VIII

After entering the Lich King's chamber, everything seemed to return to normal. The King's usual demeanor came back, and all the pressure disappeared. However, Lilia held my hand tightly the entire time... Her eyes showed that she had just come out of a traumatic situation... Is there nothing I can do to console her?

While I was lost in thought, the Lich King spoke.

— Those girls...

Silence returned after those words, and bringing his bony fingers to his temples, he added: "My sincerest apologies, Mizuki. Please, forgive their insolence and my lack of control over this situation."

After saying that, he gave a slight bow. WAIT, IS THE LICH KING BOWING?!

— N-No need, really! Please, rise, King! T-This could have happened at any time, so you shouldn't worry about it! — This is making me really uncomfortable, but Lilia... She's just watching as if nothing happened, though she's squeezing again...

— No, this is not as simple as a street fight. Unlike a random scuffle in the streets, this is my kingdom, you are my guest, you bear my mark, and to make matters worse, it was my 'daughters' who faced you.

"Wait a minute, did he just call them 'Daughters'?" Almost as soon as I thought that, the King nodded.

— Yes, they are my 'Daughters' and Lilia's sisters.

"Ouch," I thought, not just because of the impact of the news, but also because Lilia kept digging her nails into my arm. This time, she pressed so hard that a thin line of blood started to trickle down my skin.

— Ahem... Lilia, it seems Mizuki is a little uncomfortable.

Seeing the red line dripping down, Lilia seemed to snap back to reality, stopped squeezing me, and stepped away with an apology.

— M-Mizuki, I-I'm sorry!

— Y-Yeah, no, it's fine. — I tried to smile, but Lilia saw right through it.

— I'll continue. They are... Vespera and Blanche (Balanche)... Adopted daughters of the ghost queen...

— Adopted daughters?

— The Undead cannot have children for obvious reasons... So they form families in other ways... Vampires have blood, ghosts have phantasmagoria, and Liches have dark magic...

— A long time ago, far from here, there was a vain and vile inhuman kingdom that we overthrew. We saved many people, and many more died. Some we couldn't save, so we made them our family... The ghost queen, Lucía, turned eight children, and I only turned Lilia. Because of that, Lucía's 'children' think they can do whatever they want. If you encounter them in the future: Ignore them or kill them.

Kill them?! I looked at the Lich King again, but his gaze was terrifying—so serious and sharp...

— Isn't killing them excessive?

With a sigh that seemed to say, "I figured you'd say that," he spoke again:

— How many lives do you have in this world?

— Huh? Lives? Just one?

— Lilia, how many lives do your siblings have?

At the question, Lilia flinched and started counting on her fingers.

— One... Two... Three... Infinite?

— Almost infinite. Lucía's family is a bit different... Even if they die, they will reappear after a while. It doesn't matter if they are purified, captured, or decapitated—they will always return. If this were a video game, it would be considered a 'bug.' I and the rest of the Undead Kings cannot die due to a curse, except for Lucía. Even though she also has the curse, something went wrong and corrupted her. Her children inherited this trait, but their revival time is longer. So if they threaten your life, kill them.

— I understand... But at my current level, I doubt that would be possible...

— As long as you understand. Now, you may return to your quarters.

— Understood!

After my last words, I slowly left. I have to admit, I still feel a little afraid of appearing in front of him.

I gradually made my way to the door, and just before I left, the King said:

— Ahem, it seems like you're forgetting something. — He pointed at Lilia, who was standing there with her head down. Huh, wasn't she following me?

— Y-Yeah, I understand. — I slowly approached Lilia and grabbed her hand so we could leave, but... She wouldn't move!

— Uh... Lilia, are we going?

There was no understandable response, just murmurs.

— Uh... Lilia, let's go?

The same response as before, just murmurs, but now they were getting louder. So, sorry, Lilia, but...

— Let's go! — I used all my strength to pull her with me, but...

Impossible. It was impossible to move her... Is her clothing made of heavy iron?!

— Um... King... She's not following me...

With a deep sigh, the King said, "I expected this. Every time her siblings come, she refuses to leave my side... Mizuki, hold Lilia as tightly as you can. It doesn't matter if you hurt her."

— Huh? K-King, I can't do that!

— Do it. — He said this last part with an ominous glow in his eyes. Goodness, my mental strength isn't enough to handle everything I'm going through, you know?!

— Huh? Did you say something?

He responded almost as if he could read my thoughts, which honestly scared me.

— N-No, I didn't say anything! I'll grab her now! — I held onto Lilia with all my strength, though it didn't seem to hurt her at all.

— Good, good. [Chains of the Dead]

— Wait, what?!

After confirming that I was holding Lilia as tightly as I could, the Lich King spoke.

— Vespera, you may enter.

I didn't see exactly what happened. However, I remember fragments: The Lich King spoke, Lilia lifted her head, and in mere fractions of a second, as if searching for the nearest exit, she shot out of the room. Since I was bound to her, I ended up being dragged along. Fortunately, I didn't hit the ground, but I was flying! Isn't that kind of speed unfair for a mage?!

— Li- Lilia, stop! — Despite my pleading, Lilia didn't listen and kept going until we reached her room. It took less than a minute, but it felt eternal.

Once in her room, Lilia devoted herself entirely to blocking every door and window. She went back and forth carrying tables, chairs, anything she could find. I helped, of course, but she didn't seem to see me at all.

After a while, realizing she wasn't paying attention to me, I threw myself onto the bed. Focusing on my breathing, I drifted off to sleep. The sequence of events until now had completely exhausted me.

I must have been more tired than I thought, because I ended up sleeping for 20 hours. When I opened my eyes, I saw Lilia lying next to me...