CH 23

Ashley remembered. The place was the west end of an island of the Demon Kingdom, which is now Furt Island, a territory of Tolfa. She remembered going sightseeing with her fellow black rabbits, carrying brussels sprouts on their backs. It was a famous tourist spot at the time.

Clyde and the others seem unable to grasp the situation as they remain stunned and speechless. Meanwhile, there was a deep low bass sound. It was the black wolf. Its eyes were wide as it roared.

“―Yes, that’s right. That’s the island. In a small hollow in the west cliff. There was a big rock. There. I remember…!”

Clyde and the others looked at Ashley with astonishment. The black wolf came up to her, “You, how do you know this!? All I could smell is human, but is it by chance that you are a demon?”

Clyde and the others were shocked. It was only natural. Ashley slowly looked around, at the black wolf, at Clyde and the others. She knew that it couldn’t be helped for them to look at her like that. She suppressed her shaken mind and clenched both of her hands tightly at her sides. Her mouth opened, “No, I’m not. I am human. But…”

“What is it?”

“―I was a demon in my previous life.”

“…previous life?” Clyde then muttered, dumbfounded.

“Yes, that’s why I’m familiar with the smell of miasma and the black wolf as well.”

Or rather, she admires it.

“A demon in your previous life…?”

“That means you were reborn as a human? Is that possible…?”

Hank and Jeanne looked stunned. As Ashley told them, she looked at Clyde and the others, her heart was full of anxiety. She didn’t know what’s on their minds.

“I understand. You’re like a rabbit. So, perhaps you were a rabbit demon in your previous life?”

“A black rabbit.” She was surprised that he could easily tell.

Still, Clyde smiled when he saw Ashley shrouded in her long, fluffy black hair, with a worried face and a slight tilt of her head.

‘…what’s going on?’  She was stunned or rather, she was speechless. She expected them to be shocked or horrified, but she never expected to be laughed at amusedly. Ashley looked puzzled while Clyde continued to laugh.

“I see. I never thought of a previous life. In fact, I assumed that Miss Ashley’s ancestors had any relation with the demons. I even sent a messenger to the Wollett family assuming that there might be any writings left behind. However, there was no such thing and your family knew nothing about it, so I wondered what was going on. Ah, I figured.” Clyde seemed to be relieved either because he knew that Ashley was not a demon, or because he now knows the reason for her knowing about the miasma and the black wolf. He suddenly spurt out words one after another.

And Ashley was simply shocked. He did that without her knowing it? Well, he is a cautious man after all. Clyde’s eyes widened as he had a sudden thought, the reason why Ashley was on alert.

“I guess, is that why you were afraid of me? Since I’m a descendant of the hero?”

“…Well, yes.” She was flustered by his straightforwardness.

“So, that’s why you were trying to get used to me. I get it now.”

‘Why? That was supposed to be a story about a friend.’ She didn’t think that she’d be exposed. Ashley’s eyes were shifting as Clyde smiled at her and said, “You got used to it, just like you said.”

“Huh?”

“Can I do this for a second?”

Before she could ask, Clyde suddenly hugged her. Her entire body instantly stiffened, but it was due to her being startled, not because she was afraid or felt a chill. She was just bewildered.

‘I didn’t know… I must have gotten used to Lord Clyde before I knew it.’

Ashley was quiet even though she was faintly trembling and was quite shaken. Clyde held her tightly and buried his face in her soft hair as he laughed with delight, “It’s thanks to you that you have given me hope.” His voice was filled with joy, it sounded different from earlier.

The black wolf, who was stunned, came back to its senses. It mumbled as if overcoming its emotions, “Ah, I now know where the demon king was born…”

Clyde responds with a chuckle, “Yes. You can now go to the demon king’s soul. Instead of  ending your life in a place created by the hero’s descendants, go to the place where you want to be.”

The black wolf slumps down. It gently closed its eyes as large tears spilled out. Ashley’s heart felt full at the sight of the black wolf. It’s a relief. There were times when she wondered why she had memories of her past life, but she was able to use them this way.

Hank and Jeanne held their hands in celebration. Clyde said with a confident smile, “I’ll be combining my magic with the black wolf and send it to Furt Island using a magic circle. However, if we were to do that, the royal family wouldn’t be silent. If this plan were to be revealed on the way, the black wolf may be taken and immediately killed. Therefore, it must be done in secret.”

“Yes.”

Transference magic takes time. It would take about half a day to send the demon to the Furt Island, which is far away from here.

“Therefore, on that day, we shall put up false barriers around the stables as a distraction. This is to prevent them from noticing any signs of the miasma and the wolf disappearing. Jeanne, Hank, you both will come with me.”

“Understood.” The two nodded seriously.

Ashley wondered. Isn’t there a barrier in the stables to prevent the black wolf’s magic and the miasma from leaking outside? How would they be discovered?

Perhaps figuring out her questionable look, Clyde answered, “Of course the fake barrier can fool the magicians and some royal families who have magical powers, but for immediate royals―my siblings, it may be difficult. The quality of their magical power is different.”

‘I see.’

As one would expect from those with the blood of a brave hero, in the end, they’re frightening.

‘I believe he mentioned that he has an older brother and two younger brothers, right?’ She remembered the conversation they had before coming to the Sargent residence. His elder brother is, of course, the king of Tolfa.

“Considering the black wolf’s physical condition, it is better to carry it out early. In six days, there will be a birthday celebration of the Queen, my sister-in-law, which is held in the palace. It is a big event where leading noblemen are invited to. My brothers will, of course, attend. We shall do it on that day. I will tell them that I will attend as planned. That way, my brothers will be distracted, and if they sense something unusual, they won’t be able to leave the venue right away.”

“Understood.”

“It will eventually be known that the black wolf has disappeared, but before everything is over, do anything to distract them. We just need to stand in their way during that time.”

Hank and Jeanne nodded as well as Ashley, vigorously.

“Thank you, everyone. I thank you for your kind regards.” The black wolf, who had been silently listening, bowed deeply.

“Oh my, Mister Black Wolf, please raise your head…!” Ashley was flustered as the black wolf calmly looked at her.

“You were a black rabbit? I do not remember though, I’m sorry.”

“No! It’s fine.” After all she was just a lowly demon that ate grass.

“I owe it to you. Thank you.”

“Well…” Her chest felt stuffed. She didn’t know what to do. She felt like crying. She never thought that she’d be thanked by the black wolf she admired.

Clyde gazed at Ashley kindly. She had tears in her eyes as she hugged the black wolf.