Tilea's Worries

I had a terrible experience recently. I thought my life might be shortened. That day... I tried my best to resist through the door, but despite my valiant efforts, I was caught by Timu. I resigned myself to participating in her experiments for a while, but... a normal person would have died a thousand times over.

Just remembering it gives me chills. If I wasn't mentally tough, I'd be a broken person by now. The regimen was so brutal it made military human experimentation seem gentle in comparison. She can do such outrageous things without batting an eye.

Timu is truly a self-centered, my-way-or-the-highway person. I think nobody except me could maintain a friendship with her. Well, I have many things I'd like to say to Timu, but there were benefits too.

One is that I've become closer to Timu than before. Through the experiments, she's really taken a liking to me. And honestly, I understand. Though the experiments were extremely harsh, everything was meaningful. Even the most outrageous procedures had proper reasons behind them.

Thanks to that, I've come to understand my own characteristics quite well. Still, Timu is seriously a genius. Being in this body makes me newly appreciate the depth of her knowledge.

Whether it's the high level of the Eastern Kingdom, or Timu herself being amazing, or perhaps both—it's truly eye-opening. Those experiments could never be replicated in the Arcdas Kingdom. Their facilities and scholars aren't even close to the required level. Even the kingdom's chief mage would barely understand it. That's how advanced it was.

And then there's her strength. The skillful way she restrained me when I tried to escape. She's definitely in the same realm as me. She's a higher human just like me.

Higher human... the legendary super-humans. Heroes from literature and legends fall into this category. I had thought they were dubious myths. In reality, the existence of higher humans has never been confirmed.

But the abnormality of this body, the abundance of magical power—this is undoubtedly the evolved form of a human. Historical heroes like Hercules and Achilles are said to have been higher humans. I've become the same kind of being.

Heh heh heh.

Somehow I feel strangely elated. To think that someone like me, who thought I was just a supporting character, could rise to such a prominent position—it feels like a dream.

No, I shouldn't get carried away. It's dangerous. The fact that there's no precedent means we don't know what could happen. I should cooperate with Timu, a fellow higher human, to investigate various things.

Though I'd rather skip more experiments.

It's been a few months since I met Timu... I never dreamed we'd develop this kind of relationship. I have various concerns, but I may have made significant progress toward my initial goal of becoming Timu's equal friend.

And speaking of becoming closer...

"Miless-chaaan!"

Today too, Tilea-san comes running energetically. With her shimmering golden hair flowing, she's as beautiful as ever.

"Hello, Tilea-san," I raise my hand slightly in greeting.

"Hello, have you been well? Thank you for the other day. Chu chu, buchu!"

Yes, this is another change. Tilea-san has started embracing me whenever we meet. She even kisses my cheek. And quite passionately at that...

"Um, really, that's enough. You don't need to thank me so much."

"What are you saying? Miless-chan, you protected Gen-san and the others. You protected my precious neighbors. And if the rear side had been breached by enemies, all of us—me, Timu, everyone—would have died. It's only natural to thank the savior who rescued West Street. I feel like I haven't thanked you enough!"

"No, really, no more... I've received plenty of thanks from them as well."

The residents of West Street have been giving me excessive hospitality. Every time I walk down the street, they give me something, and they won't back down even when I refuse. Eventually, people started calling me "Our Savior!" and there's no end to those who come to worship me.

All I did was fire a single magic bullet. I didn't go through any hardship.

"That's not all. My memory is hazy because I blacked out, but Miless-chan, you desperately protected me, right? Sacrificing everything for my sake."

"That's..."

I am certainly aware of it. Even with lost memories, I vaguely remember. That day, I desperately tried to protect Tilea-san above all else. Risking my life, using all my power, I confronted a great evil.

Wait, great evil? Elizabeth? Or Baccio? No, not such small fry. Something more massive and hideous...

...I don't remember. I don't know. I just remember being filled with the determination to protect her no matter what. That feeling continues even now. I'm overflowing with it.

Though I'm too embarrassed to tell Tilea-san that.

