—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
It was cold. The night sky was still and silent. Darkness shrouded everything but the stars. As they walked through the deserted streets, Saten, gazing at the sky, spoke.
“When I look at the night sky, I feel like my heart, which is usually floating around, settles back into place.”
Comfort.
Peace.
Were those the emotions evoked by the night sky?
“So, Saten, do you like the night?”
“Like or dislike… I’ve never thought about it that way, but… I probably prefer it. I dislike mornings.”
Saten frowned slightly.
Did she dislike mornings that much? He could relate to her sentiment.
For example…
“The sunlight streaming through the curtains can be disruptive to sleep.”
“As expected, I’m not the only one. But that’s not the only reason I dislike mornings, Mister.”
Saten turned her gaze forward, looking at the buildings lining the street. It was too dark to see their details, but he could make out their general shapes.
Saten spoke in a monotonous tone.
“I have no interest in those buildings.”
“That has nothing to do with disliking mornings.”
“No, it’s deeply connected.”
Saten moved closer, emphasizing her point.
…Too close?
He spoke gently.
“…I understand, so please move your face back. It’s a little overwhelming.”
“Alright. Simply put… it’s the ‘information.’”
“Information?”
“Yes, for example, the building on the left was built in a style popular 60 years ago. It wasn’t built with bricks, but with lumber from monster corpses.”
Treants.
Spriggans.
Was it built from their remains?
‘The thought of living in a building made of monster corpses is a little unsettling…’
More importantly, he hadn’t realized Saten was so knowledgeable. Saten seemed to have memorized the architectural styles of numerous buildings, as well as the materials used for the roads.
This must be the “information” she was referring to.
“You know too much information, and it automatically comes to mind when you see things.”
“Yes, that’s right. Useless information keeps popping into my head. I can’t help but think about it, even if I don’t consciously try to.”
So that’s why she disliked mornings, when things were clearly visible. In the darkness, she couldn’t see her surroundings, but in the light, she couldn’t avoid seeing them. Having unwanted information constantly flooding her mind must be quite a burden.
“You have a clear reason for disliking mornings.”
“That’s why I prefer the night. My mind is at peace when I can’t see. I just want to think about what I want to think about, like with magic.”
Saten continued walking through the quiet streets, her breathing even despite the cold. Watching her, he suddenly felt curious.
“It seems you get stressed outside, Saten.”
“Yes, my thoughts are more organized when I’m in my room.”
“Then let me ask you something. Did these thoughts always automatically come to mind?”
“…”
Saten stopped walking.
After about ten seconds…
She finally spoke.
“No. It wasn’t always like this.”
“…That’s a sufficient answer.”
It wasn’t always like this.
That answer told him everything he needed to know.
‘The Secilia family instilled that habit in her.’
Her obsession with ‘information’ and ‘punishment’ must have originated there. She would be punished if she didn’t memorize everything. And to avoid punishment, she had to memorize everything.
The actions she took to survive in that environment had become a habit, tormenting her even now.
“…Saten.”
“Yes.”
“Finding peace in darkness is the same for null magic. You can simply turn your head or close your eyes.”
Remember.
The answer is often close at hand.
Saten, seemingly impressed by his words, stopped and stared at him.
“Mister.”
“Yes, Saten.”
“Your words are very inspiring. But they lack impact because you’re tied up.”
“…I see.”
Because of the ropes.
They lacked impact.
He see.
“…”
He continued walking towards their destination without another word. A late-night stroll through the city with a bound Saten. He was grateful for the darkness that shielded them from prying eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
They passed through the city and arrived at a park. During the day, it would be bustling with people and couples, but now, it was deserted.
It was a suitable place for Saten, who disliked crowds.
“I thought we could walk through the park for a bit. Is that alright?”
“You’re asking me now, after we’re already here?”
“…My apologies.”
“I’m not blaming you, I was just curious. There’s no need to apologize.”
Saten walked ahead, seemingly unbothered. They had walked quite a distance, but she still seemed to have plenty of energy.
“I also have a question, Mister. May I ask?”
“Go ahead.”
As they walked along a flower-lined path, the colors barely visible in the darkness, Saten asked her question.
“Luna is the strongest in the Hero’s party, right? Then, between Hare and me, who is stronger?”
Saten’s eyes burned with pure curiosity. But there was a certain expectation in her gaze.
‘Please tell me I’m stronger, Mister. Alright?’
Her eyes clearly conveyed that message.
But even if Hare wasn’t here…
He had to tell the truth.
“You were stronger before.”
“Meaning…”
“That’s not the case anymore. Hare is stronger than you now.”
Those with great talent grew stronger through near-death experiences. They learned to push their limits, to understand their boundaries.
Thoughts were important, but experience was even more crucial. The reason Hare was growing faster than Saten, who had been confined to her room, was the difference in their experiences.
Saten’s steps faltered slightly, a hint of frustration in her movements.
“Hare used to be beneath me, but I realized something during this fight. She’s become much stronger than I thought.”
“People grow stronger with time.”
“What about me? I don’t think I’ve grown at all.”
“Your heart has grown stronger.”
“I… I want my skills to grow, not my heart. I don’t need a strong heart if my skills are strong. A strong heart won’t feed me.”
…He couldn’t deny the truth in her words.
He, too, had abandoned his heart many times to survive in this world. And each time, his heart had grown a little darker. He took a deep breath of the fresh, crisp night air.
“Don’t be so hasty, Saten.”
“It’s hard not to be hasty-.”
“There’s a reason why they say ‘slow and steady wins the race.’ If you hit a wall, it’s good to take a step back.”
“…Alright. I’ll stay put for now.”
Saten, feeling insecure about the others surpassing her, fell silent as they continued their walk through the park. She seemed a little sulky.
‘She’s too honest, unable to hide her emotions.’
But unlike when she had come to his room…
She seemed more at ease now. The anxiety of being the only one not improving must have been weighing heavily on her.
“Mister.”
“What is it?”
“I saw a flyer on my way here. A flyer from the Secilia family. The reward has increased considerably.”
“They haven’t responded to my letters, but they keep increasing the reward.”
He didn’t know what the head of the family was thinking, but…
They were still actively searching for Saten.
“So, when should I confront my family?”
“Wait, confront them?”
“Yes, I want to destroy my family as soon as possible.”
She was serious. But not now.
“Two years. No, three.”
“Excuse me?”
“After that much time, you’ll be able to handle a single family. If you want to destroy them, go then.”
“…You’re not trying to stop me.”
“They’re a family that deserves to be destroyed.”
He was surprised they hadn’t been destroyed already. He, too, wanted the Secilia family to be eradicated, just as Saten wished.
“We have to deal with the Church first…”
“The Church… because of Estia?”
“You could say that.”
“I don’t want you to get involved with the Church, Mister.”
“Why?”
Why did she suddenly not want him to deal with the Church? He couldn’t help but be curious.
“Why do you think that?”
“It’s a waste of time. Estia is too naive, she doesn’t want the Church to be destroyed. But I want my family to be destroyed.”
And instead of wasting time on the Church…
Saten, her face expressionless, but her eyebrows twitching slightly, spoke.
“I want you to focus on me. I’m different from Estia. Give me all of your time.”
The time you weren’t here.
And the time we’re spending together now.
Saten took his hand, her touch cold.
“I need you as much as you need us. So…”
Please don’t leave for a long time again.
“I’ll follow you anywhere. Please don’t leave me alone.”
Saten’s voice trembled as she pleaded with him. In this heartfelt moment, all he could do was agree.
The saying that people are more honest at night was clearly a lie.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Your Text Here]
That last line dude… it’s gonna be hard to change his mind.