Tilea's Worries

Jessica walked briskly down the middle street.

Today, she was going to have tea with Edim at Lind's Mall. She had promised Edim this during the battle against the demon. However, her steps were a bit heavy. Recently, there had been incidents involving vampires.

Could it be Edim... No, that’s not possible!

Jessica had her doubts about Edim, but she shook them off. Edim hadn't changed. She was still her friend. She was keeping her promise to have tea today. Jessica swallowed her lingering doubts and entered the café, heading for their meeting spot.

"Edim!?"

Edim was slumped over the table, looking utterly dejected. It wasn’t just a normal kind of sadness. It was as if she had been cast into hell, a picture of utter despair.

"E-Edim, you look like you’re... dead..."

Her soul seemed to have left her body. She looked ready to ascend to heaven at any moment.

"Hey, Edim?"

"I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, now I’m just a runner for the Second Division. I’m an idiot, an idiot. What kind of Dark Lord am I? The fool thought I would be executed that day, but the idiot wasn’t executed. I failed, I failed, I failed, I failed, what was the reason? The failure of the demon hunt? The fallout from Ortidiot? Or was it because I couldn’t understand Lady Tilea’s words? But Lady Tilea isn’t to blame. It’s my fault."

Edim was muttering curses with her face pressed against the table.

Whoa, Edim, you’re seriously losing it.

"E-Edim, snap out of it!"

Jessica shook Edim's shoulders. The shaking seemed to bring some awareness back to Edim's vacant eyes.

"Huh? J-Jessica?"

"Yes, it's Jessica. What happened, Edim? You look like you're about to die."

"Haha. Jessica, I was just tasting the impermanence of life."

W-What? Impermanence of life...?

When we fought the demon together, she was exhausted, but her spirit seemed fine.

What happened to Edim since then?

"Edim, if you have a problem, tell me. I want to help."

"......"

Edim sighed and said nothing. It was like she thought talking to me would be pointless. I know Edim might be facing problems as a vampire that I can’t even imagine. Problems that I, a mere human, can’t solve. But that doesn’t mean I can just do nothing while my friend is in crisis.

"Edim, I might not be much help, but just talking about your troubles can lighten your heart. So—"

"Jessica, you’re still such a good girl."

"Stop with the sarcasm! I’m genuinely worried about you."

"Sigh, I envy how carefree you are."

"What!? I have my own share of problems!"

Jessica leaned forward, trying to make her point.

Even today, she had been worrying about Edim all the way to this café...

Edim, you’ve gotten a lot harsher since becoming a vampire.

"Well, even if you do have problems, they’re tiny, tiny. As tiny as the size of your chest. My problems—no, calling them problems is too light a word. Is there even a word that can describe my heart filled with darkness?"

Ugh, that was a very sharp remark, but if my friend is troubled, I want to help.

"Edim, what’s bothering you? Is it because you became a vampire?"

"Jessica, let’s drop that topic. My troubles are beyond such trivial matters."

Becoming a vampire is trivial...

I felt the depth of Edim's troubles.

"Then, did the royal family find out about you? Are you being hunted?"

"No, no. You don’t need to worry about that."

Edim waved her hand, denying it outright.

So it’s not about her safety.

Could it be about the demons Edim used to look up to...?

"Is it because of Arkyune? Did killing him cause you trouble?"

Arkyune was one reason Edim attacked me last year. She said he was her master, and if she still had unresolved feelings, it would be sad.

"Arkyune? Oh, Jessica, I had forgotten about that guy until you mentioned him. I don’t have time to care about such a petty guy. This is an emergency."

Calling her former master petty...

Edim was the one who kept targeting me, shouting, "Revenge for Arkyune!"

But it seems like, as Tilea said, Edim is completely free from the demon's influence.

"Then, what’s troubling you? Is it something about your current life?"

"Ugh!?"

"So, it’s dissatisfaction with your life. It’s not about basic needs like food or shelter, right? You’re a vampire, and you have the academy dorm, so you’re fine with that. Hmm, is it about relationships?"

"Ugh!?"

So it’s about relationships...

Who could it be?

Edim showed no concern for her own life earlier. Normally, a vampire would be hunted by the government constantly. But Edim acted as if there was no way the royal family would target her.

Could it be that she’s part of a secret organization linked to the royal family? Edim’s power is vast, so it wouldn’t be surprising if an organization took an interest in her.

Maybe she’s secretly working to defeat demons, like Lilith used to.

"Edim, are you part of an organization like the Decarabia?"

"Huh?"

"I won’t ask what kind of organization it is or what they do. I’m sure it’s a secret."

"Well, yeah."

"But tell me one thing. Are they treating you badly? If so, I won’t forgive them! I’ll ask Remilia-sama or even Tilea-san for help—"

"Jessica! I told you before. I can’t involve Tilea-sa... Tilea-san. She’s my benefactor."

Edim stopped me with a fierce look. I understand not wanting to involve Tilea-san. But Edim’s tone felt too harsh. Tilea-san is incredibly strong. Normally, Edim would rely on her without hesitation. It felt like Edim was holding back a lot with Tilea-san.

Almost as if Tilea-san is Edim's master...

I see!

"Edim, just answer what you can."

"What is it?"

"Is Tilea-san part of the organization you're in?"

"Th-That's... no... it’s not like that..."

"So, she is."

"I told you, she’s not!"

