After using Nea's magic to repel the cursed skeleton that was eating away at Eva's body, I carried her to the bedroom as instructed by Eiri.

She sleeps like she's dead, but she's still breathing.

...... But he is visibly weak.

 

「...... I don't know if I'm going to wake up like this."

 

Eiri is not here because she has gone to inform the castle of this.

Seeing the moonlight shining through the window on her, I slowly closed my eyes and spoke to Nea.

 

"Nea, how long do you have resistance magic?"

"About half a day, but if I keep adding magic, I'll keep it as long as I want. But then--"

"It's not a fundamental solution...... Isn't it?"

 

Nea nods her head at the words.

Eva is safe now because she has a resistance that allows her to repel curses thanks to her resistance magic. Once it is dissolved, she becomes weaker and weaker--she disappears.

 

"Even if she regains consciousness, she won't be able to live properly, and Usato can't be tied to this country forever."

「...... Let's see. We don't have a lot of time."

 

That is why it is desirable to settle it in a short period of time.

Fortunately, I grabbed the opponent's tail. In the previous battle, the skeleton had said something strange, and Nea seemed to be aware of something.

 

"Nea, you said you found out what this curse is, can you tell me?"

"It's fine, but that doesn't mean you know everything, do you?"

"That's fine."

 

What we need now is information about the skeleton.

No matter how trivial it is, I want to hear it.

 

"Usato, it's a curse, not a curse. If you include the side effects, that's the case, but that's the main part......

「...... Hmm? I'm sorry, I don't understand."

 

At the very least, break it down and explain it to me in a way that is easy to understand.

I still don't understand the curse or anything like that.

 

"I said I understood, but I'm not sure, and what I know for sure is that those corpse skeletons are disembodied souls."

"A disembodied soul?"

"Do you know what I mean? It's a ghost."

「...... What? I'm sorry, what did you say?"

「? Ghosts. A ghost, an energy body with the intention of wandering in search of a physical body."

「......」

 

I wish I hadn't asked so much.

I mean, are they ghosts? I hit him as hard as I could, but now that I think of ghosts, I'm getting scared later .......

Without noticing my twitchy smile, Nea spun her words as they were.

 

"They cursed the royal family and the previous hero—well, Usato, who was mistaken for the previous hero—because they had a grudge of their own."

「...... You can see that by listening to their words and actions. But why did you say something incomprehensible about me being released if I was imprisoned?"

"That's the point, that's the point."

 

Nea thrust her wings towards us as if pointing at us.

What's the point? Do you mean those skeleton words?

 

"Didn't you say that a disembodied soul can't stay in this world? But that skeleton is still there. That means there's something that binds that skeleton's soul to this world."

"What...... Does that mean that if you destroy that 'something', you can also unleash the skeletons that are eating away at Eva?"

"It's a rough way to say it, but yes, if you're lucky, there's a chance you'll get back the beings and souls that were stolen from you."

 

As I recall, those skeletons were collared and chained.

Is that the "something" that binds the skeletons?

 

"What I don't understand is how that something binds the soul to this world."

"Isn't it witchcraft? I mean, I can't think of anything else......

"It's funny because it's magic, and you don't usually keep it that long."

"Didn't you say before that magic either disappears over time or continues to function semi-permanently?"

 

I think that's what she told me before I visited Samaria—when she told me about the magic of liberation.

 

"Yes, but magic needs fuel to make magic work. The longer it takes, the more magic it takes."

「...... I mean, that's it? Do you think a magic-capable demon like you is involved in this curse?"

"It's a possibility."

 

...... Is it possible that a demon other than Nea is involved?

I can say that the possibility of having a clear enemy has made it easier for me to do it, but I also have to think about the damage to those around me.

As he crossed his arms and groaned in agony, he turned to face me as if he hadn't finished his story yet, bending his wings and raising his index finger.

 

"There's another possibility."

"One more thing?"

"It's about creating a mechanism that can supply magic power from the outside without a magician, and basically, magic can be activated by anyone as long as it has a framework, so it can continue to move on its own even if appropriate magic power is thrown in from the outside. Once you create a system, it won't disappear, and you can continue to use magic almost indefinitely."

「...... I see."

 

I don't know.

In other words, if you create a system that supplies magic power as fuel so that magic does not disappear on its own, you can do without a magician...... Is it?

 

「...... I don't know if it's the same monster as me or if it's working in a way that someone in the past created, but it's a pity."

