going.

But why is Ava outside at such a time?

I wonder if something happened ....... Even without the occult, I'm worried because I know it's a curse.

 

 

 

Outside, it was brighter than I expected, thanks to the full moon above my head.

When I got out of the house, I slowly walked to the place where Eva was, which I could see from the window.

With a slight nervousness and fear, he moves to a position where he can see the back of the pond -- and finds Eva in exactly the same position as before.

From her profile staring at the surface of the pond, I didn't feel that she was being manipulated or unconscious, but instead...

 

「...... Eva?"

"...... Usato-san."

 

―――I was crying.

She was in tears as she looked at her reflection in the water of the pond.

 

「...... Huh?"

 

She was stunned when she saw my face, which must have a surprised expression on her face, but when she noticed the tears running down her cheeks, she wiped her tears in a panic.

It's not like I'm crying alone in a place like this. Worried about Eva, I walked up to her side and slowly crouched down.

 

"I'm sorry."

 

In a small, thin voice, she utters an apology without context.

Why do I need to apologize? She hasn't done anything wrong.

 

"I knew Usato was coming."

"What?"

 

Did you know?

Coming to you outside?

 

"The light was on in Usato-san's room, wasn't it?"

 

...... Okay, so you know I'm awake.

If you look upstairs where my room is, you can see the small light of a candle flickering outside. You can see what's going on there.

I ...... that the previous apology was an apology for letting me go out of my way.

 

"So why were you crying at this time?"

「...... That's ......."

 

She looked down as if she were stagnant, and slowly sat down on the ground and held her knees.

He also sits cross-legged so that it is easy to speak, and continues to ask questions.

 

"Was there something sad about it?"

"I don't ...... sad, there's Father, there's Eiri, there's Usato, there's Nea...... Even the people in the castle are kind to me. That's why I'm so happy right now."

"Then why?"

"That's ......."

 

She glanced at me and opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.

 

"I had a dream, a very scary dream, ......."

"Dreams...... Or? If it's a scary dream, I know what it feels like to cry."

 

It's a story I hear a lot about being haunted by dreams. On the day I saw Rose in training in my dreams, I was doing push-ups on the bed in a daze.

In particular, there is nothing more eerie and terrifying than a nightmare that you have no memory of.

I don't know what I'm afraid of, and the feeling of fear welling up from the depths of my chest that I don't know where it comes from is very terrifying.

 

"A lot of people around me are angry."

"I'm angry...... Can you see my face?"

"No, they're all black figures, and everyone is mad at me in the middle...... That's a dream that will continue forever."

"It's a scary dream, but I don't know who's going to be mad at you. I haven't done anything wrong."

 

As Lucas said today, Eva is a good girl.

She doesn't have the personality to hold a grudge against anyone, and there's no way anyone can talk to her like that in the first place.

Eva's lips trembled as if she wanted to say something at my words.

I was a little worried about what she was doing, but she immediately started talking, so I listened.

 

"I have this dream when I've forgotten about it, but every time I do, I'm here to be close to my mother, because when I'm here, I feel like I'm not alone, ......."

"I guess that's why I was here......

 

Even if there is no one inside, that grave is important to her.

You can see that she really cares about her mother's grave.

 

"But today my dream was different, I was still scared, but there was someone who protected me, right? That's a lot."

"Hey, the one who protected me with my dreams, that's good."

 

Dreams are an unconscious realm, so if they change, does that mean something has changed in her mind? Either way, I think it's good to have someone to protect you.

 

"What surprised me was that one of them had the same face as me. But was he a little big? I couldn't see the faces of the others, but they stood around me and protected me."

"Same face...... With you?"

"I've checked it here, so I'm sure, I can't mistake my face for the one I've seen for years!"

 

For some reason, he confidently points to the surface of the water and smiles wryly at Eva who says so.

Oh, that's why I was staring at the surface of the pond just now.

 

"Well, scary dreams don't happen so many times in a row, and the next time you go to bed, you'll have fun dreams. ...... There's no guarantee, though."

"Fufufu, I hope so...... It's really ......."

 

Eva giggles.

He started laughing, so I'm sure he's okay now. I'll stay with you a little longer, and when you get sleepy, let me go back to the house.

Just as he was thinking about killing time by chatting, he noticed that Ava had stopped smiling.

 

「...... Usato-san is going to leave here in a little while, right?"

"Well, yes, because I have something to do."

 

In a few days, I have to go to the next country.

Even if you want to do something about Eva by then, you have to give up when the time is running out.

I want to save Eva, but I have a serious mission to deliver the letter and cure Amako's mother.

We can't afford to ignore them.

Ava gives me a sad look in response and squeezes her hands on her knees.

 

「...... I don't think I'll ever see Usato-san again."

"What does that mean?"

「...... I'm going to be gone soon."

 

Disappear...... So, here's the curse story?

It's not so much that it's unexpected. There's no way she's not aware of the curse when she's cursed.

It's rather unsurprising.

 

"By now, you should know, Usato-san, I'm cursed. Just like your mother, she will eventually disappear without a trace."

 

It disappears.

I can't imagine how much intention was put into those words.

Her words of sorrow are met with words of consolation.

 

"You might still be able to save it, right?"

"It's impossible...... I know, I feel like I'm disappearing more and more. And besides--"

 

She releases the hand that is holding her knee and removes the long white glove on her right hand.

