NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21
Chapter 21. The Inherited Curse
――It hurts.
My right hand throbs painfully.
As if stabbed by an invisible knife, there was a clean hole from my palm to the back of my hand. Blue blood, characteristic of the demon race, drips from the wound.
In my previous life, I was injured plenty and my death was gruesome. I was long accustomed to pain, but—pain is still pain.
Especially, it’s the first intense pain in this body. I can’t help but scowl.
So this is the 【Teleportation Spell】—upon closer inspection, I noticed magical power swirling around the wound. The remnants of the curse gradually dissipating. Conversely, Platy’s hands were unscathed.
“You’re quite composed, Zilbagias,” Platy remarked, seemingly impressed.
“No matter how brave a child is, they usually panic at their first cut… but you remain calm. You’ve had such a steady mindset since childhood.”
Should I have panicked a bit more? Well, it’s too late now.
“Does this mean I can use the teleportation spell now?”
It doesn’t feel that way. My hand just hurts.
“Not yet. Next, I’ll transfer this wound back to me with the teleportation spell. That way, you should understand.”
“By feeling it,” Platy added.
“We share a strong magical bond as mother and child, and I was the one who inflicted this wound. Focus, Zilbagias. On our connection—”
Platy’s magical hand touched my wound.
“【Teleport】”
I experienced a strange sensation as the very wound was dragged out.
In an instant, I caught a glimpse.
The history of this curse, passed down through the Reiju Tribe.
Originally, it began when a mother—the progenitor of the Reiju Tribe—transferred the wound inflicted on her child onto herself. A mother’s love, wishing to alleviate her child’s suffering, despite being unable to wield the miracle of healing.
Since then, every time a child was injured, parents of the Reiju Tribe have shielded their children by taking on their wounds.
It became refined and established as the teleportation spell.
And it started being applied more broadly. The targets of the curse expanded from mere blood relatives to prey and enemies. It was even used in hunting and battle.
――A curse that began from a mother’s love has now turned into a formidable curse.
One that deliberately inflicts wounds upon oneself to efficiently inherit it.
“…It all started with love, didn’t it?”
And now, look at this mess. I muttered while staring at my hand, which bore no injury aside from bloodstains.
“It’s still true,” Platy replied, once more bleeding from her right hand.
“That’s why it can only be passed on to my beloved child.”
She smiled as she looked at the wound. A gentle smile that’s rarely seen in the Demon Lord’s Castle.
“—Now then. Zilbagias. You’re a budding mage now. Of course, you’ll need more practice to actually utilize it—but now, if you’re suddenly attacked, as long as you don’t die immediately, you’ll manage.”
The air in the room suddenly lightened.
I realized Platy had dispelled the soundproof barrier.
“Garunya! Come in.”
“Yes!” A high-pitched voice replied from outside the room.
As I heard that, a pristine white-haired beastman in a maid outfit entered.
I’d seen her a few times. A familiar servant.
“Garunya. I hereby appoint you as Zilbagias’s attendant. Show your loyalty to Zilbagias and protect him with your life.”
“Yes! I will serve Lord Zilbagias and protect him with my life!”
The attendant—Garunya—straightened her posture like a soldier and somewhat awkwardly repeated the words, bowing deeply in my direction.
“Lord Zilbagias, though I may be lacking, I will dedicate my life to protecting you. Thank you very much.”
“Uh, sure…”
Guess I suddenly have a serious subordinate…
I nodded while seeking an explanation from Platy with my gaze.
“The Byakkoshin Tribe is a small ethnic group of beastmen that we, the Reiju Tribe, protect. We saved them from human persecution during the dawn of the Demon Lord Kingdom. Ever since, they’ve served our tribe with loyalty through the generations.”
“Yes! We owe the Reiju Tribe for saving us from human fur hunters!”
As she stroked her fluffy white fur, Garunya said cheerfully.
…I had heard that countries in the now-deceased western part of the continent often clashed with the beastmen and severely persecuted them, but…
I looked at the young, bright beastman girl with mixed emotions.
Platy, seemingly perceiving my thoughts, added,
“The loyalty of the Byakkoshin Tribe is genuine, Zilbagias. Garunya will never betray you, nor could she. If some wicked person tries to twist her will, her oath of loyalty would end their life.”
“Yes! Before betraying my master, I will gouge out my heart with my claws and die!”
Garunya maintained her unwavering tone.
“Loyalty is the pride of our clan. Loyalty brings our clan long-lasting prosperity.”
It was almost like a mantra.
“I will serve you with all my heart and soul!”
This girl must have been taught that it’s only natural.
“The Byakkoshin Tribe will never betray. Yet, being beastmen, their magical resistance is low… This makes them ideal in preparations for times of crisis.”
“Got it, right?” Platy smiled.
Low magical resistance. That means—it’s easy to make them the target of the 【Teleportation Spell】.
That’s the reason the Reiju Tribe protects them. They have high loyalty, and when faced with brainwashing or coercion, will choose to die rather than yield, making them a conveniently useful servant for the Reiju Tribe…!
“How you handle her is up to you, Zilbagias. Learn how to treat a subordinate from her. Garunya, if you have any complaints, don’t hesitate to voice them to Zilbagias. Your loyalty gives you the right to do so.”
“Yes! Understood! Thank you very much!”
“—Well then, today has been eventful.”
With a slight easing of her shoulders, Platy let out a small sigh.
…Indeed. Just when I thought I’d returned to the real world from the Demon World, I got back with a dragon to the Demon Lord Castle, and now I’m learning bloodline magic. This is ridiculous.
“I’ll arrange for information regarding the bloodline magic of the Orgi Tribe later. For now, take a break, Zilbagias.”
And just like that, Platy, who had come like a storm, left like a storm.
Leaving behind the Byakkoshin subordinate—Garunya.
“Congratulations on acquiring bloodline magic, Zilbagias-sama.”
Sophia, who had been waiting in the corner of the room, called out.
“Congratulations!”
Garunya chimed in.
“How wonderful!”
And even Antendeixis chimed in from within me, cynically.
This is getting lively… with Sophia practically acting as a subordinate too, we now have a two-person team.
“…Let’s get along moving forward, Garunya. I won’t treat you badly.”
“Yes! Then, what shall we do, my master?”
Garunya tilted her head and asked with her ears perked up.
“First, let’s arrange for some food. And a bath.”
“Understood!”
Eagerly, Garunya rushed out to inform another attendant waiting outside.
…I hope it doesn’t come to a situation where I have to use that girl as a substitute.
I’m determined to defeat the Demon Lord and obliterate the Demon Lord Kingdom, but—man, I’m starting to feel pretty worn out now.
For now, I just want to eat and go to sleep without thinking about anything.
…Just for today, that should be fine.
“Are you sleeping already? I was hoping to explore the Demon Lord Castle a bit.”
Let it be tomorrow.
…Will I ever be able to sleep peacefully alone again?