"I-It's nothing... I'm a magic student. Protecting citizens is my duty. So you don't need to feel indebted."

"No, I'll say it as many times as needed. Miless-chan, you risked your life for me. You tried so, so hard. Thank you so much."

Tilea-san embraces me tightly.

Tilea-san...

I should be the one thanking you.

She's so warm and kind.

I'm proud that I could protect someone like Tilea-san. Seeing her smile makes me so happy I could jump for joy—

"Getting all high and mighty, aren't you?"

"!?"

I heard an incredibly gloomy, crawling voice filled with hatred. It was like all the negative emotions—hatred, envy, jealousy—rolled into one.

I glance sideways to find the source of the voice.

There he is.

Glaring at us resentfully from behind a tree.

It's Ortissio-san.

He used to like me quite a bit before.

So that's how it is—I've become very well-liked by Tilea-san. She welcomes me warmly. That makes me very happy.

However, there's been a reaction to that. I'm receiving special favor from the Eastern Kingdom's princess. Naturally, that leads to jealousy. The gazes of the soldiers serving the Eastern Kingdom have naturally become harsher.

Those piercing gazes... filled with jealousy, astonishment, a bit of admiration, and a lot of killing intent.

Among them, one person in particular has been radiating killing intent. A soldier who is especially cherished by Tilea-san. A combat professional who serves as a unit commander, Ortissio Bo Bach himself.

How many times has he attacked me in these few days...

I've countered every attack, but he won't give up. He even went so far as to risk his life to challenge me to a duel.

He won't stop even when I ask him to. When I threatened him with violence, saying "I'll break your arm if you don't stop," he retorted, "You may break my arm, but you cannot break my spirit."

When I took it a step further and threatened, "I'll kill you," he shouted, "Ortissio may die, but the Evil God Army will not perish!"

Come on, I'm not your enemy. If you'd just stop attacking me, that would be enough!

Wait, so the Eastern Kingdom Army is camouflaged under the name "Evil God Army"? I learned something new.

I've captured him seven times and released him seven times. Still, Ortissio-san shows no sign of remorse. His hostility only grows.

Normally, after going through so much, there should be some change in attitude. But if I keep him tied up, he tries to commit suicide saying, "I won't suffer the humiliation of being a captive while alive."

I couldn't kill Ortissio-san, so I was at my wit's end. In the end, I consulted Tilea-san and resolved the situation.

Ortissio-san was made to write an oath, swearing in Tilea-san's name that he would never attack me again. It seems he has no intention of breaking an oath made in his lord's name.

Since then, he hasn't attacked me. Instead, he glares at me with resentful eyes around the clock, like now.

"Haah~"

"Miless-chan, why are you sighing?"

"...It's nothing. By the way, Tilea-san, isn't it about time for your prep work?"

"Oh, you're right. Time has passed. Well then, Miless-chan. Come visit the store again sometime. I'll treat you to my new dishes. It's special!"

Tilea-san winks and returns to her store. Throwing a parting line, "I love you, Miless-chan!"

In that instant, the atmosphere changes again. The aura of anger intensifies. I can imagine Ortissio-san's angry expression. I can almost hear him say "Gununu."

"Gununuuu!"

I actually heard it.

Oh, what should I do?

Should I consult Tilea-san again?

This is what they call a "stalker," right? That's knowledge I picked up from chatting with Tilea-san.

Yes, if he keeps following me around, I'll ask Tilea-san to issue a restraining order.

As I walk with that resolve...

"Oh, if it isn't Miless!"

Timu appears.

"Please spare me from data collection," I immediately bow my head. I bow as rapidly as a click beetle.

I'm happy to become closer, but I can't stand being subjected to those things all the time. My lifespan shrinks. No, my life itself might disappear if I let my guard down.

"Don't worry. I'm currently reviewing the data. There won't be any for a while."

"I see, that's good."

I breathe a sigh of relief. I should retreat while Timu hasn't changed her mind. I turn on my heel.

"M-Miless."

"W-What?"

"Have your abilities increased again? Did you learn from the experiments? No, that's not all. Your cells seem to have been activated dramatically by understanding your own characteristics."

