27 - side story

Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! side story 27

Apostate’s Lullaby

AN: Caution – although they aren’t direct, there are grotesque descriptions.

Those who aren’t good with those, those who find them unpleasant… etc., please avoid reading it. Not reading it won’t particularly hinder reading the original story.

I feel good for the first time in a while.

I walked at quick pace to quickly return to my country. It’s difficult having large luggage, but it’s a souvenir for Mom.

I can’t lose it.

While walking, I recalled the conversation with ‘Red Shinigami’ whom I unexpectedly met and my mouth slackened.

I’d never think there’s a person who can talk with me normally.

I wonder if it’s because he’s the same as myself.

The time with him was pleasant, while talking with him my body shivered from joy.

Feeling like humming or even singing, I left the main street and stepped onto a mountain path.

It’s about time for the regular contact.

Since I can’t be seen by anybody, I went onto animal trail and then disappeared among trees.

I lowered a jute bag I’ve been carrying all this time under a large tree.

Flop.

When I lowered it, things inside made a dull sound bumping into each other.

Just to be sure I checked the surroundings, then pulled out a paper with magic formation drawn on it from my breast pocket.

I spread it on the roots of the tree and put magical power into the drawn magic formation. The formation shone palely and soon I could hear a voice.

“… You’re late”

It’s low voice of a woman. She’s my Master.

I indifferently replied to as usual ill-humored voice that I finished the important matter.

I didn’t mean to speak for long.

“I settled it. As planned, 5 subjects. I’ll be now returning”

After I simply summarized my business, the voice coming from the magic formation was accompanied by an unpleasant sound.

“Return? I haven’t ordered you to return to the country yet”

“You sent members of ‘Black’ to me in secret. Did you think I wouldn’t get mad with that? I feel sick, so I’ll go home”

As I informed her of real intention, my guild Master only replied I see .

“Hmm. I thought you wouldn’t make contact, but perhaps you’ve got rid of them?”

“There’s no way, Master knows it best. I don’t kill aside from my targets. Another person did it. I just cleaned up”

“ Hou “

Silence fell. The magic continues shining despite flickering.

I wonder if this scene won’t end soon , I thought.

“… Even if you didn’t need them, despite appearances I gathered the skilled from among us. Do you know who did it”

At this voice containing laughter, Cain’s appearance flickered before my eyes.

For the first time in a while I met somebody with the talent equal to mine.

“Red Shinigami”

“… What?”

“I’m saying ‘Red Shinigami’. I guess they were in his way. It was a splendid, indescribable work. Everyone died instantly… Wouldn’t it be better to train our members from scratch?”

“How foolish. The story goes Shinigami died from the Curse of Sahaja… He shouldn’t be there”

As if she was made fun of, she answered in an irritated voice.

At any rate, I thought I’d be seen as telling a lie. I don’t really mind.

“If you say that. Then I wonder who that was. We didn’t fight, but him having talent equaling mine doesn’t let me think it wasn’t him. And those red eyes. I think that’s enough proof it’s him”

“Red-eyed Shinigami… huh”

When I told her of the eyes that were his most characteristic trait, as expected Master stopped doubting. There are many assassins, among them he’s the only one with red eyes. Everybody knows that.

“I think it’s unmistakably him. I was also curious about the curse, so I asked, but he evaded it. He’s interesting. It’s been a long time since I wanted to genuinely kill”

“Stop. It won’t be allowed”

I tried saying jokingly, but I was easily brought down.

Good grief , I shrugged my shoulders.

“I know. He’s the King’s favorite. I don’t intend to raise a hand on him just to be executed”

It’s a famous story our King is fixated on him.

“Hm… Seems he’d make a nice souvenir. Could you bring him along?”

I felt astonished by Master who brought up an unreasonable demand.

Capture him whose talent is equal to mine? That’s an awfully unreasonable thing to say.

“Impossible. He said he doesn’t feel like returning”

“It’s an order… What if I say that?”

“Unfair… But, no. I have to go see Mom soon. I have a souvenir”

I looked at the jute bag I put on top of brushwood.

A souvenir for Mom. This time it’s a lot. I hope she likes it.

“Selfish…”

I was offended by Master’s voice.

“Look, I said I was angry. I’m always saying it. I want work alone as I find others a burden”

“But, this time’s opponent”

“Be quiet. What opponent. I obey Master’s strategy, but I won’t yield on that alone”

If she doesn’t listen, I won’t work.

When I implied that, the opposite side of the magic formation sank into silence.

“… I understand. But the next strategy is impossible alone. I’ll listen to your requests, so do it”

“… I don’t care if it’s my objective”

“Let’s promise”

I nodded to the answer returned in a flashed.

“I see, that’s okay. Then, I’ll be going home”

“Wait, I permit going home, but settle one matter before”

I knit eyebrows at Master who still had work for me.

I think I’ve worked plenty today.

“Eeh? I have enough souvenirs for Mom”

“Because of Shinigami, you’re the only one who can move there now. It’s urgent… There’s one witness. Erase him before Wilhelm suspects something”

With those words, a single footman boy shivering at the scene came to my mind.

Of course, I remember him. Because, I beheaded the targets in front of him on purpose.

Basked in blood that lavishly sprayed around, he was trembling with his eyes wide open.

I remember the despair in his eyes that he may be next… I thought it was truly good.

“Him, huh. Yup, got it. I’ll settle it before the day’s over… That’s why don’t complain about my actions after”

As I communicated my consent together with a threat, in response I heard a tongue click.

“Tch. Got it, you say, so after all you left him alone on purpose”

“Because, he wasn’t my target”

For me it’s natural.

That’s why I turned on my heel and let him go.

When he understood he wouldn’t be killed, he was so relieved he lost consciousness.

“You… just ignored him”

“Naturally. But it’s okay. I understand it properly now”

“… You never change. When it calms down, show your face in the hideout. How nice”

“Roger”

Together with those words the magic formation written on the paper lost its light. I lit it on fire to burn it to a cinder.

One job and I’m going home.

“It’s troublesome”

I held the reverse rosary I always wear to the light.

With the light scattering I squinted my eyes.

“Mom, sorry. I have one more job. I’ll finish it right await, so wait”

I carried the jute bag on my shoulder. The contents rolled around and made bumping noises.

I changed the course from a while ago, and leisurely began walking.

Roll roll.

Every time the jute bag shakes it makes a dull sound.

I hope they won’t be too crushed.

The bag has many layers, so blood won’t leak through, but I’d hate if they become messy before showing them to Mom.

Ah, but, that footman boy had beautiful sky-blue eyes.

I absentmindedly recalled his expression before he was swallowed by despair.

If I return carrying them, I wonder if Mom will be pleased.

The more I think about it, the better the idea seems.

Mysteriously, when I thought of that, the troublesome additional job suddenly seemed enjoyable.

Roll roll roll.

The jute bag shakes up and down. Inside, souvenirs for Mom also shake.

In addition I whistled in a good mood.

Feeling good I descended the mountain rod. I wonder if he’s still there.

―――― My return seems to be becoming a little delayed.

“Heave ho”

Once again I readjusted the jute bag, it sounded like something inside was crushed with a splat――――.