That voice was completely unexpected.
　As an undead, I can sense positive energy. But it doesn't mean I can detect it perfectly, even in very small amounts.
　Just as you can't hear a small sound unless you listen carefully, you can miss it if you're distracted.

　I was careless. Senri had fallen once, how could I have expected him to come back less than half a day later?
　Even if she eventually came back to clean up the mess, she thought she had one night to spare.

　A pair of absorbing purple eyes looked at me.
　There was no emotion in that look, and it was so terrifying that it would have stopped my heart if it had been beating.

"You...

　I thought for a moment.

　The first thing I did was to check if Senri had any friends. The four demise knights that Senri had with him were not ....... This was good news.

　Next, I checked the difference in strength between us. Senri was exhausted from his battle with the Lord. But the positive energy in his body was much more restored than what I had seen just before I left here. He was far from perfect, but he was a true monster.
　His appearance was a little dirty, but no serious injuries. And judging from his persistence in the fight with Lord, Senri is likely to awaken during the battle, even if he is dying.
　This is how necromancers are destined to be defeated in the story.

　Finally, I imagined the other person's perception of me.
　I've already been seen with Luu in the city. Since Luu was (almost certainly) killed by the Demise Knights, it seems only natural that they would judge me as an enemy.
　Senri was staring at me. But for a very brief moment, I caught her glancing at the sun shining in the sky.

　The only undead that can move in the sunlight are the lowly ones. It's probably wondering if it should judge me as undead, since I don't seem to be affected by the sunlight, but it doesn't attack me out of instinct.
　I don't appear to be undead at first glance because I'm hiding my negative energy. If that's true.

　He clutches his right hand, which is still in sharp pain, burned by the touch of the silver arrow.
　The blessed silver arrow is a general weakness of the undead, even against ghouls. The power of the arrow is low enough that it is not fatal if it does not hit a weak point, but it inhibits the regeneration ability and leaves a scar for a while, and the scar is currently emitting white smoke.

　There's no point in trying to hide it now. There's no way Senri wouldn't notice that.
　In the first place, even if I were human, I'd be a target of the Lord's group. The Knights of the End are an aggressive group. Even in a children's fairy tale, there is a scene where they mercilessly beat down the people of the city who were controlled by a necromancer.

　I don't know why Senri came back alone.
　But if she runs, she'll be killed. If he attacks, he will be killed. Showing those signs is counterproductive.

　Then you'll have to convince her.

　If I were Senri, I wouldn't let her get away with this, but she's not me.
　I saw her on the street and she looked a little different from the other third class knights. The one thing Senri had that the Third Class Knights didn't: ...... was mercy.
　Maybe it was because she thought we were human, but she was trying to help us.

　Let's be honest. If it had been a third level knight who came here instead of Senri, I'd probably be dead already.
　Whether it was a third level knight or a second level knight, she was still a reaper that I couldn't fight, so it was rather fortunate that it was Senri who came.

　She was different. She is merciful compared to the tortured demise knights of fairy tales. And that's an opening.

　I tried to keep my composure and looked at Lou's grave with a sad expression on my face.

"Before she died, Lou asked me to ...... make her grave. I was praying for her to rest in peace.

"............ Yes.

　The words that came out of his mouth were simple, but I could see a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
　I'm not sure if it's because I'm not using honorifics or because I'm just being honest. We can't be too careful yet, but he doesn't intend to make us disappear right away.

　Be friendly to them. Show her you're human. I haven't shown my undead-ness in front of her yet.

"Well, ............ Senri, right?　What's Senri doing here?

　Senri was silent for a moment, staring at the grave, and then he spoke. Her silver hair swayed in the gentle breeze.

".................. I came to get her body. We'll bury her in the city.

　The words were unexpected to me.

"Well, ............, I guess I shouldn't have done that.

　I really wish I hadn't. If I hadn't made Luu's grave, I could have left before Senri came.
　I'm sure Luu would be happier to sleep in a beautiful grave in the city than in a forest like this.
　I can't help it, I had a promise, but I didn't think the Knights of the End were such an auspicious organization.

　As I keep silent, trying not to show my irritation, Senri closes the distance and stands next to me, looking down at the grave.
　The soft white neck. The flesh smelled intensely appetizing.
　If I extended my claws and swung my arms, it would take me less than a second to reach it. But I can't take that option. I mustn't give her an excuse to attack me (which is enough of an excuse when I'm undead).



You were friends?

　Friend?　That's the kind of word Lou would be mad about.
　Lou and I were never friends. In the end, we made a pact and joined hands, but if anything, we were enemies the whole time.

