Fleet Helm, a former demon absorbed by Lady Annelyse’s power.
It was surprising enough that humans and demons coexisted, but what did he mean by “former demon”? Could one truly quit being a demon? Even if he did, the blood flowing within him was the same. I listened without dispelling my Mind’s Eye.
“I’m captivated by Lady Annelyse’s power…”
Fleet Helm mentioned being captivated. What did “captivated” mean? If it were about power, it would be more like subjugation. And what did he mean by “too late”?
“Before I speak of Lady Annelyse’s story, allow me to tell you a little of mine. I am a demon, born in Nordland as you call it. For reasons I cannot explain, I came to this land ages ago.”
That made sense. It would be a disaster if demons just popped up everywhere. As he began to speak, I briefly used my full-power wide-area Mind’s Eye to check on Lady Annelyse, but I couldn’t detect any enemies around her.
“I continued my wandering life, killing humans, for years. Then, in Harm, I met the young Lady Annelyse. It was then! I felt the blood flowing through my body surge!”
If that surging blood had killed me, I wouldn’t be in this mess. Surely, as a demon, he should have just killed Lady Annelyse outright.
“From then on, I felt that my life’s purpose was to serve Lady Annelyse. As a demon, I could not mingle with humans. I used all my strength and broke off my own horns.”
Fleet Helm’s skin had turned purple, and on his head, broken remnants of horns, one on each side, remained. Horns were precious to demons. Had he broken them just to stay by Lady Annelyse’s side?
“Since then, I have served as the butler of Duke Flüge, and I am now positioned by Lady Annelyse’s side.”
Why was he so fixated on Lady Annelyse? It didn’t seem like he was in love…
“So, you said it was too late for me. What did you mean by that?”
“It is Lady Annelyse’s power. Whether Lady Annelyse wishes it or not, those around her aim higher for Lady Annelyse’s sake. Baron Shin, you must have a sense of this, don’t you?”
A sense of this… I did feel a pull, a certain charm, towards Lady Annelyse. It led me to act as her guard alone this time, and I wanted to protect her.
Was that Lady Annelyse’s power? Even if I did nothing, others would take action and elevate Lady Annelyse. Was it an amplified form of charisma?
“It’s good that you seem to have grasped it. I want you to continue fighting for Lady Annelyse’s sake.”
What nerve, saying such things presumptuously. While Lady Annelyse certainly had an allure, she was like a magician whose trick had been revealed. Such a trick wouldn’t draw an audience.
“Lady Annelyse is a Duchess to whom I can be of use. Can a mere mercenary even consider being by the Duke’s side?”
“It is acceptable. For eventually, I believe you will be able to die for Lady Annelyse’s sake, just as I have.”
No way, I don’t want to die. Besides, I have my own objective. I need to aim for a more interesting ending from God. …What would happen to me if I couldn’t show that ending?
And if I were to die, I’d want to die in Priscilla’s arms. I want to be suffocated by those voluptuous breasts. If only…
“Is it about time? If one is to be by Lady Annelyse’s side, in these times, one must be at least somewhat strong. How are your skills?”
The rule of this world, “delusions cannot be completed,” activated, and I snapped back to reality.
“Before you kill me, I have a question.”
“If it’s something I can answer, ask anything.”
“When Lady Annelyse became Duke, there was a disturbance in the House, wasn’t there? She had a sister. Did you ostracize her?”
“No, that’s incorrect. I wanted my elder sister to support Lady Annelyse, but she left the House of her own will.”
To protect Lady Annelyse, she would go that far? That charisma, to that extent, was a weapon. No one seemed to realize it, and when they did, they were ready to lay down their lives.
“One more thing. You said you wanted me by your side. I might make a move on Lady Annelyse.”
I said it jokingly. If it were written, it would have a heart emoji at the end.
“That is acceptable. If Lady Annelyse desires it, she could have a king of a nation or even a lowly wretch.”
Was I a “lowly wretch”? I possess Godspeed, don’t you underestimate me. However, there was one last thing I absolutely had to ask.
“Did YOU put the Melaiya vegetables in this meal?”
“…They are good for the body. You shouldn’t be picky.”
The Melaiya vegetables, which I dislike. Their bitterness, like that of celery in Japan, lingered even in the soup. How does he know I dislike them? I lunged as if to strike his head off!
