༺ Burglar Cat or House Cat? (6) ༻
To Cariote, the man named Judas was one she considered an enemy from the start.
The Demon King was the object of her vengeance.
Judas was the man who had taken that object away.
Because of that, their first encounter was somewhat on bad terms.
However, after various events subsequent to meeting him, Cariote admitted that she had misunderstood him in many ways.
Judas turned out to be a better man than she had thought.
Good enough to think it might be alright to give him her ‘virginity’.
Above all, he was mercilessly strong.
If he were to ask for a night together, she felt that she might gladly agree, depending on her mood.
The attraction to powerful men was an instinct and a preference of Barbaroi women.
In that sense, Judas was somewhat Cariote’s ideal type.
Ideal type.
That’s exactly how Cariote came to think highly of Judas.
However, Judas was less interested in Cariote than expected.
She could feel his gaze occasionally on her exposed arms, nape, or chest, as it often was the case with men, but that was it.
He never asked for anything more.
‘Does he not like women?’
No.
That was an absurd thought.
Judas seemed to be quite the womanizer at a glance.
‘Then, am I not attractive to Judas?’
Cariote had given up on being ‘a woman’ since the day she had lost her family.
She gave up on dressing up and on looking beautiful.
However, as she grew older, Cariote bloomed too conspicuously to hide.
She knew well enough, albeit a bit comically, that her appearance drew attention from both men and women.
Then where did this man’s restraint stem from?
She had no idea.
For Cariote, life was only about killing demons.
In matters of men and women, Cariote had as little experience as a newly registered Bronze adventurer.
‘Maybe this was the extent of our relationship.’
Before she knew it, it was time for Cariote to leave for another country.
Her stay in Freesia would probably end today.
That’s when the man said.
“How about having a glass of wine?”
It was an interesting proposition.
The drink was good, too.
But Cariote could feel that the man’s invitation wasn’t just about offering her a drink.
Perhaps he had feelings for her, too.
With that thought, Cariote, who got drunk on good alcohol, mustered up her courage.
“I’m feeling a bit… drunk…”
Feigning drunkenness, she slightly leaned towards the man.
Swoosh—
She felt her chest touch the man’s arm.
Cariote, even though inexperienced, knew to some extent, through ‘knowledge’, that her chest could be a powerful weapon against men.
‘Judas isn’t a fool. He’ll realize I’m seducing him. I can’t believe I’m doing this, but now my pride is at stake.’
What happens now?
“……”
The man was frozen.
He seemed to be pondering over something.
‘Coward…? No, this is gentlemanly. Judas, this man is more polite than I thought. Among the barbarian men of Barbaria who worship strength, he’s an oddity.’
The men of Barbaria generally lacked delicacy.
They were closer to ‘warriors’ than to men.
In contrast, Judas had a certain gentlemanly aspect to him.
He always said, “I’m a man with a college degree.”
Maybe that was actually true – it seemed possible.
Of course, it’s probably a lie.
There is no college that would take in a barbarian with black hair.
Even if it was a lie, Judas was unusual.
‘…Could it be because of the child?’
Judas was Naru’s father.
Naru liked her father.
Considering that the men of Barbaria’s wilderness didn’t care at all about child-rearing, Judas’ interest in his daughter was very peculiar.
Maybe he was resisting other women’s temptations for Naru’s sake.
‘I heard the libido of black-haired men is like a boiling furnace. Yet I’ve never seen a man with such self-control. Is this what it takes to endure the nightmares of Nocturn?’
Cariote felt defeated.
* * *
Soft—
What touched my arm was destructively powerful, unlike anything I’ve felt in life.
Not even the Demon King’s attack was this potent.
The problem is.
I might fall for this attack any moment!
Cariote is pressing against me with her chest.
Is she trying to seduce me?
No, the stiff Cariote wouldn’t.
Is she really drunk?
If she’s seducing me, should I pretend to be weak and fall for it?
It might stop her from boarding the non-fair vessel!
However.
I knew myself well.
If I touched Cariote here, it was clear that I couldn’t ‘restrain’ myself.
I’d probably go all the way.
Then a child might be conceived.
But there was no guarantee that the child would be Cecily.
Because I don’t know Cecily’s birthday.
…Damn it!
If I had known this would happen, I would have asked for Cecily’s birthday beforehand!
With this thought, I pushed Cariote’s shoulder away with truly transcendental patience.
“You seem quite drunk.”
Then Cariote bowed her head.
Her expression was hidden, so I couldn’t read her thoughts.
Cariote asked with her head still bowed.
“…Am I not good enough? Honestly, I was prepared for the possibility of getting entangled with you, Judas, right here and now. But Judas, in the end, you’re pushing me away.”
Oh, holy shh.
Did I unintentionally hurt her?
I didn’t want to do that!
But I had no choice.
If today isn’t the day Cecily was conceived…, I feel like I would regret it to death.
Let’s find out when Cecily’s birthday is.
Would she know if I asked her?
