Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I turned my back on the Duke.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Eve.'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Hmm.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

You may want to hear the duke beg for his life, but make it quick, please.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve didn't answer right away.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I stopped counting the bodies and said.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'If you don't like it, I can--'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

No,

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve opened her mouth.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Let me finish what I started.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

All right. Come to me when you're done.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Nodding one nod, Eve stood in front of the duke.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　She clutches her sword in her hand.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I resume counting the bodies.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

''Nuh, oh......gu, gigi......, hi......hi, iii.......''

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Finally, the duke couldn't escape the reality.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　He could feel it from behind.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The duke's fear.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

The duke's fear. I don't have to worry about being misled by words ...... I'm simple.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve's voice was frozen.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　It was cold as ice.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'If you had only tricked me, maybe I would still have felt the urge to forgive you somewhere. But it was a bad move to try to get to ...... that girl, too.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Gee, guh...... guh, uu, uu......'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Tears may be shed, but I won't be fooled.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Gee, gee, gee, gee... ......

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Goodbye.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I heard a very small, short scream.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　A final word from Eve's mouth.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Normally, it would have been directed at the Duke.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　But depending on how you look at it, the words may have been directed to his past self, which was sweet.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　　　　　â?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　One footstep stopped behind him.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Toka.'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

...... Have you been able to finish it?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Hmm.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve was more sunny than I thought she would be.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Lord Toka,'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Seras came out of the woods with Liz's hand in tow.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Now he is unraveling the change.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The power of the spirit comes with a price.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Essentially, the power of change should not be used either.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Well, there's no need for the power of change right now either.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Seras looks around.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

''It's over, it seems.''

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Liz was holding the hem of Seras's clothes.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　She huddled around Seras's waist.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I said.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Liz, if you don't want to see the body--'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Yeah, I'm fine. ......

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Really?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

I've seen a lot of the people who have attacked us ...... when I was traveling with my sister.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　This isn't the first time I've seen a dead body, huh?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　But I'm sure it's trembling in small increments.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Well, it's not something you get used to seeing all the time.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Seras, I have a little to do with Eve. Can you take Liz and get ready to leave first?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Yes, sir. Now, let's collect the package we left behind and then we'll get the horses that are still hanging around the area.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Please. Oh, and, uh,

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

What is it?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Thank you for that bow and arrow cover.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Seras looks unsure of himself.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'That was also a self-decision that wasn't directed--'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

I told you before. I trust your judgment.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Selous closes her eyes as she bites down on her words.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　As it was, she put her hand on her chest.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Yes, thank you ......'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

You are now the second-in-command of this mercenary corps. You'll be in charge of making the decisions when I'm not in charge. Will you accept that for Eve and Liz?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Hmm.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Okay.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve and Liz answered.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Seras smiled.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'I look forward to working with you in the future, both of you.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

And Selous.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Yes, sir.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Before you get ready to leave, can you grab that thing in your luggage?　I think I'll use it later. So yeah, ......, put it around there.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Seras looked immediately pinged.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Yes, sir.'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　When he finished deciding on a general rendezvous position, Seras turned to the woods.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Um, Seras-sama,'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Looking unenthusiastic, Liz stopped.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'What's wrong, Liz?'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Wow. Let me help you with that ......

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Liz's voice was trembling.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Earlier, Toka-sama included me as a member of the mercenary group: ......

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Liz?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Tears were forming in the corners of Liz's eyes.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'I want to do something to help you too: ......

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I'm doing something wrong.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　For some reason, Liz has the feeling that she thinks so.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Seras patted Liz's head.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'I understand. Now, I need you to help me carry my stuff. Okay?'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Yes, yes ...... thank you, Mr. Selous. ......

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　They did so and disappeared into the woods.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Liz is afraid to speak her mind.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　She thinks it's a bad idea.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Maybe it's the effect of living with the mistress.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　They're in denial.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　They deny a child's ability to make his own decisions.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Out of their own mind.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Just do as you're told.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　They will repress it in their own minds.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Then the child will not have confidence in his own ideas.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Everything they do seems to be wrong.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The next thing you know, your emotions are frozen too .......

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The emotional trauma Liz has suffered seems to run deep.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Eve.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

What?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

You'll take the time to heal that boy's wounds, won't you?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

I'm responsible for my insensitivity to that boy ...... and rightly so.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I looked at the woods where Liz had disappeared.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Me and Selous will be with you while we travel together.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Oh ...... thank you, Toka.'

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　　　　　o

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

And what are you doing with me, Toka?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Bodies scattered around.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　We were counting bodies a minute ago.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Zero strikes and zero misses.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　They were wiped out.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　They were once poisoned, but now they're just dumb.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"............

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I'll have to explain it to Eve.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　I put my hand in my pocket.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Look at this one, Eve.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Is it ice, or is it ......?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　What my fingertips are picking at.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　A small chunk of ice.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Eve observes it with her eyes.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Hmm?　It looks like a bug in ice: ......

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

'Yes. This is a live insect, with the [Freeze] skill, frozen.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com