Blood 35 — Beyond the End

Forced by my master’s command to assist Nagami-kun.

Honestly, I’m not fond of Nagami-kun.

He was at the peak of the school hierarchy, an unreachable figure from my perspective—someone on a different plane entirely.

Also, the way he issues orders without consulting my opinion… it reminds me of my master, somehow.

Perhaps that’s why, despite my status being clearly superior, I can’t bring myself to assert dominance.

As a result, these past few days have been extremely stressful.

My actions: seduce a segment of the imperial upper echelon, turn them into puppets.

Then, gather troops and prepare for expedition.

Now, if Nagami-kun takes command, we can advance toward the elven village immediately.

However, I did not interfere with the mage said to be the strongest in the empire.

I only saw her from a distance, but she seemed unusually strong for a human—so I wasn’t certain whether my enchantment would take hold.

Still, that mage could be manipulated indirectly by commanding those above her in the hierarchy. And more importantly, Natsume himself is a prince.

No need to control everything directly.

After assisting in bringing the empire under Natsume’s control, I returned to the Demon Castle after several days.

Yet, I cannot afford to relax.

After sleeping through the night, I must attend the next meeting with the Divine Word Church.

The meeting with the Divine Word Church is progressing steadily.

Melazofis reportedly attended as my proxy, and said it proceeded without issue, calmly and methodically.

I was shown something resembling minutes from that meeting—but unfortunately, it made no sense to me.

Details like political maneuvering, military strategy—showing me these doesn't help much.

I’ve studied them thoroughly at the academy. If I tried, I could decipher them. But I don’t try.

It’s too troublesome.

Leave such matters to those who understand them.

I only need to carry out the orders given by my master.

Until it ends.

“Ugh! Smells terrible!”

The moment the door opened, the scent flooded in, filling the air and rushing into my nose.

Overpowering—like thick, heavy alcohol.

Stepping inside, I threw open all the windows to replace the stagnant air.

Even so, the cloying stench lingered, thick as sediment. I grimaced, turning my gaze toward the room’s occupant.

“U-uh… uuu…”

The room's occupant crouched on the bed, face pale blue.

A girl suffering from severe hangover, unmistakable to anyone who looked.

“Do you even know today is the meeting with the Divine Word Church?”

I addressed the mess on the bed—Fermyna.

Only a muffled groan responded, no coherent words.

I glanced around, exasperated. Piles of paperwork on the desk. Opposite, stacks of empty bottles.

Clear evidence: she had been working through documents while drinking tea, now doing the same with alcohol.

Empty bottles scattered across the floor. The scene resembled the room of a lazy, drunken father.

How did it come to this?

I never heard of or saw Fermina drinking alcohol before I left for the Empire—just a few days ago.

How could she have evolved into this state?

Evolved? Or devolved?

Ariel said Fermina hadn’t come to visit, so I came to check on her. I found her with a hangover—unexpected.

Of course, alcohol brings to mind my master. But even so, Fermina—so serious, always dressed properly—acting like this…?

What happened?

“U—* * * * * *”

Ping pong pan poong. Please wait a moment.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes. It’s an utter humiliation to be tended by you, but thanks to your care, I’ve improved significantly. It’s deeply irritating, but… thank you.”

“If you can say that, you’re already fine.”

Even after going through the trouble of reversing it, and even after administering healing magic—this attitude.

It's infuriating.

"What exactly is this situation? Did your master force you to drink a hundred bottles of alcohol?"

It's not as if such a punishment couldn't be imagined—but the truth is, I can't quite rule it out, given who your master is.

"No. I simply couldn't continue without drinking alcohol myself."

Fermina, unusually unguarded, spoke plainly, as if still unsettled.

"May I ask something?"

"What?"

Normally I wouldn't bother listening seriously—but with Fermina more vulnerable than ever, I found myself compelled to answer properly.

And I realized that too late.

"What will you do after your master ends the system?"

I could not immediately answer Fermina's question.

I might have been able to deflect it with sarcasm, as I usually did.

But because I had truly tried to answer, I could not speak.

There was no answer.

"I'm sorry. I asked a foolish question. Please tell the Demon Lord and my master to wait a little longer—I need to prepare."

Fermina saw through me. My lack of an answer was itself the answer.

I was expelled from the room and left utterly lost.

I began walking back toward my masters, as instructed.

But though my feet moved forward, the destination remained unclear.

Both my master and Ariel, and even Kyoya—he all faced the end.

They acted with that end in mind.

I do too. But there is one decisive difference.

Whether or not one envisions what comes after the end.

I believe my master acts with the end's aftermath in mind.

Ariel acts as if there is no end beyond the end.

Kyoya-kun perhaps...

Among them, I alone do not envision any end beyond the end.

I cannot.

What happens to me after the system ends?

No vision exists.

For now, I follow my master's commands.

But afterward?

Afterward, I must think and act on my own.

My master will surely not be beside me then.

What should I do? I want to ask.

What should I do?

Blood: "My experience with Geroin is longer! I handle disposal perfectly!"

Shiro: "……"