Chapter 48: A Holiday with My Summoned Beasts, Part Two

"I need something to soothe my soul..."

That experiment—or rather, that "golem-making" session—had turned me into a lab rat. I’d been forced to skip school and was now completely drained. Finally released from my captor, I let those words slip the moment I stepped back into my room.

"White lab coats... they’re terrifying."

They’d examined every inch of my body, poking and prodding until I was mentally spent. I muttered to myself like a wandering ghost and, with my mind a total blank, summoned a Summoned Beast.

"Oh, Reima? What do you want with me?"

"It’s just Sol, huh..."

"What’s with the 'just'? You got a problem?"

"No. I just realized you’re a soothing presence."

"W-what was that? Reima, are you actually being sweet? Are you broken? Or are you just making fun of me?"

My words had clearly caught her off guard. Sol was flustered, struggling to maintain her usual composure. But with my brain effectively dead, I didn't have the capacity to notice. I had become a machine that simply spoke whatever filtered through my mind.

"Now that I think about it, you don't go on many rampages... You throw the occasional insult, but you aren't actually cruel. Unlike Azi or Apo, you don't break my stuff. And unlike that idiot Creed, you actually have common sense. Yeah... you're a comfort."

"F-fueh? You... you actually thought that about me?"

"I guess I did. Looking back, you’ve been protecting me since the very beginning. Truly, thank you for everything."

What did that rotten scientist do to him? Sol muttered. Maybe I should just execute her the next time we meet.

I thought I heard her say something, but I didn't have the energy to care.

In truth, I should have been more grateful to my Summoned Beasts all along. I decided to take this chance to tell Sol exactly how I felt. What would happen later? I didn't know. I didn't care.

"Hey, Sol. I really am grateful to you. When I first came to this other world and knew nothing, you helped me. You pushed me forward. It’s a bit weird to say this while I’m in such a state, but thanks for sticking with someone as pathetic as me."

"Actually, you know what? Good job, scientist. I’m going to save this with [Recording Magic]."

"So... really... thank... you..."

"Wait, Reima? Hey. I know you’re hitting your limit, but don't fall asleep yet! At least unsummon me first, or I won’t be able to—ah, he’s out."

I watched our master as he slept, utterly exhausted by that idiot scholar. It had been a long time since I’d seen him this worn down. More importantly, this was the first time I’d seen his sleeping face in person since we arrived in this world. It was a special kind of torture.

"Tch. That woman, monopolizing him for two whole days..."

A woman named Ena. She was a high-ranking individual even in this world, yet she’d used 'experiments' as an excuse to subject his body to impossible demands.

I was glad it resulted in him thanking me like this, but I felt nothing but a simmering rage toward the "enemy" who had cornered him into this state of fatigue. Honestly, if he hadn't stopped them, several of us would have manifested by force.

"Well... I didn't expect to be praised. It’s been a long time since I heard Reima’s true feelings."

In that other world, he was the Hero who saved everything—who saved us. But as the battles dragged on, he had become jaded. He stopped sharing his heart even with us. He was a softhearted fool who didn't resist even at the final moment of betrayal. I often wondered just how much he had to do for others before he’d finally be satisfied.

"I suppose that’s why I let my guard down around him."

I’d heard it from Luna. This man didn't change, no matter where he went.

A magnificent fool who never stopped moving to save someone, to protect everything... to rescue whatever was within his sight. He was kind to a fault—the sort of idiot who moved to save us even after we were labeled as 'evil.' And he’d actually succeeded.

"He could really stand to rely on us more."

That was my only honest wish.

A man who had spent his life saving others deserved to be rewarded. A man who had always, always lived for the sake of others deserved to be happy.

"And that is exactly why I—why all of us—will never forgive Mythologia."

The filth who exploited his goodwill. The cowards who used his comrades as shields and disparaged him at every turn.

It ate at my heart that I wasn't the one to kill them, but I could guess how it would end. That country would likely be destroyed by that Beastman boy. He adored Reima that much.

"I despise that world. I mock it. I wonder what state it’s in by now?"

I began to cackle softly as I stroked his hair. I found myself hoping that every living thing in that world would eventually realize the weight of their sins and perish as retribution for killing him.

"I planted plenty of seeds. I can’t wait to see how they’ve grown."

My greatest wish was Reima’s happiness. I didn't need anything else. But, that aside... I was still curious.

"Ah, I really am beyond redemption... Well, I’ll keep this side of me hidden for now."

I would feast on pleasure and mockery. I would look down on them and chew them up.

I am the younger sister of the Demon Wolf Fenrir. I will deceive them, drive them mad, and break it all down.

"Fufu. Reima—I looooove you."

You are our King, so I will obey your will.

But come on, let’s fall a little further together, okay? Until the very moment the world ends, we’ll make sure you’re good and corrupted.