I looked at the scenery around me. The previously cleaned room was now smeared with the splash of my blood. The figure that stabbed me just now left me alone as soon as he saw that I became lifeless. Suddenly, my breath felt so heavy and my body felt so weak that I could no longer tremble in fear. I kept trying to fight the soaring pain before slowly my consciousness disappeared as if death had invited me.
("Huh... Huh... What just happened?!!") (Surprised)
I wake up from my sleep due to a strange dream I just had. I quickly look around me only to find that I'm still sitting on my bed safe and sound. I breathe a sigh of relief as soon as I realize that everything I have experienced just now is just a dream. To be honest, I really thought I had been kidnapped and tortured in that dark room earlier. Being stabbed repeatedly and left alone with severe injury accompanied by excruciating pain, alone with no one around to ask for help. I gently rub my chest after knowing that I have just been dreaming as soon as I see the night sky, still illuminated by the moon. I then lay down again to go back to sleep before I get shocked to see someone next to me.
"EEP?!!"
I'm surprised as soon as I see Saoto has been sleeping soundly next to me while hugging me tightly. For a moment, Saoto slowly opens both of his eyes before looking at me who woke him. The awake Saoto then looks at me with a surprised expression before quickly wiping my watery eyes that well without me noticing.
"Sei don't be afraid... Saoto is here now..."
My head gets gently placed on his chest before it being hugged and caressed gently by his hands. Surprised by it, I look at the face in front of me for a while before returning to hug his body tightly while shedding some tears. For a moment, my heart feels so calm after seeing Saoto who is currently next to me, tightly hugging my body which is still shaking in fear. I don't know why my heart feels so happy as soon as I smell the man next to me and feel the warmth of his body spread throughout my body. I can't tell why my heart hopes for us to stay like this for a little longer. My tail slowly sways showing him how calm I feel as soon as he comforts me. After being carried away by the warming atmosphere for a moment, I quickly realize something is odd after looking directly at the body of this man in front of me which is completely uncovered showing his masculinity to me.
("Hmm?!! Saoto's body muscles?...") (Flustered)
My cheeks get flushed as soon as I remember that the man in front of me isn't wearing any clothes except the underwear that covers his vital rod. Filled with embarrassment, I then quickly push the body in front of me away to escape from his arms that are tightly holding me. Saoto gets surprised as soon as he sees me struggling to be released from his arm.
"S-SAOTO... L-LET GO OF S-SEI-" (Embarrassed)
I'm surprised as Saoto isn't only reluctant to release his arms just as I commanded but instead hugs me tighter while gently stroking my back. I don't know why I don't feel like rejecting his hug that is getting tighter even though I realize he isn't wearing any clothes right now. After few moments, Saoto lets go of his arms while looking directly into my face.
"Sei is calmer now, right?"
Saoto asks while smiling at me. I nod slowly to him while lowering my head slightly to prevent him from seeing my blushing cheeks that are filled with embarrassment right now. I can't explain why I'm so liking to being hug tightly by his body just now. Very shy by it, I keep my head down until I get surprised by Saoto who lifts my face back up again to look directly into his face.
"What's got Sei worried?"
Saoto asks me with a concerned look. Panicked by the scene in front of me, I back my body away from him before yelling back at him about something.
"H-HOW COME S-SEI DON'T WORRY A BIT?!! SA-SAOTO, W-WHY DON'T SAOTO WEAR ANY SHIRT W-WHILE SLEEPING BESIDE S-SEI?!!" (Panicked)
I then tightly grab the blanket near me to calm myself down. How can I be calm right now? A man sleeps next to his girl without any clothes on. Who would think positively when face with such a situation? Saoto then immediately looks back at me who has distanced myself while exhaling heavily before continuing,
"Sei, do Sei realize that Sei is still wearing a shirt?"
I'm shocked to hear Saoto's question. I then look back at my body again, seeing that my pajamas are still neatly worn by me. Not even a single button gets undone and the pants don't look like being pulled either. This meant that he hasn't done anything to me while I'm asleep even though he has been in 'ready to attack' mode as a man. I then look back at Saoto's face, puzzled.
