Chapter 68 The Beastgirl's Heart Door - Part I
My name is Thea.
I was born in the Divine Beast Kingdom of Euphemia, and I belong to the Blue Wolf clan.
Euphemia is a country formed by various clans coming together, and since everyone has beastly features in some part of their body, they are often collectively referred to as "Beastmen."
In exchange for strong bodies, we can't use magic, and because we live in harmony with the forest, we are looked down upon as uncivilized savages by other countries.
Maybe because of that, our country has a tradition of valuing our fellow companions above all else.
Whether they are from the same Blue Wolf clan or not, I cherished my beastman companions, thinking of everyone as family.
──And that's why, I was taken advantage of.
Because I innocently trusted my companions.
Because I listened to a suspicious "request" without any doubts.
As a result, I, my family, and most of the clan ended up being captured as slaves.
It's all my fault.
And here I am, surviving without a care in the world, trying to return to my country alone.
In this ridiculous reality, I started feeling indifferent about everything, even contemplating throwing myself off this ship to die.
And yet, for the past 2 days, there's this silver-haired girl who has oddly been all over me.
"So, you see, Mr. Michael from the kitchen told me. 'This dish is best with homemade fish sauce, and when we get to Euphemia, I'll let you try it!'"
She keeps talking to me endlessly without any response from my side, laughing to herself.
Even though it would definitely be more fun to talk to the other red-haired girl who's been waiting by the wall for a long time, for some reason he keeps talking to me.
Honestly, it's annoying.
"So, Michael and Moose started arguing... 'This dish is definitely pickled!' 'No, it's fish sauce!' And I thought fighting was bad, but when they started fishing together, they were surprisingly in sync. Is this what they mean by 'fighting like a married couple'? It's hilarious."
At the same time, I'm amazed at how amazing she is.
Not only has she been paying attention to me for 3 days, but her conversation never seems to end.
Since the first time this child came here and indirectly rejected me by saying she didn't want to hear about family memories, she has never brought up her family and has only talked about what happened on this ship.
At first, I thought the silver-haired child was originally close to the people on this ship, but as I listened to her story, I realized that wasn't the case.
This child... in just a few days on this ship, she quickly became friends with the crew.
And it's the kind of fun, dazzling relationship where just telling me about one day's events takes hours...
Seeing this child, who is obviously physically disabled, laughing happily and enjoying the blessings of bonds, was too dazzling for me.
"So, with their help, I tried cooking myself! It's my first time, so it's not as good as a professional chef... but what do you think? Want to eat together?"
──With jealousy and envy, so much that I feel like going insane.
"Don't come near me!!"
"Huh!?"
I instinctively swat away the offered cookie.
My hand, moved by my emotions, grazes the silver-haired child, and the recoil and the swaying of the ship unfortunately overlap... The child's wheelchair tilts to the side.
"Ah..."
"Ms. Yumie!!"
The red-haired child, who had been standing behind her, moves with lightning speed to help.
I exhale in relief as she is helped up before she falls.
"You... How dare you do that to Ms. Yumie!"
"Ms. Monica, calm down, I'm fine..."
"But, Ms. Yumie!"
The red-haired child glares at me with anger that's almost murderous.
My rational mind tells me I need to apologize.
It's not this child's fault, but because of me, she almost got hurt.
With her disabled limbs, she can't even take a fall safely, and she might have hit her head.
But... My heart had no room left for such common sense.
"I don't need your cheap sympathy, just leave me alone!! I'm already... a meaningless existence, whether I live or die!"
I might never see my family again.
Even if I did, what face could I show to my broken family, all because of me?
How could I touch them with these blood-stained hands?
And... I can no longer trust my fellow countrymen as I once did.
With a body like this and a face like a monster, I can't even trust my own companions... who would accept someone like me?
In this state, even if I returned to Euphemia now... I have no confidence I can keep living.
When my emotions spilled out in a rush and were met head-on... the silver-haired child still smiled gently at me.
"I'm sorry, that might have been a bit pushy. But... it's not true that you're of no value at all."
"You don't know anything about me, yet... what's your basis for saying that?"
"At the very least, I want you to live. If you die, I'll be very sad and I think I'll cry a lot. Doesn't that give life meaning?"
I wondered what she was saying.
It's easy to say such things.
Even if it were true, what does it matter if a person I've known for just a few days, someone who isn't even a friend, would be sad?
But... for some reason, I couldn't deny the words of this child.
As if her sincere gaze pierced through me and made a hole in the wall around my heart.
"I'll be going back for today. Ms. Monica, I'm sorry but..."
"...yes, I understand."
Until the very end, the red-haired girl glared at me.
Her aggressive eyes were frightening, but... at the same time, I could feel how much she cared for the silver-haired child, and I couldn't bring myself to be angry.
To be able to show such emotions for someone who isn't even family or a companion... without a doubt, it's something I used to take for granted before all of this happened.
"Well then, see you tomorrow"
As I turned to the silver-haired child leaving the room, I was about to say something... but before I even realized what those words were, the door closed once more.
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