Timu observes me with researcher-like eyes again. When Timu gets like this, she's more persistent than a snake or Ortissio-san. She pursues thoroughly until her questions are resolved.

"W-Well then, Camilla-sama. I have an errand, so I'll be going now."

I wave and try to leave, but...

"Wait, Miless."

Timu grabs my shoulder and stops me.

"Um, I really am in a hurry..."

"No good. I take back what I said. The previous data is useless. I must acquire the latest data."

Timu smiles wickedly... what an evil face.

This is bad. At this rate, I'll have to endure the hellish experiments again.

"Ah! Come to think of it, Tilea-sama said she was going to prep for the restaurant. Don't you need to help her?"

"Cooking is one of my sister's pleasures. I shouldn't go and interfere."

"Are you sure? The other day, Tilea-sama was so happy that Camilla-sama helped her. She definitely doesn't think you're interfering. Besides, Tilea-sama seemed troubled because she was late for prep time."

"Hmm, I see. My sister is in trouble. Then helping her takes priority over my research."

"Yes, yes, that's right."

"Then we'll do the experiment tomorrow."

"Huh?"

"Why are you looking dumbfounded? I won't say it twice. Come to me tomorrow."

...I should completely conceal my presence for the whole day tomorrow.

"By the way, hiding your presence will be futile."

"Eh!?"

"No matter where you hide, I'll find you. I'll tie you up and bring you if I have to."

My stealth is something Timu herself has vouched for. Yet Timu has this fearless confidence. Wait, could it be!?

"Investigation magic, Googol!"

I cast a tracing spell on myself to scan my body. Is there a problem with my magic circulation? I examine thoroughly from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

Then... I found it. An extremely minute magical flaw. This must be a transmitter that detects magical power.

As expected, Timu is a genius. When did she embed such a precise magical crystal? To do something like this without me noticing, with my current abilities. It requires high magical technique and first-class sensibility.

Anyway, I'm glad I noticed. The analysis is complete. I should remove it immediately.

Googol magic activate! Protection removal initiated, removing... complete.

"What!? You removed that?"

Timu widens her eyes in astonishment. I've been seeing this expression on Timu's face quite often lately. And this is from Timu who always maintained a poker face at the academy. My current abilities must be truly impressive.

"Of course I removed it. Please spare me from being monitored around the clock."

"Kuku, Miless, you make it sound so easy. I embedded it to function semi-permanently. I made it absolutely impossible to remove."

"...Camilla-sama, it's a bit late to say this, but I'll say it anyway. That's seriously a crime."

"Fufu, a crime? So what? More importantly, well done finding it, well done removing it! Normally, one wouldn't even find a trace. How far will you excite my heart? Let me see a bit of what's in your head."

"W-Wait... stop it!"

"Miless, are you still teasing me? You creator-pleaser!"

"Again with the incomprehensible statements!"

For the next few minutes until Timu went to Tilea-san, we repeated a magical war. I'm exhausted. It felt like we were exchanging our lives. So this is how high-dimensional a battle between higher humans is.

Well, as you can see, Timu has also taken a liking to me. Tilea-san and Timu. I've become closer to the two people I adore. That's good. I think it's the best.

However...

"Don't get so full of yourself."

I heard an incredibly gloomy voice layered with curses. Yes, if it weren't for this.

I glance to the right at the shadow of a tree. There was Edim, glaring at me with eyes that could curse me to death.

Like Ortissio-san, Edim has been persistently bothering me since then. She attacks relentlessly, not hesitating to strike at dawn or night.

There's no danger to my life, but I wish she'd at least leave me alone when I'm sleeping at night. When I gently cautioned her, Edim said, "Kuku, you seem to be in trouble. Vampires don't need sleep. From now on, you'll have no days of rest," and began thoroughly disrupting my sleep.

No, that's not it! I cautioned her because I might accidentally kill her while half-asleep. Yet she won't listen at all.

Though I don't quite need no sleep, I can easily stay awake for about a year. It's not about me, Edim, I'm saying this for your sake!

