The Daughter of Evil - Volume 2 - Chapter 2.13

✿CHAPTER 2, SECTION 1, SCENE 3✿
✿Michaela ~ Elphegort Country’s “Thousand-Year Tree Forest”~

The “Thousand-Year Tree Forest” Eldoh-san is guarding is a quiet place. However, last night was not so quiet.

“You naughty child～～～～～!”

As I returned to the forest, I was greeted with Eldoh-san’s roar. I originally thought that tears would welcome me, but I guess it turns out that I was too naive?

This was because of breaking the regulations by secretly leaving the forest and being lost for a long time; Eldoh-san reprimanded all night.

“Ohhhh… This is going too far… Clearly, you don’t have to reprimand them so harshly～～～”

The next morning, Gumilia came to comfort me as I cried. It was something I wasn’t expecting……

“Michaela isn’t looking good.”

How emphatic.

“But, I couldn’t help it! I never expected to encounter a big black bird’s attacks in that kind of place; I was unable to move because of my injury!”

“It’s your entire fault for secretly leaving the forest from the very beginning.”

“*whines*……”

From afar, the other spirits could not help but laugh.

Gumilia was that kind that calmly and objectively judges everything. What right is right, what wrong is wrong, and she’ll clearly say which of them something is.  But this time, she gave me a little symphathy since I had no one else.

“Michaela, we spirits have eternal life. As Eldoh-san’s dependents, we will never die. However, this is limited to our spirit form. We could change to animals and have contact with the real world. We would also have an impact like that of the real world. We couldn’t just be injured but it could be even more serious: death.”

“Yes, but…..”

“Do you even know what death is? That way, you’ll completely disappear from this world. And I wouldn’t like that. I wouldn’t like Michaela to disappear.”

Although Gumilia talks straight like that, she’s definitely not a bad person.

“……Well, I knew that. I’m sorry Gumilia, I wouldn’t do it again next time.”

However, if you can’t contact with the real world, then what is the significance of your existence?

I came to Eldoh-san again and apologized for such a rash action. Eldoh-san became calmer than last night.

“Learning from your mistakes is just fine, Michaela; just don’t let me be too worried about you. Because for me, you’re very important; my most precious child.”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I would never again leave the forest without permission.”

“Ah, that’s good. And now, I sleep……”

As his voice faded, Eldoh-san fell asleep once again.

“Well then, now Eldoh-san’s asleep, I could let everyone taste the delicious trauben.”

As I was going to gather the others around, I suddenly became aware of someone coming…… Could it be that pilgrim? But it doesn’t sound like Elluka.

“Hey? It’s Clarith! Why is she here?!”

Clarith kneeled in front of Eldoh-san and began to pray. I remember her saying that she didn’t believe in gods, why come here? Clarith murmured softly as I quietly leaned next to her to hear her prayer.

“Dear God. I don’t have any friends.”

Clarith bowed her head, obscuring her face as her bangs went down. I couldn’t see her expression.

“From the day I was born, the only memories I had was about abuse and scorn. I did not know why I was being treated like that until I grew up. My white hair and red eyes was the reason why I was not accepted in this country. Everyone called me a “demon’s child”, saying that I should be tied up on a cross and burned.”

I also heard of the “Netsuma Tribe discrimination” thing but I didn’t know of the cruel treatment to them. Clarith continued.

“My heart is getting weak; I cannot believe in anyone anymore and I am very, very afraid with talking to others. My thoughts and the others are very different. That is the reason why I cannot integrate myself with them. Only talking to myself all day… I have lost interest in life; there is no significance of my existence.”

I can see her face now. As usual, she had a blank expression or—

“Until one day, at the lake, I picked up an injured Grune – a robin. I took it home to treat its wounds and take care of it. Because of Grune, I was able to find peace of mind every day. Since Grune and I were very intimate, I thought that I might be able to communicate with other humans too. I had new courage in this silent heart of mine. I’ve finally made up my mind and invited the girl next door to dinner…… the results… I only got verbally abused. Nobody would like to eat with a filthy Netsuma girl……. Smooth human interaction… is just a product of my own wishful thinking.”

