IF Route 2: Chapter 9: Corpse of the Saint

After that, the monotonous tasks continued for a while.

To be precise, it's an investigation into the remains of the Undead Army and the surrounding area.

Trust and I are also participating in these investigations.

That said, since the being that was controlling it had died, all we could do was dispose of the remains.

Well, it's hard to say whether it's good or bad, but we still don't have a grasp on the Demon King's army's movements.

There's not enough information because the necromancer was only bringing along an army of undead.

The demons may also have disliked interacting with rotting corpses.

Still, it was a great achievement to defeat an enemy army of that size without any casualties.

At the very least, fighting against something of that scale would have been quite a struggle.

...We weren't the ones who defeated her though.

Either way, the situation was stagnant.

However, even during these days, my life with Trust continues.

Once I decided to become a woman, I let go of a little bit of my sense of shame.

In short, it has a slightly obsequious feel to it.　

If I did this in my previous life, I would be so obsequious that I would be unpopular with my peers.

...I do have some reservations about it, but it's fun to be spoiled by someone I like.

Trust accepts me as I am.

However, it's not a relationship where we adore each other like a princess and prince, but rather a relationship where we are partners who respect each other.

Even when it comes to sexual activities, we don't depend on each other, but rather respect each other.

Sex while saying "I love you" is passionate and feels good.

So, that side is quite fulfilling.

...By the way, my power of magic has increased.

My magic is support-type, so it not only increases my abilities, but the effect and range have also increased.

Compared to when I first came to this world, it has improved to an incomparable extent.

If I believe what God explained to me, it means that my romantic feelings for Trust are growing stronger.

This was especially true that night, after I decided to become a woman.

Well, yeah... I love Trust.

I guess that's fine for now, so I'll just think of it that way.

That's how we spent our days, but then we were called to Nerisford by the city representatives.

We are in a place that looks like an office right now.

"Trust, Filia-dono, I think I'll tell you about the current situation for now."

"You mean with her?"

Well, that's probably what happened going forward.

There's only vague information about the Undead Army, so it's probably too late now.

We also reported on everything from big things to small things.

"That's right. After investigation, Filia-dono's body... is that correct? She answered our questions honestly."

I thought that might be the case.

We only spoke a little, but she didn't have the slightest bit of hostility towards us.

Rather, she showed intense hatred towards the demons and the heroine.

Having gone to such lengths, she will likely behave in a way that makes people think she is on the side of humanity, even if it is just an act.

"And I have determined that the information I received from her is highly reliable."

"...I know it's strange for me to say this, but can we really trust her?"

I thought it was rude to ask someone who said they could trust me whether they could trust me or not, but it was precisely because of my position that I was able to ask.

Certainly, based on her actions so far, she seems to be an ally.

However, she is the one who appeared alongside the heroine who betrayed Trust.

It's only natural to feel anxious.

"Of course, we don't completely trust her either. That's why I called you, Trust."

"What do you mean?"

"As you know, her appearance is the same as Filia-dono. It's only natural since she was resurrected from Filia-dono's corpse, but having the same appearance as the Holy Spirit can be quite troublesome."

Well, he introduced me to the people as the Holy Spirit.

If a living saint were to appear there, the people would be confused.

However, it would be difficult to process.

There's no telling what kind of situation might occur if the corpse of a well-known being such as a Saint or a Holy Spirit were treated carelessly.

"However, she wishes to take part in the battle against the demons."

"So even if we try to actually use her and find out, we can't assign her to a suitable unit based on her appearance, right?"

"That's right. Above all, the previous incident was attributed to the annihilation of the Demon King's army of undead through the power of the Hero and the Holy Spirit."

Wow, is that what's happening?

However, we really can't say that the Saint's corpse betrayed the enemy and defeated the enemy commander, the undead army was wiped out.

If someone said that to me, I think I would just say "Huh?"

As a representative of the city, he would definitely like to attribute it to the power of the Hero and the Holy Spirit.

"So, I have one question: would you consider using her as one of your subordinates?"

"..."

Trust remains silent with a difficult look on his face.

It's kind of a weird suggestion.

Of course, I intend to understand the city representatives' intentions.

She's a tricky bomb to handle, but bombs have different effects depending on how they're used.

If used effectively, it could even be used in situations like defeating an army of undead.

Trust should understand that too.

However, emotionally... I'll make a suggestion here that won't hurt either of us.

That way there will be no offense.

"Trust-sama, how about we talk it through and then decide?"

"But……"

I understand what Trust is worried about.

It was originally my body, so it's only natural to be worried.

However, in reality, I hasn't used Filia's body enough to feel attached to it.

If this was my body from my previous life, it might be different, but it's only been about two months since I became a girl.

Moreover, since I became a holy spirit halfway through, I doesn't feel the sense of tragedy that a normal human would.

