The Daughter of Evil - Volume 2 - Chapter 2.21

✿CHAPTER 2, SECTION 2, SCENE 1✿
✿Michaela ~ Elphegort Country’s “Yatski Village • Clarith’s home” ~

“……Ugh.”

When I regain consciousness, I was greeted by a familiar ceiling and Clarith’s face.

My head hurts. There is no way to ponder; I cannot even my body freely.

Even so, why am I here? Why am I lying down in Clarith’s home? My priority was going to Aceid, but I wanted to visit Eldoh-san first. I didn’t expect that midway, I would fall unconscious and then, and then…

“You’re awake. But you still have a little fever. Please continue to lie down.”

Clarith took off the towel on my forehead and replaced it with another one. It was soaked in water and gave a cool feeling.

“I…”

“In the forest… I found you fainted nearby the Millennium Tree. I know you don’t like people of the Netsuma tribe to take care of you, but unless your fever is gone, I hope you would bear with me.”

Clarith’s words reminded me of my own identity of being one of Elphegort’s people. How humiliating it must be to be found unconscious near Eldoh-san and to be found by Clarith.

Elluka repeatedly said that we shouldn’t let others know of our spirit identity and we have to be careful to not let others be aware of us. I heaved a sigh of relief. In recognition to the time when we first met:

“Thank you for your help.”

Probably because when we reincarnated from spirits to humans, we are not familiar and couldn’t cultivate our own magic, and became a great burden for us. Even getting up is difficult to do with this human body. I wonder how Gumillia does it.

“May I ask where this is?”

“This is Yatski Village; a village north from the Millennium Tree Forest or it should be easier to understand that we are between Aceid and the Lake of Amusement. This is my house, small and dirty. I’m sorry.”

Clarith hung her head and said with a small voice. Her cautious attitude made her nervous and just say something simple.

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“There’s nothing to apologize about and I really appreciate your help.”

In order to ease the tension, I smiled and thanked her again.

“I’m called Michaela. What about you?”

“……Clarith. Michaela, why did you faint in such a place?”

“Eh?”

“Luckily I was just passing by the Millennium Tree Forest when I found you. Generally, only a few people pass through there…”

When Clarith said that, my heart jumped. It’s true that Eldoh-san having visitors is quite rare.

“Ah, I wanted to go to Aceid…”

“Why are going to Aceid coming from Millenium Tree Forest? That forest is opposite of Lucifenia.”

“Ah… eh… I was coming from Lucifenia.”

As Clarith said, going through the forest would lead you to Lucifenia. As an Elphegortean, there is no need to walk through the forest because there are other roads that I can take.

I shouldn’t have said that. Walking through the Millennium Tree Forest coming from Lucifenia is not the right choice. If she continues to question me further, I might not be able to answer anymore.

“I never heard of an Elphegortean living in Lucifenia before.”

“Well, Lucifenia is inhabited by different races of people…”

Elluka said it herself that she wasn’t from Lucifenia so it must be true.

“I’ve been there sometimes, so you’re probably right”

The house has become silent for a while. Clarith did not seem to believe the things I said. I secretly gazed at her. Tears seem to be floating in her eyes.

I can’t help but stare at her. I don’t know if she is aware that I’m staring at her. Clarith embarrassedly wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I’m sorry! I really shouldn’t be alive! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

Suddenly shouting strange words, I don’t know if she wants to cause a ruckus or she is just plain frightened. But in any case, it didn’t need to come to this point. I already know her true personality when I was in my robin form.

“Hey! Clarith! You shouldn’t speak loudly when there is a patient in the house.”

Clarith’s mother’s voice came from inside the room.

“I heated up the soup. Do you also want some, Miss Michaela?”

Clarith’s mother, carrying a bowl of steaming soup, walked slowly into the room. I suddenly remembered that she knows my robin form. I got a glanced inside the bowl; thank god it’s not full of earthworms.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll put some seasonings on it.”

“Ah! Mother!”

Clarith hurriedly grabbed the bowl her mother was carrying as she getting something from a small box.

She got the bowl of soup. I pretended that I didn’t see what was inside the small box that resembled a caterpillar.

Clarith handed to me the bowl of soup and drank it. It was delicious!

She knew my name even though I haven’t introduced myself. She must be nearby when I and Clarith were talking. When I was a robin, she saw through it and knew my true identity. My identity might be revealed sooner or later.

She was still the same as before; a steady smile and an expression I cannot read through.

Suddenly, a knock on the door.

“Clarith! I know you’re in there! You haven’t paid your rent for this month!”

The one who came in was an old man with a cane and a big strong man. The old man was hunched over, had dark green hair and a long beard. Clarith was filled with fear as she bowed her head.

“Chieftain! I’m sorry… I don’t have money on me right now… Can you give me some more time?”

“If you have no money, then leave. People like you will never be welcomed in other villages other than here”

“But……”

“Otherwise, you can come to my place tonight and work off your debt~ Hahahaha!”

The old man said with a wretched laugh. Hearing his words, Clarith became pale. Maybe Clarith became like that because of what that old man did to her arms and legs.

“Can I say something?”

I placed the bowl of soup aside, interrupting his laughter. The old man immediately turned his sight from Clarith to me. He became alert as he saw me.

“You are not from this village. This is an internal problem of our village. I hope outsiders would not interfere.”

“Clarith, can you help me with my bag?”

I softly said to the trembling Clarith. She bowed her head and passed me my bag. I took a handful of silver coins inside.

“Is this much enough for you?”

Everyone was surprised and stunned. There was total silence for a while until the big man spoke.

“No… It’s too much”

“Then use this as payment. My head is aching and I need peace and quiet… can you please leave us alone?”

This time, I didn’t know what to answer. I tried to say what Elluka would say in this situation. I couldn’t understand the old man’s facial expression as he continued pounding the floor with his cane.

“Why are you helping the Netsuma girl?”

“Because she saved me when I fainted in the forest and this money is her reward for doing so, get it?”

“Okay, okay. Let’s go, Eugen”

The old man, murmuring some complaints and went out of the house with the big man. A loud “slam” was heard as they closed the door.

“Michaela… I’m really, really, really, really sorry!”

The pale Clarith shouted.

“As I said earlier, you don’t have to apologize. This is the least I can do for you.”

“But this is already too much…”

I repeatedly said not to care about it but Clarith kept bowing in gratitude.

Elluka gave me a sum of money for me to rent a house. Although I still don’t understand the concept of money, but I have lots of it.

But looking at the stunned look of the people around and when Elluka said to only use “little” amount of money, I’m afraid what I took out wasn’t a small amount.

But with this money, I can help Clarith.

“……Clarith.”

“Yes?”

“I have to tell you something that will please you.”

“What is it?”

As I was about to speak, in panic, Clarith lifted her head and hit the cupboard I don’t know if that was painful, but she crouched down, holding her head.

“Are you okay?”

“Ahh… Ouch!… But I’m just fine. What did you want to say?”

Clarith’s mother was surprised as Clarith said that with a tearful look but she didn’t particularly looked worried. It must be already be normal for them.

I strived to tell this to Clarith:

“I can pay rent, so can you let me stay here for a while?”