My Maid is Cute Chapter 42 : The Tale of Rieserago (Patreon)

What spread out on the other side of the mirror was a world of pure white. Clutching Irydia tightly, Rebecca looked around. The whiteness was so intense it hurt her eyes; she could see nothing.

Slowly, she took a step forward. Although she felt a solid sensation beneath her feet, the floor was invisible. She gasped at the strange sensation, as if she were floating in space.

"What is... this place?"

She had jumped in on the momentum of the moment, but had she perhaps done something irrevocable?

Rebecca regretted her actions, though it was far too late.

She looked back. She no longer knew where she had come from.

"Ugh..."

Groaning, she took another step.

In the next instant, the solid sensation beneath her feet vanished.

"Hyah—!"

At the same time she screamed, she felt a sensation of weightlessness. Just like that, Rebecca’s body plummeted downwards.

"...!"

It happened so suddenly she couldn't even voice her shock.

Splash! The sound of water echoed.

It seemed a body of water had spread out beneath her, and Rebecca’s body sank into it in an instant. Due to the impact of the fall, she squeezed her eyes shut.

At that moment, within Rebecca’s hand, the light-blue stone of Irydia flickered with light once more.

Then, she heard a voice.

“—Please.”

It was clearly different from the voice she had heard earlier. It was the voice of a woman, beautiful and clear as crystal.

"...!?"

Startled, she opened her eyes underwater.

Her surroundings were pitch black. Just as Rebecca, unsure of what to do, tried to move her body, something floated and glowed before her eyes.

"...?"

Confused, she blinked repeatedly. In the darkness, the light before her gradually grew larger, eventually expanding like a projected image. Even though she was underwater, the image-like vision was visible with perfect clarity, baffling Rebecca.

Projected there was the figure of a woman lying on a bed. She was quite elderly, with a large scar on her left cheek. She lay with her eyes closed, embracing something tightly. Rebecca strained her eyes to look at it. Then, recognizing what the woman was holding, her eyes widened in shock. It was, without a doubt, Irydia. The woman hugging the slender sword to her chest quietly opened her eyes. Her pupils were clouded white. It seemed she could see nothing.

"...?"

Just as Rebecca tilted her head in confusion underwater, the woman slowly opened her mouth.

“I shall dedicate my soul and all of my magic to this sword. By doing so, this sword will be completed... If this sword is used, surely, she can be saved.”

Unable to understand the meaning of those words, Rebecca furrowed her brows. The woman continued speaking as she gently stroked the sword.

“...The problem is, after I die, who will take this sword and save her...? Only a human with strong magic can handle this sword... The sword itself will choose and guide the one who can use it. It may take a long time, surely. ...But, there is no other way left.”

The woman slowly closed her eyes. Tears trickled slowly from them. Keeping her hand on the sword's guard, she continued.

“So, please, I beg you... save her. Surely, she has been waiting for me all this time.”

The moment that voice resonated in her head, she felt her body float upward. Her vision brightened rapidly.

"Puh-ah!"

Finally able to break the surface, Rebecca exhaled sharply. Seeing solid ground a short distance away, she swam desperately through the water.

"Haa, haa... ugh."

Breathing roughly, she finally crawled up from the water. Taking slow, deep breaths, she looked around. Behind her was a pond, slightly larger than a puddle. It seemed she had fallen into that. And before her eyes lay a forest thick with many trees. Strangely, although the vivid green leaves were glowing, there was no scent of grass or wood at all. Looking up, a light-blue world extended above. It was bright, yet neither clouds nor sun were visible. Rebecca’s eyes went round at the surreal spectacle.

There was absolutely no sign of living creatures. No birdsong, no sound of wind rustling the leaves. It was a mysterious place.

Where in the world is this?

Suddenly, she remembered Amelia’s words from that afternoon.

—They say there is an entrance leading to God's bedroom somewhere.

"...Don't tell me, this is..."

