And we finish volume 5, basically putting us smack dab in the middle of the Unlimited story! What's going to happen to Melona, plus someone else pops up...?!
Enjoy!
A call, a chant, a whisper... the magic circle drawn on the floor shone in a dark shade, and a cloud of miasma rose, in a wavering fashing.
“Yes, manifest thyself again. You collared attendant, mine servant.”
The collar with a chain, placed inside the magic circle, floated slowly in the air, the miasma gathering around it. Soon, it took on a humanoid shape, and the materialization started.
A healthy skin color one wouldn’t expect from a wraith, long hair with a red hue. Maid clothes appeared on top of her, covering her skin.
“Infernal Temptress Airi... thou came as summoned.”
The maid that appeared on top of the magic circle bowed her head in reverence.
“Airi, who is thy mistress?”
“My mistress is...”
Airi gently fingered her collar as she mulled the question over.
“My mistress is the Inescapable Shadow, Elina.”
***
[You’ve gotta be freaking kidding me.]
Such a vulgar line popped into Elina’s mind when she read the explanation on the reliefs. They were peppered with words disregarding the physical strength of a normal human, like ‘repeat this relief for 1000 days’ or ‘maintain this posture for a week’.
Of course, it was a basic training you were supposed to undertake for a long period of time, but somehow the Vance princess missed that part.
[However, knowledge is important. Learning might take time, but there’s a world of difference between knowing and not knowing.
Memorizing these skills now that I’m here is important.]
“Are you still here...?”
“I am. My friend hasn’t come back yet.”
Not having sensed a drop of bloodlust in Irma’s voice, the Vance daughter replied without ever turning around.
“If you’re looking for your friend, I brought her to you.”
*Tonk*, a heavy noise sounded when she placed a wooden bucket on the stone pavement.
[Is Melona inside that bucket?]
“If she’s learned her lesson,I hope she behaves a little next time.”
“She’s not the kind of girl who just listens to people.”
“You should leave when this melts. If you stay, we’ll actually have to give you a proper welcome.”
Somewhat indirectly, Irma was telling her to get out of there as soon as she could. The assassin then left without waiting for a reply.
“She’s so impatient.”
She waited until Irma’s presence had completely disappeared, then quietly looked inside the wooden bucket.
Inside there was a frozen Melona. She was broken in some parts, but the whole body seemed to be there.
“Sheesh, what have you gone and done now?”
The blonde grumbled, caressing the slime girl’s surface.
“Keep it up with those crazy things you do, and one day you won’t be able to put yourself back together. That I’m sure of.”
***
Melona regained her consciousness to the shouts full of fighting spirit resonating in the cave.
Seeing Elina moving her body around—like a dance performance—under the light of a torch made the pink girl think she was honestly beautiful.
“Looks like you’ve melted now.”
Noticing Melona’s gaze, Elina turned around, adjusting her breath.
“Were you waiting for me to recover?”
“I was waiting for your recovery only because you’re useful.”
Elina turned her face away in a huff. Melona didn’t miss the whisper that came next:
“Travelling alone is lonely, I’d much rather not do so.”
But, she went ahead and pretended not having heard.
“Nishishi, I wonder if you’ve become unable to live without me?”
“Not going to happen.”
Melona approached with a smile, and Elina brushed her away as if dealing with a fawning pet.
***
“Now it’s an evil spiriiiiit!?”
A *slam!* echoed through the room when General Claudette struck the desk.
The shock was enough for the messenger with the report to instinctually back away.
“Surely she won’t have been won over by the Swamp Witch...”
“W-With all due respect, if I may.”
“What is it? You may speak.”
“According to the reports, Lady Elina was seen commanding the evil spirit. Perhaps she has added her to her list of subordinates.”
Claudette closed her eyes, digesting the messenger’s information.
After visiting the Swamp Witch’s mansion, it seemed Elina was acting together with an evil spirit called Melona. The latter was rumored to be under the Swamp Witch.
[She’s going along with such a creature, does she still have her full faculties? Being that close to hell might be slowly brainwashing her.]
“This is... I might have to move.”
“G-General. Let’s try to have faith in Lady Elina.”
His words helped her regain herself.
[What do I think I’m doing, not believing in her? Elina is a girl with a strong will. She won’t be succumbing to hell so easily.
Still...]
Her mind believed in her, her heart worried about her.
Amidst conflicting thoughts, Claudette’s emotions ran wild.
Episode 5 END
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