7DP 194.1

BGM: Wuthering Waves 3.0 Ost(Opening)

194: Like a Completely Different Person
TL: Cnine
ED/PF:
R1[1–2], R2[3–4]

Part 1

That night, which was daytime for the demons, a row of skeleton carriages bearing the banner of the Reiju clan lined up before the manor.

When they first departed, the carriage had carried Jilbagias, Kvirtal, Alvar-Auril, and the others, packed to bursting with weapons, tents, and equipment.

But now—

The carefree chatter of the demon youths was gone.

The seats had been removed, replaced instead with a coffin sealed in ice.

「...」

Lyla and the rest of the group who had stayed behind stood stiffly, tension written on their faces. A victorious campaign was something to celebrate, yet after such a brutal battle, one that had wiped out every single one of the subordinates their master, Jilbagias, had doted on, they didn’t know how to greet him.

――

「I’m back. I hope I didn’t make you all worry too much.」

Even so, Jilbagias hopped lightly down from the carriage with his usual ease.

He looked as lively as ever—

Except for the stark white mark on his neck.

Everyone realised at once that it was a burn left by a holy attribute.

「... Master! I’m so glad you’re safe!!」

Garounya came sprinting towards him, quick and decisive as ever. In moments like this, her ability to act immediately without hesitation or needless thought was her true strength.

「Woof, woof!」

Not wanting to be left behind, Liliana scurried after her.

「Ohh, you two! Doing well, are you?」

Jilbagias stroked Garounya with one hand while effortlessly lifting the playful Liliana with the other.

「Honestly… I’m just so relieved you’re safe…!」

Garounya’s voice trembled. He answered with a wry smile, but there was no mistaking the quiet relief in the way his shoulders finally relaxed.

However—

Something about that smile bothered Lyla.

「... Woof?」

Cradled in his arms, Liliana tilted her head and sniffed curiously.

「？」

Unable to learn anything from the scent, since she wasn’t a real dog, she began to lick the mark on his neck instead. With a faint, refreshing hiss, the holy burn faded away.

「Oh, thank you, Liliana. Good girl. You saved me there.」

Jilbagias gave Liliana’s head an affectionate, vigorous rub.

It was so natural. So ordinary. So very him.

And yet, precisely because he seemed utterly unchanged, Lyla felt something was terribly wrong.

（How...）

How could he smile so carefreely?

Lyla had wanted to speak to him right away, but a strange sense of distance pressed against her, and her feet refused to move.

「Your Highness… All of us have been awaiting your return,」

Vigine said quietly, stepping forward as the representative of the maids who had stayed behind.

「I hear you took numerous heads and performed magnificently during the raid on the royal capital.」

―― Yes, that was the problem.

Those around him took the words as praise.

But only Lyla, and perhaps Liliana, understood the true nature and weight of what he had done.

「We’ve prepared your meal and your bath as well. After such deeds, and the long carriage journey that followed, you must be weary. If there is anything you desire, please do tell us――」

For once, Vigine’s tone was hesitant and indirect. She couldn’t bring herself to offer a bold “congratulations on your victory,” because—

「No, I’m all right.」

Jilbagias’ face clouded for a moment as he glanced back at the line of carriages.

「Instead… take them to the underground chamber.」

The skeleton carriage pulling the coffins creaked softly.

「… They’re far more exhausted than I am.」

Everyone understood at once. His familiar tone was nothing more than a forced one.

「... R-Right away.」

Vigne bowed, and the maids and night elf rangers began lifting the ice-entombed coffins from the carriage. They were unbearably heavy, and so cold they seemed to bite into the hands, yet no one allowed even a flicker of discomfort to show as they carried them with quiet reverence.

These were the remains of the retainers who had stayed loyal to the prince until the very end.

「...」

Jilbagias watched in silence, then glanced over at Lyla.

He gave her a gentle smile, tinged with loneliness.

Lyla forced a smile in return, but the unease would not leave her.

Everything about that expression felt just a little too perfect.

Because it was too beautifully made,

So much so that it seemed artificial.

After bathing and washing away the dust of his journey, Jilbagias settled down to eat.

「Well then… forgive me for bringing this up the moment I’ve returned.」

Cradling Liliana once more, he slipped an arm around Lyla’s waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world, drawing her softly to his side.

「There was so much going on out there, and I’m completely worn out… but because of that, I’m feeling a bit… well… you know? You can imagine, can’t you?」

Jilbagias chuckled playfully. The servants pulled expressions somewhere between exasperation and amusement, “Oh, that again?” Yet they were clearly relieved.

Their master wasn’t sinking into despair. He was still acting like himself.

「We shall take our leave.」
「Do enjoy yourselves~」

Vigne, Garounya, and the others drifted out of the room one by one.

And then—

Only Jilbagias, Liliana, and Lyla remained.

「――――」

Jilbagias murmured a brief incantation.

The ambient noise vanished at once, plunging the room into perfect silence.

It was a soundproof barrier.

「There. Now we can talk at our leisure.」

He smiled, but something in that smile, in that gaze—

Lyla’s brewing discomfort finally erupted.

Because when he was alone with them,

He never looked so cold.

「Who… are you?」

She instinctively slapped away the hand at her waist. Jilbagias’ eyes opened slightly, and he let out an appreciative sound.

「Oh? Impressive.」

「… Amazing. How did you figure it out?」

His smile did not waver.

Yet his eyes examined her as if she were an interesting specimen.

Jilbagias posed his question to her.

　　　　　　　　　　†††

Sup! Still with me, Jilbagias.

I was convinced my impersonation was flawless, but dear Lyla saw straight through it, and I’ll admit, it hurt my pride.

She was shaking… poor girl. Wait. Is that fear? …Nope. That’s anger.

Which was terrible news.

She may look adorable, but she was a dragon.

Ah, crap! My appearance was glitching!

Oh no, oh no!!

Demon God, help me!