God's bedroom? Just as Rebecca whispered this...

『—I want to see you.』

Rebecca snapped her head up. Simultaneously, the stone on Irydia glowed again.

As if propelled by a spring, Rebecca stood up and began running toward the voice. Her body felt heavy and sluggish. Yet, she felt she absolutely had to go in that direction.

The voice reached her ears clearly. The owner of the voice must be nearby.

『I want to see you.』

She ran through the trees. In her hand, Irydia continued to glow. At the same time, the voice echoed in Rebecca’s brain.

“Please, I beg you... save her.”

Just as she furrowed her brows at that voice, something came into view. She hurriedly stopped in her tracks. Looking up at it, Rebecca’s mouth fell open in shock.

"This, is—"

No other words would come out.

It was a giant stone statue of a dragon. Far larger than the surrounding trees, the statue was exquisitely crafted, looking as if it might start moving at any moment. Its wings were spread wide on its back, but its eyes were closed. A massive gray tail rested on the ground. A strange red ring-like object encircled the tip of that tail. It was the only thing glowing with a dull light.

What on earth is this statue? Just as Rebecca stood stunned, thinking this...

Suddenly, the dragon's eyes opened.

Before Rebecca could even be surprised, the statue slowly began to move. Zuzuzu, the heavy sound of grinding stone resonated. Rebecca froze on the spot, unable to even scream. Moving little by little, the statue brought its terrifying face closer. Before she knew it, the statue's large eyes were right in front of her. They were blue eyes, like the deep, deep sea. Seeing them, Rebecca involuntarily whispered,

"—What beautiful eyes..."

At her voice, the statue's eyes wavered for an instant. Rebecca felt the strength drain from her body. As she collapsed to sit on the ground, a voice resonated.

『—Who art thou?』

The stone statue was looking straight at Rebecca. That voice was unmistakably the one that had been calling to her ever since she arrived on Milbatha Island.

Rebecca sat with her mouth agape. Paying that no mind, the statue continued speaking.

『Why is a human here? Humans should not be able to enter this place.』

Rebecca opened and closed her mouth, trying to answer, but no voice came out.

Watching her, the statue tilted its head slightly.

『—Hm? Wait a moment. I sense the presence of my friend coming from thee. Why? This is strange. ...Who art thou, truly?』

The perplexed voice reached her ears. Rebecca finally found her voice.

"A-Are you the one who has been calling me all this time?"

The statue looked at her with suspicious eyes and spoke.

『—Little human. I have no memory of calling thee. The one I was calling was my friend alone.』

Rebecca tilted her head at those words.

"B-But, I’ve been hearing your voice the whole time, you know?"

The statue did not answer Rebecca’s words, directing a silent, sharp gaze at her instead. Fighting the urge to run away from that terrifying stare, Rebecca spoke again.

"U-Um... Are you God?"

『God?』

The statue seemed slightly bewildered by Rebecca’s words. It continued.

『—I am no such existence. Well, it is true that I was once called that... along with monster, demon, and the like... It is certain, however, that I am not a living creature like thee.』

The statue slowly turned its face away from Rebecca.

『—I am a non-human being... one who lives in a time different from thine. My name is Rieserago.』

The statue named itself somewhat proudly. Rebecca stared blankly at its form. Then, she timidly opened her mouth.

"Wh-Where is this place?"

At that question, the stone statue calling itself Rieserago flickered its eyes as if hesitating, then answered.

『—This is my dwelling... A place different from the world in which thou livest. —It is a world where time and space are distorted, a place where the flow of time is disordered. It is complicated to explain but... let us say... simply put, it is a dimension apart.』

At that answer, Rebecca’s lips twitched. As she wondered why the inside of a mirror connected to a place like this, he spoke to her again.

『Child of man, I ask thee once more. Who art thou? Why hast thou come here?』

The statue sharpened its gaze again. Rebecca hurriedly replied.

