Chapter 88

"Galilea, hey Galilea!"

My voice echoes through the silent mansion. After waiting for a while, a door at the back opens, and Galilea comes out.

"Whaaat? What is it, really... Oh! It's Lord Lloyd! What brings you here at this hour? Who's the woman with you?"

"This is Lamia. She seems to have been fused with a monster, and I want you to take care of her here."

"Good evening..."

"Fused with a monster? ...Oh! Really? Her lower body is a snake!"

Seeing Galilea jump back, Lamia hurriedly bows her head.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I won't cause any trouble, please let me stay here! I have nowhere else to go!"

"Ah, no, don't worry. I was just surprised. Lamia, was it? I'll take good care of you, so don't worry."

"R-Really!?"

"Of course. To be honest, I'm a 'Cursed One' too. I've been persecuted because of my strange abilities. Whatever happened, it must have been tough for you. This territory aims to be a place where people like you can live in peace. I'll lend you a room in the mansion, and you can stay as long as you need. If you want, you can work as a maid here. Wearing a long skirt should hide your lower body."

Tears well up in Lamia's eyes as she listens to Galilea.

"Thank you! Thank you... Really!"

"Don't worry about it. We help each other when we're in trouble. Hahaha."

Galilea places a hand on Lamia's shoulder and laughs heartily. Yeah, Galilea is really good with people. I can trust him with this.

As I nod, Galilea whispers in my ear.

"Lord Lloyd, you really went overboard. Fusing a human with a monster?"

"No, I didn't do anything like that."

What is this guy thinking?

I glare at him, and Galilea hurriedly taps his bald head.

"N-No, sorry. I just assumed, given your reputation! Sorry, sorry."

"Really, what a rude guy. I wouldn't do human experiments."

"...But we did it ourselves, didn't we?"

Galilea mutters under his breath.

"What did you say?"

"N-No, nothing! Come on, Lamia, you must be tired. I'll show you to your room."

"Y-Yes..."

Galilea leads Lamia towards the back of the mansion.

"Hey, wait a moment."

"What's the matter?"

"I want to give this to Lamia."

I take out a large stack of documents from my bag.

"What is this?"

"I borrowed these from that research lab. They might help you find a way to return to your original form."

The documents contain a lot of research data on monster fusion. Carefully studying them might reveal something. But Lamia looks at them and shakes her head, on the verge of tears.

"It's impossible... I don't understand any of this..."

"Don't be so negative. You were a magician, weren't you? If you don't try, you'll be like this forever."

"That's...!"

My words make Lamia shiver and look at her lower body with tears in her eyes. She used magic during our battle, so she must have been a magician originally. Magicians are seekers of knowledge. Even if she is timid and has lost her memory, the drive to seek and master knowledge is inherent in her. She can do it.

"I'll do it...!"

After a moment of looking down, Lamia answers with a trembling voice.

"I have to do something... Right!"

"Yeah, that's right. But don't worry. I'll help you, and I'll be there to consult with you."

"Of course, I will too. Just let me know if you need anything, Lamia!"

Hearing our words, Lamia bows deeply.

"Yes! Please help me!"

It seems she has made up her mind. If Lamia investigates the fusion, we might learn a lot about monster fusion. Yeah.

"By the way, Lord Lloyd, I have something to tell you about sacred magic."

As I'm about to leave, Galilea calls out to me.

"I tried sacred magic on a criminal, and it seems to have a purifying effect on their mind. They became so good, it was creepy."

"Ah, I already knew that. I tried it."

"Wow, you're impressive, Lord Lloyd. ...But did you know this? Mumble mumble mumble."

Galilea whispers in my ear, and I widen my eyes.

"! No, I didn't know that..."

"Hehe, I thought so. I don't know what it can be used for, but I thought I should report it."

"Ah, keep up the good work. Take care of Lamia."

"Sure thing, leave it to me!"

I thank Galilea and return to the castle using spatial transfer.