　I held my face and made my voice as somber as Senri's.

No, the ............ family, you know.

".............

　Speak to your heart. Appeal to Senri's sympathy for this merciful god of death.

　I can do that. He's not dead yet. I can do this. I'll use any despicable means at my disposal.
　Fortunately, there's no need to mend. I've always been a sorry person, if I do say so myself.

But now Lu is finally at peace. There was no future for her if she remained a slave to Horus. Subconsciously, she wanted to die. I owe Senri a debt of gratitude.

"No, she's not. ......

　I lifted my head and Senri said in a stifled voice without moving her eyebrows.
　It's hard to tell what she's feeling because she barely moves her face, but there's no doubt she's compassionate.

　I've taken a gamble.
　Time is not on my side. If Senri didn't come back for any length of time, there was a chance that the Knights of the End would come looking for him.
　He points to his own eyes, sighs deeply, and says.

The undead body is inconvenient at times like this. I'm so sad, but I can't even cry.

What?　You're still ......!

　Senri's expression changed to one of conviction and she quickly took a step back. This is her match.
　I haven't drawn my sword, but I'm in a dead zone. But I'm not in a hurry. I'm cautious.

　I try my best to smile, open my hands, and raise them wide to show I'm not hostile.

"Ah. I'm a ...... 'ghoul'. However, for some reason, I still have memories of the time before I was ............ born, when I was human.

"..................What?

　I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

　Holos Kamen did not doubt until the end that I had no memory of my life. And apparently, by the look on Senri's face, that's a pretty rare pattern.

　I won. The arrow in Luu's chest was an arrow. Senri's weapon was a sword.
　She can't cut the poor man. She can't cut me, a man whose body is a monster but who still has human intellect and reason.
　Even if no one blames her, Senri has too much empathy for others.

　She is fatally naive for a Knight of the End. Her fighting ability is incredible, but Senri has too much humanity in her.

　No need to dramatize. Tell the story as it is.
　I made a show of taking a breath I didn't need to take, and began to tell the story of the pitiful end.



§§



　Senri listened to my story in silence, his face expressionless. However, her amethyst eyes were filled with a wave of agitation throughout.
　There was no resentment. All I had before I died was pain and despair. There was no room for effort, and I ended my short life with nothing but an obsession with life.

　It's a miracle that I was able to wake up again, and that I still have my memories after becoming undead.
　I don't know why. My resurrection as undead was not my intention.

　But I was happy. I was happy to be on my feet again, happy to be able to run around the forest.
　What is the difference between humans and the undead who don't attack humans and don't need to attack humans?

　That's what I'm trying to tell you. The episode builds up while reminding me of a story about a cheerful con man in a comedy I once read.

"Yes. That letter is at .............

"Lou helped me. Horus Kamen was planning a terrible ritual. If he'd been there, he might have ordered me to attack people. I didn't want that to happen. It was fortunate that Senri and the Knights of the End had come to a nearby town. Thanks to them, I can still be human.

　He chose his words and piled up reasons for his forgiveness.

　Senri lowered his eyes. I didn't lie to you.



　I've never attacked anyone. I'm rarely out of the woods.
　I don't want to attack people. I don't want to make an enemy of the Knights of the End.

　But if it became necessary for my survival, I would not hesitate to become a monster that attacks humans.
　I am rational. I'm a monster with reason and human intelligence.

　Objectively speaking, I'm a very scary monster. If I were the Knights of the End, I would never forgive you.
　In a way, it would be a terrible irony that I, as an undead, might be better suited to be a demise knight than the talented Senri.

"Fortunately, there are no humans in this forest. I'm going to live the rest of my life in peace, guarding Ru's grave in this forest. I'll hunt beasts for food. That's how I've always lived.

"...... Yeah.

No?

　Before I knew it, the sun was setting, turning Lou's simple grave a beautiful vermilion.
　I waited for an answer. The scars on my palms, which had almost been cleansed, were already gone.

　Night is my time to be undead. The wraiths are weak undead, so they won't be strengthened as much, but they'll be much better than during the day.
　Senri was lost. A second felt like a minute, or even enough.

　I smiled and waited patiently for an answer. No, that was all I could do.
　If I ran now, Senri would come after me. And as a low-ranking undead, I don't think my legs are a match for Senri, who can easily blow up a dragon and kill a lord a hundred and twenty times over. Even at night, it's still the same.

　Senri doesn't know it, but she's holding a sword to my throat right now.

