Blood 14: Lies and Truth

"Here's a question. Why were we able to assist you at precisely the right moment?"

Ariel suddenly posed such a question.

Come to think of it, why was that?

Too many factors had piled up; I hadn't considered it.

"Following the elves? Like that?"

They seemed to regard the elves with hostility.

"Boo. Wrong."

"Then, observing the course of the war?"

They seemed quite knowledgeable about the Divine Word Church.

"Boo. Also wrong."

"Sorry. I don't know."

No other reason came to mind.

If Ariel wasn't monitoring the war's outcome, and didn't appear to bear ill will toward the elves either, then I couldn't fathom why Ariel had been present there.

A self-proclaimed Demon Lord merely visiting as a tourist was too convenient—impossible.

"The correct answer is... to save you!"

Announcing the correct answer with a soft *panpaka-paan*.

Head tilting slightly.

To save me?

Why?

‘Because I’m a reincarnated one?’

Slightly tensing, asking.

I don’t understand why elves or the Divine Word Church would target me, but being a reincarnated one means one is targeted.

If so, then he must have some reason to keep me under his control?

Perhaps better than being dead, compared to elves, but if he seeks to use me, full trust becomes impossible.

‘Hmm. It could be said either way.’

The returned answer was ambiguous.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, Shiro-chan said she wanted to save you, so I did.’

‘Eh?’

Eh?

What does that mean?

That’s why people misunderstand her so easily. Shiro-chan’s kind-hearted, really. She can’t help but reach out to anyone in trouble, anyone who asks for help. She’s the type who can’t pass by a stray kitten left behind. I only assisted Shiro-chan. It was Shiro-chan who acted to save you.

Huh?

‘B-But she didn’t act like she cared at all!’

‘Ah. Shiro-chan has this habit of making herself look bad. She’s always finding excuses to undermine her own actions, even when doing good. She’s overly logical—negative kind of logic. Even when acting out of pure goodwill, she insists on attaching some kind of cost. “I did this only because I needed something in return,” she’ll say. “So it’s not really a good deed after all.” That’s her way.’

‘What… is that even supposed to mean?’

"You've been watching over them for quite some time, haven't you? The nest near the town where they lived—wasn't that established just to keep an eye on them? You figured out they were a vampire, didn't you? Probably planned for the worst-case scenario, preparing to intervene at any moment, since it was only a matter of time before the truth came out and complications arose."

"Such a thing—no, but that—"

"Back then, Shiro was being pursued by dangerous hunters. In truth, staying in one place was extremely risky. There was no logical reason to build such a conspicuous nest, ignoring that danger."

"Hunters? Could it be—those who fought when they vanished… the Church of the Divine Word?"

"Exactly. Though not actually connected to the Church. The Church itself is just making it up—conveniently blaming them, pretending they're responsible."

"Is that so?"

"That’s right. The Church of the Divine Word is quite adept at spreading false information—after all, their information network is the largest in the world. Spreading lies that suit their interests is routine. The war was triggered by that misinformation, you see? The Church of the Divine Word wanted conflict with the Goddess Cult. The news that the monsters revered by the Goddess Cult as divine beasts had been destroyed was convenient. If they could claim responsibility, it would create friction with the Goddess Cult."

"Are you saying we were manipulated by that falsehood?"

"Exactly. The Goddess Cult might have been driven to war regardless, given the circumstances. It was only a matter of time. As Shiro said, Shiro was merely used as a tool. The Church of the Divine Word had no connection to Shiro at all."

That’s... unbelievable.

Then, was the war itself a mistake?

But from what Ariel said, it seems the war was inevitable either way.

Shiro was merely caught in it.

Wait.

But hold on.

"I’ve heard that afterward, he appeared on the battlefield and slaughtered indiscriminately, friend and foe alike."

"That’s right. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know the details, but from what I’ve investigated on my own, Shiro initially only targeted the Divine Word Church. Then, for some reason, he turned indiscriminate. Still, given Shiro’s personality, it’s likely he retaliated after being attacked by the Goddess Church side. That child doesn’t forgive anyone once they’re labeled an enemy."

"Why would the Goddess Church, who are allies, attack the Divine Beasts!? That makes no sense!"

Not necessarily. From our perspective, humans are remarkably weak—physically, mentally. If a powerful entity existed capable of mercilessly slaughtering enemies on the battlefield, one that, while revered as a Divine Beast in form, was actually a monster... If such a being acted without communication, incomprehensible in behavior, unleashing terror before our eyes... then accidental detonation might occur. Especially considering Shiro's abilities, like intimidation. A soldier driven into panic by fear going berserk—this would be a natural progression.

Then what?

If that were true, would the current state of Sariela be self-inflicted?

Because they attacked their allies, the Divine Beasts.

And now their own forces are half-destroyed as retribution.

That cannot be accepted.

"Ah, I suppose you wouldn't accept it. I can't say for certain either—I'm only guessing. But remember this: Shiro has been immobilized for some time. The moment he regained mobility, he rushed to your aid. He'd deny it if you asked him directly, but he seemed deeply concerned about you."

But, yet.

I can't shift my feelings so easily, even if you say that.

"Maybe we'll grow closer as we travel together? Gradually."

I nearly nodded in agreement to Ariel's words, then paused.

Something emerged from the white cocoon.

A leg.

A pale, long spider leg.

It parted the cocoon's threads as it emerged.

From within the cocoon stepped Shiro, half-body resembling a spider.

Stepping out, stretching.

A spider's leg extended.

Then vanished into the long robe as if being pulled in.

The mechanism remained unclear. Appearance now indistinguishable from an ordinary human.

Yet that form moments ago—wasn't it a monster?

Could she truly come to terms with that?

Could she even do it?