"E-Eeh... If that's the case, why is Sa-Saoto n-naked then???" (Surprised)
I ask the man back with shame. I try not to look at the man in front of me as I'm worried that his manly muscles would activate a 'switch' inside me. However, I then startled as soon as Saoto pulls my head back and places it gently on his chest while gently stroking it. Surprised by his actions, I immediately calm down in his arms.
"Sei just had a dream so bad that Sei kept calling Saoto's name in Sei's dream. Nita then quickly reports to Saoto to come to look for Sei"
I'm surprised to hear the truth that the main reason Saoto has slept next to me is to calm me down while I'm having the bad dream earlier during which I had kept calling out his name. My cheeks then redden in embarrassment after knowing that I, who feel so lonely would call his name many times even when we are only separated for a split moment. I then look back at Saoto's face while holding back my emotion to ask him something.
"B-but, that doesn't allow Sa-Saoto to s-sleep next to S-Sei naked-"
"Saoto had tried to lie next to Sei and Sei even hugged Saoto's body tightly that time. But Sei didn't calm down until Saoto got undressed and lying down next to Sei. Sei got so happy and calm for a moment as soon as Sei hugged Saoto's naked body tightly-"
I quickly cover the mouth of the man in front of me so as not to let him continue his words. I get very surprised to find out that the reason for him being naked in the first place right now is because of me. I don't ever think it would be that hard to calm me down from a bad dream I had. However, I can't deny that I feel very relaxed as soon as I feel the warmth of his body hits and spreads throughout my body. I then freeze for a moment while thinking about myself.
("Wow, I don't think I'm that addicted to the warmth of his body...") (Stared)
I dare myself to look directly into Saoto's face again. Saoto smiles at me while gently stroking my head. I just realized that this man has been trying his hard to comfort me who just had a bad dream. I, on the other hand, immediately accused him of doing bad things to me just by misunderstanding his actions. I then quickly hug the body in front of me while shedding some happy tears. Surprised by my actions, Saoto immediately returns my hug while gently caressing my back.
"Sei feels sorry for accusing Saoto... T-thank you for calming Sei..."
Saoto then lets go of my hug and looks right into my face which is still full with tears. I suddenly get surprised as soon as Saoto kisses my cheek. I'm just frozen for a while, not knowing how to respond to the kiss he just gave me. Slowly, Saoto pinches my cheek before smiling back at me.
"It's better this way"
My cheeks immediately redden as soon as I realize that Saoto isn't angry at all with me yet comforts me when I'm sad. I then bow in shame while holding both of my cheeks before being surprised by someone behind me.
"Congratulations, Mahou Seinarin. What a very romantic atmosphere"
"E-ENA?!!" (Shocked)
I'm surprised to see Ena who has been standing firmly behind me while putting on her maid clothes, on duty. I then anxiously wave my hand toward her so that she doesn't think of anything wild.
"W-why is Ena here-"
"Ena also want to get valuable experience from Mahou regarding things like this. It turns out that Ena is not wrong"
Filled with embarrassment, I grab the blanket near me and hide my body so that no one could see it after knowing that Ena has been spying on me this entire time. I then push Saoto's leg which is still in the blanket out so that I could calm myself down.
"Mahou don't worry. Ena just came in to check on Mahou's condition after Mahou Saoto was called by Nita"
I'm surprised to hear Ena's words. My heart feels calm for a moment as soon as I know that she hasn't seen Saoto and me when we were making love just now. I then think for a moment inside the blanket before realizing something.
