Chapter 32: A Web of Guilt and a Leap Towards Freedom

“However, it seems Teacher has become somewhat kinder lately. I’m not entirely sure why.”

As she spoke, Lucia rubbed her cheek with a touch of embarrassment, just as the waiter arrived with her fresh orange juice.

Lucia took a delicate sip of her juice, then continued.

“While this might sound a little conceited, I believe… perhaps Teacher also sees me as an important student, which is why she’s become gentler.”

“Yes, that must be it,” Nikola echoed Lucia’s sentiment, then took a sip of the hot cocoa before her.

The warm, sweet cocoa brought a comforting warmth to Nikola’s body, yet Lucia’s earlier words only deepened her sense of guilt.

Lucia was able to accept being used because, in her mind, Nikola hadn’t inflicted any irreversible harm. Moreover, Lucia believed that even if Nikola harbored some unknown agenda, she was, at the very least, still human and wouldn’t do anything detrimental to humanity.

But the truth was far from it. If Lucia knew that Nikola was a Blood Kin, one of those fantastical beings, could she truly accept the fact of being used?

Evidently not. In the original story, when all evidence pointed to Lovelenica being a Blood Kin, Lucia was first overcome with sorrow, but soon, tears streaming down her face, she found a sense of release.

Lucia found solace only because Lovelenica harbored not a single shred of affection for her, merely pure utilization.

If Lovelenica truly was a Blood Kin, then everything she had done previously—including the abusive training and her refusal to help Attestor in her time of need—would suddenly make perfect sense.

She hadn’t sought the underlying reasons, nor did she wish to uncover any truth behind Lovelenica’s actions. Thus, she had personally taken Lovelenica’s life.

Consequently, Nikola’s guilt intensified. Not only had she been deceiving Lucia under Lovelenica’s guise, but now she was continuing that deception under her own identity as Nikola.

‘No… I’m doing all of this to survive, to gain my freedom…’ Nikola thought. ‘It’s alright. You’ll vanquish the fantastical beings, and I’ll achieve my freedom. We’ll both accomplish our respective goals, so… surely a temporary deception can be forgiven, right?’

“Oh, Nikola, are you drinking that fast?”

Only then, prompted by Lucia’s observation, did Nikola realize that, without her noticing, half of her hot cocoa was already gone.

“Cough, cough. I was a bit thirsty, so I drank it rather quickly.”

“Haha, be careful not to choke!”

Lucia playfully teased the slightly awkward Nikola, then brought up the topic of vanquishing fantastical beings once more.

“Nikola, if you ever take on missions from the Demon Hunter Guild in the future, could you bring me along? As you’ve seen, there aren’t many good people in the Guild, and for a child as small as you, it would be dangerous to go on missions with them. Going alone is also perilous. So, when you go on missions from now on, will you call me to join you?”

“Of course, Lucia-jie,” Nikola agreed almost instinctively. Yet, no sooner had the words left her lips than a pang of regret struck her. Her entire purpose in registering as a demon hunter was to act with greater freedom, but by agreeing to Lucia’s request, wouldn’t she be back to square one?

‘No, there is still a difference,’ she reasoned. ‘As Lucia’s mentor, Lovelenica was often unable to act as Lucia’s companion or accompany her on missions. But as Nikola, the demon hunter, she could.’

“…Lucia-jie, if there are any missions I can participate in, would you please take me along too?”

Nikola hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. Perhaps it was born of her guilt toward Lucia; she wished to protect Lucia at certain times. In the original story, Lucia and her companions had faced perilous situations in almost every battle, often teetering on the brink of death with the slightest lapse. If Nikola were to join them, their fights would undoubtedly become much easier.

“Oh? Alright, if the opportunity arises, I’ll definitely bring Nikola along!”

After hearing Nikola’s words, Lucia offered a gentle smile, accepting Nikola’s request in turn. Truth be told, Lucia had even considered bringing Nikola to this particular Monster Hunting Exercise. However, as an event organized by the three major organizations, Nikola, being a demon hunter, was certainly ineligible to participate.

Soon after, the rest of their desserts arrived. The two chatted idly while savoring their sweets, even exchanging addresses. Naturally, the address Nikola gave Lucia was that of her newly rented apartment.

When it came time to pay, Nikola proactively settled the bill. Though it was but a small, insignificant gesture of compensation, she still wished to somewhat make amends to Lucia.

After bidding Lucia farewell, Nikola found herself feeling rather despondent. The guilt of exploiting Lucia still weighed heavily on her. Yet, if she didn’t use Lucia, how else could she possibly defeat Liliana? Could she truly accomplish it with her own strength alone?

****

The midnight chimes rang out, and Nikola lifted her gaze to the clock tower.

‘Since I no longer wish to exploit Lucia, then I must reclaim my own power.’

With a graceful leap, Nikola ascended to the rooftops, gradually vanishing into the inky blackness of the night.