Ch 179
Lisir suddenly remembered what Klana had said just before entering the Barrier.
-I’ll tell you in advance. It would be good to have some Determination before entering the Barrier. You never know? A crazy Murderer might suddenly act on their Whims.
Lisir did not dismiss those words as a simple Joke.
Klana.
That Human just passes by this Situation?
It was like a cat passing by a fish.
Lisir remembers the moment he first encountered the Murderer in the Inner World.
Suddenly, the Perspective flips.
When he came to his senses, he was already overwhelmed by her.
A swift Surprise Attack from a blind spot.
It was like a feline predator with hunting ingrained in its body.
That Gaze was arrogant, like a Tiger looking down on its Prey.
In fact, if the Domination of the Inner World hadn’t been in effect, Herself would have become helpless Prey.
He could be sure.
Klana, who regained her body and escaped from the Domination of the Inner World.
That she would attack once more.
Of course.
It wouldn’t be the same hunt as before.
A game.
Or perhaps a Trial.
For example, the words Klana left behind were a kind of signal.
To that end, Lisir was focusing all his Senses.
The Murderer who regained her body.
No matter what game she plays-
So that he can skillfully deal with any Surprise Attack.
…But he didn’t expect this kind of Surprise Attack.
“Kyaa!”
‘Real crazy Whims…!’
It was the Murderer who was holding a Critique with her own cold body.
From such a Murderer’s mouth, should such a shy Voice be coming out?
Even that appearance.
Klana, in a Nude state, seemed unable to bear even a slight exposure of Shame, and hid her snow-white skin with her arms while crouching as much as possible.
Standing there was not a tyrannical Murderer.
It was a defenseless Woman dominated by Shame, not knowing what to do.
The Surprise Attack（?） was successful.
Lisir felt his thoughts completely stop at the sight of the unfamiliar Klana.
If Klana were to rush at him in his current state, he wouldn’t be able to react at all.
“D, don’t come any closer! I, I warned you…!”
But.
Klana chose ‘threatening with a trembling Voice close to pleading’ instead of ‘unrestrained charge’.
Lisir raised both hands to calm her down.
And, he slowly backed away from her.
Dray, Pallag, and Halona also followed Lisir’s actions.
“…”
Klana’s Confusion clearly subsided at their actions.
She was still embarrassed, but the Fear she felt immediately had greatly diminished.
She slowly retreated with a relieved Expression.
The Atmosphere of the noisy place entered a lull.
Lisir, having waited only for that, immediately spoke to Halona.
“What is going on!?”
Pallag and Dray, who had bitterly realized the Murderer’s power through the previous Combat, also had faces as if possessed by an Evil Spirit.
With one Heart and one mind, they asked Halona about the whole story.
“Why…? Why is the Murderer’s condition like that?”
However, what came back from Halona was a Monologue mixed with Doubt.
The result of the Ritual was far from her Expectation.
Lisir’s distrustful Gaze turned to Halona.
What is it.
This person.
After talking so confidently.
Maybe she’s different from her Impression and is actually incompetent?
“…Ahem.”
Halona, feeling that Gaze, belatedly woke up from her reverie and said.
“It seems that an unknown Variable has acted.”
“An unknown Variable?”
“Yes. The Murderer’s Self was influenced by something, deviating from its original Nature.”
For example?
Pallag’s question.
Halona pondered the question.
“For example… First of all, it can be said that the class of that Self has become stronger than before. Enough to affect everything that acts on Herself, including the Ritual.”
The possibility that there was a change in the Murderer’s Self.
Halona didn’t consider that part at all while preparing for the Ritual.
Because there was no need to in the first place.
A Human’s Self who lost their body experiences an increase in class?
It was an extremely rare phenomenon even among those who were called Heroes or Saints after death and received Elevation from a Group.
It was not something that would happen to a Murderer who had been completely forgotten in history and whose name is now known by only a few.
“Why on earth…”
Halona muttering, unable to understand.
Lisir carefully said to her.
“Ah. Could it be because of me?”
“…What?”
“Such things occasionally happen to my Friends who travel with me.”
“…So, you’re saying that the Murderer’s Self increased in class because they traveled with you.”
Do you think that makes sense?
That’s a phenomenon that rarely occurs even among Heroes who have been praised for many Years.
That such a phenomenon happened just because they traveled with you?
Halona was about to press Lisir like that.
“Ah! That’s what it was!”
“I wondered. That explains it.”
However, at Dray and Pallag’s reaction, her mouth froze in an awkward state.
‘What does that explain?’
Halona decided to leave that Doubt unresolved.
Because if she tried to dig deeper, she felt like she would end up like those two.
“…Anyway. For that Reason, there was a problem with the Ritual, and the Murderer ended up in that state.”
Lisir glanced at Klana, who was far away, and nodded.
“So. Klana lost her Memory.”
“No.”
“Yes?”
