Chapter 571
The black-haired Witch, as always, wore the dark sweater that covered her completely. She sat alone on the Sofa, holding a steaming cup of Black Tea, gazing indifferently at the morning light outside the window.
Since her sitting posture was no different from the one she had seen the night before, Erice even thought that Aoko Aozaki might have stayed up all night like herself.
Erice hesitated for a moment, then walked over anyway.
Good morning, Ms. Kuonji.
Alice hearing the sound, Youzhu slowly turned her head. Her dark eyes were calm and unwavering, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
Good morning, Erice.
Silence fell over the Hall once again.
Erice sat down on the Sofa opposite Alice, her gaze somewhat unfocused.
She wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.
Finally, a thought popped into her head uncontrollably, Erice asked instinctively, "Um, Novia, isn't he up yet?"
The moment the question left her mouth, Erice regretted it.
Why should I care about that man's whereabouts?
Alice picked up her Black Tea, took a small sip, and moved with elegance.
Her expression and gaze remained calm, as if Erice had only asked about the weather that day.
"He's probably still sleeping with those guys."
Alice's voice was flat and monotonous, without any inflection.
Upon hearing this,
Erice thought of Kama, Melusine, and the newcomer Lilith... Oh, I almost forgot, there's also the Sloth Angel! Damn it! What does that bastard think his house is? A Kuonji paradise with no restraint? How utterly shameless!
Just as Erice was inwardly berating Novia, Aoko Aozaki pushed a freshly brewed cup of Black Tea in front of Erice.
"Black Tea."
"Thanks."
Erice finished her cup of Black Tea in one gulp, then put down the cup, stood up, and said again, somewhat hastily, "I'm going out."
She didn't want to stay in this place where that person named Novia was anymore.
The Witch's dark eyes merely lifted slightly as Erice, then returned to the view outside the window, giving a very slight nod in response.
Erice practically fled the Kuonji residence.
In the early morning, there weren't many pedestrians on the streets of Akihabara.
Sunlight filters through the gaps between the tall buildings, casting dappled shadows.
Erice walked aimlessly, her mind still filled with Chitose's face, which resembled hers Chitose, and those puzzling words.
What exactly does it mean?
What exactly is the relationship between myself and Chitose? Isn't it just a simple adoption? My mother is Izanami...
Chitose also said that she resembled herself.
This is absurd.
Erice shook her head, trying to clear her mind of these chaotic thoughts.
She looked up at the electronic signs in Akihabara; the flashing lights seemed somewhat dim in the daytime.
Erice once thought she was the only outcast in the New World, the only one without Servant.
Arriving in Akihabara, I thought I had found a temporary place to stay.
The Black-Haired Girl walked through familiar streets, passing by places where she had once carried out Night Watch missions with the "Demon King".
Those memories, uncontrollably, surged into my mind like a tide.
Demon King, where are you now?
Do you know about the Chitose story?
Do you know how I feel right now? I'm so annoyed.
A soft sigh escaped Erice's lips, and her steps unconsciously turned towards the sea.
The beach in Akihabara appeared tranquil and expansive in the morning light. Erice looked at the surging waves in the distance and the blurred boundary where the sea and sky met. The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, ruffled her hair.
Time slips away unnoticed.
When Erice raised her wrist to check the time again, the hands were already pointing to noon.
A feeling of emptiness came from my stomach.
Erice decided to find a place to have lunch first.
Just as Erice turned to leave the beach, a familiar figure came into view.
Not far away, a blue-haired girl wearing a bright yellow raincoat was busy beside a small cart, still bundled up tightly even in the sweltering heat.
It's Luce.
The girl who chose to leave the Kuonji residence and rent a place to live had a handwritten sign hanging on her cart that read, "Handmade Cross Ice Cream".
Erice walked over with some curiosity.
Only upon closer inspection did I realize that Luce's stall displayed ice cream cones shaped Cross.
"Luce?"
Hearing the voice, the Blue-Haired Girl looked up, saw it was Erice, and gave a bright smile. Her blue eyes were as clear as the sky after the rain.
"Erice! What a coincidence!"
"You're still wearing a raincoat...?"
"Yes, because this is my Combat Suit!" Luce puffed out her chest and answered earnestly, then picked up a Cross ice cream and presented it to Erice like a treasure. "Want to try some? I made it myself, it's delicious!"
