Chapter 68

<strong>Seras Ashrain</strong>

She has just responded to the call towards another person that shouldn’t have been her name .

The air became heavy, it became too uncomfortable .

[Ummm, Hati-dono… that just now was—]

[I’m sorry if I did it like I was deceiving you . ]

The hand that was over her mouth began heading over her forehead .

After a brief pause, she opened her mouth .

[So, you’ve noticed it?]

[Yeah . ]

I talked about my usage of at the Mills Ruins .

After I invoked my spell towards her, the sleeping Mist’s ears and her facial features changed .

I explained that this is the reason that led to me speculating about the true identity of Mist which was Seras Ashrain .

I spoke out all of my thoughts .

[Is that so…]

She took it easier than I had expected .

[Don’t worry . I don’t have any intention of revealing this to anyone . Fortunately, I’m not really in trouble in regards to money . I don’t need the bounty on your head . There’s also no merit for me to tell about you to others . The only thing I needed from you is your ability as a warrior . ]

Mist has a complicated smile floating on her face .

No— Seras Ashrain .

[That time you’re wavering about travelling with me earlier, are you worried that your real identity may be revealed to me?]

[——-]

[That time when you’re travelling with me while trying to hide your identity, there’s one problem that came up . That problem is probably about your inability to sleep . Am I mistaken?]

Seras became surprised that I realized .

[Y- Yes . ]

If it were inside an inn, you could just separate by going to different rooms .

However, it would be different if we were to go towards the Golden Demon Zone .

[My understanding is that whenever you fall asleep, that power of yours that makes you able to change your features would be temporarily lifted . Your face and ears that have been changed with your ability would turn back to how it really was . But if I already know your identity, there will be no problem even if your face would turn back even while you sleep . ]

[…Yes . ]

[But now that you’ve already turned your identity, it would only be your own determination that’s stopping you from stepping forward . ]

As a result, I have drawn her decision closer towards my side .

[I’ve already said this before, but I don’t intend to sell you out to others . There’s no reason for me to give away a plausible war potential that I needed . Besides, you could easily talk with someone around those times that you’re in need with people that know you for who you are . ]

Seras hadn’t spoke anything for quite some time .

Soon, she spoke out as if she made her decision .

[My spirit ability is a bit different compared with other spirits . ]

Seras puts her hand over her chest .

[When I’m borrowing the power of my contracted spirits, I would need to offer my “desire to sleep” towards the spirits . ]

It seems that you would need to offer towards the spirit the things that someone desires the most .

Seras explained .

It seems that her most important desire is her sleep .

If you were to compare it to other people’s desire, you would be able to sense how unavaricious she is .

[In short, does it mean that you can’t sleep when you use the power of the spirits?]

[Yes . I could get a very shallow sleep where I’m going back and forth between half-awake and half-asleep, but I’m not able to get a deep sleep . ]

I see .

That’s why she been short of sleep all these times .

I feel like I’ve heard of someone who has paid someone with her sleep .

And, I could see the image of someone offering her sleeping time towards the spirits .

Is it just High Elves who offer their sleep in order to power of spirits?

[……… . ]

You need to sleep, but can’t have any sleep at all .

There were some rare nights like that back in my previous world .

You could feel that those nights would continue on every night .

Moreover, you’re in a situation where you haven’t got any decent sleep at all…

Depending on how you look at it, that kind of situation send shivers to my spine .

Seras has three spirits she’s contracted with .

The power of the Spirit of Light made her have the ability to change her facial features and ears .

The power of the Spirit of Wind made her have the ability to sense the authenticity of the words of other people .

The power of the Spirit of Ice made her have the ability to reinforce her weapon .

It seems that the ability to generate her armor and equipment is the combination ability of the three spirits .

[The only time that I’m able to sleep was when I’ve paid my due times to the spirits… It’s only around those times where I could release the effects of the changes on my facial features and ears . ]

That means that sleeping is literally equal to returning to her original form .

[That’s why, you avoided staying in cheap inns where you have to share your inn huh… It’s to prevent others from seeing your true face while you’re sleeping . ]

[Yes . ]

I think she didn’t intend to sleep at all in the Mills Ruins .

No, she refused to sleep at all .

She must have thought that she don’t have to worry about anything since she can’t sleep at all .

However, she hadn’t expected that she would be put to sleep by my and her Spirit Technique was released .

[And also, that four-man group you have defeated before—]

Seras looked downwards as she continued speaking .

[They were chasing after me . I had thought I’m completely alone when I slept on that place… However, they saw me sleeping . Of course, the effect of my spirit’s ability was deactivated since I was sleeping . ]

The spirit’s ability to change the user’s features cannot change anything other than her head .

If it’s just the other features that match, you would have thought that it’s almost impossible to trace .

It seems that the four-person group were somehow capable people…

[The absence of those four people, the White Walker, gave me some space in my journey . I really appreciate what you’ve done with them . ]

Around that time, Seras’ head began emitting a faint light .

Her original features have returned .

It’s “that appearance” of hers that I’ve seen in the ruins .

Her ears were pointed .

Her beauty has also visibly increased .

When I came to, my impression towards her has changed .

[About this difference with my facial features—]

I stood up .

[Have you thought about it if you could trust me?]

Seras also stood up from the bed .

[Yes . I believe in Hati-dono . I think that you—]

She looked deep into my eyes .

The cloudiness in her eyes disappeared and her clear eyes became lost any shred of doubt in it .

[—are a trustworthy man . ]

……… .

Trust, huh . .

[It’s Touka . ]

[Eh?]

Seras’ eyes opened wide .

[Let me tell you a secret of mine . My real name is Touka Mimori . Instead of hearing my name from the mouth of others, I think it would be better to tell my real name to you now . Well, you shouldn’t say my name in front of others without my permission, just as I shouldn’t say yours . ]

I revealed my real name .

It’s a message from me that shows my trust towards her .

Such a method seems to be effective for the type of people like Seras .

A manner of tying it close with each other, through the chain of trust with each other .

[Hati— No, Touka-dono . ]

Seras’ eyes softened .

It seems that the effect that I wanted to achieve has worked as I intended .

She held out her hand towards me .

[Introducing myself again, I’m Seras Ashrain . I’ll accompany you as your guard as we travel through the Golden Demon Zone . ]

I clasp her hand in return .

[Yeah, I’m in your care . ]

[Yes . ]

I look towards the door .

[Pigimaru . ]

[Pii . ]

Pigimaru squishily hops his way towards here .

Until now, Pigimaru has been keeping guard in front of the door to see if someone was trying to sniff out our conversation .

[Pyuuu~ ♪]

Pigimaru’s color started turning into a light pink as she cries out on Seras’ feet .

Seras gracefully smiles and comfortably brought Pigimaru on her lap .

[Pigimaru-dono too . Once again, I’ll be in your care . ]

[Pii~ ♪]

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