SHIBIRA

Where would here be?

Seeing the different ceiling, Riku vacantly wondered where she was.

She felt something cold and soft touching her forehead. Reaching it out by moving her heavy arms, she noticed that it was a towel. Different from the cold and uncomfortable to sleep beds she usually slept on, she had been sleeping on a soft and clean white bed.

After slowly turning to the side, she saw Vrusto sitting on a wooden chair. He had his arms crossed and eyes shut. Having had his wounds treated, his whole body was covered with bandages. Right now, rather than a wolf demon, he looked more like a sleep-talking mummy.

Why am I?

Here it wasnt the garrison of the Dragon Demon Division she had got used to live at, nor was it the room of some fortress. What that room most looked like would be a room of the Barusak residence, but as far as she was concerned, the room here had furniture of much higher quality than there, and overall, it brought about a calming mood.

Hm Oh, ojou-chan, were you awake?

By of Rikus voice, Vrusto opened his eyes. Perhaps he hadnt been sleeping, but only had his eyes shut. Vrusto showed a face that seemed to be of relief.

After that had happened, ojou-chan lost your consciousness. Its really good that you woke up.

Lost consciousness?

Vague memories flooded her mind.

After she arrived at Derufoi city, she went around the town together with Charlotte, and then, the one who appeared in front of her

Thats right, Rook!

After sayingthat as she jumped to her feet, she was completely woken up.

In order to encounter with Rook, she went after Charlotte. However, their guide, Kurumi, was in fact a traitor, and because of all that happened, it ended up that she self-exploded. Because of that, Riku got severe wounds such as when she hit her head very hard, and after killing the spiritualists that went after them, she reached her limits. And right before she had lost consciousness, the last thing she saw was

It is very good you have woken up.

Coming from close to Vrusto, Riku heard a gentle voice.

The woman who was on every point white was giving a smile to her. She had her whole body covered in a cloth so white one would hesitate on touching and had a silk like white hair that extended to her back. That woman that had her eyes shut tight opened her well formed lips.

Let me give my self-introduction once again. I am Shibira. I work at the shrine at Derufoi city. Its an honor to meet you, Riku Barusak-sama.

Shibira extended her hand to Riku.

At that moment, she was about to take her hand, but she stopped midway. Following that, the hand Riku had extended took the cloth that was covering her own forehead. Narrowing her eyes, she started inspecting the cloth. She didnt have the confidence on the knowledge she had about that, but if she were to sell that at the market, she would get silver coins for that. She suddenly felt it was unbelievable that cloth of such quality was used simply to cool down her head. Riku couldnt decide whether all this was truly the woman having goodwill of her and whether there were anything behind the scenes.

Is that yours?

Yes. I am your ally after all.

Hmph, is it really so?

Vrusto said bluntly as if he was spiting out these words. Sitting between Riku and her, Vrusto was glaring at the woman full of disdain.

I am grateful for treating our wounds, but all this is suspicious. I dont really want to think about it, but are you really not thinking about just getting our gratitude so that you can get something in exchange? Or maybe, you want us to get careless and then kill us.

But even though Shibira was receiving words that were almost like threats from Vrusto, her expression didnt change. Riku thought about Kurumi, but that was different from that false smile Kurumi had before. If one were to say, that expression would be like a frozen lake at winter in the center of a deep forest. Being completely silent, she looked at the direction of both Vrusto and Riku.

If you were to remain at that place, Riku Barusak-sama, and you as well, would end up dying. .Even if you were to remain alive after all that, you would eventually get hunted down by the Buryuccer spiritualists, and so, we wouldnt be able to talk right now. Therefore, I lead you here to this shrine so that I could have the opportunity to talk to you.

Shibira gently moved her hand as if to appease them.

I do not have a sword on me. There is no such thing hidden in this place either. But you do possess weapons. With your smelling capability, it should be possible to know there are no spies or guards around this place.

Riku checked Vrustos reaction. Guessing from his face, it seems it was as Shibira had said. The gorgeous cloths she were wearing also made the shape of her body stand out. It didnt look like she was hiding a dagger or anything else. Of course, it also didnt look like she had bombs attached to her body like Kurumi did.

Why do you need to talk to me?

