12: 12.
What is he 12: 12.
What is he The night was peaceful within the defensive fortress.
I walked alone toward the small garden from earlier.
This place was pretty decent.
A good spot for meditation.
Earlier, Sera and I had discussed our journey to the capital.
Marc had initially wanted to be involved in the discussion, but considering that he was injured, we decided to wait until his condition improved.
Sera wanted to reach the capital as soon as possible because she did not want to get involved with the military or the Blight.
I understood that.
She clearly did not want to see any more corpses, and she had said so herself.
“Seeing piles of corpses makes me uncomfortable.
That’s why I want to leave this place as soon as possible.” That was what Sera had said.
“I also want to get out of here as soon as possible.” Not long afterward, I could see the small garden from earlier, but I also saw Meila there.
She was wearing casual clothes, watering the plants in the middle of the night while smiling gently.
I could not believe that the woman who had looked so crazy and frightening earlier was actually a beautiful woman who loved plants.
“I’d better stay away.” Just as I was about to turn around, I heard Meila call out to me.
“Oh, Val.
What brings you here this late at night?” I looked toward her.
“I just wanted to take a walk.” “You’re not sleeping?” “No.
I can’t sleep.” More accurately, I did not need to.
For some reason, I felt like a vampire that never slept at night.
Looking at Meila, I found it strange that she was watering plants in the middle of the night.
“Why are you watering the plants at night?” “Ah.
I’m quite busy from morning until afternoon, so I do it during my free time.” “Why not ask someone else to do it?” Meila put down her watering can and walked toward me.
“Since I’m here, I want to take care of them myself.” Meila leaned her face closer to mine.
“Hey, are you really human?” Why was this woman suddenly asking such a ridiculous question?
Didn’t I look human?
Wait.
Was she asking about the term human rather than simply referring to a human being?
A human could be called a demon if they committed heinous acts, and they could be called an angel if they performed acts of kindness.
If that was what she meant, then I couldn’t give her a proper answer.
“That’s up to how you see it.” “Hm…” Meila stared into my eyes.
Her expression suddenly became blank, completely different from before.
After she seemed satisfied with her assessment, she stepped back.
“Whatever you are, you don’t have any ill intentions.” “I have no reason to do anything malicious.” All I wanted to do right now was survive in this new world.
Meila smiled.
“That’s good, then.” She sighed, and her expression looked relieved, as though she had finally let go of a problem that had been weighing on her mind.
“Val, how about coming with me for a moment?” “All right.” “Follow me.” I walked beside Meila as we entered the defensive wall.
I did not expect the interior of the defensive wall to be this spacious.
There were even cannons arranged neatly, all pointing toward the outside of the wall.
We climbed the stairs and eventually reached the very top of the defensive wall.
From here, I could clearly see the vast field, the night sky filled with stars, and the cold night air passing over me.
“What do you think of the view?” Meila asked for my opinion.
“It’s nice, I guess.” “This view really is beautiful, especially with the grass and trees growing so well.
It’s a good place to live, don’t you think?” Well, fertile land was certainly a good place to live.
A village could easily be built here.
“I suppose you’re right.” “The reason I joined the military was because I wanted to protect this view, this place, and the people who live here.” “Hmm.” “The Blight are caused by corrupted Flux, or what we call Taint.
Whenever Blight inhabit an area, that place can no longer be safely inhabited.
It becomes corrupted.
Plants and even living creatures cannot survive there and will eventually die if they remain for too long.” “Like poison?” “Yeah.
I suppose you could put it that way.” Although, radiation would probably be a more accurate comparison than poison.
But I would use that term since it was easier to understand.
“Blight don’t normally move in groups, but sometimes there can be three to five Blight in the same area at once.
Hearing that Blight are invading the kingdom in groups sounds strange.
However, it’s not impossible because there are Nullifers capable of leading them.” “What are you trying to say?” “Because of this invasion, many areas are becoming nearly uninhabitable.
Even if an area is damaged by the Blight, that doesn’t mean we can’t restore it.
But isn’t prevention better than having to repair something afterward?” I had heard that saying in my old world.
“I suppose you’re right.” Meila looked toward me.
“I heard you want to go to the capital.” “That’s right.
That’s the next destination for me and my two companions.” “So when are you leaving?” I still wasn’t sure when we would leave.
But considering Marc’s injuries weren’t too severe and Sera wanted to leave as soon as possible, I thought it would probably be in three or four days.
“I think in three or four days.” “Why not wait a little longer?
There will be transportation coming here from the capital in five days.
I can ask them to take you back to the capital as well.
That way, you won’t have to worry about walking or finding another ride.” That was a good offer.
I thought Meila had a point.
I should talk to Sera first and ask her to wait a little longer.
“Thank you for the suggestion.” I slightly bowed my head in gratitude.
“You’re welcome.” I looked toward the sky and silently gazed at the stars above.
After that, neither of us spoke.
It wasn’t because I wanted to stare at the sky.
I simply had nothing else to talk about.
Meila also remained silent and didn’t start another conversation.
This is what happens when you’re an introvert.
I have no idea what else to talk about.
Since the atmosphere was becoming awkward, I decided to leave.
“Meila, I’m going to head back.” *********** After Val left, Meila was alone atop the defensive wall, gazing at the sky.
The night was quiet, with the cold night air surrounding her.
Not long afterward, Arturia approached Meila from the same direction Val had gone.
“Meila, what are you doing here?” Arturia asked.
“Just enjoying the night view.” “You were talking to Val, weren’t you?
I just saw him leave.” “I was.
But I have no intention of taking him away from you.” Meila smiled teasingly at Arturia.
“Please stop with those jokes.” Arturia looked slightly annoyed by Meila’s teasing.
“What are you doing here?” Meila asked in return.
“Just patrolling of my own accord.” “You’re too hard on yourself.
You’ve already evacuated the villagers, so you should get some rest.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” Arturia was about to leave, but Meila stopped her with another question.
“Arturia, do you think a Nullifer that takes human form could exist?” Arturia stopped and turned around.
“Meila, what kind of question is that?” “Just answer me.” “Blight themselves aren’t clearly defined as living creatures.
Even if they could resemble humans, I’m certain neither Blight nor Nullifers could perfectly imitate humans, both inside and out.” Meila’s expression became blank for a moment before she smiled again.
“Sorry for asking such a strange question.” “Then I’ll be going.” Arturia walked away, leaving Meila behind.
“Don’t forget to rest!” “I know.”