Epilogue: The Clown, The Accomplice, and The Substitute

Epilogue: The Clown, The Accomplice, and The Substitute

[Clind: Thank you so much, Master. I have never been so proud of working for you. I, Clind, will risk my life to accomplish my duties. My whole soul.]

[Frederica: Your unexpected level of motivation makes me feel nothing but anxious!]

It was another day where the routine quarrel unfolded in the entranceway at the Mathers residence.

The two quarrelling were Frederica and Clind. Frederica was the only one lashing out, while Clind just brushed her off in a calm manner. However, this was the only day Clind knitted his brows and talked back to Frederica.

[Clind: I’m not sure what you mean by anxious. I have always said that I’d never slack off with my duties, but I swear that I’ll do more than my best for this order. So I don’t get why you’re so anxious. Does not compute.]

[Frederica: Your fetishes! Your motivation! Combining them is what makes me explode with anxiety!]

Frederica, stamping her feet, turns around with anxiety showing on her scary face. Frederica sees people watching their exchange and decides to target the tall one among them.

[Frederica: Master, why are you laughing in this situation? I have told you over and over that there are problems with who you choose!]

[Roswaal: Well, your reaction was just so expected that it made me happy. Buuuut, it’s an obvious choice once you consider his ability and results, right? The scar left on the Miload residence is deep, and now at least one capable servant is needed to support the family. As a guardian, I have an obligation to do everything I can.]

[Frederica: But......]

[Roswaal: Or can you recommend someone suitable for the job besides you aaaand Clind?]

Frederica mumbles and couldn’t argue with Roswaal, who asked questions unkindly. And then Roswaal said “Besides” to her in a whisper as he continued,

[Roswaal: Clind will work beyond his ability since he knows that his master is going to be a baby. However, you are the only one who can stop him from getting out of control. You’ll be getting the short end of the stick, but I’d like you to deal with it.]

[Frederica: For Master, right?]

[Roswaal: Nooooope. For Dudley, Grace, and little Annerose.]

[Frederica: ......That sure is an unfair way to put it.]Follow the latest novels at novelhall.com

Frederica gives in to Roswaal’s explanation, and she sighed after a short moment of silence. After that, she looks at the sisters waiting next to Roswaal──Rem and Ram, and says,

[Frederica: You’ll probably have to deal with a lot of work. Are you two fine with that?]

[Ram: Yes, we’ll be fine. We know that and we’ll be staying here.]

[Rem: What Nee-sama said. Besides, Frederica-sama and Clind-sama are the ones who are going to have a lot of work.]

[Frederica: The work and the workplace are just going to be different. ──Though, I don’t get why I have to be with this guy.]

Like always, Frederica had an unfairly low evaluation of Clind. Although, to Rem, they both were reliable seniors who had many respectable aspects about themselves.

[Rem: Of course, Nee-sama will always be number one. She’ll never move from that spot.]

[Ram: Yeah, obviously. I’m such a precious person to Rem, after all.]

[Frederica: Understanding each other despite the conversation being so disjointed...is this possible because of this synesthesia thing I’ve heard about......?]

The sisters see Frederica tilt her head, and so they looked at each other and smiled slightly.

──A few days after the Miload residence incident, signs of a resolution for the situation were showing, more or less.

The Miload family, which lost the married couple who were the head of it, stayed alive thanks to Roswaal becoming a guardian. However, because of the incident that happened, many servants died and many resigned, and as a result, Clind and Frederica have to be sent to the Miload residence so that it could be maintained.

On top of that, the job training for demi-humans that was carried out at the Mathers residence would have to take place at the Miload residence from now on.

Thus, the Mathers residence would be left with the bare minimum amount of workers──in other words, Rem and Ram would stay with Roswaal as his attendants.

[Frederica: As you know, taking care of Master is no simple task, but please be strong and hold on.]

[Ram: You have to deal with a weirdo, too. Do your best to hang in there, Frederica.]

