MTLNOVEL Ch. 93
Chapter 93
"I think I'm probably one of the strongest in this world. At least, when it comes to individual power. But when I think about how I can't do anything about this half-destroyed town, I feel like I'm just a strong little girl."
Yuurai stood at the ruins of the Lord's Castle, now resembling a snowy field, and murmured.
Standing next to her was Rifiris, who was still a five-year-old here. She was bundled up in layers, about fifty percent more than usual, making her look puffy. Her proud blonde hair fluttered in the cold wind, and Rifiris held it down with her hand.
"......Being strong alone is still admirable. Over here, you could say violence still rules, so having a strong person around is something to be thankful for."
"I guess that's one way to look at it."
"You can't do everything alone. I mean, I'm not even strong, and I can't do anything about this town."
"......Just being able to fulfill the role of being strong isn't necessarily a bad thing. But now that I'm the Demon King, I realize—having someone who's only strong sitting at the top of an organization is pretty distorted. Strength is just one of many necessary elements when building a group. You need people who build houses, people who prepare meals—there are lots of essential roles. When someone doesn't understand the value of those things and just goes around saying 'I'm the strongest, worship me,' it feels... off."
"That might be true. ......And I don't think it's a bad thing that someone like you, who thinks it's weird, is the one standing above us."
Rifiris gave a cute 'nihehe' smile. Though her mind was already about seventeen, allowing for mature remarks, her smile immediately brought her appearance in line with her actual age.
"It's not like I'm really standing above anyone. I just kind of ended up in a leader-like position because of how things went."
"Yeah, that does sound about right. Well, even if it's just how things turned out, it can't be helped. Do your best, Yuurai."
"Yeah, yeah. I want the people I care about to be happy, so I'll try a little."
"Okay. I'll help too. I like you all."
"Thanks. That helps."
It's been a month since the day five Angels destroyed Grimoire.
The rubble was cleared using the power of the Army of the Undead and the Fiends. While it's only been gathered in one place, the rest of the area has been cleaned up into flat ground.
The peak of the cold has passed, and the temperature is gradually rising. It's still cold, but on relatively warm afternoons, Yuurai sometimes takes walks around the town. This time, Rifiris came along.
Maybe because of the cold, Rifiris sneezed.
"It's still cold if you stay still. Let's walk."
The two resumed their walk. The sound of their feet crunching on the thin snow echoed.
"Aren't you cold, wearing so little, Yuurai?"
Yuurai wore a robe made from Scorching Sheep fur over her blouse and pleated skirt. Even in this cold, she exposed her bare legs, which even she thought was a bit much.
"This body is resistant to the cold. It's cold, but it doesn't chill me to the core."
"What a convenient body. Hard to kill, doesn't age, and resistant to the cold. I want to become an Undead too......"
"There are a lot of downsides to being Undead. People hate you, and you can't have children. It's not all good."
"Ah... I see. So... you can't have children... Sorry about that."
"I don't mind. But Claire and Lipia might be a little sensitive about it, so maybe it's better not to bring it up."
"Mm. Got it. ......Come to think of it, your body temperature is low too, right? You can't stay in contact with non-Undead for long......"
"Yeah."
"Being Undead has its drawbacks too, huh......"
Trying to shift the gloomy mood, Rifiris began humming a nostalgic song that Yuurai knew. It was probably the theme song of a famous anime.
Rifiris kept her identity as a reincarnator a secret from everyone except Yuurai. She usually never mentioned anything from her previous life, but since they were both from the same world, she let her guard down a little.
(Someday I might slip up... but I guess I can bluff my way through......?)
The two continued their walk, humming the nostalgic tune together.
Just when they were about to say it was time to head back, Rifiris spoke.
"Aww. I wish you were a boy. I think we could've really understood each other in ways no one else could, and it would've been nice."
(......Well, I used to be a guy. Though I've mostly forgotten what that felt like.)
"......If I were a guy, I probably would've made Claire and Lipia my regular girlfriends. Rifiris, did you want to join the Yuurai harem?"
"......That's a bit of a no from me. I want someone who makes me feel special—just me."
"Then I guess it's a good thing I'm a girl."
"Maybe so. I'm glad I became friends with you, Yuurai."
Rifiris smiled with another 'nihehe'.
That smile was so cute, it made Yuurai want to hug her on instinct.
"......Well, let's head back."
"Yeah."
Rifiris reached out and held her hand. Holding hands as friends felt strange to Yuurai. Since Rifiris had always been a girl, this felt natural for her.
As they walked together in harmony—
A massive presence loomed overhead.
"Enemy?"
Yuurai immediately deployed Blade of Darkness and looked up at the sky.
"......Huh? A dragon?"
A red dragon, likely over ten meters long, was circling above.