Erice looked at the uniquely shaped ice cream, then at Luce's expectant eyes, and finally nodded.
I took a bite, and the cool, sweet taste melted in my mouth, seemingly dispelling some of the gloom in my heart.
"Speaking of which, Luce, what made you decide to sell ice cream? Was it because you moved out?" Erice asked curiously.
"Because, I'm independent now," Luce said, tilting her head. "Besides, staying at home all the time gets a bit boring."
Upon hearing Erice felt a slight ripple in her heart.
Yes, staying in the Kuonji residence all the time is indeed a bit depressing.
She herself has been living there for almost... quite a long time, if you count from when she met the Demon King.
Perhaps I should consider moving out myself.
This thought flashed by like a Mars, but Erice quickly extinguished it with reason.
No.
He cannot leave the Kuonji residence.
At least not yet.
Because there, she and the "Demon King" share memories.
Those memories are some of the few solaces Erice now.
I don't want to give up easily. How could I possibly abandon all of this just to avoid that guy? Absolutely not!
Looking at Luce's innocent face, Erice and suddenly thought of a question.
Although she hadn't asked, Erice always thought that Luce left the Kuonji residence and even chose to live elsewhere because, like herself, he didn't really like Novia, who was a womanizer.
After all, a girl as innocent and lovely as Luce would probably hate frivolous men, right? That's right, how could she possibly tolerate a guy who's always surrounded by women? That must be it! Thinking of this, Erice even felt a sense of closeness to Luce, as if they shared a common hatred.
So, Erice casually asked:
"Luce, what do you... think of that Novia guy?"
She hoped, even longed, that Luce would, like herself, show strong aversion and contempt towards Novia.
However, Luce's answer struck Erice's heart like a hammer blow.
"Novia?" Luce's eyes lit up instantly at the name, his face beaming with undisguised joy. "I actually really like Novia!"
His voice was full of sincerity and enthusiasm, without the slightest hesitation or affectation.
"If it were possible," Luce clasped his hands together in front of his chest, his face filled with an almost praying expression of longing, "I hope we can be together forever!"
Erice was completely stunned, her mind went blank.
I could hardly believe my ears.
Like?
Luce actually said he likes that scumbag Novia?
And you want to stay with him forever?
How is that possible?!
"R-Really?" Erice's voice was a little hoarse.
"Yes, Luce, I really like Novia." Luce repeated, her tone still firm, "Novia is a very nice person."
Is he a very nice person?
Erice was starting to suspect that Luce had been drugged by Novia.
What's so great about that guy besides his passable looks?
A frivolous, promiscuous, arrogant, irresponsible, and manipulative bastard...
Erice silently labeled Novia with a series of negative tags in her mind.
Erice immediately pressed on, her voice tinged with an urgency she herself didn't realize. "If that's the case, then why... why did you move out?"
If Luce really likes Novia that much, why doesn't he stay at the Kuonji mansion? Why does he have to rent a place to live and even work so hard selling ice cream?
This makes absolutely no sense.
When Luce heard Erice's question, the smile on his face faded slightly, and a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes.
"Because..." Luce lowered her head, her voice softening, "Because there are a lot of people in my family."
"Erice, Alice- san, and Chitose."
"And then, Miss Gamo, Miss Melusine, and that... Miss Lilith, who's scary but actually quite cute, came too."
Luce counted them one by one on his fingers.
"I think Novia might get a little annoyed if I stay in the mansion all the time."
"Luce doesn't want to cause Novia any trouble."
"If my presence would bother Novia, then I'd rather not show up at all."
The Blue-Haired Girl's voice was soft, yet it carried a heart-wrenching tenderness and understanding.
Erice listened to Luce's words and felt a mix of emotions.
I never expected that Luce would leave the Kuonji mansion for this reason.
This guy...
To avoid causing Novia any trouble, he silently endured everything.
Erice felt a pang of heartache, feeling sorry for Luce.
A kind and innocent girl like Luce deserves the best care, but she falls for an irresponsible and scumbag man like Novia. It's like a lamb being led to the slaughter!
That bastard, what kind of spell did he cast on these girls?!
Erice became increasingly angry, wishing she could rush back to the Kuonji mansion right now and drag Novia out to give her a good beating.
But she also knew that she couldn't do that.
Erice a deep breath, trying to calm her inner anger.
Just as Erice was immersed in grief and indignation, a detail flashed through her mind like lightning.
Etc...