Butcher Demon

Gevaudan’s proposal was rejected.

8 to 1. The lack of a shower is the main reason for the unanimous vote reached by all but Gevaudan, even Yakumo cross his finger and joined the opposition side.

The group that returned from 88 had been coated in sweat and dust. No shower. That on its own was fatal.

Even if it was normal to show their bodies to their lovers, it was scandalous to be seen by the same sex. This was a common understanding among women of all races. Even Titania was considerate at this point, taking a stand with Abigail’s side and rebuking Gevaudan.

In this way, the 8P proposal became cold and the meeting ended.

After comforting Gevaudan, who was leaving with his shoulders hunched in disappointment. only Abigail and Titania remained in the room.

Titania gave instructions to the giant spider, Incepta Ventricosus, the general counsel of the Nest, and sent him out of the room. She then took off her glasses and looked back at Abigail.

『………… anything else?』

『I need to have a word with you, alone.』

Abigail apologized for her emotional outburst earlier, thanked her for bringing her here, and then cut to the chase.

『Is there any way to get Gevaudan back to his original form?』

『Original ……』

Hmm……. Titania hum and approaches Abigail.

『–Isn’t that a little arrogant, don’t you think? Gevaudan says he is happy to be with me in his current form. Wanting to return him to his original form is nothing more than selfishness on your part.』

『It’s not about looks』

Abigail shook her head somewhat emotionally.

『–I’ve had enough, I want to rid him of the fight. Gevaudan has been fighting and killing since he was human…since he was a child. I didn’t think completing missions is a way of life……. After all that time in Faymbaum, I thought I’d finally gotten rid of all the chains. Yet somehow he still binds himself. I want to set him free, but with that form…….』

Ever since learning the identity of the being known as Larva, Abigail’s heart has been clenching with despair. It was impossible for Gevaudan to have a peaceful life as long as he was trapped in that body.

『Is it not freedom to decide how you want to live your life? The chain called faith is necessary for one to be free. Without it, we are no better than animals. Since a person’s way of life is the road they have chosen for themselves, whichever one they choose to follow, is their freedom. Even he is aware of that. Gevaudan is an honorable man. While it was sad that his soul was infused into Larva, his decision to proclaim that he would fight beside me was one that he made by his own will. He is a man of courage.』

『Then why is Gevaudan’s memory like that?』

Abigail pointed out the unusual nature of Gevaudan’s amnesia – particularly, the fact that only his memories of people have been erased.

『Erasing presences of other people… is that also the effect of Larva’s poison?』

『That? I doubt Larva’s poison can have such a dedicated effect….』

Titania raised her eyebrows and tilted her head.

『Don’t play dumb with me. You must have done something.』

Abigail presses on.

『You isolated Gevaudan from anyone else. You’ve practically taken away his options. It’s a roundabout way of brainwashing him.』

『That is a baseless accusation. I don’t have the power to manipulate memories. In fact, today was the first time I had such an intense conversation with Gevaudan. I only learned about his memory when you told me about it. Although from the outside, I can see that he is in a complicated state.』

『The Gordian Knot……』

『That’s right. I, too, am unable to give a detailed description of Gevaudan’s current condition…』

『The Wraith’s Curse……』

『……』

Titania stopped talking at the words Abigail muttered.

Seeing her reaction, Abigail continued.

『Wraith’s Curse. Titania, when Gevaudan confronted you earlier, you were so flustered that you let out those words for a moment.』

『What a quick wits woman.』

『You are giving Gevaudan some skills right? Does it affect his memory? Does it interfere when he receives two cursed at the same time?』

『–I don’t know. I have never experienced a wraith’s curse before. It is said that wraiths are the filthy residue left behind in Miforsis when the one of the ancient ones along with Esteemed Father, left. Only the demon king who rules over Miforsis is qualified to subdue it. I’m sure my sisters can explain it better than me…………』

『……』

『It could be said that Gevaudan’s development of skills that differ from that of father and myself is due to the Wraith. I’ll have to ask him later for more details……. Well, whatever. that’s just a minor issue. It will have no impact on what I and he are trying to achieve. When everything is over, it will all be resolved. Left in a clean slate. Just like cutting a knot.』

『Cutting the knot is the last thing you want to do. It’s the last resort.』

Abigail shook her head.

『I’m not giving up. If there is a knot, there’s a way to untie it. I can solve them one by one. I can’t just give up without trying anything. I refuse to do that. That’s why I need your help, Titania.』

Titania smiles softly without answering.

Abigail gives her a probing look.

『What are you up to beneath that smile, Titania?』

『Do you really want to save him, Abigail?』

The sudden question makes Abigail’s heart skip a beat.

『……Of course, I do.』

『Then, You need some preparation.』

『Preparation?』

『Curses are like a contest of the soul’s might. Therefore, the titanic curse received from the old ones represented by esteemed fathers and the wraith cannot be purified. The opponent is too much to be countered by a mere human soul. Therefore, we have no choice but to divert them.』

『In other words–』

『You have to find a substitute. It requires a great deal of preparation…… and human sacrifice. Are you ready for that?』

『……』

When Abigail stammered, Titania’s expression suddenly broke.

『A little while ago, the Lilith girl said something…….. that I need the real name to complete my rule——But that’s only half right.』

『Meaning?』

『I am not lying. There is no such thing as domination, no power to control people at will. Instead, I am good at rituals that involve breaking bonds by using names. With this power, I might be able to give you, or to Gevaudan what you call “freedom”』

Titania continued.

『–Abigail, do you know Gevaudan’s real name?』

『…Nigel, When he was human, his name was Nigel.』

『Fufu……… that name. It seems that the little fox also tried that name, but failed in the marriage ceremony. That’s not his real name.』

Titania walked behind Abigail and took a handful of her blonde hair.

『Now, do you really know his name?』

『Then, I don’t know it…….』

Abigail’s neck stiffened nervously.

『Do you think I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with him?』

Abigail’s shoulders jumped slightly.

Titania’s hand was on her shoulder.

『We, Agartha, are experts in the soul. One look at a soul and I can tell what state, what emotion and shape it is in, all of it, you know?』

『……』

A husky whisper tickled Abigail’s ear.

『…… Hey, don’t be mean…..tell me Gevaudan’s real name…….』

The yellow slime extended from Titania’s clothes.

It dripped soundlessly down her arm and onto her fingertips.

Her hand crawled up Abigail’s neck.

『……We’re going to save him together………….』

『……』

A yellow slime slithers from Titania’s fingernails.

Abigail, lost in thought, is unaware of it.

The long, thin mucus was about to enter her earlobe – just at that moment.

Suddenly, the sound of a horn boomed throughout Anthill Castle.