Chapter 45

Flam was told she could do as she pleased, but she was at a loss.

Of course, there were doors she couldn't enter within the research facility, but apart from that, her actions were truly unrestricted.

Suddenly being told this, what was she supposed to do freely in this enemy territory?

For now, she decided to ask Dafiz about Eterna's whereabouts and send Ink there.

The exterior looked like a church, but stepping just a bit further into the chapel, the walls were made of an unfamiliar metallic material, forming the research facility.

The scenery, devoid of any warmth of wood, was very similar to the underground cave laboratory near Enichide.

Flam, walking towards the exit, always felt an indescribable sense of unease, perhaps because the memory of being attacked by the monstrous Orga was still vivid.

Or—perhaps for a different reason.

She greeted a passing female researcher, who was surprisingly friendly, unlike someone from an opposing organization.

The child standing next to her, about ten years old, might be her son.

He stared at Flam silently but bowed his head when prompted by his mother.

After parting ways with them and turning the corner to the right, another female researcher stood there.

She silently stared at Flam.

... Flam ignored her.

The three passed through a door and further into the unoccupied chapel, then went outside.

There, a row of brand new wooden houses and a neatly paved main street spread out.

Within Flam's visible range were residences, shops, and a square where children played, but there were likely other facilities beyond her line of sight.

Perhaps due to the high proportion of young residents, the village, with a population of about five hundred, felt vibrant.

Ironically, a village where half the population was dead was far more lively than one inhabited only by the living.

Currently, many of the resurrected individuals had lost their lives to monster attacks or criminal acts while being "Origin believers."

Most of the researchers were related to them.

In short, as a trade-off for resurrection—though they were apparently paid money—they worked here.

According to Dafiz, thanks to this, the researchers' motivation was very high.

Indeed, those who had the chance to meet someone they thought they would never see again and to see the continuation of a story they thought had ended must have felt fulfilled.

They must have been motivated.

However—

"…I don't really like it here."

Flam still felt uncomfortable.

"The air is clear, and the security doesn't seem bad, right?"

"That's not it."

"I can somewhat understand how Master feels."

"I don't get it. Is there something different from other villages?"

"The gaze, I think."

At Milkit's words, Flam nodded.

Yes, the gaze.

People seemed to be staring at her intently.

In the capital, people often stared at her because of the slave mark.

So, she thought she was used to hostile gazes.

But—the unpleasant feeling that clung to her skin was different from that.

"Everyone seems to be looking at Master, but it feels like there's no emotion behind it... It's an unpleasant feeling."

"Is it that many people here like Master's face or something?"

"If that were the case, I think their intentions would be visible in their eyes—"

It wasn't that.

As Milkit said, the gaze was extremely mechanical.

Some people were having a conversation with their partner while looking at her.

Of course, the man walking next to her asked, "What are you looking at?"

The woman then smiled and said, "Oh, sorry," and finally glanced at Flam before turning to face him.

"Everyone here is an Origin believer, and they're deeply involved, knowing about the Core. Maybe they know about me too."

As someone capable of destroying the Core, a dangerous person.

That's why she was drawing attention.

For now, she decided to think that way.

◇◇◇

Eterna was said to be in a wooden house about three minutes' walk from the research facility.

A magic-sensing doorbell was attached next to the entrance.

Although Sheol looked like an undeveloped rural village at first glance, upon closer inspection, advanced technology was used in various places.

It was all just a disguise, not a complete reproduction of a village.

As long as it wasn't recognized as a church facility from the outside, that was enough.

Flam placed her hand on the orb and channeled a small amount of magic.

A chime rang inside the house, and footsteps approached.

The door opened, and Eterna appeared with a gentler expression than usual.

"Flam... and Milkit, and Ink too."

Seeing Flam and the others, a shadow crossed Eterna's face.

"Hey, I came to see you."

When Ink said this cheerfully, Eterna's eyelids twitched.

"I arrived here about an hour ago. I've already seen Gadio, and I've talked to Dafiz."

"Right. Do you want to come in?"

After a moment's thought, Flam declined.

A man behind Eterna was watching them, and he was staring at Flam.

If her presence was disrupting their family time, she didn't want to be a bother.

At least, not yet.

"Ink said she wanted to see Eterna, so I brought her."

"I don't remember saying that..."

"It was written on your face. Anyway, I think it's better for Ink to be with Eterna, rather than with us amateurs."

"I don't agree with that!"

Despite Ink's protest.

She pushed Eterna towards her, somewhat forcefully.

Eterna, who was a bit smaller, fit perfectly into her arms.

"Okay, we have some business to attend to elsewhere."

"...Okay."

Milkit also bowed to Eterna.

Then, Flam quickly left the place.

"Do you have any business?"

"No."

"Then why..."

"Because I felt it might complicate things if I was there. I decided to leave Eterna to Ink."

Even after leaving the house, the gazes from around didn't disappear.