("My heart doesn't calm down as soon as Ena came to disturb the warm atmosphere. I still want to be touched by him ") (Stared)
I then continue to be petrified until I get surprised by Saoto when his hand gently caresses my head which is still hidden in the blanket. My heart calms for a moment as if I get what I've wanted from him. My eyes suddenly feel heavy. However, before I fall asleep, I can hear Saoto whispers something to my ear,
"Saoto feel sorry for not being able to accompany Sei earlier. In return, Saoto will accompany Sei to sleep-"
"WEAR SA-SAOTO'S CLOTHES FIRST"
I thrash around inside the blanket as I tell him to get dressed before sleeping next to me. I don't have any problem with him willing to accompany me to sleep but I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to control myself as soon as I see his body shape. I realize that I won't calm down if I'm bribed with such a sight. For a moment, I get startled as I could feel Saoto kiss on my head before slipping his hand into the blanket to hold my hand tightly.
"Saoto promise"
I fall silent as soon as Saoto holds my hand tightly. However, I don't feel like brushing it off because somehow I'm calm as soon as I'm able to touch his hand directly. Slowly, my consciousness begins to disappear before I finally fall asleep next to Saoto in peace and sound.
----------------------------------------------------------
The view of Saoto's castle is now adorned by a blue sky bathed in sunlight. Birds fly out of their nests looking for food. This is my first day staying in this magnificent palace.
I sit in front of the mirror in my room while closing both of my eyes as I'm getting dressed by Nita, my maid. I couldn't have done it by myself since I've never had hair this long. All products and methods of care are managed by Nita and Ena who are ready to help me. As for the other maids, many of them are assigned to do other housework such as cooking, packing, and so on leaving only Ena and Nita to assist me anytime. At first, I don't trust a bit of Nita's skills to dress me up because of her background as a warrior who is far from the word 'beauty' as they are always dripping in sweat while fighting against their enemy and monsters. Despite that, I'm still surprised as soon as Nita reminds me that she had been my head maid a thousand years ago.
"Mahou, please don't worry. Even though Nita is a warrior in this era, Nita have never forgotten all of Nita's work as a maid before."
I open my eyes and see Nita who is smiling while looking at me so that I believe in what she said. I then gasp after recalling that Nita once said she was my main servant before. I then ask her excitedly about how she met my former self. To be honest, I can't help but want to know more about myself a thousand years ago who has been known as a figure that terrorized the entire Terror Canyon. Suddenly, I get surprised by Nita who hugs me tightly while shedding some tears on her face.
"Eeh... Do Mahou want to try to remember of Nita again?" (Touched)
I nod slowly while gently caressing Nita's cheek which she has placed on my shoulder while smiling at her. In a moment, Nita resumes her words,
"If Mahou wants to know, The name 'Nita' is the proof of Nita's meeting with Mahou a thousand years ago. Even though Nita has a new name, Mona... Nita is happier when Nita can use the name that Mahou gave back then..." (Sobbing)
I'm surprised by hearing Nita's confession about the origin of her name. I don't expect the name she has greeted me with is never her real name but instead, the name that I had given her a long time ago. I then wipe the tears that have been flowing from her eyes while smiling at her. A surprised Nita then looks at me with a face full of nostalgia as if she just recalled something.
"Mahou's attitude has never changed for a thousand years since Nita met Mahou..."
Nita gets up again while looking at me with a sad face. I keep closing my eyes so as not to disturb Nita who is willing to tell me the story. I realize that it is not an easy task to remember the sad things in our lives which we try to forget. Not to mention, this woman behind me is a die-hard crybaby. I keep on waiting while my hair continues being combed by her until I'm finally swept away by the story that Nita is telling me.
A thousand years ago.
The Kingdom's classic and majestic medieval-style cityscape proved the success of humans in uniting to fight against their main enemy, the demon races. However, it was not all good and beautiful. Even though they had united, they also became their own enemies with a lot of oppression that they did to each other as slavery being done to those who were weak. In this world, magic became the deciding factor of everything which the weak didn't have a strong magic capability to rely on.
Me included as one of those who were said to be weak.
