I Woke Up In A Completely Different World! 9 A Weeping Widow

After I told Cynthia about Lilith, she offered to help, saying she'd be in touch if she found anything. I was surprised she even considered helping at all. Well, that was 2 weeks ago, and it's been uneventful since. Other than being called on by Yuuna, I've been looking after Livia. Checking on her frequently, and the likes. Yuuna kept rea.s.suring me she was fine and it wasn't my fault, but I can't help it. It feels like it's been forever and she's still unresponsive!

Yuuna: "It'll be alright, hon."

Steven: "I know she'll wake up, she has to."

Kanna: "Mom's right, Steven."

I hope they're right and not saying that just to make it easy. I went with them to the front when two men came in. They were in some kind of military uniform and covered in bandages, probably here for a healing potion.

Yuuna: "h.e.l.lo, welcome to Yuuna's Elixirs!"

Man: "Excuse me, but are you Yuuna Hisakawa?"

Yuuna: "That's me. Who are you?"

Nathan: "I'm Private Nathan Pierre, this is Corporal Jacob Layne, Ostroven Army."

Kanna: "Oh, just like Mr. Hisakawa."

Yuuna was right, Kanna doesn't call him dad, just Mr. Hisakawa. I forgot about it and almost gave me a fright.

Yuuna: "That's right, why are you here? Do you need a potion?"

Nathan: "I have been asked to inform you that your husband has been reported dead in Fort Dunkel, at 1100 on August 15. A demon snuck into the fort and used explosion magic to destroy it. On behalf of the Queen, I extend to you and your family my deepest sympathy in your great loss."

Yuuna looked in disbelief, before running into the back, with Kanna right behind her. I was about to follow them to make sure they're alright before I was stopped by one of the soldiers, Jacob.

Jacob: "Excuse me, kid. Do you have a sister, by chance? There was a girl who has rounded ears like you, so we thought maybe you two were related."

What did he mean by that? I don't have any siblings in either world, so they might have me confused for someone else and I thought I was the only round-eared person around here. I wonder who she could be.

Steven: "A sister? No, who is she?"

Jacob: "A girl, named Lilith."

He has to be kidding. Lilith has rounded ears too? No, that's not what offends me. The fact that he knows her and to think I'm related to her. She's a completely psycho! Just look at what she did to Livia! In fact, how do they even know her to begin with?

Steven: "I'm not related to a demon, if that's what you think. She's the last person in this world, I'd want to a.s.sociate with."

Nathan: "Why's that?"

Steven: "She's been terrorizing me ever since I moved here!"

Nathan: "How?"

Steven: "Come and look."

I took them to the back and pointed towards Livia, explaining how Lilith cursed her and she's been like that for the past 2 weeks. They looked at her as they were whispering to each other. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but I was sure it was about Livia. Jacob then grabbed her arm and his hand was giving a faint glow. Is that healing magic? It seems pretty dim for a healing spell.

Steven: "What are you doing?"

Nathan: "He's thinks she has little to no energy. If she's been cursed and been like this after removing it, there's a good chance it was a leeching curse. It would take a long time to recuperate if that happened."

Steven: "Her Magic Power was taken from her?"

Nathan: "No, but close. He's transferring his energy to her.."

Soon enough, Livia had woken up. I couldn't believe it, after all this time, it only took a spell. I never thought I'd be so happy to finally see her get up and tears slowly flooded my vision as I saw her finally sit up.

Jacob: "Ah, that–was easier than I thought. She really was only drained of energy."

Livia: "W-what? Steven? are we still in the estate, what happened? Oh, what am I wearing?"

Steven: "Livia!"

I ran to Livia and hugged her. Maybe it was too much, but I didn't care. I'm just happy to see her awake.

Livia: "Steven, what's gotten into you? Ow, look, your display of affection is nice and all, but can you ease up a bit? It hurts."

Steven: "Sorry, I'm just glad you're alright."

Jacob: "Hey you two, it's nice to see a teary-eyed reunion, but we need answers."

Livia: "Answers? Who are you two?"

Nathan: "I'm Private Nathan Pierre, this is Corporal Jacob Layne, Ostroven Army."

Jacob: "We need to know everything you know about Lilith."

Oh, right, they're in the Army. It does make sense to ask questions if there's a demon in Everhand. Though, they seem pretty interested suddenly. They came here just to deliver news to Yuuna.

