Chapter 16: 16

(athanasiafrost)

“South?”

It was an unexpected destination. Despite the fact that I lacked common sense,  I was well aware that the South was a blessed land free of demons.

Therefore, if there were no evil spirits, Johannes Noavik would never appear and I would be of no value at all.

“Oh, the South—in actuality, it’s not just me; it’s us. This project was planned by three people in total. We’ll see him soon.”

“Three?”

“Me, you, and Zion.”

“Zion? What kind of person is he?”

“In Ace, you don’t know that many people. Even if I tried to explain it to you, you wouldn’t understand, so just come meet him in person. He is a very easy person to get to know.”

And at the small inn where Vincent and I arrived, I was able to meet another one of their co-conspirators, Zion.

***

Zion was indeed an attractive gentleman with short silver hair and sea-blue eyes. He had a 30-year-old appearance, and when he noticed me, he immediately folded his eyes into a half-moon shape.

“Two more beers here please.”

When Zion asked for a beer, the waitress laughed at how magnificent he was.

Upon seeing the scene overwhelmed with exorbitant laughter, I lowered my voice and inquired Vincent.

“… Is adding two beers so much fun?”

“Oh, no, not that.”

Vincent shrugged and corrected me.

“It’s just because Zion is handsome.”

“… Do you smile like that when you meet a good looking person?”

It felt as though I had entered a another world as I observed individuals conversing normally. I thought of the most attractive man I’ve ever met and muttered earnestly.

“But nobody laughed at Johannes Noavik…”

Vincent sighed as he then turned to face me. It seems like there was yet a long way to go..

“That… well. It’s hard to explain.”

I merely nodded. It was because I observed that, despite Vincent being incredibly objective and smart, he lacked kindness.

In fact, it was the first time I had ever ordered and eaten food while mingling with so many “normal people.” There was nothing out of the ordinary about it, from the menu board to the stacked dinnerware.

A glass of alcohol sat in front of each person as they laughed and conversed despite the fact that it was beyond midnight. I totally failed to realize that I had just exploded Ace.

Zion received a wink from the server, who then placed the beer mugs in front of Vincent and me.

Only then did Zion look at me and stretch out his hand.

“In any case, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Blue Ruby.”

“Uh… Do you know me?”

“There are those who are unaware that you are Ace’s most precious treasure. It’s because you don’t converse much. You were the best celebrity ever. Even though you don’t know me, it’s nice to meet you. Breathe easily. Vincent feels at ease conversing with me.”

He laughed heartily. Although it wasn’t difficult to relax at his words, I  wasn’t sure what to do with his hands. I cautiously questioned after carefully glancing at Zion’s extended hand.

“Hmm… Does this mean to attack first?”

For a brief period, Zion gave me an absurd-looking stare. Then he stared at my wary face and smiled mildly sad.

“I guess you’ve never seen an outstretched hand except during training.”

Vincent sat next to me and drank a drink while maintaining an expressionless face. Zion took my frozen hand and gave it a gentle shake while urging me to shake his hand.

“We call this a handshake. When we first meet someone, we briefly grasp hands as a sign of goodwill. Fundamentally, it is a deed of kindness.”

“Ahh.”

Then and only then did I feel at ease. He then replied while grinning broadly.

“Is this the procedure to verify that neither party is carrying a weapon?”

At those words, Zion murmured in admiration.

“You are strangely insightful.”

And Zion slowly began to explain the whole story.

I did, in fact, follow Vincent, but I didn’t get the full story. I never considered that I might need to ask such a thing. Vincent was the kind of person who would only respond when asked.

Back when they were planning this a few years ago, Vincent and Zion stated that if they couldn’t escape, their plan was to destroy “Ace.”

They both came from orphanages, and unlike Eloise, they weren’t completely separated and trained by Ace’s personnel. They were being treated as commodities to be bought and sold.

“Actually, you had the most important role.”

Zion said with his blue eyes sparkling.

“I was aware of your abilities, but it was genuinely amazing to be able to hit precisely and at such a great distance with just one bullet.”

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It was also the reason why I, who lacked a suitable point of contact, was crucial to the plan in addition to Vincent and Zion, who had been close for a long time.

Without my exceptional aim, the strategy would not have been feasible in the first place. It was a perfect execution because Vincent made my weapon exclusively.

Vincent handled the direct planning, while Zion, who was well-liked inside the organization, was instrumental in bringing all of the key executives together.

