Village Massacre (Part 3)

Huh. I can't believe I just gave a small speech. Geez, how embarrassing. Now everyone's looking weirdly at me, stop it! I was feeling a bit frustrated and embarrassed truly, but I just had to hide it beneath a stoic exterior.

The girl and her family I just spoke with collapsed to the ground after I sucked their entire life force. Maybe I had no need to take her life first, but she was too noisy. Because of that, I just had to give that terrible speech! Aaaaah!

Ugh, whatever, I just have to endure this weird gazes from everyone.

Fortunately, this village had no one powerful, if they did, they would have already appeared before anyone died. It would be terrible if they had an old man hiding amongst them that appeared to be weak, but truly was a master of martial arts, or ninjutsu or whatever.

That would be annoying. Maybe it would be better if I can shatter their life core like the knights. But it would be troublesome if they were at the level of heroes, since I might have to use a lot of spells.

Anyhow, all's well that ends well!

That aside, I had to ensure that no one escaped the moment we made our move. I don't want them to disperse like rats and warn anyone nearby. Thus, beforehand, I cast a barrier to surround the entire village, then I scattered my zombies everywhere to push the villagers to gather where I wanted. The most optimal place was the center of the village.

They may be crying right now, fearing the death that will come to them, but I don't care. I gotta think about myself here.

"Meuran! Meuran!"

A boy ran to the girl's side and lifted her miserable corpse, tears welling up his eyes. Were they siblings? No, he wasn't with them in the hugging session. Hm, then perhaps a friend… or a boyfriend? Or the boy just like the girl. Aaah, the wonders of youth.

As I stared at him with interest, he turned towards me. He gave me a glare, intense emotion was kept within those eyes as I was reflected unto them. Hatred and rage. I already recognized what kind of gaze that was, what desire was building up within him.

"A glare of vengeance."

Yes, that was what he was giving me. Fascinating, the sheer level of it could burn the entire village.

"Y-You… You did this! You will pay."

"Oh? You want revenge? You want to kill me?"

How hilarious. But, a lesson should be learned here. I turned to my two knights.

"Listen here you two, look at him."

The two of them looked curiously at the boy.

"In his eyes you could see rage, hatred, and wrath. Such intense emotion, and as time passes by, it will only grow stronger. In our crusade, I want you to be familiar with that gaze. Do you know why?"

The two of them looked at me, looking for answers for why I was talking about this.

"That's because such emotions cannot be ignored. Vengeance grows purpose, hatred forms goals, wrath brings power. They will never stop until they are granted what they want."

I glanced at the boy who was still glaring at me.

"Therefore, something must be done about it, or a new cycle of vengeance will come to bite us back. Emotions are the main driving force of humanity, do not underestimate it. Otherwise, it will be your undoing."

I feel like I'm a teacher now.

"So, what should we do about it?"

I didn't look at Neolen, but rather at Heiness, whose conflict and hesitation was evident on her face, as though she was still a little concerned about these people.

"Heiness… what do we do?"

"... We must destroy it."

I smiled at her answer.

"Correct."

At that instant, at a speed no eye could follow, I grabbed the boy by the neck and choked him.

"Gah!"

White mist emerged from his entire body and moved into me. After he no longer moved, I opened my hand and let him drop to the floor.

"We must uproot such emotions that are directed towards us."

Besides, this boy. Heh, we just don't want an Eren Jaeger.

After that, I held out my hand towards another group of people, they trembled in fear as they clung to each other. Then I cast my spell…

"..."

However, there was a problem. My wide eyes looked at my own palm, shock was evident on my face.

It can't be…

"Mistress?"

I slowly turned my head towards Neolen who called out to me with puzzlement. I was in disbelief. I felt no different. Nothing new. Nothing good. Nothing better. My hand trembled due to the swirling emotions within me.

"I… I'm full."

I could no longer take in their life force. I was now at a state of fully restored. It was like how your belly would be full after having a nice meal and cannot eat anymore. But, there was no joy in my heart.

"Bring… bring me food."

Seeing how displeased I am, Neolen sprang out into action and scoured the nearby house before going out with bread in hand. The moment he presented it to me, I grabbed it instantly and took a bite.

After chewing on it and swallowing, my face loosened, I don't know what expression I was having now.

The bread fell from my trembling hands to the soil. I took in a sharp shaky breath.

"No…"

I grasped my temple at the discovery and realization of it all. I felt the heartbreak, disappointment, and sadness deep within me. I cannot deny those feelings anymore.

"Nothing changed…"

It was still the same! There was no flavor! It turned to ash the moment it reached my throat! Why?! Am I not truly human now?! No no no, I look human. I have a tongue, nose, throat, teeth, and stomach…

...

No… There was no denying it anymore, I have become something different from a human, and thus I lack something that other humans have. I believed something different from the truth.

I would only be making a fool out of myself if I deny it any further.

I raised up my hand and the light of the sun touched my skin.

Come to think of it, I have not felt a single warmth from the sunlight. Nor did I ever feel the coldness of the wind.

If I was still completely human, I would have wept a long time ago.

I lowered my gaze towards my knights.

I was no different from them… even though I was told I was higher than the undead, I was no different. I was just like any other undead. Completely unlike any living being, humans or demons.

"I'm sorry… It's pointless."

I told them, distraught evident in my voice. I was overwhelmed with hopelessness now that I know that I will be this way forevermore.

"I'm leaving. Dispose of the rest, and burn everything."

As I was about to leave, I turned towards Heiness.

"Heiness, if you do not want to do this, or do not want to witness this, you can choose to leave this place. Follow me if you want."

I do not wish to force her if she doesn't want to, at least not yet. But, she will have to overcome that hesitation at some point. However, it shall be done slowly. I do not want to come to a time where I have to force her to do something.

"Mistress…"

She seemed to hesitate to speak to me.

Leaving her to make her decision, I began walking away from this place.

"Mistress, Heiness, leave this task to me," Neolen said.

The next thing I sensed was Heiness walking behind me. So, in the end, she cannot take it. She could even be described now as a failure of an undead. But, that didn't mean I would just throw her away like a toy.

Was it guilt I was feeling? Knowing that I made them this way? That they wouldn't be able to feel the wonders of humanity ever again?

I am beginning to realize that I, them as well, had to discard our humanity completely.

"My apologies, mistress… I cannot—"

"It's okay."

I solemnly said as I sadly looked at the ground. I just want to get some fresh air. Hope being shattered truly was the worst. I should have died. How am I to return to my home world in this state?

This all started because of them…

I let my feet carry me blindly until I was under the shade of a tall tree. Feeling tired, I sat down on the grass and leaned my back to the trunk before folding and hugging my knees.

I could hear the screams from different voices in the village. Smoke had begun to rise up into the sky as flames began to engulf the houses. But I merely glanced at it for a moment and lowered my head, laying my forehead on my legs.