Ram may have been offensive, but there was playfulness in her abuse. Frederica could also tell. It’s what they both felt in the words that they said to each other.

And so, Frederica faced Rem and kneeled down to match her eyesight level.

[Frederica: Rem, don’t push yourself too hard and stay healthy. You can call me any time if something ever comes up.]

[Rem: You worry too much, Frederica-sama. Besides, I will be fine anywhere as long as Nee-sama is with me.]

[Frederica: I see. Then that’s a relief.]

Then, Frederica smiles affectionately at Rem’s answer. The way Frederica smiled without hiding her mouth was like the sort of openness she’d show to someone she was close with.

Seeing that full set of large, sharp fangs, Rem suddenly feels the regret inside of her.

[Rem: Frederica-sama, I have...one thing I want to apologize for.]

[Frederica: Rem wants to apologize to me? Not Ram?]

Ram frowns at Frederica, who looked really curious. However, Rem puts their reactions aside, and she remembered the regret she had for her first meeting with Frederica that happened long ago.

It was when she got scared of the caring girl’s smile and didn’t get to apologize for it.

[Rem: The first time we met, I got scared of you, even though you worried about me. And to this day I still haven’t apologized......I’m sincerely sorry.]

[Frederica: ────]

Rem apologizes with her head down, and it makes Frederica’s eyes widen. Immediately after that, Frederica looked like she understood something, and with a happy expression, she pats Rem’s head.

[Frederica: It’s okay, Rem. ──You’re a very good girl.]

[Ram: I mean, she’s my little sister. That’s obvious.]

[Frederica: Forgetting about whether or not that actually means anything, yes, it is obvious.]

Getting her head pat gently, Rem made a surprised look. However, Frederica approvingly nodded at Rem, who lifted her head, and then she pinched her skirt as she did a curtsy.

The movement was so perfect that Rem and Ram wanted to copy her──

[Frederica: Please take good care of Roswaal-sama. I know I can leave it up to you guys.]

Then, she said that and smiled brightly without hiding her mouth.

2

──In an office under the shades of night, two shadows combined into one.

[Ram: ──Oo]

Breathing intensely was a young girl with her cheeks red. The girl’s thin, small body trembles, and she weakly clings onto the man right by her. However, she did not do this to keep her balance, but rather to fight off waves of feelings. She wasn’t worried about shaking off.

Since she was on top of the man’s lap, being held in his arms, after all.

[Roswaal: There, aaaaall done.]

Then, their contact ends with the man’s slow voice. What faintly lighted the gloomy room was a four color light in the man’s hand──it was the radiance of mana.

By using several magic attributes simultaneously, he could heal the girl with a special constitution. That was the purpose of this night’s meeting, and it was the secret truth that happened every night.

[Roswaal: You must be beat. Are there any problems with your boooody?]

[Ram: ......It’s fine for now. I don’t think there are any after-effects from overdoing it, either.]

While breathing somewhat unstably, Ram, who stepped onto the floor, put her hand on her forehead and shook her head. Every night she’d touch that place where her horn once was, but she could never get used to it.

Perhaps it was because her heart still wasn’t accepting the fact that she’d lost her horn.

[Roswaal: Are you worried about something? You’re making that look.]

[Ram: Worried about something, huh. There certainly is something I’m worried about. My reliable seniors are leaving the mansion, and starting tomorrow, it’s going to be just me and Rem. And yet, Master still won’t reveal his true thoughts......right?]

[Roswaal: I seeeee. That’s what you’re anxious about......you’re haaaarsh.]

The one who shook his head with a bittersweet smile in response to Ram’s cynicism was Roswaal, who was leaning back on a chair. He acted like he always would, poured alcohol into the wine glass on the business desk, and sips it.

It wasn’t rare for Roswaal to drink alcohol. Ram was used to seeing it as someone who came to him every night for her treatment. However──

[Rem: You’re having quite a lot today, and you’re drinking fast. You’re going to pass out.]

