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Chapter 58 Part 6 – Huh? My death is suddenly decided right from the beginning? More enemy reinforcements. And who is「he」, my strongest guardian?

「…… It seems that Alisa-sama is in a really good mood tonight. This is the first time I’ve heard your singing. Is it a hymn?」

A boy wearing black clothes was standing beside Alisa.

His outfit was very similar to the one Bradd wore when he first visited the duke’s mansion and his lustrous black hair and slightly desolate jet-black eyes was reminiscent of Bradd’s. It was no wonder. He was Bradd’s biological brother.

However, his complexion was pale, and it was obvious that he was suffering from some kind of disease.
Ironically, this gave him a pitiful beauty that Bradd did not have.

Alisa looked at him as he coughed violently, a consequence of having inhaled the cold air of the night.

「A hymn? No way. It’s a lullaby from the Krocassis region. It is a song about the soul of a loved one returning to heaven on the wings of a migrating bird. Humans can create hell on earth, but they cannot create heaven. So, at the very least, they put their hope in the song. It is a beautiful, but foolish and meaningless song.」

「…… Is that so? I love that song …… if I …… die, I wish Alisa-sama would sing that song. Then my life has definitely been worth living ……」

The boy continued to cough as his body trembled and when his seizures finally stopped, he made a wish to Alisa while gasping. He is aware that his life could end at any moment. He was suffering from an incurable disease. His tone was calm, but there was a fiery, desperate plea in his eyes.
.
However, Alisa smirked to refuse him bluntly.

「Ahaha, why should I do what you say? I don’t take orders from anyone. Get down on your knees. That’s the punishment for trying to give me an order.」

Alisa stood as the boy hurriedly kneeled down.

Alisa’s small hand touched his cheek. The boy was startled that his shoulders shook.
The boy knew full well that her hand that was like a white porcelain doll had the power to blow his head off in an instant. The boy was ready to die, but the feather-like, gentle touch that enveloped his cheek took his breath away.

「…… I will not allow you to be in the comfort of death. Always be frightened of death and madly seek the seat of the strongest. The clash of the fear of death and the conviction of life will surely sharpen you more than anyone else. If you can stay alive until I am fourteen years old when my body is ready, I will hold you in my arms. How’s that? Does that help motivate you a little?」

Alisa embraced the boy and whispered in his ear.

Looking at the boy who couldn’t help but blush and become stiff, Alisa bit his earlobe.
A sharp pain shot through him.
After etching a bite mark on his earlobe, Alisa smeared the blood on her lovely lips and laughed out loud.

「Become a great man. This is the proof of my promise to you. It is a branding mark for your soul. When you are dying from the illness, remember this promise, then desperately struggle and come back to me.」

「…… Yes ……!! I will definitely do so…!!」

The boy’s voice was choked with emotion and he barely managed to say his promise.
His whole body burned with joy and he forgot about his illness.

However, at the same time, a chilling premonition spread in the depths of his soul.
There’s no way that Alisa would be satisfied with just this kind of encouragement.
The boy yearned for Alisa, but he precisely understood her true nature.

Alisa is like a blizzard. She just goes in the direction she wants to go and freezes to death everything that lives along the way. Occasionally, she acts generously, but only on a whim. She is a crazy existence who is not bound by the ethics of the human world.

He knows in his head that Alisa should not be touched, just like how a cursed god should be avoided.

And yet, people like himself and the Seven Phantoms, who have strayed from the correct path, cannot help but approach Alisa.
And once they are in close proximity to her, it is impossible to escape her demonic charm. It is not a matter of logic. It is more aptly described as being attracted to her with all one’s heart and soul. That is why they are so loyal to Alisa, even though she is still a young girl.

「…… I’ll tell you a good thing to help you become a sharp blade. Scarlet, your younger brother Bradd, and the others are on their way to this mansion right now. Ahaha, I’m sending Addis and Fantasma to welcome them first. Hopefully they will survive.」

Forgetting his thoughts regarding Alisa, the boy shuddered and his trembling hands grasped both sides of her shoulder.

「…… Two of the Seven Phantoms ……!! Alisa-sama ……!! That’s too much ……!!」

He abandoned the village of the〈Lawless Crew〉in order to master the art of combat with his few remaining years of life.
However, he did not abandon his feelings for his hometown.
Rather, he cares about his family more than most people.
His hair stood on end when he heard that his beloved younger brother was in danger.

But Alisa’s cold words crushed him even more.

「…… It’s not two people. I said 「first」. I also sent Skeletos and Mamugallam as reinforcements.」

「Three of the Seven Phantoms ……!! And even the most powerful of the demon dog Gallam’s offspring ……!!」

The pale boy lost control of his strength and dug his fingers into Alisa’s slender shoulders.

「…… That …… that would torment them to death ……!! There’s no way they can survive!! Please, please revoke that order. That is just too much ……!!」

But the words that came out of Alisa’s mouth were unexpected.

「…… What kind of misunderstanding are you having? The ones I’m concerned about whether they can survive or not are not Scarlet and the others. It’s Addis and the others. Especially Addis, since he tends to overdo it. If he ends up incurring 『his』 true wrath, he won’t be able to get away with it.」

「Eh ……」

He thought he must have misheard it, but Alisa’s eyes were serious.

「Scarlet has the strongest guardian by her side. Though he usually hides inside the ruby. If Scarlet is in real danger,『he』will definitely show up. …… Fufu, my rival in love. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that technique, I wonder if I will be able to see it again soon.」

Alisa’s cheeks were flushed and she looked entranced.
It was as if she was talking about a lover and it made the boy feel jealous.

「Fufufu, I hope『he』will give my lovely Seven Phantoms plenty of despair. Ahh, you poor things. But as it is, you guys are still gems in the rough. Only those who have endured the polishing process can be transformed into jewels. I wonder how the Seven Phantoms will shine after going through an ordeal of an opponent as strong as『he』is. Ahaha, how exciting.」

The ends of Alisa’s mouth lifted up, creating the shape of a crescent moon.
A crazy light of joy shimmered in her eyes.
Just like a blazing flame, a dangerous atmosphere rose from Alisa.
The boy reflexively pulled his hand away and moved backwards.
Seeing his actions, Alisa laughed.

「…… Fufu, how dare you put your fingers on my shoulder. It probably left a bruise. How very impatient you are to mark me when I am still so young. …… In that case, you should become a man who will not disappoint me. You should go see『him』too. Although you will end up experiencing twice as much despair compared to the others. As you have always struggled in the threshold between life and death, you will surely get through this ordeal, won’t you? Ahaha!」