In the daytime, I am confused by the white hand that I saw when I put Nea on it--an ordinary hand that looks nothing out of the ordinary, but when Eva raises her right hand as if holding it up to the moonlight, she finally notices the abnormality that is happening to her.

 

「...... Oh, this is ......."

"Do you understand?"

 

...... your hands are see-through!?

When she tosses her hand to the ground, there is only the shadow of her right hand, and the tip has disappeared from the elbow.

It was only then that I came to understand the situation that I had been vaguely aware of.

This wasn't just a curse, it was just a horrible thing, as Nair said.

 

 

 

 

"Right now, it's just my right hand, but eventually my whole body will be like this--and in the end it will be gone as if nothing had happened...... It's a curse."

 

The curse that eats away at Eva is finally able to see it.

It was much more cruel than I had imagined.

When I heard that existence was going to disappear, I imagined that people would disappear faintly. However, this is a bad thing that you can see the change.

Even though this phenomenon was happening to my body, I ...... acting as if nothing had happened in front of me.

I should have been scared.

I should have been filled with the feeling of wanting to cry

She kept smiling.

Stunned, I shift my eyes to her face.

She smiled sadly and hid her right arm, stood up, turned to face me, and bowed deeply.

 

"I'm sorry."

「...... Why are you apologizing?"

 

I understand that you apologize for being inconsiderate, but I don't see the point of you apologizing here.

She raised her head, looked down slightly, and explained why.

 

"After all, I'm a bad boy, and even though I'm convinced in my head, I'm really trying to hold you back. I ...... that I wish I could continue to have such a fun daily life forever, and I tried to draw Usato's sympathy by showing such a disgusting thing...... I tried to indulge in your kindness."

"Eva ......"

"I deserve to be abused for trying to prioritize my feelings."

 

Certainly, I sympathized with him.

I wanted to help.

I wanted to do something about it.

But that's just what I thought, and isn't that a natural feeling for you?

 

"That's not true."

"No doubt."

"You haven't done anything wrong, it's natural to want to indulge in kindness. No one can be alone when they are going through a hard time or being sad."

"Then will you stay here?" Will you stay with me until I disappear? Can I indulge in your kindness?"

 

Her eyes are shaking as she looks down at me.

To be honest, my response is predetermined. There are too many things to do to meet her wishes.

As I sat down, I turned my body to Eva, put my hands on my knees, and bowed my head.

 

「...... I'm sorry, I can't do that. I've got to keep going."

「...... Hold your head up."

 

At her words, I raise my head.

I was prepared for any kind of reaction, but when I looked up, I saw Eva bowing deeper than before.

 

"Thank you for your honest answer...... Now you can give up."

「...... Whew."

 

When she looked up, she looked like she had put a smile on her face.

In the back of my mind, a warning bell rings.

Was the previous answer so important to her......!?

 

"I knew the truth, that I shouldn't let my selfishness keep you here. But after hearing your words, I finally got my senses."

「...... Wait, Eva."

"I'm fine, I'm sorry for keeping you up for such a long time."

 

With that said, she turned around and tried to go back inside.

Don't let them go like this.

Would you reveal that you are working to help her?

However, the fact that she has not even found a clue to a solution may give her unnecessary hope.

No, apart from revealing it, I have to stop her now!

He hurriedly stands up and reaches out his hand.

 

"Eva!"

"--"

 

The outstretched hand grabs her right hand.

She looked back at her with a face wet with tears, and just as she was about to say a few words to her, the knife at her waist suddenly began to tremble.

 

"What!?"

―――――― Vu, Gyuoo

"Ugh!?"

 

A familiar, terrifying roar echoes in my head along with a headache.

A roar far louder and more ferocious than in memory.

Maybe it was only for a moment, but the headache soon subsided, but I noticed that Eva's hand was unusually cold as I was holding it.

When I looked up, she was holding her head with her left hand, just like me.

 

"Eva, it's so big--"

"Usato, san...... Leave, I ......."

"Go away.......!?"

「―――」

 

He tries to drain the healing magic from her right hand, but her head drops with a jerk and the power goes out.

The moment I tried to get close to her, to hold her, her body lifted up without warning.

 

"What the hell is going on...... What's going on!?"

"--I will not forgive you."

"Eva!?"

"Neither you nor the king will forgive you."

 

Her tone is unusual.

I was convinced when I saw the eerie voice that came out of her mouth.

 

"You're the one who is cursed."

"Oh, brave man, why did we have to die? Why was he abandoned? Foolish king, king drowning in power, why did you not save us? We were still alive."

「...... Can't you speak the language?"

"Therefore, we will not forget: anger, fear, despair, hatred. I will curse the time for eternity."

 

Someone controlling Eva said this, and at the same time, her body slowly descended to the ground.

However, at that moment--

 

"But hundreds of years of suffering will come to an end, and here we will be freed at last, with the presence of the brave and the king."

"Huh!?"

 

--Her body, something chained to a translucent chain flew out of the ground.

 

______________________________________________________________

Usato is mistaken for a hero again.

This time, unlike the time of the Evil Dragon, it may be due to the hero's small sword.

 

And finally, the battle part.

There were a few horror elements, but ...... it's summer, so it's just right.

By the way, when I received Eva's confession, the confinement course was straight.

 

Next time, Nea will be active.

 

Sorry for the delay in updating.

I was busy in many ways, such as getting sick and running errands, so I didn't have much time to write.

However, now that we have a lot of leeway, we would like to return the pace of updates.