[Roswaal: Sorry, this body has never passed out from alcohol. ──Not getting drunk is a problem, though.]

It was a strange, discomforting statement, but Ram didn’t pay attention to that. What’s important is the fact that Roswaal was trying to get drunk off of the taste of alcohol, and it was easy to imagine why he’d want to.

[Ram: Do you blame yourself for what happened to Dudley-sama and Grace-sama?]

[Ram: And so, those who ask of Onis will fall to Onis, and shall be destroyed by what they relied on.]

[Roswaal: ......So, you’re going to destroy me?]

[Ram: Yes, that’s right.]

Hearing Roswaal say those words with one eye closed, Ram got off his lap and nodded. And then, she steps back lightly, pinches her skirt, and while showing a perfect curtsy she said,

[Ram: Your desires, your wishes, your feelings──I will destroy all of it. While helping you out with that which means everything to you, I will take you away.]

[Roswaal: ────]

[Ram: Please look forward to it.]

Ram says that, and she winks in a charming, inappropriate way for her age.

After Roswaal made a dumbfounded look for a moment at that behavior, he laughed, unable to hold it in any longer.

He laughed, laughed, and laughed. Then, after that, he nodded.

[Roswaal: Very well. ──Then let’s see whether or not your loyalty and affection will be related to my destruction.]

Then, Roswaal smiled with delight from the bottom of his heart with his face clean of clown makeup.

3

It was about one whole year after that fiery night when they came to their home.

[Rem: There’s nothing left anymore.]

[Ram: That’s just how it is. Everything burned, and nobody lives here anymore. ......Everyone’s remains being buried by Roswaal is its saving grace.]

Rem and Ram look around the place that once was a plaza, and they share their thoughts.

Not even the ruins of the houses that were burned and destroyed were left. The soil became a burnt field, and there were weeds starting to slightly grow. The fields were completely desolate, and the mountain road was impossible to recognize now. One could no longer tell that there was a village here before, ruled by verdant mountains. Perhaps it was too late and cruel to feel sad about it.

[Rem: Where was the cenotaph?]

[Ram: According to Roswaal-sama, it’s where you can get a view of the whole village. So it’s probably where the chief’s residence was.]

Rem and Ram were the only ones here. Roswaal declined coming with them this far, and he was waiting for them to return inside the dragon carriage stopped on the verdant mountains. He was spoiling them with kindness, but they couldn’t make him wait for too long. They had to be quick and walk fast, even if they had to push themselves.

Ram quickly goes up the hill, appearing to be in agreement with Rem. However, it looked like Ram, a good walker, was getting tired from the journey. So,

[Rem: Nee-sama, let’s hold hands.]

[Ram: Well, since you want to, I guess it can’t be helped.]

[Rem: Yes, I want to. It’s been such a long time since I’ve walked through the village with Nee-sama.]

They go towards the cenotaph that should be on the hill while holding hands as they walked side by side.

A year ago when they were at the village, Rem would always walk behind Ram. “Things have changed quite a bit in just one year considering how it had been rare to even walk side by side”, is what she thinks.

Her 7 year old consciousness that couldn’t change at the village and the way she lived changed so much in this past year, and here she was.

[Rem: ────]

She felt a little sad about not being able to show how she was now to her mother, father, and her kind at the village.

That being said, if the tragedy at the village never happened, Rem would surely still just be hiding behind Ram and cowering. That’s why it was complicated.

She couldn’t show anyone at the village how she’d changed. How she was now living the desired life she could be proud of.

[Ram: ──Rem, that must be it. It stands out, like Roswaal-sama.]

[Rem: ......Ah]

Rem’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted, and she looks at the strange stone monument in the direction Ram pointed at. Built at a place so high where the chief’s residence once stood was a white cenotaph.

──It was a very large mass of crystal stone, and it was bigger than both Rem and Ram combined.