In the end, I consulted Tilea-san about Edim too and resolved the situation. She wrote an oath, swearing in Tilea-san's name never to attack me again.

Since then, she hasn't attacked me. However, whenever I go out, she follows me stealthily. She watches me at all times. A complete "stalker."

There's nothing I can do. I turn around and move to the tree where the two are hiding. Seeing me, they both whistle innocently.

"That's not very convincing."

"My, what a coincidence. If it isn't Miless-san of the Vincent family!"

Edim greets me with feigned innocence.

"...Edim, Ortissio-san, won't you please stop this?"

"Stop what?"

"Stop what?"

They seem intent on playing dumb about their stalking behavior.

"I'd like to talk to both of you for a bit, is that okay?"

"I wonder what kind of conversation we'll have with Miless-sama, who enjoys the exclusive favor of both Camilla-sama and Tilea-sama, the current darling."

Such sarcasm. Edim must be really upset.

"Edim, listen. I'm not trying to curry favor with Tilea-sama or Camilla-sama. Really."

"Not trying to curry favor? Are you serious?!"

"Y-Yes. Well, I do want to become friends with them..."

"There it is, just as I expected. You've always had that kind of nice personality. Want to become friends? That's what I call currying favor!"

"Exactly. How far will you go to deceive our revered lords? You!"

Ortissio-san and Edim shout angrily. Their barrage of abuse doesn't stop. Denying it would be pointless now. I have no choice. I'll concede somewhat and talk.

"Alright, I admit it. You're both right. I'll reflect on it. But it's not just Tilea-sama and Camilla-sama. I want to be friends with Edim, of course, and with Ortissio-san too."

I show them a smile. I made it clear that I harbor no hostility whatsoever.

"Edim, what is this fellow saying? Why are we suddenly part of the conversation?"

"Ortissio-sama, this is what they call a people-pleaser. Miless-san has always been like this, very resourceful. Even when problems arose, she somehow managed to make teachers and classmates her allies. With her quiet demeanor, she was quite the operator. Looking back, she was a genius at winning people over, a great deceiver."

"Hmm, a vixen, as they say."

"Yes, she also charmed upperclassmen at the academy, was favored by male teachers, and was quite skilled at manipulating men. Looking back, she was full of cunning and devilish talent."

"Hmm, a femme fatale, as they say."

These two get along well, don't they? I heard they were like cats and dogs, but they're perfectly in sync. They're happily gossiping about me in hushed tones. Birds of a feather?

"Edim, when you find such a nation-toppling vixen and femme fatale, what should a retainer do?"

"There's only one option: extermination. Exterminate, exterminate, exterminate, exterminate, exterminate, exterminate, exterminate. That's the only way."

They've been saying whatever they want all this time. I'm enduring it because they're my friends. I might end up exterminating them myself at this rate.

I find myself clenching my fist. No, that's not right. Impatience leads to loss. I need to talk patiently.

"Ortissio-san, Edim, listen. If you have any complaints about me, tell me anything. I'll fix it."

"Complaints? No such thing... I can't bear to be reported by you again."

"Ah, we are victims of slander from a vixen and femme fatale."

Slander...? The fact that you repeatedly attacked me is true, isn't it!

Can I get angry now? No, I understand how these two feel. I'm aware that I'm being favored by Tilea-san and Timu. These two really love Tilea-san and Timu. It's no wonder they're driven by jealousy.

Be an adult. Be an adult, Miless.

"Alright. What do you two want? I can't do everything... but I'll do what I can."

The two look at each other. Then they smile wickedly.

"Well then, shall we have a light sparring match?"

"Isn't dueling prohibited by Tilea-sama?"

"It's not a duel. It's sparring. Light, just like light exercise."

Ortissio-san insists it's not a duel. He seems to be plotting something. Well, if that satisfies these two, I guess it's fine.

"I understand. That's fine."

The three of us then descend the stairs, moving to the arena located underground.

[TL notes: I added a poll regarding this novel and If we should translate volume 5 which ended on cliffhanger https://take.supersurvey.com/poll5470491x6eB64CDb-162 ]