CH 182

Chapter 182

When Peaceful Times Cease To Exist : Each Choice, Part 4 — The Little Girl And The Bard

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

「She said, Mama, does that mean…」

「Alfie, when did you…」

「N–No-no! It’s a misunderstanding!」

Alfiris denied it desperately, but Lisa tapped her on the shoulder with a plop.

「Alfie, I had no idea you were that mature. Let’s be honest and admit that Lisa lost.」

「Don’t be silly, I’ve never even been kissed!!」

After saying that much, Alfiíreth was startled. Alfiris retorted in an unexpectedly loud voice, causing people on the street to stop walking. And they are whispering to each other in secret.

「（Did you heard that?）」

「（At her age… she’s not ready yet.）」

「（How pathetic…）」

「（What a waste she was.）」

「（Rather, there must be some fatal flaw on her.）」

「（Perhaps she likes women more than men?）」

「（It’s possible…）」

The townspeople were saying whatever they wanted. The words were heard by Alfiris, who was red-faced and shaking. And she can’t help but hear the rough talk from the girl who clings to her with a big smile on her face.

「Hey!? What is wrong with you? What do you have against me that you would say such a thing?」

「Mama, have you forgotten about me??」

But the answer was surprising to Alfiris and obviously to the girl. Hearing Alfiris’ words, the girl’s face suddenly becomes cloudy. And in no time at all, she had tears in her eyes and began to cry loudly.

「Uwaaaaaannhhh!! How mean of you! Mama was, Mama was leaving without me, and I was doing my best to chase after you～!!」

「E–Ehh!? Ehhh???」

The girl cried so loudly that she could hardly be considered a child. The volume was so loud that even with all her friends around her covering their ears, it still echoed in their brains. The sheer volume of the shouting brought people out of the building one after the other, asking what was going on. Alfiris’ face turned even redder like a ripe tokara fruit when she realized she was the center of attention, but the girl continued to cry without regard.

「Mama have forgotten about me～!! Uwaaaaaahhhnn!!」

「H–Hey… don’t cry, okay? What should I do…?」

Apparently, the girl really does think of Alfiris as her mother. Since Alfiris could see that there was no malice at all, she tried her best to pat the girl on the head and soothe her in an attempt to get her to stop crying somehow.

「Sorry, I’m sorry. It’s my fault…」

「Hic, hic… Mama, have you finally remembered me?」

「Hmmm, that’s…」

「U–Uwaaahn…」

「Ahhh, what am I going to do now!?」

Of course, Alfiris had no recollection of this. Gradually, Alfiris was getting to the point where she wanted to cry. At that moment, a man approached her carrying a lyre on his back in the style of a bard. He was very tall, and although he was a man, his hair was long and almost as long as his waist. His black hair was tied back in a single bun and he was somewhat feminine in his loose-fitting, light-colored robe.

「（Ahh, what a beautiful man…）」

Even in this situation, Alfiris thought so. It seemed the same was true for the rest of the group,

「Hyuu～」

「Umu, how beautiful.」

「He’s very handsome for a human being.」

And even Aerial and Euthy agreed, even if Miranda was always whistling. The beautiful man calls out to Alfiris.

「It had been awhile, Alfiris.」

「Huh? Who are you??」

But Alfiris still don’t remember him. If he is such a beautiful man, she don’t think she could forget him once she saw him.

「Huh. Have you forgotten not only the girl, but me as well?」

「No, I’m not forgetting. I’ve never met you.」

「Oh, no, that child is yours and mine.」

With those words, they all dropped their bags again, which they finally picked up. People around them were saying that it was a love affair, but Alfiris was completely dizzy, and it was all she could do not to lose her mind.

「Ha-hahaha… this must be an illusion. I must’ve been eaten to death by Serpent. Yeah, I’m sure. It was all a dream. That’s just too bad… Eyy!」

Alfiris pinches her own cheek, but of course nothing changes. Seeing this, Lisa stops Alfiris’ hand. Normally, she would have laughed, but for once, Lisa looked serious.

「Alfie, get a grip on reality.」

「B–But you know. I don’t know what’s happening. I, am I really…」

「I know. Who are you? I have been trying to get the Sensors to work for a while now, but they don’t work at all on you. So is this little girl. At least, you two aren’t human, are you?」

Lisa’s words raise everyone’s alertness.

「Isn’t this a bit too much of a prank?」

「Hmm, I didn’t mean to. Alfiris, are you sure you don’t know who we are?」

「Eh. Hmm…」

Alfiris struggles to remember, feeling somewhat dizzy. But what had just happened was so shocking that she couldn’t think straight.

「Erm, errmm…」

「Then I’ll give you a hint. You named her. She’s called Ilmatar. You used to call her Il, Alfiris.」

「Ilmatar? Then, you’re…」

Alfiris looks at the girl as if she is flabbergasted. Her amber eyes stare anxiously at Alfiris. And so, just as Alfiris was about to say something, someone interrupted the daylight.

「I’ve finally found you, Alfiris.」

「Lifeless!」

Floating in the sky above was Lifeless. At the same time, something is descending one after another from a giant bird. The townspeople, who until a few minutes ago had been talking of their own accord, fled as if scattering spiderlings at the sudden turn of events. The girl and the bard remain where they are, the girl anxiously grabbing Alfiris’ pants.

And in front of them is a group of Archfends and a large man in black armor. Even Alfiris and others are fiercely competitive people who have been through many a rough patch. It was obvious at first glance that the men behind Lifeless were not of ordinary strength. Especially the man in black armor. It was doubtful that just defeating him alone would be enough to catch up with a single release of the spell seal. Lifeless, with such fierce men in tow, slowly opens his mouth. He looks like a child, but his tone of voice already hides nothing.

「It’s been a little while since I’ve seen you, and things have gotten noisy again. A little girl in black, a bard, and a child. Looks like you were born under a star that people like.」

「They’re not related to this!」

「Is that so? Well, then I’ll let them off the hook…」

「Don’t bully Mama!」

A girl named Ilmatar stands between Lifeless and Alfiris. She is holding her small arms out to protect Alfiris. Her eyes are full of tears, but she is still trying her best to protect Alfiris.

Alfiris was involuntarily struck, but Lifeless was also surprised. Then, with a small chuckle, all at once Lifeless’ killing intent swelled and his figure returned to that of an adult.

「If she has given her name to me, I have no choice. I have no taste for killing children, but I don’t like to leave a bad impression. If they are related to you, I won’t let any of them live!」

「Kuh! Il, get down!」

Alfiris lowers back to embrace Ilmatar. As if in response to the swollen killing intent, those behind Lifeless enter a combat stance. Seeing this, Alfiris and the others tried to get into a fighting stance, but no matter how they looked at it, there was no way they could win. Like the number of enemies, Alfiris and others aren’t in perfect shape, and the enemies is increasing their strength. Above all, Lifeless have a different kind of magical fullness.

「Damn, now he seem to be serious!」

「It’s the worst.」

「But we can’t just run away now.」

「If that happens, we’ll take the road as many as we can.」

「So this is what you get for just leaving the prairie. But it’s unavoidable. Lanna, you at least have to get out of here. We can’t involve you in a fight like this.」

「They wouldn’t let me go. Besides, I don’t want to be irresponsible like that after I once asked for a traveling companion.」

「Have you said your last prayers?」

「They’re coming!」

The moment Lifeless stepped forward, his eyes widened as if he had seen something unexpected, and he reflexively flew backward.