My village was not destroyed by the Demon's army which was said to be a violent and cruel force as proclaimed by The Kingdom, but rather it was destroyed by The Kingdom's military forces who had deployed hundreds of mages to burn up my village. The green landscape decorated with dense jungle just now turned orange as soon as it got hit by a fire that incinerated the entire village without leaving any trace. I even saw my parents get killed in front of my very eyes by soldiers assigned by The Kingdom. My mother's last words kept haunting my mind as soon as I saw the lifeless body lying on the ground.
"Don't lose faith in the world... K-keep living..."
I got upset by hearing my mother's last wish as she was about to die. Even though she was on the verge of death, she still exerted all her strength to tell me something useless at the time.
What's the point in believing this cruel world?
Is it even worth it to continue my life?
I kept staring at the lifeless body in front of me before I got pulled and dragged by the soldiers who attacked my village. I tried to fight back while struggling to release the grips of the soldiers who had been dragging me even though it was futile. A young me at the time couldn't muster any strength to free myself let alone fight against these soldiers. In an instant, I was gathered along many children of my age who had the same fate as me, no place to live and no figure to depend on. We were chained and forced to go to the city with the carriages which were strictly guarded by the soldiers who accompanied us. Anyone who resisted was immediately beaten and tortured on the spot, leaving most of us to simply submit to the fate that befell us. However, everything I saw there was not like the heaven I often imagined but another hell that was awaiting our journey.
Many of us were forced to work. Some were forced to become slaves for the nobility. Some became assassins as they had certain skills despite not capable of using magic. Some satisfied the lust of the nobility due to their beautiful faces. I on the other hand became an assassin due to my agile movements despite my very young age. I continued to train under the Assassin's Guild in The Kingdom and managed to become one of the most feared assassins in the entire nation. During my training, I saw a lot of children with the same fate as me as I walked around the city. They lived hard in the narrow alleys with only the ground as their bed. Despite my terrifying appearance as a killer, they did not hesitate to approach me to ask for something from me.
"O-One-San... Does Onee-San have any money? My s-sister hasn't eaten for t-two days..."
I was surprised to hear the request of the boy in front of me as he asked me for food for his hungry sister, not for himself. In an instant, I immediately grasped the meaning of my mother who once told me to keep believing in this world. Although there was no place for me to believe in this world right now, there would always be a savior like this child in front of me who believed in me as his savior. For a moment, my tears welled up as soon as I caught the meaning behind my mother's words. I then wiped the tears that had been coming out of my eyes before looking back at the boy's face in front of me with a smile. I then lowered my body while gently patting the shoulder of the boy in front of me.
"Show Onee-San the others"
In an instant, I was faced with a gloomy environment in front of me. My eyes saw many people with the same fate as me lying weakly along the narrow alleys to get sheltered from the heat of the sun. I then looked back at the face of the boy who was leading me while slowly stroking his head while shedding some tears. I understood very well about what I just witnessed. I had felt how hard it was to have no shelter when I had to join the Assassin Guild when I was still a child. Slowly, I said to the boy in front of me,
"Don't worry... Onee-San will help as much as Onee-San can so that everyone here doesn't have to live like this"
I then walked while greeting everyone who were there while being accompanied by the boy beside me. My good intentions were welcomed by everyone there. We finally stopped in front of a cardboard box in which lie a girl with a rather pale face. Her body was covered in black spots that had spread all over it. At a glance, I immediately knew that this girl in front of me somehow had been poisoned, causing her body in such state. The boy who accompanied me immediately rushed to sit next to his sister while smiling at her face. Despite hesitating, he woke up his sister to show me who was currently looking at her with a smile.
"Haede, please be patient... This Onee-San said she wanted to help us out"
The girl named Haede looked at my face with a surprised expression. She never thought that someone who was dressed like an assassin would have the conscience to help them. I then looked back at her face while holding out a loaf of bread that I bought for my breakfast this morning. Haede fell silent for a moment before snapping the bread that I handed out to her.
"Haede, don't be like that... Onee-San is willing to help us, you know. Say thank you"
The brother reprimanded his younger sister for what he considered to be impolite. However, I told him that I did not feel bothered at all by what his sister did. I was well aware that people like her would have a hard time trusting anyone as much as I did before. I myself never considered other assassins as my friends since they could stab me in the back at any time. After daydreaming for a moment, I was surprised as soon as I saw the girl holding my hand tightly while smiling before saying,
"Th-thank you..."
