Chapter 197

When I pointed that out, Erika’s eyes blinked .

And then, she averted her gaze .

[Let’s see…]

Returning her gaze to me again…

[Are you bothered by it?]

[I was just a little curious… If it was just because of your personality or if there was some deeper reason behind it . ]

Maybe it wasn’t just me that was curious about it .

However, no one asked her about it until now because they’re also being discreet .

[I had always been alone in this place, and there wasn’t anyone to smile for . Before I knew it, I forgot how to smile . ]

Her gaze dropping down to the floor, Erika’s freely swung her long, plump legs .

[—-is the reason that I would have normally said . The truth is that……]

The swinging of her legs stopped .

[One day, I’ve decided . I’ve decided that I would never smile while that goddess who stole this mistress was acting as she pleases while she has that smile on her face…… I’ll make sure that the next time I’ll smile is when Vysis is beaten beyond recovery . ]

[And you’re saying “Don’t make me laugh” instead in those times that you hear something that brings a smile on your face huh . ]

Erika lightly poked my thigh with the tip of her toe .

[That’s right . ]

“Stopping” a “smile” from spontaneously rising on her face .

Don’t make me laugh .

I’m not sure if those were really the original meaning of those words but……

Maybe it’s something like a resolve that Erika has set for herself .

(T/N: The original word used by Erika is 笑止 . It means “Don’t make me laugh” or “how laughable” . But Touka thinks that she used that to stop (止める) a smile (笑み) from appearing on her face . )

[You won’t smile as long as Vysis is walking around this world while swinging around her arms all around the place huh . ]

Pulling her leg back, Erika crosses her legs again .

[What do you think? It’s just as deep as you may think it is, but that’s also as simple for a reason as it can be, isn’t it?]

That also means…

[The reason why you’re regularly collecting information with your familiars isn’t just to know about what’s going on in the world……]

[I was also hoping that I’d get to hear about the day when “Vysis makes her exit from this world” . ]

I see .

[I’ve already heard you say it many times before but…… you must have really disliked that sh*tty goddess . ]

Looking out of the window, Erika stayed silent for a moment .

Her bluish-purple eyes doesn’t reflect the appearance of Seras and the others who are outside .

What they’re reflecting is probably something that is out of her sight—-

The world outside the Demon Zone .

[This mistress had intended to make this place my final home . But despite that—- I’ve also thought that it might be too soon . After meeting and talking with all of you, I thought…… Perhaps, I still want to enjoy the outside world . ]

However, as long as that piece of sh*t is around, she won’t be able to enjoy her life huh .

*Thonk*

Erika climbed down from the windowsill .

[And that’s going to happen only after my contract with the Sacred Tree ends . That’s why, it looks like I won’t be able to enjoy the outside world with Touka, the human . ]

She might eventually enjoy it with the long-lived Seras and Liz .

However, I might already be dead at that time .

[I guess you’ll have to put up with using a familiar to roam the outside world with me . ]

[I’ll do that . Even though it might be quite disappointing . ]

[Well, I guess I’ll get to see it while I’m still alive huh . ]

[What is?]

[Your smile . ]

What I meant is that—– I’m declaring to her that I will be crushing Vysis .

And Erika, with her arms folded in front of her, glared at me with her half-closed eyes .

[Those words you said just now—– You’re being too conceited, Touka . ]

[Fuunnnn…… It’s good enough if I could make people think like that . ]

[Well, how should I say this……, ……]

Erika placed her right toe on top of her other toe .

Then, with her gaze lowered, she said .

[……, ——-Thanks . ]

[…………… . ]

[? What’s the matter? You have an unusual expression on your face . ]

[Hmm? No, errr, well……]

Well, that should be obvious why .

It’s just that I’ve seen something really unusual .

It was only for a second, but it was the first time I’ve seen it .

To be honest, I’m a little surprised after I saw it .

Hehhh…

I see .

She may have said she won’t smile but—–

[You could still get bashful huh . ]

I thought that not only has she stopped smiling, she also stopped other emotions from showing her face .

Placing her hands on her hips, Erika bent forward .

[I–still– have– emotions . Or rather, come to think of it……]

The faint residue of embarrassment disappearing, Erika’s eyes glared at me .

[Isn’t it just you who have never seen me being bashful before?]

[…………… . . ]

Now that she mentioned it, it might really be as she said .