※Told from Catherine Achard’s perspective.
I erased Claire-chan’s memories of me first, and then erased my existence from the memories of all who knew me save one person. From now on too, I intend to erase the memories of anyone that I may meet.
―Because… That was the punishment that I had decided on for myself.
I looked at Claire-chan who had fallen unconscious. She normally gave a rather strict impression, but asleep, she looked terribly young… And, for a long time now, I had been trying to kill her.
I never said this to Claire-chan, but our meeting, and the fact that we became childhood friends was neither coincidence or fate. It was an order from my father. Following my father’s orders, I vigilantly awaited the right opportunity.
―Or rather, I pretended to.
I had never intended to actually kill her. After all, my very life had been saved by her mother, Milia-sama. Just how was I supposed to bring myself to kill the daughter of someone I owed so much to? The sole reason I maintained the facade of obedience was because I knew that, if I did, my father would not elect to send another assassin.
But now, even those days were at their end.
Giving Claire-chan one last hug, I let her go. I’d been preparing for this day for a long time, and I couldn’t afford to stay here long. I must hurry and get out of Bauer.
Hurry as I might, I was in my wheelchair so I wasn’t able to move especially quickly. While experiencing that frustration first hand, I made my way toward the capital’s west gate.
“…”
The capital remained crowded even at night. Even though the moon was already high in the sky, I could still hear the sounds of merrymaking from the restaurants and bars that lined the street. It was likely coworkers and friends, getting together to celebrate the end to a long day of work. However, from here on, I would never have someone like that.
― Completely alone.
Until now, I had pretty much always had Claire-chan by my side. Really, it was unclear to me how long I’d really be able to last on my own. Even so, this was something that I must do. Suicide was a lukewarm escape that I would not allow myself.
“Mm~ I wonder if Claire-chan safely made it back to her room~”
There should be no need to worry. After all, Claire-chan had Rei-chan, her wonderful partner. It would seem that Claire-chan hadn’t quite completely opened up to her just yet, but in my eyes it was only a matter of time. Sooner or later, those two would surely end up together.
Even aside from Rei-chan, Claire-chan had plenty of supportive people around her. For example, Pipi-chan, Loretta-chan, and until recently, Lene-chan. The one who had left the strongest impression on me was Manaria-sama. You could say that she was something like Claire-chan’s older sister. When we met for the first time, she nullified my magic and said this,
―Are you Claire’s enemy? Or are you on her side?
It appeared that Manaria-sama already knew the truth behind my magic. That’s why she immediately recognized that it was a spell very suited toward assassination. Depending on my response, it was largely possible that I could have been killed then and there. That’s why I chose to tell her everything.
― If it comes to it, feel free to rely on me. I should be able to help in one way or another.
It was then that Manaria-sama accepted me as her little sister’s friend. From her words, I truly sensed just how sincerely she cared for her little sister.
“How nice…”
Unintentionally, words of envy slipped out. No, I can’t. I don’t have the right to hope for someone that would care for me as much as Rei-chan or Manaria-sama care for Claire-chan. Isn’t this what I decided? To be alone, forever.
“I really hope that, to the very least, Claire-chan can find happiness~”
As that thought passed my mind, I had arrived at the west gate.
“Hm? What’s your deal?”
The gatekeeper noticed me.
“Good evening~”
“Ah… Could it be that you want to leave?”
“Yeah~”
“Well we’re closing the gate for today, you’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
“Ah, but you see, I really can’t wait that long~”
There shouldn’t be anyone who remembered who I was anymore, but because of what happened with my father, the capital was in a state of alert. As a result, I suppose it made sense that the gate protocol would be strict.
“Nope, not happening. Give up on going tonight.”
“I suppose it can’t be helped~”
Gathering the small amount of magic I had left, I stole the gatekeeper’s memories of me. As he lost consciousness and collapsed, I gently caught him.
“Sorry~ But I’ll be making my way through~”
Gently setting the gatekeeper down on the ground, I pushed myself through the gate.
“My lady, just where is it that you intend to go? And while leaving me behind?”
“… Eh?”
Just after I made it past the west gate, an unexpected voice called out to stop me. When I looked in the direction of the voice, I saw the silhouette of someone that should not have even possibly been here.
“Ema…?”
“You disappeared on me when I took my eyes off of you for just a moment, so I’ve been looking for you.”
“No… But that’s…”
“If you plan to go somewhere, please make sure you let me know first.”
“… But why…?”
I was sure that I had cast memory magic on Ema as well. And yet, it seemed that Ema hadn’t forgotten about me.
“What do you mean, why?”
“Because… My magic lets me erase the memories of my target. So, Ema, why are you…”
“Ah, so that’s what this is about.”
Ema was the pinnacle of calm as she continued.
“I have a body that makes it difficult for magic to affect me.”
“It’s harder for magic to… affect you…?”
