"Let it go. Normally, a woman would be so rude to me...

　Leme-san smiled helplessly at my rude me, who didn't even say thank you, but still didn't get in a bad mood.

''Umm, of course there are people who simply don't like me and say bad things about me, and that kind of thing hurts me. I don't think it can be helped. And if you don't like it, you don't like it. But I've found that you are different. I'm used to being told that, so I know right away. Either you don't like me, or you're annoyed by something different.

　I was a figurehead.
　It's not that I didn't like Mr. Leme.
　I envied Leme's environment and said terrible things about him.
　I'd still rather have someone who dislikes him simply because they don't like him. I'm the worst.

'When people are having a bad or painful day, they vent to those around them. To family, friends, loved ones, significant others. But some people can't do that. People who aren't lonely, but are too independent to expose their weaknesses. Such people keep black emotions bottled up in their hearts. The only way to avoid breaking down is to vent. You can't do it to the people around you, so you have to do it to others who are irrelevant and in just the right place.

　..........
　His words smoothly entered my heart.
　He was able to articulate my bewilderment well.

''That's not a good thing, but that doesn't mean I'm going to abandon the place where I might be attacked. I'm still a brave party, though.''

　Then he put his hand on his chest and smiled. I was very impressed with his face, as if he was a little proud of himself.
　I instantly felt ashamed of myself and immediately put into words the feelings that were rising in my chest.

''I'm sorry........!　I'm sorry, Samuel, for saying such a horrible thing. It wasn't your fault. I'm sorry...!

Yes, I forgive you.

　The boy nodded gently. That was the end of it, and he forgave me.

'How can you, well, you have that kind of power, and yet you're silent after being told what to do like that? I think the evaluation has to be legitimate. If you can't be recognized because you're a [Black Mage], or because you're a woman, or because you're young, or any other stupid reason, that's just wrong.

　I put myself over against him, but Leme never asked me what was going on.
　Because if I did, it would expose wounds that I originally didn't want to talk to people about.
　So he didn't ask me anything, just gave me an answer.

'But I was the one who walked into the wrong system.

I'm not sure...

It's easy to give up, but you suffered because you didn't give up. Then why didn't you give up? In my case, it was because I had a dream. I have a goal that I've set for myself, so I can do my best. The voices around me are painful, and to be honest, I feel frustrated. But it's a trivial matter when you think about what your dream will be when it comes true.

　Why?　Why........why is that?
　Since I can't change my [position (job)], I thought I had no choice but to live my life doing what I could within that range.
　I thought I could do it, and I didn't spare no effort to do so.
　Is it pride if I say so?

I think it's cool when people never stop trying. But if you're feeling limited there, maybe it's okay to change your ways.

The way...

　He didn't fuss over me just because I was drunk, but was polite in an audible voice.

'For example, you can find an employer who doesn't judge people based on their youth or gender. You can get away from things you don't like. That's not an escape, that's a retreat. I'm sure you'll find the next place to try.

　The boy looked apologetic, as if he thought it was irresponsible to encourage him.
　I thought to myself that my path was closed.
　But retreat. For example, how about finding a job in a city far away from this city?
　Or if the dungeon master was a woman's place, they might be willing to listen to me.

''For now, shall we get away from here?　Just leave them alone...

　Reme seemed to be worried that leaving these men unattended would create another victim.
　But that didn't mean he could leave the men and me in the same space, nor could he let me leave alone in my dizzy state.
　I could see that the gentle boy was troubled by this.
　My surprise and fear had faded, and I was more relaxed than I had been earlier, and I invoked my abilities.
　The bat sub-beast that took a long time to mix my blood into its body comes in response to my call.

''Bat........sub-beast?''

'Yes. Vampires suck blood and magic. So what is magic?

'They say it's the source of everything in this world, right? So it can form magic, it can create water and fire, it can create something that makes people feel better or worse.

Yes, I have. Have you ever heard of a story like this?　It's a story about someone who used too much magic and then dried up like a mummy.

　My head still hurts, but not so much that I can't talk about it.
　I think it keeps my mind in a good place, having someone with me who will never hurt me.

'Yes, there is, though. In fact, I thought I was going to die when my arm actually dried up... oh no, it's just a story told in the olden days. It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get the same amount of magic that was originally supposed to be your 'life force', and as a result you die.

''Yes. The same reasoning applies to the story of the beautiful woman who was sucked out of her blood by a vampire halfway through, who survived but ended up as an old woman...

Is it because the life force has been removed from his body?

'Yes. I should never have done this, but I will now ... make sure they can't do anything bad again.

'They did the unforgivable. But.....

It's all right. We won't take away your youth but punishment for the crime. An appropriate punishment for sin. That's what's important, isn't it?

　Leme seemed to notice something there.
　He looked troubled, but eventually turned over.

''Well I've been drinking quite a bit too, so I think I'll forget what happened here tomorrow.

　It means that they will pretend not to see me.
　I have turned the bats to the sinful organs that drove them to crime.
　Let them be deprived of their life force.
　Now they would no longer be able to attack women.
　Afterwards, Mr. Leme gave me a ride home.
　I still have the robe I failed to return.
　I found out.
　Leme-san didn't tell me the details, but he's an amazing [Black Mage]. But there's something about the situation, and he's living under the cover of it.