[Ram: Mana exists in the crystal stone. There might be souls that attract mana so that spirits and lesser spirits can materialize by using it. .....It’s an idea you’d expect of Roswaal-sama.]

Standing in front of the cenotaph, Ram admires Roswaal’s arrangement. Rem also quietly admired Roswaal at this place ignored by the world.

She couldn’t thank Roswaal enough for achieving retribution and giving her a way to live. Could she even return the favor by doing her very best as a maid?

[Ram: Rem, let’s let them know. ──Hand me the alcohol.]

[Rem: Yes, Nee-sama.]

While still feeling deep emotions lingering inside, Rem took out a sake bottle from the hand luggage as instructed by Ram. They combined their pay and chose the most valuable alcohol to Roswaal.

Ram takes it, removes the cork without hesitation, and pours alcohol on the cenotaph as an offering.

──Oni funerals were kind of inappropriate, but no adults were there to criticize them.

That’s why they brought what was the most important gift for a funeral, used to put souls to rest.

[Ram: Retribution has been achieved. The regret of that night, the anger of that night, and the grief of that night──our kind’s sorrow has been taken care of by Rem and me.]

One in a basement, one at the capital, one with flames, and the last one with the help of their master.

Not a single one remained, and retribution was achieved. Now, their kind’s souls wouldn’t wander.

[Ram: Unfortunately, the reincarnation of an Oni God and the return of the Onis were reduced to ashes. But, the pride and blood will stay alive. ──Farewell, everyone.]

Ram pours just half of the alcohol onto the cenotaph as she bid her farewell and put them to rest.

And then, Ram gave the remaining alcohol to Rem, and she leaned against the stone monument. Her sister moving away in silence was her being thoughtful. It was her being considerate of the fact that Rem alone would be the next to repose their souls and take an oath.

So, Rem quietly tilted the sake bottle she accepted, and she poured it on the stone monument.

[Rem: ────]

Ram spoke the words to put their souls to rest. Thus, Rem had to tell them about her determination and bid them farewell.

The unbroken promise Rem she’d make to the sleeping souls of her kind, her father, and her mother.

That was──

[Rem: Mother, father, everyone, please don’t worry. Nee-sama...is fine.]

With her best smile, Rem mentions the thing her kind were probably worried about the most.

They were people who always pinned their hopes on Ram, believed in Ram, and worried about Ram. So, there was only one thing for Rem to give and promise them.

[Rem: ──Nee-sama...I will do everything Nee-sama should have done.]

Rem proudly promised her kind’s souls that this truly was the meaning of her life.

It was a smile like a blooming flower. It was the sweet, lovely smile that only Ram had seen at the village, and she never showed it to her kind when they were alive.

[Ram: Are you finished?]

[Rem: Yes. Nee-sama, thank you very much.]

Rem, who packed up and left the cenotaph, meets with Ram. Once Rem nodded at that question without any hesitation, she took her sister’s free hand and started walking.

They were headed down the hill, out of their town, out of the mountain road, to the imperial carriage where their master was waiting.

[Rem: I want to see Frederica-sama and Clind-sama as soon as possible since they’ll be at the Miload residence today.]

[Ram: ......I get depressed when I think about seeing those two. Frederica would probably ask me a lot of questions because of Garf.]

[Rem: Nee-sama and Garf are good friends, after all. But please don’t leave me all alone.]

[Ram: I won’t. Because Rem is the cutest, most precious little sister in the whole world.]

As they held hands, she feels her sister’s deep affection coming across her palm, and not one of those words was a lie.

While feeling that unexpected love, Rem applauded her sincerely.

──The substitute of such an adored sister. The substitute of such a wonderful sister.

──For that, to be that, so that she was allowed to be that, she’d live diligently from now on.

Without even her inseparable sister being aware of that oath, Rem just smiled sweetly and said,

[Rem: Yes. Nee-sama is the best sister in the whole world to me, too.]

End