“Yes. I’m unaware of the specifics, but my daughter is completely resistant to magic. Perhaps it’s my genetics.”
From what Ema told me about her past, it seems that she was actually a member of a former kingdom’s royalty. She said that the kingdom had fallen to ruin, and she was forced to abandon it. Apparently the daughter she had given birth to prior to all that completely nullified magic.
“That’s why, it’s not possible for my lady to erase my memories. Please just give up already, and allow me to remain by your side.”
“No but… I just can’t… I decided for myself that I must continue to live alone. Ema, not even you can be an exception to that rule.”
“I don’t know anything about that. All I know, Lady Catherine, is that you, and you alone are my lifelong master. Regardless of what my lady thinks of it, I have no intention to change my mind.
Ema simply shrugged off my explanation as if it meant nothing to her. I knew that she was very stubborn. Now that it’s come to this, it would be difficult to convince her. However, I had to.
“I’m no longer part of the Achard lineage.”
“I am aware.”
“I don’t have any money to pay you.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that too.”
“That’s why, there’s no need for you to serve me anymore, Ema.”
“I still need to repay you for your kindness.”
“Ema…”
It seemed like Ema insisted on coming with me no matter what.
“My lady, you are the one who saved my life. When I was without direction, and knew nothing of the real world, you are the one who gave me a new path.”
Ema’s eyes expressed her sincerity.
“I believe that accompanying you on your journey toward atonement is my way of repaying you.”
As she said that, she bowed before me as my loyal servant. With a loud sigh,
“I don’t care anymore. Do as you’d like.”
“Yes, that is exactly what I’ll do.”
“… Darn stubborn…”
“I will return those words straight to you, my lady.”
I turned my wheelchair and tried to get away from the area, but suddenly noticed that I didn’t need as much force to push myself.
“I can do this myself.”
“I am simply doing as I’d like.”
“My arms will atrophy.”
“You’ve already traveled much further than you normally do on your own. I believe that you’ve already met today’s quota.”
“…”
It appeared that no matter what I said, Ema had no intention to budge. Even as that made me feel an immense sense of guilt―I felt a tremendous happiness knowing the long journey ahead of me would not be one that I had to make alone.
“… Ema”
“Yes, my lady?”
“… Thank you.”
“You waste your words on me.”
How I’d live, or how long I’d be able to live were both things I still wasn’t sure of. However, one thing I could be sure of was that my journey for atonement would, surely, be a long one. Even then, I choose to live on.
Along with my awkward, but kind hearted servant.
※Told from Catherine Achard’s perspective.
I erased Claire-chan’s memories of me first, and then erased my existence from the memories of all who knew me save one person. From now on too, I intend to erase the memories of anyone that I may meet.
―Because… That was the punishment that I had decided on for myself.
I looked at Claire-chan who had fallen unconscious. She normally gave a rather strict impression, but asleep, she looked terribly young… And, for a long time now, I had been trying to kill her.
I never said this to Claire-chan, but our meeting, and the fact that we became childhood friends was neither coincidence or fate. It was an order from my father. Following my father’s orders, I vigilantly awaited the right opportunity.
―Or rather, I pretended to.
I had never intended to actually kill her. After all, my very life had been saved by her mother, Milia-sama. Just how was I supposed to bring myself to kill the daughter of someone I owed so much to? The sole reason I maintained the facade of obedience was because I knew that, if I did, my father would not elect to send another assassin.
But now, even those days were at their end.
Giving Claire-chan one last hug, I let her go. I’d been preparing for this day for a long time, and I couldn’t afford to stay here long. I must hurry and get out of Bauer.
Hurry as I might, I was in my wheelchair so I wasn’t able to move especially quickly. While experiencing that frustration first hand, I made my way toward the capital’s west gate.
“…”
The capital remained crowded even at night. Even though the moon was already high in the sky, I could still hear the sounds of merrymaking from the restaurants and bars that lined the street. It was likely coworkers and friends, getting together to celebrate the end to a long day of work. However, from here on, I would never have someone like that.
― Completely alone.
Until now, I had pretty much always had Claire-chan by my side. Really, it was unclear to me how long I’d really be able to last on my own. Even so, this was something that I must do. Suicide was a lukewarm escape that I would not allow myself.
“Mm~ I wonder if Claire-chan safely made it back to her room~”
There should be no need to worry. After all, Claire-chan had Rei-chan, her wonderful partner. It would seem that Claire-chan hadn’t quite completely opened up to her just yet, but in my eyes it was only a matter of time. Sooner or later, those two would surely end up together.
Even aside from Rei-chan, Claire-chan had plenty of supportive people around her. For example, Pipi-chan, Loretta-chan, and until recently, Lene-chan. The one who had left the strongest impression on me was Manaria-sama. You could say that she was something like Claire-chan’s older sister. When we met for the first time, she nullified my magic and said this,
―Are you Claire’s enemy? Or are you on her side?