“The part that deviated from the plan is not that the Murderer lost her Memory. It’s the part where she shows resistance to you, such as screaming or threatening you not to come closer.”
“…Could you tell me more details?”
Halona looked around inside the Barrier, which was in the form of a Shared Space.
“The Murderer’s body. And the Barrier that assists its continued existence. What do you think is the significance of those?”
“…Revival ━ that’s probably not the answer.”
“Yes. The purpose of the person who created this was not to revive the Murderer. It was to become the Murderer Herself. Now. Then. What kind of power is needed for that?”
“Domination…”
Pallag muttered quietly.
“That’s right. The Master of the Barrier was not satisfied with just making the Murderer’s body move again. They wanted to revive and take possession of the power and Memory Mark on the body. What is needed at this time is the power of Domination. If you can’t Dominate, you might be devoured by the Murderer’s power and Memory.”
“So… because of the power of Domination remaining in that Barrier and body, Klana has no choice but to be revived like that. In a state where she has lost her Memory and is obedient to me━”
Lisir was confused.
Because the direction of the Revival was quite different from what he had thought.
‘She lost her Memory. She’s unconditionally obedient. Then what’s the difference between her and a Golem?’
As his thoughts progressed, Lisir’s Expression became more and more complicated.
Then.
Lisir looked at Klana once more.
“Ah, what is it since earlier…! Looking at me like that! If you have something to say, say it! Don’t just stare at me like that!”
Klana’s Gaze.
Lisir felt particularly happy about the Caution in that Gaze.
“Even if she lost her Memory, she doesn’t seem like she wants to obey me without any Self.”
“What do you think?”
“Yes?”
“Failure. Or. Success. I’m asking which side the Murderer’s current state is closer to for you.”
Lisir recalled what Halona had said just before the Ritual.
“Asking me what I wanted to do with Klana’s body was for this Reason.”
“That’s right.”
“Surely, Klana’s Memory won’t disappear like this, right?”
“Of course. Would I have skipped that important explanation beforehand if that were the case.”
Tap.
Tap.
Halona lightly tapped her front paw and pointed to the Barrier where they were.
“Strictly speaking, the Ritual is not yet complete. It’s like being right before drawing the pupils in a portrait. If you wish, you can undo the Ritual at any time. Then the Murderer’s Self will be freed from that body and return to its original state.”
“Since a complete Revival is impossible no matter what, I have to make a choice.”
Lisir found himself feeling Unfair Play, but on the other hand, he was understanding.
Reviving a long-dead member of The Dead in a perfect state.
Even so, the thought that it was too good of a story had been deeply rooted inside him.
“…Well.”
“Yes?”
Halona said in a cautious tone.
“As I said many times, there was a problem with the Ritual. Both the process and the result have escaped my hands. I don’t know what state the current Murderer is in.”
“Then━”
“There is a bit of time left until the Ritual is concluded. Will you watch the Murderer’s condition during that time?”
“…I understand.”
After that.
Everyone except Lisir and Klana left the Barrier.
So that the two could talk easily.
“…”
I wonder if that Intention was properly conveyed.
Klana’s Atmosphere became clearly more comfortable.
She, who had been crouching like a turtle hiding in its shell, hesitantly tried to get up from her seat.
“Ah…”
However, in the process, she realizes her state that she had briefly forgotten.
Ah.
That’s right.
I’m now-
She strengthened her crouching posture, as if trying to compress Herself.
“D, don’t come near me!”
In that state, Klana screamed in Horror when Lisir showed signs of moving.
Lisir continued his actions without paying attention.
“Here! Take this!”
He took off the Jacket he was wearing, folded it, and threw it to Klana.
“I’m sorry! If I had known that Klana had this side to her, I would have prepared some clothes.”
“…”
After that, Lisir turned his back on Klana.
So that she could pick up the clothes and cover her body.
“Hey, you.”
Klana’s Voice is heard a moment later.
“Can I look at you? Or should we talk in this state?”
“…It’s okay. You can look this way.”
Whew.
Lisir breathed a sigh of relief.
Because of the difference in physique, the important parts were somehow covered with just one coat.
“This is a big deal. Don’t you think?”
What kind of person would Klana have become if she hadn’t walked the path of a Murderer?
Lisir treated Klana while thinking about that.
Klana looked at such Lisir with a strange Gaze.
“Are you talking as if it’s someone else’s business?”
“Yes?”
“Aren’t you the ones who brought me here?”
“That’s, what should I say.”
“If not, explain it to me. What happened.”
“…Before explaining, Miss Klana. Do you remember anything?”
“…”
At those words, Klana fell into thought.
“Ugh…!”
Soon, she grabbed her head and complained of a headache.
“I don’t know…”
“You don’t know?”
“I can’t remember…”
“Nothing at all?”
“…That’s not it. It’s just━ what should I say… It’s like my Memory is messed up like a torn book.”