「...... Do you mean Eva?"

"yes, it's about that soul."

 

Skeletons?

I involuntarily made a suspicious voice at her words, but Nea looked out the window sadly and muttered to herself.

 

"I mean, a disembodied soul wants to be freed, and it's crazy like that, isn't it? I want to be freed, I want a body, I want to live again—dozens, if I do it poorly, hundreds, of duplicate thoughts that have become distorted thoughts that are attacking this girl who is the brunt of the curse."

「...... Are you taking away Eva's existence because you want a living body?"

 

I wonder what all those skeletons are.

If you're looking for a living body, you're probably a human being. Looking back, the way he looked at me as frightened as I was fighting off the skeletons was a human-like reaction when I think about it.

And the words that resonated in my head when I was bitten -- among them were the voices of children.

A voice begging for help, and a voice begging for help.

 

"Brave, huh?"

 

He takes out the sword of the previous hero from his waist and puts it on his hand and looks at it.

 

"When I touched her hand, she trembled terribly, as if she was reacting to something."

"It's not a coincidence, is it?"

"Yes, I was trembling, and then the skeletons spilled out of Eva and the surrounding area, and the battle began. Maybe this is it. They called me a hero, probably because of this sword. If you don't, it doesn't make sense."

 

I'm not a hero.

That's all I can say for sure. Two other heroes have already been summoned besides me, and I haven't heard the bell ringing for the summoned one.

 

"Haha, I didn't expect that not only evil dragons but also ghosts would call me a hero, ...... there is no way that I am a hero."

"You're brave enough from my point of view, but hey, you're definitely going to be a hero when you get to this country, right? That's what it has to do."

 

Kiriha said what time it was.

Heroism in this world has two meanings.

Heroes like Kazuki and Inugami-senpai summoned from another world, and those who have been recognized for their valor in this world, given titles, and become heroes.

 

"I don't want the title of hero anyway, even now, I don't know what kind of trouble will come my way."

"It's true, ......, Usato is the type of person who gets caught up in any way, and he's the type of person who gets into trouble. Maybe you shouldn't be a hero just for the title."

"I didn't want you to be convinced......

 

He shrugs his shoulders in dismay at Nea's words.

Well, I can't argue with it because this time it's like I'm sticking my neck out into trouble.

...... Now, let's get back to the thoughts.

In the end, it was this sword that triggered Eva's curse to be activated. I myself inadvertently grabbed her hand while holding it, so now I can say that it is my fault that she has become like this.

When I think about it, I feel sorry for my carelessness, but I gained something.

I think about the contents of the notebook I left in my room.

 

"A long time ago...... You know the story of the evil dragon that brought Samariar to the brink of extinction, and the previous hero who defeated it, right?"

"It's the contents of that notebook."

"Oh...... this story definitely happened. And I think this event is strongly connected to Eva's curse."

「...... I'd like to say no. Hah, yes, there's no reason why it's irrelevant when I listen to your story...... Ah, I want to forget about that evil dragon anymore, so why do you come out here?"

"I don't even want to be reminded of that."

 

It hurt a lot, and I struggled.

Nea was almost killed.

But now is not the time to look away. I heard the voice of the evil dragon that Nea had revived—a cry far more powerful, more terrifying, more ferocious than the evil dragon I had met—nowhere in my memory was it.

 

"Mr. Fegnis also said that Samaria suffered a great calamity a long time ago, so there is no doubt that the Evil Dragon and the previous hero are related to the curse of Eva."

"Fegnis? Who's that?"

 

Oh, didn't Nea know?

She tilts her head and explains to her about Fegnis. He was the one who took me to the castle, and Nea had a disgusted look on her face.

She's not a bad person, so at least to improve her image, when I tell her that she explained about Samaria and the tower, and that she gave me back the sword, she starts to growl unnecessarily.

 

「...... Usato, don't let that guy get near me."

"I know."

"After that, you're too careful, act more suspiciously."

"Following Amako, you too."

"It's the Samarian Tower, ...... it was built in the hope of reconstruction after the Evil Dragon was defeated. He is a king who can afford ......."

 

Nea decides to ignore my tsukkomi and thinks about something.

It's too deceiving, it's rude...... However, as a result of being deceived by the owl in front of me, I ended up fighting the manipulated fully armed Aluk and the evil dragon.

Remembering that, he slowly drools.