I have not said a single word to Clarith and yet, my existence had such an impact in her life. The result just hurt her more. I stayed at her home, completely unaware of the sad story she had.

“When I got home yesterday, Grune has already escaped from her cage. It was obvious because Grune would want to go home for she had her own friends… I have a mother to whom I have no blood relationship with to keep me company. But mom is very ill and wouldn’t last for long now. When she passes away… I don’t want to be alone….”

Clarith’s body was slightly trembling. I looked down and tried to look at her face.

“Oh God, I, in fact, don’t believe that you exist. However, if you do exist… if there really is this so-called god…”

A teardrop hung on her face. The teardrop was crystal clear, very beautiful and also very sad.

“I want a friend. Anyone would do.”

Her prayer was complete. Clarith departed.

I thought of following her, but I didn’t do that. What she really needed is not a robin, but a “human” friend.

Today, Clarith would go to the fields to work, come home, take care of her mother and then go to sleep. And that cycle with repeat again and again. Her heart will always be in endless solitude.

Unfortunately, Clarith’s prayer did not reach Eldoh-san’s ears for he was happily snoring. I was the only one who heard Clarith’s heart cry out. But for me… neither God nor I, will be able to grant her wish.

For this matter, I was very upset.

A few days later, when Eldoh-san finally woke up, I immediately approached him and discussed what Clarith said.

“Ah, a person from the Netsume tribe? Originally, there were people from the Netsuma tribe in Elphegort. Although they were not exclusive and powerful, it was evident that Elphegorteans are unwilling to accept them.”

“Is there any other way? Like fleeing the country or something like that?”

“Fleeing the country would be best but doesn’t she have a sick mother? I’m afraid it would be difficult to just walk away. Also, leaving your homeland that you inhabited for a long time, only to experience bad things. Michaela, didn’t you also just experience this?”

“Yes, I can understand… Is there any other way?”

Clarith not only saved my life, but she also me a bird cage, took care of me and addressed her troubles to me… So I want to do something for her too.

“Michaela, as I always said, do not go near humans. Us and humans are different. Even God should not interfere with the human world.”

Eldoh-san would always tell this to us. Because of this, we would always try to avoid getting out of the forest and have any contact with them.

But……

“I never would have thought to hear something like that from someone like you, Eldoh”

On the prestige, a beautiful pink-haired lady stood out with a glamorous atmosphere.

The Magi, Elluka Clockworker. She is a friend of Eldoh-san. She came from the neighbouring Lucifenia country as a powerful court magician. Although Eldoh-san called her “human”, but excluding her, I’ve never seen any human that could live up to five hundred years. And further to say, she was completely different when I first met her. This change is not because of her growth and development, but because of her “body swap technique”; every once in a while, she would replace her old body with a new one, thus, maintaining as an ageless immortal.

Elluka, although she looked like that for three hundred years, still looks beautiful. She has her own secrets to keep.

Elluka brushed off the hair that was on her cheek then walked to Eldoh-san with a faint smile.

“If you do not want to interfere with the human world, then why did you give me this misson?”

“Elluka… because ‘sin’ has been produced. Although I have no direct relationship with it, and I cannot interfere, for that reason, I send you out, a “human”, to gather them.”

“So, have you made a decision? Have you considered it?”

“Consider what?”

Eldoh-san was a bit confused to what Elluka said. Elluka gave a wrinkled brow, an unhappy expression. Her beautiful expression disappeared.

“Don’t try to steer the topic up OLD MAN! I want a forest spirit to become human and become my apprentice.”

“Oh, I don’t remember, but……”

“I told you about the ‘sin’ thing right?! My short, predictable dreams would become reality. I must train an apprentice to help me repel the ‘demon’ out of Riliane… and, I also have a care about some things.”

Elluka looked up towards the northeast sky.

“In Elphegort, I can slightly feel the ‘sins’ breath. As you said, fragments of the mirror… might be in this country”

“……”

Eldoh-san’s face changed from a serious expression into a meditative one. He looked at me and to the other spirits as well for a while then unto Elluka. He finally spoke in a low voice.