“…!”
Lisir’s Eyes widened.
“A torn book…”
According to that Expression, there was at least a book left in her head.
So, Memory.
‘Memory, the Self hasn’t completely disappeared!’
Lisir unfolded the Expectation he had put aside.
A complete Revival.
Maybe that’s possible.
“…Lisir.”
“…!”
His name is heard at that moment.
It was said from Klana’s mouth.
She was pronouncing those three letters as if tasting a new Food.
“Lisir…”
How many times did she repeat the end of the word like that?
“…!”
A deep Confusion appeared on her face.
That skin contains a subtle Warmth.
Lisir.
A few fragments of Memory related to his name came to mind.
Klana, who seemed to have regained her Composure, turned her head again and started to fidget.
“Klana? Are you okay?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Yes?”
“For treating you like a Shameless person earlier.”
“Shameless? Ah! It’s okay! It was a Situation where it was natural to be confused. Don’t you think?”
Lisir smiled brightly.
It was an appearance that any Woman of her age would have.
“…Thank you for saying that.”
“Did you remember something?”
“Yes?”
“It feels like the wall that separated us has become thinner than before. Is it just my feeling?”
“…”
Klana smiled faintly and shook her head.
“No. It’s just a feeling.”
She stared straight at Lisir.
“I remembered what kind of person you are━ no. I remembered what kind of Relationship we have. Vaguely.”
“Oh!”
Lisir cheered inwardly.
Signs that Klana’s Memory was being ‘recovered’ began to appear.
‘In this state, there is a possibility that she will regain her original Memory before the Ritual is completed-‘
Like that.
It was then that Lisir was drawing a hopeful Future.
‘Huh?’
He suddenly felt a sense of incongruity in Klana’s Attitude.
She had clearly said.
That she remembered what kind of Relationship she had with him.
The Relationship between a Swordsmanship Master and a Disciple.
But-
Her Attitude was too cautious to be treating a Disciple.
‘Is it because she’s not sure yet? Well, I guess so. In this Situation, even if she remembers that she is a Swordsmanship Master, she can’t immediately treat me like a subordinate.’
Lisir understood in his own way and decided not to dig any further into this part.
“I remembered that you’re not someone who would harm me. Rather, I remembered that you’re someone who cares about me.”
“Do you trust me?”
“…Yes. If I don’t trust you in this Situation, who would I trust.”
“Uh…?”
Thank you.
Lisir, who was about to say that, unknowingly made a dazed sound.
Klana approached him first.
Furthermore, she didn’t stop there and grabbed Lisir’s hands with both of her hands.
“I. I’ll try to regain my Memory no matter what. Even for you.”
“…Yes! It will definitely happen!”
Lisir was flustered, but he properly gripped her hand and returned the strength to her.
After that.
Lisir came out of the Barrier with Klana.
Then, he immediately tried to prepare a separate room for Klana to rest comfortably.
“Wait a minute, Lisir. I… Can’t we stay together in your room?”
“Yes?”
Lisir was embarrassed by Klana’s Statement, but he immediately understood the Intention.
‘Well, I guess she’ll be anxious being alone in this Situation.’
After much deliberation, he said to Klana.
“Are you really okay with that?”
If it were the Murderer Klana who held a Critique with her own corpse, she wouldn’t care at all about sharing a room with a strange Man-
Now she was in a state of feeling Shame just by showing her naked body to others━ following normal thoughts.
“Well, what about it. Between us.”
Klana gave a playful Smile.
It wasn’t entirely natural, but it was a clearly better Expression compared to the beginning.
More than anything, that unpretentious Attitude.
‘She really remembered what kind of Relationship we have?’
It was as she said.
He and Klana were not in a Relationship where they would care about living together in the same room.
“Well, now that I hear it, that’s true.”
The two looked at each other and smiled comfortably.
And.
Looking at that Smile, they once again realized what kind of Relationship they had.
✦✦✦
That night.
Klana was washing in the bathroom attached to Lisir’s room.
She was planning to go to bed right after taking a bath.
In Lisir’s room, which only had one large bed, with him.
“…Ah!”
Klana, who had been blankly staring at the air, hurriedly came to her senses.
“It’s okay. There’s nothing to worry about. There’s no Reason to be nervous. It’s between that person and me.”
It was like a Monologue persuading Herself.
Klana recalled that Memory once again.
The one that made her recall the Relationship between Lisir and Herself-
That fragmentary Memory.
“…”
She unconsciously looked down at her chest.
In that fragmentary Memory.
Herself was provocatively saying to Lisir.
‘That she would let him touch her chest-…’
Klana had no choice but to be sure of that fragmentary Memory.
That Herself and he were in a Relationship where they willingly gave their bodies-
Lovers or a Couple.
“…Huh?”
Klana looked down at her left arm.
For some Reason, it was trembling with veins popping out, full of strength.
✦✦✦
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