Chapter 93

Seeing Gitan fall, the believers who had been holding their breath began to murmur.

"That monster... Is it... dead...!? It's not moving..."

"But that voice just now, wasn't it the Pope's?"

"No way. But who is that boy? I feel like I've seen him somewhere before..."

Hmm, if I stay here any longer, I'll stand out.

I should disappear quickly.

"Ah, I can't forget to take this one too."

I purified him for that very reason.

I firmly grabbed the unconscious Gitan by the collar, activated the spatial transfer spell, and vanished from the scene.

The place I arrived at through spatial transfer was Lord Roadst's manor.

"Whoa! Lord Lloyd! Y-You're back again!?"

Galilea, who spotted me, was naked and exclaimed in surprise.

She must have just finished bathing; steam was rising from her body.

"Hey, Galilea. It's been a day."

"...Damn, you always show up so suddenly... Is that one of Lamia's companions? I'll go get dressed, so wait a moment, okay?"

Since this is the second time, she doesn't seem as surprised.

I wave my hand to acknowledge her as she hurries off to change, and I try to rouse Gitan.

"Get up, Gitan."

"Ugh... W-Where am I...? What was I... Ah!"

Gitan, who jumped up in a panic, knelt before me.

"I-I am truly sorry! I have committed a grave offense...!"

He prostrated himself and repeatedly bowed his head to the ground.

"To combine humans and monsters, such a deed that defies even the gods! And to use that power to modify myself, take children hostage, and even destroy the city... Ah, what a terrible thing I was about to do...! Lord Lloyd, thank you for stopping my rampage. I am truly, truly grateful...!"

Gitan, with tears streaming down his face, bowed his head and his shoulders trembled.

Yeah, it seems the purification has made him repent.

"Gitan, it seems you have repented."

"Yes, Lord Jiriel! How could I have been so disrespectful to you...!"

"Not to me, but to my master, Lord Lloyd, you should bow."

"Why are you acting so high and mighty...?"

Grimo interjects at Jiriel's words.

I wave my hand in response to Gitan, who is bowing.

"Ah, if you're repenting, that's enough. Actually, I can't talk to you like this, so please raise your head."

"Y-Yes!"

When I say this, Gitan slowly raises his head, looking hesitant.

Although Gitan's body is still that of a monster, his face looks as if a burden has been lifted.

"Lord Lloyd, I kept you waiting. I brought Lamia along too."

"Thank you..."

Galilea, now dressed, returns with Lamia by her side.

Seeing her, Gitan's face turns pale.

"You... You were there...! I'm sorry! I've done something irreparable! I don't know what to say...!"

"Huh? Huh? What's going on?"

Lamia, confused by Gitan's tearful apology, is at a loss.

"This is Gitan. He's the one who turned you into this form. He seems to be repenting now."

"I am truly sorry... I don't know how I can make amends to you..."

Lamia, after thinking for a moment, speaks gently to Gitan, who remains bowed.

"Um, Mr. Gitan, please raise your head."

"A-Ah..."

Gitan slowly raises his head, and she smiles at him gently.

"Indeed, it's very unfortunate to be in this body. I do resent you, of course. But that won't solve anything. ...So if you truly want to make amends, could you help me return to my original body? It might be difficult for me alone, but I believe with your help, I can return to my original form."

"But..."

Gitan's face darkens.

Of course, it's not an easy task.

Lamia's body is like a container with two different liquids mixed together.

Forcing them apart would undoubtedly cause a fatal collapse.

It's almost impossible to separate them cleanly.

However, there is a possibility.

Anything created by a spell can be undone.

Just as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the sea rises and falls, and life eventually ends—spells are simply the rules of the world.

No matter how intertwined they are, if unraveled one by one, they can eventually be restored.

Theoretically, of course. I speak to the hesitant Gitan.

"Hey, Gitan, no matter how much you try to make amends with words, it won't save Lamia. The only way is to show it through action. Use all your knowledge and the results of your research to restore Lamia's body. Only then can you truly atone for your sins."

"...Yes, you are right."

"Then do your best for Lamia. That is your way of making amends."

Gitan clenches his fist tightly, tears in his eyes.

He looks like a man with a mission.

"...Lamia, I will do everything in my power to restore you to your original form. It may take a long time, but I swear I will restore you! Can you bear with it until then?"

"Yes! I will do my best too! Let's return to our original bodies together!"

"Oh... To hear such kind words from you... Thank you. Thank you...!"

Gitan and Lamia, holding hands.

Well, this should advance the research on monsters.

I have no intention of combining a monster's body with my own, but something interesting might come out of the process of spell creation.

And Gitan can produce rare materials infinitely.

With materials, I can start making magical artifacts that I couldn't before.

Hehe, it looks like my magic research will progress.

"Lord Lloyd, you have a remarkable way with people. I can't say much about myself, but to add Lamia and Gitan, who are almost monsters, to your ranks without hesitation... You have a broad heart. It's no wonder people want to follow you. I will serve you with all my heart from now on!"

"Purification can sometimes lead to such deep regret that the person takes their own life. By giving Gitan a purpose through acts of atonement, you are giving him a reason to live. Not just forgiving him with words, but also thinking about his future... That's truly remarkable, Lord Lloyd."

"Combining living beings with a spell. If used properly, it could overcome death and grant eternal life. I've already taken precautions against such a situation. You're doing great, Lloyd. Hehe."

The three of them are muttering, but it's nothing new, so there's no need to worry too much.

In any case, the matter is settled.