Steven: "Oh, no."

s.h.i.+t, I forgot she ran off! I hope she's alright.

Steven: "Livia, I know you just woke up, but can you tell them, please?"

Livia: "Alright."

I hurried over to Yuuna's room, where Kanna was consoling her. Those two really are close, and Kanna seems to be taking the news better than I thought she would. Though, she looks like she wants to cry as much as Yuuna is. I'm not good with these kinds of situations and did the only thing I could think of. It didn't need any words to show how they felt. I pulled them close and embraced them. Yuuna reciprocated, while Kanna finally lost her composure and started crying. They're both always calm, so it made it hard to see them like that. I guess they really did love him, just not in the traditional sense. I continued holding them until they both started resting, laying them on the bed with a blanket over them. I can't begin to imagine what it's like for them. I had my friends and family taken from me, but I know they're alive, I think. I just hope they'll feel better soon. I made my way out and slowly closed the door behind me, making my way back to Livia. Waiting for me along with the 2 soldiers.

Jacob: "How are they?"

Steven: "They're resting."

Nathan: "Anyways, we need to hear your side of the story."

Steven: "My side?"

Nathan: "Yes, about Lilith."

I feel like I told this story a million times. Though, I could use their help, they're in the military after all. I started telling them everything I know, from the first time I ran into her in Los Angeles, to the estate and the docks. Even the part where I took her book and sword. They seemed skeptical until Livia backed me up and after I showed them the sword.

Jacob: "You stole her Grimoire and sword? The sword, that's nothing, but the Grimoire? Do you have a deathwish?"

Steven: "The headmaster at my academy took it off my hands, saying he can translate and decipher it."

Nathan: "I want to meet him and give him one. To send a couple of students by themselves to a demon's dwelling, and for what? A Grimoire? Reckless!"

Jacob: "Easy, Nate. Anyways, we'll be in touch, if you have any questions or have anything else to tell us, here's my card."

They both handed me a business card. If you can even call it one, it was a rough piece of paper with all their information written down on it in pen. They took their leave as I led them out, leaving just me and Livia. Seeing her up and walking truly is a blessing.

Steven: "How do you feel?"

Livia: "A little weak, how long has it been?"

Steven: "It's been 2 weeks."

Livia: "O-oh, that's quite a while."

I feel bad now. I dragged her into my problems and put her in a coma for 2 weeks, and all it took was a spell to wake her. If only I knew, things probably wouldn't turn out like this.

Steven: "I'm sorry, Livia."

Livia: "For what?"

Steven: "I dragged you into my problems and you got hurt because of it."

Livia: "That's not your fault, I came along knowing what could happen."

Steven: "But still it—"

Livia: "No, seriously, it's fine."

Steven: "Alright."

It still doesn't make me feel any better. The silence grew between us, as I looked down. It wasn't until Livia spoke up, that it broke.

Livia: "Here, if you really want to make it up, let's get something to eat. I'm a little peckish."

Steven: "If it makes it up to you."

After I checked on Kanna and Yuuna, who were sleeping, we left to the town square. Heading straight to a restaurant that Livia said she always visits. She must be a regular, one of the waitresses even recognized her. It wasn't the one I'd frequent but we ate eagerly. The food was actually good for the price and it even reminded me of the food my mom used to make.

Livia: "See? I told you they had great food."

Steven: "You're right, the food tasted like it came from back home."

Livia: "You always say that."

Steven: "Say what?"

Livia: "Back home. Like the first time you went to the Headmaster's office, you said the entrance exams were easy because everyone already learned it back home."

Steven: "Algebra is the first thing they taught us."

Livia: "If you say so."

Steven: "You don't believe me?"

Livia: "I didn't say that."

We continued strolling around town, having no idea what to do next. We stopped by the bakery, seeing what kind of special they had when we ran into one of the soldiers, Nathan.

Nathan: "You two again? Are you on a date already?"

Livia: "It's not like that."

Nathan: "You don't have to hide it, kid. Anyways, did you need something?"

Steven: "Oh, I never got to ask, but, how do you know about Lilith?"

Nathan: "Well, alright, sit down, I'll start from the beginning and it's going to take a few to explain."

We sat down as he began to tell his story. Telling us that he was stationed at Fort Dunkel when he ran into Lilith, and how he was with his Captain, preparing weapons for delivery.

Nathan: "It happened a couple of weeks ago…"