Chapter 36

"Alright, Maarnas. I want to clear up these questions one by one. Can I ask you some questions?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"First, you are definitely Maarnas, who was once Leon's servant, right?"

"Yes. Even though I don't want to remember, that's correct."

"…And you made and gave the enhancement magic stone to Leon, right?"

"Yes."

"But, Maarnas, you were wearing a slave collar, weren't you? If you could do it, does that mean Leon gave you a strange command?"

"That's right. As expected of Master Crest. Leon is a fool. I believe a wise Master like you would understand. He commanded me to ‘make an enhancement magic stone that will make me stronger no matter what.’ Hahaha. If the specifications aren't clear, I could have made an enhancement magic stone that might kill but also make one stronger. After that, I just gave it to him and let him use it."

Maarnas, who had been smiling proudly, suddenly realized something.

"Ah, by the way, Master Crest, are you hurt!? If you are, I will treat you carefully. They say that licking wounds can heal them, so I will thoroughly lick your entire body…"

"It's fine, I'm not hurt."

"Is that so? That's a shame."

"…A shame?"

"Sorry. It's just that I lost the chance to lick you… Anyway, even though Leon is a nobody, if he was enhanced by my enhancement magic stone, he might have put up a bit of a fight… But as expected of Master Crest. You are truly worthy of my admiration. My feelings for you have grown even more…!"

They don't need to grow….

However, her story completely cleared up my doubts about Leon.

Even with a slave collar, some try to escape.

Even with restrictions, there are still many things that can be done, like Maarnas did just now.

One shouldn't be complacent just because someone is wearing a slave collar.

"Then, the next question. What do you mean by saying you killed all the Haberst family members?"

"Exactly as I said. Once I was freed from Leon, the effect of the slave collar disappeared, so I just mixed in some poison!"

It's hard to take it seriously when she talks about it like it's a casual outing.

I was a bit hesitant with Maarnas's words.

…Everyone is dead, huh.

For a moment, I felt a slight sadness. They were a family, after all.

But it was just a fleeting feeling, and I quickly accepted it.

"Is that certain?"

"Probably dead, I think… But if the treatment was timely, there's a slight chance they might have survived. However, I made the poison to cause some kind of aftereffects, so it's not a problem!"

"Not a problem… Well, okay. Then, the last question. About Ellis—"

The moment I mentioned her name, Maarnas's eyes widened.

A vast amount of magic power overflowed from her body, and the pressure made my cheeks twitch.

"Ellis! That's right! He disappeared from the upper world without me noticing, and I failed to kill him! He's apparently in the lower world now, but I don't know where… If he's already dead, my job would be easier."

What should I do?

If she finds out Ellis is in this village, she might go and kill him on a whim.

"Why are you trying to kill Ellis?"

"Of course, because he did terrible things to Master Crest. I could only watch from the shadows as Master Crest suffered… I'm sorry for that."

She bowed deeply.

"N-no, you don't need to apologize. Given your position, it's understandable."

"Ah! So generous! Master Crest is truly generous! And I will apologize again! I got a little excited when I saw Master Crest crying sometimes!"

"…I get it. That's enough. …About Ellis—"

Just as I said that, I sensed Ellis's presence and turned around.

"Did you call me?"

As she said this, Ellis appeared, and Maarnas immediately lunged at her.

She approached with wind magic, a speed befitting a demi-human.

It was terrifyingly fast.

While I was still processing this, Ellis must have used magic immediately.

She had deployed a barrier-like protection around herself.

As expected, she has the blessing of a saint.

Seeing that she couldn't finish Ellis off, Maarnas whipped her tail at her.

Ellis reacted even to this.

She blocked Maarnas's tail with her sword.

Maarnas's tail is quite flexible and sturdy, similar to the range of my shadow magic.

But this isn't the time to analyze calmly.

"Ellis! Why are you here! No, rather, this is perfect! I'll finish you off here!"

Maarnas, enraged, launched another attack on Ellis.

"What is this thing!?"

Ellis shouted and cast a support spell on herself.

Then, Ellis took a step back from Maarnas and glared at her.

I stepped between them and looked at Maarnas.

"Maarnas, calm down and listen to me."

"Yes! What is it! About how to kill Ellis!?"

What a dangerous person.

"…She is living with us now. …A lot has happened, but she is now one of us."

"…You can't be serious, Master Crest. Did Lady Ellis also forgive with her generous heart!?"

It's not that I forgave her, but rather that I don't think we need to be enemies. However, I can't explain that in front of Ellis, so I just nodded.

"That's the case. So, Maarnas, please put down your weapons for now."

The magic power that had been overflowing from her quickly subsided.

"Understood."

"C-Crest? What is going on here?"

To Ellis's question, I sighed.

I glanced at Orphe and the others who had gathered, and then at the demi-humans being treated outside.

"Ellis, can you treat the demi-humans who are injured outside? I'll explain afterward."

"Understood."

Ellis, still eyeing Maarnas warily, headed over.

…Well, how should I explain this?

At least, the investigation of the northern demi-humans today is canceled.

This is a new series. ↓ Please read from the link below!

The result of me accidentally going on a rampage against S-rank monsters while helping with my sister's dungeon distribution has gone viral.

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9783ig/

The dark knight who time-looped uses future knowledge to go on a rampage—From the bottom, I rise to the top after being exiled as an unfortunate class.

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9795ig/