Second Chance

Chapter 15

She quietly approach to me, or to fire. And sitted other side of it. I handed her over one of fishes that was freshly made. She took it and blew a little on it. She paused a little after she took a bit and look to me.

''What is this?''
''Hmm... Is it not your taste?''
''No... it's good. Really good.''
''Haha, yeah I always keep a little seasoning with myself. It tastes specially better at times like this.''
''Isn't these a little expensive?''

I don't know is it? I usually go and take stuff without paying. And even if it is sometimes that I have to pay Shuna handles that. It is one of merit of being a Demon Lord or a king, I guess.

''Well I don't really care about it.''
''Hmm...''

After this we ate our fishes in silince. Just I was about to tell her that I would take the first nightshift Shizue-san started to talk in a pained voice.

''Why..?''
''What why?''
"Why did you let me live?"
"H-huh that's-"
"You can't know if I would go out of control again. I don't know how but you were somehow were able to defeat Ifrit but can you do it again? How about if I attack you in your sleep? Don't you value your life!?"

Rather than questioning she was talking like she was scolding me. Well, it doesn't matter how or when Ifrit's attack me, even if this form, he can't do much damage.

''So you are angry with me because I let you live?''
''H-huh, that's not-!''
''Don't you want to live?''
''W-what..?''
''Well, it seemed that way to me.''
''What would you—ugh!''

Her face distorted with pain. I quickly stand up, she hold her hand to stop me but I still went next to her anyway.

Is it because of Ifrit?
[Yes.]
I really starting to get angry to him.

Shizue-san quickly wore her mask, which she took it off to eat her fish. Then she let out a relieved sigh.

''Are you okay?''
''Yes.''

With Analyze and Asset skill I can easily tell what is happening inside of her body. So it is obvious to me she is lying. From the moment Ifrit has woke up her magic flow became a turmoil. Ifrit doing everything he could to escape, I guess. Her body stage was already bad and as long as Ifrit is inside of her it will became much worse. So right now she has to feeling an intense pain but she is hiding so well that there is no way, even for a trained eyes, to understand that. So I asked her.

''How can you act like nothing is happening?''
''What?''
''I have anlyaze and asset skill so you can't fool me with your lies. Or did you just get used to the pain?''

Even 'Cancel Pain' wouldn't work on this kind of pain. Because it's not physical. As long as she has magicul inside of her body pain won't stop. Although higher versions of 'Cancel Pain' would work I don't think Shizue-san could have gained that kind of skill. So only option there is left for why she isn't showing any kind of pain is that she simply get used to it.

''You are really something different I have met so many strong people but none of them were able to realize it.''
''You are kind of at fault for hiding it too.''
''Then what I am supposed to do?''
Isn't obvious what to do?
''Ask for help.''

After I said that she fell silent. I said that but I don't there is anyone who could help among the ones that is close to her, well except Yuuki. But Shizue-san didn't know his powers so... But still this isn't an excuse for what she is doing for years. Acting like there isn't any problem, only suffering when no-one is looking at her. This isn't an honorable act it's only makes her more miserable.

''Who are you, anyway? I have never heard of someone like you among the adventurers.''
''Well, there is no reason to attract attention, right Conquerer of Flames?''
''Huh, so you've seen through that too, haven't you?''

I just shruggedered as a response.

''What's your stake for helping me?''
''Huh?''
''Why are you helping me?''
''Because you need it?''
''Are making fun of me?''

She sounded pretty angry. Actually it's my first time seeing her angry so I quickly denied it.

''I am really not! But what I am supposed to do when you are in that state?''
''Best option would be killing me after beating Ifrit.''

So we are back tothis topic. Well she is definetly right, anyone with right mind would kill her after seeing Ifrit. But I came here to help her how could I hurt her? But since I can't give her an answer like this I stayed silent. And this only made her angrier. My response, huh?

''It's because I like you.''