Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 142

142: Two in the Cave

After leaving Lital-sama, I retraced my steps. Liz, sensing my approach, came out of the hut to greet me.

“Master, welcome back.”

“…I’m back, Liz.”

I set the lantern and staff down, walked over to her, and hugged her.

“…I’m a little tired.”

“…Did something… bad happen?”

“No. Nothing for you to worry about. Lital-sama is a decent, kind person… but. Maybe that’s why.”

I rested my forehead on her shoulder, clinging to her warmth, and let out a few words of my pain.

“Humans… have been fighting people like this, for so long…”

A long time ago, in this world, humans and demons had not been at war.

That was a fact recorded in human history. There had been conflicts between races—or rather, between small communities. But it was undeniable that various races had coexisted peacefully, in settlements and city-states.

If only someone, somewhere, hadn’t decided to create an enemy called ‘demons’ to unite their nation.

We wouldn’t have had to fight, on a world map neatly divided in two.

The hands of the clock would not turn back.

And what I had done had also created an absolute divide.

But if history could not be rewritten, then I would push the hands of the clock forward.

“…I love you, Liz.”

I couldn’t forgive a world where this girl, the one I was holding, couldn’t live.

I didn’t think that being a dark elf—a demon—was evil.

“Master…” Liz gently hugged me back.

I was so happy that I pulled away slightly and lightly kissed her cheek.

“Huh?! —What?! Why did you just kiss my cheek?!”

“Would you have preferred my lips? Sorry, let me try again.”

“No! That’s not what I meant!! And Crado-sama is watching!”

“Don’t mind me… To see such affection between young people… it adds years to my life.”

Crado-san’s mouth, hidden in the shadows of her hood, curved into a smile.

My favorability rating for her went up.

That’s how I want to be when I get old.

“But we’re both women!”

“The Lord of Disease is human… so perhaps it’s best not to worry about such things?”

“Huh?”

“I am a beastman. Lital-sama is a dragon. You are a dark elf. And she is a human. —Is that not all there is to it?”

“W-well, um…”

“What is so wrong with two women? That they cannot bear children? But there are those of different races who love each other, even if they cannot have children. And even those of the same race, who can have children, are not always blessed with them… Two women is indeed a rare thing, but if we condemn them for being different, then we are no better than those who would deny our very existence.”

My favorability rating for her went up.

“I do not know what to call your relationship. Perhaps you are not lovers. Perhaps you are the closest of friends. Perhaps you are master and servant before all else. But if you both cherish each other, does it matter?”

My favorability rating for her went up.

I really want to be like that when I get old.

“…I’m being meddlesome. Young people have their own pace, but we old folks, who have seen so much sadness, always speak as if we know everything.”

Crado-san smiled, hidden in the shadows of her hood.

His Majesty, Lital-sama, Crado-san…

Those who had lived a long time all smiled a little sadly.

And yet, they had not given up on so much.

If I could live as long as them, would I become like that?

Even if I couldn’t live as long, could I become like that?

“…No.” Liz looked down.

“I’m sorry, Liz. Right before a major operation…”

“I—I will come back. So…”

I smiled reassuringly.

“Yes. I won’t say anything… for now. I just want to be with you, Liz. That’s all.”

“Master…” Liz smiled.

She was so endearing that I gently took her arm, pulled her closer, and lightly kissed the tip of her long, bamboo-leaf-like ear.

Liz pushed me away, her ears turning bright red, and shouted.

“—Why did you just kiss my ear?!”

“Because you got angry when I kissed your cheek.”

“It’s not about the location.”

“So, it’s about the time and place?”

“Exactly.”

I was so happy with Liz’s words that I caught her again.

“—So, it’s not that you dislike it?”

Liz froze. And in that moment, I hugged her tightly.

“You don’t have to answer. —But I…”

The body I held was warm… almost hot.

I whispered in her long ear, which was bright red even in the dim light.

“I love you, Liz.”