“Yes. The firecrackers that Vincent made as a trial were so pretty, we all kept encouraging him to plan it for Sir Lardin’s birthday. At first, he didn’t like it, but after we hand him some money, he eventually did.” [1]

Naturally, Zion was the one who organised the public opinion and persuaded Vincent to prepare at least the fireworks.

“And I’m an expert on forging documents. I spent my entire time in Ace’s basement forging numerous documents, letters, checks, and bills. I forwarded Lardin’s handwritten letter to all the executives I felt it was significant to. It only took a few minutes to arrive and take a look.”

“Ah, that letter.”

I said, recalling the memo I had peeked over my shoulder.

“I saw Barbara receive it.”

“It was my work.”

Zion narrowed his eyes.

“Everyone who was imprisoned and mistreated while being forcibly brought in has been freed. You can now live freely and build your own life. Of course, the majority of them have nowhere to go.”

“So that’s what I mean.”

Vincent, who was watching the scene, interjected with an expresionless expression.

“Why don’t you take Eloise to the South too? After all, she has no ID and nowhere to go.”

“Ah, I can fake your ID. And getting you to the South is not difficult.”

Zion stopped laughing and began to speak seriously.

“But there is not enough money to prepare both titles.”

I was going to respond that at least I could hunt one demon when Zion shrugged his shoulders and continued.

“The situation is not hopeless, though. Well, Eloise, you can enter as my sister. A single title is acceptable at that point. In reality, even that is a little difficult, so if you travel to the south, be prepared to endure some hardships.”

Zion’s remarks caused me to blink. Title? Brother? There weren’t even a single or two words that were challenging to interpret.

“One Person?”

“Yes. Before being taken by Ace, I already brought a title from the South. Even back then, I was skilled at forging checks. I was fortunate. Anyone would be a little sceptical if you moved to the south so soon after Ace’s defeat, right? You benefit quite a bit from being my sister in that regard.”

I assumed that you could purchase a title in the South. I then spat out the words I felt proud to have said.

“Even a sister?”

“Yes. Vincent swore he would never act it through. Then, there is only one choice unless you claim that Vincent and you are fraternal twins.”

I stared at Zion, who had absolutely no resemblance to me. The phrase “younger sister” itself was odd for me because I had never had a family.

He had been forging checks before “Ace” dragged him. It seems, the identity I acquired after being set free is that of a criminal’s “younger sister.”

However, that wasn’t the point. In any case, it was a start towards obtaining an identity. I shouldn’t be surprised by these things because the temple has already branded me as a first-class criminal.

Vincent was correct in his earlier remarks. After all, we were now criminals and required the committing of another crime in order to lead normal lives.

“You may just argue that you are a little younger than me because you are 24 years old. On a fake ID, I brought you a title in the South 17 years ago, making it appear as though you have lived there since you were seven.”

Zion kept nodding his head as if it were alright as he continued to speak.

“Then you really are completely different person than the ‘Blue Ruby’ on record.”

I qiuetly looked down at my reflection in the glass of water.

My hair was a bit long because it was time to cut it, but Barbara always cut it short because she believed it wasted water when washing. My  little body was covered in rather worn-out clothing, and had curly blonde hair that fell to my shoulders, and face still had a youthful appearance. I used to roam around in the dark at midnight while always wearing this outfit, carrying a long gun and accompanied by members.

Suddenly, I finally started to realize that I was free.

The South was the best option, as they had suggested. We shall remain unknown. Nobody will stand in front of demons, and there won’t be anyone to pursue me.

I could earn money doing what normal people do, then I could use that money to buy things I needed.

They promised to offer me an ID so I could perhaps visit a legitimate hospital and receive a diagnosis for my heart problems.

Even though I couldn’t yet fully rely on them, I was beginning to think that I might be able to get along with the men standing in front of me as if we were family.

At least I don’t believe they are trying to take advantage of me. In the South, there won’t be any demons to pursue. In addition, the cost of my title may require me to pay it by they ordering that I kill a demon and hand over the jewels but there is no such word.

I gently raised the beer glass in front of me. I had never drank alcohol before. I was aware that alcohol heightened emotions because occasionally, when Barbara was inebriated, she would beat me much harder.

Still, I felt like I could be a little more emotional today.

There will be many first-time experiences to be had now. Things like handshakes, for instance. It was incredible. To be able to express a crush even while meeting someone for the first time.

It was the first time that hope began to creep into my eyes.

“By the way… Eloise.”

Zion hesitated and called my name.

“Do you… Perhaps… Do you realize that you won’t live a long time?”

[1] Reference to Chapter 14

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