…No, she probably wouldn’t.
I’m really cursing inside!
While I was internally agonizing, Cariote laughed lightly.
“It seems I underestimated the capacity of the man named Judas. You are different from the ignorant men I’ve seen.”
“Really?”
“I must have been a bit drunk for a moment. Let’s pretend today’s incident… didn’t happen.”
Fuck-.
Not sure if this is good or bad.
But I seem to have scored some points with Cariote.
“Then, I’ll be leaving. I need to catch the airship soon.”
Cariote stood up.
She seemed perfectly sober as if her previous drunkenness was a lie.
No, is she really leaving just like this?
Swoosh—
I caught Cariote’s wrist.
“No, don’t go.”
“Why?”
“Because… Because you can’t leave this place! You need to stay by my side. No matter what has happened until now, and even if nothing happens in the future, just stay by my side!”
At least until I find out when Cecily’s birthday is!
I spoke with sincerity.
Thinking about it again, it sounded like a confession from the end of times.
However, whether my sincerity was conveyed or not, Cariote stopped and said.
“…I must avenge my family. I’m pursuing the demon that killed my mother and sister. Judas, I do like you, but this is my life’s mission. Even you have no right to stop me.”
Of course, I have no right to stop you.
But what on earth did the future me do to tie Cariote to this Principality of Freesia and even have a child?
Did I really hide wings or something?
Truly a remarkable son of a bitch. Of course, that’s me too.
If the future me could do it, then so can I now.
There must be a way.
A way…
Let’s keep the conversation going.
“Demon. You said you’re hunting a demon. I’m not as good as you, but I’m somewhat of an expert when it comes to demons. Tell me about the demon you’re chasing.”
“Do you know about the Archdemons?”
“Archdemons?”
Never heard of it.
As I frowned, Cariote trailed off, “You don’t know?.”
I felt anxious that Cariote might just whoosh away and Cecily would end up being non-existent, so I decided to lie.
“Of course, I know. The Archdemons. I’ve been homeless in Pandemonium for half a year. I’m fairly knowledgeable about Demons. Archdemons are celebrities.”
“Oh, really? Then what shape are the Archduke’s wings? How many horns does he have?”
Wings and horns.
They were the identity of Demons.
A unique characteristic.
The stronger they are, the more wings and horns they often have.
The Archdemons.
Having ‘Arch’ in their names meant they were a big deal, he must be a big deal.
If Cariote is chasing him, he must certainly be a great demon.
“…Two pairs of horns and eight bat wings?”
I took a stab.
I used to break through by guessing multiple traps.
Wondering if I was correct, I watched Cariote’s expression which turned ambiguous.
Then she asked me.
“Do you really know? About Archduke Astaroth?”
“Astaro…”
No, it really sounds familiar?
I also asked with curiosity.
“Did they carry a black spear?”
“Yes! He must be the same Demon I’m chasing! Where did you see him? Tell me!”
Tight—
Cariote gripped my arms.
Her grip was so strong it hurt.
Her black pupils burned with surprise, admiration, and a thirst for revenge, while I, feeling puzzled, slowly said,
“A Demon with two goat horns and eight pairs of bat wings. And the great Demon who wields a spear. As far as I know, there was only one such being. Astarosa. That was the name.”
“Astarosa…?”
“Astarosa, the Witch of Obsession, one of the three pillars of Pandemonium. She was called that. Not someone I like to think about.”
“A witch… A woman?”
“Yes, a female Demon.”
The Witch of Obsession Astarosa.
She was the great Demon who had put our party in danger many times.
That such a being resembles the Demon Cariote was pursuing.
Coincidence?
No, it must be fate.
I felt as if I had grasped why Cariote had remained in the Principality of Freesia.
I said,
“The Witch of Obsession Astarosa. The only one we’ve failed to subdue. We don’t know what she’s doing or where she is now. She fled when the Demon King fell.”
Could she be near Freesia?
She showed an abnormal obsession with whatever caught her interest, just like her nickname ‘Obsession.’
What she was fixated on was the very existence of the ‘Demon King.’
And Tenebris was the group plotting near Freesia to resurrect that Demon King.
“……”
Is there a connection?
If one thinks there is a connection, the imagination could take flight.
Perhaps this small link could lead to the destruction of the world or a similar crisis in six years.
Thinking that, I couldn’t continue with the farcical act any longer.
“Cariote, what I’m about to tell you now is the absolute truth without a shred of lie.”
“……”
Cariote looked at me silently.
Her gaze felt extremely earnest.
I also spoke with utmost seriousness.
“Cariote, I am actually not married yet. I don’t have a daughter. No wife either.”
“…What? But what about Naru? What about her?”
“…Naru is not my daughter yet. Not of the me of now, at least. But the me of the future has married certain women and has had at least two daughters. One of them is Naru.”
“The… future?”
“The other one is Cecily. It’s not certain, but that’s what I believe. And Cecily’s mother is probably you. Cariote.”
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