I then patted her head to show her that I didn't mind helping. I then asked Haede again about the black spots that were visible on her body. She was silent for a moment before her brother answered my question.
"Actually, as her brother, I have to work by guarding a stall every day to buy a medicine that can reduce the poison in Haede's body. However, the medicine is so expensive that there is no money left for us to buy us food..."
I was shocked as soon as I found out the truth. The poison that was used on her was with the intent to force the older brother to work since the money he got had to be spent again to reduce the suffering of her younger sister. I then looked back at the girl in front of me while smiling. I understood it very well that she felt terrible because of her sickness, her brother had to struggle to take care of her. I then gently patted her head again while saying,
"Don't worry. Onee-San has promised everyone here to help"
I smiled at the girl in front of me. Her eyes were shining, indicating that there was a new hope that appeared in her life. I had also made up my mind to change the fate of those who were here as I already felt how hard it was to live like this. I closed my eyes while thinking about something.
Don't stop believing in this world.
That was my late mother's last message before she breathed her last. I now had a purpose to continue living. I would do my best to help change the lives of those who had the same fate as me.
Thanks to that, I kept being one of the feared figures throughout The Kingdom as a ruthless and heartless assassin. Even so, no one knew about my activities that secretly help those in need. I continued to help until the people there able to afford their own houses and lived peacefully among themselves. But I realized something.
The sun doesn't always shine.
I was shocked as soon as I found out that the entire member of the Assassin Guild had been planning to end me. However, I didn't get surprised by it since that was the nature. Those at the bottom would never feel satisfied until they achieved what they wanted. In one single night, everything I treasured disappeared before me. I lost my place to live, my position, and even my faith in the world. My home was destroyed, my status as an assassin was revoked while I was accused of being a traitor. Not to mention that those I had worked so hard to protect also disappeared in an instant as soon as they were mercilessly killed by them. Despite that, I couldn't do a thing since I was being outnumbered. I then lay weakly on the ground while being mocked by those around me who kept laughing at me. But behind the moonlit sky, I saw a strange figure approaching my crowd. In an instant, all of the assassins who had been laughing at me disappeared one by one while spraying out blood all over the place. Deep in my heart, I was very calm as soon as these people got a reward for what they did to me. I then continued to look for the figure that kept coming towards me who was now alone. Knowing my death was awaiting, I surrendered to the fate that would befall me shortly.
("Finally all this suffering will end")
"What are you thinking I am?"
I was surprised as soon as the figure held my head tightly and seemed to heal me from the wound I got from fighting the assassins earlier. Slowly, my vision began to recover as I could finally see the figure who had helped me. A demon with long flowing white hair accompanied by two flaming red eyes terrifying anyone upon seeing it. I then took a few steps back as soon as I realized that the figure who just helped me was none other than the Tyrannical Demon King herself who was feared by the whole of The Kingdom. But I was immediately surprised when I saw her face which seemed to be saddened when I took a distance from her.
"Fo-forgive me-"
I then apologized to her after realizing I was in the wrong before I was startled as soon as I found the figure in front of me slowly approached me before gently stroking my head. I remained silent for a moment, not knowing how to respond to it properly. Although this woman was an important figure that The Kingdom was on the run from, I also got no reason to kill her especially since she just saved my life. In an instant, the figure in front of me looked back at my face while wiping my eyes that were shedding tears.
"Don't be sad. Everything is calm now. Go back, there are many waiting for you..."
The figure quickly turned away to leave me. I was shocked to know that I got released just like that even though she must have known that I might be her future enemy. I then held her hand to prevent her from continuing her earlier intention to leave.
