Chapter 6
In a Slumber
(Part 4)
I let out a soft sigh as the memory playback ended.
It was the first time I had managed to watch it all the way through. And since it concluded with nothing more than that faint sigh, it seemed I had finally reached a point where I could accept this event as part of my past.
Well, having seen all there was to see, the moment I thought about waking up and going to meet my real Master, the playback started again.
Huh? I tilted my head in confusion. I had no recollection of anything beyond this point. But it seems memories don’t truly disappear, even if you can’t recall them; they just remain hidden.
I decided to observe a little longer.
―――――――――
It must have been some time after I was sealed. The sound of footsteps, clink, clink, descending stone steps echoed through the plaza.
Who could that be? I, watching the memory, wondered. Back then, I was certain I had killed every single person in the kingdom without exception.
Perhaps the “past me” in the memory also noticed the presence, as my head lifted slightly.
It seemed a sliver of consciousness had returned.
My eyes were hollow, unfocused. It appears the complete sealing power of the great sword could suppress all life functions and senses, so my Master at the time truly must have been lacking in power.
That being said, the effect at the moment of sealing was immensely powerful.
My consciousness was hazy; even if I saw or heard something, I couldn’t comprehend anything.
This must also be a memory from that time.
‘What a dull country, with not a soul in sight.’
The one who entered from the plaza’s entrance was a female demon I knew well.
Her sleek white hair was so long it nearly touched the ground even while she stood. From behind both ears sprouted large, goat-like horns.
Against her pitch-black skin, her face was starkly defined by her long white eyelashes and pupils, making them seem to float in contrast. As usual, her expression was difficult to read.
“Iblis…”
No mistake. She was my only friend back then, another immortal demon.
She was an eccentric demon who usually secluded herself inside a world of her own creation, living quietly alone. For her to come to the human world was truly a rare occurrence.
‘Diabolos, you’re in quite an amusing state. Can you hear me?’
Iblis looked over the immobilized “past me” up close, scrutinizing me with apparent amusement.
Even though she should understand my condition perfectly well without explanation, she asked as if to tease me.
‘Even if you cannot hear, even if you cannot recognize me, listen well. Someday, you will surely remember. I shall give you some useful information.’
She patted the head of the silent “past me” patronizingly, pat pat, as if dealing with a child.
In that instant, Iblis’s hand glowed faintly. It seemed she had cast some sort of spell.
‘That Master of yours seems quite tenacious. That sword does not contain a human soul. Whether they took their own life before being ensnared by the sword or died by chance, I cannot tell, but it seems they discarded their body and all their magic power and escaped. Perhaps if a miracle occurs, or after an unimaginably long time passes, you might meet again.’
Did Iblis realize even then that my Master had reincarnated? On that point, she deserves praise for her insight, though I wish she had come when my consciousness was clearer.
Then again, she probably came while I was still dazed on purpose.
She was always like that.
Iblis chuckled softly, slowly sat down on the spot, and used spatial magic to create a small portal, reaching her hand inside. After rummaging around for a bit, she pulled out a sake flask and two cups.
She placed one cup in front of the “past me” and poured sake into it. Then she poured sake into the cup she held herself.
‘I place no faith in humans. They seemed to have devised an interesting magic, but without considerable determination, transferring memories should be impossible. I believe they have forgotten you. …I could destroy this seal. But I suppose you do not wish for that now. Sleep as long as you like.’
Saying this, she downed the clear sake from her cup in one go.
The other cup, placed on the ground, floated up, touched the lips of the “past me,” and tilted slightly. My throat moved just a little. Probably a conditioned reflex to swallow as the liquid entered my mouth.
‘Is it tasty?’
Naturally, the “past me” showed no reaction.
Since I’m only watching the memory, I can’t know the taste, but the sake Iblis made was always delicious. That one must have been delicious too.
‘The effects of this incomplete seal will gradually weaken, and your consciousness will fully return. By that time, you should be able to break it yourself. If a day comes when you wish to live in this world again, come visit me, will you not? I am rather bored. I shall leave this same sake for you.’
As she said this, Iblis shook the flask. A splash, splash sound echoed from within.
She put the flask to her lips and drank the remaining sake in one go. It must be a favorite of hers, as her face, exhaling a satisfied “Puh-haa,” looked quite pleased.
Iblis collected the cup she had placed before the “past me” and, seemingly satisfied, stood up.
A large spatial magic portal appeared behind her, and she stepped through. Just before the portal vanished from sight, Iblis glanced back once and said,
‘Let us meet again someday, my friend.’
◆―――――――――◆
When I opened my eyes, I saw sunlight streaming through a gap in the tent at the edge of my vision.
It seemed the dream, including the parts I hadn’t remembered, was finally over.
I touched my head and concentrated.
A weak spell was placed upon me. This was likely the magic Iblis cast, seen in the final memory. I had never noticed it before, as it never caused any issues or drew attention to itself.
It was a type of hallucination magic that prompts the recollection of specific memories. Quite weak, it had no effect under normal circumstances, only manifesting during vulnerable times like sleep.
The breathtakingly precise magic control required for this is something only Iblis could manage. It shows her experience from living even longer than I have. Her intentions are unclear, but I’m truly glad she isn’t an enemy.
I stimulated the spell placed on me, dispelling it.
I probably won’t ever have to see those memories again.
I stretched lightly and stepped out of the tent.
“Whoa, Dia, good morning! You’re late to rise for once, sleepyhead!”
As I emerged from the tent, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, my Master was waving at me with a smile.
The sun was fully up outside, and a pleasant breeze was blowing.
I took the kettle my Master was warming over the campfire and poured hot water into a cup.
‘Won’t you burn yourself?’ my Master asked, holding a pot holder in one hand, but this body doesn’t get burned by mere flames.
I took out a jar of instant coffee and made a strong cup. The familiar aroma and bitterness helped wake me up.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I had a long dream.”
“Reeally? Can I ask what it was about?”
“It was about when I first met Akatsuki. And also about a promise with a friend. Basically, if I told you everything, it would be a very long story.”
“I’m super curious about that! We’ve got nothing but time on the road anyway, so tell me!”
My Master looked at me with sparkling, expectant eyes.
Come to think of it, the other day, they mentioned they didn’t remember much from after we first met.
“It’s not all good things. It might bring back some painful memories.”
“That’s okay. I still want to know.”
My Master nodded firmly, looking straight at me.
In that case, there’s no need to keep it secret. It’s fine, it’s all in the past now.
I finished my coffee and placed the cup on the ground.
Those words of love I couldn’t convey directly back then, I can tell them now.
That in itself is a truly happy thing.