“In that case, how about this arrangement? I will give you two spirits. One will be your disciple and the other one will stay in Elphegort and look for the ‘sin’ fragment. With this, all of the problems will be addressed at the same time.”

“…… really? I honestly didn’t think you would agree at the outset”

Elluka asked Eldoh-san. In fact, I also have the same question in my heart. Eldoh-san would always tell us “Do not interfere with the human world”. Why make this decision?

“Up until now, I created this forest full of trees, flowers, insects, spirits… then ‘sin’ was created. I did not take the responsibility over it. I am not fit of God’s duty. I may soon depart from this world for humans have trampled upon us and they lack retribution.”

“Eldoh……”

“Sin was born from the filth of the forest. I would do it myself, but as you can see, I cannot leave the forest. Even so, I cannot make this as an excuse for everything. I pushed the responsibility so I have considered to help you… and you alone. I first thought that you would be able to collect it all in a hundred years or so.”

“Yes. My ability is limited. Now, who would be appropriate?”

“Make Gumillia your disciple. She is a very serious child; she can effectively monitor you and does not let you get lazy.”

“Ha, double the supervision…”

“And the other one would be… Michaela, can you do it?”

“Eh?”

Suddenly mentioning my name, I looked at Eldoh-san.

“You seem to be very interested in humans. This is a rare opportunity; you can go and learn more about them as much as possible… but don’t forget your mission. Elluka, I will give you a three year period. After three years, this two will become spirits again. If you accept these conditions, I will accept your request.”

“It’s more than enough. I will be able to fix the problems now”

After that, Elluka and Eldoh-san talked about a lot of topics.

Just recently, I was told “I am not allowed to go out of the forest”. How did it come to this?

Although I do not understand the content of their dialogue, but does it mean……

Did I want to become human?

Away from Eldoh-san, we have walked towards west for some time. Elluka said that we should find a place most suitable for astronomical ceremonies. When we walked through the forest, Elluka quietly muttered.

“Eldoh probably has his own ideas. So do me and the both of you”

“Me?”

“If you are afraid of change, you just simply stop. Eldoh wanted to let you become human in order for you to better understand human beings”

“Well, I still don’t understand.”

“It does not matter. You just have follow your own ideas and you’ll be fine”

“Like how you do it?”

“Ha ha ha, yeah”

Elluka happily laughed then she looked away. What is she thinking about?

When we reached the destination, Elluka began to draw something on the ground. Soon, the ceremony of me and Gumillia reincarnating as a human will now begin.

“What exactly do we have to do?”

“Yes, you have to think about images of people from Elphegort, preferably beautiful women”

“A human that we have seen?”

“Well, you will become the human you imagined. In particular, because you have to live in Elphegort, the Elphegort look would more suitable. But it has to be someone who is not alive anymore. It should at least someone from fifty years ago. Since there are two of you, we will only do it once. We don’t want the two of you to have the same appearance.”

After doing the necessary precautions, Elluka gave a long sigh. She seems to have remembered something.

I had a mutual agreement with Gumillia and said the names of the person, to avoid duplication.

“……However, why beautiful women? We are genderless. Being men can also be good……”

I am somewhat surprised as I asked Elluka with no hesitation.

“Because I want to”

As Elluka said that, the magic circle on the ground was finished. Probably because of the pattern on the ground, it looked crooked.

“It doesn’t look like the draft. Is that okay?”

“This is just for formality. C’mon. Let us start”

Frankly, I’m very upset. Is this really okay?

“Are you ready? You must come up with a good looking, inflexible beauty! I shall now begin—“

At the moment Elluka said that, my consciousness began to fly away.

Floating constantly while I was still being aware of it.

Through the forest, through the clouds, and even went through the sky.

Until we reached a space of nothingness.

Subsequently, we fell.

Straight done, we fell.

It was even higher than when I was attacked by that black bird. I dropped at a fast pace.

Down. Down. I dropped at my destination. “She” was waiting for me.

Crying, her arms where clutching as she was carrying a pair of twins.

My consciousness disappeared this time.