After Riku spoke those words, Vrusto protested with a Hey!. However, she ignored him. Although her body hadnt completely recovered, it was much better than the time she was still at the underground passage. Not only her headache had lessened, but she didnt feel nauseous anymore. If she were to look around, it would be possible to see the halberd she would always use next to her bed. If it was that Shibira who didnt possess any weapons, butchering her would be easily done.

If she were to tell lies, it would be enough to simply not listen to her.

Yes. In fact, I need to talk to the other you.

To the other me?

Riku frowned.

Vrusto looked at her almost as if he was already saying What are you even talking about?. Riku shook her head. She was only Riku Barusak, and was nobody else. She had the feeling she had heard talks about her having a split personality before, but Riku wasnt the owner of such rare characteristic.

What are you talking about?

I see Then as expected, she really had been eaten.

Shibira, for the first time had shown a sad expression.

Had been eaten?

No, please, forget about what I said. It cant be restored anymore.

Shibira wanted to bring an end to the topic. But by doingthat, it only made Riku get more interested instead. Leaning her body forward by quite a bit, Riku glared at Shibira.

What did you mean by had been eaten?

I cannot see the reality. In exchange for that, I can see the future.

Saying that, Shibira put her right hand above her eyes.

The information Keity Fostar had told her was being revived at the back of her mind. Unconsciously, Riku snorted together with a smile.

Ive heard about it. I dont believe in unchangeable future though.

Yes, the future I see is not unchangeable. But it is a future that has high chances of occurring. Even at this moment right now, the future is constantly changing. The future I can see is only the most possible occurrence only considering the present. The decisions of people might change, but also might not change.

Shibira was showing a smile that vaguely had the feeling of sorrow on it. Perhaps, how she is talking to them at this moment is nothing more than a scene she had already seen. Perhaps, it is different from the scene she had seen. But to Riku, who couldnt see the future, such things didnt matter.

And then? Does this have anything to do with the thing you said that had been eaten?

Yes. In fact, ten years ago, I I foresaw the future which I gave my prophecy to the two Riku Barusak. To the other Riku Barusak that was sleeping inside you. But the situation of the day of that future had changed. The future you brandished your sword as a spiritualist to the future you brandished your sword for the demons.

Ten years ago? What, was it about that?

Riku lost interest in an instant.

If it was only this much, it was possible to know after investigating a bit. The fact Riku was thrown away was made a secret to the public. The official announcement should have been death by illness. But she being thrown away was already taken for granted, and there wasnt much need to investigate anything about it.

Of course, for them to investigate to the point of knowing she had been recruited by the Demon Lord army would prove to be a very prolonged work. But even so, it wasnt like it wouldnt be impossible. If a red haired human surnamed Barusak was to stand out, people would immediately notice it was Riku.

This kind of thing can be known just by investigating. The useless myself that was aiming to be a spiritualist was thrown away And became another myself. It would be something like that, right?

The reason why nobody knew about Riku like Toudo did was simple.

Nobody had any interest about Riku after what happened. The fate of some useless kid being thrown away from the cliff; such a thing wasnt worth investigating. It was all there was to it.

Thank you, it is enough. Thank you for treating our wounds.

She felt appreciation for the acts Shibira did for them.

Even though they were from the Demon Lord Army, it didnt seem like anything in particular would happen because of that. Guess from her words and from the details of why she had saved them, she could reach the conclusion that for Shibira to treat their injures was something to be grateful of. If she was to leave them at the underground passage, they would be attacked by spiritualists and both of them would get disposed of. Riku couldnt understand why she want her way to even treat the injures of people she didnt even know.

More than anything, her smile wasnt like the false smile Kurumi had before. Shibira was only a very silent and honest shrine maiden.*1

Is that so?

Yes. Sorry, but Im already leaving. I need to meet with Roppu Meet with a friend soon. Could you guide us to the exit?

Standing up, Riku put the halberd on her back. After hanging the silver sword at her waist, she gave a glance to the perplexed Vrusto and walked to the exit. To Rikus actions, from behind Riku, Shibiras words came to her.

I understand. I will guide you to the exit. However, please, let me say only this. Riku Barusak will not live tothe next winter.