V6: Chapter 70: A Necessary Report...

Chapter 70: A Necessary Report...

Two days have passed since the Third Demon King's invasion.

We still don't know where he's hiding, and I'm increasingly frustrated by my own helplessness, knowing all I can do is wait. But to rest my body even a little and prepare for what's to come... I crawl into bed and close my eyes.

It was after such a day that...

"Well then, I'll open the gate..."

I stand up with unsteady steps and begin walking towards the gate.

My steps are incredibly heavy; it's perhaps natural considering what's to come...

"Are you really sure?"

"I've... come prepared."

"Hmm... You have a difficult personality, don't you?" 

Even so, this is my... responsibility.

My responsibility, after I watched her snatched away right before my eyes.

"I opened a gate a little distance from the location. Please avoid going directly in, just to be safe... okay?"

"Yes, please do."

Stepping through the gate, the scenery changed—beyond that.

It was a park... or so it seemed, with a dazzling fountain bathed in pink light.

"Shall I show you the way? Follow me... Gracia-chan, you're so cute, so make sure you don't get separated, okay?"

"I know, I'm not a child, you know?"

"I know, but make sure you don't get separated... okay?"

"With you emphasizing it so much, I'm starting to get a little scared..."

The Succubus city was quite psychedelic in its decorations, but the landscape wasn't all that different from a modern city.

"Woof! Woof!!"

"Moo! Moo?!"

Aside from the rather eccentric residents there—that is.

They, who shouldn't make sounds like dogs or cows, are enjoying their walk, making animal-like noises. The sounds, combined with the flickering city lights, make my severely sleep-deprived brain scream.

And I feel eyes on me from all directions—eyes of opportunity, sizing, and... predatory gazes.

"It's a bit too much for humans, isn't it? Shall I call a taxi?"

"No, I'll walk. I need to move a bit, or my body will get sluggish."

Besides, even in a city like this, I feel somewhat better than being alone at home.

After walking through this psychedelic city for a while, I finally arrived at my destination.

"I have the key, but... I'll ring the intercom before I come in, just in case, okay?"

"Well, you do have the key, don't you? That is..."

I swallowed the words "It's your house," because I heard footsteps from beyond the door.

The light sound of the intercom rang out, and a little while later, the succubus opened the door and there stood...

"Oh, Lux and Chlo..., I mean, Gracia. Welcome back... I guess?"

"Yes, I'm home... Mother-in-law?"

It was the face of that girl's mother, who had evacuated just in case.

I entered the entrance door and took off my shoes.

In the neatly arranged shoe rack, there were several pairs that didn't seem to belong to the Succubus.

"I'll prepare some tea and snacks now. The bathroom is that way."

"Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness."

After seeing my mother-in-law off as she headed towards the back, I walked towards the bathroom.

Compared to the eccentric exterior, the interior was surprisingly calm and ordinary—too ordinary to be considered her taste. As I was still trying to hide my surprise, a voice added from the side.

"I thought if it was too eccentric, it might surprise Satellite-chan."

"Ah, I see..."

"...Did I bring up something unpleasant?"

"It's not that I'd forgotten, but hearing it put into words brought back the humiliation of that day, whether I liked it or not."

I swore there wouldn't be a second time, but this time she was taken away right before my eyes.

A burning frustration and drowning regret clashed within me.

I suppressed those feelings and continued walking down the corridor.

I couldn't let anyone see such a terrible expression on my face.

I straightened my back, trying to maintain a strong outward appearance.

The mother, whose daughter hadn't returned, must be suffering even more than I was.

"These are apparently steamed buns from a famous hot spring nearby. Lux bought them for me."

"Thank you, I'll have some."

Her mother seemed as cheerful as ever, but that was probably just a facade.

Even with heavy makeup, the dark circles under her eyes were so dark they couldn't be hidden.

"...So, what about Yuu-chan?"

"Well, she won't come out of her room... it's a bit of a problem..."

"Shall I go and check on her for a bit? She needs to get some nutrition, otherwise it'll be a big problem... right?"

Lux Luxuria went upstairs, grabbing something from the refrigerator.

It's understandable that she wouldn't come out of her room.

The place she thought she finally had to call home suddenly crumbled before her.

It's perfectly understandable that she's withdrawn; it must be even more frustrating if she has no power to fight back.

"This time, it's my fault that Shizuku..."

"It's alright. She's always been stubborn about wanting to be that way, so you don't need to feel responsible. Lately, there's been more and more things holding her back, so I thought maybe..."

I wanted to scream, "No—" at the top of my lungs.

But that would only be confronting my mother-in-law with a cruel reality.

All I can do now is show my sincerity and make a promise.

"I can't tell you the details of the plan, but... I will definitely... definitely bring Shizuku back. Even if it costs me my life."

"Should I call her lucky to have a friend who cares so passionately... or should I call her an unfilial child...? It's really hard to decide."

My mother-in-law, perhaps to pass the time, fiddled with the remote control, but the TV was showing a Succubus.

It's probably the succubus's consideration; it's quite adept at sensing people's feelings.

Probably much more so than me...

Feeling somewhat out of place, I reached for the sweet bun that looked like a souvenir. I knew it was sweet... but I didn't have the luxury of enjoying the taste beyond that. The tea in the mug was warm... and a little bitter.　

"That day... you know,"　

I heard a voice murmur, looking at the mug.　

"That girl's favorite mug broke."　

I almost gasped.

I knew that... I'd seen it.　

"It's really bad luck, isn't it..."　

The Demon King's, who had been talking about where to make an example of his capabilities next, half as a warning.

A cowardly, despicable... vile method.

"Can I ask you just one thing? Gra... no, Chloe-chan."

"...Yes."

She opened her mouth slowly, as if half-certain, and uttered that one word.

"Could it be... my fault?"

"No, it's not."

I asserted that it wasn't.

It's definitely not mother-in-law's fault. The one who hurt her... the one who tried to take a hostage... is definitely in the wrong. There's no way to determine responsibility, obviously. It's a given.

But, was I able to hide my distress well?

Was my voice trembling?

"I see... I understand... right..."

"It really isn't."

This was the worst. If I'd known this would happen, I should have asked Squire to come from the beginning.

I couldn't even properly fulfill my responsibility to explain myself. 　

"Hehe, me. Since when have I been a burden to that child--"

"No, that's not true! That's not true at all!"　

I pushed the chair away with a clunk and stood up, mother-in-law's eyes meeting mine in surprise.

My fists, which I had clenched unconsciously, were trembling so much I thought they might bleed.　

"There's no way that caring for someone, cherishing someone... is a bad thing. Therefore, the one to blame is the Third Demon King... there's no way that girl would even joke about you being @ burden, mother—!"

"Hehe, sorry. I guess I was feeling a little weak."　

I almost collapsed at my own helplessness.

But I'm not finished yet, and that's precisely why I can't collapse yet.

I absolutely cannot.

"I'm sorry... I lost my composure."

"It's alright, thank you."

I calmed down and sat back down in my chair. Everyone must feel the same way, wanting to scream.

If I don't stay calm, I won't be able to do what I'm capable of.

Lack of sleep prevents me from performing at my best. I can't let anger blind me like that time again.

This time, absolutely not.

The tea, which had been warm, had gone cold without me realizing it. I gulped it down in one go, and finally my mind began to clear. Seeing me like that, mother-in-law lowered her eyes as if remembering something...

"Even at a time like this... no, especially at a time like this..."

"Yes."

She looked into my eyes with a serious expression and said, as if reminiscing.

"Would you listen to me talk about that child's past?"