LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 90
Chapter 90. The Anomaly and the Decision
――Lately, there’s been something off about Zilbagias.
It wasn’t just Leila who thought so.
“…………”
Zilbagias, who had been reading a surveying textbook by the window, was lost in thought, staring blankly outside at the scenery.
His gaze was distant, yet there was a troubled expression as if he was mulling something over.
Leila, who couldn’t say she had known Zilbagias for long, still felt something strange about it.
It was usual for Zilbagias to suddenly start worrying or pondering something, but he usually settled it and returned to normal in just a few minutes.
Seeing him so distracted and deep in thought for such a long time was rare—so said Sophia and Viene, who had taken care of Zilbagias since he was a child. …Let’s put aside the remark about him still being a child now.
The “anomaly” began the day Zilbagias was invited to the undead’s stronghold.
‘――I can’t help but think, is it possible that he’s mentally affected because of necromancy? Or did the undead do something to him?’
It was only natural for Grand Duchess Platiphia to worry.
However, Zilbagias’s contract demon, Antendeixis, and his escort, Sophia, denied it.
‘My presence does not interfere with the soul, so this is not the result of mental disturbance. I can assure you of that.’
‘I was watching him almost constantly, and I didn’t observe any signs of a curse being placed on him.’
Although Sophia had stepped out for a period to rummage through the Undead King’s library, Antendeixis’s constant presence within Zilbagias ensured he hadn’t been subjected to any strange interference.
‘But you, who are dwelling within his soul, must understand what he’s thinking, right?’
So Platiphia tried to pry into Zilbagias’s thoughts, but Antendeixis silenced her with ‘I prioritize my contractor first.’
That left only one option—ask Zilbagias himself. As usual, Platiphia sought an explanation from her astute son.
‘……There are things I prefer not to speak about, even to you, Mother.’
However, surprisingly, Zilbagias evaded the conversation.
‘……I will talk once I’ve sorted my feelings a bit more.’
He said this almost in desperation.
Platiphia respected her son’s wishes and withdrew, but even after a week, the situation hadn’t changed.
On the contrary, it seemed to worsen.
――Strangely, while Zilbagias was unable to focus on his studies, he became even more dedicated to training.
Even before this, for someone his age, it was already unnatural how stoically he threw himself into brutal training.
Recently, however, he began to approach it with a zeal that could even intimidate Platiphia.
Weak-willed Leila thought, “If I were to be glared at with those eyes, I’d surely freeze in place, unable to move.”
‘……Brave, aren’t you?’
Platiphia seemed to find this aspect pleasing. At just five years old, he had the guts to overwhelm a Grand Duchess, especially his own mother, with sheer willpower.
Furthermore, with sheer force of will, he had begun to suppress magical interference like the curse of pain. Zilbagias’s already high combat ability was rapidly increasing, and his refinement as a demon race warrior was progressing.
Yet, this seemed to come at the expense of treating his own body as something insignificant, disregarding pain and suffering, hinting at a certain degree of self-destructiveness.
It was far too gruesome and tragic to be called earnest.
In his eyes, which seemed as if they could pierce through his mother, a kind of madness, a ferocity resided.
――Thus, it was decided that a discussion would be held between mother and son, with soundproof barriers put in place.
……However, after a short conversation, Platiphia emerged, looking stunned. Even when addressed by her attendants, her mind seemed elsewhere, as though Zilbagias’s anomaly had somehow infected her too.
“……In the end, what was that about?”
“Ah, well…”
While warming up in the bath, Leila asked Garunya, who glanced around as if to be discreet, before whispering.
“I heard it secondhand, so please keep that in mind.”
“Got it.”
“It seems that my master has fallen head over heels for an undead at first sight.”
“……Huh?”
It was such an unexpected turn that Leila was left bewildered.
“According to the story――”
・He was introduced to one of Enma’s subordinates.
・Upon seeing her, he was overwhelmed to the point where his vision went blank.
・He felt as if his soul was shaken, not believing it was their first encounter.
・Before he realized it, he couldn’t stop thinking about her, which left him unable to do anything.
・Since it was such an unfamiliar experience, he thought it might be what they call love at first sight.
――It seemed that this was what Zilbagias had confided to Platiphia.
“So, it appears that my master himself is quite confused.”
“Indeed…”
“And, of course, while my master understands intellectually that there’s no point in falling for an undead, it looks like he is trying to sort out his feelings and has thrown himself into training to forget.”
That thought… Leila considered.
It was no wonder that the lady was left dumbfounded…
Simultaneously, she began to understand Zilbagias’s “anomaly” to a degree. It made sense that he wouldn’t disclose it to his mother right away and kept it to himself.
Since Garunya knew, it wouldn’t be long before the information also circulated among Zilbagias’s subordinates and attendants.
It was such an absurd story, but since Zilbagias was already an oddball, everyone received it with a sense of, “Well, I suppose such a thing could happen…”
He did have a penchant for women, as demonstrated by his interest in Liliana, and Zilbagias was unique among demons in that he had no prejudice against other races. Therefore, no one could outright say that he could never fall for an undead who was once human.
Some gossips, quiet as a mouse, even whispered about “the second coming of Diagias.” However, unlike the lustful Diagias, Zilbagias was struggling to process his emotions, so Platiphia and others were quietly keeping an eye on the situation.
Overall, most considered Zilbagias’s words to be somewhat true.
(……But, is it really the case?)
Yet, Leila alone felt something wasn’t quite right.
That distant look in his eyes.
The emotions floating there—were they truly just the pangs of love?
If Zilbagias’s account was accurate, then it would certainly bear a tragic hue from the start, but…
Leila felt it wasn’t really that simple.
It was more than just love, it was… something more urgent, more unavoidable,
Resignation and sorrow—
Like a drop of ink falling into clear water, gradually spreading out—
Anger and hatred.
That was how Leila felt, almost instinctively.
Why did she feel this way? It was probably because—
It was precisely this emotion that Leila was constantly tormented by.
And unlike those around her, Leila did not—
Blindly trust Zilbagias.
†††
It was one day after finishing flight training.
Leila was starting to grasp the sensation of flying significantly. She could now take off without a running start and could accelerate. However, to maintain flight, the motions of flapping her wings were still unstable.
Though that was the case, she was confident that it wouldn’t be long before she could fly freely.
――And at that timing, Zilbagias approached her, saying he wanted to “talk together.”
In her room, they dispelled those present. Even setting up soundproof barriers.
“…………”
Sitting quietly on the sofa, Zilbagias regarded Leila with calm eyes.
(…Ah)
Leila’s heart began to race.
……Those eyes.
Everyone was mistaken, but only Leila, perhaps, understood that those eyes were directed at her.
“……This may be an uncomfortable conversation for you.”
Leaning forward, Zilbagias began to speak.
“……But I want to talk candidly. …About your father.”
Leila gasped. Up till now, that subject had never been touched upon—even once.
“As you know, I’m learning necromancy.”
That much was obvious.
But how did that relate to her father…?
“…………”
No way.
“……Do you…”
Zilbagias’s face twisted, as if he was spewing blood, and he struggled to weave his words.
“……Do you want to meet your father?”
――Even through the use of dark magic. He looked directly into Leila’s eyes.
“……If it’s now, I can summon him.”
Your father, Faravgi’s soul.
If you wish for it.