"I-I don't know either! Ever since I came to Milbatha Island, I heard your voice over and over..."

『Why couldst thou hear my voice? My voice should not reach the world on the other side.』

"Even if you say that..."

As she tried to continue, Rebecca realized something and turned her face toward Irydia.

"Oh, that's it! This!"

She held Irydia out toward Rieserago.

"This strange stone on this sword has been glowing in reaction to your voice! Could this be related!?"

Upon seeing the sword, the stone statue moved its body in astonishment.

『—This is...』

It slowly brought its stone face close to Irydia. Staring at it intently, it spoke.

『...There is no mistake. I feel a presence from this sword.』

For some reason, the voice sounded as if it were weeping.

『I feel the presence of my friend, Setsuna.』

Rieserago continued to stare at Irydia as if his gaze were sewn to it. Bewildered by his appearance, Rebecca spoke nervously.

"...Who is Ms. Setsuna?"

At that question, Rieserago slowly tore his eyes from the sword and looked at Rebecca.

『My one and only... friend.』

"—Why is that person's presence in this sword?"

『...I do not know.』

At Rebecca's question, the stone statue made a thoughtful face and spoke again.

『...Where didst thou obtain that sword?』

"...Um, through a bit of a coincidence, from an acquaintance, or rather, I received it..."

Not knowing how to explain about Lauren, Rebecca was vague.

Rieserago directed a gaze at Rebecca that seemed to say "how suspicious."

Rebecca almost flinched at that gaze, but she managed to stand her ground and leaned forward.

"Please tell me. I haven't understood anything for a while now. Who are you? And who is this person named Setsuna?"

The stone statue remained silent for a while, appearing perplexed.

As if deep in thought, he looked back and forth between Rebecca and the sword multiple times. Then, finally, he began to speak, bit by bit.

『I am one who lives through eternal time. An existence that has lived since long, long before the ancient era when the world of humans was still in chaos.

Long ago, the former me lived in the human world. In a forest of a certain country... deep in a forest where humans did not enter, I lived quietly.

The humans of that era greatly feared me in this form. At that time, for certain reasons, I avoided getting involved with humans. I did not care if humans feared me. If I did nothing, they would not get involved with me either. I was able to live quietly in the forest. Living alone was lonely but... it was peaceful, free, carefree, and I could spend my time with a calm heart.

Into my quiet life, that human suddenly jumped in.

That woman named herself Setsuna.

She was a mage who came from a large nearby village.

Setsuna was a strange one. Emotional, lively, innocent, a weird human who laughed often... Always brightly cheerful like a fool, and... and... she was not afraid of me.

When she first met me, Setsuna had a look of great surprise, but she never ran away. Because she kept approaching me with such interest, I was the one surprised instead.

Setsuna frequently visited my dwelling deep in the forest. I told her again and again not to come here, yet Setsuna came again and again.

Eventually, I grew accustomed to Setsuna’s visits... and in the end, I came to accept them.

Spending time with Setsuna felt very strange. Setsuna was always chatty and noisy... but she laughed often. She laughed saying it was fun to spend time with me... Setsuna was the only one who would say such things. Ah... she truly was a strange woman.』

Rebecca silently watched Rieserago, whose voice sounded nostalgic. She could tell that a very warm light dwelt in Rieserago’s eyes as he spoke of the past.

『Setsuna laughed often... but sometimes she cried. She lamented that she was a useless human.

I did not understand it well, but Setsuna worked as a mage in the village... and it seemed there was a group like a pack she belonged to... and she was distressed because she could not perform her work well there. It seems she was despised by other humans as "good-for-nothing" or a "burden," and was made a fool of.

Indeed, Setsuna was poor at magic and spells.

However... I believe Setsuna possessed great hidden power. The aura of magic I could sense from Setsuna was immense. Likely, she could not control that power and let it run wild.

I comforted the crying Setsuna many times. "It is alright, you will surely be able to display great power someday," I would say, and Setsuna would smile with relief.