No, she knew she was overthinking it.

Once she became aware of it, it felt like everyone was staring at her.

And when she happened to meet someone's gaze, it only made her more uncomfortable.

Flam's walking pace naturally quickened.

A ball rolled up and hit her foot.

It seemed some children were playing.

A woman who looked like their mother bowed her head apologetically.

Flam picked up the ball, crouched down, and handed it to a boy of about five who approached, saying, "Here you go," in a gentle voice.

"Thank you, big sister!"

The child looked directly at Flam while saying thank you.

Her cheeks relaxed, and her hand naturally reached out to pat his head.

As she stroked his soft hair, the boy's mouth opened slightly,

"...Ah."

His expression disappeared.

Then he stared intently at Flam.

In his brown irises, her strained face was reflected.

Ordinarily, even if someone tried to maintain a posture, some part of their body would tremble, but this child was different.

Literally, he didn't move a muscle.

A sense of disgust, as if she had been thrown into a quagmire of the extraordinary, made goosebumps rise on Flam's arms.

She hastily removed her hand—then he regained the same smile as before.

He returned to the woman as if nothing had happened, jumping into her arms.

She was probably alive, playing with her child while nodding to Flam.

Flam lightly bowed her head and quickly led Milkit away from the scene.

The mother and child waved until they were out of sight, but the moment Flam turned around, the boy's eyes were the same as when she had stroked his head, devoid of any human warmth, staring at her.

◇◇◇

Eterna, after introducing Ink to her parents, took her outside.

She sat on a bench in a nearby park and, unusually, placed Ink on her lap.

"What is this?"

Even though Ink was smaller, Eterna was quite petite.

She was a bit annoyed at being treated like a child, but she was also secretly pleased to be relied on.

Eterna leaving without telling her was a significant shock to Ink.

Even though it was only a little over a week, they had spent almost all their time together.

Naturally, she had developed feelings.

But perhaps she was the only one who felt that way—such worries turned out to be unfounded.

"Ink, I want to hear your voice."

Eterna whispered this in Ink's ear.

The tickling sensation made Ink's face turn red.

"W-wait, do you really need to talk in my ear?"

"Just let me hear it."

She wouldn't listen.

Ink, who had given up, didn't know what to say when asked to "let her hear your voice."

She didn't understand why Eterna had said such a thing.

The only thing she could clearly sense was that Eterna's voice was trembling.

Was it from unease, fear, or hesitation? Even with her keen hearing, Ink couldn't determine that, but she started with a trivial conversation as requested.

"Well... actually, I like this kind of physical contact."

"I know. You looked happy when I stroked your head while you were sleeping."

"...R-really?"

"Yes."

Hearing a fact she didn't even know, Ink was taken aback.

Embarrassment made her fall silent.

"...G-gr."

Her face was hot.

Even her ears were red... she could feel it.

Moreover, her mind was so flustered that she couldn't think of what to say.

"Hey, Ink, let me hear your voice—"

"No, it was you who made me stop talking!"

"...Is that so?"

"Yes! How can I talk when you suddenly say something like that in my ear?"

Eterna, who was completely unaware, was taken aback by Ink's outburst.

A fifty-year-old girl playing with a ten-year-old girl.

It was a terrible scene.

"...Sorry, Ink."

"It's rare for you to apologize sincerely. If you reflect, don't say weird things anymore."

"No, I'm not apologizing for that."

"Not for that!?"

"Yes, for leaving without telling you, making you feel lonely. I really... I acted selfishly. So, I'm sorry."

That was something she should have apologized for.

But the timing was terrible.

Ink sighed and said with a displeased look,

"It's okay, it's about your parents. I would have done the same if I were in your position."

"..."

Eterna wrapped her arms around Ink's body, hugged her, and buried her face in her neck.

"W-what are you doing!?"

Ink's voice cracked from the tickling sensation at the back of her head.

"That's right... a voice is something like this. When there's no one around, you lose it and feel like you're drowning."

"Eterna...?"

Eterna's sudden serious tone made Ink confused.

"Thank you so much, Ink. For coming here for me, someone who acted so selfishly."

"You should thank Flam, I just followed."

"Of course, I intend to. But right now, I want to say it to Ink. You let me hear a proper voice, Ink."

"...Huh? I don't really understand, but did I help? ...Actually, it's ticklish, so stop it!"

Eterna's breath on her neck made Ink squirm.

But no matter how much she protested, Eterna's pace wouldn't change.

"No, I won't."

"Even as an adult, you should listen to a child's words!"

"Ink smells sweet."

"Ah, Eterna, you're acting creepy!"

Ink tried to escape from Eterna's arms, but Eterna's strength was stronger than she thought.

She was firmly held, and there was no escaping.

Seeing Ink's somewhat playful struggle, Eterna smiled like a mischievous child.

And she reaffirmed what she really needed.

◇◇◇

Flam thought about visiting Gadio but gave up when she saw