Well, there's no way I can say that.

"It's okay. More than anything, I just wanted to talk to her once. Is that okay?"

"...I understand. Mayor, is that okay?"

"Of course. I'll bring her right away."

This is what we call procrastination.

I'm sure Trust would have some thoughts if he actually talked to her.

Well, it's common for someone to be cheated on because of their own actions.

Given the situation, it seems like a case of reverse NTR, or the man cheating.

It's a bit worrying for because he is aguy who had a harem with the three heroines, but I guess as long as Trust is happy I don't really care.

...I feel a strange uneasiness in my chest.

However, if the original is the same person, does this constitute infidelity?

"Saint-sama, Hero-sama, it's been a long time desu no."

Just as I was feeling anxious about my own actions and words, the girl in question came into my office.

She's still as beautiful as ever, and even more ladylike and cheerful than me.

However, despite being interrogated relentlessly, she doesn't look tired at all.

In fact, she seems more refined overall than when I met her on the battlefield.

Oops, now it's time to say hello.

"It's been a while. I'm Filia, now known as the Holy Spirit."

"Trust. I'm a hero."

It was a very formal conversation.

It's clear that we're on guard.

"A Holy Spirit? The current Saint certainly feels like a Holy Spirit desu no."

In comparison, she has no sense of caution whatsoever.

Her tone suggested he had complete faith in us.

But... what should I do?

Trust is on high alert due to the incident with the heroines.

So I should be the one to start the conversation.

However, it would be rude to ask for the conclusion straight away...Okay, let's make small talk.

"You seem to be my body, but how do you have a sense of self?"

...Is this just small talk?

After saying it, I realized that it was quite in-depth.

However, it was strange that my corpse was the only one with a sense of self, even though she was accompanied by skeletons and zombies, dead creatures that clearly had no sense of self.

"I don't know about that. But knowing them, I think they thought they could hurt Hero-sama using me desu no."

There's no doubt about it.

The necromancer Luries is the kind of woman who would think about such things.

Or rather, those heroines are the kind of people who would come up with such a rubbish idea.

Topic, over!

Um...

"How is life here?"

"After all, human should only have human food desu no!"

She took a great liking to the topic I casually brought up.

Moreover, even though the topic is not specific, such as daily life, the focus is limited to food.

Is she a gluttonous character?

Like, because she was dead, she now is clinging to life.

However, if the topic catches her interest, then go along with it.

"Was the demon food really that bad for you?"

When I was playing the game, I remember that the food that appeared in the background when the heroines were being NTR-ed didn't seem to taste bad.

It's a bit of a pretentious dish, and it seems like it would go well with champagne or wine.

Well, humans have dishes like that too.

I guess it was simply a depiction of elegant cooking by an unlikable person.

"It's not that I don't like it, I just don't want to eat anything they've touched desu no."

It's kind of thorough.

Even if this was her true feelings, it wouldn't be strange, as her hatred of demons is clearly evident.

Come to think of it, she was wiping the blood off her--, I mean, my short sword with her demon clothes.

Does that mean that she hates demons?

"Above all, the way they dyes everything black and blue is just stupid and one-trick pony desu no."

I don't deny that.

Well, the black one looks more like the villain.

The reason it's blue is probably because demon blood is blue.

That said, it's not because human blood is red that people like red clothes.

I wonder if the demons really care about their own kind.

It had an aristocratic feel to it.

It seemed like the strong ones were the great ones, and bloodlines seemed important when it came to inheriting magic.

"I don't know if it's okay to ask, but does that tone of voice mean anything?"

Actually, I've been wondering about it for a while.

It's like the way characters are added to a work of fiction, with all that  "desu no.''

Well, this world was originally an erotic game, so it's not entirely wrong.

I'm also what they call a polite speech character.

"I don't know. That's been my catchphrase ever since I was able to move desu no."

"Really? I think it's charming."

"Thank you. Holy Spirit-sama is also very beautiful desu no."

"Oh, is that a roundabout way of flattering yourself?"

"Yes. I have the same appearance as Holy Spirit-sama and I'm proud of it desu no."

Hmm, what is this rave review about?

Perhaps if you were listening from the sidelines, you might feel a little uneasy.

But I can sense something close to excitement, or respect, in this girl's eyes.

It's almost like we're meeting for the first time, so I don't really know what's going on.

"Now that I think about it, you knew about Trust-sama and me, but where did you learn that?"

"It's a memory I had originally desu no."

"Is that on my body?"

"Yes, that's true. However, it seems that most memories are stored on the soul side desu no."

Is that so?

Well, if memories are recorded in the brain, memories of past lives and memories up to the present day are not recorded.

It's unclear what the soul's principles are, but it may be true that it's a place where memories can be recorded.

"So I know some of the Holy Spirit-sama's memories. For example, how you chose to die desu no."