When Setsuna smiled, I too felt happy and blissful. ...Truly.

One day, many humans came to my dwelling. The humans captured me. Claiming I was a man-eating monster.

I swear, I have never eaten a human.

However, the humans were likely anxious simply because I existed. To remove that anxiety, they tried to exterminate me.

Among the humans who captured me was Setsuna, trembling with a tearful face.

I learned later that the purpose of the group Setsuna belonged to was... to kill me.

Setsuna had been coming here from the start to spy on me.

It seems she was ordered by humans of higher rank than her. Since she could not work as well as others, she was told to go to the man-eating dragon and find out what kind of creature it was. Being told that even a useless person could do at least that much, it seems Setsuna could not refuse. That is why she came to my dwelling so many times.

Even knowing that, I could not bring myself to be angry. I thought it unfortunate, however.

Captured, I was to be killed as a spectacle before many humans. Had I wished to escape, I might have been able to. But, I did not move. I intended to let those humans kill me as I was. Having been betrayed by Setsuna, I had become listless.

I was tired of living.』

Rieserago cut off his words. Silence continued for a while.

Rebecca spoke timidly.

"Um, but... you were saved, weren't you?"

Rieserago did not answer Rebecca’s words for a while. After blinking several times, he finally spoke.

『—Thanks to Setsuna. At the very last moment, Setsuna saved me and let me escape.

She apologized to me over and over. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm sorry for betraying you." While crying, she apologized.

Releasing me after capture would be a grave crime. If she did such a thing, Setsuna too would be hunted by many humans. She might be killed. So I told her to stop, but Setsuna shook her head and smiled. "I don't care," she said.

She said she wanted to save me because I was her friend. She told me to run, and to live.

Those words made me happy, truly happy, and I finally moved. Together with Setsuna, we shook off the humans and fled. But, on the verge of escaping, a jujutsushi with strong magic attached this magical tool to me.』

Rieserago turned his gaze to his own tail. At the tip of the tail, the red ring was glowing.

"Is that...?"

Before Rebecca could finish, Rieserago answered.

『...It is a type of magical tool imbued with a curse. Because of this, my magic grew weaker and weaker. Setsuna tried hard to remove it somehow... but because such a powerful curse was imbued in it, it would not come off.』

At the word "curse," Rebecca’s hand twitched. Seeming not to notice, Rieserago continued.

『While Setsuna and I were trying to remove this ring, the human pursuers closed in. Sensing danger in their relentless pursuit, Setsuna helped me escape to this world... She created an entrance leading to this world. If I went to a different dimension, the humans could not follow. Setsuna let me escape into this space, and then closed the entrance. To ensure they could not enter from the other side. To ensure humans could absolutely never enter, she told me to wait here.

I said let us go together, but Setsuna refused. She said she would remain there and find a way to break my curse. I tried to persuade her many times, but in the end, Setsuna would not nod.』

Rieserago closed his eyes as if recalling something. Then, he slowly continued.

『At the very end, she was shouting. "Wait for me," she said. "I will definitely save you. I will absolutely never give up. So, wait for me."』

Listening to Rieserago’s voice, Rebecca glanced at the slender sword in her hand.

『After escaping to this world, the curse of this magical tool progressed rapidly... Before I knew it, my body was covered in stone, and I became almost unable to move. Long ago I could use magic, but now, because of the curse, I cannot do so at all... Just projecting my voice like this takes everything I have.』

Rieserago’s voice was filled with loneliness and sorrow. Slowly closing his eyes, he added,

『—By now, my body is tattered by the curse. Even so, I am waiting. I have been waiting here the whole time. Always, always, waiting for my one and only friend.』

Saying that, Rieserago fell silent. Rebecca watched the stone statue wordlessly. Then, she turned her gaze back to Irydia and slowly, tightly, gripped it.

As if answering Rebecca, the stone on Irydia released its light once more.