“To think you’d attack me over mere Melaiya vegetables…”
“Don’t put in things I dislike. To eliminate that bitterness, you have to simmer it over low heat for two hours before it’s edible.”
I don’t care about cooking! He stopped my blow, struck with Godspeed. Even though you say you quit being a demon, you’re quite fast.
I could finish you off with Godspeed Mode Two, but I couldn’t fully trust Fleet Helm’s words, and I worried about Lady Annelyse’s safety, so I kept checking on her with my wide-area Mind’s Eye.
“You’re quite fast. I can barely keep up.”
Fleet Helm seemed to have some leeway, so I decided to use Mode Three and wide-area Mind’s Eye simultaneously. I often used my foresighted Mind’s Eye in combat, but I only used my wide-area Mind’s Eye, which lets me see my surroundings, during lulls in battle.
It’s because I don’t have the luxury of looking around when facing an enemy right in front of me. However, if I could foresee the future within a wide area, it would be a powerful ability for a unit commander.
“I’m even faster. Are you ready to die?”
I retreated and used my foresighted Mind’s Eye and Mode Three. With this, no one could catch up to me, and I was invincible as I could read the future. Then, when I tried to extend my foresighted Mind’s Eye to a wide area and read the future within that range, my system crashed.
Images spun in my head, mixing the present and the future, locations overlapping. This is impossible, at least for now. I can’t use it in actual combat without practicing.
“What’s wrong?”
Your concern is unnecessary! Ah, I feel sick…
“Here I go. This is the last move.”
I overwhelmed him with Mode Two and my foresighted Mind’s Eye. Fleet Helm was defeated before he could even be surprised. See! This is my true strength!
“Urgh, you… you are truly skilled. You’re not going to kill me…?”
With overwhelming power, I struck him with my backhand, inflicting a severe injury that would take two months to heal, but he’d probably just heal it with magic anyway.
“You work for Lady Annelyse, don’t you? She would be saddened if I killed you. I’ll spare your life, but I’ll read your memories later.”
I sheathed my sword and left Fleet Helm behind. He should writhe in pain for a while. He’s a demon, so that should be fine.
But why didn’t I kill him? Was it for Lady Annelyse? Her power is indeed immense.
She draws in those around her and makes them achieve her desires. Of course, if the power of those around her is weak, that’s the end of it. But being unknowingly caught in Lady Annelyse’s power is far from fair.
I have to be careful too, or I might be swallowed by Lady Annelyse’s power. What awaits beyond that is becoming like a doll, devoted solely to Lady Annelyse.
I don’t want that. If I’m going to devote myself, I’d rather do it for the White Lily Corps. They are my comrades with whom I’ve shared joys and sorrows, and even beds. If I were to be captivated by Lady Annelyse’s power, I’d have Lady Annelyse step down from this battlefield. Somewhere safe…
I returned to the tent and looked at Lady Annelyse sleeping inside. The keyword of my last memory possesses a very cute and cruel power.
What was it like in my past life? Did I fight to protect Lady Annelyse? Or did I kill her out of fear of her power? I resent my incomplete memories.
But for now, I will protect her. Perhaps this power might even end the war. I took the sleeping Lady Annelyse’s hand.
“I will protect you with my life. Please rest well for now.”
…Come to think of it, Fleet Helm said it was okay to make a move on Lady Annelyse. Since it’s permitted, I guess it’s fine…
Even so, she’s a Duchess. Misconduct before a battle can affect overall morale. …Right, as long as it’s just within my mind, there’s no problem.
What kind of situation should I imagine? I’ve already done boss and subordinate with Manon, and teacher and student with Alana…
Let’s try something a bit rougher. How about a guard and a prisoner? Rape of a prisoner by a guard… It’s just a fantasy, so this much should be permissible.
Brain fantasy, go!
“Are you the new prisoner they brought in?!”
Huh? I’m the prisoner? Priscilla is the guard? Where did Lady Annelyse go? Why is Priscilla appearing?!
I left the tent and threw up. Vomiting bloody stomach acid repeatedly, I eventually got tired and calmed down a bit. I never thought my inner thoughts would be intruded upon.
If I’m going to have an image pop into my head, it might as well be of a naked Priscilla. Thanks to this, I feel somewhat refreshed. Do I have stress too? I hope I don’t have a hole in my stomach. I should get Sophia to examine me when I get back.
That day, I guarded Lady Annelyse’s tent from the outside, gazing at the stars.