...... Hmm?

 

"--, Nea, people are coming, be quiet."

"Ryokai"

 

Nea was muttering something, but when she heard the footsteps running up, she jumped on my shoulder and squealed as if she were playing an owl as a familiar.

Soon after, from the door, the castle doctor? People like and wizards like Mr. Wercy come into the room. Probably the people who were called in to check on Eva's condition.

I stepped outside to get out of the way, leaned my back against the wall next to the door, and relaxed my shoulders.

Then, from the stairs leading to the lower floor, Eiri walked towards us at a slow pace.

 

「...... Usato-sama."

"Yes?"

"Master Lucas is calling you."

「...... I get it."

 

Well, that's what it's called.

In fact, if it wasn't for the call, I would have asked from here.

According to Eili, Lucas has already come inside the barrier and is waiting outside. Don't you see Eva's face? When I asked, Eiri said--,

 

"I'm sure Lucas is shocked."

 

I said.

Shock, ? That's usually the case when your precious daughter falls.

The question was a little too insensitive.

 

"Is the pattern on the princess something you did?"

「......!」

 

I couldn't hide my agitation at the sudden question.

He stares at Eiri walking in front of him and involuntarily stops in his tracks, but when Nea on his shoulder pats him on the cheek, he turns back to himself and starts walking again.

Yes, Eiri is watching me cast a spell on Eva. It is not surprising that it has been noticed.

...... What to do.

I can't stop you, so why don't you explain the situation here?

 

"Rest assured, I'm not going to blame you. I kind of get it. I ...... that pattern is now protecting the princess's life."

「......」

"It's not the curse I know of in the first place, and when you see the princess's hair regaining its original color, you can tell that the pattern is keeping the curse away from her."

 

Knowing her mother, who was also cursed like Eva, it is understandable that Eiri notices Nair's magic, which seems to be a different symptom than before.

Honestly, I'm glad they didn't think I was harming Eva. If that happens, you'll be stuck in the worst situation and you won't be able to help ...... her.

 

"The curse that eats away at the princess's body is a terrible curse that robs her of her color, her presence, and in the end, everything disappears.

"Do you mean her childhood hair?"

"Yes, she had beautiful hair, as if she were a living copy of her, and her smile was very suitable."

 

Eiri said as if she were immersed in memories.

However, his feet stopped in front of the door leading to the outside.

 

"Eiri-san?"

「...... In fact, I thought I would never see the same princess again as I did when I was a child. Like Mistress Eliza, I fear she will disappear without being able to say goodbye to anyone."

 

Disappearing without anyone knowing about it -- I think that's very painful.

For that person and for the people around them.

 

"I am a weak man who has never taken up magic or a sword in my thirty years of life. Still, as a butler, I have done my best to ensure that the princess can live without any inconvenience. But now he has nothing to do for the princess...... I ...... it's unbearably frustrating."

「...... Eiri is not a weak person."

 

Denying his words, his voice trembling.

I've gotten to know Eiri well over the past few days.

He is a great cook, can do all the housework, and is a person who cares very much about Eva.

There is no way that he--the person who has been watching her grow up all the time can be dismissed as a weak man.

 

"Even if you don't fight, it's an undeniable fact that you've supported Eva to this day, so please pray for her safety as you always have."

"Usato-sama ......"

"And I, a physical person, will break her curse."

"What...... Broken, huh? What the hell are you ......?"

 

Walk forward, as if crossing next to him.

Once you've made it this far, all you have to do is move forward.

However, an owl on my shoulder tapped my head with its wings, and when I turned to the side, I saw Nea, with its beak pointing at me with its wings.

 

"Hooray!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm not the only one."

 

With a wry smile on her face, I put my hand on the doorknob and turned around and said:

 

"We'll take care of her curse."

 

After saying that, I turned my back on Eiri, who had a surprised expression on her face, and opened the door leading to the outside.

Outside, the garden is pitch black, and the view of the castle that was lit up by the commotion earlier.

Without hesitation, I walked forward and moved to the grave of Eva's mother, Eliza, Lucas's wife.

 

「...... Are you here?"

 

He sat cross-legged in front of the grave as before.

He muttered without looking back, and I, who was approaching him without hesitation, opened my mouth without hesitation.

 

"Lucas, I have a story to tell you."

 

Now it's time to win.

 

______________________________________________

Next time, I plan to talk about Amako's point of view.