"Why are you helping me, a human and even an assassin-"
"There is no specific reason. But due to the place where you guys fought inside Terror Canyon, I as the ruler had to intervene to resolve it well, especially when I saw you were the one being oppressed by the group. I knew well I had to intervene even though I was certain that the result would turn out to be like this-"
"Forgive me for my arrogance earlier. From today onward, please let me serve under Mahou"
I straightened my body while bowing respectfully at her. For a moment, the woman in front of me was shocked as soon as she heard my request.
"Eh?!! No need to force yourself..."
I looked at the face of the figure in front of me who was still putting on a flat expression while smiling at her. Despite her blank look, it was clear that there was a worry on her face. I then tightly held the hand of the woman in front of me while making up my mind. I was very surprised as soon as I found out that the woman in front of me was not as ruthless as I had been told about but rather was a figure who cared about her people and even her enemy. Maybe this was what my mother told me before, I finally had someone I could trust to change the fate of those like me.
"After all, I have no one waiting for my return-"
I was surprised as soon as my head was hugged tightly by the woman in front of me. For a moment she smiled a little while looking at me before saying again,
"Hmm... It's possible... But in the palace, there's only a shortage of maids. Do you want it?"
I nodded quickly accepting the task given to me. Even as a servant, I didn't mind serving someone like her in the hope that those who shared my fate now didn't have to live in fear. I would ensure that this kind and caring Tyrannical Demon King does not turn into a cruel figure. I then accepted the hand she extended before the woman in front of me asked me about something.
"Your name?"
"I didn't have one..."
I looked at the figure in front of me with a slightly sad face. Everything just happened when I was still a child. Even after I became an Assassin, I still didn't have name to be called by. As an assassin, we called each other only by using our nicknames or codes given by the Guild. For a moment, I was shocked again as soon as my face was lifted by the woman in front of me.
"Hmmph... How about Nita? Nita-San? If you don't it, it's fine, I'm not good at this thing... "
I smiled while nodding as acceptance to the name given to me. I then lowered my body again to respect the figure in front of me again before saying aloud,
"Starting today, Nita will do Nita's best as Mahou's maid"
Suddenly, I'm surprised when Nita wipes my watery eyes which I don't realize have been shedding tears. I then look back at her face who is behind me to make sure of her condition. Nita smiles at me to comfort me who has been crying as soon as I hear her story a moment ago.
"It's okay Mahou. Everything is over. After all, Nita feel very happy to see Mahou again now..."
I'm surprised as soon as Nita hugs me tightly. However, my heart still feels sad after learning about her life's journey that was filled with obstacles before meeting me. Unknowingly, I'm shocked again by Nita who suddenly pulls both of my cheeks while nagging me about something.
"EEK?!!"
"Don't keep being sad, Mahou... Nita already said that Nita is fine... Here Mahou, have a look at how Mahou's look right now. How is it?"
Nita asks me to look back into the mirror in front of me to see my makeover done by her. I then get amazed as soon as I see my full appearance. My long white hair flows past my waist matching against a bright red dress that is exactly the color of my eyes. I momentarily move my body around in front of the mirror to fully see my current appearance. I then look at Nita's face again with amazement.
"S-Sei turn out to be so beautiful. Didn't Nita say that Nita was an assassin before and is now a warrior? How come Nita's hands get this detail?"
I ask her in amazement. For a moment, Nita jumps on me in joy before saying,
"Nevertheless, Nita is still a woman. So does Mahou. So from now on, Mahou needs to learn how to take care of Mahou's appearance. Nita will always be ready to teach" (Proud)
I'm shocked by Nita's words. But I realize that I would need to learn that too since I had chosen to be by Saoto's side. For a moment, Nita puts her mouth close to my ear to whisper something.
"What if Mahou shows Saoto-Sama how beautiful Mahou is right now? Saoto-Sama must be surprised to see Mahou's beauty"
"EEP?!!"
I then lower my head again while cupping both of my redden cheeks that are currently filled with embarrassment. However, I can't deny that my heart has been wanting to see Saoto's reaction as soon as he sees my appearance so bad right now.
("Do I want to be praised by him so bad...") (Stared)