It appeared that Manaria-sama already knew the truth behind my magic. That’s why she immediately recognized that it was a spell very suited toward assassination. Depending on my response, it was largely possible that I could have been killed then and there. That’s why I chose to tell her everything.
― If it comes to it, feel free to rely on me. I should be able to help in one way or another.
It was then that Manaria-sama accepted me as her little sister’s friend. From her words, I truly sensed just how sincerely she cared for her little sister.
“How nice…”
Unintentionally, words of envy slipped out. No, I can’t. I don’t have the right to hope for someone that would care for me as much as Rei-chan or Manaria-sama care for Claire-chan. Isn’t this what I decided? To be alone, forever.
“I really hope that, to the very least, Claire-chan can find happiness~”
As that thought passed my mind, I had arrived at the west gate.
“Hm? What’s your deal?”
The gatekeeper noticed me.
“Good evening~”
“Ah… Could it be that you want to leave?”
“Yeah~”
“Well we’re closing the gate for today, you’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
“Ah, but you see, I really can’t wait that long~”
There shouldn’t be anyone who remembered who I was anymore, but because of what happened with my father, the capital was in a state of alert. As a result, I suppose it made sense that the gate protocol would be strict.
“Nope, not happening. Give up on going tonight.”
“I suppose it can’t be helped~”
Gathering the small amount of magic I had left, I stole the gatekeeper’s memories of me. As he lost consciousness and collapsed, I gently caught him.
“Sorry~ But I’ll be making my way through~”
Gently setting the gatekeeper down on the ground, I pushed myself through the gate.
“My lady, just where is it that you intend to go? And while leaving me behind?”
“… Eh?”
Just after I made it past the west gate, an unexpected voice called out to stop me. When I looked in the direction of the voice, I saw the silhouette of someone that should not have even possibly been here.
“Ema…?”
“You disappeared on me when I took my eyes off of you for just a moment, so I’ve been looking for you.”
“No… But that’s…”
“If you plan to go somewhere, please make sure you let me know first.”
“… But why…?”
I was sure that I had cast memory magic on Ema as well. And yet, it seemed that Ema hadn’t forgotten about me.
“What do you mean, why?”
“Because… My magic lets me erase the memories of my target. So, Ema, why are you…”
“Ah, so that’s what this is about.”
Ema was the pinnacle of calm as she continued.
“I have a body that makes it difficult for magic to affect me.”
“It’s harder for magic to… affect you…?”
“Yes. I’m unaware of the specifics, but my daughter is completely resistant to magic. Perhaps it’s my genetics.”
From what Ema told me about her past, it seems that she was actually a member of a former kingdom’s royalty. She said that the kingdom had fallen to ruin, and she was forced to abandon it. Apparently the daughter she had given birth to prior to all that completely nullified magic.
“That’s why, it’s not possible for my lady to erase my memories. Please just give up already, and allow me to remain by your side.”
“No but… I just can’t… I decided for myself that I must continue to live alone. Ema, not even you can be an exception to that rule.”
“I don’t know anything about that. All I know, Lady Catherine, is that you, and you alone are my lifelong master. Regardless of what my lady thinks of it, I have no intention to change my mind.
Ema simply shrugged off my explanation as if it meant nothing to her. I knew that she was very stubborn. Now that it’s come to this, it would be difficult to convince her. However, I had to.
“I’m no longer part of the Achard lineage.”
“I am aware.”
“I don’t have any money to pay you.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that too.”
“That’s why, there’s no need for you to serve me anymore, Ema.”
“I still need to repay you for your kindness.”
“Ema…”
It seemed like Ema insisted on coming with me no matter what.
“My lady, you are the one who saved my life. When I was without direction, and knew nothing of the real world, you are the one who gave me a new path.”
Ema’s eyes expressed her sincerity.
“I believe that accompanying you on your journey toward atonement is my way of repaying you.”
As she said that, she bowed before me as my loyal servant. With a loud sigh,
“I don’t care anymore. Do as you’d like.”
“Yes, that is exactly what I’ll do.”
“… Darn stubborn…”
“I will return those words straight to you, my lady.”
I turned my wheelchair and tried to get away from the area, but suddenly noticed that I didn’t need as much force to push myself.
“I can do this myself.”
“I am simply doing as I’d like.”
“My arms will atrophy.”
“You’ve already traveled much further than you normally do on your own. I believe that you’ve already met today’s quota.”
“…”
It appeared that no matter what I said, Ema had no intention to budge. Even as that made me feel an immense sense of guilt―I felt a tremendous happiness knowing the long journey ahead of me would not be one that I had to make alone.
“… Ema”
“Yes, my lady?”
“… Thank you.”
“You waste your words on me.”
How I’d live, or how long I’d be able to live were both things I still wasn’t sure of. However, one thing I could be sure of was that my journey for atonement would, surely, be a long one. Even then, I choose to live on.
Along with my awkward, but kind hearted servant.