"How did I die?"

"It is--"

"--Don't say that!"

Trust, who had been silent up until now, shouted loudly.

My body involuntarily jumps in shock.

The same goes for her, and I actually feel closer to her.

"Sorry for yelling... please continue."

Prompted by Trust's apology, she straightened out her shocked expression and spoke.

"I'm sorry. It was certainly inappropriate desu no."

She bowed her head, looking truly apologetic.

I also didn't hear well.

Considering Trust, I shouldn't have asked how I died.

"But I felt the nobility and purity of Holy Spirit-sama's death desu no."

Purity, huh...

I don't know how I died, but I wonder if there are such things as ways to die.

Like, did I die in a cool way like a manga character?

"I cannot compromise on that point, and I have great respect for Holy Spirit-sama desu no."

"Thank you. But changing the subject, why do you hate demons so much?"

This topic seems bad for Trust's spirit so I forcefully change the topic.

If it was just badmouthing the demons then it wouldn't be a problem, but if it was just an act then it might expose something.

Of course, there is also the simple feeling of being curious.

"I think it's strange to like the people who caused your death desu no?"

Well, that's true.

She has memories of my death that I don't have, so there's no way she could fall in love with them.

In rape-themed erotic games, it's common for the characters to succumb to pleasure and become bonded, which is a pretty shitty plot twist.

But this girl is my body.

A girl named Filia only receives pleasure from Trust.

Therefore, even if they are dead, they will not succumb to pleasure.

"That's the premise I gave during the interrogation desu no."

"……what?"

The city representative looked uncomfortable.

Of course, that would mean she was just making up random things.

"So you lied during the interrogation?"

"Of course, I'm not lying. But there's another real reason desu no."

"...Will you tell me about that?"

"I was originally planning to talk to Holy Spirit-sama when I met her desu."

As she said this, her jade green eyes became cloudy and stagnant.

I remember this turbidity being present in Trust as well.

Resentment, hatred, cursing someone...that's the kind of murkiness it is.　

I understand because I know that turbidity too.

That she has something bad in her.

"..."

Trust looked at her and seemed to understand.

Or maybe it was because the girl who looked the same as me had the same color hatred as me.

"It's hard to put into words, so I'll just talk about how I feel desu no."　

She begins by prefaced her statement with,

"It was a black, hazy vision... yes, there was a crack-like fissure in that vision desu no."

There's a black haze and her vision is cracked.

I don't really understand it, but I do know that it's not a good story.

Above all, I recognized the word "crack."

"What I saw beyond that were three beautiful and impure women desu no."

"……"

"The three women were swaying their bodies lasciviously, intoxicated with pleasure, each one badmouthing one person and praising another desu no."

I immediately knew what she was trying to say.

In the first place, there's no way you wouldn't understand when you hear the words "three women."

"It's so filthy that I can't bear to look at it... it makes me feel like my heart is being painted black desu no."

I understand. There's no way I wouldn't understand.

I'm here because I understand this feeling.

That's why I prayed to God and came to Trust.

A feeling that should never be forgiven or forgotten.

"But even if I reach out to them or vent my anger, nothing changes desu."

When this world was a game, it did not allow anything other than the predetermined course of events.

That's only natural, since it's a game, and it's impossible for the story to progress in any other way than what's been planned.

It doesn't matter if you punch the screen, break the disc, or uninstall the game.

It is--

"This is so unreasonable... There's no way this selfishness is acceptable! I will never forgive it desu no!"

...That's right.

It's not that I forgot.

If it were possible, I would kill them with my own hands.

I want to punish that scum who is begging for her life and asking for help out of my own personal feelings.

"I will not forgive them! I will not forgive the Demon King! I will eradicate the demons desu no!"

A smile graced her lips as she spoke.

A world where you can change if you reach out and hurt if you hit.

Those tiny hands are struggling to change something in this world.

"Holy Spirit-sama, Hero-sama, I have some of the memories of a girl named Filia, but I am not her. From the moment my ego first emerged, I had a different will. I don't even know why I am in this state desu no."

As she declared this, the cloudiness in her eyes had already disappeared.

I guess she was just telling the story of what happened to her.

"So I'm a fake Saint desu no."

……Wrong!

This girl is definitely Filia.

She just doesn't include the strange information that she was a man in her previous life.

To put it in perspective... yes, the original girl called Filia, before the foreign object called me entered her.

"No!"

"Eh?"

An innocent girl with a puzzled expression.

A girl who cannot tolerate evil because she is pure.

"You are definitely the real me. I will prove it."

Following my emotions, I grabbed the girl's hand.

A girl's body, warmer and softer than the body of the Holy Spirit, full of blood.

Cherry blossom-colored hair that flows in the wind, jade green eyes that reflect the world...and a heart that does not tolerate evil.

"That must have been very painful..."