　And then Senri finally looked up. There was no hesitation in her eyes.
　There was no emotion in her voice, but there was mercy in her eyes.

"............ Okay. It's the first time I've encountered an undead who has memories of his life, but ...... end, you certainly have reason left. If that's the case, I think you'll be fine .......

　There was a hint of hesitation in his last words. But there was a strong determination in his words.
　Perhaps she was trying to persuade her friends.

　She was always right, always kind.

　I breathed a sigh of relief and looked down at the grave.

"Good. ...... I think Lou would be happy to hear that.

"............ I'll be back tomorrow. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll get it for you.

I can't ask you to do that. But, yes, ...... if you have any flowers for Luu, please bring them. I don't think there are any good flowers in this forest.

"............ Okay. I'll be sure to bring some.

　Senri nodded strongly.

　She is a dazzling human being. Her soul is probably the most unspoiled human being I've ever met, including when she was alive.
　She believes in people. She wouldn't be like this if she lived a normal life.
　She's not exactly the Order of the End that I admired, but her qualities are objectively very noble.


　So it is very ............ heartbreaking to cheat such a pure girl.


　The sky turns dim. Senri closes his eyes and prays over Luu's grave, then starts walking towards the exit of the forest.

　We will probably never see each other again. I'm going to leave the forest as soon as Senri is gone.
　Senri's silvery-white hair is swaying. I call out to her back one last time.

　There was only one question left. Maybe Senri, an expert in defeating the undead, would know.

"Senri. That's what Holos Kamen told me. He's going to make a King of the Dead. I don't know if it matters anymore, but do you know what the King of the Dead is?

　Senri paused, and without looking back, said as if it were nothing.

You can find many different types of necromancers in the marketplace, but the most common type of necromancer is a necromancer who uses forbidden magic to turn himself into a special kind of undead. Holos Kamen was human. I destroyed him. It's not about ...... anymore.



§



　I waited until Senri's presence was completely gone before I made my move.
　I had to hurry.

　Senri had taken the option of letting me go. She accepted my offer to stay in the forest.
　Perhaps she meant what she said. We've only known each other a short time, but it's clear she's not a person who can lie.

　But perhaps Senri can't convince her friends.



　Of course. I have memories from before I was born, but I'm a monster without a doubt. There's no way the Knights of the End, whose divine mission is to defeat the Dark Ones, would miss me.
　I've always admired the Knights of the End, and I know them well. It's not that the other knights are cruel. It's that Senri is different.

　Do you think Senri will tell his friends about me?　Not likely. She's not stupid, but she's too trusting.
　Even if she didn't tell them, how would they feel about Senri coming back with nothing when she went to retrieve the body?
　If they questioned him, Senri would say. And she'll beg for mercy for me. The same way I did for Senri.

　They're coming to kill us. They're coming to kill us. They'll kill me, the ugly one who tried to survive by tricking their princess into believing in them.

　I don't want to be accepted. I don't want to be accepted. I'm already a monster living in the dark.
　A monster that feeds on flesh and will feed on blood if I live long enough.

　What I want hasn't changed. All I want is-- is to live. Survival and freedom. More than that, I'll find out.

　We leave Lou's grave and head for the remains of the house.
　I want the machete we didn't take on the run.
　There's still time for Senri to reach the city. You can extend your claws, but you'll need a weapon. Whether you wield it or not, it's a kind of memento of the lord. It's a special item.

　Speaking of which, Senri said that the Lord of the Dead was a necromancer turned undead.
　Perhaps the cloak of shade and the amulet of shadows had been prepared by the Lord for him.

　I turned over the rubble of where Lord's laboratory used to be and struggled to find the jet-black machete. I also got a bag and other travel gear.
　By this time, the darkness had completely covered the forest. Only the silvery moon illuminates the world.

　My night vision is good. My vision is clear. Night is my time.
　I don't have a map so I don't know where I'm going but I'll get as far away from here as I can.

　I'm sorry about Senri. But I can't help it.

　I can't trust people as much as ...... her.

　I swung my machete a few times and quickly scaled the fence of the house.
　Just as I started to walk in the opposite direction Senri was heading.

　--Out of nowhere, I heard a voice calling my name.



The time has finally come, End. The vessel of the King of the Dead.



　A dark voice, as if echoing from the depths of hell. Something cold passed down my spine.
　I quickly pulled out the machete at my waist and quickly checked my surroundings.

　It was in the air. You bite your tongue to drown out the fear that rises in you.
　It was floating, blocking out the silver moon, looking down at me with the same face as before it was born.