Chapter 33

I will resume the update.

"Ah... me..."

"Hey, you finally woke up, huh?"

"!?"

In the morning air, the white cat that had been carried on my back woke up. With sleepy eyes, she looked around and, realizing she was being carried by me, her cute eyes widened to their limit, and she stiffened after a startled reaction.

"Why... are you? What happened to the battle..."

"You lost. After you passed out, I got some of the details. Turns out you have a sister, huh?"

"...You don't intend to lay a hand on my sister!?"

"Of course not, calm down."

As the white cat was about to struggle, Levi, who was walking beside me, held her down. I also tightened my grip on her legs, securing her more firmly.

The white cat, pressed down by the strong force, seemed to realize she couldn't fight back and gradually relaxed her body.

"What do you intend to do with us...?"

"I don't intend to do anything. Or do you want me to do something?"

"That's not it! But I tried to kill you..."

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

When I dismissed the fact that she tried to kill me as "that's what I thought," the white cat's eyes widened in shock, and then her expression visibly fell.

"So... my attack wasn't even worth fearing...?"

"Huh? Yeah, pretty much."

"..."

Hey... you don't need to be so down... I know I said it bluntly, but still...

The white cat, emitting a darker aura, couldn't be consoled by the person who caused it, so Levi, with a look of exasperation, stepped in to support her.

"...This guy is exceptional in many ways, so don't worry about it."

"I know... I know that..."

Hearing her words, I sighed and muttered, "I see."

"White Cat, we don't intend to fight you unless you do something to us. If you want to fight, I'll go along with you until you're satisfied... but it's a hassle, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't."

"Understood..."

"Also... we were targeted. I'm fine, but Levi might have been hurt. Considering the danger, I can't just let you go."

I thought she might be a bit intimidated by my slightly threatening tone, but the white cat looked at me with a strong-willed gaze, as if to say she wouldn't lose in spirit even if she couldn't win in strength.

"I said I won't do anything to you physically. I won't use violence, but I want you to answer my questions honestly. I don't want anything more, got it?"

The white cat nodded and gestured for me to continue.

"Alright... straight to the point. I want to know about the boss who's threatening you. What's his name?"

"...He is called Thomas by his comrades. I wasn't very close to them, so I'm not sure, but..."

Hearing the name from her, I couldn't help but drop my shoulders. My obvious drop in mood caught the attention of both of them.

"What's wrong?"

"No... my worst-case scenario just came true, that's all."

Tia, Elka... you were right. Grain is alive, and he's formed a strange organization to target me. What should I do? Do you think I can handle this?

The faces of my three companions, who are probably doing well in the kingdom of Distenia, came to mind. I wish they were here with me right now...

"Almost in despair... but just to be sure, what does he look like?"

"He wears the same black robe as us... I can't see his face. But he's small and very slender, almost like a girl. Oh, and his voice is high..."

Ah... it's confirmed. The slight hope that it might be a different person was easily shattered. No... I can't believe he's really alive... I remember stopping his heart with my own hands, and I still can't grasp the reality of it.

Those who wield the Holy Sword gain immortality as their power increases. Even if they suffer fatal injuries, they instantly regenerate before their life force is extinguished, and they become immune to the concepts of aging and disease. It's like how heroes in games come back to life after dying.

However, there is a way to kill such beings. That is, for Holy Sword wielders to fight each other...

The Holy Sword can be destroyed by another Holy Sword, and when it is destroyed, the wielder loses immortality. In other words, it's like the hero's qualification is revoked, and they can't restart the game after a game over. The exact principle is unclear, but the Holy Sword apparently has considerable power in this world. It can even make people immune to death.

But there is a clear contradiction in this story, including the story of Tōma.

Tōma and I fought each other with our Holy Swords. Since I killed him, it means his Holy Sword was indeed shattered by mine. I remember the feeling of the Great Devourer piercing his heart... the feeling of taking his life...

"---Setsu, are you okay?"

Levi's worried voice brought me back from my thoughts. I briefly regretted causing her worry and pushed all the thoughts that were pointless to consider at the moment to the back of my mind. How he came back to life can wait; I'll deal with what's in front of me first.

"Yeah... I'm fine."

"Right... oh, isn't that Shironeko's house?"

Levi, back to her usual self, pointed to a house standing alone. It was a bit isolated, surrounded by trees, and a bit outside the town.

"That's it. My sister is also there..."

"Finally made it, huh."

By the time the sky had turned a solid blue after the morning glow, the three of us had arrived at Shironeko's house.

◇ ◇ ◇

We approached the front door of Shironeko's house and knocked on the wooden door. There was no response.

"My sister is probably still sleeping. She should wake up soon."

"Got it. Can we come in?"

"Yes."

Shironeko, who had gotten off my back, unlocked the door and opened it, and the three of us entered. The house, though not new, was neatly organized and not as cramped as it might seem.

As I looked around the house, something moved quickly near the bed in the back—

"Mine—"

"Stay away from my sister, human!!"

Interrupting what Shironeko was about to say, something—no, a cat girl with black hair flowing behind her—jumped at me with sharp claws raised.

"Whoa..."

Caught off guard, I paused for a moment, but my body reacted instantly, grabbing her arm and sweeping her legs to pin her to the ground. I applied a bit of weight to keep her from moving.

"Ugh..."

"Calm down, Mineko. They're not bad people."

As Shironeko spoke to the pinned girl, the strong resistance gradually weakened.

"...If you say so, Onee-chan..."

"Is this your sister?"

"Yes, my sister, Mineko."

No, Shironeko looks more like the younger sister... Should I point that out? I glanced at Levi, who silently shook her head. I see, it's not a good idea from a female perspective.

"Sorry for pinning you down like this... there you go."

After confirming that the resistance had completely stopped, I got off Mineko. She stood up, brushing the dust off her clothes.

"I'm Setsu, and this is Levi."

"I'm Mineko. I'm Shironeko's sister—cough! Cough!"

"!?"

In the middle of our introductions, Mineko suddenly clutched her chest and collapsed to her knees.

That's right, she has a disease that's weakening her body—

"Mineko!! You moved too much! Get back to bed immediately!"

"Sorry... Onee-chan... cough... cough..."

Shironeko helped Mineko to the bed in the back. After giving her some water, Mineko's pained expression gradually eased.

"...This is worse than I thought..."

"Yeah... she's in this state with just that level of activity..."

Looking at Mineko lying down, we said.

She still looked a bit pained, and Shironeko was desperately taking care of her. Seeing this, even I, who usually avoid trouble, felt—

"I can't just stand by anymore..."

Next time, the dog attack.