"You don’t have to hide it. The moment you hesitated, I knew."

Looks like I was right.

Tilea-san’s strength isn’t normal. She pretends to be an ordinary person, but that’s impossible. If she’s not part of a special organization like Decarabia, it doesn’t make sense. Her power to hunt demons isn’t just for show.

But if that's the case, was Tilea-san lying about being just a cook to protect the organization’s secrets?

No, Tilea-san isn’t the type to lie like that. Her strength doesn’t match her intellect.

What does this mean?

I pondered.

...I see. Tilea-san might be under a brainwashing spell cast by the head of the organization. Despite her immense power, her intellect is a bit... lacking.

It would be easier to use brainwashing magic to make Tilea-san think she’s just an ordinary cook than to train her in deception. That way, she wouldn’t slip up.

In times of crisis, they could lift the brainwashing spell, or someone like me could guide her to defeat enemies.

"Jessica, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but Tilea-sa... san has nothing to do with it."

"Edim, you don’t have to pretend. Tilea-san is a high-ranking member of the organization, right?"

"Th-That’s... I..."

"Don’t worry. I understand that Tilea-san’s role in the organization is top-secret."

Tilea-san’s immense combat power, but sadly, brainwashed by the leader of the organization to think she’s just a cook. Her powers are probably sealed most of the time.

"Jessica, how much do you know? Did Tilea-sa... san tell you anything?"

"No, just a guess."

"A guess? You know too much... well, you belong to Lady Remilia, so maybe it’s okay."

"Hm? Did you say something, Edim?"

"No, nothing."

"But Edim, I won’t tell anyone. So don’t feel pressured."

"That’s a relief. It felt wrong to call Tilea-sama ‘san’. But I can’t say more."

"That’s okay. I understand it’s like the demon extermination agency Lilith-chan belonged to. I won’t pry into national secrets."

"...Please."

"And it sounds like someone in that organization is harassing you because you’re a vampire..."

"Sigh, Jessica, you’re sharp. Yes, there’s a really annoying superior. Stupid idiot! They call me a half-demon!"

Half-demon? That’s awful! Calling her a demon is horrible!

Even if Edim regained her human heart, her body is still that of a vampire. So, she’s called a half-demon. Being discriminated against in a demon extermination agency must be tough.

"Edim, can’t you leave that organization? It sounds really hard."

"Jessica, I’ll keep it short. That’s my only place. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I won’t be driven out by an idiot!"

I see, that makes sense. As a vampire, Edim needs to be managed by the country to survive. If released, she would be condemned in the name of justice.

"Sorry, that was thoughtless of me. Hmm, why not consult Tilea-san? She’s higher up than that annoying superior, right?"

Despite being brainwashed to think she’s just a cook, Tilea-san’s combat power suggests she holds a high position.

"That’s true, but Tilea-sama is quite... unique. I think she’d help, but I worry about the outcome."

"I get that."

Asking Tilea-san for help might result in odd solutions or make things more complicated.

"Then talk to someone higher than Tilea-san. There must be someone who understands your situation."

"Sigh, I wonder if there’s anyone like that... haha."

Edim’s dry laughter filled the room...

Ah, I get it now,

Tilea-san and Edim’s superiors are both eccentric. It seems like there are few reasonable people in such a covert organization.

"Talking to Remilia-sama from the security force is out of the question, right?"

"Of course. Jessica, I won’t forgive you if you do that."

Alex from Decarabia and Remilia-sama didn’t get along either. There’s probably territorial rivalry between organizations. Consulting them would be risky.

"I understand. I have no right to interfere with your organization. But please don’t overdo it. I’m here if you need to vent."

"Thank you, Jessica. Haha, it feels like I’ve finally met a normal person after a long time."

A dry smile. Edim, you’re really suffering.

There’s not much I can do. But I can invite Edim for tea to help her vent.

For the next while, I listened to Edim’s grievances, trying to lighten her burden. Most of the talk was about her insufferable superior. Even if I take it with a grain of salt, it sounds like a tough superior.

Thirty minutes later...

"Sigh, talking about that idiot calmed me a bit. Jessica, can we have tea again sometime?"

"Of course! I’m glad you feel a bit better."

"I think I’ll need more escapes from the idiots of the Second Division."

Edim seemed more relaxed.

Should I ask about it?

Looking at Edim now, it doesn’t seem related to that incident...

But I don’t want to stress Edim out when she’s just calmed down. If her soul leaves her body again, it’ll be hard for me too.

But the town’s peace is at stake. And if the organization suspects Edim, it would be worse for her. It’s better to ask.

"Edim, changing the subject, do you know about the recent vampire incidents in town?"

"Huh? Jessica, what do you mean!"

Edim’s surprise shows she doesn’t know.

"Recently, a vampire has been causing trouble in town. I know it’s not your fault."

"Of course, it’s not! Who’s the idiot causing trouble?"

I told Edim about the vampire terrorizing the town.

How he acts like a king and claims he’ll rule the country.

Edim turned pale and her lips trembled as she listened.

"E-Edim, are you okay?"

"I’ll kill them, kill them, absolutely kill them! Who’s the idiot running amok!"

"Calm down, Edim—"

"Jessica! Take me to where they were last seen!"

With that, Edim grabbed me and we left the café.

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Author Notes:

  This time, I included the tenth illustration. It was exactly as I imagined. Many thanks to the illustrator, Yamada-sama.

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