Dereliction of duty · 90 years in the new calendar

Zolf: ...

good evening.

As soon as he entered the house, he was greeted by Zor who was standing upright, with a good posture and an impatient expression.

Even the three words of greeting are particularly...weird?A little cold, but not to the point of losing my temper.

Xus: Well, good evening.

...It seems that the family has been very peaceful these two days?

Zolf: Yeah, except me...

One, one, person, all, no, yes.

There will be ghosts if you are not calm-what about "come back at night" as promised?

Xus: Sorry, suddenly thought of something else.

Although it is possible to say "It's not night now."

The wrong party is himself, this sophistry is very unfair to Zor.

Putting the two bags of sundries in his hand on the ground aside, Xus took out the book from the inner pocket of his coat.

The cover is on the side close to the body, the surface of the book is warm to the touch, and the texture is unexpectedly good.

Zolf: Got it back.

It's been a long time, has he made things difficult for you?

Xus shook his head, and said that if he just took the book, NO.18 took it back on the same day.

As for why the date of returning home was postponed for two days... it was something he prepared for future talks.

Xus: Have you had dinner yet?

Zolf: Well - it's past eight o'clock, already.

To be honest, I just lay lazy in the quilt.

Xus: Really?

……

excuse me.

The quilt had been lying down just now—the quilt was also warm now.

This was an irresistible temptation for Xus who had just escaped from the snow.

Zor blinked and made way obediently. By the way, what should I do with the two bags at the door? He can help.

Xus: Just leave it alone, don't move it.

——You also come here.

Seeing that he was still about to stand in a daze, Xus stretched out his arm, grabbed his collar and pulled him into the room.

He was frightened, and he let himself handle it in a short period of time, so inexplicably, he became a situation where the two of them huddled under the blanket.

Xus: ...hello.

How long are you going to be in a daze?

Zolf: Huh? ... Eh?

No, I just didn't think of it?

Xus: Is it because I don't take the initiative too often?

Zolf: That's a lot...

Whether it's a normal meaning or a hint, I'm usually very proactive in private...at least Xus always thinks so.

It wasn't like this at first, it's a character that I developed after getting along with Zor for a long time.

At first, it was to cater to this big dog who is always full of energy and extraordinarily enthusiastic as much as possible. Later, he developed and became addicted to it unconsciously.

Xus: Let's get down to business first.

——I met with Sister Cyn, and I also lived in the church for the past two days.

After the confrontation with Flo the day before yesterday, Xus, who had something on his mind, pondered for a moment, then went to the church in the city.

I've been feeling this way since the beginning of the month - Flo seems to be "a different person".

Xus: It's okay to say that it's just a sudden change in personality, after all, he is also a person with complicated experiences.

It is normal to have changes when you are stimulated or suddenly think about something.

Zolf: Huh?Ah, you said this.

——His personality now is very similar to yours before.

Except for things like face and voice that cannot be changed, they are almost carved out of the same mold as you.

Xus: ...

when did you find out

Zolf: The day he broke your arm and pretended he didn't know anything.

Xus: The arm... number five.

It's early enough.Why don't you tell me?

Zolf: Is it necessary?

Xus: None.

Then—Sister Cyn "admitted".

This is what happened at noon yesterday.

A more precise time is after her daily prayers.

The location is the empty church.

The noon sun hit the two of them through the colorful decorative glass.

Xus: I asked her if something was done to Flo.

Without mentioning the details, she said yes directly, quite simply.

Zolf: In fact, you can call it a coincidence, if you want to quibble.

The reason for thinking of Miss Cyn is very simple... However, among the remaining people in the world, only Cyn, Zolf and Xus are left who can understand.

Xus: Do you want to talk to Sui too?

Said - Cyndeline has the ability to "change others".

Zolf: Was it mentioned before?Clues are also good.

Xus: None.

Zolf: Forget it, it's too abrupt, and most of them won't believe it.

Xus: By the way, Miss Cyn is technically a dead person.

Things that the living can't do, maybe they can be done with her?

Zolf: Don't.

I can't believe it anymore.

If it were me, if you said such weird words, I would have the urge to hit someone.

Xus was not reconciled, but thinking about it, what he said was irrefutable.

If it had been earlier, I would have communicated more with those two young people and talked about many unknown secrets about this wonderful world...

Maybe it's better to talk about it now.

Xus: Speaking of which, Flo is not alive anymore.

Sui is still alive, but not much different from a walking corpse, sooner or later.

Zolf: Didn't you send them to the Demon King's Palace just to prevent things from developing like that?

The demolition was originally completed at the beginning of this year, and you delayed it for a while.

Seeing his shining eyes, Xus sighed and buried the quilt more tightly.

Under the quilt, he stretched out his hand and rubbed his hairy head vigorously.