"Eh? I'm not injured anywhere desu no?"

"No. You were in pain. You were in terrible pain."

It was my own feeling from the beginning.

It hurt. It really hurt.

That's why I wanted to help Trust.

I wanted him to be happy.

Ah, my tear ducts are loosening.

He is betrayed and abused by the girls he loved.

Of course it's going to hurt.

Of course it's sad.

More than anything, I feel regretful that she showed these feelings to anyone other than me and Trust.

"It doesn't matter how much your body is hurt, you can endure it no matter how much you are torn apart... but if your heart is hurt, it's no good... it's no good!"

"..."

The girl seemed to understand what I was saying, as she nodded silently.

...I shouldn't have died.

I shouldn't have died!

My body shouldn't have ended up like this.

"Trust-sama."

I turn around while still holding the girl's hand.

Trust had an expression on his face that said he didn't understand what had happened.

If you look at the situation objectively, you can understand his feelings.

But I have to be on her side and on Trust's side too.

"She is trustworthy. Would you allow her to stay with us?"

I know very well that she's a suspicious person.

He should be suspicious, and if he wants to be really safe, it's probably best to dispose of her secretly.

Still, I have to be on this girl's side.

"...I get it. I'll believe in the woman Filia believes in."

Trust forgave me easily, really easily.

That makes me happy. I'm so happy I can't help it.

"I love you, Trust-sama"

"Filia, I know I made you promise that, but you have to choose the place."

"I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I couldn't choose where to say it, so it can't be helped."

"I see... I'll be counting on you from now on."

Despite being so cautious, Trust said this to the girl in a friendly manner.

There must be something to think about.

Still, I'm glad that he swallowed his doubts.

I think I'm really really going to love this guy.

"Ah... yes, that's right. I'll do my best to be of help to you desu no."

The girl nodded happily.

I ended up dragging a funny kid into this.

I really don't want her to fight.

But now that this girl knows what happened, I can't tell her not to fight.

Because even if I was told the same thing, I would still fight.

"No, wait a minute."

Just as the discussion was coming to a conclusion, the city representative interjected.

"I have absolutely no idea what's going on. How did this happen?"

Um, well... I get it.

If you were to look at what had just happened, it would be incomprehensible.

Trust is probably nodding without really understanding either.

"Yes. I know the black, hazy, cracked vision she speaks of. Everything beyond that is also my memory."

"So, you're saying that Filia is the root of her actions and words that say she can't forgive demons?"

"Yes. She is me. I won't let anyone deny it."

"I see. Well, it would be great if you could take care of her for us... Trust, I'll ask you to report back later."

Ah, it seems like there's no point in asking this.

It's written on his face that when women are in groups, he doesn't know what to do.

That's why he is going to have Trust report back to him later.

At least his goal was achieved.

"I understand. I'm always sorry."

"If you think so, prepare some good sake next time."

"Haha, I understand."

The men are acting out friendships.

In other words, is this a place where women can develop friendships with each other too?

We're two women, or rather, we are the same person.

As I was thinking this, I noticed the girl's gaze.

"Um, Holy Spirit-sama."

"What is it?"

"Can I call you Onee-sama from now on desu?"

Onee-sama... what is that yuri-yuri phrase?

No, I have someone important to me named Trust, so I won't be yuri.

In the first place, we only just met today, so it probably means that she admires me.

"That's fine. Um... what should I call you?"

Both of us are Filia so it's very confusing.

Even now, I still call her "she" or "girl" in my mind, but that's not a name.

There are also other names, like Filia's corpse, which are just too difficult to call.

"I'm a fake, so I don't have a name right now desu no."

"You're not a fake. You're another me."

As I said this, looking her in the eye, the girl's cheeks turned red.

So please stop reacting like that. I am getting anxious here.

The girl named Filia has no frivolous views on love.

I will devote my life to the person to whom I give my virginity, that's who I am.

...Another me, huh?

"Then can I call you Ai?"

"Ai? I've never heard that word before."

This world language is not Japanese, but a different language, so the word love is not pronounced as "ai" here.

Anyway, my name is Filia.

It means love.

So I thought it would be good to name the other me Ai.

"It's a word that was used in the same sense as Filia where I used to live."

"Is that so?"

"Well, if you don't like it, I can think of another name, what do you think?"

It could be something like Ren or Mana from a romantic background, or something in this world.

It's a little difficult when you're told to stay away from love and romance.

"No, I really liked it. From now on, I'll call myself Ai desu no."

"That's good to hear. I look forward to working with you again, Ai-chan."

"Yes, I will do my best for Onee-sama desu no!"

That's what she, or rather Ai-chan, said with a bright smile.

For some reason, I started calling her "chan."

Is it because she looks younger than her age?

That said, she looks just like me.

And so, that's how Ai-chan joined our group.