The Daughter of Evil - Volume 2 - Chapter 2.23

✿CHAPTER 2, SECTION 2, SCENE 3✿
✿ Michaela ~ Elphegort Country’s “Yatski hill” ~

It was the dead of night.

I stood on top of a hill that is near the village. From here, I can immediately see the city lights of Aceid and also the starry night sky.  Although the view of the stars here is different from the forest, it doesn’t really matter.

If I returned to the village, I would see small houses all lined up. Standing here, even if I yell or cry, it wouldn’t bother anyone.

I took a deep breath then exhaled. Although it was a bit cold, the air circulating through my body feels comfortable.

Once again, I took a deep breath and blurted out a melody.

From air to language and from language to music.

Elluka taught me the “Music box Lullaby”, a very old song.

I let my song be heard throughout Elphegort, the earth and the sky.

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I sang until my voice became hoarse.

Over and over, I closed my eyes and listened carefully.

I listened to the countless echoes coming from every direction.

I could hear the sound of the mountain spirit.

It is mixed with shrill echoes of different kinds.

I concentrated, wanting to know where a certain voice is coming from.

That sound was coming from a building in northern Aceid. The building is larger than the ones surrounding it and is more luxurious. I don’t know who owns it, but to be living in a large, it must be an aristocrat.

Anyway, I now have a clue where the ‘sin’ is.

I’ve been busy with my “human” life, spending a lot of time establishing relationships. After a lot of singing, I’ve finally found it. The only thing to do now is to plan how to get my hands on it.

“Your singing is wonderful!”

A voice coming from behind, my heart jumped.

A turned around and saw Clarith standing there.

“Clarith, why are you still up?”

“That’s my line Michaela. Michaela…”

“I just can’t seem to get a wink of sleep…”

“Oh”

Clarith seems to have something to say. I sat on a large flat stone I found nearby.

“Please come sit, Clarith”

After hearing what I said, Clarith timidly came and sat beside me.

“Has Michaela become accustomed to life here?”

“Hmm… Although the farm work is hard, but I’m very happy”

“Happy… I never felt like that. It must be because you’re rich”

“Rich? Me?”

“Michaela must have come from a wealthy family, otherwise, you wouldn’t have lots of money”

“Well… Ha ha ha”

Although I can’t deny it, I still have to hide my true identity. Well, even if I told her, she wouldn’t believe me. Her mother doesn’t seem to have found out of my identity yet.

Clarith’s mother has been bedridden because of a fever.

“How is your mother’s condition?”

“She isn’t going to last long. The doctor said it’s already too late and because Gula disease has no cure. She is only given some pain killers and sleeping pills”

The Gula epidemic started in Southern Belzenia. Lucifenia took this opportunity and invaded Belzenia. The disease did not only spread throughout Lucifenia but in Elphegort as well. Patients have an abnormally high fever and a weird taste for food. Clarith’s mother would pick up and eat bugs from the road side.

“Aceid’s doctors are still currently studying the Gula disease…”

As we expanded our view on Aceid’s scenery, Clarith feebly bowed her head. I skipped to the next topic, but apparently I choose the wrong topic again.

I pointed out to Clarith the large house in Aceid and said:

“Speaking of Aceid, Clarith, do you know who owns that house?”

I was pointing to the large house where ‘sin’ responded from.

“That’s Mr. Keel’s house. Why do you ask?”

The aristocrat Keel Freesis. Elluka did say that she suspected him.

“Nothing in particular. I just thought that his house is bigger than the others. Mr. Keel must be the head of commerce?”

“Yes. He is the richest man in this country. It was said that every month, he would invite many people for dinner. He’s really admirable…”

Clarith whispered with a lonely face.

“Dinner? For the country’s richest man to serve dinner, the cuisines must be exquisite”

“No, that’s not it. I just thought that if he had so many friends around him, he must be really happy.”

“Does Clarith want lots of friends?”

“Ah? Yes. But it’s okay. I know I can’t make friends.”

Clarith holding her knees, a gust of wind blew. It feels a little colder.

“Because Clarith is of the Netsuma Tribe?”

“Yes and because I’m not Michaela, who is beautiful and cheerful”

I always thought that Clarith is a kind person.

While that is what I would like to say, but I can’t. Because I don’t know Clarith for very long yet and I also don’t know how many scars she has in her heart. I’m afraid that what I say wouldn’t be able to pierce through her heart.

“Even so, I accept you for who you are”

Clarith looked at me in the eyes. She smiled and said:

“Even if……….”

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, concealing what Clarith said.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

When I asked her, Clarith shook her head with a face that is crying out. She smiled and said: “Nevermind”.

“For as long as Michaela is by my side, I’ll be fine”

This is what Clarith said. Although the wind is a bit cold, but my chest warmed up a little.

“Thank you, Clarith”

“Strange. Why would Michaela thank me?”

Yes. It’s already in the past. It doesn’t matter anymore.

What’s important now is how the two of us would go on.

“It’s starting to get windy. Let’s go home”

I gently stood up while Clarise panicked and fell. I smiled and took her hand, holding her until we got home.

Clarise did not want to wake up her mother. She gently opened the door.

As I was about to go in, Clarith just stood there and did not move.

“What’s the matter Clarith?”

I looked over Clarith’s shoulder to see what happened.

“……No! Mom!”

The house was shrouded in darkness.

Clarith’s mother vomited blood and laid there, motionless.